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The Head Gamemaker was working late as usual; so late that she was the last one in the control room for the night. Her sleepy coworkers had departed for home hours ago. But she didn't care. This was why she held the most important position in the Hunger Games...not them. With their work ethic, they could never hope to compare.

The Victory Tour had only ended a few days ago, but the young woman tried her best to stay one step ahead of the game. While everyone was still preoccupied with Kalin's glorious win, she had been busy dreaming up the next arena. And the preparations were coming together quite nicely.

The idea for the arena had struck her while she was lying in bed one night, clothed in silk pajamas, staring at the high ceiling of her quarters. It had presented itself to her brain like a gift, and she had gasped at the sheer genius of it. Giggling uncontrollably, eyes glowing with excitement, she had burst from underneath her warm covers and made for her oaken desk. Once there, she began jotting down her ideas, laughing all the while. All sorts of things continued to come to her, and her hand struggled to keep up with her mind. She knew this arena would make for the best Games yet-or at least, she hoped. That's what she said every year, but in the end, it was all a matter of opinion.

Unable to contain her enthusiasm for her job, she worked a number of late nights, making her ideas a reality. With each new idea that presented itself, she couldn't help but chuckle, a mad twinkle in her eyes as she devised new ways to kill innocent children. She had only been the Head Gamemaker for a short while, but the power was already getting to her head. Creating yet another artificial world made her feel like some sort of god.

Of course, the idea of religion was discouraged in Panem; the people were to put their faith in the Capitol alone. Although religious practices were frowned upon and churches had been destroyed to make room for workplaces, religion did not die so easily. There were still many hopefuls that believed in God, while others had lost their faith a long time ago. But the possible existence of heaven and hell seemed to be common knowledge. And why wouldn't it be? With the Hunger Games occurring annually, death was a common sight to behold. One couldn't help but wonder what fate awaited them afterwards.

The victims of the Hunger Games were lucky to find out the answer to that question earlier than others. The Head Gamemaker held their very lives in her hands. They were her toys; playthings that would each get a dramatic, memorable demise that delighted her to no end. If there was a God, he was no longer pulling the strings: she was.

The young woman was so absorbed in her work that she didn't notice President Snow quietly slip inside the room. He stepped up to stand at her shoulder, looking down at her work. She didn't spare him a glance.

"You missed our meeting today." He said, clearing his throat.

She flinched, her eyes flying wide with shock. "I'm so sorry, sir! Time got away from me."

"It's fine," The president said, sounding oddly calm, even though the Head Gamemaker had completely snubbed him, "I'm curious to see what you've been working on."

"I would love to show you!" The woman said excitedly, her fingers flying as she dragged windows across the hovering screens in front of her, "First of all, I'd like to show you one of my many inspirations…!"

"Not another Robert Frost poem, I hope." The president said, sounding a little bit bored. He just wanted her to get to the point already.

She was immune to his poor attitude, laughing, "No, not at all! Here…"

The Gamemaker brought up a video clip and jammed her finger into a button. The President found himself looking at Kalin, the victor of last year's Hunger Games. The scene before he won was playing out on the screen. They watched it for about a minute. Then the Head Gamemaker paused the video, swiveling around in her chair to grin at President Snow.

"…You're going to have to elaborate." Snow said in an irritated tone of voice.

The Gamemaker smiled evilly. "It's a surprise."

"You know I hate surprises."

"Forgive me, sir," The Head Gamemaker said, eyes sparkling, "But you'll just have to wait like everyone else."

President Snow narrowed his eyes. "Don't forget your place. I would see to it that you were fired for that remark, but I admire your prowess in performing your duties."

The Gamemaker blinked in surprise, suddenly looking very concerned. The president's words had brought her back to reality. She wasn't a god. There was someone in Panem more powerful than herself. She opened her mouth to apologize, but President Snow was already walking away.

"I'll leave you to it, then. Get some sleep." Snow told her.

With that, he exited the room, leaving as quietly as he had come. The Head Gamemaker turned back to what she was doing and continued working feverishly into the night.

Months passed. With each day, the Gamemaker's excitement grew. These would be the best Games yet. The 42nd Games had an amazing arena, but the critics still came down on her for the lack of fighting. There were just too many places for the children to hide, and survival came easy. She gave her audience what they wanted in the 43rd Games, creating a setting that would force tributes together, but then they prattled on how the fire and ice arena didn't compare to the previous one.

This year, there would be no flaws. Everything had to be perfect.

Hands shaking with anticipation, she grasped the list of tributes and looked at each name in turn.

District 1 (Luxury)

M: Obsidian "Ian" Shaw (18)

F: Jade Argent (17)

District 2 (Masonry)

M: Xander Black (18)

F: Sagitta Costella (17)

District 3 (Technology)

M: Wiley Corr (17)

F: Spark Fusion Watson (16)

District 4 (Fishing)

M: Zale Covent (18)

F: Meredith Calaghan (17)

District 5 (Power)

M: Isaac Ross (17)

F: Vera Neuros (17)

District 6 (Transportation)

M: Piston Mills (18)

F: Viola Cione (12)

District 7 (Lumber)

M: Barrett Emerson (16)

F: Athena Srajord (17)

District 8 (Textiles)

M: Flick Fawley (13)

F: Thimblelina "Thimble" Paylor (13)

District 9 (Grain)

M: Rowan Claibee (17)

F: Aluma Cavendash (14)

District 10 (Livestock)

M: Buck McBride (16)

F: Claire Dillon (17)

District 11 (Agriculture)

M: Almond "Al" Frezno Jr. (15)

F: Quinoa Rheape (14)

District 12 (Mining)

M: Seyuto Yosuke Laresses (15)

F: Rina Hale (17)

A cruel smile slowly stretched across the Gamemaker's face.

Soon, all but one would be dead. And then they would have the fun of discovering whether there really was a heaven or hell.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Hunger Games series. However, the plot of this story, the arena, one of the tributes, etc. are my own.