Fire is Raging On (A Hunger Games Fanfic) [#Wattys 2016]

Chapter Twenty-one

Chapter Twenty-one

Gale's POV

The holographic Capitol seal is always nice to see. It's always nice to see where the Capitol is spending its money. First, they had to spend money to figure out the exact technology behind making holograms. Then, they had to have the money to install these huge screens in which to put the holographic images on, not once, not twice, not even three times, but seventy-six times. Not to mention, they spend all this money building all seventy-six arenas. Meanwhile, how have the people in Twelve been living like? How have the people in other Districts been living like? Like shit. Like absolute shit. While the people in the Capitol have been living it up without a care in the world and spending money on arenas to show teenagers in to fight to the death for their entertainment. Madge nudges my shoulder as the Capitol seal disappears. I take a deep breath and get ready to see who has been eliminated from our enemy pool.

The first to appear in the night sky is Hostus Lucan from District Three. No surprise there, I saw him die practically in front of me. Next to light up the sky is District Four's Ateia Sollemnis. Crocas Copperdrop from District Eight and both Tributes from Nine, Morrel Bronzelock and Tansee Lowwood, are both eliminated as well. The girl from Ten shows up and the name under her picture reminds me of her name, Pellee Everpetal. That's right her last name reminded me of Katniss's maiden name. That's six down, two more to go. Zedo Earthcreek and Orna Heavenheart of Thirteen are the last to appear. It's not really surprising in the slightest. They've never been in the Games before. They don't have a mentor, and they still won't next year that is if Vada continues the Games next year. I have no doubt that she will; that's just the way Vada works. That's just the way the entire Snow family works. No respect for human life or anyone besides themselves.

"Let's get moving. The others are bound to come this way at sometime," I say, turning away from the fading holographs.

Madge and I walk in silence for the most part. The occasional sound of rustling leaves and animals moving within the trees punctuating our travel.

"Gale?" Madge questions quietly.

"Yeah," I say, pushing some low hanging branch up so I can duck my head under.

"Why do you think they call it the bloodbath?" she questions.

"Why does it matter?" I ask.

"It doesn't really. I'm just trying to make conversation. It's quiet, and it's making me uneasy."

"They call it a bloodbath because the people doing the killing bathe in the blood of those killed."

She laughs quietly, "What?"

"You said the quiet was making you uneasy. I'm just trying to lighten the mood up a bit. Well, as much as I possibly can in a situation like this," I shrug.

"Well, thank you," she says softly touching my hand. "I have another question. Why didn't you run for the trees right away? Why did you run into the fight?"

"That's more than one question," I point out, but don't answer the question. It's not like my actions earlier matter now anyway. What's done is done.

"Gale," she says.

"What? You said you had a question. You asked more than one question. So you didn't really have more than one question."

"Gale, stop being a smartass about it," she says hitting my arm lightly.

I sigh, "I didn't run to the trees right away because I saw this pack." I shift the pack on my shoulder and continue, "I figured we would need some sort of supplies even if I didn't know what was in it. Obviously, I had to run into the fight to get it."