~ The 99th Hunger Games ~ (UNDER EDITING)

Chapter 18 - Interview

I wake up in the hospital, I'm connected to lots of Capitol material, there is a needle and several monitors up my arms. I look at a little screen with little white numbers, it says that the first number represents my blood sugar and the other is my blood pressure. I also realise a band around my wrist, it says, #1 DESTINEE CLAY. A nurse enters the room, carrying a plate of food. "Is that for me?" I ask. The woman jumps, shocked.

"Oh, Destinee, you're awake." She smiles at me. "Yes, it's for you, here, just don't eat it too fast, you might feel sick." I nod and sink my teeth into the chicken sandwich. The flavour explodes in my mouth, I haven't tasted food this good in ages. I smile, nothing could ruin this moment, I have won the games. Then something dawns on me, Animal is dead, I suddenly feel empty, I would of preferred him to win. My mentor Xavier enters, he has black short cut hair, and extremely tanned skin. He is very tall and very well built, he is also quite handsome. He speaks in a deep husky voice. "Congratulations Destinee, I knew you had it in you."

I take another bite of my sandwich. "I just can't believe it's over." I admit.

"Well, I hate to break it to you, but it's only just begun." He pats me on the leg and leaves. I get where he is coming from, I know that this will be hard. I've heard rumours that people are never the same after they go through the games. Right now, all I want to do is go home and see my family. But I know it will be a while until I get to do that. For now I settle down and try to get some more sleep while I can.

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A few hours later I am let out of the hospital and taken back to the penthouse. If feels empty without Silver here. He was always so cheerful and entertaining, he always had a smile on his face, even during the hardest times. I sigh, so many wonderful people have died, Libby, Silver, Missy... Animal. It seems that all my thoughts keep drifting back to Animal. "Destinee." Says Xavier from behind me. I jump and snap out of my trance. "Ready?"

"Ready for what?"

"You need to get ready for your interview tonight." He says.

"Oh, yeah, um ok. I'm ready." I follow him to my stylist's room.

Fiona is waiting for me with open arms. "Hello beautiful!" She pulls me into a hug and kisses the top of my head. Sometimes she annoys me, she's too perky for my likings. "I have the perfect look for you for tonight." She sings. She gestures towards a manikin I didn't realise was there. On it, a beautiful silk dress, it is gold with a sweetheart neckline.

I gasp. "It's beautiful!" I exclaim.

"I had a feeling you would love it dear, now go and put it on we only have 6 hours to get you ready!"

"Only 6 hours... What a shame." I say sarcastically while rolling my eyes. Capitol people are so stuck up, all they care about is how they look, they have no idea what people in the districts go through to stay alive.

"I know dear, I've been talking to the escorts to get more time in the future." She says with a sigh, obviously not realising the sarcasm in my tone.

"Now, let's get you looking beautiful for tonight!"

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I clench my fists and take deep breaths as I wait side stage for Avalon to invite me on. She has been chatting with the audience for 15 minutes now, I'm getting tired, standing in my 6 inch heels.

Finally, Avalon introduces me and I ready myself for what is about to come. "Everyone give a warm welcome to the winner of the 99th annual Hunger Games... Destinee Clay!" The crowd roars as I walk onto stage. I try my best to hide my inner depression with a skip in my step and a smile on my face. Avalon takes my hand and sits me on the sofa next to her. When the crowd finally silences she begins the interview. "Hello Destinee, how are you tonight?"

"I'm great, actually, I'm amazing, I just won the Hunger Games." I say as cheery as I can manage, and it seems to work because the crowd goes crazy once again.

"Wow, looks like you have some fans in the audience Destinee!" The crowd continues to cheer like the maniacs they are. "Well why don't we cut strait into the serious stuff, we will watch back the games from start to finish and reflect on your actions and decisions throughout the games, and see just what it was that made you a victor!"

"Sounds good to me Avalon!" I say with a fake smile. She fiddles with some buttons on the tv remove before a screen pops out of nowhere to our right showing clips from my reaping. She shows other clips from the week leading up to the games, asking a few questions along the way. Clips begin to show from the games, the bloodbath, although I wasn't really involved in that, and then the footage from the the island, corpses, the hotel, Animal... I didn't like talking about Animal, it brought back too many memories. But it was good to know for sure what had happened to Animal, Avalon explained that he had died from infection, I wish I had known how bad it was at the time and I could of helped him. The interview continues, showing me the finale. When the screen turns off there is a short moment of silence.

"So." She says. "What a journey you had." I nod. "Thank you ever so much for being part of these games Destinee. Are you excited to be going back to district 12?"

"Of course."

"What are you most excited about Destinee?"

"Defiantly seeing my family." I exclaim. I'm excited to see my family but I know that there is going to be a rough road ahead. I just wish I could face that road with Animal.

"Looks like our interview has come to an end Destinee," she says gloomily. She begins to talk to the audience. "If you want to see more of Destinee don't forget to book your tickets for her live interview in six months time on her victory tour." She turns back to me. "Thank you for tonight, I'm sure everyone enjoyed it, let's give it up one final time for the winner of the 99th annual Hunger Games, Destinee Clay." I smile and wave at the audience one more time tonight.