Tracker Jacker

I wake to the sound of complaint. A lot of complaint. And footsteps. Then the high-pitch voice of Lola whining.

Oh no...the Careers are back again?

I quickly but quietly reposition myself. I shove my sleeping bag into the bag and zip it up before the Careers stop talking.

Phew...they didn't hear the zipper.

I would say that the time is around 3 o'clock in the morning.

I look down at the Careers and see what they're complaining about.

There has been a fire. That much is obvious. I notice that Sabrina is missing. Maybe she was the one who died.

I hear the story being re-told. They were out hunting down for Tributes when a fire ball hit them a few metres away. Then they were attacked by more fireballs and walls of fire.

Lola laughs when she talked about Sabrina's hair falling off. The fire caught her hair and it burned so bad that it shrivelled and fell off.

Lola is horrible. Who would laugh at that? But apparently all Careers would laugh at that.

They wash up at the pond. Hope they don't find the-

"Hey look, someone's made a fire," Erik says.

Damn...

The others circle around the fireplace. Victor is already looking around for any signs or trails. Lucky my tree is unnaturally thick.

An hour passes by and the Careers aren't bothered to look for me. Instead they treat their wounds. All of them have at least a burn.

Victor is unlucky. His whole leg is inflamed. They sit in the water with their legs stretched out. They check their temperature and all this other stuff from a first aid kit.

I get bored. It's hard staying in one position the whole time.

I look to the east where the sun is rising. I'd say it's around 5-ish.

The conversation then moves onto something extremely unsuspecting.

"Hope we find that District 12 chick soon," Victor grumbles.

"Michelle is her name," Erik replies. Huh, he remembers my name?

"Whatever. I just wish I could find out how she got that eleven," Victor grumbles some more.

Oh, that's why they're talking about me. My Training Score. They're jealous.

Erik shrugs.

I gaze at Erik. He is so nice. He doesn't seem like a Career. I mean, he's built for it, skilled for it and is definitely handsome for sponsors but he seems to have a kinder nature about him. I really appreciate it.

"Yeah well, I bags the kill," Shyne orders. She glares at everyone, waiting for an objection but no one dares to. I wouldn't. Her stare is horrifying.

They then talk about some of the other Tributes. While they talk I hear a low buzzing sound. A hum. Coming from above me.

I look up and see the nest of a Tracker Jacker. Dear me...

I think for a moment. I can't leave, the Careers are right there. And staying here knowing the mutant Tracker Jacker's is there is not an option. Soon they will be awake and they will see me and will hunt me down and sting me to death.

What if I dropped it down on the Careers? That would work.

Slowly I sling my back-pack on my shoulders and climb slowly. The Careers are too loud and busy to notice me.

When I reach the branch holding the nest I pull out my gold knife and start sawing as quietly as I can. Back and forth. Back and forth. Back and forth.

They still haven't noticed my presence. Or the sound of a knife sawing at a branch. Idiots...

Finally the branch breaks loose and I push the branch far away from me as far as I can.

The nest falls to the ground with a thud.