We Want War

Victory Tour

Glimmer POV

Cashmere, Gloss, Enobaria and Brutus got to sit together on one side of the stage while the other side sat Patchi, Wilhelmina, Aryn, Raine and the mayor. The mayor had already done his part by presenting Cato and I with each a plaque and a bouquet of flowers native to District 12 and giving a speech. Now it was time for Cato and I to each give a small speech.

I stepped up to the microphone and peered out at the crowd. Everyone in District 12 looked somber, even dressed in their finest which wasn’t that fine compared to my standards. There were two little sections blocked off from the rest of the crowd and that’s where Katniss’s and Peeta’s families stood.

“Thank you mayor Undersee for these beautiful gifts,” I start, raising the plaque and bouquet.

In Katniss’s section there only stood a tall blonde woman with sadness etched into her face and a little blonde girl as fresh as a daisy who looked no more than 12. Tears were dripping down her face even though she furiously kept wiping her eyes.

Peeta’s section stood an aged looking man with gentle eyes. A stern looking woman stood with her arms crossed, no emotion crossing her features. Two blonde young men stood there, pain and grief evident in their eyes. One looked over 18 while the other still looked Reaping age.

“The Games are something to be proud of for winning and I am proud. Unfortunately, I’m sorry that it cost you your loved ones lives.”

I felt Cato near me and I drew strength from him. I turned to face Peeta’s family.

“I never encountered Peeta in the arena except at the last minute. Seeing how devoted to protecting Katniss he was, even in the last moments, I do not doubt that he was a kind soul.”

This was not the speech I had prepared for me to recite in every District. Standing here, staring at two dead kids families, I felt the need to address them personally.

I turned to Katniss’s family after getting no reaction from Peeta’s family.

“I want to say that Katniss was a real competitor and there is no doubt in my mind that she could have won the Games. In her last moments, she did one of the bravest things I have ever seen. For that, I must pay my respects to her and her District.”

I backed away and let Cato take the microphone. I was too busy staring at Katniss’s little sister to pay attention to Cato’s speech. When I zoned back in Cato was saying something that obviously wasn’t in his prepared speech either.

“In reparation of your kids lives, Glimmer and I would like to donate a package of our winnings to both your families once a month for as long as we should live. Thank you for your children.”

Katniss’s little sister looked dumbstruck. One package of Victor winnings could keep a family afloat for a year. As long as Cato and I lived, Katniss and Peeta’s families would never go hungry.

Then something I never expected from District 12 took place before my eyes. Almost in complete synchronization, the crowd lifted their three middle fingers of their left hands, pressed them against their lips and raised them forward to salute us. I knew this was their sign of respect.

Suddenly we were rushed off the stage by a red faced Patchi and a trilling Wilhelmina among complete silence from District 12. As the door shut behind us, I heard the mayor announcing in an out of breath voice that the tables for the feast will be set up right away in the square.

“What were you thinking?” snarled Cashmere, once the Peacekeepers deposited us back in the room we had sat in this morning.

“We told you to keep your nose clean!” shouted Gloss, snatching my bouquet out of my hands and throwing it on the carpet.