A Whole New Game: A Hunger Games Story

Chapter 33: War Begins

Clove

"Stay close. They could spring on us at any moment," Carver says.

After fumbling as sneakily as we could from Snow's mansion, Carver, Zellie, Marvel and I make it to the City Circle. I had been to the City Circle once before: when I was to be a participant of the Hunger Games we had been paraded through this avenue in our respective district themed costumes, but I had seen it enough on television to know it front to back. The circle is really rather a keyhole shape, with the President's mansion at the crest, and an archway at the base. In between is the chariot avenue, and a park with a glorious fountain, which due to the power cut-off, is not currently running. Lining either side of the avenue are stores galore, or important government buildings of the Capitol, including the Tribute Training center. Here was the first time I saw Marvel, I recall. And I absolutely hated him. Hated his stupid bedazzled costume, hated his seemingly cocky attitude, hated his ridiculous partner and her flawless facade. Hated the fact that he was going to die because of me.

Now I walk with him wrapped around my shoulder, and the memory of his kiss hot on my cheek. He will live. I will make sure of it.

Carver, Zellie, Marvel, and I make our way down though the crowd of people. Marvel leans heavily on me, his bloody arm wrapped around my waist, withCarver similarly slumped onto Zellie.  I search the crowd, anxiously looking for familiar faces. No sign of anyone.

The crowd is made partially of Capitol citizens, their beautiful colors still visible in the moonlight. It must be somewhere around 3 in the morning, and despite the hour, most of the people are alert. Some elderly and children sleep inside the stores surrounding the square. The adults are preparing for a fight. I see them suiting up, putting on protective gear, restocking ammo. The Rebellion soldiers show Capitol citizens how to work the guns, which seems ridiculously unsafe. I have seen Rebellion soldiers betray us tonight, how am I expected to trust Capitol citizens any more than them?

But I have no time to worry over this. Any minute now, we will be stormed with Capitol troops, which will mean one of two things: 1. The Rebellion wins a long awaited battle, and our freedom from the Hunger Games and the totalitarian government of the Capitol is gone, and we, as the free citizens of Panem, may be able to start anew. 2. We will be defeated, and most certainly, die. Every last one of us.

At the moment I'm not sure which outcome frightens me more.

Marvel grunts in pain, and I help to sit him down on a bench near the city center. Marvel's right side is a mess of blood; his bullet wound looks infected. The area around it has begun to swell, and the colors around the protrusion are unnatural hues of pink and purple. He and Carver are in absolutely no condition to walk, let alone fight.

"Jesus Marvel," I say, bending down near him. Using the bottom of my shirt, I attempt to wipe the blood off. He winces. "We have to get you to a doctor."

"I'll be okay," he replies confidently. "We have bigger things to worry about now."

"You can barely stand. Wait here. I'm going to get-"

A voice cuts through the cool night. "Clove!"

I turn, and see Carver gesturing to me. I follow his indication and see he points to the Training Center, and wishes for us to follow, so I help Marvel up again and take the lead.

When I step into the Tribute Training Center for the second time in my life, it is very different than the first. The entire floor has been converted to a makeshift hospital. Somehow there is power in this building, and I am able to see the grizzly results of the first few hours of battle. Soldiers and citizens litter cots, doctors frantically attend as many patients as possible. Many have lost limbs. Burns are another common trait. One Capitol woman seems to be coated in white blisters that rupture and cause her to violently thrash.