Garner, F. Dr. (89). Save Them All. The College.

I can’t go back to school, there will be an empty seat in almost every class. It is not like I am expected to be there, or wanted. For two years, I have not felt like a normal student at all. Yeah, I have high grades across the board but it is obvious why they all keep marking A+ on my papers. I have begged them to treat me like any of the other kids but they can’t overlook it. Not when there are reporters stood outside the gates and unannounced Capitol official visits. They just cannot treat me like a normal kid.

Maybe I should act like an adult then.

There is no Aurora to return to and rant at. I have had to crawl back to the dares club and dump my brain on them, Teddy is no better and Avriel lives in Nine. I am back with that question again. What do I do now?

Do I just look forwards to every year where I lose two kids, have a break down and then bon appetite just put it on repeat? Especially now both my sisters are in the reaping from next year. Now that is really something to look forwards too! Nah, I need to do something and none of these bullshit book readings like Teddy does.

Something useful. Something with meaning. Something where I can use my brain. Something where I can actually save lives.

But I am just a month from being sixteen, it’s too early for what I need. I guess I just ought to start using this victor card.

It is a quiet morning in the desolate Victor’s village. Not even a screaming kid from across the road or a howling sister upstairs to wake everyone up. Mom is already out, another early shift. Or maybe she is seeing that woman, or is it a man now? I am not even sure. Dad is on a night shift, he won’t find out. I hope for his sake that he will never find out. I am the only one mooching about this early. The coffee machine is on boil while I stuff my rucksack with the perfectly stacked papers and a binder with even more that have my name on.

There is no time to put creamer in the coffee or to take the toast out of the toaster. I need to go. Out of the door, travel mug and sack in hand. Today is going to be a disappointment. Or it is going to be a new chapter.

It must be three times the size of my school. The main college of District Six. Where the best of the best is taught and where the greatest ever medical research in Panem is conducted. Mom and dad graduated here. So, did my uncle and aunties. I am not really sure about Grandpa though. Never really sure about him.

I just stand in awe on the concrete steps, looking up at the pillared entrance way. The windows are never ending, as it goes up and up. Molding into the more modern steel expansion. I am going to get lost in here. If they let me in.

The admissions office is not far from the main entrance. There is a little old lady with glasses hanging off the edge of her nose sat at her desk. Her facial expressions do not change, even when I dump the stack of papers on the desk. ”This is not where you can request a tour, Mr Garner.”.

”Oh, I have been on lots and lots of tours Miss. Twelve to be exact, my first one was when I was just six years old!”

”It’s ma’am. What is it I can help you with?”

”Uhh…sorry ma’am. I am wanting to enroll onto the medical degree course that is starting next month.”

”You are not old enough for that Mr Garner, unfortunately you need to be at least 18 years old.. 17 years and 6 months if you have exceptional grades and references.”

”Oh come on mis…ma’am. You already know I have extra exceptional references and look at my grades.” I tap on the pile of paper that is between us. ”That includes all the papers that I am co-author on, a personal statement. References from all of my school teachers and other…official people that are around…Panem.” I spent the last day in the Capitol hunting down anyone that was willing to write down a few sentences for me. There were a lot, probably a few that will not be of use but there is certainly enough.

”I will pass your application to the directors. Your application is three months late though I am sure in such exceptional circumstances, they may well consider your application. You will receive a letter in three days.” She does not give me much hope, her face has not changed for a single second that I have been stood here. Maybe they have been practicing plastic surgeries on her face.

”Thank you.” But I have to smile, it really did not take that much persuasion. Maybe the victor card worked after all.

It was always the life that has been penned out for me but maybe I need to tweak things. Why must a son follow in their father’s footsteps? He chose the fix butts. I want to save lives. I am going to see trauma every year. The tributes are going to be my patients. I will save some. Some will never be saved. If it saves me from this relentless trauma. If it gives my new existence a meaning. I need to go for it, even if I do not have too. Besides, Victor Dr F. Garner, sounds cool.