Caesar Flickerman’s voice echoed through televisions across Panem. 

“And now, here she is! Your Victor, Jetta Riti!”

The crowd clapped, whooped and cheered as I made my way onstage. I was wearing the soft, pale lavender dress that my stylist had picked for me. My short, black hair was curled at the tips as well. She said it would soften my edges, whatever that meant. Flickerman was wearing pale pink this year, which wasn’t a bad color in Jetta’s view. However, she sort of thought it made him look like a piglet, which was a thought she kept buried to keep a smile on her face.

“Jetta, take a seat. Well, all eyes are on you, Victor, and I’m sure you must be proud of yourself.” 

“Yes, Caeser, I am proud. I brought glory to my District." This was a line personally forced upon me by my organizer, Sienna. The lie tingled my lips. "I can’t wait to see my family and my home again.” This was at least true.

“Ah, someone’s homesick. They’ll be waiting for you when the train arrives. Would you like to say anything to your family back home?” 

I blinked, not realizing I’d be on the spot like that. “Um, yeah, actually. Thank you for getting me that parachute with the antidote. I would have been lost if not for you.” I knew that Corolla had been behind that. He was a cook, a great one, someone who knew the plants of D6 forward and back. When I’d gotten poisoned by some strange fruit in the arena, he knew just what to send to snap me out of it and save my life. 

“Speaking of lost, you came very close to losing yourself.” Caeser looked to the screen as footage from  my final battle started to play. There I was, missing the fatal back blow, and there I was, being choked out. The knife was too far away for me to reach, and I was grasping at air. Then, just there, a second knife appeared just by my fingertips. I grabbed it, and – I had to look away from the screen for the rest of it.

“But, how did that happen? I should’ve been a goner.” 

“Ah, that’s a surprise to us all. A last minute – literally – sponsorship to buy you a knife, and your life.” 

I was surprised to find my eyes welling up with tears. “Oh wait. Not supposed to cry, I’ll ruin my mascara.” Evidently I had said something hilarious, as the crowd and host both cracked up at my comment. 

“As a special treat, we’ve brought him here to meet you.” 

The spotlights swung around to a red-haired boy in the crowd. He barely looked older than me. I wondered why he’d shown me such mercy.

“You’ll be meeting him personally after the show! Isn’t that great?” 

"Yes, Caeser. That is great!" For once I wasn't lying.