As my eyes slowly started to open, I lay my hands on where I was laying. I was hoping that I'd fine myself back in my warm bed, home in District 4. To my dismay, I remember that I'm in the arena for the 25th Hunger Games.
It's morning, but there isn't time to waste. Within a few minutes I have all of my stuff packed in my pack ready for travel. I should look for Finn, I conclude.
I try to remember everything I know about Finn...
He's a boy...
13 years old...
District 7...
District. 7. Lumber. Trees. If I'm correct in thinking, he's probably in the east and west sides of the arena. Those areas are pure forests and trees. If I can travel undetected, I may be able to find him there.
I know that I can't just go without a plan, because I can get ambushed at any given moment.
I wander around the beach, thinking about what I should do and luckily, I'm able to spot a coconut tree in the distance.
Without hesitation, I go and try to get a coconut from it. Food is scarce in the arena, and I need the energy.
I have no experience with tree climbing, so this may take a while.
I start by just shaking the tree, but the coconuts that were on it had an iron grip to the branches.
I attempted to climb, but that only resulted me in repetitively landing flat on my back.
After many failed attempts, I grab onto my trident. With it, I try to knock down the coconuts. Finally, one by one, the three of them fall onto the ground next to me.
Only one is enough, so I decide that I should save some for later. I go back to my original camp and I dig a big hole in the sand. In it, I place my bag and the remaining two coconuts. I keep the canteen and trident; those are tools that are important.
After I finish the coconut I decide that I should go search for Finn. I'm pretty sure he's in the forest, being from District 7. I wear my sapphire anchor pendant; I want that to be with me at all times. I splash myself on the face with the beach's water one last time and I finally start my journey.
I've been walking for hours. I have been successfully able to enter the woods, but there is still no sign of any person. I can't describe how quiet it is. So lonely. Nobody around. It's like I'm the only person left on Earth.
Come to think of it, it feels like I'm not on Earth at all. I'm in a different dimension, away from Panem and life as I know it.
Still, I have this ominous feeling that someone is going to jump out in front of me and attack me...
...How big is this forest? Tree after tree, and I am shadowed by the branches and leaves. I can only hear mockingjay calls in the distance. Finding Finn would be like finding a needle in a haystack.
As I enter deeper in the forest, a slight glint catches the corner of my eye. I turn around, realizing that it was coming from an apple tree. The tree was amazing. It had so many red, crisp apples just waiting for someone to pick. I put my trident down and approach the tree.
I'm no tree climber, but I'm able to get a hold of an apple. My fingers wrap around it, and my mouth begins to water at the sight of it.
A delicious apple tree. Right in the middle of nowhere. Undiscovered. It apples ready to be eaten. Seems too good to be true.
When my feet landed back on the ground, my fears become confirmed. From seemingly out of nowhere, a giant net trap comes flying towards me. Before I have time to react, I'm tied up against the apple tree. It was a trap! I should've known!
I'm desperately hollering and screaming for help, frantically trying to free myself from the net. No matter what I do, I can't get out.
Unfortunately, my screaming attracted some unwanted attention. From beyond the trees I hear,
"Shhh.. Listen...Sounds like we found our first little victim. Let's give him a warm welcome, shall we?"
A few moments later five tributes come out from behind the trees.
Zelda.
Emory.
Emerald.
Crystal.
Cedric.
When Cedric and I create eye contact, a cunning, wicked smile suddenly emerges on his face.
"Well, well. Look at who we have here!"