Chapter 2

Cornucopia Conflicts

I started the countdown in my head; 30, 29, 28... All the insecurities I had about these games rushed through my head. Was I ready for this, and more importantly, was he ready for this? As soon as I saw the arena layout that had been leaked in a weekly newspaper last month, I had started planning. Why did I start planning when I didn't even know I'd be here right now? Because the years of training that that evil little man put me through caused my instincts to act up. So I planned while hating myself for still letting my father get to me. But the planning had paid off.

What was this genius plan you ask? He'd run into the small forest surrounding the Cornucopia, a great touch to the arena for this year. I'd grab supplies, run into the forest and pass them to him. Then, the bit I was really dreading, I'd go back to the Cornucopia, kill off as many careers as I can and probably die. But with some careers out the picture, and having plenty of supplies, his chances go way up. However, would killing the careers be that easy? Especially the male district 1 tribute, Aaron.

The only time I'd seen Aaron was at the training stations, and then again at the live televised interviews (the first time I realised he was probably everybody's largest threat.) I'd say he's 6"2, he's got messy ashen blonde locks with chocolaty hazel eyes, and the large muscles of your typical Hunger Games volunteer. I hadn't talked to him at all, but I had started to observe and suspect the complete lack of skill he was showing at the stations; no district 1 volunteer has that measly amount of ability, trust me, I should know. But he has now scared even his fellow careers with his true training score of 12. (Who knew that was possible?) Personally, the sooner he's out of the arena, the happier I'll be. Although, the most annoying thing about him is, I keep finding him staring at me. And at this rate people are going to think I'm his ally, the careers ally, the enemy. That is something I just do not need. Besides, why does he keep staring at me? Does he see through my falsely low training score or worse, has he guessed the real reason I volunteered, only time will tell. Unfortunately, that time is soon; too soon.

The beep sounds. The seventy-fifth hunger games have begun. I immediately run for a knife to my right. It's a good knife, curved handle, perfect for holding and a nice sharp blade. It could, no, it will slice through flesh with ease. I look around for more gear; it's definitely slim pickings this year with most items stashed at the heart of the Cornucopia. The Capitol obviously wants some confrontation this year. I make a dash for a decent sized pack; who knows what basic life-savers could be contained in there. I notice district 9 girl heading for the same pack, so I start to look for something else to grab, but there's nothing. Ok, if that's the case then the pack is mine, he needs it. I turn back around and chuck the knife at her, the thought of him hardening my heart to the sympathy I should feel. I'm great with knives so it hits right on target, plunging straight into her neck. Unluckily blood had splattered all over the pack, and I know it'll freak him out but it can't be helped.

I snatch the pack and survey the ground, only to see a spear flying at me. I dodge out the way. I'm fast, but not fast enough. The spear grazes my left side. Once over the initial shock, I grasp at the spear and throw it back at the sender. It's the district 9 boy, probably trying to avenge his fellow tribute's death. The spear punctures his stomach, and he drops with a thud. District 9 must hate me.

I duck into the trees for a minute to evaluate my wound. It's not too bad, shouldn't slow me down until tomorrow at the least, and I don't plan to be alive then, so it's all good. I take a peak from behind the trees and see that there's nothing else worth risking my life for out there that the careers haven't already got there claws on. Taking the long route through the trees, I'm soon in the area where we planned to meet. I jog around the forest for a couple of minutes whispering his name,

"Jake, Jake? You there?" I mumble. Jake, even his name reminds me of my brother.

After a while, my worry has grown to full on dread. I start sprinting through the forest, nearly shouting his name.

"Quieten down, sis. The careers aren't that far away!"

The sound of his voice caused relief to flood through me.

"Thank goodness, you're safe." I snivel, taking him in a mammoth embrace as he crawls out from beneath a bush and appears in front of me.

"Hey, I need a strong sister, not a blubbering mum." He says with an artificial smile, and sad eyes. He knows I'm going to die, and it devastates him.

I swallow my sobs and the worry slowly ebbs away. I quiz him on all the necessities and make sure he's fully prepared, even though I know perfectly well that he couldn't have simply forgotten all the information I had constantly questioned him about for the past few weeks. He takes the pack, and hugs me. I give him a small kiss on the head, tell him one last time how much I love him and watch him disappear into the forest, merging back into the green.

I start to head in the opposite direction, back towards the centre of the arena. I breathe in the earthy smell of the ground before me, if this wasn't a death arena it would be a pleasant place, it's a shame really. Above me, up in the trees, leaves tussle in the wind and the suns light filters through, giving a quick breath of warmth on my skin. But the beautiful green surroundings start to disappear, and my heart beats faster. I'm approaching the Cornucopia, the place I will most likely die.

It's time to face the careers, a very daunting task.

Haha ok, well this is a story I started in 2009, when the hunger games was a much less popular genre (and when mockingjay had not yet crushed my dreams). I never intended to give up on it, but life combined with a lack of reviews meant that I forgot about it. But recently I reread it and I found not only all my previous ideas for this story coming back, but new ideas too, so I'm back! I'm going through all the chapters and doing some editing, as looking back at your younger selves writing can sometimes be rather embarrassing and there was some blaring mistakes that I can't believe I didn't notice: D well I hope you like it and please review and tell me whether you think I should continue or whether I should have left it back where it belonged, in the deserted wasteland of 2009 (I'm also interested in a beta-reader for future chapters, so if anyone is interested pm me)