The Eighty First Hunger Games «MAJOR REWRITING, REEDITING, AND REVISION»

:6: New Birth

When I got on the chariot, a hollowed black rock was placed over the outfit i was not allowed to see until after the opening ceremony. Link was being a miner, and I was glad I got a special outfit and not the clothes of death.

It was simple. Once I looked through the rock, which only I could see through to keep the surprise, and saw we were halfway down the track, my job was to break out of it. Hard? Not really. Cryptic? Yes, very much. Genius? Even more so.

The plan was simpler. Once I looked through the rock, which was transparent from inside, and saw we were halfway, I was to break through the barrier and stand.

Link wore a boring miner's suit, and I was secretly glad Tef and whoever Link's stylist was weren't on the same board. I'd hate to have to match with such a rude being.

The floor of the chariot was cold against my legs, but my outfit kept me warm. I couldn't help but wonder what it was that I was wearing. What was such a surprise?

I jerked forward as the chariot started moving. I exited my thoughts as we entered the long line. The black horses kept a steady pace, bumping me up and down. I saw Link shoot me a quick glare before turning back to the audience who was bored with him, yet curious of me.

I saw we were nearing a halfway post, and started counting down in my head, attempting to ignore the shouts.

"Look Mommy, a black rock!"

Ten...

Nine...

Eight...

"What is that?"

Seven...

Six...

Five...

"Why is there only one tribute from twelve?"

Four...

Three...

Two...

"I wonder..."

One...

I kicked my leg out, and the section of rock I hit turned into ash almost instantly. I shot both of my hands up and attempted to drag myself up and out. When I was able to pull myself out of my black shell, I kicked the rest so it no longer fenced me, but the ash circled me. I didn't know why, why there was ash, why there was a collective gasp from the crowd, why Link was glaring at me even more furiously if possible, or why President Snow, on the screen, had such a death look on his face as if he would die to make sure I did as well. I spread out my arms and spun around once, taking a small glee in the ashes around me like my own aura. It was great. Until I saw myself on the flag screens.

I looked into the face of a complete stranger. Not the girl from twelve who worked until her cracked fingers bled, or the girl who supported her family with a number of jobs and only ate a morsel, and especially not the girl who was dying.

I couldn't see my dress, to my dismay, but my face was enough to shock me. If it was even mine. The girl's golden hair was swung over one shoulder, much different than my messy, decaying fall leaf color. Her face wasn't a ghost white, but a glowing cream shade. Her lips weren't pale ad chapped, but red and full. And her eyes. They weren't that color that was green, but not too green, brown, but not really brown, and gray, but not actually gray. Her eyes were beautiful. Outlined thinly in black, her irises shined and sparkled. The color, though previously undetectable, was now a pool of paint. A silver, emerald, and chocolate brown swarmed in the ring.

This girl wasn't me. This girl couldn't be me.

The crowd of citizens released the breath I now knew they'd been holding, and burst out in cheer. I held my hands up and beamed. Tef must have done a good job. I looked up at President Snow's balcony, and he was frozen in shock, with a hint of fury on his face.

From my peripheral vision, I saw a rose fly my way, I caught it gracefully and held it up in the air. The crowd cheered louder. Who knew I'd have this effect?

Katniss did.

Maybe I should try out this symbol thing. It might do a good thing for my family and the rest of Twelve. Maybe with the other districts, too. I could finish what Katniss had started. That's what she wanted me to do, and I wasn't planning on letting her down.

The chariot came to a sudden stop as we reached the other districts.

President Snow began his speech, but I was too distracted by the crowd to listen.

•

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•

The penthouse had a small party after the event. Excluding Link, of course. The adults had champagne and I had apple cider. I'd never had it back in twelve, but dang, was it good.

When the subject arose about my outfit, Tef put on the television that had the opening ceremony on replay.

It started with Link standing next to a black rock that looked suspiciously like coal. He was continuously scowling at it, which I found hilarious. Suddenly, limbs burst out of the coal and it turned to swirling ashes. A figure stood amidst the ash, looking defiant as ever.

A layer of black and white feathers adorned her outfit, applying extra warmth. The all-too-familiar outfit stunned me, but it looked much more innocent and much less threatening. Sure, it could've killed us all, but it didn't. But it might.

The person spun around, enjoying the ash. She caught a rose. She addressed the crowd. Her neighbor, Link, scowled at her the entire time. A green envy flashed through his eyes.

It seems like the entire film was based on the twelfth chariot, or at least what I saw. When Tef turned off the screen, I sat back into the couch, speechless.

"What exactly was that?" I questioned breathlessly.

"Uh... Katniss told me everything. From your disease to your new role. Everyone was on board besides you and Link. It was a nice plan, actually. We just don't know how the Capitol with respond," Tef replied cautiously, scratching the back of his neck.

"Well it certainly seems they liked it!" Harper chimed in.

"Wait so..." I lead on, rolling my hands.

"I thought you'd figure this out, Illissa. You just became a symbolic figure. The new mockingjay has emerged from its egg."

•

•

•

Two days without an update! Dangggggggg that's not good. Especially if I want to be in the Watty Awards.

But it was worth it. right? It took forEVER to come up with a suitable and appropriate outfit, especially for the magnificent ending I've already planned.

Even if I don't get in the Watty Awards, you'll all still like this book, right? I want this to be popular for a small bit. 1) my life dream is to be a successful writer, and Wattpad is helping me reach that. (I'm planning a general fiction that, if it wins the Watties, can be published!) 2) the more popular one book gets, the more popular other of mine get.

OH WOW LOOK HOW MANY READS I'VE REACHED THREE HUNDRED READS AND THIRTY SOME VOTES IM FAMOUS DUDES

Also, if anyone wants me to give their story a promo, message me! Please don't comment though, I get majorly excited when I get comments but it dies when I get promo questions... or it will, considering I haven't gotten any yet.

ARGH CATCHING FIRE LOOKS SO GOOD SKUSHXJSJJXBSJSN CAN'T WAIT.

NEW UPDATE SOONSIES! (Heh heh spoonsies)

I'd like to say, in general, every single reader of mine makes me happy. It's nice when you guys note your existence by voting or commenting, but just reading this makes my day!

LONG CHAPTER I THINK I HOPE

Love you all! Keep reading anything in general, it improves brain frequencies! (I don't know if it does don't ask me I don't know I'm not smart.)

Filipo97/Lindsey