The 50th Hunger Games

Ducius

Authors note: I've been so busy recently and just haven't had the time to write but here it is! Here's the next chapter after a long wait

Ducius spends the next hour or so talking me through the games. We called Orion over but he wasn't having any of it. He was angry and hurt and I completely understand. If I'd been told to expect to die I would be mad too. I'm told to look for the career tributes during the training and form alliances with them. They're the strongest because they train before hand back home and volunteer to fight in the games. I know what a career tribute is. District 4 trains them but no one wanted to volunteer for the 50th Hunger games in my district. I mean what chance does anyone stand against District 1 and 2 after all especially with 4 tributes from each district now. Ducius tells me to form strong alliances and run straight to the center of the arena to get my weapon. I'm strong from years of fishing. Not strong enough to win but strong enough to stay alive. And I can make spears and knives out of things like stones, sticks, and rope. "Look for water" He tells me. I can go three weeks without food but only 3 days without water. The alliances will save me until the end. I've got to build trust with the leader and at the end when it's just us two pray and trust my throwing ability. For the first time since I was reaped I have a glimmer of hope that I may see District 4 again.

"Winning is the easy part. It's the living afterwards which is hard." Ducius says thoughtfully. "Many Victors fall into addictions to cope with the guilt. The games never end. You'll always be there." He looks down at his arms sadly and for the first time I see thin white scars lining his arms neatly. Those were no battle scars. "After I won I dreamt every night about the kids I killed. It almost destroyed me. The guilt consumed me Kaye. I considered ending it all more than I'd like to admit."
"Why didn't you?" I ask tenderly.
"The Capitol would've killed my family. Once you're reaped, it's never over. They would've seen it as an act of rebellion and killed all of them."
We sit in silence for a bit. Mags and the other tributes are talking on the otherside of the carriage. Orion is staring out the window and muttering to himself angrily.
"I killed two girls and a boy." Ducius says quietly. "Districts 6, 8 and 12." He's staring down at his hands and suddenly despite his muscular physique he looks very small and vulnerable. "I was in an alliance with 8. He was called Tyler."
I stay quiet.
"I loved him Kaye. I loved him and I killed him." He looks up with fierce anger in his eyes. "I looked him the eyes and I slit his throat. I may have been the one to take the knife to him but the Capitol killed him. And one day 13 is going to take back what they stole from is."

There are so many questions whirling around my head. First of all, this strong man who radiates anger and hurt is... gay? Homosexuals are illegal though right? The Capitol outlawed them after the uprising as a way to crack down on what little freedom the Districts had. And once again 13 is mentioned again. I have to ask this time.
"Uh the peacekeeper in my cell last night spoke to me this morning."
"What did he say?" Ducius responds dryly. He seems disinterested and I don't blame him. It must be so painful for him to relive the moment he killed his lover.
"He said something about 13 waiting for me. Does that mean anything?"
Ducius looks me directly in the eyes.
"You mustn't tell anyone about that." He says firmly.
"But-"
"No buts. You keep that to yourself." The man who almost cried over his dead lover is gone and replaced with an angry giant. I try not to cower in fear. I can see how he won his games now.
I pause my mind wandering back to his dead boyfriend.
"You didn't have a choice you know. The Capitol would've killed you both." I say tentively.
He scowls at me. "You think I don't know that?" His expression softens "Stay clear of that boy. The games will hurt enough as it is without love getting in the way."
I look at him in shock. Were my feelings that obvious? I feel my cheeks flush red in embarrassment. "I don't know what you mean..." I mutter. He looks at me almost pitying me.
"It's not worth it Kaye. Trust me it's not worth it."
"I know. Maybe in another life." I say sadly.
"Maybe in another life." He agrees but I know he's thinking about Tyler.

I make my way over to the cabin after a couple of hours talking through strategy and about Tyler. I'm so engrossed in thought I don't see Chrysan standing by the first set of bunk beds until I walk straight into him. It's not my fault they were right by the door. He catches me before I embarrass myself further by falling at his feet.
"Hey are you okay?" He sounds worried. I can't bring myself to look at his gorgeous face.
"Uh yeah sorry. Just lost in thought I guess." I laugh nervously.
He let's me go and pulls himself up onto the top bunk and swings his legs over the side. His arms are incredibly muscular. I'm in awe.
"Are you worried about the games? It's three days away." He says quietly.
I look up at him in confusion. "How do you know that?"
"Mags told me. We've got the opening ceremony, training and showcasing our abilities and then more training and our final interviews and then it's the games."
His face is lined with worry. "She's really nice you know. I might actually have a shot at winning this!" His voice is flat despite his enthusiastic words. He's not being sarcastic though he just looks sad.
"That's good!" I try to keep my voice light but I know I have less of a chance of winning then he does. And I know he'd kill me at the first chance.
"I don't want to win though." He doesn't look at me. He keeps his head down.
This takes me aback. I'd assumed a good looking guy like him had a girlfriend at home or at least a string of lovestruck girls. He probably had loads of friends and an adoring mother and father.
"Why not?" I ask slowly. I'm still shocked at his revelation. Maybe he's suicidal?
"I couldn't live without you."
My heart stops.
"I don't believe in love at first sight but I've loved you at first sight." He continues.
Oh my god.
He jumps down and takes my hand.
"I'm so sorry Kaye."
"Chrys... I feel the same." I cringe internally at my words. First of all that was so cliche of me and second hadn't Ducius been warning against this exact moment?

He steps forward and wraps me into a bear hug. I can't believe this is happening. I'm in shock I think because the next thing I know I'm staring into his mesmerising eyes and his lips are on mine