Echoes Of Fear // Preston Hope Interrogation

[Arrows]

Echo Spetivichi

The hovercraft rattled as it apparently flew through a slight wind storm. Echo's mobile pad was illuminated as he read carefully through the file. Echo's orders had been clear and simple. He was to report to the Detention Center to interrogate a Mr. Preston Hope. A boy who was not only the sibling of now deceased tribute Lily Hope but a dangerous criminal. According to the file sitting before him Echo could see that Preston had burnt down a civilian home however no one had been home at the time. Lucky, Echo thought as he recalled a familiar scene caused by Kraygon Truus when his own sister had been killed. The younger tributes always seemed to stir up quite a bit more drastic reactions when they were killed. 

Echo was still annoyed though about the fact that thanks to Preston he was pulled away from teaching a Capitol training course along side his twin brother. The two of them were the best prodigies the academy had seen in years. Echo himself was a master strategist and could crack any given puzzle. Which was probably the reason he was selected to crack Preston. Oh and crack the boy he would. 

Echo smiled as the pilots finally announced that they were beginning their descent to the ground. Finally Echo would get to see the boy who was causing far too many problems than the Capitol would like. As the hovercraft dipped lower and lower Echo peeked out of the windows to view the small secluded center he had heard much about. Logically it was well placed but Echo could already see regions that could be problematic in the future. Perhaps while he was here he could help get things back into perfect shape. 

The moment the hover craft's door slid open Echo departed from the vehicle and entered the center. Once inside he was saluted and shown to his new chambers. There Echo did not hesitate to give his first order as he dialed up a group of lower peace keepers. "Go and retrieve prisoner number 067825 also know as Preston Hope and bring him straight to the interrogation room." With a simple yes sir the communication was cut off and Echo slipped out of his white uniform. Here he was not a high peace keeper he was a high official and he had to play the part of an interrogator. So swiftly he pulled on a black armored suit and then made no waste to leave his room.

Echo listened as the sound of his footsteps bounced quickly across the walls. A smirk was plastered to his face as he turned to face a large black door with the simple white words Interrogation Room written across it. Quickly Echo punched in the code and the door opened as he stepped inside. Shrills of excitement ran up his spine as he set up the room for Mr. Hope. 

Once finished Echo stepped back and looked at his glorious creation. A large metal table stood straight up with chains for the prisoner's hands, arms, feet, legs, neck, and of course head. Just as Echo was beginning to wonder where its occupant was he was forced into the room still blindfolded. Echo waited in silence as he watched the boy get locked into stiff position and as the other peace keepers left them in the silent grey room.

"Welcome Preston." Echo said softly as he walked over to the chained boy and removed the blindfold. "Now that we can both fully see one another I will just lay out what is going to happen blatantly. Depending on how much you cooperate with my questions then this shouldn't take very long at all. If you don't cooperate then things will get a bit more rough. It all just depends how you play the game. So knowing that, are you ready to play?"

words/thoughts/speech
tag:marcellus rhodes 11b arc

[marcellus rhodes 11b arc]

HERE WE ARE AT THE TOP OF THE HILL,
A HILL THAT'S QUIETLY CRUMBLING.

Interrogation.

He grunts, turning his head up to face the wall he had been placed in. His home; where he belongs and his lost secrets and scars will lay in there. Gone, forgotten, they're never forgotten. He'd place his hands on the wall, his mind glazed with the thought that Lily Hope is a lost passion--pleasure that he cannot enjoy anymore. His mind was jumbled together, he smells of ash, a smell that he would never want to be removed from him. He closes his eyes; taking in the smell, it's almost beautiful, to smell things that are caused by yourself; yet they do the worst things. A week. A week can do a lot of things; change a lot of things. Though one thing that it has failed to change was him.

He'd let out a grumble and a sigh, as he'd furrow his eyebrows and press his foreheadd against the wall, his mind not changing, his expression changing in a cycle of confused, angered, horrified scared. Scared for the family he had thrown his rage, his being at to be all wiped away. Pulling away from the wall he'd sink down onto the ground, wanting to make a noise, wanting to make a sound so his secrets and lies aren't the only thing whispering to him. He'd move his hand across the wall, feeling its concrete and feeling happy. Preston-- Pyro. He isn't Preston Hope anymore. Far from it. He isn't the innocent, friendly and childish boy that had a younger sister to watch over, because if he was, half of it would be a lie. He does not live by a fake identity, he is not Preston, he'll never be.

The male, the child, the monster is something that hides within him and wanting out, but it is under a lock, that key; the burning fire guarding it. There is no Preston. There is no Lily. If there is no Lily; there's no use, no reason for Preston. A shaken growl would escape his lips as he'd form his hand into a fist, clenching the air that he breathes, his cellmate breathes and dragging it down to the ground. He'd want to stop on it. Stomp all of the air he can breathe out of his ability-- end it because breathing is about as useful as he.

The door would open to footsteps entering the cell; for darkness to engulf him as a cloth would be placed around his eyes so he cannot see. He doesn't want to see. He'd be carried- no, dragged as if he were a ragdoll down the hallway, footsteps of those dragging him echoing through, no other sounds to be made besides the breaths he owns. He'd be dragged, and a grin would be planted upon his face. They won't learn anything from the male, they can break him, make him tear down to his core where all he has left to care about is the scars he can count on his body. He can count. But he can't care.

A door would open, making a loud clang on the wall as it would hit it while he got thrown into a chair. He'd be sitting there, grimicing at the tight body restrictions being locked onto him; almost as if he were to be locked into the mindset of Lily Hope, that she was alive, that she is someone that is living and not dead. He'd let out a short laugh, they were so afraid of him breaking loose and attacking the person who would be questioning him, but the questions would have no answers.

They would have lies.

A voice would enter his mind, his will of staying alive. "Welcome Preston." A voice would say as he would squint as light was brought into his view, the cloth being removed from his face as he looked around to try and get used to his surroundings.  The male who was speaking to him would make his way around the table and to sit down again.

"Now that we can both fully see one another I will just lay out what is going to happen blatantly. Depending on how much you cooperate with my questions then this shouldn't take very long at all. If you don't cooperate then things will get a bit more rough. It all just depends how you play the game. So knowing that, are you ready to play?" The male sitting across him would speak. He'd let out a short laugh. There is one game that the male knows how to play. It does not involve conversation. It does not involve honesty.

It involves defiance, lies.

He'd smile, maybe he really is insane for questioning the authority of the capitol. However; he didn't care. This is a game.

A game indeed.

"Play? I'm ready to compete." The criminal would speak, his words slithering out of his mouth with no hesitaiton or care.

PRESTON | SIXTEEN | DISTRICT EIGHT
Arrows

[Arrows]

Echo Spetivichi

The pathetic smile of defiance that sparked across the boy's face only made Echo chuckle as he paced slowly in front of the chained prisoner. Echo could already tell from the boy's acceptance of his game that it was going to be very fun. However it was a shame the boy didn't realize he could not win. One way or another Echo would gain what he needed and Preston would receive what he deserved. Pyromania was not something to be taken lightly in Panem. In fact it was a Capitol punishment that could result in the death of the pyromaniac. Yet Echo would not let Preston slip to death so easy for the game was only just beginning.

Echo stretched his free body slightly as he turned back towards his "friend". Echo's eyes scanned over the boy's body as he approached him. Echo couldn't help but notice that the boy was rather attractive and under any other circumstance Echo may have approached him for a drink. Yet this was not one of those situations. No this boy had accepted his game and now they had to play.

Gently Echo ran his black gloved hand down Preston's chin as he looked the boy in the eyes. The fact that the restraints allowed for no movement what so ever just made Echo's job easier. He wouldn't want dear Preston to begin to panic once the game really got started. A new gentle smile pursed Echo's lips as he finally decided that the time was right to break the silence of the pre game.

"Wonderful. Just remember though that the board you are attached to is not any normal table. It has built in sensors to detect even the smallest of lies which we can't allow since it breaks the rules now can we. You seem like a smart gentleman so I am sure you can understand that if you do lie there will be some repercussions." 

As Echo let his words seep in he stood back up and pulled his hand back away from the boy. According to the boy's body language Echo could tell that it was a perfect time to start off the game. Hopefully Preston Hope would play by the rules considering what waited for him in the near future of a lie would not be a very pleasant moment.

Echo clapped his hands loudly as a large smile split through his cheeks. "Now then, lets get this game going! To start off let me ask you this simple question. Were you the one who burnt down the house and did you act alone? Remember no lying Preston."

words/thoughts/speech
tag:marcellus rhodes 11b arc

[marcellus rhodes 11b arc]

HERE WE ARE AT THE TOP OF THE HILL,
A HILL THAT'S QUIETLY CRUMBLING.

Compete.

He let out a long breath, staring blankly at the peacekeeper that was located across him. The male new that the game he would play is a dangerous one, not smiled upon from the Capitol, however he already wasn't smiled upon; so what would make it different? The male would hear a chuckle escape the man’s mouth due to Preston's grin, and that even caused a larger grin to be planted across his face. It showed happiness; however he wiped it away as quick it had shown up. Happiness is not a part of this game; it’s not in the rules, but in his mind it is. You cannot be happy when you are being interrogated.

The male would give a glare at the other one, as he would get up to get a better look at Preston. However it was a silly thought; the man was to be free and not able to be hit when he shouldn’t be that preserved from Preston, he didn’t commit a crime of attack, so he isn’t that strong from that thought itself. The male would grin slyly as it would be seen the other one had been looking over the male, a little bit too closely it seemed too. He'd then let out an entertained huff, raising an eyebrow at the other male however he wouldn't speak.

He'd feel a hand covered by leather, the gloves black like the corner that he would stay in for his days in the Detention Center slide its way down his chin, as if the man were to be examining a piece of art. However, Preston Hope is no piece of art. Nowhere close to it. The male would resist the urge to try and hit his hand away from his face, as struggling would show being scared, uncomfortable, vulnerable. There'd be no show of feelings from the boy, though what there would be a show of, is lies. A gentle smile would spread across the other males face, and it'd make Pyro's stomach roll. It'd make him feel odd, as if there was something planned that he didn't know. Then again, he doesn't know anything. 

"Wonderful. Just remember though that the board you are attached to is not any normal table. It has built in sensors to detect even the smallest of lies which we can't allow since it breaks the rules now can we. You seem like a smart gentleman so I am sure you can understand that if you do lie there will be some repercussions."

His comment about Pyro being smart would resort in a snort coming from the male, as he'd speak up. "If you think I'm smart, why would I be here?" The male would say with a grunt at the end of his statement. Sometimes, Pyro worried that peacekeepers had a mind of a brick, plain old stupid. The man would pull his hand away as he'd make his way across to the other side of the table. He'd listen to the male speak again, the voices starting to bore him as they would echo through the room and dig their way into his mind.

"Now then, lets get this game going! To start off let me ask you this simple question. Were you the one who burnt down the house and did you act alone? Remember no lying Preston." The monotone voice would say after clapping his hands together with a wild smile plastered on his face as if it was painted on there, a piece of art that took a while to make perfect, and can be changed much faster than it had been perfected. A smile would spread on his face as he knew his answer, however this may not be the smartest answer. Why not test the waters? "Yes, I was the one that burnt down the house. This act was alone. However, if you were to be there you could've been a side affect with how hot you are." Zap. God damn.

PRESTON | SIXTEEN | DISTRICT EIGHT
Arrows

[Arrows]

Echo Spetivichi

The boy was truly fascinating as Echo studied each and everyone of his expressions closely. Every single reaction the boy produced allowed Echo to see more and more into the boy's mind. Echo's game was giving him all the information he was hoping for and he had to admit some of it was surprising. For such a juvenile age the boy was proving to be much for resiliant than Echo would have expected. Yet just as with other teenagers his age he thought of himself much to highly. He couldn't be beaten, but oh how easily he could. 

Gently Echo ran his hand through his hair as he revealed a device from his pocket. Without any hesitation Echo turned his back to the boy and dialed in a quick code. Instantly a peace keeper answered the call. "Okay it is about time to bring in my device." Echo said loud enough for Preston to over hear. Then he slid the device off and back into his pocket.

Echo could feel his excitement beginning to grow as his device was now on its way. So many times now Echo had used the machine and its effectiveness was brutal. Already Echo had every bit of informational data loaded onto it specified for Preston. If only the poor gorgeous boy knew what was coming. Echo was excited to see how he managed though. Experimenting was always a fun hobby for him after all.

Then the boy actually through out a pathetic flirt attempt but still Echo had to admit the boy did seem to keep his attention in more ways than one. However Echo knew his duties and an attractive flirty teenager would not stop him from executing his orders properly. Yet a game was a game after all so why not play it to its full potential.

With a laugh Echo turned back to Preston and walked right up next to him before leaning in closely and whispering into his left ear. "Very humorous Preston, however a little bit of humor won't stop what is coming." Then as Echo smiled gently he pulled his head back and turned towards the opened door with a peace keeper carrying a large grey brief case.

Excitement rushed into Echo's veins as the door shut and he opened his prized case with his back to Preston. "You know," Echo said as he lifted the device from the case. "I originally created this device when I nineteen since I decided I needed something that suites my name. Echo. However I never would have imagined this result, and now you get to try it out so congratulations."

Grinning foolishly Echo walked over to Preston and latched his device onto Preston's ears. Then he revealed a small mic and spoke into it so Preston could hear his words. "Now these are called head phones if you don't know. Yet these are not ordinary head phones, no these ones play specific tracks that I select and I have a very special one for you. Are you prepared to hear it?" As Echo turned off the mic and waited for a response he couldn't help but imagine the shock Preston would have when Echo began the track. 

words/thoughts/speech
tag:marcellus rhodes 11b arc

[marcellus rhodes 11b arc]

HERE WE ARE AT THE TOP OF THE HILL,
A HILL THAT'S QUIETLY CRUMBLING.

Compete.

He'd watch as the other male would run a hand through his own hair, causing a slight burst of annoyance to slide through his body. It wasn't a simple task, however it is something that he must deal with. There was no escape, no release from the capitol. If there was; well god damn, Lily would be alive. A device would be in the hand of the other man as he would turn around and raise it to his mouth after pressing a few buttons. Machinery. The criminal would think with a scoff, they needed some kind of machine for everything, did they? It was almost like they were-- are machines. The capitol is a machine; emotionless, careless. No wonder they need everything to be done for them.

He’d be watching the man expectantly, because he himself couldn’t do anything besides look, breathe, and talk. One of those things he wished he couldn’t do. Breathe. However his wants would be interrupted by a laugh that would escape the man’s mouth. Pyro would watch with an entertained expression; finding it funny he has entertained a peacekeeper. Maybe if he kept it up, he’d get a free ride out of this interrogation. Ha! That’s a funny statement. They’ll never give a free ride. If he’s a criminal, a tribute, even just a regular district resident, free rides are not something the capitol would give out for free. The male would turn to Pyro, walking up behind him and whispering into his left ear, causing a slight shiver to run down his own spine.

"Very humorous Preston, however a little bit of humor won't stop what is coming." The male would whisper as he’d make his way to the door and open it to reveal a peacekeeper holding a briefcase, inside would probably be his ‘device’ that the man would use on the criminal. He’d take the briefcase and open it, revealing a set of headphones as he’d hold it up. "You know," The man would say while lifting them up. "I originally created this device when I nineteen since I decided I needed something that suites my name. Echo. However I never would have imagined this result, and now you get to try it out so congratulations." The male would say with a foolish grin.

“I’m honored” The male would say with a slight laugh as the headphones would be latched onto his head. The man would reveal a microphone and speak to Pyro. "Now these are called head phones if you don't know. Yet these are not ordinary headphones, no these ones play specific tracks that I select and I have a very special one for you. Are you prepared to hear it?" He’d ask, turning off his microphone to wait for a response.

”Sure.” The male would say with a slight uncertain tone to his voice, knowing the capitol can do anything, but he wasn’t going to care. This is revenge, a price they need to pay; a price they need to pay for Lily. Would they care?

No.

PRESTON | SIXTEEN | DISTRICT EIGHT
Arrows

[Arrows]

Echo Spetivichi

Yet again the boy seemed to only display rather cute but highly odd flirty rituals. Echo was sure now if he wasn't in the force he probably would have already undressed the boy. However his duties were not to engage in sexual events with his prisoner but to get him punished. Oh well, Echo thought, damn shame but rules are rules after all and I have to follow them. 

With a smile Echo listened to Preston's cocky answer as if he was truly ready for what would be played through the head phones. As if they boy could ever truly be ready to only hear what Echo had chosen. Echo already knew thee effect it would have on the boy. Yet he couldn't wait to see the results. Preston had proven to be quite the prisoner to her interrogated. Yet all prisoners seemed to have a soft spot and Echo knew Preston's very well.

Finding Preston's weakness had actually not been very hard. If Echo hadn't have read his files then figuring it out probably would have been rather difficult due to Preston's personality. However Preston had practically shot himself in the foot. The very crime he had committed had pointed directly to the kink in his armor. The one place Echo was sure to get a reaction from. 

With another evil smile Echo lifted the mic back up to his lips. "Well I am glad you are ready. I am sure you of all people will appreciate the tape." As Echo's voice cut off  he slid the mic back into his pocket as he revealed a simple red button, Echo could feel his heart beat rising as he watched the slight fear and uncertainty that spread across Preston's face. Oh you have no idea little dove, no idea at all. 

Then finally Echo pushed the button down slowly as he saw the machine pick up the command. Several seconds later Echo heard what was the only thing Preston could hear. Ear piercing screams of his sister Lily roared into his ears. There were even parts where she screamed out his name to help her. The screams were those of death filled ones and the track was on repeat.

As the track played Echo slowly leaned against the wall and brought out his digital pad. There he opened a new document to begin taking notes on Preston's reactions. Sure Echo felt bad but a job was a job and he was just doing his. Surely anyone would understand that. 

words/thoughts/speech
tag:marcellus rhodes 11b arc

[marcellus rhodes 11b arc]

HERE WE ARE AT THE TOP OF THE HILL,
A HILL THAT'S QUIETLY CRUMBLING.

Interrogation.

"Well I am glad you are ready. I am sure you of all people will appreciate the tape." Appreciate.ap·pre·ci·ate. What's appreciation? A fairy tale? Fairy tales are things that do not exist. To appreciate is something that does not exist, doesn't register in the dictionary of Pyro. Only twoonezero one word registers. burningburningburning. Sorrow. Sorrow for something as silly as the poor people that would have to deal with this man. They do not need appreciation however. A side character, the underdogs in this game of broken shards in which held lies.

The only shards that could be seen would be the expression that made its way into Pyro's face. His eyes could be described as broken shards, for a good start.

Have you ever been tortured for something, someone you love deeply when you didn't do anything wrong? You did nothing, but people are convinced you're a criminal?

To feel abandoned? Even worried and scared for those who are more fortunate than he? Less fortunate than he? Scared for himself because people misunderstand him?

Pyro Hope is no criminal. Pyro is a nickname. A disguise more like it. They put a mask on him, something that made him much more different than the others. They accused him.

But really he's the victim. The capitol is the real criminal; the case? Murder. Murder of children, murder of innosense and murder of hope.

He never knew what it was like to hear a scream that seemed so real, so close until now. Screams familiar to those his sister had cried, his sister had died with. She would scream his name and in pain. Howling like the wind on a stormy night she would have no stop.

This is a fairy tale. Lily Hope is dead. These screams do not live in the present because they're in the past. A twitch of his eye and the quick strain of his fists clenched as they were chained to the arms of the chair.

He was pained to hear her screams, pained he couldn't help her and his reaction was to throw a house into the mouth of fire and watched as it munched and crunched at the house, the flames being teeth.

He is no criminal. Innocent, innocent, innocent.

PRESTON | SIXTEEN | DISTRICT EIGHT
Arrows

[Arrows]

Echo Spetivichi

Echo watched with a grin as the pain on Preston's face twinged slightly and then coursed through his body in small spasms. As Echo had predicated from the moment he first spoke to the boy, he was a strong fighter. Yet Echo along with any others who had met him in this room knew that there was no escape from his Siren Song. Not to mention Preston had only just begun his night in the gleaming opera as Lily's soliloquy would be finishing shortly and then the next song would slither through his ears and corrupt his brain just the same. And Echo would be here sitting while taking it all in, he would not miss a single moment of Preston's correction. 

Visions of the past crept up into Echo's thoughts as his fingers quickly jotted notes down onto his live tablet. They all rushed back to Echo so clearly as he recalled his very fist human experiment with his perfect machine. The young girl was found roaming far beyond the safety of her District boundary but there were rumors of a group she had been traveling with.  Yet this girl had more will than they all originally anticipated so they did the natural thing and called Echo into action. What presumed next only drove Echo's fascination of the human mind and its reactions to a brand new paramount.

Thanks to the help of several "willing" citizens in her District Echo had acquired the screams of some very important people in her life. The moment their shattered souls arose from Echo's device he watched as her will diminished into nothingness. He watched as she wailed and plead for their safety but only for Echo to ensure her that he had slaughtered them all. Still though about three hours waned on before her tears had swollen her eyes over and her cracked voice gave Echo all the answers they were craving. From there he did the only natural and proper thing a peace keeper should do to keep their weapons safe. In one swift swing of a sword he let her head roll free from her tortured body. 

Sweet scents of scarlet blood bubbled up into Echo's nose as his eyes focused harshly on his newest little pet, perhaps his most favorite of all. Preston's reactions were all precisely as expected but still he force to forget was quite the show. Sadly though that was not the purpose of Echo's visit here. The whole damn reason Echo was blessed with the opportunity to lay his fingers upon dear Preston was because he needed to teach him a lesson. Preston was going to be released back to District Eight after these horrid events, but first he had to suffer.

A small sigh weeded its way out of Echo's chest as he watched the music measures for Lily's song die out on his tablet. From there Echo simply cracked his knuckles before lifting the mic back up to his mouth. "I hope that first piece was to your liking my dear friend. However if not then there is no need to fear since I have plenty more to share with you, including this next one that you should recognize as well."

A gentle tap of Echo's finger against the cool glass of the device's control sent the next wails into Preston's mind, however these ones Echo had harvested on his way here. These ones were more real than the last, and so was the ways he had retrieved them. As Echo stayed leaned against the wall he could imagine what he was hearing now, the desperate calls for help by his other siblings such as Canvas and Paige. Surely Preston would try to ignore them and say they aren't real but somehow Echo knew that he would discover they really weren't.

words/thoughts/speech
tag:marcellus rhodes 11b arc

[marcellus rhodes 11b arc]

"I hope that first piece was to your liking my dear friend. However if not then there is no need to fear since I have plenty more to share with you, including this next one that you should recognize as well." The words had escaped the man's mouth almost as if he were excited to see the reaction, but Preston himself was confused. How did they get more things to use against him? The idea didn't surprise him, but how did they do it? Who would they even use against him?

The answer was filled as soon as it had been asked, and the sounds erupting from the headphones definitely weren't real.

There is no way that the next sounds that had found their way into his head were real. Canvas, Paige, all of the relatives that he had grown to know had filled his head like they were poured from a pitcher of water. He was straining himself to keep calm through his clenched fists as he released a breath that was filled with anger and tension. It was like trying to gulp down your deepest fears and then never speak of them again while being faced with them the very next moment. He'd focus on his breathing, in and out. Inhale...

Exhale. He would just have to focus on that while the horrible teasing of the man had ceased (which he wasn't sure when that'd be). The voices of everyone screaming for his help almost made their way to the center of his brain, screaming and crying for help. His fists tightened as he would listen to their pained screams. Why did the capitol find this such an enjoying thing? Seeing children and teenagers in pain? It's almost like they're a robot programmed for those who don't deserve it to make them wither in pain as they watch their loved ones die and cause them to grow insane.

It's their fault that Preston is here, not his own.

They were the ones controlling him.

Voodoo of sorts? Magic? A venom? Anything could have forced him to be scared. But now there wasn't any sort of contraption inside of the emotions he felt.

Preston Hope was scared of what the hell they've done to his family, and why the hell they decided to use them and not just beat the rest out of him.

There's always the villains in someone's story, and the man right across from Preston is his own.