Chapter eleven: The venomous flood

Three days passed uneventfully, we spent most of it huddled inside the cover of the tree cavern. The rains aren't our only problem any longer, the wind picked up and it also started to hail. I was really starting to get frustrated, the Gamemakers better keep their colorful Capital hands off of the weather controls or I will personally make it my goal to get out of here just so I can cut them off! Wow, I am demented, I mean I knew I was a little crazy but this is seriously psychotic.

The skies have remained clear of faces as well, which worries me. I know that stream is going to be used as a way of slimming down some of the Tributes, and we are far too close to it to not get effected by it in any way. I bring this up with Sorrel who nods and agrees we should move soon, but the matter of when wasn't discussed, which really annoys me.

It was the ninth day in the arena and already more than half of the Tributes were dead. Yet, the Gamemakers are obviously getting bored because I was awoken by a splash of water in my face. I was about to jump up and threaten whomever did dumped the water on me when I noticed the cavern we were currently residing in was flooding, quickly.

I looked over to Jessamine and Sorrel who were already awake and packing as much of the undamaged supplies as they could. I grabbed the pack Sorrel threw to me and put it on my shoulders turning around to find Cyri gesturing for us to follow. I wasn't much of a tree climber, actually I'd prefer to be on solid ground but that was clearly not possible at the moment so I chose to follow Cyri's guide.

I started climbing the tree she was on, you would think that with my diminutive stature and how little I weighed that it would be no big deal—even if I didn't have previous climbing history—that was not the case. Climbing the tree, even with Cyri's instructions; served as seriously problematic. Every time I thought I had the hang of it, my foot would slip and the rest of my body went down with it. My obvious terrible climbing techniques were beginning to infuriate me. Even if I wasn't brilliant at it, I would always excel at everything in the Academy, but climbing was not one of those things. I never thought that I would need to climb a tree in the Hunger Games. How Naïve of me, I just thought that I would be in the Career pack and be a step ahead of everyone else in the arena. But oh wait! Sixteen years ago a dim-witted woman gave birth to Mavira, and here I am!

I took in a deep breath and let it out slowly pushing back any threatening thoughts I had for Mavira. Right now I had to focus on the problem I'm facing at the moment. The water was already to my waist and both Jessamine and Sorrel were up the tree screaming at me to hurry the hell up. I gritted my teeth, 'you can't hurt them Ebony, it would ruin everything' as I thought this I decided to try again.

I reached up grabbing—what I thought—was a thick piece of branch, and hoisting my right foot up, trying to set it on a dry piece of bough. Every part of the tree trunk that was underneath the water was now covered in this thick, green, slippery moss stuff. How it developed that quickly I could only blame on the Gamemakers. Their deaths are looking more and more appealing by the second. I Position my other hand on a higher piece of bark then the previous hand, I could feel my newly cauterized wound pulling but I could worry about that later. I used all the strength I had in my arms trying to pull myself up, only using my right leg when I was about halfway up. I set my left foot into a groove in the tree a little higher than I did with my right foot. By now I could feel the water hit my foot, I had to hurry now or else the moss crap will start growing and then I know I'm dead, or I have to bet a lot on my swimming skills, which I'm not prepared to do right now. I used as much strength as I can, trying to pull me up—even though every muscle in my body was protesting—I ignored it. I eventually got high enough where I could reach Sorrel's outstretched hand ready to help me the rest of the way, yet now I ran into a new dilemma. If I reached for Sorrel's hand I had to let go of the tree, which means I'm putting my entire life into Sorrels' hands. He can just let me fall; I mean this is the Hunger Games, one less Tribute for him to worry about. But if that was the case all three of them could have just fled awhile ago, instead of waiting for me. Well, my answer was simple: If I tried to get the rest of the way up on my own I risk falling or having the water catch up to me and the moss like stuff making me slip. If I let Sorrel help me I risk him betraying my trust and letting me fall to my death. Tough decisions but since the water was now at my feet again, I pushed off the branch and jumped extending my hand.

I reached Sorrel's hand but my fingers slipped just before he wrapped his hand around mine. I started falling, I knew I was about to die, and all I could think about was how much I wanted Malakai to win now. Not just for him but for our district, for the honor and glory that comes from the victory. I closed my eyes, waiting to hit the water and let the current take me away to my end when I felt a tugging on my shoulder and I was jerked up. It took me awhile to realize I wasn't falling and I looked up to see Sorrel's hands around my arm and Jessamine and Cyri both holding his legs so he wouldn't fall. I can't believe he just risked his life to save mine. I cursed to myself, now I owed him. One thing I hated more than losing was being in debt.

He snapped me out of my reverie "hurry the hell up Morita!" I looked up at him, when did he start acknowledging me by my last name? I used my other hand and grabbed onto his belt pulling myself up. When he let go of my arm I winced when I tried to move it, when he stopped my fall he must have pulled my arm from its socket. Wow, I guess I deserved that, Zarek is probably sneering at me from wherever he is right now. I ignored the pain in my shoulder as I used both arms to climb up Sorrel's body, and even in the tragic life-threatening circumstances we're in now I couldn't help looking at how fit Sorrel looked in his pants. How great his butt looked in them, 'stop it, and focus!' I snapped myself back to reality as I reached the tree branch Jessamine and Cyri resided on and pulled myself up, sitting down. The girls heaved him up, and even if Sorrel didn't look beefy it still took all of both girls' strengths to pull him up.

When they did we were all looking at the water—still rising—beneath us with winded breaths. I placed my left arm over my chest trying to refrain from using it; I might have to get Jessamine to pop it back into place later. I looked over at Sorrel; his Mahogany colored hair was matted to his forehead with sweat and was covering a good portion of his eyes. "Why?" I didn't realize I asked the question until all three of them looked at me with confused looks. "Why what?" Sorrel asked a bemused look on his face. "Why'd you save me? You could have easily let me fall to my death" It was true, these were the Hunger Games after all. He shrugged "I stabbed you, so I save you, we're even" I never looked at it that way, and I could feel the weight of the relief leave my shoulders. No debt to pay means there's absolutely nothing standing in my way of killing him. Well, except Mavira but one of my blades in her back will stop that little quandary.

"Uh guys, I think it might be wise to get a move on it" Cyri's voice snapped me back to reality, I looked down. The water was rising faster than it was before. We all grabbed whatever bag we had originally took—mine was still on my back—and followed Cyri. She led us the "long way" as she liked to call it, because they knew, with my injured shoulder, I was in no position to tackle any more climbing.

We jumped from branch to branch, Cyri leading the way, making sure the branch can hold our weight—especially Sorrels—before jumping onto another one. It was about half an hour of this before she finally slowed down as we jumped on one really thick branch, which was connected to a really substantial tree. I looked at it; it was covering the interior with many braches, vines, and leaves. At the center of the tree four large branches spread out in different directions creating a small hollowed out spot in the middle. Perfect for the four of us, we each congratulated Cyri on a job well done as we settled in.

I didn't do much of anything besides slide my pack off my shoulders. My arm was aching now and I was nervous about the state of the wound on my side. Jessamine must have noticed my uneasiness because she grabbed her first aid kit and came over to me. She checked my stab wound first, taking the bandage off applying some anti-septic and then reapplying it (no reason to waist bandages). She then went to my arm, telling me that it is out of place and she's going to have to position it back into place. I nodded and bit my lip waiting for the pain when I heard Sorrel chuckle.

"What's so funny?" I glared at him; I was in no mood for his attitude, even though he saved my life.

"Nothing, it's just funny how you're the first person in Hunger Games history to ever get a twelve, yet you're the only one Jessamine has had to heal" he laughed, and I heard a small giggle come from Cyri. What's so funny anyway? Yeah I've gotten hurt more than any of them have but it's because I fight more and I'm not afraid to get hurt. I was just about to snap back at him when I heard a cracking nose and the most atrocious pain shot through my shoulder and down my arm. I bit my lip to stop from screaming out, I look over to find Jessamine smiling at me and wrapping a gauze around my shoulder, "sorry but I think it was best to do it when you're not paying attention" Jessamine giggled from the look of shock I gave her.

I cleared my throat and instantly turn my attention back to Sorrel, not saying a word to Jessamine. She might have just helped me but that didn't mean I was happy about the surprise attack. "The only reason I'm the only one in need of healing is because I'm not the type to cower in the shadows when someone wants to fight me, or—" I glower at Sorrel "try to stab me" he looks down laughing and shrugging my comment off. I groan and lean my head up against one of the extended tree branches; it's been a really long day.

After about four hours the flood cleared out and we were left with muddy ground, and a soft patter of rain. We all eventually came to the agreement that Sorrel will go off and hunt—since were running low on food now because of the flood—and Cyri will go scavenge for eatable roots, plants and berries—since she was the only one who spent most of her time at the eatable plants station during training—and Jessamine and I were both told to remain here and guard are supplies. I was about to protest by saying that nobody will be looking for tributes hidden in the trees but stopped myself. You never truly know anyway, besides the Careers will probably be hunting tonight, and if I'm correct we are far closer to their base then before. I have a strong feeling tonight's going to get ugly.

Sorrel returns with two fish in hand, I asked him if they were Salmon and when he said no he thinks they're a form of halibut I sighed in relief. Cyri returned soon after with an entire pack full of greens, roots, and berries. This along with the half loaf of bread and the two packs of dried fruit we still had from before the flood I think we'll be okay for now.

After Sorrel gutted the two fish we decided to eat them raw. Being up in a tree doesn't really give us the advantage to make a fire. We split up the two fish among the four of us, Sorrel and Jessamine sharing one and Cyri and me sharing the other. We ate that along with some of the roots Cyri picked earlier today and it's sad to say it's the largest and most filling meal I've had since the Games started.

When we ate, and packed up the remaining roots, the anthem started playing. I looked out passed some of the leaves and vines, just barely being able to see the sky. I just noticed now that in the midst of the pandemonium from the flood I wasn't paying attention to any cannon fires that might have gone off. It didn't really matter anyway because the skies are empty tonight, which has me wondering. If the Gamemakers didn't set off that flood to knock down a few Tributes then they must have used it to bring them together.

We arranged the proper sleeping schedule for tonight, and since I was the most injured and have been openly volunteering to take watch over the last couple of days they decided to let me sleep the entire night. I was going to object but decided against it when I realized how tired I was. The entire ordeal with the tree today used a lot of my energy, and I thought it wise to gain it back, so I agreed with them. They would split three hours shifts, starting with Jessamine and ending with Cyri. I didn't really care what they did as long as they let me sleep. I unfolded my sleeping bag—thankful I remembered to pack it during the chaos this morning—and crawled in letting exhaustion take control.

I was awoken by Sorrel shaking me violently by the shoulder; luckily he remembered that I had injured my other. I looked around me, it was still dark but the moon and the stars helped me to see properly. If it was Sorrels shift that means I must have at least slept six hours, which I'm very pleased with. I jumped up, blades at the ready. He put his index finger over his mouth indicating for me to be silent and then pointing down.

I looked over and could just make out the silhouettes of three figures and instantaneously knew who it was. I ducked down, more from acting then actual trepidation. Not one of the Career Tributes frightened me, probably because one was my lover and the other two were bothersome vermin in my life, more so Mavira than Blossom. I looked over at my allies; Sorrel has already awakened Cyri and Jessamine who are both looking around exceptionally vigilant. That's when we heard a faint rattle, it must have not been that quiet because the Careers heard it as well and they were looking up in our direction. I hear a short gasp come from Cyri and look over at her curiously to find her frozen in fear looking at something behind Sorrel. I follow her gaze to find a gargantuan sized rancor serpent wrapped around the branch behind Sorrel.

Rancor Serpents are supposedly extinct snakes that the Capital made during the times of the rebellion. They were projected to go after their intended victims by using their enormous fangs and aiming for major organs in the body. Making whatever the rancor's venom touched to slowly extend in size until the victims' skin started to split and they slowly and very painfully bled to death, while the toxin ate them alive. They were placed on suspension after they started to develop their own thoughts and began liking the kills they were committing, and instead of killing the victims through venom, they started eating them. The Capital sprung it as an experiment gone wrong, but apparently they have some use for them or there wouldn't be one sizing Sorrel as its next adverse prey. There was just enough time for Jessamine to grab Sorrel's hand and tug before the snake attacked. Because of all the upheaval the Career's now know someone is up here, and Sorrel is looking at me expectantly.

"Distract them, you know them well enough to pretend to make conversation with them, long enough for us to come up with a plan to get rid of them" I looked at Sorrel like he was an idiot. How does he expect me to do this? I mean to him I guess it would be no problem, but if I do this and Mavira, and the others don't follow along the entire plan is ruined. "Are you kidding?" I hiss back, he just shakes his head and nods for me to continue. I growl at him and crawl onto a branch that's jutting out of the tree, so the others can see me.

I crawl out and take a seat, swinging my legs off the edge playfully. I look down at them making eye contact with Malakai before switching to Mavira. I know right away she knows I need them to play along and she lightly taps Blossom and looks to Malakai, they each nod in concurrence.

"So we meet again, I see your group has lost a few people, how sad" I made a fake pout, trying to emphasize my dislike for them. Which isn't really that hard considering I only like one person down there, just take him out of the equation and it's like I'm not lying at all.

"Hello District two, nice seeing you here" Mavira retorts with a smile, I playfully smile back "you too" I laugh "it actually surprises me, out of all of your alliance I would have been sure you would be the first to go" She glares at me, and I can tell that she's not acting right now, but neither am I. "oh wait" I lean my head back scoffing at her "That would only happen if I was still part of the alliance" I sneer at her "I don't like allying with egotistical Barbie's" she growled and I waved playfully back. I didn't realize how much fun this would be, I could hear Malakai trying to hold in his amusement. I took a quick glance in Sorrel's direction, He pointed to the tree that has the Serpent on it. I look at the branch above it, Cyri's there. My heart stops, what is she doing?

I look down at Malakai as Mavira begins shouting profanities. I looked to Malakai and signaled with my eyes to Mavira, and then the branch that has the snake on it. He nods in compliance; Blossom didn't seem to notice this exchange as she is cleaning out her nails with the tip of one of her blades. I roll my eyes, what a fond way of using a weapon, for hygienic purposes. I looked over at Cyri who was now taking a deep breath, I wanted to scream out and tell her to stop but I couldn't, it would spoil everything.

She then let go of the branch she was holding onto and fell, her feet landed on the branch holding the serpent, and because of its light weight it broke off from the tree. Before the branch can take Cyri down with it, though, she used all the muscles in her legs to push off of the falling bough quickly and grip the limb she was once sitting upon. I looked at the falling branch and then down at the three standing at the bottom. I looked at Malakai who brushed his left foot up against a rock pretending to trip, sending Blossom directly into Mavira pushing her into the line of the falling branch.

Unfortunately Mavira is a lot quicker than I initially gave her credit for as she screamed and grabbed a chunk of blonde hair in her tiny fist and pulled Blossom in front of her, causing the branch to land directly on Blossom. She screamed out in pain as the disgruntled snake lashes out at her biting into her arm, when it let go you could see the venom dripping off of its incisors. It was like a movie set on fast-forward because not two seconds later her arm started to engorge to a disproportionate level. She screamed out in pain as her skin started tearing and excretion, blood, and bile started oozing from the rips in her skin. The snake wasn't finished there as it opened its jaw, extending it an enormous amount before beginning to swallow Blossom head first. You can still hear her blood curdling screams as it ate her whole. It slithered away as Blossom was slowly consumed to death by the monsters digestive acids.

I felt bile rise to my throat by I ignored it. Malakai and Mavira stared at where Blossom once sat, in complete shock until we heard the cannon fire. Mavira was the first to break from the trance and whisper to Malakai who nodded and they both ran in the opposite direction, not caring to leave us here.

I took a deep breath and crawled back over to the others; Jessamine was looking over Cyri making sure she didn't suffer any injuries from her stunt as Sorrel started packing. We couldn't stay here when Malakai and Mavira knew where we were so I helped him pack. Not one of us said a word to each other, we didn't like Blossom but no one deserves to die a death like that, and we couldn't say a thing knowing that we're the ones who caused it.

Cyri was the most shaken up by what happened, but once we started moving she started to relax. We decided not to go in the direction of the serpent or of Mavira and Malakai so we headed another way, not knowing where we were going, but hoping there was no serpents when we arrived.