Through A Mentor's View

Chapter 11 - The Alliance

The loud scream echoed through the entire Heavensbee Hall, causing some of the students who were close to falling asleep to shrug and stare at the screen as the scene unfolded.

But it hadn't been Livia's scream, or Facet's. 

It had been Brandy's scream - and it wasn't because Facet attacked her. No, all Facet did was ducking the last moment and then shoving Brandy backwards onto the concrete. As if on demand, his sponsors skyrocked. So this was what he had to do - fighting, provoking and, worst of all, going as far as killing someone?

Fortunately it didn't came to such drastic measures yet. Furious by the way Facet had shoved Brandy, it was now Tanner who attempted to fight with Livia's tribute. Brandy's scream had rather been one of panic than of anger; in the back Coral could be seen approaching the scene with an expression that spoke of disapproval and hate. And who wanted the hate of the self-made leader of the pack projected on themselves?

Why did Facet had to speak up in the first place? Livia cursed silently. For once it would've been for the better to stay quiet. As much as Facet needed sponsors, they wouldn't be much of an use if he'd be dead.

"Your tribute's not as harmless as we all thought" Festus chuckled. "Look at him fighting with the slaughterhouse pack."

"Oh be quiet, Creed." Livia muttered. 

By now Tanner had fully thrown himself at Facet, who'd fortunately managed to grab his knife back. He hit Tanner's knee - and more sponsors came through - but that didn't stop the boy from 10. Livia knew now should be the moment to look away but she couldn't - if there was nothing else she could do to help Facet, then she at least had to watch.

Another scream echoed through the speakers and Livia grabbed the edges of her chair so hastily that it nearly caused her to stumble backwards. Again, it hadn't been Facet's scream. Nor her own. Again it had been Brandy's scream and this time the District 10 girl screamed as Tanner shoved her aside, the same second Coral did what seemed to be an attempt to save Facet; ramming her trident into Tanner's chest. His buzzer went off before his body hit the ground. His mentor Domitia gasped and, next to her, Arachne could be heard shouting a loud "What?!"

Yes, that summarised it well. This scene had been nothing short of odd. Tanner protecting Brandy, Coral protecting Facet. Livia could understand Tanner's actions but not Coral's. Why should she care whether it'd be Facet or Tanner that hits the floor? If anything, Coral would've loved it if both tributes from 10 and Facet had taken out themselves altogether. After all, why would someone like Coral, who'd killed the majority of tributes except for Marcus and Circ, care about anyone else other than herself?

Brandy, too speechless to react, gets shoved back by Coral. "That better be a lesson to you" Coral hissed, "First we kill of all the remaining tributes, then each other. You better get your hands off the golden boy, he could still be useful. And if I ever catch you hiding food instead of sharing with the alliance that made sure you survive at the cornucopia, you'll be next to join your idiotic district partner on that dirty floor."

Livia wasn't sure whether Brandy was actually afraid of meeting the same fate as Tanner or if she was just in a shock but she didn't react despite her lip was trembling. Facet, although with shock written all over his face, took the weapons off Tanner and, with one last look at his former ally, turned around and followed Coral. Both Treech and Mizzen had watched the scene in silence and finally, pulling all students back from some sort of trance, Lucky took the word to question Domitia.

"You know, Tanner was a very good-natured sort of person" she said, "And District 4 took advantage of that" she threw a sad look at Persephone and Festus as if to apologise. "It's one of the many things I've learned from being a mentor in the Hunger Games. I'll always cherish my experience here, and I wish all the remaining mentors the best of luck."