The outcomes of the feast!
Morgan Aida (District 2)
"Guard our food!" Harkon cries, tearing after a pair of tributes. I bite my lip to stop from spitting out a response, as I have done for the last few days. The alliance I have with Harkon, while beneficial at first —taking turns sleeping and reaping the benefits of both of our sponsors being the main pros— the strain in our "relationship" is palpable. In fact, the only reason I didn't kill him today is that, between the other tributes and Caero, I knew I couldn't defend the food by myself and live.
But now with Harkon tearing through the woods, I can't get another kill and I'm stuck babysitting the Cornucopia like I didn't want to do in the first place. Even with half a dozen tributes unaccounted for, not a single one appears. I'm not sure if I'm grateful or annoyed by this fact. Not even Caero appears, but I'm sure he's skulking around here somewhere. I think of his skills with the bow and arrow and scan the tree line nervously.
A cannon sounds and I assume it's for the girl Harkon killed before he left. I stare at the dark shadow of her body while my mind races. How long will Harkon be? Was Caero taking aim at me right now? This thought has me pulling off the pack from my shoulders, filling it with everything I can from the handsome table. Rolls, fruit, even a steaming container of coffee all go tumbling in. When it's full to the brim of things that won't go bad right away, I manage to turn the table on its side with a tremendous heave. It wouldn't do me any good to have anyone else benefit from the feast. Countless delicacies tumble on the ground, dozens of plates shatter on impact. Then, without a second glance, I turn for the woods.
Just as I pass the first tree, I hear the sound of another cannon and hope Harkon likes his food cold.
Hovercrafts appear in the dark morning and take the fallen tribute's bodies. They take no time at all and, before even the first hint of the sun appears, are gone in a whir of engines. The sun does appear though, and the scene at the cornucopia is fully revealed; a mess of ruined food and several patches of dark red snow. Several hours later, a mousy face appears on the plain. The boy from District 6, beyond emaciated, takes shaky steps to the table of the feast, face filthy with grime. With no backpack or self control, he shovels handfuls of half frozen food into his mouth at light speed. After a minute of this, he turns back the way he came. Only, instead of the beckoning arms of the woods, he falls straight into those of the boy from District 1.
The smaller boy falls, a knife sticking out of his chest, and dies within the minute. After searching his pockets for supplies, District 1 removes his knife and disappears in search of more victims.
The day passes on and on while the sun finishes its lazy arc across the sky. Darkness sets in, even deeper than the night before. Finally, the Capitol seal shines brightly and the fallen tributes are revealed to all. The boy from District 4 flashes by, followed by the younger one from District 6. After him is the redhead from District 7 and last is the girl from District 10. The anthem finishes with a musical flourish and the final six prepare themselves for a long night.
The Capitol is besides itself. Day nine was one of the most eventful yet and the betting has reached an all time high. Whether by cleverness, cunning, or killer instincts, each tribute left has distinguished themselves as a real threat, making it hard for commentators to give a prediction of the winner. Celebrations abound in both the Capitol and the Districts. Some families of the tributes accept congratulations from people on the streets, while others take refuge in their homes praying that their children make it through the night. A chill passes through the nation and every citizen can feel the games coming to a close.
I hope you like your final six! This will probably be finished up in two or three more chapters. See you soon!