All the Rhythms in My Heart // [Harvya 72nd]

[Baby Wessex d9b [earthling]]

NAVYA SACHDEVA

It was her first year not being in the Reaping pens, but a little part of her wished she could be, if only to be closer to him. As a spectator, she was relegated to the family viewing area, far back from the stage. She could barely make out Harbinger's figure in the Town Square and despite being the newest victor, the cameras didn't turn to him terribly often. She watched the screens, her gaze tight and her stomach in knots. Harbinger Rhodes was perfectly safe, but no matter how this day went, it would end with him leaving her for another thirty moons.

She was still watching for him when the names were read off. Miristioma. That wasn't right. Kirito was already on the stage. The crowd collectively gasped as Iain - small, bent Iain - ascended the stage. Navya covered her mouth to mask the horror, but she could do nothing about the tears that fell from her eyes.

Moments later, she gained approval from the Peacekeepers to enter the Justice Building. She'd meant to go to Kirito, to promise to check on his family and help however she could, but there was her heart looming, about to explode.

Navya put both of her hands on Harbinger's chest, pressing against the pounding of his heart. "My heart, please," she begged, and then dropped her hands to his and tugged. She led him down a hallway, which was not exactly deserted, but at least a little more private. "Do you remember what I said when you returned home last year? That your district needed you?" She bent her head, trying to catch his intense gaze. "Well now, the district doesn't, but these two children do. And so do Kirito and Katelyn. More than they know."

She bent her head over their joined hands, offering a prayer for their safe return. And then she rolled onto her tiptoes and kissed him. Kirito, Katelyn, Carrita and Iain needed Harbinger Rhodes for now, but she would for always.

table coding (c) ghosty

[Cato]

Harbinger Rhodes Nineteen | Male | District Eleven

Knowing that Navya was safe from the reaping meant a lot to me, but also knowing that my brothers still had a chance to go to the Capitol terrified me. Sitting here on the stage beside Kirito and Katelyn only made my nerves bounce more. I know President Snow is over district eleven winning. Once was enough. Twice was too much. Three times is enough to completely knock someone over the edge. Being from district eleven, feeling the hope that came along with all those victories only meant something was bound to happen eventually. But I didn't even think nothing of it until I saw Carrita making her way towards the stage. She's so tiny. I think to myself as I watch her take her place, and when it came time for volunteers, not a single person even attempted to save her. My heart's in my throat as Finter makes his way towards the ball holding the male names. I pray with all that's inside of me that it's not one of my brothers. I couldn't bear having to mentor one of them knowing the odds of them returning home alive is slim to none. And the moment I heard the name, a sense of relief flowed through my veins until I realized the name belongs to one of Kirito's family members. My heart sinks deep into the pit of my stomach leaving an awful feeling inside me. Once they're led away to the inside of the justice building, I force myself to stand. President Snow had set out to make an example of us. He wants us to know we can't win it all; it wouldn't surprise me if President Snow rigged the reaping himself. But I wouldn't dare say anything about it because I want to live. I survived the hell he placed me in; it would be a shamed to die after all I've gone through. Taking a deep breath, I make my way inside the justice building. Hopelessness and anger sweeps through me. My hands ball into fists as I look at the door I stood in just a year ago. Katelyn and Kirito left me behind. They left me for dead, and every part of me wants to do the same to the tributes standing just behind two of the doors. Sweet little Carrita, and Iain. Why should I help them when nobody was there to help me? Katelyn and Kirito can take care of them all by themselves. Because lets face it, I don't want to become attached to them. It'll only make their deaths worse. Soon the world felt better the moment Navya placed her hands on my chest before lowering them down and taking my hand in her's. She tugged me away to somewhere private and closed off from everyone else before spilling her heart out. "Do you remember what I said when you returned home last year? That your district needed you?" Of course I remember. It was one of the first things she said to me. But at the moment I didn't realize what she meant, yet before I could open my mouth to speak, she continued going. "Well now, the district doesn't, but these two children do. And so do Kirito and Katelyn. More than they know." Her words drove through my heart. And I can feel myself growing weaker and weaker with every passing second. Kirito is going to need more help than I can give him because his cousin is in the games. But he has Katelyn. I want to say. He never needed me. It's a harsh reality, but I know that Carrita and Iain are going to need me. I know they're going to come to me eventually asking for advice I'm probably unable to give. "I'm afraid of losing them, Navya. Carrita, she's so tiny, and Iain..." I can't even bring myself to say the rest because Navya should know what I'm thinking. "I don't even know how to help them." Tears sit on the brim of my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall.

Victor Of The 71st Hunger Games

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