Chapter 14- The Trap
Three days go by and two more tributes are lost. The boy from District 7 and the girl from District 11 join the body count. Nadya and I move on but we remember the way back to the pond incase we need water. Things have been quiet for us the past few days.
"Sephy," Nadya stops in her tracks, "I've been thinking."
"Me too," I nod, knowing exactly what's coming next.
"Yeah, I think we should split off the alliance." Nadya admits.
"Me too." I agree.
We halve the food but keep all the weapons we collected at the Cornucopia.
"I'm sorry." Nadya says as she pulls me into a hug.
"Good luck, Nadya." I say.
"And may the odds be ever in your favour." she laughs, mocking the Capitol.
I laugh as she begins to walk off.
"Nadya!" I call "I'm so sorry about Eckel." She nods, forcing a small smile, "I hope Coby's okay, and I hope you win."
And then, Nadya is gone and for the first time since entering the games, I am truly alone. I spend the remainder of the day hunting and trying to avoid the other tributes. I soon come across a clearing with a pile of supplies in the middle. The pile isn't that big, it has two backpacks, a few weapons and a small amount of food but it's tempting. Suspiciously tempting. I have a smaller amount of food after halving it with Nadya but I have enough for now. I don't need anything from that pile. I crouch low in a nearby bush and observe the pile, trying to work out if the Gamemakers or another tribute has created it.
Someone drops to the floor of the clearing, landing on their feet in a cat-like fashion. It is the boy from District 3. He glances around, checking to see if anyone is watching him. He doesn't notice me and starts towards the pile, grabbing a backpack and a long, curved knife. He takes a few steps away from the pile and continues the way he has just come when someone leaps from another tree, knocking him to the ground. It's Franklin from District 1.
District 3 gets to his feet and begins fighting Franklin but Mist and the District 2 tributes come to Franklin's aid. District 3 is outnumbered, the Careers surround him, smiles on their faces. The District 2 girls lunges at him but he stabs her with his knife, sending a scream through the trees.
The cannon sounds and District 3 pulls his sword back, waiting for another tribute to try their luck. Franklin gets him to the ground and with Mist's help manages to pin him down. The boy from 2 looms over them, collects 3's knife from where it lies on the floor and prepares to attack. I close my eyes whilst the killing takes place but the screams of the District 3 boy bounce around in my head long after the cannon signals the end. The Careers take back their supplies and set off into the forest, leaving the dead boy where he lies.