We Want War

Quarter Quell

Cato POV

The months before the Hunger Games passed by too quickly for my taste. Lucky for me though, I found Glimmer and I still were able to use our passes so we were able to visit each other for two weeks each month.

Now it was three weeks before the Hunger Games started and this year, the year Glimmer and I get to mentor Tributes, was a Quarter Quell. Every Quarter Quell President Snow announces a few weeks before the Games the big twist that will make the Quarter Quell different than any other year. For the 25th Hunger Games, the citizens of the Districts had to vote on who the Tributes were. For the 50th Hunger Games, there were 48 Tributes instead of the usual 24. The announcement for this year’s Quarter Quell was tonight and Reaping was a week later. Than the Tributes would be off to the Capitol to train and be dressed up.

I sat down in the living room with my parents, younger sister Cinder, and my older brother, Talon and his wife, Aviva. The TV was turned to the Capitol channel where Caesar Flickerman was introducing President Snow.

“Are you excited Cato?” asked Cinder, bouncing beside me on the couch.

“For what?” I asked.

“You get to mentor!”

I shrugged. “Sure, and I’ll get to see Glimmer for two whole uninterrupted weeks.”

Talon chuckled and just gave me a look.

“Watch the announcement,” growled my dad.

Snow was standing in the middle of the stage and a small golden box was sitting on a pedestal in front of him. Inside the box I knew to be the cards that were labeled for the Quarter Quells.

“I hope it’s a good one this year,” laughed Talon as Snow started his usual speech about why there was a Hunger Games and the purpose of the Quarter Quells.

“Shh,” chastised Cinder.

When Snow was finished, he flipped open the lid of the golden box, pulled out a slip of paper with 75 written on it, and then closed it.

“Citizens of Panem, now the time for the reveal for the 3rd Quarter Quell,” announced Snow, unfolding the paper. I waited with excitement.

“Calm down Cato,” laughed Cinder, patting my knee. I smiled at her and then turned back to the TV.

“For the 3rd Quarter Quell, the 75th Annual Hunger Games,” read Snow. “As a reminder to the rebels that even the strongest among them cannot overcome the power of the Capitol, the male and female Tributes shall be Reaped from a pool of past surviving Victors.”

I saw my brother’s face pale as Cinder squeaked and buried her face in her hands. My mother turned to look at me with tears in her eyes while my father just stared. I was in shock.

There was only me, Enobaria, Brutus, Lyme, Ash, Aradia and Videl for Victors still alive. There were only three male Victors. There was a chance that the odds wouldn’t be in my favor at all.

Suddenly the rage that had been building up since my trip to the Capitol exploded as I jumped to my feet. I was shaking with anger as I gripped the TV and yanked it off the wall, disconnecting Snow’s announcement. I threw it on the floor with a crash.

“CATO!” screamed my mother, tears openly pouring down her face.

I kicked at the TV until I was satisfied and then I bolted out of the house; leaving behind the calls for me to come back.

How dare the Capitol do this!

Glimmer POV

“Did I hear that right?”

Corsage took my hand and squeezed it. “I’m so sorry Glimmer. But think; there’s still Cashmere and Lace. It doesn’t mean you’ll go back in the Arena!”

I just shook my head as I stared at the TV. Snow was giving a goodbye speech after someone came and took the golden box away.

I was frozen in my seat by anger, shock and surprise. I thought I had everything figured out now. I thought I would just be a mentor and I’d never have to set foot in another arena other than my dreams.

Sure I was proud that I came back alive the first time and brought pride to my District but I had no wish of ever going back again. Actually being in the arena was way different than what our instructors at the academy had taught us it would be like.

I may have come back alive but I came back with scars covering my mind and soul. I had no doubt that if I got Reaped, it would take everything I had not to lose my sanity.

Cashmere POV

I had a feeling something horrible was going to happen after I heard the Rebellion had become known to Snow. I guess this Quarter Quell was it.

At first I was angry but then that gave away. I was resigned. If it was a possibility that I would have to go back into the Games, there was nothing I could do to change the Quarter Quell ruling.

I padded to my kitchen, pulled out a crystal tumbler, and dug out a bottle of amber liquid from my pantry. I sat back on the couch, shut off the TV and slowly poured myself into a numb drunk state.

Enobaria POV

My first reaction was to throw my TV across the room but I couldn’t get myself to stand up. It was like my blood had frozen in veins. I could feel my rage boiling under my skin.

I wanted to wrap my hands around Snow’s brittle neck. I wanted to dig a knife into his ribs. I wanted to sink my gold capped teeth into his flesh and tear until he screams for mercy. I would kill him slowly and painfully.

If I was going to be in the Arena, then this Rebellion could not fail.

Gloss POV

I didn’t even care about the mess I had made. I had thrown my drink at the TV, staining the thick carpet with alcohol and glass from the TV screen and my cup.

I didn’t care so much if I went into the Games because I know I would have a good shot at coming back alive a second time. I did care if Cashmere got Reaped. She was my younger sister by a year and I was severely protective.

At the thought of Cashmere, I dashed out of the house to see how she was taking the announcement. I didn’t care about much right at this moment but how she was.

Brutus POV

My cleaning lady would have a mess tomorrow. She would also have to hire a contractor.

I stuck my bleeding hand under the kitchen sink as I surveyed the damage. One punched out hole in the wall, one broken TV and two smashed chairs. She would understand my fit of rage after that damn Quarter Quell announcement.

I rinsed my hand until the water ran clear and then I wrapped it in a dark towel. If I was going back, I hoped this hand healed beforehand.

Finnick POV

It had been a stupid idea to watch the Quarter Quell announcement with Annie. She didn’t understand what Snow had meant and that left me to explain. After she understood, she was inconsolable.

“Shh Annie, it’s alright. I won’t let anything happen to you,” I murmured as I stroked her hair. She continued to sob on my chest and all I could do was murmur to her that I loved her and I would protect her. My instinct to protect Annie was so strong that I believed that I could actually help her somehow if she was Reaped.

I was angry beyond belief at the Capitol for putting Annie through this all over again. Not to mention all the other Victors that thought they had escaped this ever again.

This Rebellion could not die.