The Writer Games | Once In A Lifetime & World Edition

Welcome: Axela Woodnickle

I walk out onto the  stage when it's my turn.   My puffy, coal black dress sways back and  forth lightly with every step.  The color is somber, but the beautiful  design of the dress makes up for the dark color.   Not to mention, I'm  no fancy obsessed Capital girl but even I can see how the black dress  compliments my dark brown hair when it hangs down loose pinned back by a  black barrette as it is.  There is no telling how expensive this outfit  is; the black flats alone are worth more than I am.

The new interviewer,  Helvetica DeVil, greets me with pursed lips and raised eyebrows.   Immediately I know just from looking at her the kind of evil person she  is.  Helvetica's lips spread into an evil little smile, and I can't help  the shivers that travel down my spine.

"So, Axela, what is your  strategy for these Games?"  Helvetica asks, her voice like black  velvet.  Helvetica is like a predator, ready to leap in and devour her  prey at the slightest show of weakness.

I raise my eyebrows.   "Well I can't reveal my strategy here, can I?  Not in front of all  of....them," I nod toward the other tributes.  "But let me just say, I do  have a strategy." I add, for the sponsors' sake, and for my parents'. 

"Well, then what makes  you a contender to win?"  It is not the question itself, but the way  Helvetica says it, like I am not a contender at all.  I almost make a  rude comment in reply, but my fear of her wins out over my anger.

"I can use my preferred  weapon," In my answer I carefully avoid revealing that I can use an axe  quite skillfully, "Quite well and I'm not afraid to do what it takes to  get home."

"Who are the biggest and smallest threats in these Games?" Helvetica asks, her lip curling.

"I'd have to say Odessa  Black is the smallest threat, since she's so young.  But even though  she's old, my instincts tell me Mercy Lakeside is the greatest threat," I  answer with poise I can to hide my annoyance with Helvetica.

"How far do you hope to make it?" Helvetica asks.  This time her voice reminds me of the purr of a poisonous viper. 

I laugh.  "I want to win  of course."    I wanted my sister to win too, but she didn't.  But this  is different.  Alaina died so that I could live, therefore I have no  choice but to live.

Helvetica sends me a  condescending glance that almost makes me think she's heard my  thoughts.  Even though I know she couldn't have heard my thoughts, the  glance still angers me. 

"Why do you want to win?" Helvetica inquires, and the condescending is present in her voice tone. 

"I want to win because I am  a barely more than a child and much too young to die at the hands of another child-"  SLAP!

My hand darts up to my  cheek as I realize what has just happened.  Helvetica has just slapped  me.  Is she allowed to do that?  Even if she isn't, I think, she won't  care.

Instead of saying another word, I simply cradle my burning cheek with my hand and glare at Helvetica until the buzzer goes off.