Chapter 10: Both Eyes Open
Duke is surprised, but nevertheless impressed, that Peeta managed to outlast Quinn. Per our agreement, all three of us Victors now pool our talents to advocate on our surviving tributes' behalf. Sponsors certainly are still fascinated by the Merchant boy who was fought so valiantly, but with the pool of tributes' dwindling, there seems to be a slight bias towards the maddeningly still-complete Career pack. They still have total control of the Cornucopia and its supplies in the Main Square.
Thankfully, Peeta is in a square totally separate of them. And in the middle of that third day, my colleagues and I manage to send him a canteen of water. It is getting brutally hot, and with so few ruins still standing, there is little in the way of shade. Sadly, water is the best we can do. With all the Careers still out there, Peeta is largely on his own for now, and at a loss over what to do next.
It is around high noon on the third day when Peeta senses movement on the edge of his square. He steals into the alcove of a still-upright building - likely a residential dwelling, from the looks of it. The shadows of the shade conceal him. He waits.
At last, a boy with brown skin, probably of Asian descent, comes into view. He has at least a half a foot on Peeta in height, and is armed with a bow. His choice of weapon surprises me. District 10 has a healthy crop of Victors, and talented tributes, largely because their weapon choices reflect their livestock upbringing and are thus, unique. Plowshares and hoes (yes, hoes!) have been used in combat before. But, to each his own.
Then, I - and Peeta onscreen - get a good look at Tien trying out the weapon. And he is just plain awful at it. He can't keep the bow steady, and the arrow keeps comically slipping; he hasn't strung it properly.
Suddenly, five cannons are heard in rapid succession. Shifting my eyes to another screen, I see bodies strewn about the mighty horn, with a sole black boy - Othello from District 2 - still standing. Oh no. The Career alliance is over. Peeta and Tien will be hunted next.
Hearing the cannons from over in the next Square, Tien actually leaves his bow, draws a sword and goes to investigate. Left alone, Peeta seizes the opportunity, and puts the skills he learned from the District 5 boy to good use. He swipes the bow, and studies it, trying to string it. He's certainly better at it Tien, but can he use it?
A scream makes Peeta dive for cover again. Tien bursts back into the square, with the beast Othello in hot pursuit. African tackles Asian until both sprawl into the dust. Seizing a brick, Othello proceeds to strike Tien with it over and over again until the latter moves no more. BOOM.
From his hiding place, I see Peeta make a quick decision as Othello rises slowly, his back to the baker's son. The last Career is winded from his fight, recovering.
And Peeta uses this to full advantage. Stringing the bow, he takes aim at Othello's back. His grip is strong and critically, he keeps both eyes open. He's probably watched me and how I shoot.
The District 2 mentors are screaming at Othello to turn around, screams he cannot hear. Too late. Peeta fires, swift and true.
THUNK.
BOOM.
Othello seizes up before falling forward.
The Bar erupts in cheers. Duke and Haymitch and I roar in triumph, smiling smugly at the dirty looks other mentors send our way. Only Career Districts have managed to get back-to-back wins, and the last one was over a decade ago.
Meanwhile, Claudius Templesmith announces Peeta Mellark of District 12 as Victor of the 73rd Annual Hunger Games.