² SECOND CHANCE ─ the hunger games

nine - sparks turn into fires

— GWYNETH —

TODAY IS THE DAY of the pre-game interviews, and also the last day I can spend with my friends before they enter the arena.

The last time I can see them without their fate having been written in stone. The last time I can see them before they either kill or die.

My friends will be entering the dreaded arena tomorrow because of a selfish choice I made, yet I can't force myself to feel regret or sorry because of what I did.

Wearing a forest green dress, I bid goodbye to my friends as they head backstage to meet their stylists.

Music plays, and I snap back into attention as I watch the interviewer step onto the stage, waving to the audience. The backtrack fades out as she makes a quick introduction of the Adelaide Woods Hunger Games before cutting to the chase.

"In the 1st rendition of the Hunger Games, a few tributes garnered lots of attention for their experiences in the arena, their brave sacrifice, and the love and friendship they share with our Victor, Gwyneth Anderson," she begins.

"Everyone, your favourite tributes are back! These three are now ready to face the challenges in the arena once again, and now, let us welcome our three revived tributes - the sparks from the Adelaide Woods - Eunice Seyfield, Kunboss Bailey, and Zoey Sinclair!"

Loud cheers and claps follow as my friends emerge and make their way onto the stage. They're dressed stunningly - and seem to really look like what the interviewer has mentioned - sparks.

Eunice dons a gorgeous off-the-shoulder dress. It's light yellow, and though it's simple, sparks seem to fly off her and into the crowd. All the cheers seem to be for her as she blows kisses to the audience - but everything changes when they see Kunboss and Zoey.

Kunboss wears a black suit with a red tie, and he walks out with power and charm, and everyone seems to fall in love with him all over again. Zoey is next to him - she wears a spaghetti-strapped drawstring dress that fades from red to white, reaching her knees.

The yells and screams of their names don't end until the interviewer cuts them off - because apparently, there is 'no time to spare'.

Eunice, Zoey, and Kunboss sit down on the plush couch, and the interviewer smiles.

— EUNICE —

Time seems to stop when I walk out from backstage, but I eventually find my way onto a chair amidst the cheering.

"Nice to see you here again, Miss Seyfield, Mr Bailey, and Miss Sinclair," says the interviewer, nodding her head in approval. "You all are dressed so beautifully and surely are sparks that we'll watch out for in the Games! What about Zoey, start us off? What do you think about the outfits?"

Zoey gives a shy smile. "First of all, I'd like to thank the stylists for creating such beautiful outfits - and I agree that they show how strong we are - because sparks turn into fires."

She stands up, and I look at her confused. She nods her head slightly, as if telling me to have faith in her, and she starts to spin, her perfectly crafted curls falling in rings around her shoulders.

For a moment, nothing changes, but the white part on her dress disappears into midair - her drawstring dress releases and expands - and she stops, the red on her now ankle-length silk dress shimmering and shining like a fire.

The cheers begin again when Zoey blushes and sits down on the chair, and the interviewer turns to look at us again in awe. "That was surely a show, Zoey! Eunice, what do you think of that last statement - sparks turn into fires?"

"I don't really have anything to say, Zoey showed it all," I say with a slight chuckle.

"Come on, Eunice, there must be at least something," she probes. "But it's okay. Let's move on. Last time, you sacrificed yourself for Gwyneth. How do you feel this time?"

I think for a second before answering, and I think back to before I died, before I entered the arena. I think back to Gwyneth's beige and green gown, and I think about how I shed tears onto this very stage. Just a few months ago.

But this time, I will stay strong. And that gives me the courage to answer.

"Last time, I couldn't bring myself to do it, and I still can't. But j-just a week ago, as I saw my parents for the first time in two months, for the first time since I-I died, they looked like they had aged a decade in such a short period of time. I can't imagine what it would be like if I died.. again. I really can't," I say, once again thinking of how my parents stroked my hair as I ran into their open embrace, my voice shaking from the threatening tears and the pressure.

"And it would be really hard on me, too, if I could never see them again. So I'll try this time. I'll try hard to win. To get back to my family at home."

As I swallow the lump in my throat, ignoring the threatening tears coming from my eyes, I look out at the audience. I see lovers hugging each other. How much I wish that were my parents, happy before anything happened to me.

Unknowingly, tears start to fall, and Kunboss, who's next to me, pats my back. The viewers gush, and I feel bile making its way up my throat. Are they really happy that we're going to be sent to our death in the arena? Are they really nothing but heartless creatures that care nothing about me and my parents??

"Well, Eunice. That was quite the answer! I'm sure we'd all like to see you in action in the arena tomorrow!" the interviewer exclaims, and I nod, not wanting to face these monstrosities for even a moment longer.

"Zoey! You managed to grasp a score of 11 in the evaluation, obtaining the highest score! How do you feel and what did you do to get such a high score?"

Zoey gulps, but plasters a smile onto her face.

"I put my all into training because I know that we won't be getting any more second chances if we recklessly lose our lives in the arena. And this time, I will do anything to get out of there alive. Especially because Gwyneth is going to be mentoring us."

I feel like she said the wrong thing, but I don't know how or why or what.

The interviewer nods, then changes the topic. "Kunboss, you haven't spoken much today! How is your time in the Capitol City so far?"

"It's really nice," he begins. "I've really enjoyed my time here, and I really, really hope I can see you all here again. After the Hunger Games end and we get home alive. Because I assure you, we will show you how we glow and spark as fires even in the darkness, and no one can put our blazing, burning fires out."

The interviewer seems to want to ask another question, but suddenly a buzzer goes off, scaring the wits out of me.

"I'm afraid that's all the time we've got for you today," she says regretfully. "Hopefully we'll see you guys again after the Games so we can get to know more about you! Thank you Eunice, Kunboss and Zoey. You are excused."