Shellbound | The 25th Hunger Games

The cheers erupt as soon as the first chariot explodes from its place. The District 1 girl looks ahead steely while the boy flits his head at every spectator. Closer to the mansion are drums that reverberate through the street, and it almost reminds me of a wedding. The glittering gold District 1 chariot is a blushing bride, and the drums are a more somber wedding march. I snicker at the thought of President Ravenstill as the groom.

Finally, it is our turn. A Peacekeeper smacks our horses and the chariot leaps forward. I immediately hear a group of blushing girls yelling, "Wade! Wade, look over here!" Wade easily obliges and throws a wink their way, ensuing a roar of squeals from beside us. While he lives his wildest fantasies, I listen in on a lively conversation between family members.

The mother huddles in close to her children, "The blood is too much. Of course Isla's murder scandal is hot news- but it's so on the nose!"

One of the kids gasps horrifically. "Mom! It's in style right now. They're bringing back district-chic. And no one even knows if she actually killed her siblings. I mean, all the better if she has practice, I guess."

"Is that cheating, though? She's already killed people." A younger one chimes in.

I feel a chill run up my legs. My sharp heels rock uneasily side to side as I rush to steady myself. I notice my scarred arms. It's funny, I remember every single one of them. Ophelia put glitter over my arms and legs like it would distract from the scarring, but I know it won't. The fake blood drips down my elbows and dissolves on the chariot floor. I close my eyes. It all feels too real.

The District 3 tributes are in a ghastly binary print fabric. I remember seeing one of their stylists fawn over the design in the University lecture hall. Ophelia hissed through her teeth when Ajax pointed the print out. It makes me think of the dolls I used to play with as a child. Put them in pinned tissue paper and old stockings.

Wade is still smirking and leaning over the chariot rails like a proud peacock. People start throwing him candy and poppers. He catches the candy in his mouth and then thanks the clapping crowd with a bow. How could he have been nervous only seconds before?

The crowds disappear into uniformed drummers that lead us to President Ravenstills pearl mansion. I make out a fuzzy figure standing on the balcony. He watches us intently as the horses slow down and begin the half-circle to turn back around on the cobbled road. I feel like his eyes are supersonic, like he's burned two holes into my head. Now is the time. I hold the red bag tightly. For a moment, I hesitate, and Wade looks blankly at me- like an actor who forgot their lines. But I know I am not fighting the Capitol. If I play by the rules, I will win the prize. Some people make it so complicated.

I give Wade a small nod and he jabs his flimsy trident by my side. My nails pierce through my bag and I watch the fake blood consume my dress and mix with the rest that's trailing down my arms. As I sink to the chariot floor, Wade scoops me up and smiles triumphantly towards the President, who I only imagine can be clapping heartily in delight. As I look up at the starless sky, I can't help but feel like a prop. The people's cheering has returned, muffled, but somehow more violent, and they all become one large entity. They are hungry for a spectacle, and we try our best to supply it. More than anything, I want the silence of the creeping tide. I want the brushing palm leaves and the tired roar of the current upending the sand.

Wade mouths a small, "thank you" to me before letting go of my back. I notice that my dress has turned completely red, even the parts left untouched by the blood. I can only imagine Suketna is hollering gleefully at my sudden realization. I should've known she would add something extra.

The minute we get off the chariots, Suketna and Ophelia run toward us. Ophelia is crying, trying to choke out words that Suketna translates. "She thought you both did wonderful! Oh, there is no doubt now, we are definitely getting top students. I've never seen a more beautiful death blow, Wade."