Return of the Hunger Games

Malik knew I was right, there was no where for him to run. He was a caged animal that had now scampered back into a small corner of it's large cage, defenseless and with no way to protect itself. I was going to win these games at all costs. With a smirk, I spun around, my dress sparking with its multi-colored flames, and walked off. I had seen a lot in my life, so this was nothing, just another challenge that I would easily surpass.

Time was different now, everyone was a mess, except me. I seemed relax, locked in my room and reading, refusing to let any of their silly chaotic worries phase me. I seemed bound by the hard cover novel in my tight grip, the words on the pages drawing me in and refusing to let me escape their own little world. 

Maybe I should explain to you why everyone was such a scattered issue to me, well, tomorrow was the beginning of the end, as we all like to call the Hunger Games. They were here, vicious, and ready to suck the life out of every last one of us. It was finally time to do or die, there were no other options in the arena.

A quiet rap on my door drew my attention away from my book, my anger flaring in the process. Who in their right mind would be bugging me of all people? I put my book down with a grown and walked over to the door, yanking it open and glaring at whoever was on the other end. Peeta grimaced and I rolled my eyes.

"What is it you want?" I asked, putting my hands on my hips and cocking my head slightly to the right in irriatation and questioning. Of all the people I expected to be at my door, he was not one of them. Still, something in his eyes informed me that whatever he was going to say was serious and he wasn't about to let me kick him out.

"We need to talk about tomorrow, the games." He said and I frowned with a sigh. I knew this topic was coming, I just wasn't sure how to talk it out with him. In truth, I was expecting Katniss to be the one to speak with my about this. "Trust me, the Hunger Games are nothing like you've ever seen before." Peeta stated and I gave him a stiff nod, allowing him passage into my room.

"What is there that I don't know about? You kill or be killed, the end." I said with a groan, sitting down on my bed and eyeing the blonde man in front of me. That was exactly how it was, there was no way out of the games unless you kill off all of your opponents. That seemed an easy enough thing to say, but a much harder thing to do.

"You will see things out there that will scar you and have everyone, uncluding the Gamemakers, targeting your very life. The arena is where blood is shed and lives are lost all for the pure thrill of the Capitol's twisted entertainment, and you will soon realize you are a puppet in a string. I promised myself that I would die as me, not just a tool to make people laugh." Petta said and I blinked in shock. 

"You sound like me, except I promised to go out with a smile. I may be a puppet on a string, but no one is controlling the words that come out of my mouth. All of Panem will be watching, and I promise that I will be the one to start a revolution." I hissed and Peeta took a step back in shock, eyeing me as if to check if I was sane. I was, well, I think I was. I'm not completely sure.

"Your insane." He said and I smiled, shaking my head. "Rose, starting a revolution is crazy, besides, why would you say something like that? You know, just as well as I, that they could be watching us right now as we speak. We can't hide, Rose. I'm sorry, but I am against this." He said and I laughed.

"So? I wasn't asking whether you liked it or not. I'm in control of my own actions, my own destiny, so I will change Panem. I am the difference I make in this petrified and twisted world we are damned to live in. These games mean more to me than anything else in the entire world. I am about ready to kill your son, and you come here to warn me for survival. You make me sick." I stated and he narrowed his eyes.

"I understand that he is my son, but come what may, I am both of your life lines, your mentor. I hold the tie you have to this world when your in the arena. You can hate me all you want, Rose, but I'm not going to give up on you and just let you die. That would be inhuman of me and I would be no different than the Gamemakers or the people in the Capitol." He said and I grimaced.

"I don't need you or Katniss, so do me a favor and leave." I hissed. Peeta nodded and walked off. "Don't let the door hit you on your way out," I called back as he slammed the door. How pathetic. With a sigh, I stood up and walked over to my window, gazing down over the Capitol with a frown. I had to be the one to make a difference, I was the only one who could.