Chapter Text
Thomas was glued to the television set. He was there with Newt and Minho. Today was the day they would announce about the Quarter Quell. They were always so odd, with weird twists. It was the first any of them would see, and were a little nervous.
"Can I get you boys anything?" Thomas smiled at his mother. They had come a long ways. They were understanding each other better, so was doing so much more to be there for him when he had his nightmares or his episodes. She was calm and loving, even gave up on his returning to the way he used to be.
"We're all set, mom." He replied as Brenda stood in front of the podium. Both Janson and Paige stood behind her.
"Citizens of Panem, I am quite happy to announce the beginning of the Quarter Quell. Today, we will find out what exciting Game will await us." She reached her hand into the bowl. Minho, Newt, and Thomas all leaned forward. "For this year's Quarter Quell..." She pulled out a slip. "All tributes will be chosen from those of eligible age from the victor's families."
Thomas swore there was a ringing in his ears. He must have heard wrong. He could barely hear Minho muttering "no" over and over. All Thomas kept thinking was of Chuck. Chuck was of eligible age. They were going to send in his only brother. But then he also realized, remembered. They were going to take away the only other child in the village, Newt's younger sister.
"They can't do this," Newt got to his feet.
"Newt..." Thomas barely heard his voice as he tried to grab Newt's hand. The blond just pulled his hand back.
"They can't bloody do this! That is my baby sister they're sentencing to death!" Newt screamed. "There has to be something we can do." Newt paced and Thomas felt like he couldn't do anything.
"Is everything alright?" Thomas' mother reentered the room, Chuck at her side. Thomas could feel the tears before they began to flow. He got to his feet without thinking.
"I'm sorry. This is all my fault, this is all my fault." Thomas broke down. He felt his mother's arms wrap around him and her confused voice questioning him. But he couldn't stop. Chuck was being sent into the arena all because he won.
"Newt, calm down." He could hear Minho trying to put Newt back together. It seemed that Minho was the only one spared from this pain. "They drew for the Quarter Quell." Minho explained, as if that made everything clearer.
"They're going to send in siblings of the victors." Thomas choked out. He could hear his mother begin to scream, crying. Thomas just looked at Chuck, who just looked shocked. "I'm sorry, Chuck. I'm so sorry."