Good chapter. Lots of action and exposition, both well-placed. And I think the cougar will have an impact on the outcome of the Games, even if all it does is reveal some of Clark's abilities.
The explanation of why the Games are allowed to continue was very informative. And it was perfectly placed, too. Any earlier and it would have slowed down the story by presenting the information as a data dump, but by placing it here, in the middle of the actual Games while Clark was waiting for Lois to wake up, it felt quite natural. It's completely reasonable for him to think about such things at such a quiet time.
You've also explained to us why Clark is so reluctant to reveal himself and resist the government. His hesitation is perfectly reasonable, especially for an 18-year-old farm boy. I wonder if Lois has similar doubts, reasonings, and what-ifs running around in her mind? Maybe if they talked about it - nah.
I've not seen the movie or read the books, so what I know of the Hunger Games trilogy is either hearsay from others or picked up from the movie trailers - or from this very good story. If Clark is going to make a difference in his society, he's going to have to take a huge and irrevocable step by revealing himself and forcing the authorities to make some hard decisions.
Of course, doing so will make someone think of the tribute Lois took out with her "dance moves" and how that girl was in the middle of clobbering Clark before Lois saved him. Someone will figure out that the dead girl had something which negated Clark's advantages, and then we'll see some fur fly for sure.
Excellent story, Annie. I suspected it would be good from the first, but it's even better than I hoped it would be. You've got personal interaction between Clark and Lois, tyrannical government structure, and serious political action going on, not to mention a bubbling, nascent resistance movement. That movement is totally unorganized now, and since the despots control the lines of communication, the different cells don't know about each other, even those in the same districts. But I get the impression that all the movement lacks is a leader who can unite them and inspire them to take down the despots.
I don't know that Clark is that leader. But I do suspect that Lois and Clark together could be that leader figure.
Looking forward to the next exciting installment! No telling how long this one will entertain and inspire us, since this is just number ten of whatever.
