Chapter Eight
Dahra
It's been a long time since Jack or I have eaten properly. Neither of us can hunt and we're both unsure about which berries and plants are safe to eat here, me being from District 6 and Jack from 3. I'm bitterly regretting not having spent more than half an hour at the station about wildlife during training, it could well prove fatal. The Games have been going on for about a week, I estimate and there has been no sign of a Sponsor's gift since that water we received on the second or third day of the Games, I can't remember which. Even this morning seems foggy in my memory. Lack of food seems almost as dangerous as lack of water at this point. Now we have plenty of water, so at least dehydration is one less thing we can die from. I hunker down and dip my hands into the cool water of the large pond Jack and I had discovered a while ago. After quenching my thirst, I sit back and look around. The pond itself is marginally bigger than any other we have come across, being about ten metres in diameter all around, but it couldn't be called a lake. The first foot in is quite shallow, but than takes a steep dip, going too deep to stand in. I sigh. All seems calm, but that doesn't mean it can't be disturbed at any second. Nothing much has happened in the past few days. The calm before the storm, I reckon. I lean back on my elbows, looking up and, for the first time, notice a large patch of berries that seem to have entwined with a hanging vine on a branch not far above me and a bit out over the pond. I sit up excitedly. I recognise these berries. I'm absolutely positive I know these from training; the small, round shape and the blackish, blue colour. They're blueberries. A smile splits my face and I turn to yell back to Jack, who isn't too far away but hidden from view, about my discovery. I manage to stop at the last moment, remembering where I am. Instead I look back up at the tree. There aren't any low branches to help me up, and I don't have much experience with tree climbing anyway. I wade as far out into the pond as I can and stretch up to try to grab the vine. I rise on my tip-toes, stretching desperately when my feet slide from underneath me and I fall forwards into the water. I panic as I realise I'm unable to touch the ground. I windmill my arms frantically, kicking as i try to stay afloat, but I slip down underwater. I push up, my head breaking the surface and I let out a gargled scream that sends Jack running towards me. He yells my name frantically as he reaches out to pull me back in. But I've drifted too far out and his shouts are pointless, except to attract attention. I slip under again and I don't surface.
Jack
'Dahra! Dahra!' I shout desperately as I watch my only remaining ally disappear under the water. I search but no head resurfaces. I hear crashing sounds behind me and I turn to see the Career pack burst into sight. I glance back at the pond, tears sliding down my cheeks before turning to face the Careers, weapons drawn, leers on there faces.
Caine
There's a body of a young girl with dark hair floating face down in the water when we reach the pond. Her ally- I guess from the tears on his face- is still alive, weaponless and helpless. I step forward, sword in hand, but Gaia reacts quicker and the arrow enters the boy with a soft thunk. He collapses. I turn to face Gaia who is wearing a smug look.
'Maybe next time, sweetie,' she says mockingly and I clench my jaw.
A/N: Hope you guys liked this chapter. I was thinking of doing something a bit different for the next one. I was thinking of adding a few paragraphs from parents' and Gamemakers' points of view, along with Tribute paragraphs (or without the tributes if you'd prefer) to add to the story. Please leave a review to tell me what you think and if you have any suggestions/constructive criticism. Thank you! x
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