Chapter 9: Hunger Games part one

"No, mom. Yes, it is a real project...why would I lie to you? No this isn't like the time Ashley and I went to the concert instead of homework. No, mom. Yes, mom."

It felt weird telling my mom that I wasn't lying when in fact I was. I couldn't up and tell her that I was apart of the surprisingly real Sky Army and Ashley had been taken by the opposition, the Squid Army. That last part still sounded weird to me. Squid Army...I mean c'mon! Why couldn't it have been something, I don't know, scary like bears or giant spiders. At this point, I would even settle for aliens.

I approached the old warehouse building while I was still on the phone. To my surprise someone was waiting by the door, leaned up against the wall with arms folded in front of his chest. He was somewhat tall, dressed in a checkered, short-sleeved hoodie, a white shirt though oddly enough darker colored sleeves coming out of the hoodie, blue jeans and red Converse. A necklace looped down from his neck, shimmering in the dim light. He opened one eye, looking me over, and smiled.

"I gotta go, mom."

As I hung up, he pulled himself off the wall, unfolding his arms and stuffing his hands into his pockets. I hid my phone in my pocket, watching his cautiously. He pulled one of his hands out, motioning to the door.

"Goin' down?" he hummed.

I stepped passed him, opening the door and entering the elevator. He followed me in and shut the door behind him. The elevator slowly went down. I glanced at him probably once during the whole ride down. Hard to say if he looked at me. He simply smiled, watching the door, when I looked over at him. Eventually the doors opened and we both stepped out.

"Hey, dood? You're goin' the wrong way," the man purred, walking ahead of me and turning left.

Since I didn't know any better, I followed him. He was correct, leading up straight to the gym area Deadlox brought me to yesterday. A crowd of people were waiting by the main gym doors, an area I had yet to see. While everyone was talking, Jerome, who stood out from the pack, stood waiting with arms crossed. At the sight of us, he perked, rushing over.

"Hey, biggums," the man cheered, offering Jerome a hand.

"Mitch, where you been?" chuckled Jerome, shaking the extended hand.

It clicked in my head. Mitch was Jerome's training partner, if I remembered anything Deadlox said yesterday. Mitch gave me a wink, walking off with Jerome in deep conversation. I only heard one part of it. Jerome asked if they were participating. Mitch answered with a yea, buddy.

I entered the mob of people, straining my ears to understand what people were saying. I felt like a child surrounded by adults who knew what they were doing. Upon listening, it didn't seem to be the case. A lot of the conversations were oddly hushed and quiet. It was easy to see the friend groups going on. The little cliques even lived here. There were the die hard Sky fans who seemed to just be a bunch of fans rather than recruits in an army. There were the rumor based group, spreading stories whether they be true or not. There were the experts, people who knew every codename and rule in the book. Then there were people like me who had no clue what was going on.

"Hey...hey, kid."

I perked, looking around. A young girl, probably barely old than me, was motioning for me to come over. She looked pale but her outfit make up for it. She had a red and white plaid shirt, blue jeans, hiking boots and a perfect little bow in her hair. I stepped toward her cautiously. She offered a smile, looking around while waiting for me to arrive at her side.

"Hey, quick tip," she hummed. "Don't eat the cake this game."

"Huh?" I mumbled.

"Usually, the Sorcerer makes the cakes for regen. This time though Ian made the cakes. He goes a little crazy on them."

"Thanks for the tip," I nodded, offering a faint smile.

"What's your name?"

"Jane."

"I'm Ray," she offered a hand to shake.

Before I could return the shake, a bell sounded and the doors began to open. People flooded in. I couldn't tell what was happening, somehow getting drawn into the room by the flood of the crowd. Everyone was huddling around, looking in awe at the scenery. I looked in awe too. It looked, it felt, heck it even smelled like we were outside in the woods. Tall trees sprawled up, covering the ceiling from view. It was a freeing feeling.

"Welcome, recruits!"

The group turned at one, finding Jerome and Mitch standing on two of the stands that circled a bunch of chests. Everyone hushed, watching them intently. Jerome and Mitch exchanged a twisted grin, slowly turning back to the crowd.

"Hey doods, it's Mitch or BajanCanadian here!"

"Hey everybody. What's goin' on? Jerome, here and welcome to another exciting Hunger Games," smirked Jerome, clapping his hands together. "Would everyone please take a stand."

Everyone began to disperse, taking one the multiple stands around in the circle. I stood on one across from Jerome and Mitch. I could feel my heart racing already. I didn't know what was happening. From the look on an assorted people's faces, they didn't know either. Jerome and Mitch exchanged another look, this time nodding.

There was a sudden click. I struggled to move around but couldn't leave the square I stood on. I looked around, hoping I wasn't the only one. Other people were just was a panic stricken as I was. Someone screamed.

"Now, now, everybody calm down!" ordered Jerome, laughing and little. "This is a precaution. Let Mitch and I explain the rules."

"We are playing a more...classic form of Hunger Games. No coming back. No revenge. You get out, you stay out."

"Spectating is an option," Jerome added, pointing up.

Looking up, I spotted a metallic box seemingly floating above the trees. Some people seemed stunned that they hadn't noticed it earlier. Jerome coughed, gather our attention again.

"It is possible to get weapons in this game. Depending on the weapons, you will battle an opponent and when the computer feels an appropriate amount of damage has been dealt, the wounded party will be sent to the booth," he pointed up again, "and they will watch the remaining of the game."

"The point of the game is survival," nodded Mitch. "Good luck."

"Wait, you haven't taught us anything yet!" snapped a man.

"We believe in learning on the job," they smirked.

"Are you two playing?" gasped a young girl.

"But of course," hummed Mitch.

"I'm gonna win the Hunger Deans," chuckled Jerome.

"Remember...it doesn't matter if you win or lose," at that moment Mitch looked around and his eyes seemed to end on me, "the point of the game is how long you can last."

A faint clicking of a clock suddenly sped up. A bell rang. The power keeping us in was unlocked. The Hunger Games began.