Chapter 21:
An Update- Day Six
Aryan, District Two
History is written by the winners, Beast chants to me, and I can't help but agree with him. The Capitol is one of the clear winners in history. They write the books, they tell the stories. They are the winners. And now I will be too.
Lexy, District Two
There're seven of us left. Only Aryan and I are actually fit to win. And maybe that Kaitlin girl, but no one's seen or heard of what kind of talent she has so we'll just have to wait and see what she has of use to us in the end of this all. I guess my next mission will be to make it to the Cornucopia and see what is there for me. I hop off the high tower of rock I had built up to kill District 9, and make my way to the smoke and flames I could so clearly see from my vantage point.
Chase, District Three
Eve and I are walking when I hear it. Apparently she does too, because she stops beside me. We're so close, I can feel her slightly shivering from the intense cold. I should not have let her give me her jacket, but something in me won't let me offer it back to her. My animal instinct for survival has finally kicked in. I'm surprised at the greed I feel from this instinct.
"What the hell was that?" Eve whispers. "Reveal yourself!"
More rustling sounds and then the unearthly growls and screams come from my right.
That sound can only be human.
Kaitlin, District Four
Being blind is most definitely a new experience. I have been blind once before in this arena, though that time was under very different circumstances. And besides, then I had felt so much absolute power. Now I have only a feeling of helplessness and defeat, not power and superiority. I stumble along until I feel a warmth before me. A fire.
Where am I?
I stumble forward, tripping over the rocky patch before me, my hand swishing through the fire. But there's no pain. Only a rippling sensation goes through my hand. It's a most odd feeling, but I continue to walk through this mysterious fire, on and on until I find myself in the freezing cold.
Joshua, District Six
Tyler's been gone for too long now, and I wonder what has happened to him. I desperately need some more of that cream that he has. My skin is burning right now, and I need to escape the pain with that cool sensation of being saved.
My stomach is hollow with the pain of hunger. I've never been this hungry or thirsty, and I think that if the burns don't kill me, the starvation and dehydration will. Tyler is supposed to be out getting food, but I'm almost positive now that he's abandoned me. I've been left for the dead. And the thought sickens me. What horror will be thrust upon me that hasn't already?
Eve, District Seven
"Chase, stay right behind me," I say quietly. The sound is awful, some torturous howl of pain and sorrow. I wonder if it's human or otherwise. Probably a mutt, knowing where we are. I take in a deep breath, and tell Chase to put his back to mine so that we can cover all that lurks around us. "Do you have any weapons?" He shakes his head behind me. "Damn."
Tyler, District Ten
The announcement has left me sprinting to get to the center of the arena. I forget about Josh and the hell he is in right now because my life is on the line. And if I plan on ever getting out of here, not in a wooden box, I have to get in there and get all the food that I can. I know that I am starving to death, and an advantage I have is that I am used to being hungry. Not many people here can say that, though. I hope that Josh is burnt beyond repair so that I don't have to finish him off myself.
A/N: So much for updating right after that last chapter. I am so sorry this is so late. Really I am. Schoolwork has become heavier and heavier, and I was up late like every night last weekend (CATCHING FIRE, PEOPLE!) but here I am with a new chapter. I realized that I was rather confused about where everyone in the arena was, so I figured I'd make an update to show you where everyone is. I hope it helps your understanding of the arena.
I realize that I totally forgot to make a Final Eight interview chapter. I know. But instead of doing that, when we reach the final six, I will post a chapter that revisits the families through Capitol eyes as if there is a special reviewing the tributes playing on the Capitol televisions.
OH and I forgot to tell you: it's been over a year since this story was started. I am so proud of where it's come, and I'm sure my friends want me to finish this story soon, since they have been waiting a year to find out the winner, so I'll try so hard to finish soon, for you all and for them!
Thanks so much for waiting and reviewing.
It means the world!