The MCR Games

Gerard's POV

Everybody goes dead silent. Although, that's probably just in my head. I can hear Juniper's gasp above the psychosomatic quiet.
I'm barely breathing as I walk onstage. Each step is one step closer to my death. The peacekeepers guide along behind me, making sure I don't try to run off.
"Here we are." says Effie, once I'm onstage. "Well, come on you two. Shake hands."
We do as we're told and shake hands. I can already see the hatred in her eyes.
"Happy Hunger Games." says Effie. "And as always, may the odds be ever in your favour."
I guess the odds weren't exactly in my favour...

************

I'm in the Justice Building, staring up at the blank grey walls. Waiting for the last glimpse of my family...
"You have five minutes." I hear a cold voice say through the door. Juniper bursts in, mother following behind her.
"Gee!" she shouts at me, hugging me tightly. I hug back with just as much force and I don't think either of us can breath. But it doesn't matter.
"Please." she says, tears flowing from her eyes. "You will win for me. Won't you?"
"Of course I'll win for you. I wouldn't go if I knew I wasn't coming back."
"You'll come back as my big brother, and not a corpse?"
"I'll always be your big brother."
"Best friends?"
"Best friends." I say. And we hit our fists together, just like we used to. "I'll be right back." I stand up and walk over to mother, out of range from Juniper's hearing.
"Look, Lily. You and I both know I'm not gonna make it."
No response.
"Please, just don't let her know. Give her hope, in case I'm lucky. And when it happens...make her look away...please."
She nods. But you will try, won't you?"
"Yes. I will try. But the chances aren't high."
"Ok." her eyes start swimming with tears.
"Please don't cry." I say.
"It's just hard to sing your own child go to die."
I embrace her in a hug. "I know, mom."
As soon as the words leave my mouth, she pulls back.
"What's wrong?" I ask.
"Nothing. It's just...that's the first time you called me mom in 5 years. I chuckle and we walk back over to Juniper. If I'm gonna spend these last few moments with my family, why be sad and angry and crying. I should enjoy them.
"...You know how to set traps, right?" I ask Juniper. Just in case I don't make It back. I don't want them to starve.
"You, of course. Remember when I caught that deer a few years back?"
I smile at the memories. We were lucky with how often we came across big animals.
The same man that let my family in opens the door and walks into the room. "Come on, times up." he says.
Juniper and mother stand up and walk out of the room silently. I take the last glimpses of my family as they walk out of the room and the door slams shut in my face.

****************

I'm sitting in the leather seat on the train, looking out the window. Waiting for, I dunno. Something. Out of the corner of my eye I see the door open. The wind rushes in and blows out the candle, flashing a sickly sweet scent in my direction.
I look up and see Katniss walking in, sitting in the chair furthest from me. I can see the almost invisible tear streaks down the side of her face. She was crying before, and now she's trying to hide it.
"You must be Katniss, right?" I ask, trying to start conversation as a distraction for all the horrible thoughts popping into my head.
"Yeah." she says, staring straight ahead.
And then there's a hiatus. She probably doesn't notice, but I do. And I decide to break the silence.
"I saw what you did for your sister out there. It was really brave of you."
Her eyes flicker at the mention of her sister. "Prim." she says. "Her name is Prim."
There we go. "You must really love her."
"Course."
And the silence starts again. I decide not to say anything. Maybe she just doesn't want to talk. But then she does.
"...Do you have a younger sibling?"
I nod. "Yeah. Younger sister, 12."
"So is mine." she says, looking at me for the first time since she walked in.
"Well there's something we have in common."
"Don't get used to it. You and I both know we're goners."
Can't argue with her there. I don't respond.
"That's what I thought." she says, leaning back into the seat.
But then the cart door opens and a man walks in. "Hey." he says.
"Um, hey." I say, looking over to him. Who is he? He doesn't look like he's from the Capitol... Even Katniss looks confused.
"I'm Mikey." He must notice how confused our expressions are. "Your mentor."
Ah, ok. Our mentor. The one who tries to make us feel happy and give us tips before we head out for our imminent deaths.
"Look." he says. "You two and I both know you don't have a very good chance at this. And I know people think all this 'mentoring' is about inspiring and all that shxt, But I think that's lying."
Great.
"Of course, I'm still gonna try and help you as much as I can, but I'm just giving you a snip of the truth first."
"How?"
"I went in to the arena once. I know the kind of people you can come across, the things you should avoid and carry on with."
"Thanks, but I dunno if that'll really help anything."
"Look, it's my job okay?"
I sigh and look down. Of course, we've got no chance with this guy.
"You might wanna turn those eyes towards the window." he says. I look up and before my vision even reaches the view, I can already tell we're in the Capitol. Every vibrant, neon color, every flash of light and reflection shines in my eyes, practically blinding me. I shield my eyes from the brightness and look out at the people smiling and waving at us. Cheering.
I smile and wave back, maybe getting some people to like me might heighten my chances.
Effie rushes in, stretching her mouth into a smile. "Fantastic!" Now, let's get you two to the opening ceremony preparation. We've got a busy schedule!"
By the way she's dressed, I can already tell this is going to humiliate me beyond my wildest nightmares...

Notes

So, this is the next chapter, and I pretty much have most of the plot planned out for this one, I've just got to get it written out. Happy reading ^_^