I do not own the Hunger Games!

Chapter 12

A Hunting Trip

Today is hunting day. I'm scared in the fact that I am eagerly awaiting the deaths of my fellow tributes. We gather around the Cornucopia, and discuss where we will be hunting. First, of course, we gather some extra food for our packs, I bring a first-aid kit, and we each bring a weapon or two. "Travel light," is the only advice we all agree on. I bring my knife. It is long, with a slight curve, and a smooth gel handle. I also bring a bow and arrows. Jeffrey, whom we have officially started calling "Broccoli", brings a spear and a sword. Rikki brings a trident and a knife, and Yttria brings a club. I don't even remember seeing that in the Cornucopia.

I decide not ask. Some things in this arena are best left unknown. "So...where should we attack?" I ask.

"The mountains are a good idea. We can kill them, then look around for other tributes' camps. That can give us a good idea of the arena and everything."

"But most of them are going to hide in the forest, and Prim can just climb a tree for a view of the arena."

"I vote the forest, because there's some water there. Most of them will stay near a source of water. They're not stupid."

"I seriously question that." Yttria smirks. "Let's have a vote. Forest or mountain?" We decide to hunt in the forest. "Who knows? We could hunt a rabbit or something."

"It's not really important. We might as well conserve our weapons."

So here we go. Into the deep pool of trees. It is dark in there. Maybe the shade will cool us down. We wander through the forest, making sure to clear a path cleanly. Then we'll just follow it back to camp. Easy enough, right? But something's still edging me off. I snap at my friends, and my general mood is cranky.

"Well, look who woke up on the wrong side of bed!" Jeffrey shouts. I punch him in the mouth. Blood pours out, and Yttria, reluctantly, gives him some moss to absorb the red liquid.

"Smear the blood," she advises. "It'll make you look tougher." Then she eyes him up and down. "You need any help you can get, Broccoli Head." He groans. We've been bullying him for the past day. Apparently, he can't take a joke. And that's exactly why we keep doing it.

After about an hour of trekking, we come across a hastily extinguished. I run my hands over it...still hot. "This tribute is still close. Look at the coals." The others nod, and Jeffrey licks his lips hungrily. "Quietly," I whisper. We run across the ground without startling a rabbit. Then we turn the corner, and see a clearing with a boy. He is running as fast as his short legs can carry him. All of a sudden, he looks over his shoulder, and his eyes widen in fear.

"Come here, little boy." Rikki calls out to him. "Thomas, right?" But he keeps running. "Have it your way, Thomas." We sprint towards him. He is lighter than most of us, but his legs are so small. We easily overtake him. Rikki, Jeffrey, Yttria, and I surround him in a U-shape.

"I'm not going out without a fight," he said n a small voice. We all laugh like he's an adorable kid saying he's going to become president. I raise my knife. My heart beats like a racing animal. We inch closer, and Thomas throws his knife into my leg. And it is on fire. My eyes turn red-or so it seems-and my knife lodges itself in his chest at the same time as Rikki's trident. Yttria lobs him on the head, and all I can think is: What a horrible death.

Then I examine my leg. The knife entered about halfway in. Lucky I brought that first-aid kit. Why is the world spinning? Rikki steps towards me, and takes the knife out. Ouch. I grunt. Don't show pain. We find some wound cream and a cloth bandage. "Don't worry about me," I say, though I know they wouldn't anyways. "Let's move on." But we stop when we see the silver parachute. It contains a box full of pain killers. "My thanks to the people who gave this gift," I say in my best little girl voice.

I swallow a pouch with some water, and put the rest in our first-aid kit. Then we dislodge our weapons from the dead tribute's body. "Let's move on," says Rikki.

We walk on, but no more tributes are to be found. Not today, at least. It is getting dark, and it is Yttria and Rikki's turn to watch tonight. There is only one face that shimmers on the screen above our heads tonight. Only one spectacle that was barely enough for the Capitol. They'll be wanting a lot more blood.

For now I concern myself in falling asleep. The darkness of the night drowns me.


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Sorry I didn't post sooner...I just started my new Percy Jackson fanfic. If you haven't read it, then please do!