Through A Mentor's View

Chapter 12 - Rainbow Of Destruction

"Capitol citizens, I'm afraid I must interrupt our Games to announce a tragic loss, one that affects us all. Felix Ravinstill, son of our beloved president, has, this morning, succumbed to his injuries sustained in the rebel bombing."

As soon as those words were spoken by Dr. Gaul, gasps could be heard. Specifically as Felix' picture flashed up on the screen. He looked horrid. Cuts all over his face, bruises... he didn't look the way he used to, looking as if he was just sleeping. But it was a sleep that'd last forever.

Dead. He's dead, Livia thought. Felix Ravinstill. The boy who'd always had a teasing remark for his classmates, who could be a right pain... and who could also be a friend. He was more than the president's son. He was the boy who'd always been dressed up in the most posh uniforms even for playdates, the boy who'd shrieked when Festus or Arachne had shoved him into the mud when they were kids. The boy who, during the war, had said that once he was president he'd made sure everyone in the Captiol felt safe and protected under his regency. His words at eight years old. Felix was the boy who'd brought food to school when none of his classmates couldn't affors it yet. Who'd voluntary gave his lunch to Persephone just so the girl wouldn't collapse from malnutrition. They all had been terribly malnourished but Persephone had it worst. When most parents went back to work upon getting back their jobs after the war, Persephone's father Nero was too much of a wreck after what he did to ensure his family's survival. Her mother had to juggle work and raising four young, malnourished kids. 

Felix had been a lot and had often been unbearable but he also had been a friend. And friends didn't get along all the time but they were there to support each other when needed. 

And now he was gone, joining Androcles and Gaius on the list of fallen mentors.

Livia had barely realised her shaking hands and the tears; and none of her classmates looked better. Vipsania looked up at the screen with a trembling lip, Persephone was crying and squeezed Festus' hands and even Arachne looked horrified. 

"This can't be true" she whispered in disbelief. "Not him. Not Felix."

But Dr. Gaul continued relentlessly. "Out there in the districts, they will be celebrating this young boy's death as a triumph. I will not allow my games to give our enemy such a victory. I swear to you, here and now, before the sun goes down tonight, a rainbow of destruction will engulf our arena. Even if it means there's to be no victor in these games."

The screen first went black then changed back to showing the arena, showing Reaper who now knelt on the floor near to the cornucopia in front of the flag that covered the tributes. It was as if he'd given up. Not that any of the mentors was paying attention at all anyways. Persephone was crying to Festus' shoulder, Vipsania looked as if she'd zoned out and Arachne gave a laugh of shock and disbelief. "This can't be true" she repeated. "Felix is... he can't be dead. He can't."

"He must be pranking us" Hilarious muttered, as if to reassure himself. "He always pulled ridiculous jokes."

It was as if each of them dealt with these news differently because out of nowhere Coriolanus jumped from his seat and ran out of the hall. I never knew they were this close, Livia thought. Was Felix' passing affecting him so badly or was something else going on in his mind? Whatever it was, he seemed to be away with his thoughts and even rushed past his cousin - whereas Tigris looked clearly touched, welling up at the news they'd just been given. Although slightly older than Livia and her classmates, Tigris saw all of them growing up too due to her cousin's (more or less) existing friendship with them.