Voices of the Dead: A Hunger Games FanFiction ©

1. Flint

Honor, that is all that matters in life.

“I volunteer as tribute!” I called out before the district escort could even finish reading the name of the boy who had been drawn out of the glass bowl.  Before the elaborately dressed woman had even agreed, I was already sauntering down the aisle, towards the podium. When I caught sight of another boy who looked like he was considering volunteering as well, I glowered at him, flashing him a dark smile. He froze, his hand mid-raised, and then looked back down at his feet.

I raced up the stairs and shook hands with the escort. “My, my eager are we? And what might your name be?” she gushed when I stepped up to the microphone.

I waved at the crowd and pumped my fist, relishing the sound of their support and excitement. I turned back to the escort, “You know I am! I’ve been waiting my whole life for this opportunity,” I peered back at the crowd; they roared with enthusiasm, “My name is Flint. Flint Stopher, and I won’t let my district down, I will win this for us, I will bring us honor!”

The thunderous applause drowned out whatever the escort might have said afterwards. I had to restrain myself from laughing with glee when I marched into an empty room of the Justice Building. Everything was going perfectly.

As I sat on one of the plush, velveteen couches, I recalled just what I’d gone through to be here. This had not been a spur of the moment decision; I’d been counting on all this to happen since I’d been a child.

Since I’d been able to stand on two feet I’d been working towards becoming the best. I’d been spoon fed the classic District Two ideals; honor was what mattered in life, it equaled admiration, respect, nobility, and power. If you wanted to be someone of value that people looked up to and wanted to mimic, then you became not just a volunteer, or a tribute, you became a victor.

That was my goal. That was what would end up happening, no matter what.

While other boys dreamed of simple things, like school, friends, and games, I dreamt of the games. They were all that mattered; I’d scour over past videos, trying to memorize strategies, I made lists of my own weaknesses and flaws, willing myself to work hard until they were gone. I wanted no lose strings. I practiced with swords and maces, axes and spears; not just sticking to my own district’s weapons, but also becoming lethal with others.

My eagerness for war and blood was easily noted and within days I’d been recruited into the Career’s Academy. I was ruthless, filled with an voracious bloodlust. The teachers could see it, and they’d nod approvingly amongst themselves when they thought I wasn’t watching.

Now, as I sat eagerly on the couch, I wondered how they felt; proud, probably, knowing in their minds I was bound to win. I peeked out the window of the room and gazed at my beloved district; with it’s elegant granite buildings, it’s clean grounds, and spacious streets. Certainly, this would not be the last time I’d see my home.

When the door opened I smiled at my family; my father, laughing in merriment, my mother, beaming, and my younger brother, Ore, fawning over me with adoration clear in his eyes.

“I can’t believe it! You’re going to be in the games!” chortled Ore as he ran up to me, “I’m so jealous, you don’t even know!”

“He’s not just going to be in them Ore, he’s going to win them,” said my father with a chuckle as he clapped my back, “See right here? You’re looking at the face of this year’s victor.”

I grinned and hugged my mother when she came towards me. “You’ve brought such honor to our family just by being in this year’s games, I can’t wait for you to return,” she preened, placing her hand on my cheek.

I smiled at all of them, confidence radiating off of me, “I’ve got this in the bag, no one will be a match for me.”

When we sat on the couch, immediately my father began to talk strategy, like he usually did. “Now remember Flint, be quick to ally with the other careers, and also quick to find out their weaknesses, don’t underestimate anyone-“ he rushed.

“I know that, I’ll be watching out for district one the whole time,” I assured him.

“Don’t forget district four! Sometimes they’re not all bad,” interjected Ore; he’d also been studying the past victor’s videos with me and knew, as I did, that Four was known for their skill with tridents.

“Don’t worry guys, I’ve got it,” I insisted, though I knew they’d be drilling me with tactics until the Peacekeepers came.

“Oh Flint, and don’t forget to actually consider the other districts,” my mom harped, he brow only slightly furrowed, “Who knows what kinds of cretins you’ll be facing, remember that year with the sly boy from district seven? Oh! Or the other year with the girl from ten?”

I laughed slowly, “Mom, relax. They won’t be a match for me, not at all.” The conversation continued like this for a long time until a Peacekeeper poked his head in and motioned that our time was up.

I stood and held my mother close, and then turned to ruffle Ore’s hair. It was when I came to my father that I really beamed. He smiled so widely I thought his cheeks must hurt, he shook my hand firmly and then clapped my back again. “Before you go, I want to give you something,” he said as he pulled something off of his finger.”

“Oh, dad, you don’t have to.” I insisted when I saw what he was doing.

“No, I want to,” he persevered as he dropped his jewel-encrusted ring onto my open palm. “Take it and remember us. Whenever you feel like you need a little boost, just look at it and remember we’re waiting for you.”

I slipped the beauty onto my finger and nodded, “I’ll be thinking of all of you always. Every plan, every kill, It’ll all be for you. I will bring our family such admiration and honor, they’ll speak of us for years to come.” I promised.

They nodded and we exchanged our final good-byes. However, before he was completely out of the room Ore turned to look at me, “One day Flint, I’ll be as luck as you. I’ll follow in your footsteps, I promise. I’ll make you and mom and dad soo proud.”

I smiled, “I know that.”

“Those other guys don’t stand a chance against you,” he barked out a laugh, “They don’t know what they’re in for.”

Ore’s words rang through my head as I arrived at the train station and boarded the transit. Indeed, they didn’t know what they were going to be up against. They’d be completely and utterly surprised.