Explosions

This is the time. The Careers have left their camp, heading towards the distant fire that some idiot was careless enough to set. I've been watching their supply pile for days, memorizing exactly where the mines are. I know where to walk. It's time to act now; this may be my only chance.

I carefully step into the clearing, my eyes darting around. I see the giant pile of food, water, and medicine the Careers have piled near the Cornucopia. With one more quick look at my surroundings, I sprint towards my target. I easily dart around and over the mines, my feet moving soundlessly over the dirt ground. I reach the supplies, and with a quick swipe I grab what I need. Not much, though. The Careers might reorganize their supplies if they knew someone had stolen from them.

I run back to the safe cover of the trees and stand there, panting, for a few moments before I turn back around to see if I've been spotted. My eyes focus on the second stream of distant smoke that must've recently been set for a moment, before they come to rest on the District 12 girl. She is standing on the opposite side of the Career base, behind some plants, with an arrow notched in her bow. I tense up and prepare to dart out of the way before I realize the bow isn't focused on me; it's pointed towards the supply pile. I am momentarily confused before I see the sack of apples she is clearly aiming for. Her intent dawns on me, and I am a bit surprised. 12 is going to blow up the Careers' supplies? That takes some guts.

I know that this could be dangerous, but I can't bring myself to run away. Instead, I step back some and ready myself behind a tree, with 12 and the pile still in my line of sight. I see her brace herself and take a deep breath.

She shoots, and the arrow flies towards the pile, hitting the center of the sack of apples with deadly accuracy. That explains how she got the 11. District 12 shoots again and hits the same place. This time the sack slightly tears and the apples start tilting towards the ground. Just one more shot...

I get back as far behind the tree as I possibly can while still being able to see her. 12 steps back, apparently also realizing the danger that can come of many mines being set off at once. She takes on a firm stance, notches another arrow, narrows her eyes—and lets go.

Time seems to still as the third arrow flies through the air. It strikes the bag of apples. Several ominous seconds pass before the first apple tumbles out onto the ground. Then one more, and the rest, all at once.

The explosions that follow can no doubt be felt by every tribute in the arena. One mine goes off, which triggers the others. Debris and smoke is everywhere. The explosions that shake the ground make it impossible to stand up. I fall down, coughing and wheezing. It's so loud my ears are ringing. This goes on for almost a solid minute. It gradually stops, and I lie on the ground for a few more moments to make sure it's finished before I cautiously stand up and brush myself off.

I'm covered in a layer of dirt, sweat, and ash, but other than that I'm fine. I look around and don't see 12, though I do see what used to be the Careers' supply pile. It is now just chunks of debris. The things that survived are unusable. I hear a wail of rage and guess that Cato is back. Without looking, I turn and flee into the forest. Nice job, Girl on Fire, I think. Maybe with the Careers at a disadvantage I'll win after all.