The Bear (Open)

[angel]

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Hayden huffed out a breath in the crisp morning air. It was early, he was tired, and the reaping was coming up soon. All in all, he was not having a good day so far. He gave a small smile to people he knew as he jogged through the town square. Hayden used to be the one who would walk up to anyone and find at least something to talk about. Since he went into the arena, however, he found himself to be more reserved and thoughtful. If it was not for his already large mass of friends, he most likely would have turned to drinking or drugs like many former victors did to dull the pain.

His morning jog faltered slightly and a grimace pulled at his features as he recalled his latest nightmare. No matter how hard you try, they will never go away. It's our price to pay for surviving I suppose, reliving the memories over and over again. In a way, we never truly leave the arena, his mentor's words echoed through Hayden's head. Giving a small wave to the baker's wife, Hayden felt a pang of sadness hit him as he realized how much he missed his mentor. Now it's my turn since he's gone. Hayden was not looking forward to having to lead this years tributes. He knew from his mentor's dying words that it would be painful and difficult, but it was not a choice. As the most recent victor of the Games for District One, it was Hayden's duty to mentor the tributes.

As he passed the training center, Hayden snorted at the sight of several Career boys practically jumping up the stairs to train. It's all just a Game to them. But, that's all it was to me too, he shook his head, knowing there was no point. Because he lived in District One, the Hunger Games were a sort of honor. To be a victor meant to be a sort of celebrity. Hayden was already very lovable before he was chosen as tribute, but he could not believe his eyes when he returned home to District One and witnessed the large crowd awaiting him. Who cares about the parties and feasts when the faces of those you killed haunt you forever.

Pausing to survey his surroundings, Hayden made sure nobody saw him as he slipped between two buildings. A few steps into the alley way, he pushed aside a broken fence post before entering into the small haven. It was just large enough for two or three people to sit in, but Hayden was perfectly happy using it as his personal get away. Just as he was bout to unwind his muscles, the sound of someone else caught Hayden's attention. Within seconds, Hayden's arena instincts took over and he jumped to his feet, prepared for whomever or whatever discovered him. "Who's there?" he demanded, clutching the small dagger he had begun to carry with him.

[aliciamusa]

I walked around District 1. Yea I may be from District 2 but I wanted to visit once again. So I did. I saw a guy turn the corner of a building. He heard me coming turned around and said who's there. I was lucky enough to dive around to have my back to a couch. It was Hayden. A victor from District one. I so hope he hasn't heard of me.

I killed both people from his district. I but my hand behind my back and hold my knife in my hand. "Nicole. NicoleFox." I may be fear free in District 2 but here in District 1 I have fear. I don't know anything here and I don't know how short tempered the people are.

[angel]

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Nicole Fox...Nicole Fox...why does that sound familiar? Hayden rolled the name over and over. Relaxing his stance, he could easily tell by the voice that it was just a girl, not any sort of mutt out to get him. Another wonderful perk of being a victor, constantly being paranoid, he grumbled before walking close to where the voice was.

As he peered at the girl, Hayden suddenly realized how he knew her. "Oh, you're the girl from District Two that won the last Hunger Games," he realized, remembering how especially gruesome it had been. Pushing the thought away, Hayden loosened his tight grip on the dagger and held out his other hand. "I'm Hayden, the mentor for the District One tributes," he introduced although he doubted he needed to. Nearly everyone knew who the victors were. After all, they watch us as we turn into savages and murder twenty-three other children, the bitter thoughts invaded his mind, but Hayden quickly pushed them away.

Giving the girl a polite smile, he wondered if she was someone he could open up to or someone he should be wary of. I guess we'll see soon enough. Furrowing his eyebrows, Hayden realized how strange it was for the District Two victor to be in District One. "What brings you to District One? Not here to steal any of our amazing Career training secrets are you?" he questioned with a playful smirk.

[aliciamusa]

I came out from behind the wall so he could see me. Here to steal career secrets? HA. I have my own. I mean I am from a career district myself. I think about telling him this, but why? I mean he is sorta cute for a guy who is 18. I am only 16. Two years younger than him. That's not a lot when you really think about it. I look at him in the eyes and drop my hand from my back.

I keep looking him in the eyes when I take a step forward and say "You must know me. If you know I won the latest hunger games then you must know what district I am from right? If you don't then I understand why you asked if I was here to steal your Career secrets."

[angel]

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As Nicole came out into Hayden's full view, he realized she was closer to his age than he first imagined. As she stood, he could tell she was watching him just as closely as he was watching her. While he doubted she had any malicious intentions, being cautious around new people had become second nature to him. Hm, I need to loosen her up a bit, he decided with a grin as she questioned why he believed she was out to steal his Career training secrets if she was already from a Career District.

"I was messing with you, Nicole," Hayden explained, chuckling softly at how seriously she took him. While he still did not trust her completely, it was impossible for Hayden to not joke around with practically everyone. "I didn't mean to offend you or anything, just playing around," he clarified with a shrug. While with many people he would have given them a playful shove or poke, Hayden kept his distance from Nicole. He knew first hand what it was like right after you returned from the arena and her reflexes may still be programed from the Games. Heck, my reflexes are still crazy.

[aliciamusa]

I watch him very closely. If he makes one wrong move I will hurt him. I might not kill him because he is another victor. "Don't do anything that might get you killed." I say relaxing my hand on my knife. I always keep a knife in my back pocket now.

[angel]

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Hayden felt his eyebrows raise at Nicole's words and he felt a frown replace his signature smile. Twirling his own knife, he watched her before casually leaning against the nearby tree. Is she trying to threaten me? he wondered, unsure if he was more amused or irritated. "I could say the same thing to you since you're in my District and following me. Why were you following me?" he questioned, keeping his gaze constantly on Nicole in case she were to try anything.

[aliciamusa]

I was following him huh. Well I was just looking around and saw him. I wanted to know where he was going. Should I tell him this, or make up an excuse? Like maybe I thought he was cute? I don't know I think about it for a long time. I look him in the eyes and figure lying is the best option.

"Well you see, I saw you walking and I thought you were cute. So I wanted to see where you were going so I could talk to you." That sounded so gay. I sounded like a flirty little girl. Well maybe that's why I got the nickname ""The Flirt."

[angel]

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Nicole's words caused Hayden to immediately smirk on the inside. While he was not a lie detector or anywhere close, he could sense that she was simply giving an answer she thought would get her out of any trouble. Little does she know that her lie just made this more fun for me, he mused, forcing his face to remain blank of emotions. Hayden loved games, especially cat and mouse. In the arena it had become his favorite game to play with the other tributes. Even at times when he could have easily taken the tribute down, Hayden would toy with them until they made a fatal mistake.

Pushing the memories of the arena away, he pushed off the tree and gave her a small smirk. "Cute, huh? What about me did you think was cute?" he questioned, his eyes daring her to think of another lie. This should be interesting.

[aliciamusa]

What did I think about him that was cute. His butt? Most girls say that. Only I don't look at people's butts. I think that's gross. So I look him over and think. I got something. "I think they way you won the Games a few years back. That's what made me like you." I made a flirty smile and waited till he said something.

[angel]

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Hayden hid the shock that hit him at the girl's words. The way I fought in the games? My sick ways of murdering twenty-three children is cute? That's a new one, he mused before realizing there was not a true reason for him to be surprised. Since Nicole was from a Career District and she was a victor, the Hunger Games to her, like so many Careers and Victors, was simply that, a game for entertainment.

Shrugging as if to say 'it was nothing,' Hayden gave Nicole a smirk. "Well thanks. You did a pretty good job last year," he complimented, thinking of how she had managed to take down the two District One tributes. "It'll be interesting seeing our tributes go at each other this year, huh?" With this said, Hayden could not help but wonder who the tributes would be this year. Shaking his head and returning his focus to the girl in front of him, Hayden gave an apologetic smile. "Sorry, I'm sure you didn't come here originally to follow me and tell me how cute I am," he began with a wink, "I hope I'm not making you late for anything."

[aliciamusa]

No I didn't originally come here to tell him he was cute. I came here to visit and that's what I am doing. I am visiting the people who live in here. Starting with the resent victor. I look around and hear a growl. I turn my head sightly and see a wild dog. must have followed me I thought. I did come through the woods. Only it doesn't seam to be growling at me. I look at Hayden. "Don't make any motion to kill me or it and you will be fine. Most of these wild dogs take a liking to me I don't know why."

[angel]

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The sound of a growl immediately brought Hayden to a stand still. Clenching his fists, he finally spotted the wild wolf or dog that was causing the sound. Nicole's words brought a frown to his face as Hayden clenched and unclenched his fists around the dagger. "Why can't I kill it? It's a wild beast that doesn't need to be wandering around here," he said with a little more force than necessary. Hayden quickly clamped his mouth shut so that the creature would not see him as a threat.

But what it doesn't know it that it made a bad choice coming near me. I should kill it in one swipe, he fumed as his muscles itched to throw the dagger straight at the little beast. Before he went into the arena, Hayden would have wanted to attack the dog for fun and to test his skills. Now, however, he wanted to kill it after facing mutts that had been strange mixtures of wild cats and dogs. With each second he stood staring into the eyes of a creature that resembled the monsters, Hayden found it harder and harder to not throw his weapon.

[aliciamusa]

Seeing Hayden wanting to chuck his dagger at the dog made me feel protective. Some people in district 2 kept them as pets. I didn't but I care for the creatures. I bent down and petted the dog. I made a clicking noise telling it to go but stay close. When It was gone I got up and said, "see It's gone no need to worry."

[angel]

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As Nicole said those words, Hayden immediately felt defensive. Relaxing his hold on the dagger, he turned his attention back to the girl and huffed out a breath. "I wasn't worried. I could have killed the thing easily, he stated before letting his muscles uncoil completely. Why did she care so much about the animal? Hayden found himself wondering. Few in his District ever kept pets or even tolerated animals to be near them. Since Nicole was a victor, he was even more surprised that she wanted to protect the creature.

We aren't all mindless killers like they think, Hayden reminded himself, realizing that the statement did not have to only apply to just him. Studying the girl, he pushed his questions aside and gave her a friendly smile. "So would you like me to show you around the District some?" he offered as his usual friendly air of confidence returned.