The Sixty-Fifth Hunger Games

Jason

I come out of my reverie and notice that we're almost done with the interviews. Mine wasn't that bad, I was asked a few questions and responded politely enough.

The boy tribute from 12 is heading toward the stage, his suit is black as coal and plain. Even with the simplicity of the boy, Leo I recall. Looks highly uncomfortable. He plays with his hands, they run along the sides of his suit and fiddle together. The only other time I can remember seeing him is during the chariot ride. I remember he wasn't looking at the crowd, he was doing something with his hands. I also remember him launching a small object into the air.

I was pretty sure it was a drone of some sort as it hovered there and zoomed around the chariots.

I drone out and come too when an extremely loud chorus of laughter comes over from the audience. It seems like Leo is a popular choice. I don't listen to their conversation and instead focus on the other tributes, one in particular really.

Piper. I remember when she blurted out her name, I should have stayed and said something. Instead I walked away. Something about her caught and held my attention.

They put her in a long cream dress that compliments her brown skin. I stare at her longer than I should and quickly turn away.

I go back to the conversation that's happening on stage, Caesar asks leo, "So what was your life like back in 12?" Leo grins, "well I never met my dad, my mom died, and I lived in an orphanage, and then-" He cuts off and stops grinning and shrugs, "That's it." Caesar looks a bit taken aback but smoothly returns to the conversation.

I scrutinize Leo, his hands never stop moving and his eyes dart around, observing everything. He would make a good ally. I turn my head away from the stage and start making calculations.

I chuck a spear at the dummy in front of me, hitting it in the chest. I hear a thud next to me which means someone else has joined my area. I look over and see my fellow tribute from 1. Hazel. She picks up a spear and angles it toward a dummy next to me. It sails forward and... misses. The spear lands somewhere a few feet away from us.

I turn and give her a small smile, "Nice try." She turns around and gives me a startled look, "Thanks, I guess." She goes and picks up her spear and throws it again. And misses again. I can't take it, she should be better than this. I mean she grew in 1, we're trained for this after all. Then I remember, she was sent away from 1 when she was 10. She wouldn't have had proper training.

I walk over to her, "Let me help." I reach out to take the spear from her and she jerks back, her eyes narrowing. "I don't need your help, you're nothing but cruel."

With that she slams the spear down and walks away, heading somewhere else.

I blink, slowly. A bit of anger comes up inside of me, just because I'm from 1 everyone thinks I'm cruel. It's not my fault I was born there. First that girl, Piper. And now Hazel.

The thought of Piper makes me turn and look around for her. She's at the dagger area, examining the blade in her hands.

Her hair is in a braid and she's wearing a plain pair of jeans and a shirt. Even though her outfit is a far cry from elegant she looks better than she did last night.

She seems to realize someone's looking at her and turns around, her multicolor eyes catch mine and she stares at me, I turn around and pick up another spear. I chuck it with all my might at a new dummy, it skewers it right through the heart and I grab another, but my thoughts remain on Piper. I scold myself, I can't let this happen, whatever this is I can't let it happen. 

This chapter was written by @marsh_meowllow!

-Toodles!