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Chapter 19 – Things are Changing

Marina

My fingers trace the ice on the cold glass, my breath fogging on the window. I can see the lawn outside, covered in the fine light layer of frost that will soon become snow. Although it's warm inside, after all there's a fire burning in every room, it feels cold in my bedroom. It feels like everything I touch is turning to ice and I'll never be warm again.

I feel empty now that I'm back in the tribute village, like a block of ice that is hollow inside and ready to crack at any moment. I was so strong back in the Capital: fierce when I volunteered for Ella, and strong when I'd said goodbye to Joseph. Even when saying goodbye to Ella, I'd been unbreakable. I hadn't cried when I hugged her, promising to fight hard to win. I hadn't even felt that upset, just accepting of my fate, and glad that I'd volunteered for her. But as soon as I boarded the ship to bring me back to this awful village, it's like I've become more and more distant from the world.

Downstairs I can hear Adelina setting dinner up, but I don't want to join her. It's just her and me here; Hector has to stay in the Capital and work on my outfit for the ceremonies before the Games. Any friend I thought I had before has been taken away from me: Ella, Hector…Joseph. Joseph is here with me in the Village, but he's supposedly my enemy now, one of the 29 Loric who stand between my survival and I. The thought is so horrendous that I block it out of my mind before it can break me.

"Marina!" Adelina calls my name. "Dinner!"

I don't want to go, but I find myself standing up anyway, obedient as ever. I might as well keep her on side, since she might train me for the Games. Or maybe not, depending on which mood she's in. It alternates between distant Adelina, who refuses to talk to me, or kind Adelina, who wants to make up for her previous mistakes. Most of the time, it's distant Adelina who greets me.

As I make my way downstairs, I notice that nothing has changed in this house, and it makes me feel sick being here once more. I was here just a year ago, thinking that I was going to die in the Games. Fast forward six months and I'd won the Games, thinking I was safe forever. Fast forward another six months and here I am again.

It's weird to think it's been a year and a half since I was chosen in the Calling. A year and a half, and so much has happened. I was only 16 when I was called, soon about to turn 17. Now, I'm going to be 18 in a few weeks; this isn't exactly the celebration I was hoping for. And two years on from the Calling for the 14th Games, I'll be fighting in the Anniversary Games. How is this happening? This is a sick joke.

"Smells good," I say weakly, as I enter the dining room. "What are we having?"

"Pizza" Adelina sets the food down on the table, her hands shaking slightly. I wonder if it's hard for her being back here too. "I wasn't in the mood for cooking proper food," she admits. I smile, sliding into a nearby chair. I don't feel hungry, but as soon as she sets the food on my plate, my stomach growls. I tuck into my food since it won't hurt to put some weight on for the Games.

"How are you feeling?" Adelina asks after a while. I've already eaten half of my pizza, but she has barely touched hers. I forget sometimes that she suffers as much as I do in the Games, and sympathy for her fills me. I need to be more considerate of her feelings; it's not just me who's suffering.

"I'm ok" I sigh. "Not exactly happy, but there we go" I shrug, tearing a piece of pizza in half. Adelina nods, poking weakly at the salad on the side of her plate.

"We need to talk about training," she says. I open my mouth at once, not liking the sound of this. If she's going to refuse to train me, I swear I'll go mad.

"You are training me, right?" I ask, my voice cold. Adelina nods at once, guilt flashing in her eyes. Her mouth pinches together, and I can see her eyes narrow slightly as she tries to control her own temper. But she looks ashamed too because she knows that my doubts aren't unfounded.

"Of course I will," she replies, her voice sounding controlled. "I've learnt from my mistakes" she chews on a tiny piece of food, looking a bit sick. "I was thinking of strategies, which weapon to use…that kind of thing"

"Bow and arrow" I reply at once. It strikes me then that I've gotten down to business, just like her. I thought that I could never bring myself to killing my friends, and I could never kill Joseph, but that I might find it easier to kill people I don't know.

"That's a fragile weapon," Adelina points out. "Your one got broken in Round 1," she argues. I shrug, chewing on my last piece of pizza.

"But it's the thing I'm best at" I reply. "There's no point me learning a new skill, when I can just improve the one I've got" I argue. "Besides, what use is a knife or a sword when I'm hiding up a tree or far away from an enemy? A bow and arrow is a better long-distance weapon"

"And if you're close to your opponent?" she replies. I shrug.

"Well, I better learn to run fast" I retort. Adelina smiles despite herself, and then sighs, chewing another piece of pizza.

"Fine, we'll stick with the bow and arrow" she gives in. "But we'll be working on your strength work so that if you're ever in hand-to-hand combat, you'll be able to fight" she replies. I nod, a smile appearing on my face. This is probably the first time that I've ever won a fight about training with Adelina, and it feels great. Finally, things will go my way.

"And what about alliances?" I ask, poking at my pizza. I can't help but think of Joseph, the only person I want to ally up with. I blink back tears from my eyes as I think of him, my friend who is sentenced to death just like I am. Will he want to be my ally? I know the answer at once; of course he will. He'd probably be my ally to keep me alive, even if it meant his death. He's just that good of a person.

"We'll deal with alliances in the Capital, in your final group sessions," Adelina replies. "We train here for the next six months until the Games, and then we head back to the Capital for the usual parade, interviews. They'll hold some group sessions for all of you, so you can see your competitors fighting for the first time" Adelina explains. I nod, pushing my plate away from me. I have a lump in my throat, and I feel sick at the thought of the Games. There's no way in hell that I'll be able to win these Games, no way.

"Adelina…" I pause. "Do you think…do you think there's any chance that they'll call off these Games? If people are angry that the Victors have been chosen…then do you think that they'll stop them?" I ask, my voice sounding like a young child's. Adelina watches me closely and then shakes her head, her face filled with sympathy.

"No…no I don't think there's any chance of that" she finally replies. "You're going to have to fight your friends, whether you like it or not Marina" her words are hard, but her voice is filled with sympathy. "I'm sorry… I know it's hard…but you're going have to realise that at the end of the day, they're not your friends, they're your enemies now,"

Xxx

Sophia

I crouch behind a cactus, the sun hot even at this early hour in the morning. My throat and mouth are dry, and I'm desperate for water, but reaching for my water bottle would make a noise and reveal my position. I can wait for a few hours if that's what it takes, although I hope to be long gone by then. I peer at the cornucopia again, the gold shining painfully bright in the sun and I narrow my eyes to help with the glare.

I knew before I came in here that going to a feast means certain death, but I can't help it; I'm desperate. They promised the one thing that we desperately need and I need medicine. Badly. Just a few days ago I was bitten by one of the mutated snakes in here and I can feel the wound getting worse; it's infected and I can feel the poison slowly taking over my body. It's sapping my energy and making it harder to think, to react. If I don't get the medicine, then the wound will take over and kill me.

There's a nearby movement and I jump, berating myself angrily. I watch as the ground in front of the cornucopia opens up, and a table with sacks appears. Names have been written in elegant curved writing on the bags so that we know whose are whose, but I know that won't stop some mogs. They'll take whatever they can get to kill us. I peer around, waiting to see if anyone appears, but it seems that everyone is waiting for someone to make the first move.

It needs to be me. I can't lose my sack, or I'm dead.

I'm on my feet at once and racing for the table, my feet hitting the hot hard ground. Despite my dehydration, sweat pours down my face and neck, but I don't have time to wipe it away. My leg aches with pain where I was bitten but I try to ignore the pain and focus on running instead. I need that sack. I hear movement from the side and instinct built up in the first week of this Round makes me drop to the ground and roll.

A spear thuds into the ground close where I was running a second ago.

I get up on my feet, glancing hurriedly at the mog on my trail. It's that big brute of a mog, the one who seems determined to fight me. Ever since I threw that dagger into his friend's neck this mog has been desperate to kill me. I stifle my sob of panic and scramble to start running again. I need my sack. But my wound makes it harder to run and I feel my energy sapping quickly. My breath comes out in gasps and there's a dull ache in my leg where I was bitten.

Not long now. I'm so close.

I make it to the table, grabbing the bag and sliding it up on my arm. I can see more Loric running for the table, followed by a lot more mogs. Oh god, there are so many. We've barely made a dent in their numbers at all…not like they've done to us. I swallow back my panic, my hands fumbling for the throwing knives at my belt. The mog that is determined to kill me is starting to gain on me and I need to get out of here now.

I turn and run, my panic making me quicker. My head is pounding in pain, and my rucksack bumps painfully against my back, but I'm moving away from the cornucopia now. My leg is burning in agony, but I have to keep moving. I manage to grab one of the knives, and just in time because a mog lunges out from the side. He's fast, but hot and tired after exposure to the sun, something he's clearly not used to. I manage to sink my knife in his throat before he can stab me with his sword and then I'm off again. I may have killed a mog but I wasted precious seconds.

I hear the pounding feet behind me and know what's coming, but it's too late. The mog with a grudge grabs me from behind, swinging me round and slamming me to the ground. I cry out in pain, desperately trying to scrabble away, but he puts his foot on my back, the dirt and sand filling my eyes and mouth. I struggle in panic, my hands desperately rummaging for my blades, but there's no point. My wound hurts and I'm weak from dehydration. This is it. This is the end.

My brother's face suddenly appears in my mind, his expression angry and disappointed. He'll be watching this. He'll watch me die without putting up a fight. He'll be so ashamed…and I know that I can't let him watch me die. He'd never get over it. With my last surge of strength, I roll over and dodge, just as the axe thuds into the sand next to me. The mog growls in anger, lunging down and closing his hands around my throat. I gasp, and try to fight him off but he's so strong. I can see something approach out of the corner of my eye, the thud of footsteps and the sound of a yell when-

I wake up with a scream, the sheets tangled around my legs. I'm shaking and sweating, my hands clutching the sheets. For a moment I think I'm still in my dream, the mog's hands still around my neck, and it's easy to believe that when I'm gasping for breath. The door slams open and then the lights are on, blinding me, whilst I sit up, ready to fight whoever's there. Christina looks at me, her hair ruffled around her face and her face slightly crumpled, like she just woke up. Her eyes are wide and alert though, as they dart around the room, looking for the threat.

"Are you all right?" she asks urgently, taking in the scene. I nod, shakily detangling myself from the bed sheets. My heart is still pounding frantically in my chest, and I feel sick, but I don't want her to be even more worried than she already is.

"It was just a nightmare," I whisper. Christina bites her lip, looking like she wants to say something but then decides against it. I sigh as push my hair away from my face, noticing that it's dark outside still. It must be the middle of the night.

"What did you dream about?" Christina finally asks. I grimace, rubbing my face. Adrenalin has left me completely and I feel drained, tired. I just want to sleep, but then I'm scared that I'll have another dream.

I just want to forget everything, even if only for a few hours.

"My Games. The Feast" I reply shortly. Christina frowns, entering the room and sitting on the edge of my bed, her eyes filled with worry.

"It's over. You're not in there anymore" she whispers. I snort, swinging my legs over the side of the bed and heading over to my window. I need fresh air, to help clear my mind.

"That's a lie," I snap. "I'm going back in there in six months. And this time there is no chance that I'll come out alive" I see her wince as I throw the window open, the cold air streaming in at once. I shiver at once, but it's wonderful at the same time to have the cold air cooling me down and clearing the panic from my mind.

Christina says nothing but I watch as she gingerly pulls a blanket around her. She looks frail, weak. The Announcement was as unexpected for her as it was for all of us, and it was definitely unwelcome. I knew something was going to happen, and I'd known about the twist, only one winner, but I'd never thought for a moment that I would go back in there. Me against 29 other Victors, who are stronger and crueller than me. The thought sends waves of black panic washing over me and I take a deep breath, trying to forget about it. There's nothing I can do now; I just have to do all I can to be better than the others.

"I can't go back in there" I trace the pattern of frost on the outside of the window, my breath fogging against the glass. I feel Christina's gaze land on me, but I don't turn to face her.

"You have to" she says simply, her voice breaking. I shake my head, trembling from cold and fear.

"I can't," I whisper. "It was bad enough letting Anya die…how can I kill them intentionally?" I turn to her, tears burning in my eyes. Christina watches me, both sympathy and fear crossing over her face. She's as lost and confused as I am. Neither of us is sure of what to do, and that just makes it all the worse.

Stanley…how can I kill Stanley? He's my friend, and he's damaged after his Games. He may not show it, but I know how guilty he feels about Navaria, about Maddy. How can I kill someone who is so close to breaking down themselves? And Marcus…he's so fragile, so weak compared to the others. He's still healing from everything he had to do over a year ago…how can he fight and kill others all over again? And more importantly, how can I kill him?

"I can't do it" I realise with dawning horror. "I just can't do it" I can't kill them, even if I don't know them. I can't kill my own people. Christina watches me, tears in her eyes.

"You have to"

Xxx

Unknown POV – Wanderer

I'm back in the elevator once more, the thing still creaking and groaning as it makes its way down to the bottom floor of the bunker. Through the glass window, I can see the many floors passing by us, whilst Loric in grey and black uniforms march along, their faces severe. The guard next to me looks at his watch impatiently, his face filled with a scowl.

"We're late" he says accusingly. I shrug, wishing that I could have changed out of my travel-strained clothes. I feel grubby, covered in blood and grime from the hard journey, and I feel like I could collapse any moment. I feel so tired and sore, but I know I should be glad I'm alive.

"It's getting harder to reach here" I reply. "The Mogs are blocking all unauthorised routes. I barely made it out of Innail" The guard scowls but he doesn't reply. He knows that he has no ground to stand on; it's far safer down here, surrounded by air ships and bombs rather than being up in the open air with mogs on your trail. He hasn't faced the real world yet, not like I have. I'd choose this place any day.

The elevator jars to a stop, and the doors slide open, revealing the huge centre hallway of the bunker. As always, I look up, amazed by the many floors and complexities of this compound. This part is only the surface; the complex spreads for miles and miles in both directions, with everything from bombs to hospitals to training halls. It's both exhilarating and terrifying considering this whole place is underground, but the engineers know what they're doing. They've survived here 15 long years; they can survive another few months.

"This way" the guard leads me down the usual corridor, using his key card to get into a few restricted areas. It seems that this floor is for the hierarchy only, but you couldn't tell; they all wear the same uniform. I follow him, slightly intimidated by the concrete hallways and solemn airs of the people walking by, but I try to remain professional. I'm one of them; I shouldn't feel like this.

"Here" the guard opens the door for me, revealing the conference room. "President Laws will be along soon"

"Thank you" I step inside nervously, noticing that the room is empty. There is a large table in the middle, a map of Lorien spread out. There are diagrams and drawings on the map, and hastily crossed out places. I notice that where Mort once was, there is a large black spot, as if someone blocked it out. Thinking of that burning city, the bombs raining down on us as I'd desperately tried to escape sends a shudder through me. I'll never forget that night. Never.

I settle down in a chair, resting my head in my hands, and trying to block out the memories. I'm so tired. The journey was hard; it seemed like I had mogs on my every trail, no matter what measures I took to avoid them. In the end I'd had to memorise the information and burn the file; if the mogs got a hold of them, this place would be ruined. I managed to get here in the end but it had been the hardest and most stressful trip I've made for her so far.

The door opens and I straighten up, smiling when I notice our President enter. She's dressed in her trademark suit, her greying hair pulled up in a tight bun, enhancing the lines on her face. She can't be much older than 50, but the events of the last 15 years have aged her. Yet, despite her appearance, President Laws is perhaps the most terrifying woman that you'll ever meet in your life. She's strong and intelligent and if Setrakus Ra knew she existed, I think he would be scared. She's a force to be reckoned with.

"You made it back then" She smiles when she sees me, but I can see the weariness in her eyes too. She must have heard the news then. I nod, shaking her hand, before she takes her seat at the head of the table, sitting up straight. I feel lazy for slumping but I feel so weary. Besides, she won't care.

"It wasn't easy" I reply. "The mogs have blocked all pathways eastwards from Innail" I reply. "They're terrified of anything beyond the cities' borders. There's a curfew and restrictions to travel. I think it could be the same for other cities but I'm not sure," She nods, but I can see a glint of worry in her eyes.

"Any chance they'd search the terrain?" she asks. "We can't have them finding us"

I shake my head at once. "Anything past the Bloodwater terrifies them. And considering we're beyond the mountains, they'll never even dare. They're far too terrified. We're perfectly safe" I reassure her. She nods, pursing her lips. I can almost feel her curiosity but she's too professional to show it.

"And the files?" She asks. Her hands are folded in front of her on the table, and I can see her knuckles are white from her clenched grip. No, she's not nearly as relaxed as she makes out.

"I had to destroy them. The mogs were on my trail and I thought they might catch me. I couldn't stand the thought of them having the information so I memorised it" I tell her. She nods, but I can tell she's unhappy. "I can write them down for you, if you want?" I ask, feeling her disappointment.

She considers. "Tell me what you found out and then report to Gustav tomorrow to rely the information for our files" she says. I nod, wiping my sweaty palms on my trousers.

"Mort is gone," I say, not mincing my words. "The city and everyone in it was bombed to ruins after the Tour. Navaria is under control of the Scouts but the people aren't happy; you can tell they want to fight back, they just don't have the power or strength at the moment," Laws nods, reaching for a pen and paper, and writing a few notes.

"I'm not sure about the Southern Cities. They've never suffered as much as the Northerners, who are desperate for a fight. Especially after the announcement" Laws raises her eyebrows in surprise, a smile curving the sides of her lips.

"Really?" she asks. "I would have thought the announcement would have scared them, not made them act"

I shake my head. "They know why the twist for the Games was put in place. They're not stupid," I reply. "Besides, I don't think anything will stop them now. Kill the Victors and they have martyrs. Don't kill the Victors and they have leaders. That's the general feeling I got," I tell her. She nods, an eager light in her eyes.

"The Southern Cities aren't so sure then" she frowns. "I'm sure that'll change when the mogs turn their attention to them. And they will. They must be terrified of losing control," she says forcefully. I nod, straightening up in my chair.

"Especially Baladh. One of the tributes, Sophia Arnaud, was from there, and her brother is the head of the Loric council there. And he's not happy at all" I add. Laws frowns in confusion.

"Loric Council?" she asks. I smile; it's so easy to forget that the people down here have no contact with the world above. They have no idea what goes on and what systems they have. Whereas I've spent years accumulating all of this information.

"Baladh has a minor Loric council to deal with their troubles within the City. It's not very powerful Government-wise, but they have a huge influence on the people. And with their leader's, Corban, sister in the Games, he is not going to be happy. He's going to make some noise," I explain. Laws nods, looking thoughtful.

"Would it be worth sending a Scout there to tell him of us? To enlist his aide," She ponders. "It sounds like his connection could be valuable. We need to get all cities on side, and we're lacking in links with the Southern Cities. It sounds like we need this Corban," She says, tapping her notebook with her pen. I know that this statement will only be the start of a week-long discussion between her and her council, but I'm all for it.

"That's a good idea. Baladh is vital, in terms of its geographical position. It's right in the centre of the South. They need your help too, for guidance and allying up the cities. The mogs have managed to disconnect all the cities so they can't contact one another and ally up," I elaborate. She looks down at her notes, her forehead wrinkled as she thinks.

"And Innail? What is it like there?" she asks, her piercing grey eyes watching me closely. I fidget slightly, shrugging.

"I'm not sure," I admit. "I never went in the end, because it was just too dangerous. The Anniversary Games had just been announced the day I got to the Riverlands and the city was on high alert. I didn't dare go in, just in case the mogs became suspicious" Laws nods, her face unreadable.

"Yes, I can see why the announcement might have caused some fears among the mogs" she says shortly.

"What's going to happen though?" I can't help but blurt out. It's been worrying me ever since I found out, despite all of our progress. "The Victors are going to die in the Games! That can't happen or everything will be over!" I say urgently. She nods, a grim smile on her face as she closes her notebook.

"That is true," she agrees. "It cannot happen. Without the Victors, our cause will be severely damaged, even ruined," she stands up, and I scramble to my feet, knowing the meeting is over. But I don't have my answers!

"Then what's going to happen?" I push, desperate to know. "What are you going to do?"

Laws smiles tightly, her eyes watching me closely. "I will not be doing anything" she replies. "You will be the one carrying out the mission" I raise my eyebrows beyond confused. What can I do? Laws smiles at my puzzlement, but her face is serious.

"Your next assignment will be to go to the Capital. You need to talk to our insiders, to give them some information. You must never look at it, and the file must make it to them" she says, her voice stern. "Our cause rests entirely on your ability to get into the Training Centre alive and with the file" This sounds impossible, yet I have to do it. Laws smiles, but there's a cold light in her eyes. She's worried; things are hanging in the balance and she isn't in complete control anymore.

"Who? Who are the insiders?" I ask, trying to steady my nerves.

She tells me.

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