Chapter Eleven: The Countdown

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Trees, lots of trees.

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In a tree.

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High up.

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I look down.

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The cornucopia on the grass.

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I look around.

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The tributes are in trees too.

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Cliff is next to me.

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This is an arena for District Seven.

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I give Cliff the sign of: Go to the bloodbath.

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He nods.

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People look nervous.

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They can't climb like Cliff and I.

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They might be afraid of falling.

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I spot a lake in the distance, to the north.

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I point it out to Cliff.

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He nods again.

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The careers are evaluating the situation.

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I'm starting to find suitable branches in my maple tree.

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The pedestals are on the twenty-four highest trees in the arena.

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I start finding axes in the cornucopia.

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A backpack.

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Some rope.

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I spot apple trees in the distance, near the lake.

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A mockingjay flies by.

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I spot a tracker jacker nest in Cliff's tree.

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He spots it too and nods.

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Medical herbs in the trees.

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I start getting nervous.

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Really nervous.

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There are squirrels in the trees.

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Lots of food sources.

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Sap and syrup in the trees.

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I wonder if Jesper is watching from home,

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or in the big screen in the town square.

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Either way, he'll be watching.

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Watching me die, I think to myself.

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No! I can do this.

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It starts to rain.

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The clouds block the sun.

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The wind is chilling against my face.

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My weather gear protects my body.

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I prepare to start climbing down

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And I wait for fifteen seconds.

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Bong!

The Games have begun.