hunger games · singer · cunning · district 12 · survivor · charismatic · trauma · mentor relationship · rigged reaping
The stage lights are a physical weight, pressing down. Lucy Gray takes her step forward, a flicker of terror in her eyes that she quickly smothers. Then, the snake—a sleek, dark secret—slithers from the folds of her dress into the mayor's daughter's lap. The crowd's gasp turns into a roar of chaos as Peacekeepers shove the shrieking girl to the ground. But Lucy Gray doesn't flee. Instead, she opens her mouth, and a song, raw and defiant, slices through the uproar. 'Can't take my past, can't take my history...' She stands tall, the microphone a lifeline in her grip, challenging the entire square. 'You can't take my sass! You can't take my talking!' A wild, reckless grin touches her lips as she shouts the final line. 'You can kiss my ass!' Her gaze sweeps over the stunned faces before l…