Different Perspectives Chapter 16
Author's Note: I do not own The Hunger Games
Excerpt from The Stylist: The Diary of Tigris Snow
The 16th year of The Hunger Games was the sixth year I had styled a Tribute. Although my styling of Lucy Grey Baird six years ago was unofficial, Coriolanus gave me the rank of Stylist at the beginning of the 11th Hunger Games. At the same time as the 12th, Snow decided to recruit several more Stylists from Fabrica Whatnot; she didn't mind that her staff can style the Tributes for both the Interviews and in the Arena, being impressed by my idea of styling Lucy Grey. This year, I have been given District 8. More specifically, the boy from District 8, Woof Casino. Woof was slim, sixteen years old, with dark hair and brown eyes. Tonight is the night of the Interviews, and Woof will be wearing a dark purple tuxedo. The outfit will make him look smart. Next to him, was his District Partner Violet Gore and her Stylist, a man named Vanilla. Violet was wearing a floor-length silver dress, her hair decorated with beads. Adjusting the tie on Woof's suit, I stared at how smart he looked as I left to get some sleep, a ritual I have been doing the night of the Interviews since the 11th Hunger Games. Tomorrow, Woof will be heading to the Arena, and for his final journey I will be accompanying him.
Waking up, I went to call Woof. As the Hovercraft emerged, I climbed aboard with the boy; since the 11th, it has become customary for the Stylists to travel to the Arena with the Tribute. Mags, Tammy, Molly, Dinah and Kronos will instead go to the Control Room. Oliver, Achilles, Mustang, Farro and Barak could have been there. I remembered the boys I styled, and how they died.
Going into the Launch Room under the Arena, I unwrapped the parcel on the bench as Woof was in the shower. Pulling out the items, I could see the parcel consisted of heavy, black boots, a pair of woollen socks, thick ski trousers in khaki, a black T-Shirt, a thick brown jumper and a large, heavy coat in dark buff leather brown. By the looks of things, it appears that The Arena will be something with snow in. As Woof got dressed, I asked him if he would like some food and drink. Woof agreed, and we ate. After finishing the food, a voice told the Tributes to head to the tubes. Saying goodbye to Woof, I left the Arena and headed to the headquarters.
Four days later, and Woof is still alive. Sadly, his District Partner Violet isn't, having been killed by the girl from District 2, Sagitta. In that time, he built an igloo, and sleeping inside it when he wasn't hunting or patrolling. That day, three Tributes had been killed: Aethra of District 5, Justus of District 2 and Sagitta.
As Day 6 dawned there was hope that I had styled a Victor, as the Cannons sound. Terrai and her District Partner, Declan, both from District 12, had died of starvation. As I was ironing the suit Woof would wear to the Victors Interview, I heard another Cannon. Dartmoor of District 10 had fallen into the ravine, leaving Woof the Victor.
"You know, in six months, I will be travelling with you all over Panem on the Victory Tour. I already have some clothes designed" I said as the Victors Interview concluded. Joined by his Escort, I watched as the coffin containing Violet's corpse was loaded onto the train. On the neighbouring platforms, I could see the wooden boxes being loaded. So many kids killed. Watching Woof board the District 8 train, I stood on the platform as it turned a corner before disappearing.
Like Chapter 15, this one has been on my laptop for a week, but decided to upload this chapter up.