Ten: Not Finnick
District 4 Male
I can hardly stand still, I can feel the nervous energy running through me. I've trained my whole life for this, or what feels like my whole life. I'll shine brighter than any of the other Tributes that came before from District 4, even brighter than Finnick. His is the name we always hear, who we are always compared to. You are not as fast as.. as smart as.. can't you make a knot, Finnick was able to.. It leaves a bitter taste after a while.
I'll show them though, but first, I need a weapon. I do not expect there to be a trident, but truth is, I wouldn't want it anyway. There is rope there though, and I could use it to create snares and traps, and for all manner of other things. There is also the spear. I've used something like them to fish, harpoons are somewhat familiar. So now, which is it? Rope or spear? Or both? Surely I can fight my way to them.
My indecision causes me the jump that I needed, but I don't let that deter me. There's someone at the rope before me, but it's no problem. I'm on them, behind them, my hands just under their jaw, and their struggling, but with a quick snap they don't struggle anymore. It's the boy from five. He looked weak to begin with. Probably never really worked physically hard a day in his life. Doesn't matter, he doesn't matter. Just another obstacle taken down.
Now for the spear.
I turn to where I knew it to be, but it's no longer there, and I want to curse. So I do. It feels satisfyingly good, but I'm also in motion. I might as well get out of here. You weren't as fast as… NO. I was fast, I didn't really need the spear anyway. I must have known it subconsciously I didn't need it. I could outsmart the others somehow and then I could have the spear back when I killed the one who took it.
I'm almost past where I stood moments before. How long has it been since the Game actually started? Doesn't matter. I hear a sound behind me, but I don't turn, and then there's a sensation in my leg and one step, a stumble, a limp, and I'm down. I see the throwing knife above my heel and it almost makes me wretch. They're both running at me now, they're both Careers too. Have they created an alliance already? Stupid, I should have thought of that. By running, I was a threat. I didn't run fast enough, or I wasn't smart enough to think of it. And in the male's hand is a spear. My spear. I know what's coming.
You weren't as smart as…
I have to accept it as the spear is whistling toward me, the knife in my Achilles tendon making running impossible. I can see the female tribute from District 4 behind them, watching and I want to laugh and tell her, "They'll kill you too." An alliance here means nothing, and I know she's not as smart as, nor as fast as the other Careers, but as it turns out I'm not as smart or fast as her or Finnick. I am not Finnick, but I will do something that Finnick has yet to do.
I will die.