Hunger Games: Abstract Defiance

Chapter 10 of my Hunger Games story, enjoy.

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Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: Hunger Games belongs to Suzanne Collins.

Heroic Sacrifice

Willow sighed as they continued onwards; despite the accident they had managed to save Lillian from the earthquake. Unfortunately she was still unconscious and was unlikely to recover any time soon. So they were taking turns carrying her as they continued moving from oasis to oasis; keeping an eye out for any other dangers. In spite of this, like the previous day, day six passed without incident and no tributes were killed. Day seven had them scrambled as they sought to escape the earthquake, this time Willow herself was carrying Lillian, Dylan and Jules stayed nearby. When the earthquake finally passed once more, they continued on their way warily. It was after midday when suddenly they heard a nearby scream and the boom of the cannon. They turned sharply and saw the Careers had just killed the girl from District 11 and were now heading for them. The Careers weren't alone however, a pack of the Wolf Mutts were also present, clearly working with the Careers.

'Damn Wolfpack training.' Dylan thought bitterly.

Almost immediately the wolves were on them and they had to fight, it wasn't easy for Willow, supporting Lillian with one arm while using her other to wield her axe. Suddenly, as they felled the first wave of Mutts, Willow saw Axel launch a throwing axe at them. His aim was on Lillian; without stopping to think Willow spun around, putting her back to Axel, shielding Lillian and taking the axe in her back.

With a yelp Willow fell to her knees; she could hear the growls behind her. She looked up, Dylan and Jules stood before her, Lillian had fallen to the ground between them. She grit her teeth, she knew that blow from the axe had damaged her spine, she couldn't move now. She immediately made up her mind.

"Both of you; take Lillian and run." She told them.

They looked like they were about to argue but the howling of Mutts made them realized what she was doing. They were clearly unhappy about it, but knew they had no choice, so they did as she said, Dylan picked up Lillian and they began to run. Willow used her arms to turn herself around to face the Careers and the Mutts. She raised her axe and took a deep breath, it was time. The Mutts charged forwards and Willow readied herself. Dylan and Jules kept running; they then heard the cannon and instinctively knew right away, that it was for Willow.

"I can't believe it; of all people, Willow." Jules stated. "She sacrificed herself, to save all of us."

Dylan nodded. "She did for Lillian, think about it, Lillian's the youngest one here, too young…Willow felt it was, unfair, wanted to give Lillian as much chance as possible, I intend to do the same, anything to keep her alive."

Jules agreed and finally they reached an oasis and stopped for the night, that night the District 11 girl and Willow's face were shown in the sky; all they could do was wait.

Lillian groaned as she felt consciousness returning to her; slowly and cautiously she opened her eyes. She was lying within one of the rock formations which hid the oases. She sat up slowly, noting the oasis was full; then she heard Dylan's voice.

"Good, you're awake."

She turned around and saw him sitting against one of the rocks. Jules sat next to him, smiling. She nodded and smiled as they handed her some food, she took it and began to eat, she also drank what she could, surprised at how hungry she was.

"Thanks." She said softly, then curiosity got the better of her, "How long what I out?"

Dylan sighed as both he and Jules shared an uneasy look. Finally Jules answered her.

"This is the eighth day since we came into the arena, we knew you would wake up soon so we kept moving, carrying you with us. We've just avoided the earthquake."

Lillian couldn't believe it, day eight; it had been the end of day five when she was knocked out.

"What did I miss…Where's Willow?" She asked.

Again they shared that uneasy look; Dylan was the one who finally worked up the courage to speak. "Two deaths, both just yesterday Onyx killed the girl from 11, after one hell of a fight, Axel and his Mutts…killed Willow."

Lillian gasped as they explained in detail; now she realized the truth, Willow had sacrificed herself to save her. After initially being overwhelmed with guilt she shook it away, she realized Willow knew what she was doing and had made her choice. So there were eleven tributes left now.

Once she was done eating she slowly got to her feet and refilled her water containers and checked she still had a decent supply of food. She smiled as she noted the others had done a good job not only protecting her and what they had but also procuring more food. Undoubtedly from those who had been killed. She gathered all her stuff together and Dylan and Jules did the same, they then left and decided to head for the next oasis. It was then Lillian noticed that Dylan had gathered a large collection of branches, all of which he had sharpened at one end.

"Dylan, what are those for?" She asked.

He smiled grimly "Let's just say, I've decided to put any past anger behind me…I've decided to learn from Kai and improvise."

He didn't need to say anymore; he had gathered them for a trap. It was then she remembered something.

"You said you realized a pattern before, what was it?"

He nodded and began speaking in a low voice so only we could hear him. "It's to do with the arena, I've finally figured out how to anticipate the traps."

They both gasped and looked around before whispering back.

"How?"

He smiled, "It's all in the pattern, apart from the first day as they were setting everything up then. At midnight, the oases drain of water and stay that way until the rains begin, at eleven in the morning. For the Mutts that's the signal to get back to their valley where they'll be safe."

"So the rain is connected to the earthquake?" Lillian asked incredulous. He nodded and continued. "Yes, it stops raining at five minutes to twelve, five minutes later the earthquake begins and continues for fifteen minutes or until it claims a victim."

The other two were both amazed at this, it all fit into place now. Lillian smiled and thanked Dylan as they arrived at another oasis.

"Okay, here's the plan." He said finally. "We'll just keep moving today, tomorrow, after the earthquake, I'll set my trap up and then we'll see if we can turn the tables on the Careers."

They nodded and we continued to move, avoided any potential danger, including the Mutts.

Kai smiled as he watched the progress of the Games.

'It was a relief that Lillian is awake again. I've gotta hand it to Dylan, he and the others kept her alive and fought smart, his trap is sound but still missing a key piece.'

"Looks like we'll have to get what they're missing." Aviva stated.

Kai nodded, "Leave this to me."

As he spoke he glanced around at the people he could approach for sponsors.

"Are you sure you can convince them?"

He sighed and gave a rueful smile, "No worries, I'll just…use my 'charm'."

Aviva gave the same smile and he walked over to a group of women who had once been 'clients' of his. As he walked he thought about an event that had occurred a couple of months ago, one which had given him most of his information on Lucrum and his family secrets. For his daughter's birthday Lucrum had gathered all the victors that were used in prostitution, as well as all the top high ranking Capitol officials and for the next three days it was an orgy. Disgusted though he was, Kai put it to good use and had gathered the wealth of information he had now possessed and could play it at any time. For now however he decided he would keep his cards close to his chest.

"Oh hello Kai." One of the women simpered when she saw him.

He smiled. "Ladies, mind if I join you?"

They all accepted eagerly and he sat down, ready to procure another sponsor.

It was now nightfall and the group had stopped in an oasis for the night. Lillian was already asleep but the others were awake. Jules noticed Dylan was agitated about something and, he had to admit, it worried him.

"What's wrong?" He asked finally.

Dylan sighed, "My trap will work, but for it to be perfect, I need to be able to trigger it immediately. But my best hope to do that is to get my hands on some tripwire or something."

Jules nodded, slowly, realizing the dilemma, it was then he saw it, a parachute floating towards us.

"Dylan, look!" He called out and pointed to it; Dylan looked up and smiled. "A sponsor."

Once it landed he retrieved it and opened it. Inside was just what he had been looking for. Several lengths of wire, along with a note from Kai which stated 'use it well'. They both laughed at that and then finally, relieved that their plan would not need any delays they both lay down to sleep for the night, nobody had been killed that night so there was no face shown. Dylan smiled as he closed his eyes, tomorrow, they would turn the tables on the Careers and get revenge for Willow.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.