District 1 – Saphira Crimson(16)

I can't believe I signed up for this. Looking around the room I can see only a few things. In front of me is a tube with a platform in it. This will lift me up in to the arena. An arena I may not return from. There is also a jug of water and a chair. My stylist is here as well. We didn't really get along too well, so there is no point in talking to her at all. Sure, she made me look pretty, but that's all she did, she never got to know me. I'm more like a piece of meat that will help her career.

Deep breaths Saphira. Deep breaths.

The thing I dislike about this is the unknown. I don't know what I'm getting myself in to. I don't know what the arena is, and I don't know if the people I'm supposed to be with will have my back as well. I think I trust Tilver, we have gone through this process together after all. I also to some extent like Nickel, he seems like a stand up guy and in all honesty I don't think he would be the one to turn on us. The other two though; Lanius is extremely volatile and I don't like that, whereas Cain has his partner who makes us nervous. Aniya is someone that I think Cain won't want to kill. In fact I'm almost certain they are in cahoots with the other tributes. Nothing that comes out of his mouth will be believable in that arena.

I'm not worried about anyone else really. I think we can deal with all of them. This is what calms me down. As long as we all get together we will be fine. I won't die if our group sticks together.

Death really makes you think about everything in your life at home. My brother Cobalt was training for the games when I volunteered. Now that I'm here, I don't want him to volunteer, because this is the most stressful and scary moment of my life. When I volunteered I did it for my parents. The pressure to volunteer was excruciating. Everyday at home they would be talking about how it would bring them honour and riches. Sacrificing your daughter is worth money apparently. They've seen the games before, they know that even the strongest tributes go down. I'm strong, they have seen me fight, and when I left they were convinced I couldn't possibly lose. I think if I could say one thing to my family right now I would tell them that this isn't worth it. I would tell Cobalt not to volunteer. Find someone you love and spend your days without fear. There will always be another volunteer, just leave it be.

"Tributes please move to your positions. Be prepared in 1 minute."

I shake. Pouring a glass of water I can see my hinds violently convulsing of their own accord. I must be hydrated, this could be my last glass of water for a while.

Joelle, my stylist moves over to me, puts a hand on my back and pushes me to my tube. I don't resist.

As I approach the tube I start walking there on my own, without the hand at my back. I enter the tube and turn around, prepared for whatever lies before me.

Then it happens, the platform lifts me up slowly. Blackness befalls me as I move through the depths of the arena underground before I make my way in to the light.

The arena.

Well this is certainly not what I expected. Around me the arena is pretty vast, and I can see may cause a lot more trouble that I expected. I'm on the furthest right position of the arena. I'm on a podium and about 5 metres to the left of me stands Tilver on his podium. Both our podiums are on the same platform together, the platform is a circle with a diameter of 5 metres. Below our platform is a 20 metre drop into what looks like a rapid river. No surviving a fall down there. At the top of our circle is a 1 metre wide walkway with no handrails that extends for 50 metres over the river and leads to the cornucopia, which is set in a flat field. That's not what fascinates me though. At the other end of the circle behind me is another path that runs towards the opposite side of the river. Set upon this side is the biggest castle I have ever seen. There is 2 gigantic walls to pass through and then behind those is the castle that extends probably 6 stories high.

Well, this is interesting. Each district is together on their platform. If they are working together well that's good. Like for me. Tilver and I can both carefully run along our small bridge to the Cornucopia. Other pairs like 12 probably will run towards the castle. If you don't get along, well the walkway isn't big enough for two, so they will either throw eachother off or have to head in different directions. That will be fun for the small girl from District 8 and her bully friend.

Extending to my left are the other Districts podium, we are in a straight line perched above the river, rather than in the usual circle and we are in order. Around 10 metres off to our platforms' left is Lanius and the panicked looking blonde girl on theirs. Then the determined looking 3's and I can make out District 4. Nickel positioned towards the Cornucopia whilst Naina has turned around facing the bridge towards the castle. Lucky they're not going the same way.

I hear a voice now. A countdown.

I look over towards Tilver, and he looks back to me and nods. I nod a return and then face the bridge that is heading towards the Cornucopia. Luckily I'm not scared of heights, or this would be a very perilous journey.

45…44…43…42…..

I wonder how many people will head towards the Cornucopia? Who will fall off their bridge? How big is that castle and how many rooms are there to hide in?

This is going to be a very interesting games.

21...20…19…18…..

I position my feet carefully so I can start with a run.

10…9…8…7…6…5…4…3…2…1…..

I run.

So what does everyone think of the arena? I thought it fit well with the title Defences. In fact, everything has spread from the arena layout. Who do you think will do well and not so well with this arena layout? District partners together on their platforms with small bridges all over a 20 metre death drop and a choice to head towards supplies at the Cornucopia or the unknown in the castle.

I'm also putting up a poll on my profile. So please vote!

Read and review! Thanks for reading!