Shark (lastyearsboy) wrote in colosseum, @ 2013-11-29 10:20:00 |
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Entry tags: | ! backstory, - districts, x-victor: 54th shark everett |
Who: Shark Everett
When: Coming home after the Games
Where: Train station
What: He was the returning champion...
Status: Complete (Prompt #7 | Table)
The last time District 4 had a winner, Schuyler had been seven years old. He could still remember sitting on his dad's shoulders and watching the train come in. He could remember cheering and how happy everyone was to welcome their Victor home. It'd been one of those memories that stuck with him, like the first day of school or a birthday or Christmas. This homecoming was nothing he'd want to remember. Schuyler sat curled up next to the window on the train, watching the world as he flew by. Schuyler didn't say much at all during the entire train ride home. The stylists had carefully applied concealer to hide the bags under his eyes, the evidence that Schuyler hadn't slept since he'd been picked out of the arena. They'd picked his outfit, dressed him in it, tutted and obsessed over his hair while Schuyler sat, mute. Shell shock, they called it, standing all around him. Like he couldn't hear them anymore just because he wasn't talking. When he started recognizing things, that was when he knew he was in District 4 again. Schuyler took a deep breath, trying not to react to the sudden appearance of the ocean, even though it made his stomach flip. He could taste bile. Don't throw up, he had to tell himself a few times before it sank in. "Here we are!" someone said, cheerfully. Schuyler didn't notice, or care, whose enthusiastic voice that was. They were pulling into the train station and Schuyler wasn't prepared for how many people were standing there, waiting for him. He wasn't ready for the deafening cheers that came from everyone as the train pulled in and their Victor was home at last. He could see his parents right at the front, holding up one of the signs proudly. Dozens of them were scattered throughout the crowd. "Congratulations, Shark!" exclaimed one. "District 4 ♥ Shark!" said another. "Shark Everett - District 4's Champion!" It was like no one here even remembered his name. Even the sign that his parents held up said Shark. Schuyler couldn't help but scowl. They'd said goodbye to Schuyler, after Reaping Day, and now they were welcoming back a stranger. |