The Simpson's Hunger Games

Chapter 12

Bart:

"She did what?!", I shout at the Peacekeeper, who looks emotionless. He repeats his sentence, on the other side of the cell door, safely out of my reach. "Your mother has been arrested on the charge of public disturbance and vandilising government property." I slump against the prison bars. I've been held here in the Justice Building for a day and a night, and it's an experience I'd like to forget. I was wondering why Homer or somebody hadn't come to pick me up, and now, it seems clear. Out if all the people I'd thought I would share a cell with, my mother never crossed my mind. Obviously. So, it seems that no one will be taking me back home for a while yet. Do they even know where I am? Mayor Quimby decided my 'trial' should be held after the Games, so I won't interfere with the 'festivities'. I didn't even commit a major crime, but this time Chief Wiggum thought to be let off with a warning wasn't enough. 

I wonder if Lisa knows. She probably doesn't. Neither does Millhouse. They'll be taking part in the Games tommorow. A shiver goes down my spine. I should've volunteered for Millhouse, to stick up for him. I could've protected Lisa. But I didn't. I'm about as useful to them now as a sack of potatoes, and what's worse, they know it too. I crash my fist against the bars, and the Peacekeeper leaves, hurrying down the corridor. I sigh, and sit down on the narrow bench in my cell, and look at my roommate. He laughs nastily, and folds his heavily-tattooed arms. "So...", he says, in a gruff voice. "That makes two of us", and I nod stiffly, focusing on the ground. "Yes. It does", I answer, and we both laugh shakily together, wondering what will happen to Springfield now. 

Lisa:

The night passes restlessly, and me and Millhouse stay up talking all night, and I can barely keep my eyes open the next morning. The Last Morning. Clancy piles more and more food on my plate, not commenting on me or Millhouse's manners for once. We'll need the extra food, she says. Clancy's right, but I can barely raise my fork to my mouth. I force myself to swallow, and resist the urge to throw up. Millhouse feels the same, if the expression on his face is anything to go by. Snake says nothing, but quietly downs his second glass of whiskey. Unfortunately, breakfast is over quickly, and it's time for us to join the Peacekeepers at the door. They will lead us to where we will get into the helicopter, and be transported to the Arena. I gulp, and me and Millhouse get up. Clancy gets up too, and pulls me into a hug. She shakes hands with Millhouse, and wishes us both luck. You can see sympathy in her eyes, and I find I might actually miss her. 

One Peacekeeper takes my arm, and leads me up some stairs. We come to a door that says 'NO ENTRY TO UNAUTHORIZED PERSONNEL', and the Peacekeeper stops. He puts his hand on a scanner attached to the door, and it swings open. On the other side of the door, there are more stairs. Taking my arm again, the Peacekeeper drags me up the stairs, and I look behind me. Millhouse and the other Peacekeeper have disappeared. Suddenly a cold sweat appears on my palms, and I feel slightly dizzy. Knowing Millhouse isn't here makes me feel vulnerable, and uneasy. Finally we come to the top of the steps, and the Peacekeeper unlocks a door in front of us with a code. The door opens, and I shiver.

We seem to be on the roof. We aren't on the roof terrace though. This must be the Helipad, and the massive helicopter in front of me confirms this. The Peacekeeper pulls me roughly towards the helicopter, and out the corner of my eye, I can see a figure dressed all in black peep out behind a corner. As soon as I see them though, they're gone, and I am being pushed into the entrance. Inside, all the other Tributes are sat down in rows, and another Peacekeeper is injecting them with something. The Peacekeeper escorting me sits me down in an empty seat, and leaves. I search for Millhouse's face, but he isn't here. Swallowing, I can see the Peacekeeper with the injection needle coming closer and closer. Luckily, Nelson is sitting two seats from me, and asks, "What's this for?", roughly. Is he scared of needles?! Nelson, who always looks so tough? "Your tracker", answers the woman, without any emotion. I notice who is sitting next to me. Maude. The Mayor's daughter from District 12. I smile at her and she smiles back, and waves. At least there's one Tribute in the Games apart from Millhouse who doesn't hate me.

The Woman comes to me, and takes my arm. She injects the needle, and I wince, as the sharp pain pulses through my arm. However, it is over soon. Suddenly, Millhouse comes in, with messy hair, and his glasses are tipped to the side. He sits down next to me, and glares at the floor. I want to find out what happened, but I can't. I can't ask him here. The flight lasts a few minutes, and Millhouse doesn't say anything to me. I stay silent. Soon, the Peacekeepers announce that we are here. My stomach suddenly fills with butterflies, and I want to grip Millhouse's hand like a vice. But I can't. It would make us both look weak. The woman Peacekeeper leads us outside, and the glare the sunlight makes makes my eyes hurt. Again, we are separated, and I am lead by two Peacekeepers to a small room. Diana is waiting for me, and the Peacekeepers leave us. She doesn't hug me, but awkwardly pats me on the shoulder. She was never a 'people person'. I smile at her. The smile soon fades though, and my whole body starts to shake uncontrollably. Diana frowns. She still says nothing. She puts a waterproof jacket on me. She takes hold of my shoulders and shakes me firmly. 

That seems to help a little. I stop shaking for a few seconds, and manage to compose my face into a blank mask. There is a pair of doors in front of me. Diana presses a button, and the doors open. It's an elevator. I step in, and wait for it to take me to the Arena.

And honestly I question if I will come back.