AN: All info will be below.

A Maize of Death

Chapter 1: Red

The crisp crunch of the autumn leaves under my feet makes the hair on the back of my neck stand. I say 'autumn' very loosely, as it's likely the arena has been altered to look the way it does. It's sad, really. In another time, another place, this would have been a beautiful forest. Now? Far too much bloodshed.

Swirls of orange and yellow fall all around me. The cascade of colors are breathtaking, to say the least. I've never seen anything like this back home. District 5 could never be this beautiful. I almost miss the smog. Almost.

It's been days since I've had any real nutrition enter my body. The last thing I ate were the apples I found by Allie's body. She was nice, if I recall correctly. Sort of pretty in a way too. The bloody gash on her face made her significantly less so, but still. I didn't mean to aim for her face, really. Just thinking about it sends chills up my spine. Her screams. The way the birds flew from their branches from being startled… I was sure to not let her suffer. It's difficult to mourn this late into the game. Almost obnoxious. I wouldn't have considered myself anywhere close to victory at the start, yet here I am. Victory. Is there any winner in this, really?

The twig breaking snaps my ass back into reality. I unsheathe my machete, eyes darting through the trunks. My stance is certainly one of self defense, as I jerk my head back and forth, trying to find the source of the noise.

And of course, the troll is angry. Great mutt, Capitol. Real swell job. I bolt, of course. The beast was strong, but slow. Its club would knock me senseless if I wasn't careful. I dodge and duck between branches and bushes, the beast faster than usual. Guess they amped them up a bit for the finale.

I burst from the foliage, rolling into the clearing. The troll stops right at the forest edge, unmoving. "Sorry that you're scared of me. I know I'm threatening." I tease, winking at the thing. I stand up, dusting the grass off of me. I turn, expecting exactly what I saw. The cornucopia. They lead us here on purpose of course. And I was just about sick of this game.

I don't really know who to expect, as I sort of lost count as to who was left. However, I see him soon enough, his shirt torn and dirty as he exited the cornucopia.

"Well hey there, Wyatt," he mutters, his hand held tightly on his axe.

"Marlin, was it?" I choke out, my throat dry and hoarse.

"Yeah," he sputters out.

"Yeah."

The situation is awkward at best, which I'm sure is not exactly what the Gamemakers are looking for. He wipes his bloody axe off with his shirt, which is only then that I notice the corpse in the Cornucopia. Ironically, the cannon goes off just then, signalling her death. His own district partner.

Final Two.

Final fight.

Final stand.

I spin my machete around, deciding to give them a show. I'm gonna paint these fucking woods even more red than they already are. I'm gonna show them that this is my final stand. I grin, squinting up at the sun. The sky is so blue. Oh so blue.

"Congratulations Marlin."

"For what?" he asks, readying his axe.

"For winning," I spit, stabbing myself in the stomach.

So red.

The grass is oh so red.

Red is the last thing I see.

Hello! Alright, let's get this ball rolling. My name is Jace, and this is my story! The form will be on my profile, so do not fret your pretty little faces. However, if you dare submit by review, you shall fret your faces. DO NOT DO IT. DON'T. I'LL END YOU. GOT IT? Good. I'm sorry to all the guests, but that's how it's gonna go. Hope you all enjoy! This is NOT first come/first serve. If it's good, you're in though!

When you PM me, put your favorite Pokemon as the subject so I know you're real. Don't know Pokemon? I'm sure you can google one.

Questions:

1. What were your general thoughts on this chapter?

2. Are you excited?

3. Will you love me 5ever?

Alright, that should do it! Get to it guys. See all of you beautiful people real soon ;)