Phoenix Midnight, District 2
"I don't understand why we can't kill him now." I tell my allies. "He's weak we can't appear weak." We walk down the mountain, trying to find other tributes to kill.
"The Games just started Phoenix, we need as many Careers as possible." Crystal says, clearly irritated that the conversation is still going on. I roll my eyes and save my breath.
We get to the bottom of the mountain and enter the dense forest in front of us. The four of us listen closely, trying to find any signs of another tribute.
We reach a lake and take a quick break. We refill our bottles, adding appropriate iodine, and snacking on some food. I lean against a tree as the other three sit at the lake.
"Who do you think our biggest threat is?" Jagger asks the others.
"It's the quiet ones I'm worried about, like that other volunteer." Crystal says. "Who knows what they have up their sleeves."
"We'll kill them all. They're nothing to us." I say from behind them, rolling my eyes. The sooner we find these other tributes, the sooner I can kill my allies and return home, where I belong.
We resume our hunt, doing a loop around the lake. We conclude that this is the main water source in the arena, and consider moving our base down here. Jagger brings up that Dylan won't be able to make it down here for a few more days. I suggest killing him now, again, but my idea is shut down, again.
After a few hours, we make our way back to the camp to rest up before nighttime. We rejoin Dylan and Gemma at the top of the mountain.
"Welcome back. What'd I miss?" Dylan asks.
"Not much, we found a lake. Most of the others will probably stay near it." Jagger answers.
"We think it might be better to camp down there." Cleo says flatly. Dylan shrugs.
"Get some painkillers in me and I'll make it down there." He says, trying to be cooperative.
"We'll make the move tomorrow, for now I want us to rest up and get ready to hunt more tonight. Good?" Crystal says, making herself a little bed in the back of the cornucopia. Nobody argues with her and follows suit.
"I'll keep watch, you can sleep." Jagger tells Gemma. She smiles a friendly smile at him, and makes herself comfortable.
I sit by myself, sharpening my sword. Soon, I'll be able to kill everyone. I just have to wait until the right time.
Chalice Durham, District 7
I sit, perched in a tree by a lake. The second the gong rang, I grabbed an empty plastic bottle and sprinted straight down the cliff. I found a tall tree with perfect foliage to cover me, and that's where I've been ever since. I watched the two from Three pass, as well as the girl from Eight. The Career pack just went back to the cornucopia, and I briefly heard them discussing their plans to move base down here. Despite my perfect hiding spot, this won't be safe if they move down here. They'd find me in no time.
I can feel thirst coming over me, and risk the climb down to fill up my bottle. I wish I had gotten more from the cornucopia, but doing so would have almost guaranteed my death. Survival is more important.
I fill up the bottle and drink slowly, hoping I don't get some kind of infection from lack of iodine.
I find some edible berries and snack on them before climbing back up my tree. The breeze feels good, it's not too hot yet not too cold. I close my eyes and I can picture myself back home, perched in the trees near my house. I can picture my father close by, ensuring I'm always safe.
But now I'm the one that needs to ensure both our safety, my actions directly affect him. I take a deep breath, and venture down the tree. I refill my bottle before leaving my tree to somewhere the Careers will hopefully never find me.
Lilac Suede, District 8
I grip my knife tight and hide behind a tree, holding my breath tight. Treuse and my's mentor told us to book it out of the cornucopia as quickly as possible. While good advice, I lost him immediately and only got out with a knife. I hope he got more than I did. Hell, I hope he survived. Ten died today….god I hope he wasn't one of them.
The leaves rustle quietly and I pray it's just an animal. I look around the tree and see the small girl from Seven moving quickly and quietly. She seems to only have a water bottle on her. I could probably take her if she doesn't have a weapon, but I'm not risking it. Don't attack unless you're attacked, it's safer.
The girl from Seven gets far enough away for me to get out behind the tree. I drink some water from the nearby lake and wash my face. I figure this is the best place to stay until I can find Treuse, if I find him. No, I will find him. I have to.
The sun setting creates a beautiful color in the sky. It's hard not to smile at it, you can almost forget you're fighting to the death for entertainment.
What if he went the other way? I think, remembering the opening in the mountain I saw. Is it possible? Should I go back up there? I look at the mountain, and think about the Careers. What are the odds they all died in the bloodbath? That'd be nice.
I find a small dip in the grass and cover it up with leaves and branches. I'm not completely covered, but it's good enough for now. I sit in my hole near the lake, listening for any sign of Treuse. It's going to be a long night, that's for sure.
Lucia Starlet, District 9
Most ran down the mountain when the gong rang, but not me. I managed to climb up higher, away from the threats. From my location, I can watch the Careers and see most of the arena, but I can back up far enough to where no one can see me. It's not a permanent solution, but it's far away from everyone and that's okay with me.
I didn't get anything from the cornucopia, but I may be able to swipe something when I move locations. One of the Careers is badly injured, a blessing for everyone else. If an infection doesn't kill him, his allies will soon enough.
The sun fully sets and the anthem plays in the sky. I look up to see who is deceased.
My heart drops when the first picture is shown. It's the girl from Five. It's her picture in front of her family. A mother, a father, her sister, and her. All dead. It's hard to watch.
Her district partner is deceased as well, and the family behind his picture is even larger than the girls. I think I see an infant in the picture.
I don't watch the rest of the anthem. None of the Careers died, that much is obvious. I hope that changes soon.
I back up further on my little ledge and lay down, my arm under my head. I ignore the slight thirst I feel and slight growling in my stomach and reminisce about home. I think about my mom and wonder what she makes of the whole situation. She probably wishes I was never born. That's okay, no matter the outcome of these Games, I'll never have to see her again. The thought makes me smile and soon I drift to sleep.
Deaths
Maggie Highbranch, District 5
When the gong sounds, I run about halfway to the cornucopia and grab a decent sized satchel. I see Thaddeus with a machete in his hand, and together we run away.
Suddenly, a force knocks me down. I cough and feel the metallic taste of blood in my mouth. Something is in my back, something painful. Those are my last thoughts before I fade away.
Thaddeus Greene, District 5
I spot Maggie quickly, she's directly across from me. I run towards her, grabbing a weapon on my way. Together, we start to run away. I keep my eye on her, hoping not to lose her.
That's when she slips away from my sight. I stop dead in my tracks, seeing her on the ground. The world turns into slow motion. I see the arrow in her back, her body turns still. I see one of the Careers with a bow, the string pulled back. The arrow fires before I can turn and run. It hits me in the chest, the pain is the worst I've ever felt. I fall next to Maggie, her eyes open wide. I fade away, apologizing to my family as I go.
Rhea Gault, District 6
Sera and I come up on the platforms right next to each other. The boys are on the other side, so when the gong sounds we make a beeline to them, picking up a few things on the way. We run as fast as we can, and I'm confident we're going to make it. That is, until I see the expression on Mal's face change from excitement to extreme fear. I hear footsteps behind us, and know nothing good is about to happen.
Sera goes down first, and I slow down. I'm taken down next, and I see the boy from Four on top of me. Adrenaline rushing through me, I hear him swear as I stab him in the leg. He stabs me in the heart. I don't feel pain, just sadness as I hold Sera's hand. Together, we fade into oblivion.
Cedar Jacobs, District 7
Even though I've been instructed to get out of the cornucopia as quickly as possible, I can't help myself when I spot the axe near the center. When the gong sounds I book it there, grab the axe, and book it again. I think I'm home free when I hear the whooshing of an arrow. I fall down, the pain spreading all over my body. I lie there, slowly dying, wishing I had done it differently.
Grant Remington, District 9
As the gong sounds I run into the cornucopia, getting my hands on a club. The Careers would see me if I tried to run away, so I hide in the center of the mouth, finding a nice backpack to carry. I wait until the coast is clear before I leave my hiding spot. Unfortunately, one of the Careers spots me. She looks hesitant to kill me, but regardless lunges at me and stabs me in the stomach. The world fades away.
Carmen Lokien, District 10
I run to the side of the cornucopia, away from the action, and get my hands on a backpack and a small knife. I take a second to decide my next route, and that second is what gets me killed. The boy from Two tackles me, ruthless in his actions. He stabs me over ten times before I loose consciousness forever.
Peach Cheyenne, District 11
I'm at the end-side of the cornucopia, and run past it to get down the cliff. I manage to grab a pack, but the girl from One sees me. She runs over to me and slashes me down before I can make another move.
Titus Greene, District 11
Anger is fueling my adrenaline. I get my hand on a spear and make a rash decision. The girl from Four stands there, near the mouth of the cornucopia. I throw my spear at her, but her ally warns her and she ducks. I suddenly feel a pain in my chest. I look down and see the end of a sword sticking out of my shirt. The sword disappears and I fall on the ground, dead.
Sera Grey, District 12
Rhea and I run together, as fast as our short legs can manage. My heart has never raced so fast, and for a brief moment I believe we're home free. That's until a large force takes me down. Until I feel an inexplicable pain take over my entire body. I see Rhea has met the same fate as me, and it breaks my heart. I hope the boys are okay, I think before drifting off to sleep.
Jaiden Dust, District 12
I thought I could get something good, if I was a little risky. There were so many other threats, I figured no one would pay me any mind. But that was not the case. The big Career took notice to me immediately, tackling me as soon as I got my hands on a decent sized sword. He stabs me repeatedly, taking me away from this world.
Another chapter! I'm going to miss these tributes, they've all been awesome to write.
Maggie-You were too pure for this world, I'm so sorry.
Thaddeus-You were a jerk, but you loved Tracy, so I appreciated that. I'm so sorry your family had to die with you.
Rhea-My girl, I had big plans for you, but alas I needed more bloodbaths. You'll be missed.
Cedar-You and Ivory were fun to write together. You weren't supposed to be a bloodbath, but things happen. I'm sorry.
Grant-You poor soul, I'll miss you dearly.
Carmen-Another not bloodbath that died in the bloodbath, I'm sorry girl. I saw a lot of me in you.
Peach-You worked hard, I wish it had gotten you further.
Titus-My man, you were so fun to write. You're at peace now.
Sera-This sweet baby, your death was hard to write. You and Rhea were such darlings.
Jaiden-You were kind of a jerk, but I enjoyed it. You'll be missed.