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“The District 9 Tribute for the 149th Life Games is: Cub!“
Cub was sucking on his thumb the moment all the cameras of Panem turned to stare at him. It wasn’t anything childish, he was just trying to get the blue stain off his finger that hadn’t budge since the day before. Still when he heard his name called he froze, staring up to the stage with his hand still to his lips. Immediately he felt tears stinging his eyes and panic overtake him, but he managed to swallow the emotions enough to make his way to the stage, walking slowly with his head held high, as two Peacekeepers hesitated to flank him as guards. Wels, their Capitol Escort, looked at him expectantly, hand extended and ready to shake Cub’s.
“Hi, welcome! Please a big applause for our District 9 Tribute, Cub!“
After shaking his hand and turning him around to face the crowd, Cub noticed that he quickly wiped his hand on a clean cloth in his pocket. He got one last look at the crowd, his mother in the distance was crying, and it almost looked like her dark eyes where sparkling with the tears and the sun shining down on them. Wels put an hand on his shoulder and guided him gently indoors, where he lead him to the room where he’d get to say goodbye, finally alone, Cub started crying. Outside he heard hurried steps and hushed conversation, but he’d mastered the ability to overhear, with all his visits to the lab.
“Wait! What do you mean?”
“I mean that if we do this it’s gonna get into the Capitol.”
“Wasn’t that the point?”
“Yes! But not now! We’re like a year early! Why do civilians already have it?”
The first voice was that of a woman Cub almost recognized, and arguing with her was Wels.
“Look they just told me it might have gotten out. I don’t know how or why. Does the kid have it?”
“I’m not sure, but his mother sure does, we can’t let her see him, it’s too dangerous.”
Hearing that, and figuring he was the kid they were talking about, Cub could no longer stay silent behind the door. He slowly opened it up and approached them. It was Shubble, one of District 9's Victors and his Mentor, that had been talking to Wels.
“Why can’t I see my mom? What did I do?“
Immediately Shubble was crouching in front of him, a sympathetic look on her face.
“You didn’t do anything, and neither did your mom. It’s just a complication, from the Capitol. We can’t have you two in the same room.“
“What? Why?“
“I don’t know kid, I’m really sorry, but I’ll try to figure something out…”
With that she sent him back in the room, walking away with hurried steps. Cub waited, and he went to the window in hopes to see his mother from afar. He spotted, in the middle of the square, where Shubble was talking to her from a distance, pointing out his window. He saw his mom shout, clearly mad she wasn’t allowed in, until she saw Cub who had opened the window and was shouting out to her.
“Mom!”
“Hi baby! They won’t let me in! I’m sorry baby! I love you! Be brave! Be smart! They can’t take that from you!”
“I’m scared. I don’t want to go.”
“I know, but it’s alright. You are my little genius. Show them what you’re made of!”
And with that someone pulled Cub away from the window, telling him that they had to leave now and were already late. From afar he caught one last glimpse of his mother, still standing tall. Only after the train left District 9 did she break down in tears, but Cub would never know that.