When Luck Runs Out

Friends Are Emotionally Abusive

"What do you think mentoring together will be like?" John asked.
"Asking the Caesar questions are we?" I laughed.
"No, seriously, what do you think?" John insisted. I could feel the rattle of his words through his chest, which was a very odd feeling indeed, but strangely satisfying.
"I don't know, I feel like it'll be difficult for both us, trying to get another tribute through." I decided.
"It's what, the 75th, so it'll be a quarter quell." John pointed out.
"They do that?" I asked.
"Do you know anything about the games?" John asked with a laugh.
"I never watched it before I was called." I shrugged.
"Well every quarter, so 25, 50, and now 75, they have a special game, just to remind us about the rebellion and keep us in check. We did something in history class about it, the 25th was when they let the District pick who the sent in, and the 50th was when they sent in four from each District. They're supposed to represent stuff but honestly I forget." John admitted.
"The world we live in is horrible. Snow wants to kill so many people every year just to make a point, these games are the biggest bloody I told you so in history." I decided with a sigh.
"I hate Snow, I hate him so much. We're forced to watch our children die and he probably doesn't even bat an eyelash, he just keeps sipping his fancy wine." John agreed.
"Maybe, when we're older, we'll rebel." I suggested.
"We'd be crushed, and who knows what he'll do after that. The Hunger Games but with adults and toddlers and animals, it would be chaos." John decided.
"Ya, maybe not so good of an idea. But still, someone has to do something." I pointed out.
"And they will, someone's bound to eventually, but it won't be us." John assured.
"Then we'll be rid of this horrible dictator and get back to our lives." I agreed.
"But if it wasn't for Snow we'd never have met, you'd still be that weird boy under the apple tree and I'd only be another person you considered below yourself." John pointed out.
"No, it would've worked out somehow, this is destiny John, and destiny brings us together no matter what." I insisted.
"You're thinking very positively, I know we like each other and all, but what if somethings happens, what if some mob of angry parents kills one of us with a shovel, or a peacekeeper things we're up to no good and shoots us, or an angry bear comes rampaging through the fence and eats us?" John asked.
"Then I guess it's good we already met." I insisted. John just laughed, jabbing me in the ribs with his elbow.
"You ruined the moment Sherlock, as usual." John decided.
"I'm quite the expert at that, yes." I agreed. There was a knock at the door, perfect timing I suppose, and I just groaned.
"What?" I asked as John climbed back over into his personal bubble. They knew we were together, but they didn't need to see any cuddling from me, thank you very much. The door cracked open and Molly peeked inside.
"We were just chatting out here and were wondering if you'd like to join us? We're going over the schedule for the week as well." Molly decided.
"Sure, we'll be right there." John agreed.
"Will we?" I sighed.
"Yes. Thank you Molly." John said with an appreciative smile.
"If you two were, uh, busy, it's not urgent; I can just leave you alone." Molly insisted.
"No, I want to hear the schedule." John assured.
"Do you?" I groaned again. Not that we were quote on quote busy, whatever gross meaning Molly had in mind, but I still didn't want to leave the comfort of my John to those stupid moms out in the living room chatting away about stupid schedules. I'd be willing to be half of my money that they were drinking something out of steaming mugs as well.
"Okay, well, thanks." Molly decided, shutting the door once again.
"You actually want to talk to them?" I asked.
"I've been talking to you this whole time, what's the difference?" John pointed out.
"I'm me and they're...them..." I debated.
"What a great argument. Come on Sherlock." John insisted, jumping off of the bed and walking out to the door, making sure I was on my feet before actually opening it and walking back out to be interrogated by the two of them. I groaned, but followed him out the door into the great unknown. Molly and Mrs. Hudson were sitting on the couches in the living room car, since it was now dark out the only light was the moonlight coming in from the large window on one side and lamps on the tables, creating an extremely homey feeling to the whole place. How ill-fitting though, this place was the exact opposite to home, this was where we carted off kids to go die. But I suppose, for this trip, things were different. And it really helped knowing I'd never be on this train fearing for my life again.
"Sit down you two, I made hot chocolate." Mrs. Hudson pointed out. And there they are, the steaming mugs, if I had actually betted with someone other than my thoughts I'd have gained a whole bunch of money. John and sat on the empty couch, John took a mug of hot chocolate but I just pulled my knees up to my chest and sat there scowling at them.
"So, what do you so desperately want to discuss?" I asked.
"Nothing desperate at all, just the simple matter of our schedule for the next couple of days." Molly shrugged. I cast an annoyed 'I told you so' glare at John, but he was too focused on pushing the floating marshmallows to the bottom of the cup with his spoon. Of course they didn't stay down for long and bobbed right back up when he was about to take a sip. This seemed to annoy him a lot.
"So tomorrow we have to be at the stage at three o'clock, but the stylists will be here at two." Molly decided.
"I want to go out and explore." John decided.
"Lovely idea, but make sure to bring Sherlock with you, just in case you get lost or something." Mrs. Hudson decided.
"What am I going to do if we get lost?" I debated.
"I don't know; provide him company until you find your way back?" Mrs. Hudson shrugged.
"I was going to go anyway." I mumbled.
"It's pretty much the same schedule, we'll arrive in the middle of the night and then we have a couple of hours to ourselves, make a speech, and then get back on the train and leave. For the Capital though you'll have a feast, not a speech, your speech was kind of the Caesar interview, so all you have to do is ear and make nice with all of the rich people, who could be sponsors to future tributes." Molly decided.
"Last year I don't think I talked to anyone." I pointed out.
"Yes, you sat in one of the chairs and scowled at everyone that passed." Mrs. Hudson remembered.
"You were always the brightest ray of sunshine." Molly agreed with a small little laugh.
"This year has to be different Sherlock, don't leave John in a mosh pit of rich people and expect him to fend for himself. Talk to whoever he's talking to or just stand there, but don't be all grouchy." Mrs. Hudson decided.
"I've handled careers; I think I can handle prissy ladies with big wallets." John decided.
"They don't even look like ladies anymore with all of that plastic surgery and tattoos and hair dye, I think I'm the most normal in that entire place." Mrs. Hudson decided.
"Definitely are." Molly agreed.
"But if you come on this train one day with neon pink skin I'll disown you." I threatened.
"I think I'd rather get hit by a train." Mrs. Hudson decided.
"That's the spirit." John laughed.
"Then we've got a couple of weeks until the Reaping and the cycle starts all over." Molly sighed, not looking very thrilled about having to get back out there and teach a kid how to die.
"I always hated the Reaping; they all look so scared I just want to cry." Mrs. Hudson decided.
"Don't worry, they want to cry too." John assured.
"I remember when I picked your name Sherlock, everyone was so quiet, and you came up to the stage looking so furious with your life, you were so skinny I was sure you'd be the first to die." Mrs. Hudson remembered.
"Thanks Mrs. Hudson, for the self confidence boost." I mumbled sarcastically.
"But here we are now, and you're a Victor and you've got a wonderful boyfriend and you're..." she started.
"I don't want to hear about my 'wonderful' life Mrs. Hudson, I'd rather you insult me." I said loudly, just to shut her up.
"And I'm not that wonderful of a boyfriend." John insisted.
"Well, compared to all of Sherlock's past relationships I'd say you were my favorite." Molly decided.
"I didn't have any past relationships!" I defended.
"I know." Molly said with a smile.
"You people are demoralizing." I mumbled.
"What does that even mean?" Mrs. Hudson asked.
"And uneducated." I added. "So, if you need me, I will be in my room."
"It's only eight o'clock." Molly pointed out.
"I'd rather sleep peacefully than talk to you people, John, wake me up when you want to go visit the District." I decided.
"Whatever you say." John muttered.
"Oh, and the door's unlocked." I added in a slight mutter, but I was pretty sure that Mrs. Hudson and Molly had heard, because Mrs. Hudson made an odd choking sound as she sipped her hot chocolate. Of course they'd jump to the seventh grade health class assumption, but it really wasn't that at all. We just loved to be close to one another, we have yet to take our relationship to the next level, and honestly I was sure neither of us were in any hurry. So I stalked off to my room, leaving John to slowly suffer under the cruel and unusual punishment that was conversing with Molly and Mrs. Hudson. It didn't take me long to change into my pajamas and turn off the light with a little remote control by my bed, one thing I must give the Capital credit for. Now there was no stumbling around in the dark, trying to find your bed as you trip over random objects lying in wait on the floor. So I just lay on my stack of fancy pillows, no longer having to sleep with that knife under my pillow. It was a nice feeling, but I definitely missed the drugs. Even though I hadn't had an episode in a while, there were some times when I simply needed them. I've been clean since John's victory, but the real test will come when the next games start up, I'll have to face all the memories and watch another kid get murdered. I hoped John would come in soon, I felt so lonely even though this was practically what I was used to. Before he came around I had no one, I pushed my family away, never talked to Molly or Mrs. Hudson unless I was forced to, and I was happy because I was blind, living in a fool's paradise. Now that I had been exposed to the happiness another human brought me it was impossible to ever imagine going back to the solitude of my past life. And John was the perfect candidate, the perfect companion for someone like me, he was a great person, he held conversations even if I was unable to, he never took offence to any of my mean jokes, he put up with me when I had mood swings and he helped me through my nightmares. If anything he was too good to be true. I was actually kind of excited to revisit the Districts, they had always been interesting to me to think about how other people lived outside of the coal and ash filled hell I had grown up in, and when I had the chance to visit during my tour I did nothing but mope around. Anyway that was when the games were actually catching up to me, when the nightmares became more violent. I actually didn't sleep for days after they started, the first time I had to put the knife under my pillow just to make sure I was armed against any intruders. I didn't tell Molly or Mrs. Hudson, I was sure they would never understand, I was sure that I was alone in this world. Only during John's games did I realize that Molly suffered from the same paranoia, and now John did as well, maybe it was some small print in the Terms and Conditions of being a Victor, and no one really noticed it until you face it yourself. Side effects may include riches, fame, money, sleep deprivation, paranoia, and drug addiction. If I had known that before I don't think I would've fought as hard, because the only thing I would be losing was my life, and honestly, without John, that was nothing.      

         The tube went up and up, spiraling into the arena as I watched the world as I knew it disappear below me. I could feel the tears on my face and hear the screams bouncing off of the glass, but I don't recall crying and don't recall screaming. Then the sun burst from the arena, blinding me like a million spot lights shined right into my face. From being underground so long it was so intense that I would've fallen off of my podium and blown to bits if the tube hadn't left yet. I looked around me; it was the same environment, dense jungles covering every inch of the arena except the clear spot where the cornucopia lay in wait, the tributes in a circle all around. But it wasn't until I took better notice of my fellow competitors when my heart stopped. Instead of being some worthless teens from other Districts I saw John, I saw Mrs. Hudson, Molly, my parents, even Mycroft, all standing on the podiums and bracing for the countdown. I'd have to kill them, I'd have to kill them or they would kill me.... the countdown started, I had to make a run for it, somehow, when they were busy getting weapons. Maybe Mycroft will win in the bloodbath and I'd have to kill him, it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world I suppose. The bell went off and we were off as well, the others sprinting towards the cornucopia just as I ran as far as I could away. I wouldn't kill them, I may pretend to be a monster, a robot even, but I wasn't so heartless that I'd kill my family and my friends, even I had limits. As I tore through the jungle it seemed like all of the vines and roots were reaching up at my ankles, the branches stooping down just so they could scratch my face and get in my way. As I ran the vines curled up my legs, bringing me falling down hard in the mud, slithering around my entire body until I was bound like a strait jacket. And then they were all there, everyone in my life that I cared even a speck for (which really wasn't all that much), but they were all armed with lethal weapons, maces, swords, and all smiling wickedly down at me, as if this had been their plan all along.
"Finally Sherlock, we can kill you." Molly decided, observing her large hunting knife with a pleased look.
"All of your arrogance, all of your dependence, you'll be my first kill and I'll be happy about it." Mrs. Hudson decided.
"I want the first slice." Mrs. Holmes decided.
"You helpless child, did you really think I cared about you, ever?" John asked, swooping down on me and sliding a small dagger across my cheek, drawing specks of scarlet blood. I didn't even want to struggle; I didn't want to deny them the thing they all seemed to want so badly, my death. And then suddenly, in unison, they all let out a horrible, deranged laugh and the knife appeared in their heads, the very knife I had stuck in his head, two years ago now, blood running down their faces, closing in.... And then I felt warmth, I felt security and suddenly all of my captors disappeared. The jungle disappeared, the arena disappeared, and I was safe. All was well.