JaDine Oneshots & Drabbles

Victoria (Hunger Games AU)

(just another short Hunger Games universe fic

ps. Victoria is the name of Nadine's grandma, and a name Nadine wanted to use for herself to remember her lola)

"Your name?" She asked in that stupid Capitol accent.

"James Reid." I just say in differently.

"Well, let's all give a round of applause to the tributes of District 2." She said to crowd of which answered in a loud cheer.

"May the odds be ever be in your favor." She said turning back to me and the girl tribute, Faye is her name I think. I don't really care. Caring will just be a weakness in the arena. And I can't afford any weaknesses. I have to win. I need to win. I will win. For the Capitol, for my district, for her. For Victoria.

I still remembered her promise to me in the justice building after she was reaped. Her assurance that she will come back as a victor, that she will come back to me. A promise she never fulfilled.

So in her place, I will win. I will become victor. I will make her dream come true, through me.

On the train going to the Capitol, Faye had suggested some strategies. I just let her, feigning interest. It's obvious we would be allies, along some of the other Career tributes, but other than that, I don't really care. I'll kill them all in the end.

I let my stylists do whatever they wish, as my mentor directed. It was irksome and they were all so noisy in their annoying Capitol accent, but I stayed still as what would be expected from a Career.

I pride myself for not feeling anything about the whole thing since the reaping. I know no one can stop me, I know the crown is as good as mine. So it was with astonishment that I felt something other than bloodlust during the parade. When I saw her. District 4.

I felt dizzy, I felt confused.

She looks just like her. So much like Victoria.

I found out, as it flashed in the screen surrounding us, that her name is Nadine.

I shook my head. I don't care. She's not her. She's not Victoria. She's just another tribute, another obstacle to my crown.

My eyes unconsciously watched her during training sessions. She's good with nuze and tridents, as one would expect from anyone from her district.

I found out other things about her. That she have volunteered to save a little girl, that she doesn't want any ally --at least, she rejected my invitation. I found out that she's not like me.

She smiles, she laughs, she's hoping. She still have the things I've long forgotten.

I saw her run to the forest as the blood bath started. My eyes followed as she goes. I hated myself for feeling relief at the sight of her back.

I saw her hide by the rock as my allies and I made our way to the river.

We actually shared a look. In that instant, I saw a look of fear in her eyes. She looked worse for wear, she seems injured as well.

I never mentioned this to my allies.

I just hoped she gets killed by some other tribute or by a muttation, and away from me. 'Cause I don't think I can do it.

Everytime the anthem plays, and her face doesn't show, I didn't know if I feel disappointed or relieved.

No. Just don't care. You can't afford to care.

We are down to eight tributes. Funnily enough, only two of the careers are left, me and Nadine.

I heard movements. I knew it was unnatural, I knew it must be a mutt. I turned around and saw a wildcat made to pound at me. I braced myself but it was unnecessary. It was killed even before it can come near me. A spear was through its head.

I looked around and found her, Nadine.

She shared a look with me. And I understood what she meant. We're even now. I saved her before, and now she saved me.

She turned to go. And I knew the right thing to do was to let her.

I spoke without thinking. "My proposal for an alliance is still open. Just so you know."

She turned around, looking suspicious.

"There are only eight of us left." She said.

"There are six of them left." I corrected her.

No. No, no, no. You shouldn't care. You must win. You can't care about her. She will be your weakness.

There was a pause and then she said, "Okay."

That one word and my determination was resolved.

I don't care. I don't care about the Capitol anymore, I don't care about my district, I don't care about winning. I will protect Victoria.

END

AN:
- i just love exploring what the games are like for the Careers.
- yeah, this game isn't going to end well. 🔫