BLOODSPORT | johanna mason

02. Losing Hope

Author's Note -
Before I begin this chapter, I just wanted to show you all the little poster I made for Iris' Victory Tour - it's simple and if I'm honest, I didn't put much effort into it but I hope y'all like it. However, the ACTUAL tour will be happening in the next chapter. Also, this will skip around the time leading up to the event. Wanted to let everyone know, in case it seems confusing!

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As the interview and temporary luxury from the Capitol came to an end, Iris' life would continue to be a living hell. Not just because of all the traumatic things she had to witness and eventually has to come to terms with, but President Snow was going to pawn her off to citizens in the future.

The ride back to District 2 felt lonely, despite having the mentor with her. There was an emptiness that consumed her heart and soul... Shouldn't she be proud? Feel invincible? All of the other Victors seemed to be when they'd arrive home, greeted by the crowd and sweet embraces of loved ones.

But Iris didn't feel that. All she felt was guilt and suffering. Out of all those tributes, she survived. Why me? She'd constantly think to herself.

When the bullet train made it to the destination, Iris was dressed in comfortable clothing - nothing too fancy, but at least looking presentable. Her pants were black and wore a fitted dark green top, her hair was up in a high ponytail. As she steps out of the train and onto the platform, she is greeted with the overwhelming sea of people — cheering, screaming and some were even crying. The girl forced a smile on her face and raised both hands, waving to the citizens and blowing kisses.

"Iris! Iris, sweetheart!" A familiar voice came from the front of the crowd, her eyes immediately darting around to find the face belonging to it.

"Dad?" She exclaims, wanting to run - but she couldn't. For a moment, it slips her mind that she wore a cast despite feeling the pain in her leg.

Davion decides to help the teenager make her way down the steps carefully, going to help Iris push her way through the crowd to get to her parents.

Her eyes immediately form tears, letting them run down her face as she practically falls into the arms of her father. She feels her mother join the hug, the three of them holding onto another so tightly. It felt like the crowd surrounding the family vanished, only the three remained in this perfect moment. Iris missed this - she missed her district, she missed everything. But nothing could be seen the same way again, not after the Games.

After the sweet embrace, the family left the station to go home. The house was the same, everything was kept where it was... Iris was expecting it to be different, especially her bedroom. Maybe because she thought she wouldn't make it, but here she was. However, she knew the next day or two - Iris would be moved into the Victor's Village.

Despite the reunion at the train station, the atmosphere at home didn't stay so welcoming. It felt thick with tension instead, she wanted to know what was going through her mother and father's mind... Instead, they were dodging any talk of the Games. That was understandable though.

"I think it's best if I start dinner, hm? We can celebrate." Her mother stood from the couch, a small smile on her face. Iris nods and says nothing, letting her and her father go into the kitchen to cook.

As the two leave the room, the girl's smile fades. Things won't go back to normal and she hates that. Not even her family felt the same.