The games end, and something crazy happens at the end! I'd suggest reading the whole thing. Thanks again, please review!
Sophia's POV
A flicker of light erupts in the sky and the quick image of the capitol seal can be seen through the trees atop the large mountain in the valley. Before I can get a good look at it, or at least a small glance, the quick image of the fallen tribute disappears again.
Usually while in math at school, I've grown into the habit of using what my teacher's call finger counting. It's generally looked down upon their, though it definitely won't matter in the arena. So that's exactly what I do to remember whose left.
There's Joshua from I think one, him and the other career that's still alive. The 8 boy and… me. But that still doesn't add up as those were the same people left as my last count just before. One of them died, just who? It's aggravating actually, as theirs no way of knowing until the nightly anthem starts.
I longingly gaze up at the setting sun, surrounded by what looks like an orange blanket of fluffy clouds. As the sun gets closer and closer to disappearing for the night, I know I only have so much longer to wait. Whoever it was that just died made it easier for the rest of us to win.
A sharp feeling runs through my head as the throbbing begins to come back. I'm attacked by flashbacks of the beginning of the games and how I killed the first tribute, and how I was responsible for the death of two more later. Well three I guess if you count Josh. I can pretty much figure that I'll never get over that while for some reason the other fatalities I just don't seem to regret.
I just about tortured the kid from five while laughing, and then mutilated his body soon after. I know I'm not myself, but I just can't seem to remember why.
When I first arrived to the capitol, I was sadder than anything. The sight of seeing my brother's dying eyes destroyed whatever anticipated experience I had about coming here. Actually, before that I had already done something stupid or odd too. I volunteered!
I can't even describe the feeling I felt. But whatever it was, it sure didn't stop me from calling out the four words until everything was contained enough for them to acknowledge me. Maybe it was from seeing that poor lady die next to Landon, or the numerous other slaying's I witnessed. I knew one thing though. And that was that I was mad at Landon, enraged. Because as soon as my one and only mentor informed me of what the chaos was all about, I knew he had already known.
As soon as my headache leaves, I take the time and consideration to neatly arrange my supplies and weapons. When I pull a small shovel from the District 7 girls orange pack, it immediately reminds me of District 11.
The holes we dug to plant the small pebble like seeds around our gardens and crops. The idea is to start out small with the planting and work your way up to the big tools like machetes. Rumor has it that a young girl once got her hands on one, and someone lost their hand.
I stick the shovel into my side pocket, and move onto my next item. I decide that all my weapons will stay making an exception for the bent knife from the 5 boy's bag.
I'm low on food, but supplied with plenty of water. That should be fine because one is more important than the other. Besides, tonight just might be the end of the games. I can feel it.
Plus, I doubt that the gamemaker's will let three remaining tribute go on for the rest of the night, so it has to definitely be ending today.
Before I can wonder where the time went, the light appears again as well as the anthem of Panem. It's Clifford Blade from District 2. There's a number of ways that the strong looking kid could have died by actually, and his alliance could very well have been one of them.
I remember Joshua from the training center and interviews, and how seriously he took the things. He probably finished off his partner himself, but hey. I would've done the same.
The walk to the cornucopia takes a good three hours or so. I figured that I should probably start moving before I was forced to. The sight of the dark figure in front of me almost gives me chills. This I were so many tributes died at, were some of the goriest deaths took place. Oh well, I did partake in the madness.
I make out a shape in the shadows as well. Something close to a pile. A pyramid. I realize it's just the pile of food put together by the careers, and I take the time eat from the large packets and duffle bags. For once, I actually feel full.
This could be a trap, as in Joshua hiding on the other side. But hey! Let him come, I can take him. It would be a pleasure to actually. Wait, I did it again. I really shouldn't want to kill, but it's as if my brain has been rewired. Like it's been made this way, as if I'm fighting against myself to not go crazy. Maybe I can control it if a little more effort is put into it.
Someone does end up coming, just not Joshua though. The boy from 8, Flax I think. I can tell who he is by his build, and I'm not a least bit intimidated. Especially after watching him limp because of what I guess was a damaged leg.
He spots me as well, stepping back at the sight of my drawing sword. I can't really use it right but inflicting pain and damage shouldn't be too hard.
He knows he has to fight and ends up pulling out what looks like a stick. Pathetic really.
I don't try to control or refrain myself, I just bolt. As our bodies collide, so does the back of his head to the ground. I've thrown my sword aside, and rather than stabbing, I'm punching.
My knuckles bleed after a while of making contact with his face, but I don't stop. I just continue to hit and hit.
As soon as Joshua appears from the rustle in the trees, the ground below us shoots into the air. I'm thrown on my feet and into a fit of rage. Light flickers to my right, then my left, and soon all around me. Torches.
The gamemaker's have created a small stage, or something more of resembling a stadium.
I glance over at Flax. He's crawling to the edge of the stage were I'm sure he's not meant to go. He drop's, and not only do I here his thud but his cannon as well.
"Just us." Joshua says with his voice quickly changing to a raspy tone, "Don't worry, I'll make it quick."
"I won't," I blurt back. And before I can respond, or possibly dodge or shield with my bag, the knife flies firmly into my stomach.
Landon's Pov
We quickly kill the flock of groosling, before starting our small fire away from the fields. The tasty aroma fills the air as we add in our handmade spices and seasoning.
The guys explain the new thirty minute break they get- far different from the usual four hours- and chat about how life has been going. Neither admit it, but I can tell that there all well aware that my actions have probably contributed to the rule change in some way.
I sit next Kale in a small shed along with my other fellow workers- or in other words, my friends- and for a bit, life is good. It's just like old times really. But of course, I always have to keep my guard up.
I'm sitting down eating roasted groosling talking to friends or in other words, I guess you could say that I'm basically playing with fire.
I've thrown out all of Sahara's rules about staying hidden and inside out the window, deciding that I can now follow my own. Even if I am putting them at risk of getting caught.
Because of their kindness they showed me-well at least Sahara- and the fact that they really do care allows me to give them a type of trust that I can't say I'd give to the other guys. Kale's an exception.
I'm planning really big thing's, the guys and I are planning really big things that I'll need their help for. Of course I can't just leave them. With their relation to me, and of course the fact that Venice will get killed for decapitating a peacekeeper. It's been a day already hasn't it? Am I too late?
Before Kale or myself can stop me, I'm wearing my helmet and on my way back to the Green's house.
Venice's Pov
We both say nothing to each other. Not a word or anything. Even when we both watch Landon's sister take a knife to the stomach. Mom's mouth fly's open, but no words spill out. I say what she always used to tell me about your jaw getting stuck like that, and she closes it.
I chuckle when she drop's to the ground. Landon had it coming, she had it coming. It's all a simple word called karma.
He leaves promising to get back before mom did. He never return's leaving mom to hold me accountable, leaving her to feel like an idiot. Of course it is partially my fault, but I would never admit that to her. She probably already knows.
When her cannon doesn't fire, nor do the cheers and trumpets ring through the arena declaring the kid from one a victor, I shout curses at the screen.
These games were becoming boring, and I longed for them to end.
"Shut up Venice." My dimwitted mother replies. When I'm about to ask her to repeat what it was that she said, there's a banging at the door.
I expect it to be the peacekeeper's coming to arrest us, but instead it's Landon. I want to shut the door in his face, but mom stop's me.
"Come in," she says excitedly. It's clear she doesn't know how to hold a grudge for long. Landon sits down immediately stunned at what's on the screen.
Another man with sleek dark hair walks in behind him, and is then suddenly interested in the screen as well.
"What are you excited about Landon, it's just your sister dying." But she's not dying; she's standing back up pulling out the knife…
Sophia's Pov
The wound has no effect on me, or at least one that I can sense. I look at my palms that are pale from the blood loss. Blood literally dripping from my body as I walk.
I can only imagine how frightening I must look to Joshua, a thirteen year old girl waddling towards him while dripping pools of blood. I might even have scared myself by looking into a mirror.
While the wound doesn't hurt, it sure makes it hard to walk. But I still have the advantage. Another knife this time bigger flies past the torch and into my chest. I fall down, but soon get back up. I know something's very not right.
Knife after knife causes me to spill more blood, but I trudge on. I take a mental note about his lack of knives left, while noticing he never hit's my head. I begin to wonder if he's aware of the lack of damage it's causing to me, but he never stop's until he's completely out of them.
His head shakes back and forth at me, and I eye him carefully. "What are you?"
"Sophia Spite, from District 11." And with that, he's gone. He scream's a fair amount of the way down after losing his footing, and then I hear the nasty crunch of his bones a vital organs smashing to bits.
Trumpet's blare loudly, and I have trouble processing what just happened.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the speaker say's, I give you Sophia Spite! The victor of the 25th annual Hunger Games!"
My mind goes blank, and I drop to the ground. There's a tranquilizing dart in my neck, and men stand a few feet away. Guess they're not taking any chances…
Two days later
My mentor Beethoven brown, informs me of the little bit of information that been given to him about the current situation in my district.
Landon on the loose. Newly enforced rules. The new medicine I have to inject into my arm every five hours. Nothing serious I guess.
Beethoven explains more on the small case full of my medicine as well as the small needle on our way back home. Apparently, I've lost so much blood that there fancy gadgets of sort's couldn't completely fix me. They ended up taking donations.
Two days later, my scars have mysteriously healed. I look better than I did when I entered the arena, leaving me to believe that I might actually look normal.
My hallucinations of Josh are gone, but guilt still surrounds me. I'm glad as well as I don't feel the urge to want to strangle Beethoven.
When we arrive back a day later, my prep team enters my room and adds makeup to my face, and dresses me for my big day, the returning ceremony. Only problem though is that it's strictly required that I wear handcuffs.
Landon's Pov
Peacekeeper's walk the streets, way more than usual. The crowd by the justice building grows larger by the minute and anxiety gets the best of me. This is a one shot thing, a one shot only.
One mistake and it's over. But hey, we've got guns…
Three to be exact. Sahara found another on a hidden pouch of the suit I'm still wearing. Haven't had time or guts to practice, neither of us, but best we can do is hope were good shots.
"Are you all ready?" I whisper to my fellow ally's. I'm answered with a loud "yes" and I tell them to quiet down.
"Alright. Arnie and Venice." They both jog out the back door of the shed, as they both have nothing that will help with what we're doing. Their job will be to guard our exit to the woods, and take the bags and supplies.
"Good luck Landon," Venice says, and I smile. That leaves me, Kale, Tomas, Harold, and Sahara. Sahara glances nervously at the door her daughter just left through. I ask her if she's alright, and she nods.
"Let's go," I say. And they hide their weapons and follow me into the crowd. The citizens move to the sides making entrances for me to walk through. After all, I do look exactly like a peacekeeper.
When my darling sister appears on stage in handcuffs, I almost cry out. Her hair is let down, and she's covered in makeup, along with the green dress that touches her feet.
The mayor steps up to talk and before he can speak, I take two shots in the air. Everyone grows silent. The peacekeeper's guarding the stage draw there's and aim, but Sahara brings them down from a distance with her gun.
More are coming, and I know it's time. I signal for Sophia to run, but something hits me firmly on my head. I'm dizzy for a quick second, but not to the point where I can't here Kale talking.
"Put down your weapons, he yells to the advancing peacekeepers, I've got him under control. How could Kale do this, weren't we friends…? I'm sorry man. It's for Madelynn, my sis. I need that prize money they have set up for you. Don't take it personal."
I can see where he's coming from, but his sister will just have to starve. I plunge the knife from my belt into his chest, and he drops.
"I'm sorry, I say grabbing his gun, and I couldn't let you do that."
For a moment, no one moves. I'm dazed at what I've done, but quickly move on. He got in the way of family.
Sahara breaks the silence by shooting two more peacekeepers, and Sophia hops across the stage were she's grabbed by an injured one.
I attempt to shoot him, but I miss terribly. Sahara finishes him off and winks, while the other guy's head for the woods.
How does she shoot like that?
Before were reunited completely, a large man yanks me from behind. We struggle and struggle and I'm guessing that he wanted my reward for his family too.
Blood splatters my face as the man's head blows apart, and I stare at Sophia with her gun raised. Her handcuffs are somehow gone, and she helps me up.
"Thanks," I say. And we hug. This time, I'm the one with tears.
Sahara re informs us of the incoming danger, and were back on our feet. We enter the woods, and I stare back at the mess we've caused.
Goodbye District 11, goodbye District 11 for good.
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