Survival – The 54th Annual Hunger Games

"It is said that your life flashes before your eyes just before you die. That is true, it's called: Life."

Terry Pratchett

Juni Bevilacqua – District Ten

Prologue Pt. 1 – The 53rd Games

"You can't run forever, coward!"

The painful wheezing in my chest brings truth to his words, as does the strain in my thighs and calves. My legs threaten to turn to jelly at any moment and the bitter, blasting wind keeps me from running at full speed, even if I had the energy to do so. Sooner, rather than later, I'm going to have to turn and face him; the ax-wielding Volunteer from District Seven. A monster who's name I never had the pleasure of learning and now, he's going to lead me to my death.

How did it ever come to this? I was the kid destined for the Bloodbath, another blip on the radar, another life cut short. District Ten doesn't breed victors, we breed farmers and cattle ranchers, milkmaids and mothers. We slaughter cows and chickens, not other children. And yet, my hands aren't clean, my soul is now tainted and soiled. I didn't make it this far due to skill or athletic prowess, but by luck and cowardice. I am here, thanks to the deaths and sacrifices of twenty-two other children.

The deaths of my allies.

It was my idea to bring them together. Nausica from District Four was first, cast out of the Careers simply for being Reaped. To them, it didn't matter that she had trained her whole life for this moment, no, it was that single word that kept her from being the Career she was raised to be. Her own partner sold her up the river, refusing to vouch for her when the time came and ever rubbed it in her face when they replaced her with the same brute that is chasing me down now. Even now, I can't help by smile as I think of her seeking him out, trident in hand, laughing as she drove it through his back and pinned him to the cornucopia during the Bloodbath.

After I picked up Nausica, the rest fell into place. Maisie and Micah, siblings from the Grain District, came next, each with their own skills that meshed well with our own. They were the darlings of the Capitol, their tearful interviews brought down the house, as did their matching Training Scores. By the second day of training, we found a friend in Ravi, a thirteen year old from District Twelve that just wanted his death to mean something. At the last second, we picked up the final and most shocking piece of our gang, Lyja, the District Partner of the one trying to end my life now. She wanted to stick it to him for leaving her for the big guns and saw us as just the way to make that happen. We were the anti-careers, six tributes from five different walks of life, uniting together to show that even the Capitol can't keep us down. It surprised me that no one had ever thought to try this one before, but judging on how quickly things fell apart, I can see why.

As the gong sounded, it all went to hell in a hand-basket.

We lost Ravi to the bloodbath, pierced through the chest by a Career's spear and placing a sad and pathetic 24th overall. He was just a baby, the youngest of us all, and his life was snuffed out as if it meant nothing at all. The brother-sister combo from Nine came next; Maisie fell into a mine trap set by the techno-genius from Three just a day after the Bloodbath, her body exploding on impact. Micah walked off just a few hours later, refusing to take his weapon or say goodbye. His cannon sounded one day later and I can't help but believe he died at his own hands. Without his twin, he had nothing left in the world. Lyja's wound she gained by dueling with the girl from One soon turned infectious and I was forced to snuff her out myself, the sound of her begging has yet to leave my ears.

Of course, we weren't the only ones suffering from dwindling number. An even ten fell during the opening moments, including my own District Partner and the pair from Eleven, all allies under the age of fifteen. The sick bastard from Two met his end the same day as Micah and I can honestly say that I didn't feel the least bit guilty about smiling back at him. The last time I saw him, his saber was piercing through the chest of frail girl from Eleven and he his laughter echoed around me. The last of the proper Careers, the male from One, met his end just yesterday and I'm guessing it was thanks to the one chasing me now.

"It's only us left, coward. Fight me like a man."

He's right. It's now or never.

Seven stumbles back as I spin around, my hand tightly gripping the handle of my machete. His eyes flash with confusion; he never expected me to turn and fight him. To be honest, I didn't think I had it in me either, but then again, these Games have brought out a side of me I never thought existed. This is the boy that killed the closest thing I have ever had to a friend and was part of the group that made it their mission to slaughter as much as possible. I could still see Nausica, holding onto her insides as he stood above her, his ax dripping with her blood. The look on his face proved that he didn't feel the slightest bit of remorse.

No. He won't get the luxury of ending my life.

"That's right, I am a coward!" My voice cracks and forces itself out of my throat. "I wasn't supposed to make it this far, I wasn't supposed to live. But then again, neither were you. You think they wanted us here? That we were their chosen ones? Look at us! We are kids, Seven. Just kids. And yet...here we are, so close to finishing this and instead, we make small talk."

"You're stalling, Ten," his voice wavers, just slightly and the ax twitches in his hand. "This is what they wanted all along. Careers, outer-district kids...it doesn't matter to them, never has. They just want a good show."

Now or never, Juni.

"I'm through giving them what they want. If you want this victory so bad, you can have it."

I barely register the guttural scream that escapes my lips, nor the scream that comes from his, as I drag the blade across my throat. The burning is like nothing I've ever felt and nothing I'd ever feel again. My legs finally give in and drop, the ground giving little comfort as the blood drains from my body. Tears and spots cloud my vision as I try to find something to focus on during my last moments. Anything to take away the pain that spreads through my body.

Jorja. Mama. Papa. I'm sorry, but I knew from the start that I wasn't going home. I'm a coward taking the coward's way out. If they make me a martyr, that's fine by me, but I'd rather my death mean absolutely nothing. Why should it shine brighter or have more meaning than Ravi's or Micah's or anyone of the other kids that feel before me? I'm nothing special, just another kid destined to die in The Hunger Games.

Nausica is waiting for me in the bright light. There is no longer a gaping hole in her stomach and everything is where it should be. She is no longer in any pain.

And neither am I.

Well now, kiddies...this is my first time at the SYOT rodeo, but I've submitted to a ton of them. Hopefully you guys like what you see and submit some tributes. The bio template is on my bio, so feel free to submit. I'm going to try to take the best of what I am given and if I do not take your tribute, I'm sorry ahead of time. Once all the tributes are collected, I will update with the second half of the prologue and continue on from there. I am trying to have this story complete in 20 chapters, one every week. HOWEVER I do hold down a full-time job and have two kids that come first, so if I'm a little late, please don't complain. Life happens, guys. ;)

I would also like to dedicate this story ahead of time to the ever amazing Jabberjayheart for allowing me to swipe his story set up and inspiring me to even take a crack at something like this. Thanks, Sir Jabber of the Jays! And if you people reading this have no idea who this is, SHAME ON YOU! Leave my story and power-read through his TEN stories, then come back to me. His work is the best on here, I shit you not.

Good luck and enjoy this.