Where they strung up a man they say murdered three
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.
"Are you, Are you
Coming to the tree
Where the dead man called out for his love to flee
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.
"Are you, Are you
Coming to the tree
Where I told you to run, so we'd both be free
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.
"Are you, Are you
Coming to the tree
Wear a necklace of rope, side by side with me.
Strange things did happen here,
No stranger would it be,
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree."
Aura set her guitar down by her chair. She was done singing, having just concluded the last verse of her song. It was one of her favorites, and one that her two brothers asked for most nights before bed, and she would gladly give it to them. She wondered why they wanted so badly to hear about something so dark, but she figured Corvin and Barker were still too young to listen for anything more than melody. She wished she could be so naive.
She had a simple story. She was born into a life of luxury, at least in comparison to the rest of the families in their district, and all her life, she had expectations of greatness pushed on her, by both her mother and father, until birthing her youngest brother proved too much for mom. She was scorned by her peers for being snotty and a brat, but in truth, she was neither of those things. She didn't force herself into the idea of being innocent and sweet either. The only thing she could say with precise certainty about herself was that she was Aura Cantarella.
"Are you coming to the tree? Where they strung up a man.. They said he murdered three..." Started Barker, the five-year-old. That wasn't exactly how the song went. But with something about the way the boy's golden-blonde hair bounced up and down when he said it, Aura couldn't help but forgive him.
"That's not how the song goes." Corvin told him. He had the same shade of hair, and was only three years older. "She just sang it. Don't you remember?"
"Corvin, lay off him." She said. "Want to see something else cool, guys?"
"Yeah." They chimed in unison.
Aura reached into her backpack and pulled out a loaf of bread. The boys' faces became bright when they saw it wasn't just any loaf of bread, but banana bread. It was their favorite, just like anyone else with the last name Cantarella. "Where did you get this, sis?" Corvin asked, struggling to hold his excitement.
"Bought it in the Hob earlier today." Aura smiled. It was a lie, but she wasn't going to reveal the truth to the two of them. They didn't need to know.
"Can we eat it now?" Barker asked with excitement in his voice.
Aura laughed. "Banana bread? At 10 o'clock at night? No, you can have it in the morning. Speaking of which, I think this is late enough for the two of you." She smiled as she stood up from her chair and began to escort them to their rooms through the hallway on the opposite side of the table from her.
"Can you sing us one more song?" Barker asked, pushing in his chair. "Sometimes I get nightmares."
Aura looked around her, at the house they had been given. It was structurally sound, unlike many other houses in District 7. It was granted to their father after he won the games all those years ago. She had been born and raised within these walls, and never once did she take them for granted.
She bent down to her baby brother. "Now, listen, buddy. There's a reason I only sing you one a night. What do you think causes the nightmares?"
"The monsters in my room..." He replied shakily.
She shook her head. She pounded her hand against the wall, showing how sturdy it was. "There aren't any monsters in your room. All the monsters are out there, behind the walls."
As she said this, the front door opened, and her father strode into the home, looking just as drunk as he did every other night. He clumsily pulled one of the chairs away from the table and plunged into it, almost shattering his bottle of champagne on the way down.
"In there you're safe." Aura continued, trying to ignore her dad for a moment. "Now, go in. Turn the lights out. Go to sleep. You'll be fine."
Barker turned around and obeyed, but Corvin lagged behind for a moment. "But what about-"
"I'll deal with this. Just go to bed." Aura told him. He sighed and turned around, closing the door to the boys' room behind him.
"Deal with this?" Rowan quoted, as the bedroom door shut behind her. "God, Aura, I'm your father, not some solicitor trash..."
"What are you doing?" Aura frowned at him, standing up behind the table where he sat. He didn't answer. "Dad, what are you doing here?"
"This is my home, girl." He sneered. "I got every right to sit down in this chair. In fact, I got more right than you. I actually won this house for us. I'm the reason we aren't out on the street right this very moment, fending for ourselves."
"Don't pull that 'I'm a victor' shit. I don't want to hear it." She steamed. "You stay out and do one-night stands on most nights, and on the others, you limp home piss drunk and sell me this same story about how you do all of it for the family. I want you to walk straight into your sons' room and tell them exactly what you told me."
He looked up from his champagne bottle, enraged. "I am your father, Aura, and I deserve your respect. And both of us know I can hold my damn liquor."
She stormed into a seat across from her father. "Oh, you deserve something, but it definitely isn't respect."
"What's gotten into you today, girl? Why are you on my ass?" He asked roughly, running a hand over his patchy gray beard.
A tear fell from Aura's eye. She didn't mean for it to, but it did anyway. "Carla's mom was taken today."
His eyes became even wider than they already were. "Carla? Damn... What happened?"
"They made her an avox, dad..." She cried, turning away from him. They had taken her tongue so she couldn't speak. Something like that made it hard not to cry.
"Well, I guess it's good I didn't take you out for training today." He said, just before burping loudly. "You're welcome."
"Why do you have to be like this?" She asked in distress, strands of blonde hair hanging down in your face. "Why do you take me out training day after day? Is it fun to watching me throw knives at stumps until my arms feel like they're going to fall off? Is it fun to make me kill and cook rabbits all day?"
He looked offended. "I do this for us, Aura... And to uphold our legacy. I won the games. Your Uncle Crispin won the games. If your last name is Cantarella, winning the games is your destiny. Winning is in your blood."
"Just like it was in Ava's blood, dad?"
His voice was shot dead with shock. After regaining his thoughts, he replied. "Ava was a mistake. I didn't train her hard enough. I plan to fix that with you."
"Dad! Ava didn't just die in the games, she killed herself! Her 'winning blood' is still coating that boulder in the mountain arena. How can you tell me she was a mistake? The mistake was training her at all... Filling her mind with hopes of fulfilling a destiny that wasn't hers."
Rowan sighed in anger. "Dammit. Just shut up and listen to what I have to say." Aura crossed her arms and sat back in her seat. She was reluctant, but willing to hear what he had to say. "I know I told you you would volunteer on your 18th year, but I was just thinking today, what does that really accomplish? Volunteer this year. You're 17. They might judge you better if you're younger."
"You're not serious..." Aura gasped. "You're going to make me volunteer next week? You told me I had until I was 18!"
"Well, I changed my mind." He shook his head. "I was 15 when I won my games. You have an entire two year advantage on me. And look at Crispin! He was the only 12 year old ever to win."
Aura rested her head in her hands on the table in front of her. She couldn't believe this. It had always been Rowan's plan to have his kids volunteer, but this was taking it too far. "Dad, Crispin is crazy. You can't be in the same room with him for more than a couple minutes without him starting to talk about knives and killing. Remember what happened to Corvin the last time you had him over?"
"Crispin is not the issue. You are." He said. "You're going to volunteer next week."
"I'm not."
"You are. The moment they call someone else's name, you're going to shout at the top of your lungs and claim the place as your own. This is your destiny."
"No. It's not."
"Honey, why are you fighting so hard against bringing this family great honor?" He looked down at the table in frustration, and his eyes fell on the loaf of banana bread she had placed there. "Aura, where did you get that?"
"I... applied for rations earlier today..." She admitted. She wanted to think of a lie to tell him, but then again, the thought of how furious he would be was enough incentive to tell the truth. He looked confused, but then he knew exactly what happened. She had put in her name more times for the reaping for extra food. But with the man pushing her to volunteer so much the past few years, she couldn't help but want to be chosen by the Reaping, just to smite him.
"You...what...?" He spoke quietly through his teeth.
"I went and applied for rations at the Peacekeeper's office this morning." She restated.
Their eye contact didn't waiver as the man spoke. "I see. And how many extra times did you put your name into the reaping?"
"One hundred and thirty." She lied. She had actually put her name in only 30 times, but she was so angry with her father that she couldn't resist making him angrier.
"Aura, you do understand that if you are chosen by the Reaping, all of this effort will become worthless, right? People can't name you a hero if you didn't ask to be one..."
"I understand." She stated plainly.
"You put your name into the reaping 130 times... For a loaf of FUCKING BREAD?" He stood up and threw his glass of champagne to the wall, staining the lilac wallpaper. "That's gotta be a tenth of the entire bowl! What gives you the RIGHT to-"
"What gives you the right to gamble with my life?" Aura shot back quietly, remaining in her seat. Her interruption caused Rowan to slump back into his seat.
She saw her father's eyes glance past her and she followed them to see Barker standing just outside his door, looking very afraid. "Dad...?" He whimpered.
"Go back to bed, Barker." Aura and Rowan declared at the same time.
Once the boy had closed the door behind him, her father lowered her voice. "Fine, hon, you win. You don't have to volunteer. But two victors in the family is not going to cut it. No, we need three." He sighed, glancing back to the boys' room. "I guess I'll just have to train one of them."
"Don't you dare." Aura said back. "Those boys are too sweet to be ruined by a world like this. You're not going to take that away from them."
"No, you are." He said, standing up. He began to walk toward the door behind him. As he placed his hand on the doorknob, Aura stood up from the table as well.
I think the people chosen (Not the volunteers) should have a reason to be. Rapers, Pyromaniacs, Killers, Thiefs don´t stop existing just bec… moreause. They aren´t going to chose someone at random. Imagine having a pyro who killed 10000000000000000000000000 people (exagerration i know), they know who he/she is and they chose a random person who did nothing bad instead with no reason. I would be like WTF if was there XD.
What the hell? What kind of messed up parent would want his children to be sent into a death arena? Especially when he's witnessed the Games himself. He's obviously not right in the head ;-;
Anyways, I voted for the volunteer option because it seems like he's not calming down and will most likely target the others to volunteer
PART 1: THE PAWNS
Chapter 1: The Family Legacy
Aura Cantarella
"Are you, Are you
Coming to the tree
Where they strung up a ma… moren they say murdered three
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.
"Are you, Are you
Coming to the tree
Where the dead man called out for his love to flee
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.
"Are you, Are you
Coming to the tree
Where I told you to run, so we'd both be free
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.
"Are you, Are you
Coming to the tree
Wear a necklace of rope, side by side with me.
Strange things did happen here,
No stranger would it be,
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree."
Aura set her guitar down by her chair. She was done singing, h… [view original content]
PART 1: THE PAWNS
Chapter 1: The Family Legacy
Aura Cantarella
"Are you, Are you
Coming to the tree
Where they strung up a ma… moren they say murdered three
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.
"Are you, Are you
Coming to the tree
Where the dead man called out for his love to flee
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.
"Are you, Are you
Coming to the tree
Where I told you to run, so we'd both be free
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.
"Are you, Are you
Coming to the tree
Wear a necklace of rope, side by side with me.
Strange things did happen here,
No stranger would it be,
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree."
Aura set her guitar down by her chair. She was done singing, h… [view original content]
Wow, that guy is an asshole. Poor Aura. But she seems pretty cool. Awesome part
By the way, wouldn't it be a good idea to make us vote in the comments rather than to make it with strawpoll? That way you can be sure that no one votes more than once per decision.
PART 1: THE PAWNS
Chapter 1: The Family Legacy
Aura Cantarella
"Are you, Are you
Coming to the tree
Where they strung up a ma… moren they say murdered three
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.
"Are you, Are you
Coming to the tree
Where the dead man called out for his love to flee
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.
"Are you, Are you
Coming to the tree
Where I told you to run, so we'd both be free
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.
"Are you, Are you
Coming to the tree
Wear a necklace of rope, side by side with me.
Strange things did happen here,
No stranger would it be,
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree."
Aura set her guitar down by her chair. She was done singing, h… [view original content]
Wow, that guy is an asshole. Poor Aura. But she seems pretty cool. Awesome part
By the way, wouldn't it be a good idea to make us vote i… moren the comments rather than to make it with strawpoll? That way you can be sure that no one votes more than once per decision.
PART 1: THE PAWNS
Chapter 1: The Family Legacy
Aura Cantarella
"Are you, Are you
Coming to the tree
Where they strung up a ma… moren they say murdered three
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.
"Are you, Are you
Coming to the tree
Where the dead man called out for his love to flee
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.
"Are you, Are you
Coming to the tree
Where I told you to run, so we'd both be free
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.
"Are you, Are you
Coming to the tree
Wear a necklace of rope, side by side with me.
Strange things did happen here,
No stranger would it be,
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree."
Aura set her guitar down by her chair. She was done singing, h… [view original content]
Oh damn it Aura. I already like her and I hate this damn dickhead Rowan. Poor girl ;_; But Aura was great here, I loved how she handled her father. I'm very excited for her role in the games. Very well-written as always and I can't wait for more
As for the choice, I chose for her to volunteer, to protect her brothers and because she is going to be the tribute either way. Perhaps volunteering gives her more attention from potential sponsors.
PART 1: THE PAWNS
Chapter 1: The Family Legacy
Aura Cantarella
"Are you, Are you
Coming to the tree
Where they strung up a ma… moren they say murdered three
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.
"Are you, Are you
Coming to the tree
Where the dead man called out for his love to flee
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.
"Are you, Are you
Coming to the tree
Where I told you to run, so we'd both be free
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.
"Are you, Are you
Coming to the tree
Wear a necklace of rope, side by side with me.
Strange things did happen here,
No stranger would it be,
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree."
Aura set her guitar down by her chair. She was done singing, h… [view original content]
PART 1: THE PAWNS
Chapter 1: The Family Legacy
Aura Cantarella
"Are you, Are you
Coming to the tree
Where they strung up a ma… moren they say murdered three
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.
"Are you, Are you
Coming to the tree
Where the dead man called out for his love to flee
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.
"Are you, Are you
Coming to the tree
Where I told you to run, so we'd both be free
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.
"Are you, Are you
Coming to the tree
Wear a necklace of rope, side by side with me.
Strange things did happen here,
No stranger would it be,
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree."
Aura set her guitar down by her chair. She was done singing, h… [view original content]
PART 1: THE PAWNS
Chapter 1: The Family Legacy
Aura Cantarella
"Are you, Are you
Coming to the tree
Where they strung up a ma… moren they say murdered three
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.
"Are you, Are you
Coming to the tree
Where the dead man called out for his love to flee
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.
"Are you, Are you
Coming to the tree
Where I told you to run, so we'd both be free
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.
"Are you, Are you
Coming to the tree
Wear a necklace of rope, side by side with me.
Strange things did happen here,
No stranger would it be,
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree."
Aura set her guitar down by her chair. She was done singing, h… [view original content]
Don't know about others, but Colette was apparently changed to Tassel, my only character. TeamKennyW00T said you have several characters and so he could change one of them to my character. So do you have any characters left now?
dysentery
Out of all the possible ways to die in the games, dysentery. Just dysentery. So... What happened to my character, if you don't mind me asking.
well, hell yeah Holly! And well, yes. Dysentery sucks. We played a game of Oregon Trail in our history class a few years ago. I remember people kept dropping like flies because of dysentery.
"Wait, dad!" Aura called out just as the man opened the door into the night. He paused and turned around to see what she had to say. Aura closed her eyes and sucked in her gut. "I volunteer as tribute..."
Rowan smiled. "There you go! The words aren't that hard to say. Just pray to God you say them fast enough next week."
"Is that a threat?" Aura frowned.
He closed the door and turned around. He casually returned to the seat he had been sitting in a moment before. "I don't threaten my children, Aura."
"Right..." She pressed her fingers to her face. "You prematurely discipline them... Dad, you've been in the arena. Tell me what was so glorious about it that you want to get back so badly."
"The winnings, Aura." He replied easily. "The winnings are how this family survives. We're running low on rations from Crispin's win. The settlement is a lot, but it can't easily support a family of five."
"The winnings aren't worth it." Aura told him, lifting her head up. "If we have to, we should sell this house and live out on the street if it means not going in the arena."
"Well that's not going to happen." He stood up and walked over to the corner of the room, leaning on the wall before him. It was built sturdy, unlike most others, and would support his weight.
"You used to be a good man." Aura told him. "What the hell happened?"
"I'm not a bad man, honey..." He sighed. "You know why I do the things I do. I do them to support this family. With what happened to Ava... And your mother... It sometimes gets pretty hard to do just that, but know everything I do is in your interests."
"Is that why you're sending me off to die?" She shot back.
"Dammit, Aura!" He shouted, slamming his fist into the wall, making the whole house shake. "You're making this really hard. I'm not sending you to die, I'm sending you to win."
Aura stood up from the table, gaining a slight height advantage on her father. "You and I both know there's a realistic chance that happen."
"Not with that attitude." He said, shaking his finger. "No, we're going to train nonstop starting tomorrow. Get some rest, because we're up at the crack of dawn tomorrow." Aura walked around the table and brushed past her father's shoulder hard, not answering him. "Hey! I'm talking to you!" Aura put her hand on the doorknob of the front door and gave it a slight twist. Once it was open, she turned to give one last glance at her father before she left. "Where are you going?"
Tears began to leak from her eyes. "...I hate you..." She whispered. She got a small glimpse of his face just before she slammed the door on it. It wasn't one of anger or confusion, but one of genuine hurt. It might have been the first she'd ever seen on the man since Ava died. But she didn't care.
She strutted out into the evening, accompanied by a frosty chill and her thoughts. The victor's village was quiet at this time of night. Generally, the ones who lived here were able to sleep at night, having actual beds to lay on. The rest of District 7 didn't have that luxury.
The moon shined brightly over Aura's home. Sometimes, she would gaze upon it, and become envious. It was so far away from the world she called home. It didn't have to deal with the pressure that it meant to be human. It didn't have to deal with the Hunger Games.
80% of readers chose to [A. Agree to volunteer.]
"Wait, dad!" Aura called out just as the man opened the door into the night. He paused… more and turned around to see what she had to say. Aura closed her eyes and sucked in her gut. "I volunteer as tribute..."
Rowan smiled. "There you go! The words aren't that hard to say. Just pray to God you say them fast enough next week."
"Is that a threat?" Aura frowned.
He closed the door and turned around. He casually returned to the seat he had been sitting in a moment before. "I don't threaten my children, Aura."
"Right..." She pressed her fingers to her face. "You prematurely discipline them... Dad, you've been in the arena. Tell me what was so glorious about it that you want to get back so badly."
"The winnings, Aura." He replied easily. "The winnings are how this family survives. We're running low on rations from Crispin's win. The settlement is a lot, but it can't easily support a fa… [view original content]
80% of readers chose to [A. Agree to volunteer.]
"Wait, dad!" Aura called out just as the man opened the door into the night. He paused… more and turned around to see what she had to say. Aura closed her eyes and sucked in her gut. "I volunteer as tribute..."
Rowan smiled. "There you go! The words aren't that hard to say. Just pray to God you say them fast enough next week."
"Is that a threat?" Aura frowned.
He closed the door and turned around. He casually returned to the seat he had been sitting in a moment before. "I don't threaten my children, Aura."
"Right..." She pressed her fingers to her face. "You prematurely discipline them... Dad, you've been in the arena. Tell me what was so glorious about it that you want to get back so badly."
"The winnings, Aura." He replied easily. "The winnings are how this family survives. We're running low on rations from Crispin's win. The settlement is a lot, but it can't easily support a fa… [view original content]
80% of readers chose to [A. Agree to volunteer.]
"Wait, dad!" Aura called out just as the man opened the door into the night. He paused… more and turned around to see what she had to say. Aura closed her eyes and sucked in her gut. "I volunteer as tribute..."
Rowan smiled. "There you go! The words aren't that hard to say. Just pray to God you say them fast enough next week."
"Is that a threat?" Aura frowned.
He closed the door and turned around. He casually returned to the seat he had been sitting in a moment before. "I don't threaten my children, Aura."
"Right..." She pressed her fingers to her face. "You prematurely discipline them... Dad, you've been in the arena. Tell me what was so glorious about it that you want to get back so badly."
"The winnings, Aura." He replied easily. "The winnings are how this family survives. We're running low on rations from Crispin's win. The settlement is a lot, but it can't easily support a fa… [view original content]
Oh my poor Aura ;_; I knew she would give me the feels, but this is easily more than I have hoped for. She's great. And Rowan is still a dick, albeit it seems that he is a more complicated dick. That was an awesome part and an awesome chapter! Can't wait for more
80% of readers chose to [A. Agree to volunteer.]
"Wait, dad!" Aura called out just as the man opened the door into the night. He paused… more and turned around to see what she had to say. Aura closed her eyes and sucked in her gut. "I volunteer as tribute..."
Rowan smiled. "There you go! The words aren't that hard to say. Just pray to God you say them fast enough next week."
"Is that a threat?" Aura frowned.
He closed the door and turned around. He casually returned to the seat he had been sitting in a moment before. "I don't threaten my children, Aura."
"Right..." She pressed her fingers to her face. "You prematurely discipline them... Dad, you've been in the arena. Tell me what was so glorious about it that you want to get back so badly."
"The winnings, Aura." He replied easily. "The winnings are how this family survives. We're running low on rations from Crispin's win. The settlement is a lot, but it can't easily support a fa… [view original content]
80% of readers chose to [A. Agree to volunteer.]
"Wait, dad!" Aura called out just as the man opened the door into the night. He paused… more and turned around to see what she had to say. Aura closed her eyes and sucked in her gut. "I volunteer as tribute..."
Rowan smiled. "There you go! The words aren't that hard to say. Just pray to God you say them fast enough next week."
"Is that a threat?" Aura frowned.
He closed the door and turned around. He casually returned to the seat he had been sitting in a moment before. "I don't threaten my children, Aura."
"Right..." She pressed her fingers to her face. "You prematurely discipline them... Dad, you've been in the arena. Tell me what was so glorious about it that you want to get back so badly."
"The winnings, Aura." He replied easily. "The winnings are how this family survives. We're running low on rations from Crispin's win. The settlement is a lot, but it can't easily support a fa… [view original content]
Comments
I approve of this statement.
Ohh okay, I get you haha. Sorry for coming off as pushy i'm just really excited ^-^
Ah it's fine. I'm not gonna lie, I probably could be going faster. I'm actually writing chapter 1 right now though.
PART 1: THE PAWNS
Chapter 1: The Family Legacy
Aura Cantarella
"Are you, Are you
Coming to the tree
Where they strung up a man they say murdered three
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.
"Are you, Are you
Coming to the tree
Where the dead man called out for his love to flee
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.
"Are you, Are you
Coming to the tree
Where I told you to run, so we'd both be free
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.
"Are you, Are you
Coming to the tree
Wear a necklace of rope, side by side with me.
Strange things did happen here,
No stranger would it be,
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree."
Aura set her guitar down by her chair. She was done singing, having just concluded the last verse of her song. It was one of her favorites, and one that her two brothers asked for most nights before bed, and she would gladly give it to them. She wondered why they wanted so badly to hear about something so dark, but she figured Corvin and Barker were still too young to listen for anything more than melody. She wished she could be so naive.
She had a simple story. She was born into a life of luxury, at least in comparison to the rest of the families in their district, and all her life, she had expectations of greatness pushed on her, by both her mother and father, until birthing her youngest brother proved too much for mom. She was scorned by her peers for being snotty and a brat, but in truth, she was neither of those things. She didn't force herself into the idea of being innocent and sweet either. The only thing she could say with precise certainty about herself was that she was Aura Cantarella.
"Are you coming to the tree? Where they strung up a man.. They said he murdered three..." Started Barker, the five-year-old. That wasn't exactly how the song went. But with something about the way the boy's golden-blonde hair bounced up and down when he said it, Aura couldn't help but forgive him.
"That's not how the song goes." Corvin told him. He had the same shade of hair, and was only three years older. "She just sang it. Don't you remember?"
"Corvin, lay off him." She said. "Want to see something else cool, guys?"
"Yeah." They chimed in unison.
Aura reached into her backpack and pulled out a loaf of bread. The boys' faces became bright when they saw it wasn't just any loaf of bread, but banana bread. It was their favorite, just like anyone else with the last name Cantarella. "Where did you get this, sis?" Corvin asked, struggling to hold his excitement.
"Bought it in the Hob earlier today." Aura smiled. It was a lie, but she wasn't going to reveal the truth to the two of them. They didn't need to know.
"Can we eat it now?" Barker asked with excitement in his voice.
Aura laughed. "Banana bread? At 10 o'clock at night? No, you can have it in the morning. Speaking of which, I think this is late enough for the two of you." She smiled as she stood up from her chair and began to escort them to their rooms through the hallway on the opposite side of the table from her.
"Can you sing us one more song?" Barker asked, pushing in his chair. "Sometimes I get nightmares."
Aura looked around her, at the house they had been given. It was structurally sound, unlike many other houses in District 7. It was granted to their father after he won the games all those years ago. She had been born and raised within these walls, and never once did she take them for granted.
She bent down to her baby brother. "Now, listen, buddy. There's a reason I only sing you one a night. What do you think causes the nightmares?"
"The monsters in my room..." He replied shakily.
She shook her head. She pounded her hand against the wall, showing how sturdy it was. "There aren't any monsters in your room. All the monsters are out there, behind the walls."
As she said this, the front door opened, and her father strode into the home, looking just as drunk as he did every other night. He clumsily pulled one of the chairs away from the table and plunged into it, almost shattering his bottle of champagne on the way down.
"In there you're safe." Aura continued, trying to ignore her dad for a moment. "Now, go in. Turn the lights out. Go to sleep. You'll be fine."
Barker turned around and obeyed, but Corvin lagged behind for a moment. "But what about-"
"I'll deal with this. Just go to bed." Aura told him. He sighed and turned around, closing the door to the boys' room behind him.
"Deal with this?" Rowan quoted, as the bedroom door shut behind her. "God, Aura, I'm your father, not some solicitor trash..."
"What are you doing?" Aura frowned at him, standing up behind the table where he sat. He didn't answer. "Dad, what are you doing here?"
"This is my home, girl." He sneered. "I got every right to sit down in this chair. In fact, I got more right than you. I actually won this house for us. I'm the reason we aren't out on the street right this very moment, fending for ourselves."
"Don't pull that 'I'm a victor' shit. I don't want to hear it." She steamed. "You stay out and do one-night stands on most nights, and on the others, you limp home piss drunk and sell me this same story about how you do all of it for the family. I want you to walk straight into your sons' room and tell them exactly what you told me."
He looked up from his champagne bottle, enraged. "I am your father, Aura, and I deserve your respect. And both of us know I can hold my damn liquor."
She stormed into a seat across from her father. "Oh, you deserve something, but it definitely isn't respect."
"What's gotten into you today, girl? Why are you on my ass?" He asked roughly, running a hand over his patchy gray beard.
A tear fell from Aura's eye. She didn't mean for it to, but it did anyway. "Carla's mom was taken today."
His eyes became even wider than they already were. "Carla? Damn... What happened?"
"They made her an avox, dad..." She cried, turning away from him. They had taken her tongue so she couldn't speak. Something like that made it hard not to cry.
"Well, I guess it's good I didn't take you out for training today." He said, just before burping loudly. "You're welcome."
"Why do you have to be like this?" She asked in distress, strands of blonde hair hanging down in your face. "Why do you take me out training day after day? Is it fun to watching me throw knives at stumps until my arms feel like they're going to fall off? Is it fun to make me kill and cook rabbits all day?"
He looked offended. "I do this for us, Aura... And to uphold our legacy. I won the games. Your Uncle Crispin won the games. If your last name is Cantarella, winning the games is your destiny. Winning is in your blood."
"Just like it was in Ava's blood, dad?"
His voice was shot dead with shock. After regaining his thoughts, he replied. "Ava was a mistake. I didn't train her hard enough. I plan to fix that with you."
"Dad! Ava didn't just die in the games, she killed herself! Her 'winning blood' is still coating that boulder in the mountain arena. How can you tell me she was a mistake? The mistake was training her at all... Filling her mind with hopes of fulfilling a destiny that wasn't hers."
Rowan sighed in anger. "Dammit. Just shut up and listen to what I have to say." Aura crossed her arms and sat back in her seat. She was reluctant, but willing to hear what he had to say. "I know I told you you would volunteer on your 18th year, but I was just thinking today, what does that really accomplish? Volunteer this year. You're 17. They might judge you better if you're younger."
"You're not serious..." Aura gasped. "You're going to make me volunteer next week? You told me I had until I was 18!"
"Well, I changed my mind." He shook his head. "I was 15 when I won my games. You have an entire two year advantage on me. And look at Crispin! He was the only 12 year old ever to win."
Aura rested her head in her hands on the table in front of her. She couldn't believe this. It had always been Rowan's plan to have his kids volunteer, but this was taking it too far. "Dad, Crispin is crazy. You can't be in the same room with him for more than a couple minutes without him starting to talk about knives and killing. Remember what happened to Corvin the last time you had him over?"
"Crispin is not the issue. You are." He said. "You're going to volunteer next week."
"I'm not."
"You are. The moment they call someone else's name, you're going to shout at the top of your lungs and claim the place as your own. This is your destiny."
"No. It's not."
"Honey, why are you fighting so hard against bringing this family great honor?" He looked down at the table in frustration, and his eyes fell on the loaf of banana bread she had placed there. "Aura, where did you get that?"
"I... applied for rations earlier today..." She admitted. She wanted to think of a lie to tell him, but then again, the thought of how furious he would be was enough incentive to tell the truth. He looked confused, but then he knew exactly what happened. She had put in her name more times for the reaping for extra food. But with the man pushing her to volunteer so much the past few years, she couldn't help but want to be chosen by the Reaping, just to smite him.
"You...what...?" He spoke quietly through his teeth.
"I went and applied for rations at the Peacekeeper's office this morning." She restated.
Their eye contact didn't waiver as the man spoke. "I see. And how many extra times did you put your name into the reaping?"
"One hundred and thirty." She lied. She had actually put her name in only 30 times, but she was so angry with her father that she couldn't resist making him angrier.
"Aura, you do understand that if you are chosen by the Reaping, all of this effort will become worthless, right? People can't name you a hero if you didn't ask to be one..."
"I understand." She stated plainly.
"You put your name into the reaping 130 times... For a loaf of FUCKING BREAD?" He stood up and threw his glass of champagne to the wall, staining the lilac wallpaper. "That's gotta be a tenth of the entire bowl! What gives you the RIGHT to-"
"What gives you the right to gamble with my life?" Aura shot back quietly, remaining in her seat. Her interruption caused Rowan to slump back into his seat.
She saw her father's eyes glance past her and she followed them to see Barker standing just outside his door, looking very afraid. "Dad...?" He whimpered.
"Go back to bed, Barker." Aura and Rowan declared at the same time.
Once the boy had closed the door behind him, her father lowered her voice. "Fine, hon, you win. You don't have to volunteer. But two victors in the family is not going to cut it. No, we need three." He sighed, glancing back to the boys' room. "I guess I'll just have to train one of them."
"Don't you dare." Aura said back. "Those boys are too sweet to be ruined by a world like this. You're not going to take that away from them."
"No, you are." He said, standing up. He began to walk toward the door behind him. As he placed his hand on the doorknob, Aura stood up from the table as well.
http://strawpoll.me/4891079
Hey guys, sorry about the spacing of the song in the beginning. Telltale is stupid and won't let me single indent.
Yes, this is definitely going to play a part. I may have to take a few of the tributes and twist them to make them a bit darker.
What the hell? What kind of messed up parent would want his children to be sent into a death arena? Especially when he's witnessed the Games himself. He's obviously not right in the head ;-;
Anyways, I voted for the volunteer option because it seems like he's not calming down and will most likely target the others to volunteer
And the parent of the Year award goes to.... Not this guy. He's a dick.
Great chapter!!!
Wow, that guy is an asshole. Poor Aura. But she seems pretty cool. Awesome part
By the way, wouldn't it be a good idea to make us vote in the comments rather than to make it with strawpoll? That way you can be sure that no one votes more than once per decision.
Eh I guess I'm going on the honor system. This way I can factor in all of the votes from outside the forums.
Like, vote, want more.
Oh damn it Aura. I already like her and I hate this damn dickhead Rowan. Poor girl ;_; But Aura was great here, I loved how she handled her father. I'm very excited for her role in the games. Very well-written as always and I can't wait for more
As for the choice, I chose for her to volunteer, to protect her brothers and because she is going to be the tribute either way. Perhaps volunteering gives her more attention from potential sponsors.
Bad father index found.
Awesome chapter!
This is soooo cool!
Ditto other comments. Aura, another interesting POV...
Wow, her father's a dick.
Mission accomplished.
Just wanted you guys to know, I did the Brainsteele hunger games simulator with these guys for fun and Devis won from District 12.
Yay!
I love that site, last time I played Rue and Marvel made an alliance and then Rue poisoned his water supply.
Yeah haha it never carries much over.
I love that site omg
What was Remus's fate? (I know he died, but you know, it's good to know how)
There was an arena event where fire caught onto everything and he got caught in it.
Aouch.
What happened to My characters (Peara, Colette, Brites, Delmara and Adair)?
Don't know about others, but Colette was apparently changed to Tassel, my only character. TeamKennyW00T said you have several characters and so he could change one of them to my character. So do you have any characters left now?
Woah, I thought you were only allowed to have a maximum of one character?
He put in a couple more when I said there were open slots.
Delmara died of dysentery. Pearra and Brites were struck by fireballs in the fire. Devis killed Adair with a sickle.
Only Colette is not there so, still you are the one who is most likely to "win". (The Law of Big Numbers)
Out of all the possible ways to die in the games, dysentery. Just dysentery. So... What happened to my character, if you don't mind me asking.
Yeah dysentery sucks. Holly was tracked down and killed by Devis. She was actually 2nd place
well, hell yeah Holly! And well, yes. Dysentery sucks. We played a game of Oregon Trail in our history class a few years ago. I remember people kept dropping like flies because of dysentery.
Can you put Colette in place of Brites in D5?
80% of readers chose to [A. Agree to volunteer.]
"Wait, dad!" Aura called out just as the man opened the door into the night. He paused and turned around to see what she had to say. Aura closed her eyes and sucked in her gut. "I volunteer as tribute..."
Rowan smiled. "There you go! The words aren't that hard to say. Just pray to God you say them fast enough next week."
"Is that a threat?" Aura frowned.
He closed the door and turned around. He casually returned to the seat he had been sitting in a moment before. "I don't threaten my children, Aura."
"Right..." She pressed her fingers to her face. "You prematurely discipline them... Dad, you've been in the arena. Tell me what was so glorious about it that you want to get back so badly."
"The winnings, Aura." He replied easily. "The winnings are how this family survives. We're running low on rations from Crispin's win. The settlement is a lot, but it can't easily support a family of five."
"The winnings aren't worth it." Aura told him, lifting her head up. "If we have to, we should sell this house and live out on the street if it means not going in the arena."
"Well that's not going to happen." He stood up and walked over to the corner of the room, leaning on the wall before him. It was built sturdy, unlike most others, and would support his weight.
"You used to be a good man." Aura told him. "What the hell happened?"
"I'm not a bad man, honey..." He sighed. "You know why I do the things I do. I do them to support this family. With what happened to Ava... And your mother... It sometimes gets pretty hard to do just that, but know everything I do is in your interests."
"Is that why you're sending me off to die?" She shot back.
"Dammit, Aura!" He shouted, slamming his fist into the wall, making the whole house shake. "You're making this really hard. I'm not sending you to die, I'm sending you to win."
Aura stood up from the table, gaining a slight height advantage on her father. "You and I both know there's a realistic chance that happen."
"Not with that attitude." He said, shaking his finger. "No, we're going to train nonstop starting tomorrow. Get some rest, because we're up at the crack of dawn tomorrow." Aura walked around the table and brushed past her father's shoulder hard, not answering him. "Hey! I'm talking to you!" Aura put her hand on the doorknob of the front door and gave it a slight twist. Once it was open, she turned to give one last glance at her father before she left. "Where are you going?"
Tears began to leak from her eyes. "...I hate you..." She whispered. She got a small glimpse of his face just before she slammed the door on it. It wasn't one of anger or confusion, but one of genuine hurt. It might have been the first she'd ever seen on the man since Ava died. But she didn't care.
She strutted out into the evening, accompanied by a frosty chill and her thoughts. The victor's village was quiet at this time of night. Generally, the ones who lived here were able to sleep at night, having actual beds to lay on. The rest of District 7 didn't have that luxury.
The moon shined brightly over Aura's home. Sometimes, she would gaze upon it, and become envious. It was so far away from the world she called home. It didn't have to deal with the pressure that it meant to be human. It didn't have to deal with the Hunger Games.
End of Chapter 1
THE FEELS
Poor Aura... Her family just seems to really suck.
Great part!
Great part, can't wait to get to know to the other characters!
Oh my poor Aura ;_; I knew she would give me the feels, but this is easily more than I have hoped for. She's great. And Rowan is still a dick, albeit it seems that he is a more complicated dick. That was an awesome part and an awesome chapter! Can't wait for more
Aura!
Aura what?