Voices of the Dead: A Hunger Games FanFiction ©

5. Flint

Victory. Honor. Respect…

I woke up with only these words in my head. Today was the day I’d make my District proud of me; today the real Hunger Games would begin. I grinned and jumped out of bed, eager to start the day as soon as possible. I yanked the door open in time to see Hues lifting his hand; he’d been about to knock on my door.

“Up already Flint?” he noted in surprise.

“Yeah, I could barely sleep, I’m just so excited,” I agreed.

 “Well no need to wait any further, it’s time.” He motioned me forward.

With a huge grin on my face, I followed quickly behind him, mentally wishing he’d walk faster, and resisting the urge to push past him. In the elevator, I shifted restlessly from foot to foot. I’d finished making my plans with Bruno just the other day. I was more than prepared for what lay ahead. As soon as the gong sounded we’d both run to the cornucopia, for the weapons that would surely be there, then we’d each take a side; him the right, and I the left.

When we finally reached the roof, a hovercraft appeared out of thin air.  A ladder dropped down in front of my face and I immediately put my hands and feet on the lower rungs. In an instant I felt my limbs go cold and stiff, leaving me locked in the position I was in. I relaxed as I felt the ladder rise; it was obvious the electric current was meant to keep me safe.

As soon as I was safely inside the belly of the hovercraft, a woman in a white lab coat approached me, with a large syringe in her hand. “Hello Flint, this is your tracker; with it we’ll always be able to trace your whereabouts in the arena. Now, if you could hold still,” she said excitedly.

“Do what you need to Doc,” I answered with pep, holding out my arm willingly.

I stayed statue-still as I felt the prick of the metal needle slide into my arm. I sighed, impatient, and stared as the woman pushed down on the plunger and injected the metal tracking device deep under the skin of my forearm. After wiping my arm with an antiseptic, the woman placed a small bandaid over the puncture and released me to go sit with Hues.

I tapped my feet and wiggled my legs, unable to sit completely still for long. The large windows were tinted black and I couldn’t make out a single piece of the scenery. I wasn’t nervous though, merely eager to begin the Games. “Calm down Flint, we’ll be there soon enough,” said Hues with a laugh.

“I can’t! I’ve just been waiting for this day for so long.”                                                                                                 

Hues let out an airy laugh; amused at my childish vigor. “Well, worry not. The arena isn’t far.”

True to his word, it wasn’t long before we had arrived at our destination. As before, we climbed back onto the ladder and were deposit into the catacombs that lay beneath the arena. Following the woman’s instructions, we made our way to my destination; a chamber called the Launch Room where I’d be further prepped for the Games.

Practically running, Hues and I walked along the dark hallways until we reached the room labeled ‘District Two: Flint Stopher’. Once inside, an Avox knocked at the door and delivered a package; the clothes. Other than our tokens, mine being the family ring, our outfits would all be the same; ordinary undergarments, some durable black pants, a leather belt, a black shirt, hooded black jacket with various pockets, and a pair of sturdy combat boots.

I dressed quickly and without help. “Hmm, not mean for style, obviously,” sniffed Hues as he took account of my clothes. He studied the fabric and shook his head. “Robust fabrics, not something I’d ever use. Probably they’re meant for a perilous arena.”