Flashback chapter.
The 67th hunger games.

°•°

ARYA STOOD IN THE KITCHEN, plates in her hand as she had just finished putting the food onto them. She turns, making her way to the table and placing the plates down. A sigh leaves her lips as she runs a hand through her hair. Today wasn't like just any other day. It was reaping day and she knew what that meant. It was never a day that anyone in the district looked forward to. And the fact that her and both of her siblings names were now in this year, made it all the more terrifying.

She hated the wait. The few seconds where you didn't know who they were going to call. Because it seemed like an eternity. And you were basically thinking of every single scenario that could happen. But this year, she's not just listening for one name. She's listening for two. And God forbid she hears either of her brothers names.

Arya tries to take a few deep breathes. She didn't want to think about it otherwise she'd spiral. But she knew the air between her and her brothers would be different today. It always was. None of them knew the outcome of the reaping and until it passed, they all heard their breath.

She glances toward the doors of her brothers rooms, placing her hands on her hips. "Breakfast is on the table!" Arya shouts, hoping to gain their attention. She always made sure she could provide for her brothers. Luckily Matthew helped her with whatever she couldn't. But it was getting easier as the years went by. She would turn sixteen this year and that gave her more opportunities in her district.

One of the doors open and Jacob comes waltzing out of his room. As Arya looks back over, her eyebrows furrow as she notices that there didn't seem to be any movement coming from Ash's bedroom.
"Where's Ash?" She asks curiously. Jacob sighs as he crosses his arms against his chest.

"He won't get out of bed." Jacob says. He had went to Ash's room earlier but the boy hadn't moved an inch. As Jacob sits down at the table, he could see the frown on his sister's face.

"Why not?" Arya questions. But neither of them really had to think of an explanation. It was obvious that it was about the reaping. He was scared. Who wouldn't be. She lets out a sigh as Jacob shrugs his shoulders.

Deciding to go see for herself, Arya walks over to Ash's room, knocking on the door. "Ash?" Arya says as she cracks the door open a little bit. She could see the boy laying in his bed, just staring at the wall. She presses her lips together tightly before entering the room.  "Ash, you gotta get up, bud." She admits, heading over to his bed.

Arya stops beside it, resting her hand on his shoulder. Ash just pulls the covers over him a bit more as he shakes his head. "I don't feel good." He mumbles, drifting his eyes to the floor. Ash just narrows her eyes as she tilts her head a bit.

"Mhm." Arya lets out a hum, moving her hand to his forehead and feeling it for a second.  "Well, you don't feel warm." She points out, raising an eyebrow at him. Arya knew he was faking it but she also knew he just wanted to stay somewhere where he felt like it was safe.

"Yes, I do." Ash retorts, scrunching his nose up a bit. Arya sighs as she crosses her arms against her chest.

"You clearly don't have a fever." She states, shaking her head. Ash let's out a small scoff.

"How would you know?" He asks, glancing away from her. Arya tried her best to put a happier expression on her face but it didn't really last. More turning into one that was bittersweet.

"Ash, it's okay to be scared. The reaping is today and it's your first time getting your name put in." Arya says, her hand moving to his arm. Ash was silent for a few seconds, but his eyes made their way back to her.

"What if I get picked?" Ash asks her, his voice cracking a bit. Arya could see the fear in his eyes and it broke her heart. The fact that he even had to worry about this at his age was unsettling and it was inhumane. The Capitol should feel ashamed of themselves for supporting this.

"We'll deal with that if it happens." She tells him with a smile, squeezing his hand. Arya could never turn to him and say he wouldn't get picked because that would be a lie. She's tried her best to always keep herself truthful to them. And they all knew his name getting picked was a very real scenario.

"What if it does?" Ash asks her, clearly just wanting an answer. But she couldn't give him an answers. She didn't know what would happen if he was picked.

"Ash, we can't control what happens." Arya denies, fiddling with her fingers. Ash's eyes were full of sadness, his expression doe-eyed.

"What if you get picked and we get left all alone?" He questions. Arya closes her eyes for a moment. She had thought about that. If she was picked and didn't come back to them, it would break her soul. But she knew Matthew would never allow them to go on their own, he would take them in as his own.

"You won't." Arya assures him. She never, ever, wanted Ash or Jacob to feel like they were alone in this world. Arya could suffer that herself but shed never want to lay that on her brothers. "I promise, you'll never be alone." She says as she gives him a soft smile. Ash tried to return it, but it fell a bit.

"Do you get scared?"

"All the time." Arya admits, stroking his cheek a bit. Getting scared was a human reaction to a lot of things. You were showing emotion to something that frightened you. Arya wasn't going to teach him that it wasn't okay to be scared of something. Because it was, because sometimes life was terrifying.

She brings her eyes down to his bed covers for a moment. Biting the inside of her cheek, she lets out a small sigh. "I'll make you a promise, okay?" Arya starts as she meets his gaze, taking his hands in her own. Ash nods his head slowly. "We get reaped together, I'll make sure you win." She assures him. Arya would kill everybody for her brother to win.

"We'll win together." Ash responds, squeezing her hand a bit. Arya felt herself falter as she stared back at her little brother. She had to force a smile onto her face as she nodded her head.

"Yeah, yeah. Okay, we will win together." Arya tells him, biting the inside of her cheek. She knew they would never win together. The Capitol didn't have the heart to let two victors win. Snow would never allow it to happen. "Now, how about you come and eat?" She suggests, trying to change the subject.

Ash puts a smile on his face as he nods his head. "Okay." He says as he finally sits up in his bed. Arya sighs as she rubs his back before standing up again.

"Okay." She responds, rubbing her face a bit before exiting the room, Ash following behind her. As she heads back to he kitchen, she saw Jacob sat at the table stuffing his face with food. "Jacob, that's for all of us." Ash scolds, moving towards one of the empty chairs.

"I stress eat." Jacob says with a mouthful, shrugging his shoulders. Arya rolls her eyes bit, sitting down as Ash sits down next to her.

"I know it's a nerve-wracking day. But we're all gonna be fine." Arya tells them as she flickers her eyes between her brothers. Ash nods his head, beginning to eat his food.

"Our district barely wins." Jacob mumbles as he picks his fork through his food. Arya moves her head toward him, a bit shocked that he would say that, especially knowing how Ash was feeling in that moment.

"Jacob." She scolds, shaking her head. Jacob just stares down at his food.

"It's the truth." He replies. Arya clenches her jaw, she didn't need him putting more fear into Ash's head.

"We just need to think positively okay?" Arya says as she looks at her brothers before her eyes settle on Ash. "Positive thoughts." She states as she brings her hand to his cheek. Ash smiles, nodding his head.

The front door opens causing everyone to look over. Matthew walks inside, looking around the room before his eyes settle on the group. "Hey, everyone." He says with a smile causing the two kids to jump up from their seats.

"Matthew!" They both yell as they rush over to him. Matthew chuckles as he holds his arms out so they could hug him. He rubs their backs before they pull away from him.

"You kids behaving?" Matthew asks, raising an eyebrow at the two boys. Ash nods his head.

"Yeah."

"Relatively." Jacob adds with a shrug. Matthew smiles, shaking his head as he looks at the older boy.

"Well, I applaud your honesty." Matthew responds, his eyes moving to Arya. He could see the pain in her eyes but she tried to mask it around her brothers. Matthew clears his throat as he puts his hands into his pockets.

He gestures toward the door narrowly. "Arya, can I see you for a moment?" Matthew asks her. Arya nods her head as she gets up from the table. She moves over to where they were standing, her hands going onto both of her brothers shoulders.

"Stay here, eat up, okay?" She tells them and they both nod their heads before moving back to the table. Arya follows Matthew outside, her eyes casting downward as she closes the door behind them.

It was silent for a moment as Matthew turns to face her. He knew reaping day was always a hard day for them. "How are you holding up?" He questions with concern in his tone. Arya nods her head, trying her best to keep herself happy but she couldn't help the tears that welled in her eyes.

She couldn't force back the emotion that was bubbling underneath the surface. Arya's body shakes as she brings her hand up to cover her mouth. Matthew hated how she had to look out for her brothers all by herself. That's why he often visited them, to make sure they were still doing okay.

"It was hard when it was just two of us being reaped but now Ash's name..." She trails off, shaking her head as her head drops lightly. Matthew sighs as he brings his hands to her shoulders, rubbing them a bit.

"Hey, it'll be okay." Matthew assures her, tilting his head. He knew how the reaping ceremonies could be stressful, hell, he luckily survived seven of his own.

"What if it's not?" Arya didnt want to be negative but it was Matthew, he knew what she was thinking before even she did. "What if he gets reaped or worse, we both do? Matthew, he thinks we can both win." She didn't know if Ash really grasped the concept of their only being one winner. It didn't matter if you didn't want to kill each other near the end. They would find a way to only get one of you.

"I'm sorry." Matthew apologizes, knowing the pain she had to go through.  "I wish I could volunteer in his place." If he was younger, he would gladly step in for Ash. But given his age, that just wasn't a possibility.

Arya wraps her arms around him as she rests her head on his chest. Matthew holds her tightly, resting his head on top of hers. "Just, never leave us." She pleads. Matthew was an older brother to her, he was her best friend, he was with her through thick and thin. She needed him just as much as he needed her.

"Never." He assures her, rubbing her back soothingly. Matthew allows her to break down in his arms for a few more seconds before pulling away from her gently. He gazes down at her, lifting his hand to her cheek and stroking away the tears. "Now, pull yourself together before going back in there." Matthew says and she nods her head.

A sniffle leaves her as she looks up at the sky, trying to stop more tears from falling. Arya was glad she had Matthew, but his words and assurances didn't really help unless it came true. She could only stop worrying after they were fine for another year.

But she had to pull herself together for her brothers. She couldn't let them see her break down because they would onkt make them more scared and she didn't need that. Arya needed to be strong for them, be strong for herself. Who knows what would happen if she let herself crumble to pieces.

°•°

SITTING ON HER BED, Arya just stared at the clothes set out on the chair. She had picked an outfit for the reaping but hadn't changed into it yet. Arya just couldn't move because it just made it all the more real. She knew it was the same thing every year. But every single time, it was the same awful pit that formed in her stomach. People made spectacles out of their deaths, how could she not feel sick about that?

Luckily, she couldn't remember her mother's death. She couldn't imagine having to witness your own flesh and blood be murdered right in front of your eyes. That was why she was so terrified of the reaping. She didn't care if she got picked, she cared about her brothers. Arya didn't want to witness their deaths. Especially knowing the Capitol citizens placed bets on them.

A knock on the door cut her out of her thoughts. "Rya?" She hears her brother Jacob ask as he pokes his head inside. Arya quickly puts a smile onto her face as she meets his gaze. That's what she always had to do. Put a smile on her face to mask what she was really feeling.

"Yeah, pumpkin?" She responds as she brushes her hair behind her ear. Jacob hesitantly makes his way over to her as he fiddles with his fingers. Arya watches as he sits down on the bed beside her.

"I've been thinking about something." Jacob admits and she furrows her eyebrows, nodding her head slightly.

"About what?"

"The reaping ceremony." He says, not really being able to meet her eyes. Arya blinks a few times, trying to figure out where he might be going with this.

"What about it?" Arya asks curiously, tilting her head a bit. Jacob takes a deep breath,  closing his eyes for a moment.

"If Ash gets picked today... I'll volunteer." Jacob tells her. Aryas eyes widen for a moment as she just stares at him. She hadnt even been thinking about that but apparently he had. She would never want either of her brothers to go, but she knew Jacob was older, he had a bit more of a chance at winning.

"Jacob, don't think that way." She pleads, not really wanting to think much of the ceremony until they were there. If she thought too much, she would end up spiraling and she couldn't do that, not today.

"But we have to be ready." Jacob states with a frown. He understood she didn't want to lose them but they had to be prepared for any outcome. Arya moves her hand to his, giving it a light squeeze.

"You know I would volunteer if I could." Arya would take her brothers place in an instant if she could. That was why she hated how it had to be a male and female tribute. Because if that rule didn't exist, she would gladly volunteer.

"Of course I do." Jacob responds, tilting his head. Arya was always looking out for them and he saw that. He didn't take any of what she did for granted. Jacob knew she loved them deeply and would literally do anything for them, even kill someone.

"You remember the 65th games right?" Jacob asks her and she was a bit confused but nodded her head. "Finnick Odair won and he was fourteen too." He points out. Arya let out a small sigh, her eyes falling for a moment.

She remember Finnick winning the games. It had everyone a bit shocked that someone so young was able to take out the older tributes. But that didn't mean anything for them. Just because Finnick was able to win at fourteen, shouldn't entice the other fourteen year Olds to think they can do the same.

"But he was very skilled in combat." Arya loved her brother to death but he didn't exactly have the ability to just kill people with a trident. Plus, Finnick was a loved tribute, he got lots of sponsors. Sure, Jacob could do that as well, but you couldn't blink when you were attacking someone, because it gave them a chance to kill you.

"I can find another way to win, or I can train." He tells her and she closes her eyes for a moment. Arya had no doubt that he'd try his best, but it still didn't change the fact that she didn't want to even have to think of that scenario.

"I don't want to lose either of you." Arya denies, her voice cracking in the slightest. Jacob sighs as he moves closer to her on the bed.

"If Ash goes in, we both know he's dead. He's too young. He can't take on any other opponent." The only way Ash could win is if the others were taken out by something in the arena. If he stayed hidden until he won. "So, I'll take his place. At least I'd have a better chance." Jacob states, not deterring from his decision.

"I'd rather it not go that way." Arya admits and he nods his head. He'd rather not go as well, but if he had to, he would.

"Maybe We'll get lucky again." Jacob suggests as he shrugs his shoulders. There were quite a few people in District five who were under eighteen, their chances were higher of not getting picked.

But Arya didn't think that way. "We were never lucky." She mutters slightly as she just stares at her hands. Arya didn't believe in luck, especially in the world that they lived in. If they were lucky, they wouldn't have lost their parents so young.

"We'd probably get picked the same year." Jacob jokes, trying to lighten the year. Arya smiles gently, moving her eyes back to his.

"And you'd win." She tells him. Arya could see how his eyes softened, as he shook his head.

"Arya."

"Hey, you're my little brother, okay? It's my job to protect you." Arya points out as she places her hand on his arm. Jacob's gaze saddened as stared back at her.

"Who protects you?" Jacob asks her. She was always looking out for them but it didn't seem like anyone was in her corner.

"I'll be fine." Arya assures him. She didn't need anyone's protection, she'd rather risk her life to save the people she loved than for it to go the other way round. "Are you seriously going to volunteer for Ash?" She asks, her voice gentle. Arya didn't want to make him feel like he had to. It was his choice, especially in these games.

"I will. I promise." Jacob responds with a nod of his head. He knew he stood a better chance than his brother. Ash could barely hurt a fly let alone another person, it didn't matter if it was life or death.

Arya sighs as she opens her arms. "Come here." She says as she moves to wrap her arms around him. Arya holds him tightly as she closes her eyes. She cherished these moments, the moments where she got to hold her little brother's. Because time was short in the districts. They didn't have the luxury of knowing they'll live to see the sunrise.

Time was a luxury that they never got to have.

°•°

STANDING IN THE CROWD, Arya had never felt so anxious. The previous years, it wasn't so bad with just her and Jacob's name within the lot. But with Ash, it just added to the pressure of it all. The nervousness of hearing the name being called and praying that it wasn't someone that you knew. Arya tried her best to remain calm but it wasn't always as easy as it seemed.

She moved back and forth on her feet, her fingers playing with the hem of her sleeve as she just stared in front of her. Arya saw the announcer walking onto the stage and that just made her stomach twist even more. She tried to keep positive thoughts, like she told her brothers. But they were immediately taken over by the possibility of one of their names being called.

Jacob and Ash weren't even able to stand next to each other. Jacob was nearer the front whilst as Ash was closer to where Matthew was standing in the middle. Arya had glanced over at Matthew a few times and the man had tried to reassure her with a look, but it didn't do anything for her. Until they got through the reaping and the names were said, she couldn't relax.

"Welcome, welcome." The voice echoes through the air as the woman smiles into the crowd. Arya didnt move an inch as her eyes went back up to the announcer. "We are here gathered for the 67th annual hunger games!" She says with a huge smile on her face. Figured she'd be the only one happy about sending kids to their deaths.

Arya clenches her jaw, a glare working it's way onto her face as she despised anyone who had anything to do with the games. She understood that this woman was probably forced to do this, but it didn't seem like she really disliked the whole idea.

"Now, as you know each year we reap a very brave young man and woman to fight to the death." She tells them. Arya hated when they said that, given as Ash was barely even a teenager, let alone a young man. "It is a privilege to be picked and whoever shall be the winner, will live the life of a victor." The announcer had a lot of pep in her voice. Probably more than all of the crowd combined right now.

Arya rolls her eyes, shaking her head. She didn't care how rich they made you, it didn't change the fact of how you won. Her gaze moves over to beside her, looking at Ash who was already staring in her direction. She could see the fear, his fists slightly clenched together.

She tried to give him a smile, wanting to desperately just hold him and never let him go. "It's gonna be okay." She mouths toward him. But she didn't even know if she believed that herself. Ash nodded his head before focusing back in front. Arya lets out a shaky breath as she feels her palms become sweaty.

"As always, ladies first." The woman says, moving over to the glass bowl. Picking out a piece of paper, she gives a smile as she makes her way back over to the microphone.

Arya had to close her eyes, muttering a prayer to herself as she rubbed her hands against her legs. She didn't want to be picked, she wanted to stay and take care of her family. But another part of her also knew that winning could give them a better chance. Even though, even if she won, her brothers could still get reaped in future years.

"The female tribute for district five..." Arya could feel her heart beating at a thousand beats per second. "Elena Sanchez." When the name was called, Arya felt a rush of relief flood her body. She almost dropped to the ground but kept herself up right.

Another year safe. Well, that's what they always thought anyways. She still had three years left and with every one, came a greater chance of her name being called. Arya opens her eyes, searching the crowd for a moment.

"Where are you dear?" The announcer asks as she looks around. The crowd parted slightly and Arya saw a girl, who looked to be around sixteen, hesitantly start to move forward. "Don't be afraid." She says, ushering the girl on stage. Arya had to scoff at her comment.

You can't tell her to not be afraid when you'll go back to your nice house within the Capitol with not a care in the world after this. Arya just wanted to punch the smug expression off of the announcers face. Maybe that would teach some people in the Capitol to actually have morals.

"And now the men." The woman says as she picks a name from the other bowl. Once again, Arya's nerves grew as she tried to remain optimistic that neither of her brothers names would be picked. "The male tribute for district five..." That was the moment that all time stopped for Arya.

Waiting to hear that name, it was the longest seconds of her entire life. It could either be the best thing that she could hear, or the worst. And this was just the first one. This was the first year out of many for Ash. Even if he didn't get picked this year, there were still six more. That's what terrified her the most.

Arya hated every single second that passed and quite frankly, she hated every single person who was watching this right now and loving the anticipation. They would never last one moment in their shoes. Arya wished the roles could be reversed even for a day. Maybe that would show the Capitol just how disgusting and evil they were.

But as the time went on and the name was finally said, Arya felt her whole world come crashing down into a million pieces. "Ash Ryker." The woman says into the microphone. Ash's eyes grew wide as he immediately looked up at Matthew who could barely even breath let alone meet the young boys gaze.

Ash Ryker. They had said his name. Out of every boy that was present in that courtyard, they said his. No matter how much you might think, might pray that your name won't be said, it didn't matter. Because you could have your name put in only once and be chosen. It felt like all eyes were on him in that moment. All except for one.

Arya was staring blankly in front of her. Her ears were ringing, her mind fuzzy as she couldn't even move an inch. She didn't even know how to feel. Her heart had plummeted into her stomach as she heard her brothers name. And after that, she couldn't even so much as blink. She just stared as tears ran down her cheeks.

"Oh, he's a little scared." The voice was very distant, very echoey in Arya's mind. She could barely hear anything and she felt like she was going to drop to the ground. "It's okay, dear. Come on up." The announcer tried to usher Ash up to the stage like how she did with elena, but the boy wasn't moving.

Elena Sanchez stood on the stage, a frown on her face as she watched this young boy practically shake within his skin. He was terrified and they were treating him like some dog or circus animal. They didn't even give them a few moments to truly grasp what was about to happen. She saw the guards moving behind the boy, seemingly ready to drag him up toward the stage.

Arya glanced toward Jacob, waiting to hear him say something. But no words left his mouth. Instead he just stood there. She was confused, wondering why he hadn't made any sort of effort to interrupt or stop what was happening. He had heard the same thing that she did, only his eyes were solely on the ground beneath his feet.

"No, let me go!" Ash screams as soon as a hand grabs his arm. He didn't want to go, he didn't want to be forced to enter that arena. Ash tried to fight against the strong grips, thrashing his body around. "Let me go!"  He shouts, hitting the guards as they dragged him up toward the stage.

"Arya!" That's what finally broke Arya out of the trance that she was in. Her eyes move around the area, her mind racing as she tried to find her brother. "Arya!" He screams just as he came into her view. Arya could finally feel herself breath again, her heart pumping as she starts to move.

She pushes her way through the crowd, trying to reach her brother. Ash seemed to see her because he had started to thrash more against the guards. Just as she broke through into the open space, he got free and rushed over toward her. The guards tried to stop him but he ran into Aryas open arms.

The two embraced tightly and Arya could hear his cries almost instantly. It broke her heart to hear her brother in such pain, such fear, knowing the outcome of what was to come. "It's okay. It's okay." She whispers, feeling his tears drop onto her shirt.

"I don't wanna go." Ash denies as he shakes his head. Arya sniffles as she rubs his back, hating that she had to say goodbye to him like this.

"I know." She responds, her voice gentle. Arya didn't want to let him go, she wanted to fight for him, just run out of there and never come back. But she'd most likely be shot instantly along with her brother. "I wish there was something I could do for you." Arya says into his ear as she stares in front of her.

"Please don't let them take me." He pleads as he holds onto her tightly. Arya closes her eyes for a second. She wished she could stop them, that she could do something to change this. But there was not a single thing that she could think of in that moment.

She pulls back from him, her hands going to his face, her gaze soft. "I can't." Arya admits, not wanting to lie to him. She could lie and say that everything was going to be okay, that he didn't have to do this. But that wouldn't help him. He had to face this now because there was no getting out of it alive unless he won.

"You be brave though." Arya demands as she strokes the tears away from his eyes. Ash sniffles, trying to bring himself together but he was basically crumbling underneath her. "You put up one hell of a fight. You're young so your mentor may be able to get your tons of sponsers." She tries to think of a positive thing. But even then, she wasn't really sure of it.

Arya leans forward, placing a kiss on his forehead as she holds him close. She didn't want to let him go. She didn't want to watch him leave to the capitol or watch him in that arena. But she had to.
"I love you so much." Arya whispers to him, closing her eyes as a tear escapes. Ash's grip on her was tight as he nods his head.

"I love you too." Ash replies as they hold onto one another. The rest of the people could only watch. Watch as these two siblings practically said goodbye to one another. Because that's how it worked. No one intervened, no one argued, no one fought back. Because there was never any victory for them that way. All it gave them was more misery.

"All right, that's enough." One of the guards says as he pulls Ash away from Arya. Arya felt cold, empty as her brother was ripped away from her. She tried to keep herself from bursting into tears in that moment.

"I love you." She says once again as she watches Ash walk up to the stage. Arya moved her eyes back over to Jacob who hasn't moved his gaze from the ground. She couldn't help the hatred that formed within her. He couldn't even look at their brother. He didn't even try and intervene.

Arya got that no one wanted to go into the arena, no one wanted to fight to the death. And she would never force someone to volunteer for something like that. But he had promised her. He had been the one to bring it up. And then he had gone back on his world.

And the worst thing about it all, is that he never once looked at Ash as his named was called. He had only kept his head down in shame.

°•°

IT HAD BEEN A FEW DAYS SINCE ASH HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THE CAPITOL. Arya had barely moved from her room since. She didn't want to think about her brother in that training room, the other tributes looking at him like he's a piece of meat. Arya didnt doubt that Elena would keep him close to her but sometimes that wasn't even much. Especially since there was still only one winner.

Matthew sat next to her on the bed. He hadn't really said much to her since the reaping. Mainly because he didn't know what to say. Ash being chosen was the worst case scenario come true. And he couldnt stop thinking about how Ash had looked up at him the second it happened. He had silently pleaded with him and Matthew could do nothing to help him.

"It's gonna be okay." Matthew says, resting his hand on her knee. Arya scoffs, tilting her head back for a moment. She didn't want to be snappy with him or make him feel like she didn't appreciate him being there for her. It was just difficult to have hope right now.

"Don't say that." She denies, shaking her head. Arya felt her voice shake as she spoke. "Please, don't say that." She pleads, not needing his pity or his false hope. Matthew frowns as he gazes at the woman.

"Arya.."

"You know he has no chance, right?" Arya asks as she meets the man's gaze. Matthew stays silent but she could tell that he was thinking the same thing as her. "How can these people see a little kid going into the arena and think it's okay?" She questions, referring to the fact that the Capitol people see the tributes and seemingly approve of what has been happening.

"I don't know." Matthew denies, not really being able to give her an answer. "Maybe his interview will help him get sponsors." He suggests, more so saying that to himself. Hopefully sponsors will feel bad and send him what he needed.

But Arya didn't want to rely on the stupid sponsors to save her brothers life.
"

This isn't right." She mutters, looking down at her hands.

"I'm sorry." Arya hears a voice come from the door. As she looked toward it, she saw Jacob with tears in his eyes. But her expression turned hard as soon as her eyes landed on the boy. "I-i panicked." Jacob admits, stuttering slightly over his words.

"So, did he." Arya snaps back, her jaw clenched. Ash was panicking as well, but it didn't seem like Jacob even glanced in his direction once. "Did you not hear him screaming?"  She asks him, wondering how he could just ignore him like that.

"I swear I was going to volunteer." Jacob assures her. He had just froze the moment Ash's name had been called. He wasn't able to utter the words out. All he could think about was that arena and the fact that he could possibly die.

"Why didn't you?!" Arya hadn't meant to yell at him, especially watching him flinch. But her emotions had gotten the better of her. She couldn't contain them anymore. "You just stood there! You watched him be taken!" She points out. Matthew tried to calm her down but it didn't work, she was too furious about the whole thing.

Jacob knew he messed up. He already felt guilty for allowing Ash to become the tribute for their district. But there was nothing he could really do to change that now. "I'm sorry." He says once again but Arya ignores it. Instead, she got up from the bed and pushed her way past him to get out of her room.

Truthfully, she was just taking out her rage on the wrong person. She was mad at Jacob, but he wasn't at fault for these games. He wasn't the creator, he wasn't the reason that they might lose their brother. It was whoever came up with the idea in the first place. And it was the Capitol citizens faults for watching it for 66 years and being okay with the deaths of children.

She couldn't even begin to fathom how someone could possibly come up with the idea of the hunger games. Who in their right mind would ever say to put kids in a death arena and think it was a good idea? They must have been wanting to get back at the districts for rebelling. But honestly, it would be more humane to just execute the lot of them.

As she walks through the courtyard, she hears voices coming from the screen. Arya knew they were doing the interviews right now with Caesar Flickerman. She just felt her feet come to a stop when the man said the next sentence. "Now, Ash, do you have any sort of skills that can help you in the arena?" Caesar asks.

Turning her head to the screen, she saw Caesar sitting in one of the chairs. But as she looked beside him, she noticed her brother. A small gasp leaves her lips as she had just stared for a moment. Arya saw how he looked more polished up. But of course he did, it was the stylists job to help make an impression, even for a twelve year old.

"I can uh... I can run fast." Ash answers him making the crowd laugh. Arya heard how nervous he was, he was fidgeting in the seat and kept glancing at the crowd. But who wouldn't when they laughed at every little thing that you said?

"Running, how intriguing." Caesar teases as a laugh leaves his lips. "Is that your strategy in the game?" He questions the boy. Ash remained silent for a few seconds.

"I just don't want to be killed." Ash admits. Arya hated hearing him say that, especially since he probably knew of the chance he had in the games. He was terrified, and these people were acting like he was saying the most interesting thing in the world.

"I think that's what all the tributes want." Caesar points out with a laugh, causing the crowd to go along as well. Ash didn't even know what he said that was so funny to them. "I'm sure your mentor has been helping you." He suggests and Ash nods his head.

Arya knew the mentor that he had might see him as a burden. He was so young so there wasn't much use of wasting resources on him. But she hoped that wasn't the mentality that the victor had. She wanted Ash to get sponsors, to actually have a chance in the games. But that really just came down to the capitol people.

"I can climb." Ash adds, looking toward Caesar. The man leans forward toward Ash, lowering his voice a little bit.

"Well, you get away from the others, you may have a chance at winning, don't you think?" Caesar points out, obviously just trying to give the boy something to think about. And obviously he wanted to keep the air optimistic and hopeful.

"I don't know." Ash didn't know what his chances were. There were a few older kids in his group, especially the careers. He knew they were the ones to watch out for.

"I'm sure you have family watching back home." Caesar says, Ash just nods his head slowly. "Who's watching?" He asks.

"My sister... Arya." Ash says, his eyes moving to the camera for a second. Arya wished he could see how she was rooting for him, how she was there for him even though they were miles apart.

"Your sister and how old is she?" Caesar asks curiously.

"Fifteen." Ash answers, fiddling with his fingers. Arya bites the inside of her cheek as she knew how nervous the boy was. To be sat in front of those people, hoping to make a good impression so that they'd help you survive... it wasn't okay.

"Anyone else?" Caesar asks him, moving the microphone back over to the boy. Ash was reluctant as he glances around the room.

"My brother Jacob. He's fourteen."

"A brother, huh?" He asks, raising an eyebrow at Ash. "He didn't even think to volunteer?" Caesar asks, seemingly trying to stir something up. Ash could only shrug his shoulders.

"I guess not." Ash mumbles underneath his breath. Arya felt her heart crack in that moment. Ash seemed so disappointed, he probably thought that Jacob didn't even think about it. Which in his mind, was the only logical answer.

"Well, it's been a pleasure speaking to you, young man." Caesar says with a smile on his face as he stands up, ushering Ash to stand as well. "Ash Ryker, district five!" He announces, the crowd cheering almost instantaneously. Ash put a smile on his face as he waved at the crowd.

Arya turned away from the screen, closing her eyes. She knew since they were at the interviews, there was only a matter of time before they were in the arena. And she was dreading when that time came. Because she didn't know how he was doing in his training, in anything. She was completely in the dark.

And the only way she'd find out, was when that clock counted down to zero.

°•°

WESLEY WATCHED AS BOTH ASH AND ELENA WALKED OVER TO HIM AFTER THEIR INTERVIEWS. He knew they had both been beyond nervous to go on that stage, but he thought they did the best they could. It was okay to be scared, everyone was. Well, everyone that hadn't trained for thus moment all of their lives. He remembered when he was on that stage just last year, it had been terrifying at points.

He gave them a smile as he met them halfway. "You both did great out there." Wesley tells them, trying to reassure them. Elena wanted to make conversation, small talk, but her mind just kept going back to how little time they had left. Wesley tried to help them the best that he could, but he couldn't do that when they were in the arena.

"How long until we go into the arena?" Elena asks, making Wesley's smile fall a bit. He lets out a sigh as he glances around the hallway, luckily they were the only ones around. Wesley could see how Ash was just staring down at the floor.

"Not long." He admits, wishing he could have more time with them but they didnt get long. They had a few days od training, the interview, and then the arena. "A day or two." Wesley says and he saw how Elena tensed at the news. Who wouldn't. You were going in as one if twenty four, and twenty three of you weren't making it out.

His eyes flickered between them as he moved closer to them. "Remember, don't go for the middle, just run for the trees." Wesley says, keeping his voice a bit low in case someone was listening to their conversation. Elena nods her head, already having the advice he gave them clear in her head.

She moves her gaze to Ash who hadn't said anything yet. Elena reaches her hand over to his shoulder, giving him a soft smile. "It's gonna be okay, Ash." Elena assures him. Ash could only move his eyes to where the crowd was still on the screen.

He shakes his head as he couldn't help but feel disgusted. "How can they just watch this year after year?" Ash asks, wondering who in their right mind would allow this. He was twelve and even he understood that this was wrong.

Wesley sighs as he clenches his jaw a bit. That's one thing he hates about having to move around the Capitol now. The things he hears some of the people say, makes him just want to hit them all. Or just snap at them. But as a victor, he had an image to uphold, a image that Snow wouldn't allow him to disgrace. If he did, his sister would be the one in trouble and she was even younger than Ash.

"They think of it as entertainment, like we're just show puppets for their amusement." Wesley answers him. It was true, it was like a live circus for them. They didn't care whether they lived or died, well, unless you were the tribute they chose the win.

"It's disgusting." Elena mumbles, shaking her head.

"Even as a victor, I still feel like I'm just a showboat for them." Wesley mutters, crossing his arms against his chest. He truly believed them when they said life would be better if you won. And sure, it was in certain aspects. But there were things they didn't tell you until you won, things they made you do. Things Snow forced you to do.

"Is it better? Life as a victor?" Elena asks, her eyes gazing up at him. Wesley wanted to lie, to just tell them that it was everything they thought it was. But, he didn't want to give them that false sense of security, especially if one of them did win.

"I wish it was." He admits with a small sigh. He felt like being a victor was all a facade. You could never be your true self, and you could never say no to what Snow wanted, unless of course, he had already killed your whole family. He didn't even know if being a victor was better than being dead.

Wesley saw the way both of their eyes filled with fear. "Hey, look at me." He says as he bends down in front of them. "I will do my very best to help you in that arena, you have my word." Wesley assures them. He would never leave them to fend for themselves, especially with the special treatment that the careers get.

"What happens if someone comes for me?" Ash asks him, his main worry being that someone will see him and immediately attack him.

"You run like hell." Wesley says, taking his word for it that he was a fast runner. "You run and you don't stop." Even when your legs feel like giving up or you feel like you can't catch your breath, you had to keep going because one mistep, one break and you were dead.

"I won't let anything happen to you." Elena says as she grabs Ash's hand. She knew they couldn't both come out of it alive, but she would decide what to do if it came down to the point of it just being the two of them.

"Both of you should get some rest." Wesley says, knowing they had to conserve their energy. The two kids nod their heads and start to make their way back to their room. Wesley watches after them, feeling his heartstrings pull a bit. He wished the best for them in that arena.

But prayers didn't necessarily work. If they did, these games would never have lasted as long as they have.

°•°

JACOB WALKED OVER TO WHERE HIS SISTER WAS STANDING NEXT TO MATTHEW. They were both staring at the screen as the tributes came up on their pedestals. "Have they started yet?" He asks curiously as he stops beside them. Arya hadn't even glanced toward him, just keeping her eyes in front of her. Matthew sighs as he looks down at the teenager.

"Soon." Matthew responds as he moved his eyes back to Arya. The woman hadn't really said anything, more because she felt like she was going to throw up if she did. She saw Ash standing on that pedestal and it made her heart clench. She didn't want to witness this. Not when she didn't know how it would end.

"Maybe he'll be okay." Jacob suggests, wanting to keep a positive thought in his head. But as Arya scoffs from beside him, he glances toward her with a confused expression on his face.

"Right." She mumbles, shaking her head. Arya didnt want to hear him right now. Maybe not for quite some time. Not when their brother was about to see a brutal bloodbath right in front of his eyes.

"Aren't you the one who said to keep hope?" Jacob asks her, furrowing his eyebrows. This wouldn't work out if Arya was already thinking he was dead. Jacob understood that he was young, but maybe he still had a shot.

"And Aren't you the one who promised you'd volunteer?"  Arya retorts, moving her eyes to his. Her gaze held daggers that pierced his skull. Jacob moved his gaze, remaining quiet as he knew she was going to be angry at him for a while because of it.

And he didn't exactly blame her. Jacob had promised that he would take Ash's spot and he didn't. He had lied to her when all she's ever did was take care of him. Jacob would switch places with Ash if he could, he never wanted to see his little brother in the hunger games.

"Ten. Nine. Eight." The clock started to tick down. The crowd remained quiet, just watching the scene in front of them. Arya didn't even want to watch but she had to. She had to see what would happen to Ash.

"I'm gonna be sick." Jacob mumbles as he shakes his head. Seeing his little brother standing there as the clock kept moving down, he honestly wished he would just step off right now. At least it would save him from being brutally killed by one of the tributes.

Arya wasn't sure she was even breathing as she watched the clock. She was just anxious waiting for it to hit zero. Because when that happened, all hell broke loose. She could feel Matthew's hand in hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze. But even he was nervous for what was about to happen. Neither of them wanted to see Ash hurt.

"Three... two..." She closes her eyes for a split second. It was like she was in the arena with the adrenaline that she was feeling. Arya wished she could pray, hope that everything would be okay. But as that timer got ever so close to the cannon going off, all she could think of was the negative.

"Please, run." She whispers to herself, opening her eyes and seeing the timer finally hit zero. As the cannon went off, the tributes ran for the middle in order to get weapons.

They could see a few turn for the woods, especially seeing the bloodbath that was already commencing. Arya grimaced as she watched tributes fall to the ground. But as her eyes searched for her brother, she couldn't see where he had run off to. All they were focusing on at the moment was mainly the careers as they brutally stabbed the younger tributes.

But when the camera panned back over to Ash, he hadn't moved. He was still stood on his pedestal, paralyzed in fear.
"

Why isn't he moving?" Matthew asks, his terrified emotion growing every second that Ash didn't run away. The boy seemed to be just watching the bloodied scene that was happening in front of him.

"I-i don't know." Arya admits as she takes a step forward. She knew Ash must be terrified but he needed to get out of there. He couldn't just stand there because that would only make him a target. "Run." She whispers, watching her brother. "Please." She pleads as she clasps her hands together.

Arya saw Elena moving over to where Ash was standing. She was saying something to him, but it was so quiet that it hadn't been picked up. Elena was most likely trying to be discreet as to not draw attention. She tried grabbing him but the boy only shook his head. Arya could see her brother begin crying and she wished she was there for him in that moment.

But he still hadn't moved. That was until one of the careers had noticed him. Arya felt her heart stop as they made eye contact with each other. Elena noticed this as well, her eyes going wide. She tried to drag Ash with her but when he didn't move, she abandoned him, heading to the woods. The career seemed to smirk as he started to make his way over to Ash. Ash stumbled back a little bit, his breath getting heavier. But he still wasn't running which he needed to do, especially now.

Jacob couldn't watch anymore, having turned and started walking through the crowd. Arya hadn't even noticed her brother had left, her eyes glued on Ash as he kept stumbling his feet backwards as the tribute got closer to him. But since he was focused on who was in front of him, he didn't notice the one behind him.

Arms wrapped around Ash, holding him still causing him to panick. He starts screaming, trying to get out of the grasp.
"

Arya!" She heard the agonizing scream of her name leave his lips. Ash was thinking of her, maybe believing that she would come and save him.

At the end of the day, he was just a kid. Just barely a teenager as he stood in that arena. It wasn't like he had a few years of waiting for his name to be called and preparing for it. He didn't have the strength that the older boys had. He didn't have the advantages. Of course it was going to make his mind go blank. Of course he was going to break down and call out for his family.

The career held the sword in his hand, tightening his grip as he stopped in front of Ash. "Please, don't!" He pleads as he still struggles in the tributes arms. They had brought him to the ground, holding him. "No, no! Someone help me!" Arya could barely stand to watch it anymore.

She knew what was going to happen. She knew what she was about to lose. No matter how much he begged and pleaded, no one was going to save him. Everyone was already scared to face the careers, she didn't blame Elena for running off. Arya wished she would've dragged him with her but that would waste her own energy and they wouldn't make it far.

But what turned her emotion from complete devastation to rage, was the laugh that left the tributes mouth. The man had laughed at her little brother. The eighteen year old tribute who had volunteered, was making fun of the little boy who hadn't even gone through puberty yet.

"Someone help me!" The tribute mocks, laughing loudly as he raises his eyebrows. "Honestly, it's so pathetic." He mutters with a scoff, shaking his head. Arya wanted so desperately to be in that arena right now, because if he had done that when she was around, he would instantly be without his head.

"Arya, Jacob!" Matthew was covering his face at this point. He couldnt watch that little boy be killed. It was bad enough hearing it, let alone witnessing it. "Please don't do this!" Aryas eyes were still on her brother, even when the sword had been brought down the first time.

It was just continuous, her brothers screams, the sound of the sword piercing through him. The blood that covered the tribute as he killed the little boy in front of him. Arya could only watch as her brothers screams got smaller until he was silent. And his lifeless body dropped to the ground as the tribute who was holding him had finally let him go.

His eyes were open as his body laid on the ground. The cannon sounded, marking another death among the tributes. But this one was different. This one marked the death of the one person she wanted to save in this world. It marked the death of someone who never even deserved to be inside of that arena.

A strangled cry leaves her lips as she all but drops to her knees. Matthew catches her before she hits the ground, holding her against him. The people around her just staring as they watched her completely break. She couldn't believe that her little brother, the person who she was supposed to protect in this world, the person who was a sweet angel, was now gone. Ripped from this world too early.

Arya didn't know what to do with herself now. Not when this would only keep happening. Ash was just another family member to have been lost. And Jacob still had a few more years to be reaped as well. Arya wanted these games to stop but she knew that would never happen, not as long as Snow was alive.

She stumbled backwards a few times, she could see Matthew try and grab her but she turned and started to push her way through the crowd. Arya was practically throwing people to the ground to get out. As she made her way to the path, she started sprinting away from the screen.

Arya could barely even see, her tears blocking her vision as she made her way away from all of the people. No one but Matthew even tried to console her as she cried for her brother. That's why she needed to get away from everything. Get everyone from everyone. She didn't even care where she was running to. She didn't stop until she got to a point where her legs almost gave out on her.

Arya dropped to the ground, almost out of breath as she brought her hands to her chest. She felt like a part of her had died as well. Her eyes couldn't unsee her brothers life less body, the man hacking into him like he wasn't even a human being. Nothing had mattered in that moment, nothing in her life seemed like it was ever gonna be okay again.

An agonizing scream leaves her as she bangs against the tree next to her. She hated this world. She hated the Capitol. She hated Snow. She even hated her own district for not even reacting to his death. All they did was watch her completely break down in front of them when he was being killed. None of them seemed to care.

Because he wasn't their family. Some districts united together, grieved together, helped others get through the loss of their loved ones. But not hers. If they didn't know them, if they weren't their own flesh and blood, they were just relieved and happy that someone else was dying. As long as it wasn't someone who they cared about.

But it mattered to her. It mattered to the broken pieces of her family that seemingly kept getting smaller and smaller. Every time she blinked, her family was gone. Arya barely had anyone left. How much could Snow take from her? How much suffering could she handle? Did he find it amusing, watching her grieve for her family? Would he just keep taking more and more until she had nothing left?

Arya didn't want to be on this god-forsaken earth anymore. Not with what it's turned into. Her little brother was dead. And she was wishing it had been her instead.

°•°

Guest starring

Ethan Cutkosky as Jacob Ryker

Finn Wolfhard as Ash Ryker

Xochitl Gomez as Elena Sanchez