"I wish I could pass along some clever secret about winning. But I just got lucky, and that's not something you can teach."
Only twelve years old when she was reaped, Hazel entered the Games along with Sylvan, her best friend's eighteen-year-old brother. They quickly became allies themselves, and, together, they managed to avoid other tributes until the final eight, when Sylvan was killed defending Hazel. Mosaic, the boy from One and son of a rebel soldier, found her soon afterwards, but didn't have the heart to kill her, and the two parted company ... until they met again to vie for the victor's crown. Faced with a tribute nearly twice her size, Hazel was certain she was doomed. She managed a swipe to Mosaic's leg, but it wasn't enough. He was about to deliver a killing blow when hound mutts were released. Hazel - smaller, lighter, and quicker - climbed a tree faster than Mosaic could with his leg wound, and the hounds made quick work of him. Only once they were gone did Hazel climb down from the tree to finish the job.
Hazel, convinced the mutts were released because the Capitol didn't want a rebel as their victor, returned home devastated but grateful to be alive. However, as tribute after tribute died under her care, the Games began to exact a greater toll. She had been given her life back, but she found herself unable to save anyone else's. Once driven and determined to bring home another victor, Hazel slowly fell deeper and deeper into depression, gradually losing hope of ever saving a life. Finally, however, more than twenty-five years after her own victory, her patience has been rewarded - but only once.
Age of Victory: 12
Reaped
Training Score: 4
Kills: 1
Arena: Pine Forest
Length of Games: 6 days
Current Age: 59
Successful Mentorships:
Casper Hensley
Casper Hensley
Victor of the 29th Hunger Games
"I'm happy to be alive - that's really all there is to say. I'm sorry the others died, but I'm not sorry that I lived."
An only child from one of the richest families in District Seven, Casper panicked when his name was drawn, sulked the entire way to the Capitol, and barely said two words to anyone - including his mentor - for the first two days of training. On the third day, however, he finally opened up to his district partner, a thirteen-year-old named Lydia, and an unlikely alliance formed. That company didn't last long, however. Casper and Lydia made it out of the bloodbath alive, but, that night, the pair were attacked by mutts. Casper managed to fight them off with his bare hands, but not before Lydia was badly injured. Sponsors sent Casper a knife, but he was unable to bring himself to kill his only friend - the only one who had ever befriended him for his own sake, rather than because of his parents' position. Lydia lasted almost a whole day before finally succumbing to her injuries, dying in Casper's arms as the sun set on the second day.
Lydia's death drove Casper on with newfound determination. On the third day, he found a spring of bubbly water near the center of the factory, surrounded by a garden of candy. There he stayed for the rest of the Games, keeping up his strength and ambushing tributes who happened to stumble into his territory. When the finale came, the other tributes - the boy from Two and the girl from Nine - were driven to the garden. Casper hid behind a lollipop tree, waiting while the boy from Two slew the girl. With the boy already injured, Casper took the opportunity to attack. A long struggle followed, but, finally, Casper emerged victorious.
Since returning to District Seven, Casper has become close with Lydia's family, using his wealth as a victor to help them through their struggles. They can often be found visiting him in Victors' Village, sharing memories and helping each other heal.