Culling

Part II • Chapter XIX

"Alright people." President Hendricks walked into the training hall, an angry look on his face. I wondered what was wrong with him today.

He made his way to the podium, positioned himself, and began his speech. "Today is the day you've all been waiting for, probably. This is your chance to showcase to the world your survival skills, along with any abilities that you might possess to think yourselves out of a bad situation. Not that I care, but I'm sure some people out there might. If they do, they might even decide to take you under their wings and offer sponsorship."

Not that he cared? I felt my face contorting in shock. How was this speech in any way encouraging?

"Don't even think about trying for any heroic death attempts, because you'll only get so far before Patrick's people will electrocute you into submission. Then you'll be sorry." President Hendricks continued as he gestured towards the tattooed man.

I noticed that North was now glaring at Patrick, as if he was trying to decide if he could take him on or not. What in the world? Was he... jealous? Why would he be?

"Stop looking at him! He's going to come over here if you keep glaring at him like that!" I elbowed North in the stomach, and he glanced down at me - amused. Probably because I was a weakling. "You are much better looking than him, I assure you. You don't need to worry."

The man hawked, spit on the floor, and then ground his heel in it.

"...and you have much better manners." I added, as I watched in distaste. Luke and Gabriel snickered behind me.

"Although, I don't know why you would want to hasten your demise." President Hendricks continued, ignoring Patrick's display. "But Bertha has been rather insatiable lately. I wouldn't mind using a few of you hellions as fodder - food has become scarce and costly."

I noticed some of the boys had snapped to attention, now interested.

But I was confused. Who in the world was Bertha?

"President Hendricks!" Thomas Washburn, who had been silently standing off to the side of the small podium, interjected sharply. "Previous Head Gamemaker McCoy had said we were supposed to give them an inspirational speech at this point."

President Hendricks waved him off. "Yeah, whatever. I am a very busy man." He pulled out a remote, and pointed to the wall opposite us. The wall changed in appearance - becoming entirely white - and a screen flickered to life.

A film, complete with an old-styled countdown, began to play as we all watched in anticipation.

"One day, a long time ago, the world was filled with weaklings and non-magical folks." The deep, soothing voice of the narrator spoke, and I suddenly had a sense of foreboding about how the rest of the video was going to go. This was almost exactly like the video shown during the reaping. Except more insulting.

President Hendricks was really losing his subtlety.

The narrator went on to talk about how we were all so honored to be here, and so forth. I fought the urge to roll my eyes, but Gabriel had no such hesitation - if the curses in my ear were any indication.

So honored.

"When you were chosen," the narrator began to wind down after a few minutes of this monologue, "you had been induced into a privileged society that only few can gain admittance. As a tribute, you will now show the world what you have learned, and what we have gained as a people. One by one, you will enter a course designed to showcase your bravery and intelligence. As the world watches on, and they begin to choose their favorites from among you, you will face off against beings reminiscent of those who have gone before."