Illegitimate | The Hunger Games ~ Johanna Mason

21.

It had been months since the 74th Hunger Games, and from what I heard from Haymitch, the kids have been having it hard. 

"Y'know Katniss is trying but she's not a good actor, and she ignores Peeta most of the time. Peeta's not doing well either since he genuinely likes her, he just has to pretend it's not one-sided." Haybitch sighed from the phone. 

I sympathise, "it's gotta be tough on both of them, but I'm just glad that neither of the kids have to deal with the whole appointments and clients thing."

A breathy, drunken laugh comes across, "I'll always laugh at how you call them kids even though you three at all the same age."

He can't see me, but I roll my eyes. "You're-"

"Actually, no, you're younger. Peeta is I think March? Katniss May, and you're literally October. Sharky calling two older teens 'kids' pfft." He laughs to himself.

"Well, they don't have the same experiences of being a victor and mentor, I just-"

I'm interrupted once again with his snarky laugh, to which I just mutter an 'oh shut up' and hang up on him, amused but slightly annoyed. 

When the 'couple' came to Eight for their victor tour, it was chaos. Eight broke out in rebellion, and Cece, Woof, and I were dragged back to our houses by peacekeepers and put on house arrest until everything died down. 

It's where I've been for the past 5 months, not that I have anywhere to be. I've talked mostly to Haybitch, Cece, and a little to Woof, just to check up on him. Occasionally, Finnick will call. 

I'm anxious for the reaping in a months time. I ran through the possibilities in my mind. 

4 kids, 2 18-year-olds and 2 12-year-olds?

Kids who didn't apply for any tesserae?

Adults instead of kids? 

But what I fully expect, is for Snow to reap the siblings of victors. Because of his hatred towards Katniss. What better to hurt her, than to destroy what she had protected?

If it is what I expect, then I'm glad Otti went fast, that she wouldn't have to suffer the brutality of the games. 

***

Around two weeks ago, our house arrest had been lifted. Woof and I were gathered at Cecelia's, to watch the 3rd Quarter Quell announcement. Cece's kids, Dahlia, Delilah, and Hawthorn, 7, 5, and 4 respectively, were playing around and giggling with toys on the ground, blissfully innocent, yet aware. Her husband, Atlas, held Cece delicately, rubbing circles on her hand in comfort. 

When we had finally left our houses, we learned that Eight's house arrest had actually been lifted 2 months earlier than ours. 

They just needed the victors out of sight, and out of mind. 

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is the 75th year of The Hunger Games. And it was written in the charter of the games, that every 25 years, there would be a Quarter Quell. To keep fresh for each new generation the memory of those who died in the uprising against the Capitol."

I rolled my eyes, snarking a comment under my breath quietly. "I have no idea of anyone who died in the uprising."

"Each Quarter Quell is distinguished by Games of a special significance. And now on this, the 75th anniversary of our defeat of the rebellion, we celebrate the 3rd Quarter Quell." 

Oh shit, here we go.

"As a reminder that even the strongest cannot overcome the power of the Capitol. On this, the 3rd Quarter Quell Games, the male and female tributes are to be reaped from the existing pool of Victors in each district."

The giggles of the children stopped, sobs from their mother replaced it, accompanied by the words of empty comfort her husband whispered. Woof, although non-verbal and pretty out of it most of the time, was tenser, like he knew what was going on.

"Fucking twat." I mumble. In a sense, a small part of me had given up, I mean, in this life, I was never living. The scars on my body proved that. 

Hearing their mother sob, the kids also began crying, like they knew what was happening. The rest of Snow's speech left my mind, as I made up my mind, watching the family fall apart. 

***

The victors of Eight stood on stage as VeVe began the Reaping. There were only three of us, Woof, neither of which I had spoken to, and Cece and I. 

VeVe, although still chipper, was more gloomy than usual. I guess Cece and I actually had an emotional impact on her. She stuck her hand in the glass bowl, tossing around the two slips of paper for a few seconds. 

I wondered if District One and Two, or even Four, had a full bowl, or half full. How many victors did they have, and was it enough to fill the bowl? Were they as worried as we were? Do they even care?

"Cecelia Atwood." There were screams from the children as they realised what was happening, Atlas having to hold them back. He couldn't hold them back for long, the three of them being small and quick, already dashing up to their mother. 

I leaned down next to the weeping children, patting their backs in comfort. "I volunteer as tribute." I said calmly, but clearly. 

There was little shock in the district. Maybe it was because I was the better sacrifice, or that I was less liked, but I ignored it. 

The kids turned to me, before jumping to give me a hug. I wasn't around them a lot, but I knew that they liked me, a little at least. "You're gonna be ok. Stay with your mummy, ok?"

Then I walked to VeVe. She gave a look of sympathy, before making a small announcement, "Our volunteer, Novalie Tream." There was a moment, before random three-fingered salutes rose from the crowd. It was a District Twelve thing, but it had caught on to the entire country.

"Our male tribute, Woof Reid." He was the only male victor.

"Our tributes for District Eight, Novalie Tream, and Woof Reid."