[the hunger games series: catching fire]
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        An arrow shot through the air, perfectly severing the twine that was holding up the bag on grain. The bag landed softly in the wheelbarrow that was below it. Cameron smiled, returning the crossbow to her side, letting it hang for a split second before pulling it up once more, shooting the next bag of grain in line.

"You know, you could just untie the knot," a voice behind her suggested. "It's a lot easier than whatever you're doing."

Cameron turned around to face the person that had addressed her. It was Mitchell Carnett, a fellow citizen of district nine, and winner of the 70th Hunger Games. He was one of Caesar's personal favorite tributes, he liked to call Mitchell: The Silver Bullet, referring to his agility when it came to picking off other tributes in his games. Personally, Cameron thought it was a lot better than Caesar's nickname for Cameron. He called her Golden Girl, referencing the change from her ginger hair to her new golden locks. Cameron despised the name, but the Capitol adored it so she couldn't protest. She needed to play the role of the Golden Girl, she was afraid of what would happen if she didn't.

"Less fun that way," Cameron said, focusing her eyeball to line up her shot once more. "Mess up my shot, and I'll kill you," she warned, closing one of her eyes as the arrow flew through the air. Slicing the piece of twine once more, the bag thumped onto the ground.

"Okay, one Cam, we both know you wouldn't shoot me. And, two, what if you shoot a hole through the bag?" Mitchell asked.

"I won't," Cameron answered simply, setting the crossbow onto the ground.

"You know, the commencement speeches from the winners of the last games will be in the district today," Mitchell continued, changing the subject completely. "Should be interesting since they let two people win. I guess the Capitol didn't have a choice seeing that they would've eaten the berries and killed themselves leaving them with no winner," he continued, following Cameron as she walked over to the wheelbarrow, wanting to wheel it over closer to the house.

Cameron groaned, "I remember, Wilbur had the games playing on every single television in the house, despite my multiple pleas for him not to," she reminded Mitchell picking up the handles of the small wagon, beginning to inch it forward.

Wilbur Kandu was one of the first winners of the Hunger Games from district nine. With the money that he gathered from winning, he bought one of the huge houses at the edge of the district lines. Originally, he thought that he was going to keep it for himself. But since he accepted a position as a mentor for the tributes who ended up getting reaped for the games. He had converted it into a makeshift training facility, and if you ended up winning your games, Wilbur would offer you a spot in his home. He wanted the surviving tributes to be like a family, which is why both Mitchell and Cameron accepted his offer.

It was easier for Cameron to live in a house with people who had gone through a similar experience to her. People who had gone through the games, just like her. They didn't freak out when she would make up the middle of the night, screaming, because it happened to them too. She had tried to go back to her parent's home, but she couldn't bear to face them after watch she had done. She knew they wouldn't see her the same, she knew it from the moment her name got called by Malini. Their daughter was either gonna get killed, or turn into the same monster that they had called every single other tribute that had fought their way out of the games.

Cameron missed them, she often had dreams about them. A rare few of the good ones among the events that plagued her mind every time she closed her eyes. Even though her games ended two years ago, Cameron's nightmare had continued every single day of her life since the win. It latched onto her, like a parasite she couldn't escape from.

"So," Mitchell walked up, leaning against the other wheelbarrow in the yard, interrupting Cameron's internal thoughts. "You planning on going to this, victory speech," he said smoothly, trying to cover up the fact he almost tripped over the out-turned wheel.

"Don't really have a choice, do we?" Cameron asked.

"I was gonna say that, yes," Mitchell said, clicking his tongue. "Wilbur's making us go, that's why he sent me out here to talk to you."

"So, you wouldn't talk to me otherwise?" Cameron asked, a small glint in her eye as she placed the wheelbarrow down where they stored it until Wilbur could take it to the market.

Mitchell frowned, "I didn't say that," he corrected her.

"You implied it," Cameron replied, strolling over to the other wheelbarrow and beginning to heave it across the yard. "Are you gonna help me with that or are you just gonna stand around and inform me of all of the events happening in the district today?"

"Oh, ha, ha," Mitchell said his gaze watching the woman as she marched across the lawn. "I do help around here, you know?"

"Yeah, how do you help exactly?" Cameron said, a hint of amusement lining her normally steady voice.

"In many ways, Cam," Mitchell said sticking his finger in the air. "I am just too busy helping you to list them off right now, but if I wasn't busy I would have a whole lot of things to say."

Cameron rolled her eyes, "Yes because you are being so much help, just standing there," she said nodding at his motionless stance.

Mitchell scoffed, "At least I don't use chores as an excuse to shoot something," he laughed. "But I can think of at least one of us here who does that."

"Cameron, if you keep on using your crossbow to cut the grain down, we are gonna run out of our good twine," Wilbur said, observing the two young adults in the backyard. Cameron looked up, Wilbur was standing on the small deck he was built, watching the pair with his eyebrows raised. She wasn't sure how long he had been standing there but knowing Wilbur, it was probably longer than Cameron would've liked.

"I did try and tell her that," Mitchell whistled, throwing a bag of grain over his shoulder.

"He really didn't," Cameron retorted.

"That's because you didn't give me the chance," Mitchell said, letting out a hearty laugh. Throwing his bag down next to the other two that Cameron had wheeled over.

Cameron sighed, rolling her eyes slowly. "So now you're helping?" she asked shoving him on the shoulder harshly.

Wilbur couldn't help but laugh at the two young adults in his yard. "When I invited you two to live with me. I did not sign up for your petty arguments," he said, shaking his head lightly. "Besides, don't you two have somewhere to be," he reminded them, tapping his watch. "The new winner's victory tours, you would be bad sports in you didn't show up. Plus, I'm sure the Capitol would love to see former victors in the crowd, to build that feeling of unity among the surviving tributes."

Cameron and Mitchell exchanged similar glances of, 'I told you so,' before they walked out of the yard together, listening to the words of their shared mentor.

If Cameron was being honest with herself, the last place she wanted to be right now was the victor's speech. Partially because she didn't have particularly fond memories of her own. It was all, fake smiles and long 'princess' waves until she was dragged off by either Wilbur or Malini, back to her chambers, just to do the same thing over and over again until the dreaded two weeks were over.

The Capitol parties and dinners were just as dull as Cameron thought they would be. It was full of a bunch of prissy nobodies that she didn't care for. Well they weren't exactly nobodies, but Cameron didn't give a damn about them, she would've preferred that they had just skipped the parties, but Wilbur wouldn't let her. Said it would reflect poorly on the district if she didn't show for events that were made for her.

Mitchell kicked a few rocks as they made their way down the abandoned road, "Less thinking more talking, Cam," he said to her, snapping a finger in front of her face.

"Next time you snap a finger in my face, you lose one," Cameron said glaring at the finger in her face, which Mitchell immediately retracted.

"We've known each other for two years Cam, and every time you threaten to injure me. It loses its impact," Mitchell said looking around the road. "How long do you reckon it'll take us to get there?" he asked nonchalantly.

Cameron shrugged, "I dunno. I don't get into town much. Only to visit Jasmine, but that doesn't happen that much anymore either."

"You think she'll be at the victory speech?" Mitchell asked, trying to make conversation.

"I mean probably," Cameron reasoned as a cool breeze hit the side of her face. "The whole district'll be there, I reckon. No one misses the speech."

"Especially given the victors, the two star-crossed lovers," Mitchell said laughing, kicking aside another pile of rocks that one of the kids probably piled up alongside the road. "I wonder what their speech will sound like?" he asked.

"No clue," Cameron answered honestly. "Bread-boy doesn't look like much of a public speaker, or even a smooth talker."

Cameron didn't know much of Peeta or Katniss. She assumed that they were nice people, given their interviews with Caesar earlier in the year. One of the only things that Cameron could actually watch. It was nice to see the tributes personally, it almost made Cameron smile. Until she remembers that only one of them could survive.

"He is one hell of a painter though," Mitchell said, tipping his head. "Camouflaged his way through like three days. Kind of impressive."

"I don't doubt that," Cameron said keeping her gaze on the path ahead of them. "Maybe they'll have him paint something on stage, like a tribute to the Capitol."

Mitchell hooted with laughter, doubling over, trying to contain himself. "Paint something on stage, yeah like Haymitch would ever allow that. Plus, I think he was a cake decorater," he said, straightening back up, sweeping his long black hair out of his eyes, his face was still red from his laughing fit.

"Didn't know you knew so much about this man, Mitch," Cameron responded coolly.

"I don't," he replied simply. "I just listen Cam. Just like how we are about to listen to this speech," he said, pointing in front of them

Cameron squinted her eyes, trying to focus her vision to see what was in front of her. There were two single-file lines about 400 feet in front of the pair. Peacekeepers flanked each side of the entrance to the town square holding their guns out of the front of them, their arms crossed over their weapons. It seemed odd, there was usually Peacekeepers stationed at large district gathering. But this event seemed flooded with them, and she wasn't sure why.

Mitchell picked up on this as well, "Woah," he said, his mouth forming in the shape of an 'O'. "Shit ton of Peacekeepers here, I wonder why."

"Yeah," Cameron said absentmindedly as she approached the line. "For extra protection, I assume?"

"Who would need protection?" Mitchell asked almost instantly.

"I don't know," Cameron whispered. She didn't want the Peacekeepers to overhear their conversation, nothing good could come of that. Peacekeepers didn't care if they were victors or not. They would still beat the living crap out of them if they heard them badmouthing the Capitol. "But obviously something's got them spooked enough to up security."

Mitchell didn't respond, he knew better than to say anything while they were in earshot of the Peacekeepers. The two walked through the entrance, holding their breath as they walked past the Peacekeepers. Cameron was exactly scared of them. Intimidated, yes. But scared? Hell no. The Peacekeepers were nothing compared to her time spent in the games. Nothing they could do to her could be worse than what she had experienced.

Cameron and Mitchell stood side by side as citizens of district nine began to crowd around them, a familiar sense of fear and anxiety crowded the air. Just like it did during the reaping. There were more Peacekeepers crowded around the stage in the middle of the square. Cameron was honestly surprised that they had made the stage so quickly and that so many citizens had gathered to see the speeches. District nine was one of the largest districts in the entirety of Panem. Cameron was lucky that Wilbur's home was close to the town square, she wouldn't want to have to take the train there. It. Too many people, it would be densely packed, something that Cameron liked to avoid nowadays.

She used to love taking the train to see the district with her parents. Her father traveled around in such, he was an exceptional baker. He would take his bread and other grain-packed treats all around the districts to sell to other villages. Cameron always volunteered to go with him, drowning out her mother's protests. She used to love to see all the different areas of the district. Getting to interact with new people. It was enjoyable ack then, but now exhausted her more than ever. The Capitol had introduced her to show many 'hotshots' that now all she could do was pray that she wasn't going to be dragged to another useless social event. Jasmine said that she knew Cameron would turn into a recluse. It was 'in her blood.' Cameron just didn't expect it to be so soon. At least Cameron didn't have to do any taking here.

"They're coming out," Mitchell said, nudging Cameron in the side.

"Hmm," she sounded glancing up towards the stage.

"Katniss and Peeta, looking all formal and shit," Mitchell shrugged.

Cameron studied their looks, Katniss had her hair back in a tight dutch braid that slinked over her right shoulder. She had a stoic look on her face, a look Cameron knew all too well. It was the same look Malini and Wilbur told her to wear during her Victory Tour. Peeta looked a little more joyful, Cameron spotted a slight grin on his face as he cleared his throat, tapping the microphone in front of him.

Peeta pulled out a notecard and began to speak, "We are united, as Panem is united. Our love has opened our eyes to the greatness of our country. Love illuminates the truth, just as it can obscure it." He spoke in a flat voice, it wasn't genuine, both Cameron and Mitchell knew that. "We have acted blindly, influenced by the delirium of our passion, but thanks to our everlasting love we now see the perfection of our ultimate reality. We exult in the incredible & beautiful overwhelming size of our love. We are so happy and fortunate to be able to share out love with you."

Mitchell groaned quietly, "This is painful," he whispered to Cameron. "I would've enjoyed the painting more."

Cameron smiled at his words as Katniss stepped up to the microphone, finishing off her part of the speech. "We also want to share with you the sorrows of your losses. The Tributes of this district were great and noble warriors. They brought honor to their families and pride to their people." Katniss looked down at the notecard and began to speak once more. "We are all of us united, both victors and vanquished, in serving a common purpose. The power and glory of the Capitol. Panem today. Panem tomorrow. Panem forever."

Both Katniss and Peeta stepped away from the microphones, allowing the Peacekeepers to escort them off the stage. Cameron shook her head at the retreating figures. 'Another one of the Capitol puppets,' she thought to herself. 'Sad.'

"So, you think the notecards were Haymitch's idea or Effie's?" Mitchell asked.

"Definitely Effie's."

"I thought it would be more lively, you know?" Mitchell said.

"Nothing's lively when the Capitol's involved," Cameron whispered. "You and I both know that."

Say you'll remember me,
standing in a nice dress, staring at the sunset,
babe ☁︎

Grace talks ig: tbh, I didn't expect to update this so soon. I was fully ready to update my Legacies book but I decided to write this one instead and I loved how it turned out. Playing with Mitchell and Cameron's dynamic is so fun, they remind me of brothers and sisters in the best way possible. I wanted to add the reaping into this chapter but this one was running a little long and I think that the reaping is an important enough event that it deserves it's own chapter. So that's coming soon. Anyway, thanks for the love on this book already and feel free to vote and comment if you want. byeeee <3