ODDS

identity

"𝓜𝓾𝓶𝓶𝓪, 𝓘 𝓭𝓸𝓷'𝓽 want to go!"

The woman in front of me stood, her posture immaculate. Her curly hair flowed down her back as the breeze blew gently. The fading afternoon light reflected from the waves onto her face, painting her features with an array of colors.

She was beautiful.

"Lana, darling, if you don't come in now, you'll never get in!"

Flashbacks had always been a sense of ease. They calmed me when I felt the weight of the world pressing down on my shoulders. Most of the time, they involved my mother and father, with the occasional visit from Morgan, Calypso, and Caspian. A lot of the time, too, they helped me get past certain things that I had no interest in doing. This interview, for example, which I was dreading.

Cinder had dressed me up in an emerald jumpsuit. It sparkled under certain lighting, which I found mesmerizing. She had also instructed my prep team to certain measures regarding my makeup. My bare shoulders shimmered with light sparkles, mostly consisting of a color that matched my outfit, but a few hidden gems of pastel green snuck its way into the mix. My hair was pulled back into a sleek ponytail, enhancing the chic nature of the outfit.

Looking in the mirror, I felt like a native in the capitol. I didn't look at myself again. I couldn't accept it.

"Sweetheart, are you here?" I was interrupted from my reveries as Zane waved his massive hand in front of my eyes. I blinked, jumping a little as I became reacquainted with my surroundings. Sander smirked at me while I retrieved my bearings. I narrowed my eyes at him before focusing back on Zane.

"Alright, so Sander, explain to me what you're doing in this interview."

Sander suddenly became very stoic, swallowing hard. "I'm going to appear kind, but fierce at the same time." Zane nodded at this, then turned to look at me.

"And you?"

"Sweet and innocent." I deadpanned. Zane grinned at my displeasure before looking down at his wrist. He let out a breath and rubbed the back of his neck. Clearing his throat, he looked back to us.

"I'm going to go wait with Fin and Mags. Take deep breaths and relax, guys. You're only up there for a few minutes. Make sure they remember you. We'll be waiting for you on the other side of the stage when you've finished."

The both of us nodded before Zane left with a wave. All of the tributes lined up near the curtain, ready to start their interview. All of them were ready, except for me. The line inched forward more quickly than I thought it would, and I was soon next in line. My breaths became shaky and my throat dried quickly. I played with my hands in a nervous fashion. A strong hand gripped my shoulder. Turning, I saw Sander with a reassuring smile on his face as he nodded.

"You're going to be great, Alana. Just take a breath and it will all be over before you know it." he whispered encouragingly. I did as he said and, taking a deep breath, I muttered a thanks. I turned back to my original position.

It was my turn.

Coming from on the stage, I heard Caesar Flickerman's boisterous voice. "Now, now. The fun is only beginning. From District Four. Boy, we have interesting tributes this year. Their introduction at the Tribute's Parade was magnificent! Our first tribute from District Four: Alana Knight!"

The crowd was deafening. I looked out as I made my way to where Caesar was standing at the front-center of the stage. The lights blinded me and my breathing became shaky again. I shook Caesar's hand as I sat in the large white chair behind me. It was soft, calming me just a bit.

"Hello, Alana. How are you? Enjoying the Capitol I hope." he began. I nodded shyly, taking a gulp of air. This was not going to go well.

"Uh, yeah. You have really good food." I stated quickly. A laugh erupted from beside me, making me jump from my seat. I looked to Caesar, then to the crowd, who followed Caesar's lead. He wiped a fake tear from below his eye. He was either especially dim or laying it on thick. I couldn't quite tell.

"Well, darling, it only gets better from there! Doesn't it, folks?" Cheers and applause sounded, along with a few whistles.

"Better than sugar and fruit?" I asked, keeping in mind Zane's tips. I needed sponsors. I feigned an innocent and shocked face, tilting my head at Caesar. He put his hand on top of mine, falling for my act.

"Oh, dear Alana. You have no idea! There is so much more to the Capitol than fruits and sugars!" he quipped, I blushed, looking to the crowd. I shrugged my shoulders turning back to Caesar.

"Well, you're going to have to prove it, Caesar." I smiled. If Calypso was watching this, she was most definitely laughing at this point. My smile almost faltered. Almost.

"Well, well, well. I guess we have a cheeky little tribute on our hands this year." Caesar laughed, as did the audience. I played along, giggling like a school girl. Good. Maybe I could keep this up.

"Now, Alana." Caesar began abruptly. His words caught the attention of the audience, making them quieten once more. "Did you have any visitors before you came here? Before you boarded the train in District Four?"

He was trying to get some interesting answers, and I hated him for it. Despite my reluctance, I gave in to the question. Sponsors weren't going to make themselves. "Of course, Caesar!"

"Who was it? A boy?" he teased. I gave a laugh through my gritted teeth. Did this really matter? I would be dead in a few days, possibly a few hours. It was either that or become a murderer. Which one was worse, I couldn't say, but they were both pretty bad. I gulped before answering.

"My family came to visit. My brother, Morgan, my sister, Calypso, and my cousin, Caspian." I begged my eyes to hold back the floodgates. I couldn't cry on national television. If I made it out of the arena, I would never hear the end of it. I had to stay strong.

"That's so sweet, isn't it?" he directed this last bit to the crowd, who answered with claps and hollering whoops of agreement.

They sat there in their seats, most likely sitting by a loved one that was safe from harm. Of course they were clapping. Of course they were agreeing with Caesar. They had no idea what it was like to have relationships like I did. Every day was a risk. There was no safety, only fear and death. They weren't subject to that. They weren't subject to any of it.

"Before you leave, I have one more question for you, Alana Knight." Caesar's smooth voice interrupted me from my reverie. I looked at him, waiting for him to continue. Taking this as a sign that I was paying attention, he continued with the interview. "How on earth did you get such a high training score? I believe it has become one of the main talking points in the Capitol. You must have done something absolutely thrilling!"

I gave him another smile, this time sly and secretive. "What is it that people say? A magician shall never spill his secrets?" This emitted a roar of laughter from the people below. I gave a quirky grin and winked out into the crowd, making the auditorium of people will in laughter even louder. I had done it. I had won over the crowd. I hoped that included sponsors. If not, this was all for nothing.

Caesar sat beside me, completely baffled by my sudden surge of confidence, but laughed nonetheless. He caught my hand and patted it with his before saying, "My, we definitely saw a side of you that we had not known before, Alana. Can we safely say that there will be a firecracker within the arena this year?"

I looked into the camera, a confident look in my eye. I gave the Capitol someone I didn't know existed before that moment. I showed Panem a side of me that had just become. This was it. I was never going back to who I once was. That Alana was gone. Dead.

This was someone new.

A force to be reckoned with.

"Without a doubt, Caesar."