Hunger Games: Forced Gamble
Chapter 10 of my Hunger Games story, enjoy.
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Now onto the story.
Disclaimer: Hunger Games belongs to Suzanne Collins.
Tense Encounter
The group spent their day moving through the grasslands, occasionally changing course and utilizing what cover they could. Despite their seeming to be no other tributes in the area, they couldn't shake the feeling they were being watched. It was a sense of foreboding, an almost oppressive pressure on their minds. Lillian, with her fragile mental state, felt it first. She likely would've been overcome by the feelings of oppression if Kai hadn't been there. They stopped for lunch, using a dense collection of shrubs for cover. While they ate they spoke to each other, keeping their voices low.
"I don't like this." Ash muttered. "We've not seen anybody at all, yet I still feel like someone else is here. Watching our every move."
Kai nodded. "I know what you mean; obviously the Gamemakers and the Capitol is watching us but…This feels like more than that; you don't think the Careers…?"
Ebony shook her head. "No, we saw them going to the desert; the length of time between that happening and us feeling like this, it's too short. They might be here by now, but they can't be what's causing this feeling."
The group sat in silence for a moment until they heard Mana speak up.
"Hey, are you okay?"
They all turned and saw Lillian had stopped eating and was grasping her head with her hands. Kai immediately moved closer, surprising the others.
They watched as Kai gently put his finger under Lillian's chin and lifted her head to look at him.
"Lillian, it's okay, look at me, you're gonna be fine, deep breathes."
She nodded and did so, slowly calming down.
Kai nodded and then said. "Stay focused, we can't let this get to us, we'll make it through this."
Again she nodded; Kai turned to the others and nodded to them. They knew all too well what he meant, they couldn't stay here any longer. They quickly packed everything away and began to continue their journey. As they walked, Ash came up close to Mana.
"What was all that about?" He asked.
Mana smiled sadly as she looked to the head of the group where Kai and Lillian were walking. "You saw Lillian's Games didn't you, watched them?"
Ash nodded and Mana shrugged. "There's your answer then, she never recovered from that. She still breaks down from time to time."
"Wouldn't that make her a liability to us?" Ash then asked, narrowing his eyes.
Mana shook her head. "Maybe, but if you wanna complain about it, take it up with Kai. Just don't blame me when he threatens you, or decides to forgo threats and just kill you."
Ash didn't say anything to that; instead he bit his lip and looked back over towards where Kai and Lillian were walking.
"Why is he so protective of her?" He asked at last.
Again Mana shrugged. "I don't know; I have suspicious but I can't say for definite."
Sighing Ash dropped the subject and they continued walking.
They had been walking in silence after that; having reached and entered the woodland area. They didn't even realize until Korin, at the rear of the group, pointed out.
"We're missing someone, Ebony."
They looked around, wildly, sure enough Ebony was gone.
"What, but how could she…she was right here?" Ash gasped.
Kai shook his head. "She must have got separated; maybe she felt overwhelmed. Don't know about you guys, but I'm feeling that strange sense of oppression even stronger now."
They nodded, even Lillian who was clearly struggling to hold herself together.
"This is bad." Mana muttered.
Just then they heard a scream and the cannon boomed again. They rushed over, following the sound of the scream. Finally, they arrived at a small clearing; they looked around, warily until Ash cried out.
"Ebony!"
They followed him and found her, dead; her body was badly cut and damaged.
Ash shook his head. "What the hell, what could've done this, a mutt, a trap?"
Kai however glared and looked around, notching an arrow in his bow.
"Neither." He replied. "I know the cause of this."
He then turned sharply and fired his bow at a particular tree; the arrow lodged in the trunk and Kai then growled.
"Come out now, Julius."
There were gasps from the others as, sure enough, the intimidating figure of Julius emerged from behind the tree. He was armed with a keen edged two handed broadsword, yet he could wield it in one hand. They now knew the source of the oppressive feeling they had, it had been Julius employing his usual tactics.
Julius looked at them blandly; no emotion or expression. However when his gaze finally turned to Kai, he raised an eyebrow and a small, barely noticeable smile appeared.
"Impressive boy, you managed to figure out my hiding place." He stated calmly. "You knew exactly which tree I was behind, how?"
Kai merely shook his head. "You left tracks, not easy ones, but tracks none the less. I'm an expert when it comes to tracking."
Julius nodded in response. "Ah, of course, now it makes sense."
He was quiet for a while as he glanced at Ebony's corpse, he then shrugged.
"I have more than enough to last me here. You may take her supplies and whatever you wish for yourselves." He stated before adding. "Just leave here now, be out of this section of the arena by tomorrow. This is my domain now."
Kai was wary. "What, you're just letting us go?"
Julius nodded. "Yes; I'm impressed that you were able to find me, out of respect for your abilities, I will let you go…this once, but come here again and if I catch you, there will be no escape."
With that he turned and slipped back amongst the trees. The others all shuddered, realizing their narrow escape and how Ebony had no chance.
They took Ebony's equipment with them, retrieved Kai's arrow and left the woods, quickly crossing over the grasslands as the sky darkened. No more deaths occurred and they were not attacked. They didn't feel that oppression again either, Julius was indeed letting them go. Finally they stopped for the night by the wall separating the grasslands and the mountain area, Kai still felt unease around it. That night the dead tributes were shown in the sky. The three from the Bloodbath they had already witnessed along with the District 8 male and female and then the District 5 female, finally Ebony was shown and the anthem ended. They shared a look, all knowing they would have to be extra careful tomorrow and work out their plan before it was too late. The only question was, what could they do, and, for Kai and Lillian, just what did Aviva have in mind, with the strange objects she had given them and her strange message.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.
The list:
District 1
Poppy McCoy (38) [53rd Hunger Games]
Dahlia (29) [63rd Hunger Games]
District 2
Julius (42) [45th Hunger Games]
Valentina (39) [54th Hunger Games]
District 3
Spark (54) [35th Hunger Games]
Shine (60) [30th Hunger Games]
District 4
Korin Tsunami (76) [14th Hunger Games]
Mana Tsunami (18) [74th Hunger Games]
District 5
District 5 Male (35) [55th Hunger Games] * 1
District 5 Female (30) [60th Hunger Games] * 6
District 6
Sorrel Clapton (31) [57th Hunger Games]
Violet Tinker (27) [65th Hunger Games]
District 7
Ash Hewlett (18) [73rd Hunger Games]
Ebony (21) [70th Hunger Games] * 7
District 8
District 8 Male (63) [29th Hunger Games] * 4
District 8 Female (59) [31st Hunger Games] * 5
District 9
District 9 Male (39) [52nd Hunger Games] * 2
District 9 Female (37) [54th Hunger Games
District 10
District 10 Male (48) [47th Hunger Games]
District 10 Female (46) [46th Hunger Games] * 3
District 11
Garin (51) [41st Hunger Games]
Cassidy (50) [42nd Hunger Games]
District 12
Kai Raithebone (20) [71st Hunger Games]
Lillian Whelan (15) [72nd Hunger Games]