24 Years, 24 Tributes

Chapter 23

Dane POV

My thoughts wandered as I lay on my bed the last night before the Games. Was I going to be good enough? Did I make the right decision joining the Careers after all? I wondered what the other Tributes were thinking. The other Careers were probably already asleep so they'd have energy for the Games.

My thoughts went back to Seutonius. I hadn't been completely honest when I said I didn't have a girl. I wasn't really lying- we weren't together- but there was someone I had my eye on. I was trying not to get attached, since she was a Tribute too. Celestial was so quiet and gentle. If I didn't win, I hoped she would. For the otters…

I wondered if she was still awake too. She was probably more nervous than I was. She didn't have any training. She probably thought she didn't have a chance. If she was right, I hoped it wouldn't be the Career pack that found her. I didn't know if I could go through with it.

Azure POV

"You know what to do. Keep your head clear and don't let anything distract you," I said to Royal with a sidelong glance at Valencia. I didn't say anything to her. She wasn't worth my time.

Crag POV

"You're district partners, but don't be afraid to separate. Only one can win," I said to both my tributes. I turned to Venus.

"Only one can win," I said again.

Acee POV

"Remember-" I began.

"There's a weapon everywhere," Hailey finished. I nodded.

"Go out there and find it."

Jonah POV

"What? You're going with the Careers after all?" I asked.

"I figured they could use a few more people, and they're kind of weak this year," Dane said as he looked guiltily at his feet.

"All right. Just take care of yourself. Try to leave before they split," I said.

Soleil POV

I held Sarla as she tried to stop her tears.

"It's all right. Daniel will find you. Don't give up. I won, and so can you," I said. I wished I believed it.

Toby POV

Harvey didn't like me. I didn't like him either. I'd do my duty by him, but if he died, so it went. I lost everyone anyway. He was just another failure.

Sequioa POV

"Steer clear of the Careers. I know you think you can take them, but you're their number one target. Don't make things hard on yourself," I said to Ever.

"See you soon," she said.

"I think you might."

Drone POV

Caldwell didn't seem nervous, and he didn't pay any attention to me. I wasn't sure he even knew my name.

"Take care," I said to him. I laid a hand gently on his back. He didn't protest.

Heidi POV

My stylists stayed with me, since I didn't have a mentor. They dressed me in a thin coverall made of springy dull green fabric.

"It could be a lot of things, but looks like it isn't snow," the head stylist said. At least I had some good news.

Cornflower POV

"Do you think I'll make it?" Bree asked. Jean stood stoically in front of the tube. He turned to see my answer.

"I don't know. Whatever happens, I'll remember you." I looked at Jean.

"I promise I'll always remember you."

Orchard POV

"You want to come home?" I asked Peppermint.

"Of course," she said.

"Show no mercy, show no pain, and kill. I can't say what you'll be when it's over, but if you do that, you might be alive."

Aspen POV

My stylists were trying heroically not to cry. I wish I had a joke to cheer them up, but for the first time in my life, nothing seemed funny.

Finally, it's Game time! I went by mentor POV, so whatever Tributes had named mentors are highlighted here. For the two mentorless districts I picked a tribute. Dane gets a little paragraph since his submitter asked for a story and she was the only one who did. If you still want to add anything to your character I'll incorporate it into the Games. These are your characters- I just write them- so you're really in charge of any character development you want. I'll just fill it in if you don't have any specifics.