The Hunger Games: Death of the Mockingjay

Chapter 41

There's an awkward silence that envelops the room while I read through the format of the new Hunger Games. I can feel the anticipation from both Casper and Ellie, as if I'm the jury that's been sent out of court while the accused await my decision. I ignore Ellie who constantly fiddles with her hair and Casper who slowly paces up and down the room.

To be honest the plan they've got makes sense except for the fact that people will still die. They've taken away the Reaping completely with it being replaced by a voluntary registration system. You can't now register to take part in the Games but only if you're 18 or over. If there's more than two people who register from each District then they'll be a lottery to decide who goes. If for any reason a Gladiator (they're no longer called tributes) is injured or falls ill in training then a substitute will be drawn from the unsuccessful candidates who weren't originally picked in the lottery.
If for instance a District fails to produce a male and female gladiator then an unsuccessful candidate from another District will be offered to fight as an independent to make up the numbers to 28 as both District 13 and the Capitol are now included in the selection process.

The format of the arena is no different except that it's open world which means anything goes, the Gamemakers literally have free reign. I think this came from the Central Park and Dune arenas where the long established format for the games had been abandoned with random Cornucopias and tributes starting at different parts of the arena
Also the victor has an open invitation to return to the arena the following year to defend their title although I can't think why anyone would want to do that. I asked Casper what his thinking was behind this and he said he wants to make celebrities out of the gladiators, to try and make them even more famous.

I close the document, drop it on Casper's desk and slump back into my seat. He turns to me expectantly.

"Okay, it seems alright but I still don't understand. Why do I have to sign this off, Ellie's signature alone would be enough. I'm a victor of the games and nothing more, you can do this yourselves"

"Come now Katniss you know why and in any case we've already been over this. The country trusts you in ways they'll never do with Elise or Plutarch. Your support silences the doubters, the ones who can't be swayed by the politicians"

I look down at my fiddling hands and think to myself. I know Peeta said he'd stand by me no matter what my decision was but I still feel I need his help with this. If what Casper says is true then what I do today could potentially shape this country for years to come and if I don't sign then I'll be a alienating a portion of the country away from the Games, Panem would still be broken.

I look up at Casper "I want Peeta here, I can't make this decision myself"

Casper smiles at me then nods to Ellie who makes her way to the door and steps out of the room. Casper sits back down and drums his fingers on the desk . I look up to see him staring at me intently, to say it makes me feel uncomfortable is an understatement.

"Do you remember Katniss, when we rode in your drop ship and delivered me back to the Capitol?

"How can I forget, your father kidnapped Rue, I had no choice but to hand you over to him"

"I told you then that I admired you, that I had a crush on you"

"Yeah I remember, I never spoke to you again until today"

"Yes I know. My feelings have never changed toward you Katniss. I won't lie to you but I genuinely hoped that Peeta would of died in the museum attack and you'd of survived"

"What?"

"I wanted you for myself and I knew that would never happen while Peeta was still around"