Let the 25th Hunger Games Begin

Interviews Askew

Rissa has whisked me out of the room to quickly prepare for the interviews.

'I've designed the PERFECT dress for you darling!' She squealed as we entered the beauty room. I looked over to three shelves packed neatly with cosmetics, goos and gels. There was a long metal table full of metal beauty maker thingies.

They start off by shaving me (again) which is less painless this time. Ross's calls in two men to wash my hair whilst she paints a growth serum onto my nails. I had been biting them so much they grew shorted each day. Some artists covered my face in light foundation and a thin layer of lipstick. Once they had dried my hair they were 5mm longer. Rissa didn't cover it in red nail polish as I expected- instead she used clear. She must have seen my confused expression, for she answered my question.

'Your character, remember? We don't want you to be delicate and dressed up- we want you to be strong, determined, a fighter.' Rissa explains, taking out a long, flowing red dress. It was the one I wore to the chariots.

'But- after the incident-' I start.

'Don't worry,' she soothes.

Still confused, I put on the dress, which smelt fresh and felt silky. My hair was straightened, then put into a long side ponytail. I was done. Rissa clasps her hands in success.

'Now-your character.' Oh gosh. I look at the clock- 12 at noon. The interviews were scheduled at 7. This was going to be harder than training.

We were lined up backstage in an iron room. We heard the roar of the crowd behind huge, shimmering deep gold curtains. Some Tributes were wearing different clothes to the Chariot rides, but others wore the same outfit. Cydney sniggered when she way this. She was wearing a thin, royal blue one strap dress with frills at the bottom.

We could tell when Caesar entered the stage when the music deafened us and the crowed started cheering even louder than before, which seems quite impossible. One by one the Tributes filtered up. By the time that the District 7 Tributes had gone, I was shaking. A woman walked up to me, arms outstretched and I thought it was for a hug. I stepped back instinctively.

'It's the mic,' she says, pinning it and hiding it in the silk of my dress. I thank her before she leads me towards the curtains. I clench my fists, breathe and smile.

'And now, the girl you know as the Chariot Champion and the recipient of the highest score this year, it's Abigail Crest!' A round of applause comes, with more cheering than the others. I really had already made an impression. The large curtains pulled forwards and I walked onto the glass stage. There were two red chairs, and there Caesar was, welcoming me on. I walked up to him and smiled, then smiled at the audience. They cheered even more. He guides me to sit on one of the chairs before he sits down himself.

'So, Abigail, I bet all of us are just itching to know- what happened that night of the Chariots?' He asks. I pause. Uh oh.

'Well, Keil and I were standing there in out amazing outfits, thanks to our brilliant assistant Rissa, when Keil suddenly fell. You see, his outfit got stuck under another Chariots wheel. I pulled him up, but that ripped the cloth off and it was tangled in the wheels. The rest was a blur,' I admit. Caesar laughs.

'Oh, come on, tell us more!'

'I saw the Chariot go off corse and heading towards District 4's Tributes- Instinctivley, I jumped off of the Chariot, landed next to them and pulled them to safety.'

'What a brave act, don't you all think?' Caesar declares. All of them clap in approval. 'I also hear that you have allied with the girl that you saved, Madeline Trout. But there is also a sad plot to it. Please do inform us, Abigail.' He asks with a sad look on his face.

'With this Quater Quell twist, I was voted to enter the Games for I am an orphan.' Gasps and sighs of symphony came from the audience. 'I think you remember my brother. You know, the one with the chubby face and funny walk.' I joke, imitating his walk. Deep down, I was crying. But on the outside I was beaming with the crowd laughing.

'So when I became friends with Madeline, and realised that she had 5 other siblings- I just knew that she had to win. I mean, I had no one. I wanted someone who needed to win TO win.' Some cries come from the audience. They are so emotional, the Capitol Citizens. Caesar holds my hand.

'Touching. Truly touching indeed. But what a shame that is, with your result being an 11!' More cheers. 'Exactly what happened?'

'I don't think I'm allowed to say, but think about the Chariot rides, the best victor to ever play and a bowl of your delicious spicy honey chicken- combine them all which makes one intense battle.' There were more laughs. That's what I wanted. Laughs, cheers, something for them to talk about.

'What a shame that you may not come back. BUT- if your plan changes, I bet you will make it to the finals! That wraps up our talk tonight, Abigail- but do talk to us in the arena. We are all ears.' We both stands up and they applaud. Many whistle.

He escorts me offstage, where I rip off the mic. Where I go into the second sound proof room to cry. To mourn my dead brother.

I sat on the metal chair, ignoring the Tributes around me. I look up, eyes damp with tears to see Keil on the stage, chatting with Ceasar. I slowly stand up.

'Do you have a similar plan to Abigail, Keil? Or are you in it to win it?' He asks. I cover my mouth. I knee what would follow. He shakes his head, with a smile that was cheeky yet evil. A smile that was all to familiar to me. I stumble back to my seat, where Madeline was, watching and comforting me.

'I'm going for gold Ceaser- and Abigail, well- she will be one of the first to go!'

Author's Note:

Sorry for the late post guys! Lots of work to do. Thanks for reading- please comment and vote! Next one will come in a few days- it will be titled The Hunger Games Begin. Whilst waiting read my other Minecraft/Hunger games book!

😜😝, Alix