Into the Woods- A Tale of the Hunger Games Story

Chapter 10-Home

I wake up, and the sun's rising. He's probably heading to the arena now. The love of my life is about to fight to the death, and I have to watch it without anyone knowing. He mentioned me last night in the interview, and the crowd in the square went crazy. Every girl wanted to know who I was, but I kept my mouth shut. Like he wanted. I just wish I could've had more time with him.

"I really fucked up," I groan to myself.

I can hear my mother getting up. The Victor's Village is close to the main square, so she'll want to eat breakfast together before watching the start of the games. I plan on being gone by then. I wish I could be there for Ethan and support him, but his family will be there, and no one really knows about us.

I don't want to be there. I don't want to see anything happen to Ollie, but it would be nice to be with someone that knows why I care. I lay back in bed thinking of our first kiss when we were 15. He was shy and quiet, nothing like his persona usually, but he leaned in and took his chance. What followed were three years of me being scared and running away from him or running towards him. He was always there, just waiting. He knew what he wanted, and he knew I wanted to be with him. He was just waiting for me to figure it out.

I pull on some clothes, and as I do, mom opens my door and says, "don't forget. We're heading to the square together. We need to support Dad."

I turn to her, "I'll be there, but I won't be with you guys," and I decide to just go for it, "I'm going to watch with Ethan. I need to be there for him." She starts to open her mouth to protest, "MOM! I need to be there for Ollie. Ethan's the only person that knows about us....and I need to be there with him. Do you understand?"

She's speechless, and I put on my shirt and get ready to leave for Ollie's house. I'll just meet them on their way into town. I go to squeeze by her, and she stops me.

"So.... so it was you. The boy he mentioned," I nod, "oh sweetie. I'm so sorry." She says kindly.

"You're not mad that I'm gay?" I ask.

She laughs, "no, honey. I'm mad you didn't tell me sooner, but this explains a lot about you this past week. The last couple of months make more sense too." She looks down the hall and back at me," if you do this, the Capital crew will find out. Which means Dad will find out. Are you ready if that?"

"Do you think he'll be mad?" I ask quietly.

"I think he will be more upset you didn't date him sooner; he always liked Oliver. He said he was a good worker," she says and kisses me on the forehead. "You're a brave boy."

With that, she's gone. I breathe and head out the back door. I hope Dad's ok today. I'm sure he won't be mad about me being gay either, but he always drinks more the weeks leading up to and after the games. I hope he's holding it together for Ollie and Rachel. I head down the main road towards Ollie's house.

The games start at 10, and the crowds are expected to be in the square or one of the district's viewing centers. Even if you're home, your tv projector will turn on, and you'll have to hear it anyways; most people choose to be in the crowds and sadly cheer for our tributes.

It seems different this year, and I think it's because of Ollie; no one had volunteered since Tristan's game decades ago, but Ollie and Ethan are well known in our area. Identical twins are rare, so everyone knows them, but really they're known for being kind, happy, and friendly to everyone. They have 900 siblings, which is also rare; I only have one brother. I think people genuinely like Ollie and Ethan, and the fact that they have to lose each other seems to have really pissed people off.  Over the last week, there've been more hushed conversations than usual between my mother and her friends from town. I know I've heard the phrase "fight back" more than once when I walk around the square on mandatory viewing nights. It doesn't sit well with me because the Capital could destroy us in an instant if they wanted to.

I head in the direction of Ollie's house, having been there a few times over the years, Usually just meeting in the middle to make out. As get closer, I can see their housing complex in the distance, 10 two-level homes squeezed together inside a wall and a gate on the outside. This is the standard living arrangement for us; the district's too large to wipe out all predators. The Capital built these for added protection from bears, wolves, and mountain lions. I can see a light on in his house, so I know Ethan's awake, and then another. He always complained about his littlest brother sleeping in his bed, so I wonder if all the boys are sleeping in the same room this week. The other light, I think, is the room for his sisters. I lean against the wooden fence that gives me a view of the exit they'll come out of and pull my hood up to block out the cold wind.

I mutter to myself, "this is stupid. Ethan won't want anything to do with me." But I hold my ground because I have to try.

The day after the scores were announced, I went to the justice building to talk to him, and it went horribly. He was angry that I mistreated Ollie, and he was right to be mad. Still, more than that, I think he was mad that Ollie volunteered for him, something he can never repay even if he wins.

I check my watch, and with 45 minutes to spare, I see them all walking down the road with the other families from the complex. So at least they aren't alone. I start walking to meet them, and it's Ethan who notices me first and picks up his pace to get to me ahead of their Step-dad, who I know is a violent man.

"What the fuck are you doing here, Colin?" He growls the same way Ollie would.

"I wanted to be there with you. I love him, Ethan. I was just too stupid to do anything about it until we said goodbye," I say back.

"You....you went to see him?" He seems shocked and looks over his shoulder, and motions for me to walk with him.

"Yes. I had to. We were going to get together that night, and I hoped to make it official. I was just a scared kid. I'm sorry, Ethan. I know this has to be hard for you. I just wanted to be there for you like he would've wanted," I start walking faster to give him space when he reaches out and pulls me into a hug. I know from school that he doesn't like to be touched by most people; I can't believe this is happening.

Their Mom walks up and asks, "Birch, sweetheart. who's this?" And she looks to Ethan and me.

I open my mouth but close it without a sound. Ethan speaks up, "this is Colin Jordan. He's .....Ollie's boyfriend and he's gonna be with us when the games start."

I'm shocked and impressed, but I'm absolutely floored by what happens next when Oliver's Mom pulls me into a hug, and she just whispers, " thank you for being there for my little Redwood." She pulls away and starts walking ahead of us, and I know she's crying. Ethan introduces me to all the Hale siblings, and we walk to town together. Their Step-dad just rolls his eyes and pushes past me to catch up with Mrs. Hale.

By the time we get there, we have 10 minutes to go. Mom's talking to Mr. and Mrs. Thompson; she's been a family friend for years. The tributes' families are supposed to stand on small stages in the square, and when we get there; I stand back, Ethan pulls me up on stage. I hear the crowd murmuring about me, and some people seem to be putting it all together after Ollie's interview last night. I see Tori off in the crowd looking heartbroken, and I turn away.

Claudius Templesmith is announcing the five-minute warning, so Ollie is in the tube about to ride up to the arena maybe. At 2 minutes, Ethan takes his sister's hand, and their younger brother grabs mine. I look down and give him a smile. Suddenly, it's time, and all the tributes are up in the arena. I'm surprised by what I'm seeing; in less than a minute, the gong will sound, and the games will start. I take a deep breath and watch the love of my life get ready to fight.
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