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

Interview: True Cresta

I sigh unhappily as I  look out at the capitol audience. I can't believe I'm back here. It  sucks. It just sucks. It really does. I do like one thing though, my  outfit. My stylist, a new one from last time, has put me in a shimmering  tan gown. It goes all the way down to the ground and has a small train.  The bottom, up almost the whole way to the knee is blue, just like  water. The bodice is tan, shimering with specks of gold. The strapless  top, is covered with what look like shells. It really is beautiful. My  brown hair is very wavy, and pulled to one side. My stylist added some  tiny gold highlights, barely noticable but they shimmer. I made him  promise to re-die them dark brown before the games so that they don't  give away my hiding spot.

When Brielle calls my  name, I know I'll have to lie to her. I mean, I can't just say, "Oh yes,  I'm so unhappy to be back!" I smirk at the image. But I have to lie;  not for my sake, but for my little sisters. They were so horror struck  when this was announced. They need me. Sure, they're older than they  were my first games, but they're still not old enough.

Brielle's high voice  pierces through the night, "True Cresta!" I stand up, wave to the  cheering capitol audience, and walk to the interview area. I sit down  across from Brielle. She smiles sweetly at me before placing her green  hair to the side.

It's a pleasure to have you back here, True!" She smiles earnestly.

"Pleasure to be back  here, Brielle! I love what you've done with your hair. Green is totally  in." I make up, hoping I'm saying the right stuff.

Luckily, I am because  Brielle smiles brilliantly at me. "Why you're so kind True!So tell me,  are you excited to be back in the games!"

I laugh, "of course I am Brielle! How couldn't I be?"

She smiles too, and grins, "Very true, True. So, what's your motivation to win?"

I smile, "Same as before  Brielle, I have to get home to my little sisters. Of course, there's  also the fact I don't want to let down everyone from the last games I  was in by not winning because then they would have died for nothing but,  as always, my sisters come first."

She nods. "I think  that's what we love so much about you True, you have a real reason to  survive." I nod. "Now, how has your life changed since you became a  victor?"

It's weird I want to  say. But I don't, the audience won't like that. "Well, I've had so many  new outfits, I've been abel to wear a different outfit every day for a  month!" The crowd roars with laughter and approval.

Brielle laughs. "Of course True! Now, who do you think is your biggest threat and what will make you lose these games?"

I turn and inspect the  other tributes. "I think my biggest threat is the environment Brielle.  Tributes are unpredictable, sometimes it's the big, strong ones who die  first, or the ones who won by chance last time are the ones to kill you.  But the environment depends on a lot, if you get what I'm saying. If  there's water, sure, I'm at an advantage, but if it's all mines, well  the district 12 tributes are at an advantage. What will make me lose?" I  laugh sarcastically. "Being killed, obviously. But really, Brielle, I  can't say anymore, wouldn't want my opponents to know my weaknesses,  now, would I?"

She smiles sadly, "That makes sense True. Final question. What have the games taught you?"

My heart sinks at the  idea of revealing something deep, revealing the one thing that's kept me  going over the years since my games. "They taught me two things. One,  that there are two ways to look at life. One is as though nothing is a  miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle. The other is it  doesn't do to dwell on the past and forget to live."

Brielle laughs, making  me feel like a little kid again. "Those are very insightful." Then she  smiles widely and says loudly, "THANK YOU TRUE CRESTA! And May The Odds  Be Ever In Your Favor."