CORIOLANUS' POV:

❆ ❆ ❆

"I volunteer."

Everyone shifted in their seats, suddenly interested in the games. My eyes focused on the screen upfront that recorded the Repeaing Ceremony live. The setting turned to District 11, as the cameraman tried to focus the blurry video to the petite, short girl. The voice sounded oddly familiar.

I was in the campus of the Academy room. It held around 400 seats, to which only 27 were occupied. Lucky Flickerman, a person that even I knew was deprived from humanity sat buy the screen, making a phone call: some dinner reservation. The guy was deranged but that made him a good speaker for the Hunger Games. People loved him because he was entertaining. If anyone was good for the job it was him.

The future mentors sat in the front, some writing down the notes, some angry because of the tribute they got to train, some napping. However, most of them were anxious. During the 4th year, 24 of the academy students are chosen and have to go through becoming the mentors for the tributes. Last year proved that audience loved the idea of mentors, so it would be ignorant to not continue it. 

The whole atmosphere reminded me of the 10th Annual Hunger Games. I was in one of those seats exactly a year ago. The thought made me chuckle. I've come a long way since then.

I turned to look at Dr.Gaul sitting next to me. She was the president of the Hunger Games and a woman that offered me everything I needed. Most of my days I spend at the University she paid for, creating the future for myself. Other days, I would repay her by bringing new ideas to the games. After Highbottoms death, I became what someone would call pretty much her second hand. His death was written off as a suicide and I kept it that way. He was a lost cause anyways.

"I volunteer." The girl repeated, louder than before. The crowd made way for her and the cameraman finally zoomed for us to see her.

I kept a firm posture, but I couldn't peel my eyes away from the girl. Her long hair was shining under the afternoon sun, her brown eyes scanning everything in sight. She kept biting her bottom lip as she moved towards the podium, deep in thought. I felt my pulse quicken as I examined her every feature.

It can't be her. No matter, I felt blood coursing through my veins, pumping through my heart. Ticking, ticking, ticking.

I took a large gulp of the cold water, some of it managing to trickle down my chin. I quickly wiped it away with the sleeve of my suit, making it a shade of red darker.

"Is everything ok, Coriolanus?"

My eyes wildly snapped at Dr.Gaul's powerful voice. I reminded myself to stay calm. She is just a random girl.

"Of course," I gave her a charming smile, turning my gaze to the screen.

The girl got on the podium, as the escort congratulated her. I slouched back into the chair, silently praying it wasn't who I thought it was. The chances of being her were less than one percent. Why would she choose to volunteer in the game that wasn't originally created for her?

A deep voice echoed through the screen, as the old man pointed at the volunteered tribute. "She's Isabel Raven."

Isabel.

Raven.

That was all it needed for me to stand up, knocking my cup in the process. The glass touched the tiles, shattering into tiny particles. The water spilled everywhere, soaking my laced black shoes.

"Coriolanus!" Dr.Gaul exclaimed as all of the students turned to look at me in curiosity. The dark skinned woman next to me impatiently awaited for my explanation.

I didn't care.

My mind replayed the name over and over again. Isabel Raven. Isabel Raven. Isabel Raven.

The old man continued with his speech, explaining her whole life story. She stood there in shock, appearing even smaller than she originally was. I felt my hand curl into a fist as the civilians turned on her in anger of her coming from the Capitol.

As if she just didn't volunteer for the one of you.

What else would you expect from them? They were just rebels in need of authority and order.

Isabel finally moved, approaching the microphone. My eyebrows knit together in wonder of what she was about to do.

"District 11, " she began, and I felt my body going numb. After four years, I forgot how she sounded like but now, everything came rushing back. "Not all you heard is true. I am from the Capitol, yes. But what you don't know is that my father died here because we didn't have money to pay for his treatment."

But what you don't know is that my father died here because we didn't have money to pay for his treatment.

A pang of unexpected hurt rushed through me.

What you don't know is that I know what it feels to be hungry, to be cold.

I felt my throat going dry. Coriolanus control yourself. I couldn't show any signs of weakness in front of Dr.Gaul. She was my only ticket for becoming a President after her. However, I couldn't prevent myself from ignoring what Isabel spoke. 

What you don't know is that my brother, Isaac Raven, died in the Hunger Games last year...

This information surprised me. Her brother and I were never close, but I sure would have remembered his last name. Possibilities clouded my vision. Was his death staged? Is he still alive?  Did he die early on? Could it be that I was so absorbed with my own tribute that I didn't pay attention to others?

"Coriolanus Snow," I finally pulled my thoughts aside, hearing Dr.Gaul. Her eyes were narrow in irritation. "Sit."

I finally did, keeping my breathing under control. I looked at the students that were still restlessly staring. I had enough of them too.

I declared, "The show is in front of you. I would suggest you turn around."

Everyone did just that and I never felt more powerful. As one of the workers came to clean up the mess I made, Dr.Gaul whispered, "You and I will have a talk after the ceremony in my office."

I nodded, biting my tongue from saying anything I would regret. I kept my eyes on the screen. The president continued to stare at me and I knew she had more to say. Finally, she uttered, "I hope this girl isn't the reason you created this whole mess."

"Of course not." The one thing I learned well was how to lie. After everything that happened, it came natural to.

She hummed, "I hope not. After all, we don't want another Lucy Gray situation."

Hot fury rose in me at the mention of her name. I could sense Dr.Gaul's amusing smile. She wanted to pull on my strings, to see if I still cared.

I turned to look at her, my face stoic from expressions, "That's all in the past. It is long gone and I assure you, Dr.Gaul, will never happen again."

❆ ❆ ❆

This is my first time writing in someone else's POV, so I hope I did a decent job. Thank you so much for reading and be prepared for a new chapter soon!

Please comment, vote and share. If you don't want to miss any updates, you can follow me too. Thanks again for reading 🤍