AN: I'm so sorry for not updating over a year! I was really busy and at one point, I lost the files which I finished this story in so I guess I have to re-write them. Anyway, I'm hoping to continue this story and that you enjoy this chapter! Oh and yes, good luck going back to school guys! ;) I'm back in school too and I'm counting down for the next holiday x
"Pillory, are you into Finnick or something?" Spears asked his District partner in disgust. It was a day after they killed ScarBoy and the Careers were already hungry for more tributes to kill. Jellyfish splitter them into district groups to look for any signs of movements around their area.
Pillory laughed unconvincingly. "No. Why would I? He's from District 4 and let's face it. He's going to die soon. He's only 14 and this is the Hunger Games."
Spears rolled his eyes. "Didn't sound like that. You've been flirting with him so much. It's actually really obvious."
Pillory bit her lips. "He is extremely attractive, okay? You can't deny that he's gorgeous. It doesn't matter anyway, does it? Let it go, Spears."
Spears laughed. "I was right. Don't let him fool you, Pillory. I don't even know why I'm warning you but I can't let you make such a big fool of yourself. You are apart of District 2 and I would very much like to keep District 2's reputation in a good state when I'm going back home. Finnick is nothing but a pretty face. You can't get too attached to him. You could be the one who has to kill him."
"Shut up, will you?" Pillory muttered.
Spears frowned. Pillory was normally very calm and good natured. Whatever happened to her? She seemed to be in a bad temper after Scar Boy was killed. He shrugged and dismissed any concern he has for her. He knew from the beginning that she is weak but Spears didn't know that she was so weak she would actually fall for Finnick's charms.
"Guys! We got somebody!" Sparkle's obnoxious voice came into earshot. "I have been telepathically telling you guys but none of you got my signal."
"Telepathically?" Spears repeated. "Are you serious, Sparkle?"
"No." Sparkle snorted. "Calm down, Spears. Can't you take a joke?"
Spears wanted to retort and say it's a horrible joke but he didn't see the point of doing so. He just couldn't take Sparkle seriously. Sometimes, District 1 tributes are such airheads, he wonder how they became such strong tributes. Sparkle and Shimmer are both capable in killing tributes but when it comes to actual logistics, they are hopeless.
"You can never outrun us." Spears heard Jellyfish snarl from a distance. Oh great, it must be the District 4 pairings who caught this tribute.
Spears arrived to see the tribute climbing a tree, attempting to get away from the Careers. It was working at the moment, but not too well. Jellyfish had an arrow aimed threateningly at the tribute.
"If you come down, we can kill you off easier." Finnick offered.
Spears could have sworn he saw Pillory smile from the corner of his eye as Finnick talked. Girls, he shook his head. Finnick may have all the girls wrapped around his finger but what chances does that 14 year old have against me? Spears thought. The Capitol can give him as many presents as they like, he still would have nothing. He could have charmed Pillory but Pillory is useless, really.
"Do you really think you'll stand a chance against us?" Shimmer sighed half-heartedly. "I'm not even going to mention you're from District 7. There's six of us and one of you."
"Wow, Shimmer, this is the first time I heard you said something smart." Spears rolled his eyes.
Shimmer tossed her hair behind her back. "I am smart, you know. Pretty and smart. The package deal."
"And arrogant too." Finnick muttered quietly causing Pillory to giggle.
The district 7 girl clung to the tree branch tightly. "You killed him."
Sparkle laughed. "Killed who? We killed loads of tributes. That's why we're the Careers."
"He was my best friend." The girl's stare was glassy. Spears knew she was weak, but she was also angry. She was angry at them for killing whoever this girl was talking about. Spears guessed she was talking about her district mate. Scar boy whom Shimmer especially hated. Who else would she have known?
Spears met the girl's stare. "It's the Hunger Games. If you don't kill, you're going to be killed. All I'm saying is, I'm going to win this and the only way I can is if he dies. If we didn't kill him, somebody else is going to."
The District 7 girl was seriously pretty. Spears could tell she's fragile and probably haven't ate for quite a while but her soft features remained. For a split second, Spears actually wanted to take care of her. Bring her safely down from the tree and give her the plentiful supplies they have in their cave. No, he said to himself determined not to get off track. This girl is the enemy and to survive, he is going to kill her.
Jellyfish pointed an arrow at the girl. "I've been told I can aim very well."
"Kill me if you want." The girl murmured softly. "I'm going to be dead anyway."
"That's great!" Spears called up. "You already admitted you're going to be dead."
"I can't take this." Pillory blinked. "I'm sorry, I'll go somewhere when you finish her off."
Finnick smiled warmly at her as the rest of the Careers glared at her. "Go get some food or something. We'll meet you back at the Cave."
"What the hell, Pillory?" Sparkle growled. "I always knew you weren't Careers material."
"I can survive." Pillory protested as she ran out of sight.
Jellyfish sighed. "Let her be. She is apart of the alliance and she is helpful. We can use her for other things."
There was silence for a moment. Pillory was now gone and the District 7 girl was still trapped in the tree.
"Oh!" Shimmer cried out suddenly. "Your district partner, the guy with the horrible scar was your best friend! You're angry at us for killing him, aren't you?"
"Slow, as usual." Jellyfish commented.
The girl was evidently blinking past her tears now. "I've known him all my life. I would die for him."
Shimmer ignored what she was saying. "You must be glad now. How could you possibly live with that scar? I almost had a heart attack when I first saw it."
"Shut up!" The girl screamed. Spears was surprised. He would never guessed that the girl had the power to let out such cry. She seemed too weak.
"Touchy." Sparkle said.
Finnick gave the girl one of his winning smiles. "We're-" He glanced at Shimmer and corrected himself. "I'm really sorry he's dead but Spears is right. The only way to survive the Hunger Games is if we're the sole person alive. You must understand, we have to do this."
"If you want to help, you can kill yourselves right now." The girl stuttered bitterly. She wasn't strong anymore. "You would kill yourselves to avenge for his death."
"Come on!" Finnick pleaded. "How about if you come down, we'll kill ourselves after we kill you? Fair deal?"
"Stop with that bullcrap." Spears ordered. Finnick was obviously trying to trick her into coming down. He was smiling, charming her. Spears was so sick of it. He wanted the girl to know the truth. He didn't want the girl to die living a lie.
The girl gave Spears a passable, small smile. "Thank you. I was getting sick of it. Pretty boys like him lie all the time. I know, believe me, I know."
"I'll tell you the truth." Spears said firmly. "You won't survive. That's the truth. I'm sorry but it's true. Even if we're gone, you're dead. The District 11 pair are quite something. You won't be able to go back home."
"I know." The girl nodded sadly.
Jellyfish moaned. "Please! We're not here to make conversation."
"I don't lie!" Finnick muttered indignantly but was ignored by everyone.
Shimmer yawned. "You're taking all day. This is tiring."
"I like you, District 2." The girl hesitated. "Okay, I won't take up any more of your time under one condition."
"Name it."
"District 2 kills me. Nobody else."
Sparkle groaned. "Are you sure? He's horrible like-"
"Thanks." Spears interrupted, blushing. He didn't know why but he felt special and honored in a way that this girl he doesn't even know the name of would choose him to kill her. Okay, he knows, what kind of honor is it? To kill somebody? To Spears and the Careers, it's important. They have been training their whole lives for this and they want to make the most out of it. It isn't just surviving and becoming the victor, killing the most tributes matter too.
"Just get it over with." Jellyfish grumbled. "At least it's one tribute down."
Shimmer wasn't taking it well that Spears get to kill District 7. "Hey, I wanted to kill your boyfriend. Yeah, the one with the scar. Don't you want me to kill you too? I can kill you with the same knife I used to kill Scar Boy."
District 7 ignored Shimmer as she climbed down the tree slowly, as if delaying her death by a few minutes would help. It didn't. It just gave her an extra few minutes knowing that death is upon her and she has no escape of it. She wasn't like those people who can accept death easily. She wanted to live. She wasn't prepared to die yet.
Eventually, she made her way down as the Careers formed a circle around her so she couldn't run away. Trembling, she walked slowly towards Spears. "How do you want to end my life?"
Spears smirked. "I would normally use a spear. You could probably tell from my name that I'm great at those. I'll make an exception for you though since we're close up. How would you like knives?"
"Would you make it quick?" District 7 asked, her voice cracking.
Spears wanted to shake his head. Why would he make it quick? Torturing a tribute is part of the fun but he couldn't bear to see her like this anymore. He wanted it over and done with. He wasn't even sure if he could kill her. She was different. Spears wanted to get to know her. "Of course." He said sincerely.
Sparkle snorted behind him. "Yeah right." He whispered to him, winking at his friend.
Spears gave him a forced smile. It could work out if his friends believe he was lying to this girl. "Guys, give us privacy. I want to do this alone."
"We can't kill her and now we can't watch?" Sparkle complained.
Finnick touched his sword subconsciously and murmured softly, hoping Spears won't pay attention. "I don't see why can't we just kill her? Screw Spears. She's already here." Spears did hear it though and laughed silently. Even though they may not exactly trust each other, they have to honor deals like this. The girl said only Spears could kill him and the Careers won't touch her.
Shimmer narrowed her eyes and started walking away, gesturing everybody to follow her. "Fine, but yell if she tries anything. We'll be close but we'll give you two space."
Soon, they were left alone. "I can't do this." Spears realized.
Tears were streaming out of the girl's eyes. For a second, Spears felt mesmerized but shook himself off. No, that's not how you feel, he told himself.
"Yes, you can." The girl told him, surprisingly. "You're right. I'm dead anyway and I would much rather you kill me."
"But why? Why me?"
The girl was evidently scared but she would be smiling if she could manage to do so. "Because there's something about you that's not like the other Careers. Look, if I'm going to be killed by somebody, I want it done by somebody I don't hate. Besides, I know what it means for you. Don't you guys have competitions on how many tributes you kill?"
"We don't but it is a big deal for us." Spears admitted. "And thanks for you know, not hating me."
The girl blinked sadly. "Please, just kill me now. I can't stand another minute knowing I'm going to die any moment. I just want this over with."
"Were you dating your District mate?" Spears blurted out. He didn't mean to ask that. Isn't it inappropriate to ask something like that when you're up to kill her?
"No." The girl laughed shakily. "We were best friends. He liked a girl back in District 7. I liked somebody else."
Spears shook his head. "Sorry, shouldn't have asked that. That was awkward. Okay, are you sure you wouldn't rather kill yourself?"
"I won't be able to do that. Kill me now."
Spears looked at the knife wistfully. "One last thing, what's your name?"
"Skyler. I know yours, Spears." She replied as he bought the knife down her heart.
She screamed, just after she said his name. Spears tried making it as quick as possible but it didn't spare her from the pain. Within second, she dropped dead on the floor.
"Finally, she's dead!" Shimmer cheered. They heard the canon signifying Skyler is dead and decided to come back.
Sparkle stepped over her face. "She was annoying."
Spears looked at District 7's limp, lifeless body. Just like that, she's gone. He wouldn't hear her voice again. That was it.
"You okay?" Jellyfish asked him.
Spears nodded numbly. "Yeah. Hey, where's Finnick?"
"He went to look for Pillory." Shimmer filled him in. "Let's go find them."
"She's dead!" Finnick wailed as he dashed straight towards the Careers who were relaxing in their Cave. Shimmer, who had been taking her beauty sleep, woke up groggily.
"Stop shouting!" Shimmer commanded. "You're ruining my sleep!"
"Who's dead?" Sparkle asked, confused.
Jellyfish widened her eyes. "Pillory?"
Pillory was suppose to be waiting for them in the Cave but when the Careers arrived, there was no sign of her or Finnick.
"Yes!" Finnick bit his lips. "After I left you guys to find Pillory, I went straight to the Cave since I thought she'd be here. She wasn't. At first I wasn't worried but when I couldn't see her for the next few minutes, I went around the area to find her. The District 11 tributes had got her. You know Pillory. She couldn't really defend herself. They killed her before I could do anything."
Spears felt his heart turning cold. First Skyler and now Pillory. Sure, he was the one who killed Skyler but he had to do it. He wasn't prepared to see her go even though they just met but he needed time to mourn for her. Now Pillory? Spears admit he never liked Pillory but you have to have some kind of connection if you're from the same district - even if you have nothing in common. "Damn, those tributes have to die."
"No doubt! They're really strong!" Finnick cried. "I saw what they could do myself."
"Well, they're our next targets." Sparkle said full of confidence. "They may be strong but we're the Careers. We can take them out easily."
"Do you know where they are?" Jellyfish asked.
Finnick nodded. "I'll lead you guys there."
"Can we please go tomorrow?" Shimmer pointed towards the sky. "It's getting dark and frankly, I'm not in the mood to walk anymore. I need my sleep."
Just then, the Panem National Anthem rung through the whole arena. Spears remembered seeing this everyday but today, it's not just anybody that would show up on the sky. Pillory and Skyler's face are going to be up there.
"Here are the dead tributes." Sparkle announced as on cue, Pillory's face lit the arena.
Spears felt a tug at his heart. She's from his district and she's gone. One step to winning the Games but he didn't feel like celebrating. Next, Skyler's face showed up. Spears felt even worse. He certainly wanted Skyler gone but if they weren't in the Games, things would have been so different. For the first time, Spears wondered if the Hunger Games were actually a good thing. He have been taught and believed that the Hunger Games was something to be proud of. Being in the Games is a massive honor and that's why everybody in District 2 would do anything to get in it. You can only be so lucky to volunteer like Spears and actually get in. If it weren't for the Games, Skyler and Pillory would still be alive but would he have met them? Maybe Pillory, but definitley not Skyler. They were from different districts and people from different districts never meet each other.
Not only were Pillory and Skyler dead. The District 6 girl showed up on the screen and then it was back to being the starry night sky it was before.
"I bet District 11 killed her too." Finnick commented breaking the silence between the Careers who have been staring so intently at the sky.
"They are something." Shimmer agreed. "We need them gone."
Jellyfish sighed. "Here's the thing, guys. I have been counting how many tributes there still are in the arena. Eight. Five of them are us. There's only three we could get rid of together. If we kill those two District 11 tributes, there would be only one tribute that isn't apart of the Careers. We need to break up after we get rid of those two tributes from Eleven."