I'm SO sorry for the delayed update! I was having troubles with my computer, and I had to keep re-typing this chapter. Everything's all fixed now, and I hope to be updated this weekend, if not, by next week. I been having a lot of tests and homework latly, so I haven't had much time to write.
Once again, thanks for reading, and PLEASE review! Sorry again for the late update!
-Jay
I glad that we've added Rue to the alliance, because not only have we've gotten information about what's going on in the forest, but Thresh has been happier since she got here. I don't think I've ever seen him this happy before. Screw that, I know I've never seen Thresh happier. Sure he was glad when we became allies, but Rue must be really important to him. Perhaps they've known each other before the were reaped. The only worry I have about Rue is that when numbers get low, they might break off the alliance, or worse, eliminate me from the games. Then again, Thresh or Rue aren't really the type to back stab.
About the information Rue gave us about the forest... There's mutts in the arena. Yes, mutts. Already. Personally, I think it's a little early in the game to be killing off careers with tracker jackers. I hope the audience thinks that too, because the last thing I need is to be face to face with a mutt. I know it's pathetic, being from District 5, but I have the worst fear of mutts. Actually, it's pretty common to be scared of mutts in District 5. Imagine all your life being exposed to monsters, witnessing accidents and attacks first hand, fearing for your own safety when you go to school. Yeah. I bet you'd be pretty scared too. Too bad I'm a naturally jumpy kid. Sly, but jumpy with fear. Sometimes I think I see something in the mirror, only to turn around to see plain air, while my chest moves in and out. I have a pretty good imagination, which is why my teachers are always pushing me to take over my fear of mutts. You see, once your 19, you're divided into two groups. The ones who will be scientists, making mutts, experimenting, and all that stuff. The other group is the jumpy bunch, who have a fear of mutts. They are sent out to whatever District is lacking population, that's relievtly close to 5. Mostly, people go to 6, 7, and if your lucky, 4. I remember one year when sickness hit 4, killing a lot of future careers, and someone was actually reaped from 4. It was 5 years ago, and the girl ended up winning because an earthquake broke something in the arena and there was a flood. If you ask me, she got lucky. She went insane after that, and I haven't heard from her so much since her games. Sure, I was able to glance at her when I saw her mentoring the District 4 tributes, but that's about it. She was pretty, with long wavy dark hair, tanned skin from the beach, and an innocent face. One of her tributes were killed in the bloodbath, and according to Rue, Mermaid just died because of a tracker jacker attack, along with Blondie Girl. My mentor was decent, maybe 31, but she striked me as... Weird. She resembled a bird, with long feathery hair reaching her knees, with a pointed face, and skinny figure. Her name was Renigan. She won by going insane, and killing everyone on the 3rd day. It was recorded to be the shortest Hunger Games ever. She was smart, but very arrogant and know-it-allish. Adam seemed to like her, but than again, my District partner was not so smart.
Rue was very sweet, like the flower that Thresh described to me that she was named after. He said they're were a lot of them in southern District 11, by District 12. Sadly, I can't say the same thing about center District 5. We don't have much wildlife around here, mostly just big labs and factories and buildings. The whole world seemed like it was adark grey color. Our school uniforms were dark grey, as people got older, they became dark grey, the skys were dark grey, and I hated dark grey. I always loved the color of the tip of the fire, where it burns the least, and looks the coolest. I guess it's hard to tell if it's orange or yellow, but whatever it is, it's my favorite color.
I truly feel bad for little Rue. Poor, young, scared; She's a lamb waiting to be slaughtered. I'm glad she got to see Thresh and everything, but now that he's saw her again, her death is going to hit him harder than I ever thought. Sure, there's always that question "What if Rue lives?" but as much as I would like to think that, I highly doubt that would ever happen. You see, I look much at logic, and don't do much 'hoping.' I look at the odds, and determine if they are in my favor. Sadly, it's obvious they aren't in Little Flower's. Then again, who am I to be talking? Someone like Thresh or Cato is going to win. I can dream all I want of going back home, killing no one through out the games, but that almost impossible. Sure, there's the word 'almost,' but almost isn't good enough.
The grey clouds of the arena slowly start to hover over the fake sky. I wonder how they did it, really. How they made everything look so... Authentic. I bet they make it pretty so the tributes forget they are about to die for a minute, only to wake up to reality. Let me tell you, I would rather stay awake my whole life, they wake up from an amazing dream to only look around and find hell. I guess the Game makers must've thought of this logic. They wouldn't make it wonderful so the tributes could forget their troubles: They made them so they could remember where they were once they wake. I'd wonder what it would be like to be a bloodbath, like Mermaid's partner, or Adam. Did it go quick? Did they feel any pain? What was the last emotion they felt? I bet it was a mix of fear, confusion, guilt, and humility. Sort of like what I'm feeling now. I'd hate to die in the games, because I was forced to, just to die without a person remembering me. People don't remember who was killed; they remember who is the killer. I've seen the games every year, and I can hardly remember the Victor's names, let alone the deceased's names. Then again, I'm not good with names. That's why I always make nicknames for people; They fit better than the names their parents gave them. Think about it. What name fits better for me. Autumn, or Foxgirl?
Rue is peacefully sleeping, protected in Thresh's strong arms, yet being held so gentle. It reminds me of a beauful painting, that breaks all laws of common sense. Someone so big and scary looking could never be so gentle with a child, so delicate, yet so strong. They're bond is almost unbreakable, and I'm sorry to say that the Game makers found the crack. Perhaps they made a crack instead of finding one. I offered to watch for the night, because Rue needs her rest, and I told Thresh I wouldn't be sleeping tonight anyway. So that's how we eneded up with the beautiful, impossible, painting, sitting in front of me in the Hunger Games. Sure, the gams are inhuman, mean, and plain horrible, but they can actually do some almost good things. Little good things, that don't last very long, but they're still good. The painting of a cloudy sky, gorgeous, but fake, above a wise, but stupid, fox looking girl, who is watching over a bear protect a flower. I bet the aren't even showing this on TV right now. They are probably watching someone run for their life, as they sprint away from a pack of blood thirsty careers. I guess that's what the country likes that stuff, more than looking at human art. It's sad really, and I have o admit, I liked the Hunger Games when I was young, and the gore, rather than the beauty. Time turns us into monsters, it seems like.
I really need a walk. Whenever I would get confused, or 'thinky,' I would take a walk, and in about an hour, I'd be all better. It's dark, and late, so I doubt any tribute will be out hunting, so I should be safe if I don't walk far. Sure, I'm not one for taking risks, but I'm defiantly one for knowing my needs and wants. It wasn't raining, and it wasn't that cold, so I should be fine.
I tapped Thresh on the shoulder lightly, not wanting to wake him all the way. He stirred about and inch, and opened his brown eyes a bit, looking at me. Rue stayed silent, her chest moving in and out, while she was taking little breaths. I just noticed Thresh's eyes have a bit o green in them, almost like a tint. Funny, I've never seen that before. It's a nice color.
"I'm going to take a quick walk, I'll be back in bit." I whispered to Thresh. I could tell he wanted to object, but he saw nothing wrong with it. He took a deep breath, nodded his had a bit, and closed his eyes, continuing to sleep. I bent over and kissed Rue on top of the head, and whispered good bye to Thresh. I mean, you have to make every good ye count. I could come back to a pile of bones.
I start to walk outside of the field, just along the edge, in the grassy area between the forest and the field. I saw pretty much nothing until it almost hit me in the face. Sure, people said I had 'dog senses,' but my eye sight was really crappy. Mostly in the dark. That doesn't matter now, because I don't think any tribute would be out here at this hour. I wonder what they are doing now? Most likely sleeping, or keeping guard. What were they thinking now? Do they honestly think they are going home? There's over a 90% chance your going to die, so you would have to be really confident to think about going home. Maybe I will go home, I don't quite know yet. Maybe when numbers get lower and I can outlive everyone.
Suddenly, I heard a leaf crumble breath neath the earth, coming from behind me. I stopped abruptly, and grabbed the dagger in my bag, holding it out in front of me. I didn't hear anything after that, so I hesitantly put down the dagger to my side, and continued walking. I think I should head back to Thresh and Rue now. I pick up the pace, breathing faster, telling myself over and over that I'm not scared.
I make it to the edge of the field, not so far from camp, and I can't help but stop and smile and laugh to myself. Nothing had been chasing me after all. It was all my imagination. Silly Autumn! Who would be chasing you? You're such a coward!
I start walking into the field, when something barks. Immediately, I start to run, but it's no use. Whatever is behind me jumps, snarling into the air, and sinks it's claws into my back. The claws aren't so long, but long enough to make me scream. Damn it Autumn! Don't scream! Now someone is going to find you!
The creature pulls me down, pinning me to the ground in one swift motion, knocking the wind out of me. I feel the blood dripping from my back, and a bruise starting to form. The pain hurts so much! Along with mutts, I fear pain. So, right now, you can imagine, I was not exactly having fun.
The creature drools unto my face, snarling happily and proudly. It has to be a mutt! Too bad I can't see what it is. Thank god it's not a tracker jacker. Then, as if on cue, my dagger blade reflects the moonlight unto the creature's face who is on top of me, and I let out a gasp. It's so predictable for the Game makers to do something like this, it's surprising.
It's a fox.
I take a quick glance again as the fox-mutt smiles a toothy mischievous grin. It's not just any plain fox. It's fur is a reddish blonde color, wit a white face and body. It's ears are larger than normal foxes, and it's nose is pointed a bit more. It's eyes are squinted, but I can easily tell they are a blue so dark, it looks black. It's bigger than a normal fox, adn it almost seems to be laughing. I take another glance at the eyes, and start screaming as loud as I can. For anyone! Thresh, Rue, anyone!
I am fighting a mutt version of myself.
