Broken (A Hunger Games Fanfic)

Chapter 15

It has gone down to the final five in the 57th Annual Hunger Games. The time has come for Caesar Flickerman to interview the families of the remaining tributes. Yet Annabelle Adler, District 7 tribute, doesn't know where her family is, so who is being interviewed? Well, it is your job to find out.

Enjoy! ~Kaitlyn

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----Ash's POV----

On stage, the burly man and the fourteen year old step off the stage. I despise them; how could that man say all of those things about his son when all he will ever be is a bloodthirsty killer?

The only family that I could feel for was Annabelle's ally's family; a widowed mother with a pretty blonde teenager and a winey four year old son. What was her name again? Summer?

"Summer's a strong girl." The teen said. "She may look fragile on the outside, but she can fight. It's in her blood."

Caesar gave her an assuring nod. "Well, Devi, all we can do is hope Summer will win and ask our fellow citizens to lend a helping hand as a sponsor."

They'd left the stage a while ago. Now I had to sit here and listen to the two men praise Fable for trying to kill my sister.

Berkeley took a hold of my tux jacket, pulling on it to get my attention. Her dress was white and shimmery in the spotlight.

"Is Belley still alive?" She asked me quietly. I saw a tiny tear fall down her cheek.

I got down on my knees and wiped it away. "Don't cry, Berkeley. Yes, Annabelle's still alive. If she was dead we wouldn't be here."

Beside me, Galen was holding a tired looking Sage. Poor Galen, I thought. He liked Annabelle a lot, and I guess he thought if she died it would be his fault.

On the stage, I heard the Capitol citizens clap as Caesar announced us. Holding Berkeley's small hand, the four of us walked onto the stage. Galen and I shook hand with Caesar and sat down on the plush couch.

"Well, Ash, we're welcome to have you join us here tonight with your family. But I'm sure one question is standing out to the Capitol. What happened to you and the others when Annabelle was taken to the Capitol?"

I didn't like this question at all, but the citizens wanted a good enough answer. Gossip, maybe.

"Well, they took Annabelle away, I guess to the train station. Then we were taken to the Justice Building in District 11 for about two days. After that, a train came for us to take us to the Capitol. We've sort of been guests here, watching the Games with the rest of the Capitol."

I decided to leave out the part about being taken in for questioning.

Caesar gave a million dollar grin. "So the truth is out! You've been here all along! How do you like the Capitol?"

"The food is excellent. Practically, all we ever had in District 7 was pine soup."

Laughs came from the crowd.

"Ha! I can't even imagine what that would be like." Caesar laughed. "Now Ash, I'm sure when Annabelle ran away, you had a choice, right? I'm sure she didn't drag you along."

I tried to keep my emotions trapped inside. "Yes, Caesar, I did have a choice. But I wasn't going to let her die out in the woods. At the time I didn't think she was strong enough."

"Well, that opinion obviously has been proven wrong. I've heard that her mentor has been asking some of the locals to sponsor her. Yet I think that even if she doesn't get as many sponsors as we hope for, she might have a chance at being victor with that brawn."

"Thank you, Caesar."

Caesar turned his attention to Galen, who'd set a sleeping Sage on the couch.

"We've heard from Annabelle's brother, now maybe we can uncover more truth by their good friend here, Galen!"

The Capitol cheered and clapped as Caesar adressed him.

"Very welcome to have you join us, Galen. Now this question may relate to the question I asked Ash, but why did you run away with Annabelle?"

I saw him hesitate, thinking about what to say. Surprisingly, he managed to keep cool.

"To be honest, I'm not really sure, Caesar." Galen began. "I'm very good friends with Ash. Since I've known him my whole life, I know Annabelle well. I guess you could say she's like an adopted sister to me. My decision just came naturally like an instinct."

On the outside, I kept my face blank and serious, but inside I was smiling and praising Galen. It was a good choice of words.

Caesar grinned at the Berkeley who was leaning on my arm and at Sage who was passed out beside Galen.

"I was going to ask the little ones, but I guess they're both too tired." Caesar and the Capitol laughed.

"I'm pretty sure they did because they love Annabelle." I said.

"And hopefully that love might support Annabelle in the Games." Caesar said, leaning across to shake my hand.

Caesar, Galen, and I stood up.

"Ladies and gentleman, Ash Adler, brother of our District 7 tribute, Annabelle!"