The 8th Writer Games & The Reader Games & Writer Games: The Deadly Decade

Interview: Ella --FINAL 8--

I just saw bright lights  everywhere, heard Brielle chattering away and knew that this interview  was going to make or break me. I just couldn't take the pressure and I  slumped to the floor, crawling away to a corner and just sitting by  myself for a while.

"Ella," my stylist Daneka hovered over me, "You've got to get up."

"I know," I muttered, glancing up so I met her eyes, "Just give me another minute."

Daneka nodded, before  she headed away to fetch my shoes. I never mentioned that I wasn't  wearing any shoes before when I watched Brielle open the show, I didn't  really think it was important. I guess it was but that was the past and  this is the present.

Oh shut it brain.

"Okay, I'm ready," I said, pulling myself to my feet and slipping my feet into those achy heels. "I can do this..."

Daneka smiled encouragingly and clapped me on the back, "That's the spirit! Now go out there and wow the crowd!"

That all happened backstage before I'm on the stage, which is where I'm slightly frozen now and a little shocked.

Brielle Featherwhatever  sits in a puffy chair, smiling as I edged towards her. That was when I  froze I guess, now I'm shaking a little which is the only movement I've  done since I sat next to Brielle.

"Why don't you tell us a little about yourself Ella!" she trills, "Your home life!"

I'm assuming by this she  means parents and siblings, friends and all that general kid stuff.  Unfortunately for me, I don't have any parents and I definitely don't  have a normal life. I am number Ten, though at the rate I'm going I  might not be for much longer.

"Well," I begin,  wondering whether or not it's best to skip over the part that I'm an  alien escaping the Mogadorian's. "I'm a orphan, I went to an orphanage  when I was..." I pause, real age or what Marina thought? "Seven. I met  my best friend there."

"And what's her name?" Brielle presses gently.

Does she push her way  into peoples business like this all the time? I guess it's kind of  within her job description and there's nothing I can do about it. Well I  could cut her a look that kills, but there's really no point here  and...oh shut up brain!

"S-" I bite my lip, no, no, no! Her name is not Seven, no way. "It's Marina," I correct myself.

Brielle nods, "So you are Marina are close?"

I nod, "Kind of like a sister to me in a way."

"Don't be saddened Ella, but do you know anything about your parents?" Brielle asks.

Well, that's bound to  impress the Capitol except I don't know anything except for the fact  that they were dead when I left our planet. I kind of wonder what the  others would want me to say if they were here. I need some guidance here  because I can't cover up for us Lorien's all by myself. I need some  help because otherwise...

Shut up brain! Stop rambling.

"Ella?"

"Wha-" I snap back to  life suddenly realising that I didn't answer Brielle's question about my  parents. The parents I know nothing about and- stop, brain. "Oh my  parents! Well, I was separated from them at birth. I'm not sure how  they...you know, I was looked after by a man called Crayton, he was my  Papa."

I don't think Brielle dares ask what happened to Crayton. Good, because I don't want to talk about it.

"So, obviously you've got a strategy," Brielle announces. I pick up her muttering, "Not that you'd share it."

I bite my lip, "I'm just hoping to get out alive, you know? After all, I'm only twelve!"

Brielle nods, "I see what you mean. What are you expecting to happen in these games?"

I take a deep breath, I  just need to relax. There's nothing to be afraid of, she isn't a  Mogadorian. Is she? No, she's not. End of story. "Anything really," I  say, trying to keep my cool, "It all just depends on what exciting  things you have in store for us."

Brielle taps her nose, making me giggle. "Do you think you can handle it Ella?"

"Yes," I say  automatically, thinking of all the enhancement which lies within me.  Speed, strength...I'm not the typical twelve year old tribute. Far from  it. "Maybe..."

Brielle smiles, "That's a good girl!"

Slightly patronising but  I don't complain. After all, if at random points I do decide to turn  about one, everyone will treat me that way. Fine by me. Sometimes I  wonder if I'm growing up too fast.

Luckily for me the  buzzer goes off. Good thing as well as I'm slightly tired off this  interview. I hop off my chair and shake Brielle's hand.

"Good luck Ella and may the odds be ever in your favour!" she trills.

I wonder if she says that to every tribute. Either way, I'm satisfied with what I've done. Maybe.

Oh, I don't know. Going back to the corner to think again. Is this my life now?