AN: Topanga Lynn doing what she does best. Surviving. (Yes, I know it's a cheesy chapter title...)

The Princess & The Birds

Topanga POV

I make my way up the river, it's flowing harder than it was the first day. I find a tree laying across it and I walk over to reach the other side. Fields stretch out farther than I can see. I really want to find the Barrier, to study it and see what I can figure out about it. But who knows what lies in those fields. The grass is up to my waist, and the crop fields are probably filled with mutts. Instead I stick to the outskirts of the fields, and I run my hand atop the tall grass, letting it tickle my palm.

Something flies out of the grass beside me and I yelp, but I see it's a bird, now flying up above me. My heart rate steadies and I continue walking. Soon I can see the Cornucopia, just sitting there. I know the Careers won't be dumb enough to leave their supplies behind unarmed, they'll probably leave one person. I'll bet anything that Stiles is out in the forest looking for me right now. Who did they leave behind? I go as close as I dare, I can see a pile of supplies just waiting for me. I want to run up to it and grab food, weapons, a blanket, anything I can get my hands on.

It's now or never. I'll never survive without the supplies anyways. I might as well try and get it. I bolt. I'm to the cornucopia quickly. I see her, it's the girl from 4. The girl that scored a ten because she is an expert at throwing spears. I don't stop running thought. I reach the pile of supplies and grab the first weapon I see, a machete. I have no idea how to use it, Cruise showed me how useful an ax is more than other weapons, but the machete is sharp, and sharp is good.

"Hey!" The girl calls angrily. I need more supplies. I quickly grab a bag and start to run away. A spear lands in the ground next to me. My heart drops. She's going to kill me. But no other spears come my way, and I'm quickly running in the direction of the mountain. I run until I can't breathe. I gasp for breath and collapse to the ground. She didn't follow me. I stare up at the sky, my chest rises and falls, and for a long time all I can hear is my heart pounding in my ears.

I sit up and look around. I'm completely in the open. But I don't care. I open the bag I stole and pull the supplies out of it. A water bottle, some matches, a sleeping bag, some rope, a bandage wrap, and a t-shirt. It's not much, but it's something. Plus I have a machete.

I look around, not sure which direction I should go in. I'm not much of a hiker, and I quickly cross the mountain off the list. I look back over in the direction of the forest. I'd have to cross the river again, and what are the chances of finding another fallen tree. The fields still seem scary to me, but maybe it'll be worth it. There is wheat out there to eat.

I set off through the tall grass. I make it about halfway to the wheat when I hear rustling noises around me. Crap. I freeze. I hear it again. Not good. I hold my machete out in front of me, I turn left and right as I hear the noises. It's impossible to see what's on the ground, the grass is too tall.

A bird flies out and heads right toward me. I yelp and swing my machete at it. I hit it's wing and it falls to the left. Another bird flies out. It's talons are sharp and long, they point right at me. I shriek and swing my machete out at it. Suddenly more of them are around. One catches my wrist, it's talons cut into my skin. I yell and swing the machete as hard as I can, cutting through the birds body. Five or six of them swarm me, ripping at my clothes and my skin. I swing my machete as hard and fast as I can. I swing and punch with my other hand. I start running out of the field.

These birds are not going to be the death of me.

I protect my face and neck the most, cutting any bird that gets too close. They are fast, and it's hard to tell which direction they will come from. I duck as one reaches out toward my face. Not today bird. I swing the machete and cut its legs off. The bird squawks and flaps frantically. It's a horrific sight, it's talons fall to the ground by my feet, blood pouring from its stubs. I keep running, and soon I'm out of the grass. A couple birds follow, but the other few hand back into the field. I swing at the bird, catching their wings. They. Must. Die. One hits the ground and I jab the end of the machete into its body. The other clumsily flies off back to the field.

"Son of a bitch." My senses come back to me and I fill the cuts on my arms, my back, and my legs. I realize my wrist is bleeding badly soaking most of my sleeve. I can't stop here though, I'm still too close to the field for comfort. I head back in the direction of the river, I'll wrap my wounds up there.

Billi POV

Stiles can't even know The Princess came over here. If he knows I let her get away he'll kill me in seconds. I considered killing her, but I also know Stiles wants to kill her. I don't have to become a killer just yet. And maybe, just maybe, when I have to break away from the Career group I can team up with her. We both have something in common. We both want to see Stiles ego ripped to shreds. Penny does too, and I consider confronting her about joining with The Princess, but I don't dare tell her. If she wants to stay a Career she'll tell Stiles in a heartbeat about my plan.