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KILL FOR YOUR LOVE.

act one.

(chapter three, you're thinking of a fantasy)

the justice building / capitol train, 72 ADD.

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JUNIPER FELT HERSELF GO through denial as she sat down on the velvet couch in the small room she was thrusted into. She felt her body try to persuade her mind that this simply wasn't happening, that she and Justice weren't tributes. 

That they weren't going to die. 

And as she felt her brain try to wrap itself around this inevitability, she kept thinking of her father. Her poor, poor father. The old man had already lost their mother, but now, he was going to lose his twins. His precious baby girl and baby boy. But Juniper would have to watch her twin brother die. Or Justice would have to watch his twin sister die. She didn't know which was worse. Losing a child or losing a twin. 

But as she thought about it, she heard the door slowly creak open, making Juniper snap her head up to see a Peacekeeper hurrying her father into the room. His face was as white as a ghost and his eyes were wide with fear as they settled on his shaking daughter. 

"June..."

"I'm sorry," Juniper immediately said as she rushed into her father's arms, holding him tight as she began to sob into his chest. "I'm so sorry, I—"

"June, no," her father told her harshly, lifting up her head and grasping her cheeks with his big hands. "Don't you dare apologise... this is Snow's fault. This is my fault."

"But—"

Her father clenched his jaw as he looked into his daughter's eyes, telling her, "Find a way, June. Find a way to make it so you both come home."

"That's not possible." Juniper felt hot tears run down her cheeks. "Only one comes out, you know that."

"June—"

"I don't want to live in a world without Just," she told him. "If he goes, I go. If I die, he dies. That's the arrangement I know he'll agree to."

Her father blinked numbly for a couple minutes, his grasp on her cheeks slowly losing as he tried to process her words before saying, "Find a way, June. In a few weeks time, I except both of you to be right here in Ten."

"You're thinking of a fantasy by saying that," Juniper told him. 

"J—"

"Me and Justice are going to die." Juniper looked at him straight in the eye. She swore she could see him shudder. "We are going to die in there. You can't change the rules, Pa. Only one comes out and it won't be either of us."

When their father tried to say something, the door burst open and a Peacekeeper walked in, dragging the middle-aged man out. As he did, Juniper felt her father's last words echo in her mind. 

"Look after each other. Promise me, June. Promise!"

Words were on the tip of Juniper's tongue, a mix of promises and sorrow, but they died the minute the doors slammed shut. Perhaps it was for the best. It wouldn't bring any of them anything except grief. 

She was going to die. 

She didn't have anyone else in Ten that was close to her heart and so, Juniper was forced to wait another hour. But she wasn't alone. Her thoughts kept her company, tormenting her until she was sure she had gone mad in just a few minutes. With every passing second, every tick from the clock on the wall that vibrated through her bones, Juniper felt herself becoming closer to her death. To her and Justice's death because she was sure they were both going to die. They couldn't win. They could barely steal from the Barn of Death. 

After the hour of torture was up, a Peacekeeper barged into the room and told her it was time to go. And so, being pushed out, Juniper let out a strangled sob when she saw Justice be shoved next to her. 

"Just, I—"

"Wait until the train," a burly Peacekeeper ordered them as his two inferiors continued to push them out of the Justice Building, out across the square where a small car was waiting for them. And, of course, Nadine Groves was sitting in the middle as she admired her manicured nails. 

The two Hale twins sighed as they climbed into the vehicle and when they both sat on each side of Nadine Groves, her lips turned up into a sadistic smile. Juniper avoided eye contact with the escort the entire ride as she felt silent tears roll down from her eyes, blurring her vision. Nadine wouldn't stop rambling on about the Capitol and what an honour it was to be chosen, but neither of the twins said anything. They were going to die, the pair of them, and they were both thinking it. 

Juniper didn't say anything for the rest of the time, slowly watching Ten disappear as the car headed for the train station. She caught a glimpse of the Barn of Death, a location she was just at hours ago with her brother. The cows seemed to stop grazing in the paddock as they looked up to see the vehicle roll pass. The animals and them were alike. All going to die soon. 

Soon, the car finally pulled up in-front of the train station, which was packed with photographers and journalists that were begging to see the two new tributes. Cameras were perched on every surface, their lenses zooming in on Juniper's and Justice's crying faces. How weak and pathetic they looked, the Capitol surely must have thought. Being chosen for the Hunger Games was an honour, they must have thought. Anyone would be lucky to be called, they must have thought.

But Juniper wasn't lucky. Justice wasn't lucky. Never, in Juniper's recollection, were twins called to be tributes. Yes, there were siblings who were Victors', but not from the same Games. There had never been two children carrying the same name, the same blood, enter the Hunger Games. And so, Juniper and Justice Hale were unlucky. The unluckiness of them all. 

Nadine shoved them both out of the car as she led them to the platform. And as she did, flashes of light went off, highlighting the stains on their faces from the tears. Reporters and journalists from the Capitol and Ten were all yelling at them, asking them questions. But Juniper couldn't focus, she couldn't even hear what they were asking, for her vision was blurred from her sobbing, her ears ringing with the inevitability, and her joints aching from denial. 

"Get on the train," a Peacekeeper ordered them, thrusting them through the open door. And as Juniper stumbled inside, all of her worries and fears numbed as she gaped at the interior. 

Crystals and diamonds were swinging from an extravagant chandelier that hung from the ceiling. Silver was encrusted on the walls, the wallpaper being an intricate design that made Juniper go into a trance. And as Nadine hurried them along into the dining cart, the Hale girl noticed that there were many buffet tables in the corner with grey napkins that held pastries and cakes that had her drooling. A table that was set with exquisite plates and cutlery was in the centre of the cart, a velvet couch just a distance from it. Juniper had never seen something so beautiful before. 

"Well, we just have to wait for Lucy and Brent..." Nadine told them ever so sweetly as she folded her hands in-front of her, eyeing the two Hale twins. "They should be here soon."

But neither of the two paid any attention to the escort, for Juniper and Justice locked eyes. There were so many things the girl wanted to say to her twin, but she didn't know where to start. So many things were to be said. Their goodbyes had to be said, but with one look in Justice's eyes, Juniper realised she didn't have to say anything. Just looking at her brother was enough, relishing the relief in his eyes when he saw her. Just like with her father, some things were better left unsaid. But as Juniper went to reach towards him, the sound of a door opening interrupted her actions. 

"Where's the lucky two?" An annoying, irritating voice echoed around the dining cart. Juniper turned around to see Brent Higgins strutting towards them. "Ah, here they are."

"This is Brent Higgins," Nadine began to explain as she scrunched up her nose at the man. "Victor of the—"

"Sixty-Eighth Games," Justice interrupted. "Yeah, we know who he is."

"Well, that's good!" Brent laughed as he clapped a hand on Justice's shoulder, making the boy wince. "You know, this has never happened before... twins... never happened."

"Except for one year, of course."

Lucy Stevens appeared behind Brent, her tone and whole person soft as she looked down at the two sympathetically. Juniper always admired the woman. She won eleven-years ago and yet still, she remained sane. Most Victors' would have resorted to alcohol or morphling to help their pain, but Lucy Stevens was still the airy, warm woman she was back then. But of course, with the effects of the Games, her whole persona was slightly distant as if she was in another world. 

"What?" Brent asked as he looked over his shoulder to see his mentor. "Since when?"

"The Sixty-Sixth." Lucy nodded. Juniper was too enthralled by her gentle voice to even notice what she was saying. "The two from Eleven."

Brent scrunched up his nose in confusion, but immediately let out a sigh of realisation, saying, "Ah, of course... the pair from Eleven, they were twins."

"W-What happened to them?" Justice asked the man as he side-eyed Juniper, who started to pay attention to the conversation.

"Both died on the second and third day respectively." Brent nodded, letting out a low whistle. "Oh, well, who cares?"

"No-one, obviously." Juniper scoffed as she huddled closer to her brother. "I mean — we're both going to die in there."

"Well—" Lucy began to say. 

"There's no well with it," Juniper said. "We're both gonna die, no point in trying."

"There is always a point in trying," Lucy told her gently as she slowly walked forwards. Everything Lucy Stevens did was slow. "Let us help you, that is the reason we are here."

"June..." Justice muttered as he laid a hand on his sister's arm. "At least hear what they have to say..."

Juniper froze slightly, blocking out the two Victors' and the escort as she focused all of her attention on her brother. He knew they were going to die, Juniper could see it in his eyes. But he was right, of course. It was best to hear what Lucy, Brent, and Nadine had to say to avoid arguments. That was something Juniper didn't want to be enthralled with when she only had a few days to live. 

"Fine," she agreed as she looked back up at Lucy and Brent. "Say what you have to say."

Lucy nodded merely at her whilst Brent wolf-whistled as he headed for a tray that held a bottle of alcohol, pouring the liquid into a glass. Nadine scoffed at them all. 

"The best thing to do, in my humble opinion, is to watch the recap of the Reapings," she said. "Then you can talk about your business."

"Well, weird Capitol woman—"

"She's right, Brent." Lucy raised a hand slightly to interrupt the man. "It is supposed to start soon. We should all move to the living area."

Juniper and Justice gave each other a glance before being pushed out of the dining room by Nadine. They heard Lucy and Brent walk behind them, all five going through the halls. The walls, even in the corridors, were encrusted with silver and tiny chandeliers hung overhead. Juniper was so memorised that she didn't even realise that Nadine shoved her harshly into the living area. 

It was just as beautiful and elegant as the dining cart, having the same grey coloured velvet couches littering the place. Armchairs were in the corners and whilst Juniper would have preferred them, she sat down beside Justice on a couch. Lucy, Brent, and Nadine all sat on separate seats. Juniper figured they were all estranged. 

When Lucy turned the television on, they were immediately greeted with the view of a certain Caesar Flickerman. Juniper had to wince as she looked at the man, tucking her head in-between her raised knees. Every year, the Master of Ceremonies dyed his hair a different colour, this year being a vibrant green that looked as if someone had poured acid all over him. And whilst his hair was bright and his white teeth shining, he always wore the same suit, a midnight blue that had small light bulbs stuck on. Whilst Caesar Flickerman had been doing interviews and commentary for around forty-years, he looked as young as he did when he first started. The wonders of plastic surgery, Juniper guessed. 

Flickerman said some words, the girl not really paying attention, and then the footage flashed to show the first district, One. A Career district. Juniper visibly winced as the lenses of the camera zoomed over the faces of the citizens. They were all burly and tough with threatening looks on their faces. The kids of One were all trained since childhood for the Games. This was what they lived for.

With this in mind, Juniper immediately gulped as she saw the two tributes from One. They were both eighteen and volunteers like most Careers', the pair having a look in their eyes that had Juniper shaking. They were both determined. 

Satin and Rayon. 

The duo, who were cheering on the crowd, disappeared as the footage cut to show the other Career district, Two. Those from Two were normally much stronger than those from One, but the four always had an alliance. And Two was always likely to win. And so, Juniper wasn't surprised to see two burly tributes volunteer in place of the fourteen-year-olds that got picked. They were both eighteen and were an exact replica of the two from One except stockier in frame. 

Leona and Jagger. 

District Three zoomed by with Four and Juniper didn't think much of them, focusing only on the Careers'. If she were to die in the arena, she didn't want to give the lot from Two and One that satisfaction. If she were to be killed, which she will be, she'd rather have the point be given to an outlier district. And maybe, Juniper figured, it just might as District Six appeared on the screen. 

Six was about as outlier as one could get, being one of the districts that no-one ever heard about or cared. Most of the Victors', if they had any, were morphling addicts and all of the kids were under fed and were shivering through the Reaping. But the two tributes that took the stage had Jupiter confused. The two kids, who she didn't know the names since she wasn't paying attention, stared at the camera lenses with such nonchalance that even the announcers were perplexed. Not a single emotion was seen in the tributes' eyes. They were simply blinking, simply staring. 

With the awkward and rather questioning Reaping in Six, it changed to Seven and even Brent straightened up. The last Victor, last year's Victor, was from Seven. And as Juniper felt her heart race when she saw two tall kids walk onto the stage, she eyed the newest Victor. 

Johanna Mason. 

The girl sat in her seat, eyes cold and her whole persona filled with rage. She had feigned weakness and fatigue in her Games, but when it came down to the final lot, she hatcheted six tributes in two-minutes. And whilst Juniper blinked numerous times, trying to find the weak girl that was Johanna Mason, she just couldn't. She was the only female Victor from Seven and the entire stage in-front of the Justice Building was filled with her rage. That was because Johanna Mason was an angry, psychotic, cold-blooded killer. And whilst Juniper knew that people were going to die in the arena, just like herself, she would not dare spill someone's blood. 

Seven faded from the screen, showing Eight and the skinny male tribute that was chosen, but Juniper couldn't seem to forget Johanna Mason's stare. How could one get so angry? How could one get so murderous? That was something Juniper would never understand with the Hunger Games. How could they turn innocent angels into sinning devils?

Nine passed and Juniper felt vomit rise in her throat as they began to announce District Ten. The announcers were having a buzz as they watched a tearful Juniper Hale walk up the steps, going crazy when they heard Justice Hale be called. Juniper slowly slid her hand into her brother's, who clung onto her as they rewatched the Reaping they had just endured. 

"Twins!" An announcer hollered on the television, their stupid Capitol accent echoing off of the walls. "I don't think we've ever had a pair of twins be tributes!"

"Ah, can't forget the two from Eleven in the Sixty-Sixth—!"

Juniper blocked out their conversation. There was no point in hearing about the pair of twins from Eleven because they both died anyway just like her and Justice would. And as Juniper still felt her body go through denial, she realised that sooner or later, she would have to accept that she was going to die at the ripe age of seventeen. Juniper and Justice Hale were both going to die, but at least they had each other. 

Eleven and Twelve blew past without any thought considering those lot always died in the bloodbath or the first couple of days. And so, as Juniper realised the sun was slowly beginning to set, Nadine announced that they should probably have dinner.

And whilst Juniper thought the train was divine, she was even more shocked by the food that was in the dining cart, forgetting all about death and tributes. A roasted, bronze turkey sat in the middle amongst an array of different vegetables and spinach. Little bowls of soup and potatoes littered the decked-out table and Juniper frothed at the mouth. She had never seen such a beautiful sight and completely ignored Nadine's grunt of disapproval as she rushed to a chair, immediately digging in with Justice by her side.

"Someone is hungry." Brent rolled his eyes as he sat down from across the two Hale siblings. "Slow down, tiger."

"Shut up," Juniper mumbled, turkey and potatoes stuffed in her mouth.

Within her life, she had only had oats, beef she had stolen, and rotten potatoes as food. It wasn't the best, but it kept them alive, but as Juniper stuffed down the food in-front of her, grease collecting around her mouth, she never wanted to go back to meals like that ever again. If it was up to her, if she were to survive, she'd want to eat like this all day. 

If. Not when. 

But, of course, her bliss was rudely interrupted when Lucy softly cleared her throat, saying, "I think we should discuss the tributes from the other districts."

"Sure thing, Loony Lucy." Brent winked as he got tucked into his food. Juniper noticed the woman's demeanour change slightly as she merely narrowed her eyes at the man. 

"The Careers' are a definite stay away from," Lucy began to say as Justice started to pay attention, Juniper too busy washing her turkey down with some juice the Avoxes, muted slaves of the Capitol, had laid down. "I also suggest avoiding the boy from Eight, the pair from Seven, and the duo from Six. But just because they are the biggest threats doesn't mean you overlook everyone else."

"Yeah." Brent nodded in agreement. "I mean — look at Johanna Mason for one. Cried all of training and killed six tributes in two-minutes."

"Is that what you suggest we do?" Justice winced. "Act weak and then kill everybody?"

"I doubt you two could kill anyone—"

"What can you do?" Lucy immediately interrupted Brent. "What are your talents, skills?"

Juniper looked up from her plate, which was nearly empty, and furrowed her brows. She wasn't skilled in anything, really. Sure, she was able to steal from the Barn of Death, but anyone could do that. It wasn't a skill. But whilst Juniper sorted through her brain to think of at least something to not look pathetic, it was Justice that spoke up. 

"We can both run," he said. "Or, June can run really fast."

"Just can throw," Juniper told them. "And is quite strong."

"And June is really smart," Justice said. "Like really smart."

Brent raised a brow at the twins whilst Lucy merely nodded. Juniper, however, didn't see a point in even telling the Victors' of what they could do because they were going to die anyway. It was the hard cold truth that Juniper and Justice were going to die. It was reality, a horrifying reality that they would have to watch each other be killed by kids possibly younger than them. 

"Well, that is a good start," Lucy told them. "We'll have to expand on those skills and eventually weapons..."

"But for now, don't worry about that." Nadine gave them the most fakest smile Juniper had ever seen. "We have the Parade to figure out."

Juniper immediately blanched. 

The Parade. The Tributes Parade. Juniper had forgotten all about that whilst worrying about her withering days. The Tributes Parade was the first thing that happened when they arrived in the Capitol, a parade that entailed all of the unlucky to dress up by stylists and prep teams to be ridden about through the heart of the Capitol. The idea of everyone's eyes, of all of Panem to be on her, it made Juniper want to stab her heart out with the steak knife she was currently holding. 

But then, she remembered, the entirety of Panem had seen her and Justice cry onstage during the Reaping. And either way, it didn't matter what the Capitol thought of her. She was going to die in a few days anyway. Surely she could muster enough courage to be dressed up considering it wasn't the most ghastly thing to happen. And so, Juniper started to pay attention.

"The same stylist and team as always," Nadine said. Juniper remembered the outfits from last year. They were horrendous and immensely humiliating, making the girl wince. "But after I knocked some sense into her, she's willing to actually make you look... decent..."

"She willingly made the tributes look bad?" Justice pondered. 

"No, of course not." Nadine scoffed as she shook her head. "She just didn't try... but she's better now under my watchful eye."

"Thank those above for that." Brent rolled his eyes as he sipped on his liquor.

Lucy looked at the man softly before turning her attention onto the two seventeen-year-olds, saying, "Don't think much of the Parade, it causes most of the tributes anxiety—"

"Most?" Juniper questioned. She figured the fact that they were going to die would be the cause of their anxiety.

"I probably worded that wrong..." Lucy mumbled, her eyes going distant before shaking her head, going back to the present. "It will be over in a few minutes. You'll be prepped, the Parade happens, the President gives a speech, then you'll be on your way. Do you have any questions?"

"Can we leave?"

With a slight nod of the head from Lucy, Juniper got up from her seat and out of the dining cart. She could hear Justice behind her and she took this opportunity to try to find a secluded part of the train. They couldn't say they're loving statements in the middle of the hallway. But as she was about to give up, Juniper stumbled into a room that was at the back of the train. 

It was semi-circle shaped, a grey couch lining the borders of the wall as a massive glass window wrapped around the room. It showed the rolling trees and train tracks that passed as they continued to their destination and it was quite... peaceful. And so, Juniper took that opportunity to slowly sit down on the velvet couch, eyes glancing around the scenery. 

The sky was a mixture of salmon and apricot orange, the clouds fading away as stars began to take their place. Flowers could be seen in the fields that passed, the vibrant colours mesmerising Juniper as she forced herself to not blink, not wanting to miss the beautiful sight. And as she watched the animals that littered the paddocks nearby, Juniper heard a door swivel open. 

"It's gorgeous, isn't it?" 

She asked the question softly as she heard feet pad across the carpeted floor, the couch diving slightly as Justice sat beside her. He took a deep breath before exhaling. 

"It is," he agreed. 

The two Hale twins sat in silence for a moment. So much was to be said, so much to be done, but Juniper figured that they needed some peace considering the ride they were buckled in for. And as she felt Justice breathe beside her, she started to feel something. It wasn't luck, definitely not luck, but it was something she couldn't describe. All she knew was that she was glad that when she died, her brother would be right beside her dying too. 

"We're going to die, June..." Justice mumbled finally as Juniper turned her body to face him. "Aren't we?"

"Of course." Juniper nodded. "It is inevitable..."

"I suppose the stars aren't aligned for us..."

Juniper blinked at her brother for a while, trying hard to accept their reality. They were going to die, end of story, and so, desperate to change the subject from fate and destiny, she said, "You know... when Pa came to see me, he was very determined for us to find a way to make it so we both come home."

"He said the same to me." Justice scoffed. "He's delusional."

"Thinking of a fantasy."

Justice barely nodded as he averted his eyes away from his sister, staring through the window at the rolling scenery. And as he did, Juniper furrowed her brows. This was a situation they couldn't get out of. They had to die. They both couldn't win. They were both set up to fail. 

"Just..." Juniper began to say softly. "We'll be together, right? All of the way?"

"Of course, I wouldn't have it any other way." Justice turned to face her once more. "But, June... I don't want to win."

"Neither do I."

"And so, it's agreed." Justice nodded. He put his hand behind his back. "If you die, I die—"

"And if you die, I die," Juniper said.

"Just please don't kill me."

Juniper shook her head gently, chuckling under her breath as she looked through the window. Her fingertips traced over the velvet pattern of the couch as she finally accepted that they were going to die at only seventeen. She finally accepted her fate. 

"Of course I won't, Just."

⇢ ˗ˏˋ matz 🎧 !

— that was a cheeky donna and rome reference ;)

donna and rome are two ocs' from my other fic shall we rise?