Being Taken Over by Fear (Xavier)

[Vanessa West]

It was Reaping Day. The day Vanessa always dreaded most. She had gotten separated from Olivia in the chaos the ensued as people got in place for the ceremony, only to find her after she was standing squished between two girls she didn’t know, waiting for the District eleven escort to announce who the unlucky contenders would be this year. It was basically the same speech Vanessa heard each year on Reaping Day. It was horrible to know that her district would send in two people into the arena when only one out of 24 would come alive, with the exception of Katniss and Peeta. They were one in a million though. There was no way the capital would let that happen again. It was clear that the capital had lost the upperhand at the end of those games, and there was no doubt they would do everything in their power to prevent it from happening again. Of course almost every district hated to sacrifice people, or they were saddened by it if they didn’t hate it, perhaps with the exception of the Career districts.

Vanessa never paid attention until it was time for the Reaping itself, that is until this year. Okay, so there was still a chance she would be chosen, but victors would be chosen as well. Great, more death. How many times was her name in this year? She had lost count. There was no way Olivia would be chosen. Olivia was in once. She didn’t even have to worry about Olivia. It was her she needed to worry about. The fear and tension was radiating in the crowd. She could feel all the same emotions that she was overwhelmed with coming from everyone around her. Nervousness, anxiety, fear, sadness, anger, hope – it would be overwhelming for anyone.

As always the girls (lucky them) got to know which one of them would most likely die before the boys. It was good and bad in multiple ways. The anxiety of who would be chosen would subside first, but for the unlucky girl to be chosen she would have all of the emotions amplified by about five billion. She watched as the escort reached into the glass ball and dug her hand around before selecting a piece of paper. Was she trying to torture Vanessa? Was it possible for her to take the paper out any more slowly?

’…Vanessa West.’

Vanessa felt her whole body tense up as she glanced around her. She took a deep breath as her name was repeated before making the infinite trek up to the podium. Her ice blue eyes stared straight ahead of her, and she kept her posture straight. She needed to look as calm and collected as she could, even though she was freaking out on the inside. She wasn’t sure how well she was hiding her emotions with her eyes, but she did her best to hide the terror. Her eyes flashed to Olivia and she gave her sister a small smile – she could see the tears in her eyes. She had to be strong, for Olivia, just like she always had.

Taking in another deep breath, Vanessa waited for the male tribute to be chosen.

Outfit: Simple dress and shoes
Word count: 537
Title: Excerpt from The Fear by Lily Allen

[Xavier Sullivan]

Today was not going to be a good day, Xavier could feel it. He had spent the morning working out on the fields earning a bit more extra for his grandmother. He loved her dearly and she was the only family he had since the games took everyone he cared about from him. The reaping was about to start and if he was lucky today would be the final day that he would feel this way. If Xavier could just get through today without being reaped then that was it, he wasn’t a past victor or anything really. Xavier had lost count on how many times he had put his name in today.

Stepping into his house with freshly brought supplies, well if you would call the two room house a house but it was the only home that he had ever had so he was lucky for this one. Placing the large bag of supplies down on the small table Xavier smiled as he looked at the clothes spread out for him. The cloths looked like they coasted his grandmother a lot, they weren’t the best of the best but Xavier didn’t care for that. After getting himself cleaned up Xavier changed into the new cloths. Now Xavier was ready for the reaping, well ready as he will ever be

Xavier bid a farewell to his grandmother as he lined up with the rest of the boys, he wondered who would be chosen today. They started the reaping like all the other years he’d zone out as the presentation finished but his attention was brought back as they announced the girls first. Xavier looked up as the girl was announced, Vanessa West. Xavier hadn’t met her before now but that was on the last of his mind as the boys names were going to be pulled out. Xavier heart sank as his name was called. Xavier looked around he could see his grandmother in tears after hearing his name being called.

The group of boys in front of Xavier made a gap for him to walk through, he slowly made his way towards the stage. Xavier considered running for a split second but decided against it when a group of peacekeepers surrounded him as he walked up towards the stage. Xavier stopped just beside Vanessa, he was too shocked for words. He was a tribute in this horrible game and he might not come out of this alive. Xavier looked at the crowd for a moment before looking away, he couldn’t do this. Could he? Kill just to survive it was a horrible thought.

[Vanessa West]

Vanessa kept her blank expression, trying her best to act as though she wasn’t about to crumple. She glanced at Xavier – someone she’d never met, never spoken to, but now connected with since they were now facing the same fate. They were going into an arena with 22 other kids and 24 victors who all had the same goal – get out alive. Just yesterday Vanessa had been sitting in her home with her sister and father, smiling and reflecting on her day. She couldn’t even recall the slightest memory of yesterday. It felt so long ago. So unimportant. It was. But Vanessa couldn’t lose herself when she went into the arena. She knew that it was the memories of what she held dear that would motivate her to keep pushing through.

Vanessa felt the presence of Xavier’s body next to her a little white after his name was called. It was clear that he was as freaked out. He was the only other person she could talk to (excluding the victors, but who knows how they were after coming out of a place like the arena) who understood what she was going through. She just hoped he was friendly enough to form an alliance with her. There was no way she was going to make it alone. She needed help. Even with the victors going into the arena as well, it would still be safest to have an alliance. The Careers were sure to join together, like they did year after year after year.

The girl’s ice blue eyes scanned the crowd for the familiar face of her father. She had to look for a little longer than preferable, but she found him nonetheless. He gave her the same comforting smile he gave her when she was little and having a nightmare, or felt sick. It was hard to keep her emotions under wraps and concealed. She swallowed back a sob. ‘Get a grip, Vanessa,’ she thought over and over in her head. People would be watching this. People who could ultimately be the difference between life and death.

Was Vanessa going to be able to kill somebody? She didn’t know if she was capable of that. If she truly had to, she supposed she could, but she would have so much trouble living with herself if she made it out of the arena. There was a reason why it seemed like half of the victors went mental, or became alcoholics, etc. It was because what happened in that arena was never supposed to be witnessed or experienced by any human being. It was something she was being forced to experience, and it was something she wasn't sure she was strong to enough to do.

[Xavier Sullivan]

Xavier’s life had been turned upside down from the very moment that his name was called. Xavier was going into the arena with twenty two other people but what’s even more nerve reckoning was two more people from the victors pile were going in as well. Xavier looked over towards Vanessa who seemed just as nervous as he was from having to through this, he wondered what happens now both names were called and their fate was sealed. Xavier just hoped that he could say one last goodbye before going in. Xavier knew that today wasn’t going to be good he just had a bad feeling.

The thought of having to kill someone was driving Xavier insane right now. Xavier turned away from the crowd for a moment he knew that he had to make a good impression to get sponsors and all but he wasn’t really with it at this present moment. He looked at Vanessa he hoped that she would be nice and they could form some sort of alliance and protect each other, seeing as going into this thing alone wasn’t a good plan. Thoughts were going through Xavier’s mind right now, he listened as the victors names were called and he looked back at the crowd for a moment before looking away once more.

“So what happens now?” Xavier just managed to bring those words to the surface, he knew that he would calm down later when this feeling was over. Xavier wondered what was going through Vanessa’s mind at the moment, probably the same thoughts that were going through his mind. Xavier hoped that he could at least be able to talk to Vanessa when things were down and vice versa, though only time will tell. Xavier waited for his question to be answered he thought he’d be lucky enough to get through this without being called upon but he guessed his luck had ran out.

[Vanessa West]

It was time for the victors. Vanessa was too preoccupied with the thought of the Games. Every so often her ice blue eyes would sneak a glance at Xavier, to see if he was managing alright. More like trying to see if he was managing alright. She could see the fear and sadness in his eyes, but his body language seemed to match hers – stoic and rigid. (She hoped she was coming across like that rather than the emotional wreck she was on the inside.)

Vanessa knew potential sponsors were watching. District Eleven had enough issues, seeing as it was the second poorest nation, and considered one of the least threatening. She needed to present herself as strong, whether that be emotionally, physically, or mentally. (All three would be highly preferable.) If she got sponsors, or Xavier got sponsors, assuming their alliance worked out, then their chances of survival would be increased drastically. They wouldn’t get sponsors if it wasn’t thought that they could hold their own and potentially kill. If someone was attacking Olivia it was different, but to kill for the sake of killing was just…it was something she didn’t know if she could do.

”No idea,” Vanessa softly said. What did come next? They went into the city hall or something and said goodbye to loved ones. ”I guess we’re about to find out.” He had made conversation with her. That meant he was somewhat friendly, right? Vanessa was scared enough as it was. Going into the Hunger Games alone was her current worst fear. She needed Xavier. They could have a base alliance before adding to it when they got to the capital. Didn’t the kids from the same district always have some sort of alliance? Or even if they went their separate ways and didn’t work together, they agreed not to kill each other or whatever? It seemed rare that someone would someone else from the same district. Xavier would agree with her on that though, she hoped. The only things Vanessa could think of was how much she wanted to be back home with her sister and father, and how much she needed that alliance.

[Xavier Sullivan]

Xavier needed some sort of alliance and he hoped that with Vanessa’s help they could managed to stay alive throughout the whole games. Xavier couldn’t imagine killing anyone but if his life was in danger or Vanessa’s then he would simply have to do the very thing that he thought that he would never do. Vanessa looked scared she was in the same situation as he was, he wasn’t worried about the victors names when they were called out he only hoped that he could go to them for advice seeing how they had gone through this before and won, it was the logical thing to do.

Xavier hated this, being put on show for the capitol, he turned towards one of the cameras and looked directly at it, he hoped that district eleven would have a good chance this year. Xavier’s thoughts were pushed to the side when he heard Vanessa speak to him, it was good that they were both making conversation they needed each other more than anything right now. Xavier knew that he needed to protect Vanessa as long as he could for district eleven to have a good chance their fates were as one now and may the odds be in their favour.

Xavier hated those words but now being inside he respected them more than anything. “I think we should stick together.” Xavier explained to Vanessa hoping she would agree with him as well. Xavier watched as peacekeepers move up towards them and signalled them to move inside the town hall. “Guess we have to move inside.” Xavier explained further as he turned away from the crowd he could see a couple of peacekeepers talking to his grandmother, he hoped that he would be able to speak to her before going to the capitol. Xavier waited for Vanessa before moving on.

[Vanessa West]

Was Vanessa prepared to kill? No. Was Xavier prepared to kill? Vanessa had no way of knowing for sure. Based on the behavior she had observed she was guessing no. If they were to form an alliance they might have to kill for one another. Was she prepared to maybe kill for a boy she hadn’t spoken to until now? She was going to have to be. Each moment they spent together would have to build some sort of bond that would be enough motivation for her to kill, other than her own survival. The fact that she was having to brace herself to kill was monstrous and disgusting. She hoped the gamemakers were happy watching kids kill each other. Oh wait, they were the gamemakers, of course they were happy watching kids kill each other.

”Yes, we definitely need to stick together. Alliance?” Vanessa knew they were both hinting at an alliance and thinking the same thing, but she wanted to hear it said out loud. Vanessa glanced at her sister and father one last time before moving inside. She looked over shoulder just to make Xavier was following. Would they would get to see their families before they left? Vanessa needed to see Olivia and her father before the games. It wasn’t even optional. There was no way she’d be able to cope without a proper goodbye.

”Do we get to say goodbye?” Vanessa whispered to Xavier when she was in the shelter of the building. She turned her head to glance at the male tribute behind her. Even though she had only just met him, he was already becoming a security blanket. Something familiar to have with her when she went into the arena. And hopefully somebody to want to protect to keep her mind off of Olivia and keep her attention focused on someone in the present where she was. She would need that. Maybe the odds would be in their favor…

[Xavier Sullivan]

Xavier wondered what would happen if no one in the country watched these stupid games, they wouldn’t have a game to begin with. Xavier hoped that the gamemakers would see sense in what they were doing to the children here just because of one tiny rebellion, heck Xavier felt like rebelling right now but he didn’t want to cause more trouble, since as it is he was being forced to do something that he didn’t want to do. Xavier was now focused on Vanessa as she began to speak to him once more, at least the girl was prepared to do that.

Xavier was glad that Vanessa was willing to speak to him it made the whole thing bearable to only a point. Xavier nodded in reply, she was thinking of the same thing he was thinking of and alliance between the two would be much better than facing the games alone it meant that the two would survive instead of dying, live together or die alone. “I’m all for an alliance Vanessa. I don’t want to have to kill for the capitol but if it means that district eleven will be safe and the people I care about safe then we should form an alliance. Other’s will be doing the same.”

Xavier tried to say the last sentence quiet so only Vanessa would hear it. “I hope we do get to say goodbye to our families.” A peacekeeper soon explained that they would have three minutes with their families before being shown to the train to the capitol. Xavier was glad that they got the chance to do so. “That answers our questions I guess.” Xavier replied back to Vanessa. They were shown to separate rooms. Xavier spoke to his grandmother, he told her that he had made plans to keep her safe. After saying goodbye for the last time Xavier waited outside for Vanessa.

[Vanessa West]

“Good,” Vanessa said with a small smile – the first one all day. ”It would be a million times harder going in there without someone else on your side,” she added in the same hushed tone. It appeared she and Xavier were on the same page with everything so far. They hadn’t actually discussed anything in private yet, such as skills and strategies, but the fact that they were both for an alliance with one another seemed to be a good start. They might actually have a chance. If they worked together and took advantage of every opportunity that came their way, and played to their strengths, they would actually have a shot. It was so rare to see a District 11 victor. Their people would be so proud to know that one of them won. If one of them one. Even up against the Careers, they still might have a shot. That was what Vanessa was holding onto.

Vanessa nodded once to Xavier before going into the room her sister was in. As soon as the door latched she attacked her in a tight embrace. "I love you so much, don’t you ever forget that,” she whispered into her sister’s ear as she stroked Olivia’s dark hair. “You’ll make me proud. I’m already proud.” She knelt down so she was at her sister’s level and kissed her lightly before standing up to say goodbye to her father. She stood in his arms until a peacekeeper came in and pulled her away. She had done what she needed to do. She had told the two people who mattered most to her that she loved them. It was important to do, for her and her family. It was some much needed love that would help her before she got in the arena, and if she didn't...make it back...it would be a sense of finality for her family.

She inhaled and exhaled deeply and glanced at Xavier as she exited the room. ”I guess we’re going to the capital,” she softly said. She shook her head ever so slightly, mostly out of pure disbelief that her name had actually been chosen, and that she was being forced to participate in the Hunger Games.

[Xavier Sullivan]

Xavier waited for Vanessa to finish up with her family, he didn’t want to leave without saying goodbye and now that he had done that he could face whatever challenge that came his way. Xavier would love nothing more to see district eleven win a game even if it was one game it meant that their district was better even if it was only for a short time. Xavier smiled when Vanessa smiled before she walked into the room, he was glad that they were able to pull this alliance together and when they were alone they could form some sort of plan to deal with the arena.

From now on Xavier wanted to learn everything he could, he had been training but that wasn’t going to prepare him for what he would face in the games, he remembered watching last year’s game where Rue was killed and then later on with Thresh who was the last chance for district eleven for winning the games. Each game was different and so he wanted to learn what he could so he could have that extra edge for both himself and Vanessa. Survival was now on his mind, he didn’t want to let his guard down that easily.

When Vanessa walked out of this room and her family were taken away by peacekeepers he smiled at her, they were bound together but Xavier was glad that it was with Vanessa. “Have you ever been to the capitol before?” Xavier asked as he wondered what the place looked like. “I hope we get some alone time while we travel to the capitol I wanted to talk about the alliance and our plan to survive this thing.” Xavier explained as he wanted to see what Vanessa had in mind for the alliance that they were making, he wondered if the victors were going to join them in the alliance as well.