Chapter 6: The Bloodbath

The starting gong went out with a loud crash and all the tributes hopped off there pedestals and started scrambling towards the Cornucopia. I watched as the others began to grab various weapons and other supplies. Then there was blood. The first to go down was the girl from 12, and I think she was followed by the girl from 10 and the boy from 8, but I'm not sure on that. I need to figure out a plan – and fast. I scanned over the Cornucopia and saw a rope leaning against a backpack near the edge of it. Those could be useful. I ran towards it, but as I got closer, someone grabbed the backpack. Luckily, the rope was still there so I quickly scooped it up. When I turned around, a knife came flying towards me, just barely missing my head. The knife hit the ground right behind me so I grabbed it and ran towards the woods. I can't believe I made it out of there uninjured. I turned my head around to see if anyone was following me as I started to head down the slope that leads into the woods. As I was running, I slammed into another tribute causing us both to fall over and start rolling down the slope. Fortunately the slope isn't very long, but it's quite steep. When we got to the end of the slope, we both quickly stood up. He looked unarmed, but he has a backpack so who knows what is in there. I had dropped my knife while I was falling down the hill, but I could see it lying in the grass in the corner of my eye. The boy could tell that I was eyeing something, so he looked over at the slope and saw the knife. Although both of us could tell that the other wanted the knife, nether one of use moved a muscle. Who ever could get to the knife first could potentially injure the other, unless one of us ran.

"Instead of just standing here, maybe we can be…. allies?" I cautiously asked him, unaware of what he would think. He actually might make a good ally. I remember watching him make a fire in the training center. Besides, it's better than us waiting to see who will kill each other first.

"Allies? We might as well be. I don't want to stand here the entire game," He answered with a slight chuckle, "I'm Caleb. District 4." He held his hand out to shake mine.

"Cammie. District 2," I answered as I shook his hand. I grabbed my knife and then headed off into the woods with Caleb. "Is there anything good in your backpack?"

"I'm not sure. I haven't gotten to check yet. I was going to, but then you knocked me over."

"Sorry about that."

"We might as well check now," he said as he sat down on a fallen tree. I sat next to him as he unzipped the bag.

"Lets see. There's a small first aid kit, a blanket, a water bottle," he took out the bottle and unscrewed the cap, "an empty water bottle and two packs of crackers. At least we have some food." I opened my mouth to say something back, but was interrupted by a loud bang. This must be the cannon that go off when someone dies. I began to count the cannons. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Seven down, sixteen to go.

"I wonder who… died," Caleb said. I was wondering too. I hope Amber is ok.

"I guess we'll find out tonight. We should probably look for some water."

"I'm guessing our best bet for water is going to be the mountain, since water is normally found at the highest point in an area. I guess we should check there first."

"Wait. We should stay in the forest. It will decrease the chance of someone finding us. We'll be out in the open if we go to the mountain. We should find a place to sleep for the night and head out early in the morning while most of the tributes are sleeping."

"I guess that could work. We might as well search the forest for some water while were at it." We both got up from the log that we were sitting on and headed deeper into the forest. I'm hoping that it will get thicker as we go farther in. Near the slope, it isn't very thick so it's not good for hiding.

We wondered the forest for what seemed like hours. I have no way of keeping time, other than the sun, so I'm not sure how long we've been here. So far we haven't found any water and the forest didn't get much thicker. I hope no one will find us.

"I guess we could make camp here," I said not wanting to search for water anymore. We both sat down and Caleb unzipped his bag and pulled out one of the cracker packs.

"I'll take half and you take half," He said handing me some of the crackers. I hadn't realized how hungry I had gotten. I wonder what other sources of food are around here. That's something else that we'll have to find, food. I put the first cracker in my mouth and then the cannon went off. One more gone. I hope it's not Amber. Night didn't come long after this and I began to get sleepy. I looked up at the sky where they showed the faces of the tributes that died. The faces went in order of district. The first to show up was the girl from 3 followed by the boy from 6. Next was the boy from eight and both from 10. Finally the boy from 11 and both tributes from 12. Good. Amber's still alive.

"So do you want to sleep first, while I take the first watch?"

"Sure. Just wake me in a few hours."

When I thought that a few hours had passed, I woke up Caleb and he took watch as I drifted off to sleep.

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Sorry if it was a little dull. I'm not really good a t writing action scenes. Also, thanks to those who review. I really appreciate it.