𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐔𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄; The Hunger Games

The Unknowing (Before The Games)

I can't help but think about what Tate said. How his parents will remember him making out with a boy before entering the games, morally there's nothing wrong with liking the same gender, but the district he comes from would most likely shame him. I'm coming to a realization that there's only so much I can do for Tate but he has to believe in himself. At the end of the day there's only 1 victor...

I could only assume that Nai and Tejio did this on to sabotage Tate and I, to effect our sponsors. Knowing they don't stand a chance against the other tributes, I guess they were trying to make it easier on them but of course comes with consequences.

I take a hot shower that morning. Mentally trying to prepare myself for the things I might endorse in the arena. Not knowing is the scariest part. Will there be snow? Heat waves? Wild fires? Vicious mutts? Most importantly I'm worried about Tate. I hope he doesn't try to run towards the Cornucopia.

I hear knocking coming from the bathroom door. "Dom...". Nikki quietly says. I stop the water, quickly drying off, wrapping a towel around my waist. "Is it your time?". I ask her before opening the door. "Not quite yet, I just want to ask you something". Nikki says as I slowly open the door. It better not be about the interview incident. "What's up?". I say to her as she looks up at me with a frown on her face. "What's wrong?". I ask her, not really wanting to know.

     "How are you so caring?." Nikki ask me as I look at her with a confuse face. It's not in her nature to ask me that, but I guess being nice isn't in my nature either. "I'm just passionate...that's all". I say as she stares at the wall. Thinking. "Hmm". She utters. "I mean unless you fuck with me or people I care about". I add as we both laugh. Our laughs die down as I pause. "Why you asking me that?". I wonder her. She shrugs her shoulders, looking at me as she blushed. "I just saw how you were treating the boy from 10, and how you cared for him and comforted him when you two were...exposed". She says as I try not to expose too much about Tate. "Yeah, I uh-". I try to explain the situation. "Dom, it's fine, I don't care". She says as I smile, feeling relief. I'm slowing learning that Nikki is similar to me.

     There was a slight awkward pause in our conversation. "You ever feel like you don't belong?". She ask as I look at her. "Like I don't feel like I'm truly a Career, like yes I'm skilled, but I don't have the intent to murder, which Im sure I will...". She explains as I nod my head, agreeing. "Yeah, I understand...". I sigh. She then looks at me. "It's in our nature huh?". She questions me in a joking way as we both chuckle.

"Speaking of Careers, I don't really trust Cyma or the even others that much, she's so out of touch with us, I'm just letting you know so you can keep an eye out for her when we're all together in the arena". She says to me as I look at her confused. "Together? You guys still want me to be in the career pack?". I ask her suspiciously. "I do and they can't take on the both of us". She convenience me with a smile as I smile back.

I have a feeling Titan and Cyma are up to something... "So where are we meeting after the murder spree?". I ask her. "Stout says we should meet by the Cornucopia, after collecting weapons and supplies". She says to me as I nod my head. "But what about-" I try to finish as I'm interrupted.

    "Nikki, Dom". Brutus says as he enters my room, his hands behind his back.

    He softly says the dreadful words we didn't want to hear. "It's time".

     Nikki and I look at each other with irrupt fear. "Nikki, your uniform is in your room, laying on your bed". He says as she rushes to change into her uniform. "Here's yours". He throws my uniform towards me as I catch it, gripping onto my towel. "10 minutes". Brutus says, shutting my door. I then put my uniform on...

A black-athletic tank top, baggy dark-brown cargo pants with a zipper on each leg (knee area) that turns the pants into shorts if needed, and a pair of heavy-black combat boots.

"No jacket?". I ask myself as I look around for one. Must be a hot environment.

     Dior knocks on my door, opening it. "It's time". He says as we walk out my room, making my way out the building. Avanti and Nikki go a different way than Dior and I. Nikki and I both giving each other one last look, with a slight grin for good luck as we are escorted.

    We step outside, seeing a huge hovercraft. Peacekeepers than escort me onto the hovercraft, Dior "Good luck". Dior says to me, as I wave 'good-bye' to him.

I aboard the hovercraft. I take a seat as a man grabs my arm, putting a needle into my arm. "Ahh..." I say faintly as he rubs the punctured area. "It's your tracker". He assures me, walking over to the next tributes, giving them trackers as well. I look around seeing only 12 tributes. I see Rhea, Cyma, Gliseen and Zeek in the mix of tributes. Tate and Nikki must be on another hovercraft. Cyma pounding her fist together. She's definitely ready to fight. Zeek smirking, looking around at everyone. I see the boy from 12, shaking as he kicks his legs back and forth nervously.

The hovercraft takes launch. As it lands, the Peacekeepers than escorts each tribute out of the hovercraft, leading us each into separate rooms. I slowly walk in the room as a Peacekeeper shoves me through the door, quickly locking the door, as he's guarding it. "5 minutes till launch." An announcer says through out the building as it echoed, creating a creepy faint voice. I look around the room. I see a launch tube, which leads up into the arena and a dingy, faint orange rain jacket. I walkover to the coat rack where the jacket was hung.

     I slowly put on the jacket. My hands begin to shake, my legs feeling weak. "2 minutes till launch". The announcer says. I close my eyes, taking deep breathes as I walk over to the launch tube.

     I enter the launch tube. The tube quickly closed. This is it, this is where everything changes.

"30 seconds till launch." The announcer says as I ball up my fist, shaking my legs, trying to get all the nerves out before I'm on that pedal-stool. "Launching". The announcer says as the platform beneath me began to rise. Seems like hours for this tube to slowly rise to the surface.

I look up seeing a bright, blinding light. As the tube is rising... I think of my brother, and my parents, this is all for them, whatever happens out there represents me and my district, not that it really matters after all there's only one winner...