Into Thin Air: The Forty-Second Hunger Games

Chapter 16

Polyphemus Ignotus

"Here's District One, leading the way as brightly as always. And we're lucky for that, because none of us could wait another minute for the gorgeous, the inimitable Rhoda Hamilton! Her amazing gown couldn't be more beautiful, since it's a collage of all her unforgettable posters from the years she's been gracing us. The Peacekeepers are having a tough job keeping her adoring fans from swarming the parade corridor. Meanwhile she's waving like the princess she is. But I mustn't forget about Onyx, who is dressed in a sleek, shiny black suit. He stands at smart attention."

"Tuesday is loving the attention and is moving around as much as her metal armor allows. She's swinging a sword I hope isn't real. Jason's stylist must have taken inspiration from his exotic complexion. His costume- his

"It's a good thing Quintic has a crown that's flashing his name, because I wouldn't recognize him otherwise. His hair is as red as a tomato! His circtui board suit flashes and sparks, and his skin is painted all over with wires. He's keeping to himself in the center of the chariot, like he's nervous about all the fuss. Gidget's long dress is covered in gadgets and gizmos. I don't even know what half of those do. She looks shy, but she's still waving."

"Rain is gripping the chariot with all her strength, making her muscles stand out. Her dress is as lovely as she is, with swirls of oceanic colors that really bring out her eyes. She must be standing on her tiptoes, because I know Shane is a lot taller than she is. Shane, meanwhile, is wearing swimming trunks in Four's signature blue, and matching swirls of blue pain decorate his face and chest. He's shoving his stick into the air triumphantly, leaving Rain to get out of the way."

"Slater looks very serious. His eyes are straight ahead and he's standing tall in his anti-radiation suit. Sita looks like a feminine vision next to him in her lovely cog-covered dress and metal tiara. She's bouncing on her toes and waving enthusiastically at the crowd."

"Ferarri has places to go! She's wearing a tight black racing suit covered in bright logos and buttons. Her head is encased in a shiny helmet and she's flashing two thumbs up. Lucius, however, is lost in the crowd. He's wearing the same old steward uniform we've seen so often from Six. He seems more interested in Ferrari than his own dull outfit."

"Nothing new from Seven. Violet makes a lovely lumberjack, but she's still just that. Someone in the crowd must think differently, though, because she just caught a rose. Keylor looks positively morose in his costume. He can hardly move in his stiff board outfit. I don't know of any trees that are bright red..."

"I didn't know factory workers worked shirtless in Eight, but I'm glad for it! Eddin is looking fine! He seems thankful for all the attention, though I doubt he knows the reason for it. Martha is trying desperately not to skewer herself. Her hands are stiff out at her sides and she's like a statue under a dress made of nothing but overlapping needles."

"Oh, that's right. Nine is grain. I always forget that one. Caine helpfully reminds us about his District by dressing as the top part of a wheat plant. You know that thing... whatever it's called. Tillia makes a perfect match for him, since she appears to be a seed. They're holding hands in a tasteful representation of the harvest cycle."

"Socks is a very adorable sheep. It's lucky Briar has a less weighty costume, since Socks is taking up almost the entire chariot with his fluffy fur. Briar is the cutest little farm girl with her plaid dress and pair of braids. Socks is just picking at his wool, but Briar is playing to the crowd."

"Kuma's team has informed me that his name means 'bear'". This is important because he is wearing a bearskin hood. His clothing is ragged and he holds a machete in one hand and fruit, which he is throwing at the crowd, in the other. Lily's green dress is made of leaves and she holds a lily in one hand while she waves with the other."

"The crowd is loving Allecia's outfit! It's shooting out gold confetti at them. This time, she's not a miner, she's the stuff they mine! How very clever. Gray, however, is just a miner. He might wave more if he didn't have to dodge sprays of confetti."

"And that's the last of them. I'm always sorry to see the end of the parade. But don't be too sad. We only have 365 days until the next one."