I stand with the boys, adrenaline coursing through my veins. This is it. I am going to volunteer for the Hunger Games. A crooked smile crosses my face and I let it stay there as I imagine the fight, the fun, the triumph of winning. Just as long as she doesn't volunteer or get chosen I'll be ok.
Our escort, whom I can't even bother remembering her name, walks out onto the stage. "Happy Hunger Games," she says, "and may the odds be ever in your favor." I just about vomit in my mouth. Those capital accents sound like someone has just eaten a frog. "Now, let's watch the video." We watch the video. I mean, we don't have a choice, but whatever. As our escort walks over to one of the large glass bowls sitting on a table, I try to pick my love out between the crowd. Where was she?
I see the hand dig into the bowl of scraps and I feel myself inwardly praying it isn't her who is chosen and that it isn't her who might volunteer.
"Ginger Vacker!" the name drifts across the crowd of girls. I can't breathe. It isn't possible. My sister is chosen. I desperately want one of the girls to volunteer. Not my sister.
"I volunteer as tribute!" I sigh with relief before realizing she has volunteered to save my sister. She walks up to the stage tall and muscular, even from this far away, I can see the muscles rippling in her arms and legs.
"And what is your name, darling?" Our escort asks.
"Clove Hayes." Her eyes scan the crowd of boys. They land on me and she shakes her head as if to say not to volunteer. And maybe I won't. How can I kill my girlfriend?
And then the hand is in the other bowl and the paper is unfurled and the name is read aloud and I know what I have to do.
"I volunteer as tribute!" I yell. I jog up to the stage, glaring at the crowd. I want to challenge them and wipe off the nasty ugly looks off their faces. I suddenly have a desire to kill, to harm, to hurt. I will get to do that soon.
Our escort asks my name and I say, "Cato Vacker." We are ushered away and onto the train that will take us to the Capitol.
YOU ARE READING
The Victor
FanfictionWant to know what was happening inside the monstrous tribute victor? Want to know what would have happened if Cato had won and killed Katniss and Peeta? You've come to the right place.
