Voices of the Dead: A Hunger Games FanFiction ©

5. Bruno

No matter what my history had been, my destiny would be what I’d create today. Today, I’d be taking the first real breath of life. The people of Panem would know my name, would hear my story, would admire my life. I’d be remembered long after I’d died.

Already up since before the sun had peeked out over the horizon, I waited at attention next to the elevator doors. I held my hands clasped behind my back; a soldier waiting to be released. Seconds ticked by infuriatingly slow, so when Rubio finally appeared, I nearly broke out in a smile. Nearly.

“Up so soon?” asked Rubio, a yawn making it’s way out of his mouth before he’d even finished.

I gave a jerking nod, then looked pointedly at the clock above the doors. “It’s time,” I growled impatiently.

His eyes widened at my tone, and he gave a loud gulp before nodding quickly. “Oh! Well, ahem, yes it does appear to be time. Come, let’s go to the roof,” he stuttered.

Marching, I followed closely behind him, wishing he’d move faster. Many times I had to resist the urge to push past him and just take myself to the roof. In the elevator, I stood alert; mentally ticking off each floor we passed by. 

Flint and I’d finished ironing out the details to our plan just the other day. I’d insisted we be as prepared as possible for today. I didn’t want any sort of mix-ups or confusion to slow me down. Essentially; as soon as the countdown was through, and the bell had sounded, we’d both run to the cornucopia, gather the weapons we needed, then each take a side; him the left, and I the right.

As the doors slid open and we walked onto the roof a hovercraft appeared out of thin air.  I marched towards it and without hesitation put my feet on the rungs when a ladder dropped down in front of my face. My body froze and I felt the ladder rise.

My felt paralyzed and momentarily considered fighting the current. However, as soon as I was safely inside the belly of the hovercraft, I was released.  A woman in a white lab coat approached me with a large syringe in her hand. “Welcome Bruno, this is going to be your tracker. With it we’ll always be able to trace your whereabouts in the arena,” she explained before reaching for my arm.

I nodded, standing completely still as she slid the needle deep under the skin of my forearm, then pushed the plunger; implanting the microchip into my flesh. After wiping my arm with an antiseptic, the woman placed a small bandage over the puncture and released me to go sit with a frazzled looking Rubio.

Rather than sit, however, I stayed standing; once again taking my ‘at-ease’ position. Unmoving, I stared straight ahead at the large windows that surrounded the craft’s metal sides. The windows were tinted black, not letting me see any of the surroundings. I wasn’t worried though; whether the arena was an open stretch of desert, a vast sea, or a labyrinth of trees, it wouldn’t be an impediment to my victory. I’d hunt and chase whoever I needed to, across any terrain, to get to my goal.

It wasn’t long before we landed; either the hovercrafts were getting faster, or the arena was very close to the Capitol. Again stuck to the ladder, both Rubio and I were deposit into the catacombs that lay beneath the arena. Listening to the woman’s instructions, we made our way to my room, a chamber called the Launch Room where I’d be further readied for the Games.

I walked swiftly and purposely down the dark halls, ignoring Rubio’s panting and muttered complaints. I stopped only when I finally stood in front of the door labeled ‘District One: Bruno Klum’. Once inside, an Avox knocked at the door and delivered a package; the clothes. Other than our tokens, which in my case was nothing, our outfits would all be the same; undergarments, durable black pants, a leather belt, a black shirt, hooded black jacket with many pockets, and a pair of heavy duty combat boots.