Go Your Own Way // [Christian Blitz]

One day left, and counting.

The clock tick, ticks down. It's sort of obnoxious, if you ask me. I mean, do they think we'd actually forget the Reaping is tomorrow? My teachers used to drone on and on about it, like months in advance. You could say that's the reason I stopped going to school, but that's not it at all. I just couldn't handle sitting. Yeah, just sitting. It was so lame, so boring. There's a whole world to explore, with beaches and waves and plenty of pockets to pick.

Life is much better now, without school. It does get kinda lonely during the days. Like now. There's a few Peacekeepers I gotta avoid, but mostly it's just moms and dads, hoisting the screen and bolstering the stage. I keep to the shadows. Don't want to be someone's reward so they can dodge some tesserae. Every now and again someone drops a nail, or leaves a hammer out of reach. That's when I swoop in, like the night. Like... like a black lightning Bolt. No. THE Black Lightning Bolt.

It's a little long for a hero's name, but I think I can make it work. My jacket almost jangles with all the prizes I've collected. Which on the one hand, yes. It's the best haul I've gotten in weeks. On the other, it makes it impossible to be stealthy. I sound like freaking Santa Claus, all jingle jangle as I duck and weave between buildings. Except these presents are going with me, all the way to the black market on the far side of town. But just a few more won't make any difference. If I could get my hand on one of the cranks they're using to lift the screen, that would really go for a lot.

I edge along the Capitol building's dusty backside, creeping forward until I can see the half-mast screen. There's a lot of people helping, which is fine, but there's also a lot of bystanders. If I'm going to get one of those cranks, I need a distraction. Or a helper. I scan the crowd, but everyone's so old. School ought to be out by now, but most kids go straight home to train or do their homework. Suckers. Maybe a nice looking mom would take pity on me -

Then I see him. Looks like he'd be nice, want to help out a kid like me. I grin, all white teeth and intent as I stalk my prey. I wait until he's near the alley, and then cough pitifully into my fist. "Excuse me? I know you're probably super busy with the Reaping prep, but I was hoping you could help me. Pleeeeease?"