you thought the hunger games, would die out. fade. the idea was truly cruel. making children fight to the death as punishment for the districts' rebellion. though within all of your worst nightmares, you never thought you would be reaped.

you put on a brave act. giving the impression that you were strong and prepared, bringing many sponsors. though internally you were a mess. you know that if the situation ever occurred you would not be able to kill another child.

because your mentor was seemingly friends with the girl, you began meeting Reaper rather frequently. your mentor, Diana Ring and his Clemensia Dovecote two close friends. offer returning to the zoo hand in hand. there proximity forcing you and the 11 boy's, though you began not to mind it.

Reaper would be a powerful ally and he was not horrible company- nor was he terrible to look at. though this thought was the least of your worries, due to your impending doom.

you sat in the capitol zoo, against the trunk of the big tree that sat in the far corner of the cage. the night sky not aiding your need to break character. the misery needing an outlet but you would not allow it. crying only showed weakness and was simply fruitless.

yet even as you willed it away, you still felt the tear briming you waterline. and the moment you felt your lip begin to quiver you knew your attempt was useless. silently crying into your sleeves, lying your head on your crossed arms that sat over your knees, that you held to your chest. "d-don't cry" you heard between your muffled sobs.

tears still streaming down your face, you pulled your head up. seeing Reaper was the one to whisper the words, tentatively bringing his hand to push some hair behind your ear. you were unaware to the way your crying hurt him.

he could not stand to see the person who he felt so enamoured for in pain. Reaper didn't understand why you had captured his mind and soul. he cursed the cruel gods for having him feel in such a way when you were meant to kill each other the next morning. the boy had not ever felt this way towards the kids back in 11, he only knew that seeing your red teary eyes made him want to single handedly overthrow and tear down the capitol himself.

"don't let them see your pain." he spoke, voice softer. hiding his concern and need to comfort the tribute with what most would call abetment or strategy.