16. Her First Kill
An attack by night; Chell won.
The yellow-eyed Career girl had found the shivering tribute, desperate for food. She took her in from the cold, whispering "Obey me." For three days, she offered protection, nourishment, even love.
Then, a test: "Find this tribute. Kill her."
Chell only heard the tribute whisper "There you are." She snapped awake. Her bone-pale, bone-thin attacker held a knife, and that drove Chell to fight like never before. Finally, she threw the girl over the edge of the monolith.
Crack.
Chell reclaimed the knife – Career grade. She worked out the rest of the story herself.
17. Her Parachute
A boy surprised her in a corner. He was hollow-eyed, alone for too long. He shoved her, punching, urging "Scream! Scream for me!" His words were like thrown pebbles. She found her knife. He shrieked when she stuck him. Still she said nothing.
Cannon-blast.
Shaking, wincing, and bleeding, Chell walked away. She couldn't stop shivering. Another puzzle-tree appeared. Leaning on it, Chell forced her mind to work, forcing the shapes to make sense. Eventually, under the relentless press of her will, they did.
With the fruit fell a silver parachute. It contained medicine, and… a can of red spray paint.
18. Her Gift
She could almost hear the Capitol laughter:
"Crazy old Doug, getting paint for his tribute!"
But she smiled, and nodded to the sky. Thanks.
…
The other tributes, frightened, wandering, wondered at the marks that appeared on the walls, bleeding symbols that none of them recognized. Her District partner would have known the signs – "Closed way," "Good way," "This way" – but the Capitol had collected him. So none of them saw the shadow flit through the arena, learning its secrets.
And one tribute smiled at the symbols, and touched them gently.
And another scowled at them, and smeared them out.