MPHFPC ➵ The Hunger Games AU (DISCONTINUED)

Chapter Two

.☆ POV- Horace

I sat on a soft, plush couch in the nice room I'd been assigned to. I ran my hand back and forth on the fabric, anxiousness biting away at me. Sweat trickled down my neck.

Even though Emma was an athletic, smart, well-rounded person who practically despised me, I still felt myself wishing she was here. I just wanted someone to lean on. Even if that someone was a tall, green-eyed, blonde-haired 16-year-old girl from the same District 9 I had thought my life would reside in just moments before.

I turned my entire head to look at the door. The only way in. The only way out. I had poor vision in my right eye, but my mother and I could never afford anything to help with it. That was one of the reasons I was going to die as soon as I stepped foot in the arena. The rest of the long list consisted of my never fighting anyone before, not knowing how to hunt, being athletically challenged, and Heaven knows what else.

I'd seen the other Games on the television. I'd seen the mutts and the tracker jackers, and the dying of starvation and the drawn-out battle scenes. Blood and gore and guts and death.

There were 24 of us and only 1 would make it out alive.

Oh yeah, the odds would sure be in my favor, I couldn't help thinking, bile rising in my throat.

I focused on the ground and cupped my face in my hands, leaning onto my legs. I blinked, trying to hold back the river of tears sure to come pouring out of my eyes the moment I dared not block out all thoughts of Mom and the nice butcher and the kind people of District 9 who stopped by for lovely chit-chat.

We were doing just fine in good ole District 9 when we had to get picked for the stupid Hunger Games. Where kids were sent to die. For entertainment.

I was only 13. I had a life ahead of me. Well, not anymore. But... it felt like I was losing something. Oh, right. Everyone I love. Loved. Whatever.

When I finally couldn't take it anymore, I started bawling my eyes out. I turned around and buried my face into the armrest.

Then the door opened, and I swiveled backwards. 

My mother stepped into the room and dashed over to me, pulling me into a hug. I returned it gratefully. "W-what are you doing here?" I asked, my throat tightening.

"We've got an hour to say our good-byes," she said gently, giving me a warm smile. My mother was the only person I'd ever really had to grow up with. After my father, sister, and brothers died when the crops flooded and we'd fallen into famine, she comforted me and made me feel safe. She was strong. Stronger than I ever could be.

I wanted to say I love you, but for some odd reason the words, "I'm going to die," came out of my mouth.

.☆ POV- Hugh

I was hugging Olive and Claire. Practically choking them. They had come in the room a while ago and God was I happy to see them.

"But who will we live with?" Claire asked.

"There'll be someone, mark my word. Try the bakery, perhaps? The baker is nice; he'd lend you food. Just stay safe, okay? No one in our district would betray us. You two can mind the house, eh?"

"Yeah," Olive said, the emotion drained out of her. "But... Hugh, what if you don't come back?"

I swallowed hard and tried not to spend too much time hesitating. Coming up with a believable answer. "I don't know," I admitted. "But I will."

Claire shifted next to me. "I really hope you do."

"Me too," Olive sniffled.

"You guys have nothing to worry about," I lied. "And if I don't come back, it'll be Bronwyn, and she'd be a fine caretaker."

"But I don't want a caretaker," Claire whispered. "I want you."

The words seemed to taste the air before settling in. There was silence for a moment. "I want you." "What do you mean?" I ventured quietly.

"You don't just take care of us," Olive added. "You're our best friend. You're, like, a super brother person."

I laughed bitterly. "That means a lot. But... you guys need to move on. Take care without me."

"We can't!" Claire insisted.

"You're strong, right?" I looked at Olive, whose knocked out teeth were all from various fights. She'd won five of the six fights. And the one she'd lost was only because she saw a mockingjay and started yelling random phrases at it ("You call this bread?!" "Spiders have paws!" and so on and so forth) and found herself wondering away from the boy she'd been battling for a fish.

"Of course I'm strong," Olive replied automatically. "I'm strong just for you, too." My heart flipped; what was I leaving behind?

"I need you to be strong enough to take care of you and Claire and the house. For when I get back. Right?"

"Right!" the little girl answered. "I promise I'll be extra strong while you're gone! And when you get back we will have lots of food!"

"Exactly," I said with a forced smile.

"Are you sure you're gonna win?" Claire pressed, worry in her big eyes.

"Y-yes," I choked out, then fake-coughed to hide my uncertainty.

The door opens again and I watch in horror as they are finally ripped away from me. For good. For the very last time before I'm in a cold grave with the other let-downs. Fighters who tried and failed. The person says they need Olive and Claire to come back. Go home. Where they belong.

"Be safe!" Claire called.

"Don't die!" Olive said, seriousness lining her words.

"I'll see you soon," I promised.

Soon.

The biggest lie I'd ever told.