Alright, here's the next part. Every person is equal in length, in case you didn't know, but since you do know, let's move on! :). I hope you liked the night, and I really tried to make this chapter interesting, with lots of action, but it didn't come out well. It's hard to guess who'll die? Anyway, I just want to say, that while I'm happy you guys like to read it, some feedback would be REALLY nice. I try to do everyone's character, and it would lovely to get at least something on them. It's alright, this is one of the best group of reviews I've ever had, and I'm very glad because of it. I really hope you have fun reading, and good luck Oh yeah, now you can guess the victor, only until the LAST eight, and I'll reserve you spot in my next SYOT, which will be done after this one, thank you and may the odds be EVER in your favor. Don't forget to guess who'll die tomorrow! It's worth six points, if you actually make a right guess :)
Conner Sun:
For the first time in the history of the Career pack in the sixty-eighth Games, we're all up and ready at exactly the right time. Layla is sitting down on her log, with her backpack fastened onto her arms, chest, and waist. Her hair is a tangled mess, and she looks like a tiger, with her dark eyes wide. Like an animal. I suppose we all do, since that's all we've lived for about…. three days? It seems like so much longer. Long enough to know quite a bit about each of my allies. Jules whose father trained him like crazy for the Hunger Games, even worse than mine. Thalia's parents don't like her. Layla's mother is dead, and her father is a Peacekeeper. Well, we all have something in common, we're all miserable.
Suddenly Thalia pops out of her tent, and looks around confusedly.
"Is Conner really finally awake?" she asks drowsily.
I shake my head.
"I have no idea"
She just smiles.
"Well, you finally have made yourself quite useful in the mornings" she mutters, as she sits down.
We all follow her. Reyce is nowhere in sight. I scowl. Suppose he left and stole some food? But all our food is packed in the middle, and there's no sign of anything missing. I'm about to ask Thalia, who probably thinks he's all divine or something, but suddenly, he swings in from a tree, with a few fruits in his hands. I raise my eyebrows. It's impossible to find them in this weather. Why does he have them?
"Got these" he pants, as he lifts them up for me to see.
I grimace.
"And exactly where?"
He looks at me, very softly. Not wanting to even talk. That's the problem with little kids! They always do this kind of shit. I groan and lean backwards.
"Don't you think we have enough food?" I snap at him.
He doesn't really listen, and lays them down. I should've killed him. He's nothing but a bother right now, always pestering me, and my allies. But Layla just smiles.
"It's good that it's possible to find fruit here"
Why not sweetheart? I don't know WHY she says this, but that's her problem. She leans back, and hums, as Thalia tries to decide what we should eat today. I think we have enough to last about two weeks, and that's how long a normal Games lasts. Sometimes less, sometimes more. It all depends on the tributes. Last time, it lasted about ten days, because everyone was so caught up in their activities. Ours might take a while, since we have so many little helpless pricks out there. I try to remember some. I can only remember the girl from 11, Kiy, because she was training alongside me with bow and arrows. She was decent, but that's about it. Then I remember the little girl from 10, training with her knife. She doesn't stand a chance. It's amazing she hasn't died yet.
"Here" Thalia suddenly pipes up. I raise my eyes "We can eat half of this loaf, some of that cheese, and a little bit of crackers"
That's not much, but it's something. I was trained not to each much, and to train more. When I was really little, I was a kid like Austin, cuddly and sweet. I'm sickened by it now. There's nothing good about that. It doesn't win you anything. Then, my Dad turned up, saw me doing exactly that, and decided since I was oldest, that I would always cover up for Austine, and come back alive. What he meant by this, was that because he loved Austin more, I should be turned into a killer, and go to the Games instead of him. But since Mom would have a fit, he would send me off to training camp, where I could train, and become exactly a killer, and full of it. Well, double check.
Layla goes for two pieces of bread, one sprinkle of cheese, and three crackers. I try to do the same. In camp, they trained me, beat me, kicked me, laughed at me. It was a living hell, and I can't say much more than that. That's why I became the way I am. Mom didn't think. She thought I would come back normal. Well, it was too late, and she was very shocked, when I looked at her blankly, when she held out her arms to me. I wasn't though. They taught me to refuse affection, because that never works. The only affection which has helped me, is Santana, and that's about it. Thalia stands up.
"Alright, I don't' care if you're finished or not, let's go" no one argues, but Reyce seems as though he begs to differ, I roll my eyes, he should be thankful he's alive.
We all grab our packs, and go right ahead. I take up front as usual, Layla and Thalia take up the middle, both completely alert. They're great fighters. I guess I'm glad to have them on my team. If only that Ambrose kid were here. He didn't seem so bad. Thalia doesn't seem to care much. Both she and Layla stay silent. Jules and Reyce take up the back. I feel like I'm back in training camp, with the morning hikes, the afternoon trainings, and the evening tournaments. Here, it's a different schedule. We simply fight for our lives. We never truly make it though.
"Conner, you better look for something" Thalia tells me, from behind.
"Why don't you?"
She falls silent, and looks around. Her spear is pointed upwards, ready for action. Well too bad. There's nothing out here, it's desolate. We suddenly see the place, where the incident happened yesterday. Everyone falls silent.
"Let's move" I mutter, as we continue on.
We get past the trees, and I'm glad nothing triggered off. We're more at a fast pace now, since no one really wants trouble anymore. Well too bad. Because I just found it. A silver light.
Thalia Constellian:
Conner suddenly just stops.
"What's up?" I ask him, annoyed.
He takes one look, at beneath one of the trees, and I can see what he sees, a silver gleaming. Likely from a gift, which means…. I look back at Jules, who raises his eyebrows at me. Reyce looks confused, as he brushes the hair out of his face. Layla just sits down, preparing herself for a long time.
"There's someone down there" Conner mutters.
It's not angry, like most of what he says. It's actually very calm, almost triumphant. For a second, I feel afraid for whoever's down there. I don't think Conner has killed yet, and that doesn't seem good for a deadly person like him. Might as well get it over with. I've killed, that boy from Nine. But I did it, because he killed one of our team, and he was in reach. It was an easy thing. Very, very easy. Maybe a little too easy. They say when killing is easy, things never go right. Well, mine did, I'm still alive. Conner thrusts his bag into my arms, as he dives under there. Layla jerks her head up.
"What's he goin-" but she's cut off by a scream.
We all dart up, and look underneath. Suddenly, Conner's face appears up. His look is beyond violent. Wow. I take a step back. Suddenly, he comes up, and the girl he drags, is none other but the fox from Seven. Her eyes utterly terrified. I look very sternly up at Conner.
"Why haven't you killed her yet?" I ask him.
"Why do it?" his smile is wicked "Why not give the Capitol something to remember" and then addressing Layla and Jules "You guys should circle the perimeter, make sure no one is around"
They both nod, but Conner look at Layla.
"Hand me your knife"
She tosses it, and turns around. Unsure of what to do, I just stay there, and watch. Suddenly, Conner drives the knife into her arm. She screams, and bows her head backwards, bellowing in pain.
"Conner!" I shout, moving forward, but one hand holding me back.
"Stop it" he commands.
"No!"
He then kicks her on the ground, and slaps me across the face, for a second, I'm stunned, and he takes her back, and slams her against the tree. She again screams. Conner grunts, and looks at me.
"Cover her mouth"
I look at him. This bloodthirsty boy. No. I can't. But somehow, I'm forced too. My hand is covering her mouth, yet I'm trying to apologize. I just hope Conner makes one wrong hit, so she can be out. But no luck, he stabs her three more times, all in her arms, and legs.
"Please Conner" I beg, looking at him.
"None of that" he growls "It's bad enough I've never been able to hunt, but here, the Capitol's got enough" and he slams it into her leg, and cuts down, to where her cut is.
She immeadiately screams, and it escapes my hand. Her legs writhe against the floor, and she's crying. Wanting to let go.
"Conner, stop it!" I shout, as I run.
"Thalia" his voice is deep, and very angry.
I turn towards him, and the girl. She's now cut all over. But he's not done. He releases her mouth.
"Where's your little cabinmate?" he asks.
She shakes head, and looks as though she's trying to speak, but it's not working.
"Alright then" he then laughs, and slowly, cuts into her forehead.
"Stop!" she shouts, moving away "Please"
She then coughs up an entire pool of blood, leaning over. But Conner's not ready to let go. He's not convinced that she even had one, he wants to give the Capitol a show, so they'll route for him. It's not a bad idea, but I'm not in the mood. I'm so sick. Layla grasps my shoulder, as I go by her.
"What's he doing?" she asks fearfully.
"Cutting up the girl to pieces" I tell her, as a scream pierces the air.
I turn around, his knife is in her arm, curving up and down, asking her. She's begging, crying, wanting to let go. I feel my heart pained. Suddenly, the knife enters her underarm, and she howls angrily, suffering beyond belief. Blood pours out like a flood. I run towards her, with my spear, but Jules catches my arms.
"Stop" he commands.
"Let me go!" I cry, struggling to get loose, but it's not much of an attempt, because he's stronger than me.
"She's done already" he tells me.
"But she's suffering!" I cry.
"We all will suffer Thalia" and then he lets me go.
I look back at her, blood, screaming, as she finally droops lower and lower. Then Conner, stabs her in the throat. But she's not gone. I want to shout, cry, scream. He takes it out, and blood flows. Most of it, is coming out of her mouth, and she's quivering. Not for long, her head falls back, and the cannon blows. I sigh, in relief. It's over. Finally. I drop my head, as to not see the blood corpse Conner searches through. When he's done, the hovercraft is there, and it picks up the girl, who is bloody and disgusting. I turn away, tearing up. Conner then tosses Layla back her knife, including the one he snagged from the dead girl.
"Here"
Layla catches it blindly, as she just stares ahead, unable to believe it. She just stares down. I see the gift in Conner's pack. A treatment cream pot. Perfect. If I didn't know how he got it. Jules goes up with Conner. I'm starting to think he's like a statue, appearing quite nice, except he's all stone, and he doesn't know anything about humanism. Well, I wish he did, because sometimes, that's what matters. Conner looks back at us.
"Are you guys coming?"
Reyce, Layla, and I look up. How can he sound so normal?
Layla Thompson:
What did we just do? That's the first thing on my mind. We took away someone's life, but very slowly. So slow… I don't know anymore. What's about it that makes it so special? It's ONE person. And I didn't kill her either. Maybe it's just the idea that I actually WOULD'VE done it. I would've killed someone, but not like that! I look up at Conner, as he and Jules disappear in the shadows. Thalia then picks up her spear, and follows. Her eyes show complete disgust, and maybe a little fear. I would understand. I always understand. But not Conner. At first, he seemed alright, just calm, and maybe a bit angry at the world. But now, I can see his other side. Violent, bloodthirsty, ready to ruin the life of anyone he sees. Just disgusting. I can't believe it's actually true.
I'm still shocked, but I find myself following, with Reyce behind me. I'll never walk this trail again, I don't care what Conner wants anymore. I just see that's it always the same thing. Oh well. I sigh loudly, hoping it'll cause something. Nothing as usual. I then tuck my knife into my pocket, and continue on walking. Thalia and the rest have stopped, to make we're coming. I nod to them, and they keep going. Why do we stop like this all the time? Why do we search all day for something? That killing, proved Conner's true colors. He may seem quite sentimental at times, but he's not. He's a killer. I may be a Career, but I'm not one of… them. I'm not a bloodthirsty freak. I haven't killed yet! I would kill, if it meant going home.
It seems to me, as most of my disease has disappeared over time. It's starting to get less and less worse. Not like on the first day. It's getting very cold, over day and day. In fact, I'm so cold, I can't feel it. It's like a living hell, except we're not dying yet. Ugh.
"Are you okay?" asks Thalia.
Am I okay? Who was scrunching in disgust and fear when Conner killed that girl? Me or her? She looks desolate, a bit sick, and more or less quite desperate for rest. Jules stoops by a little, until all three of us are walking together. Conner looks back, as though he thinks we're going to ditch him. To be honest, I don't think that would be so bad. I don't mind leaving him so much, except it would be one fighter gone. Besides, if he's alive, he's useful to us, even though we all have better scores then him. But scores sometimes don't tell a ton about things.
"Fine" I mutter, reaching for my knife.
She looks down, and back up, her eyes focused completely on the road ahead. There's a trail. I just can't believe that. But I guess they prefer not to have their tributes die of being bitten by something unknown, and dying, so that's why they create trails. Besides, most have nice trails to follow. I remember Arden and I hiking up trails. My other friends are cool too, but they don't generally break rules with us. They hate trouble. But I think it's just part of life, a little rebellion. Apparently, Derr doesn't. He threatened to break up with me, if I didn't stop going into the woods. And to be honest, since Derr does get me a lot of stuff, I stuck with him. I don't love him, he's very cruel at times, and that's why.
"You don't look like it" Thalia comments.
Neither do you. Her long, braided hair, is held back. She is taller than me, by what seems like a lot. But it's not that much. I can't really tell much though. Jules is taller than her, and bigger. It's a shame they didn't' know each other. I think they'd make good friends. Would Thalia and I? I try to picture that, but it doesn't work that much. I don't know, she's really cool, but since we're in the Hunger Games, it's kind of hard to have a complete friendship. It's harder to remember that you're going to have to kill them, even if we survive. I don't want to be the one to kill anyone. Not Reyce, not Jules, not Thalia. It would be heaven, to just go home without killing anyone, but that's almost impossible. In fact, it IS impossible. There's only about… two? Who got past it? The only surviving victor from District 12, Haymitch Abernathy. That drunk, disgusting man. Who've I've seen is broken. I know that something happened to him, so why take the risk? If you do, your life is miserable.
"I really am fine" I tell her.
Jules looks me over curiously. And by looking at him, you'd think that anything would break his sanity. He looks from Thalia, to me, to Thalia, over and over again. It makes me feel a bit uncomfortable. Like he's trying to contemplate whether we're going to live or not. I don't know. I don't look over my fellow tributes, and decided whether they're worth it or not. I've learned my lesson. I remember the Games with Johanna Mason, the girl from seven, who acted like such a coward, everyone ignored her, until they found out she could kill viciously, but it was too late for them, and she won and went home. I wonder if she has any family?
"Alright" she mutters, staring ahead, at?
We stop at the edge of what appears to be a cliff. Conner raises and eyebrow, as though trying to figure out if it is a trap, or not. He looks back at us, who just stare back. He then looks back at Reyce, with a smirk on. No. I just shake my head, but he's not bothering to look at me, they hold their glances for a while.
"Ready to try Reyce?"
Gary Sue:
We all sit around, Lili looks less cold then yesterday. I begin to miss home more everyday. Almost miss that swingset, my dad, my mom, even with their broken-hearts. At least we had a silent understanding. Lili doesn't even know I have a sister, I think. It's hard to tell, because some people know more than you think about them. I just sit down, trying to ignore the rest. I think of home, what will my "friends" be like when I die. They'll laugh like they did when I was reaped. When Mary died.
Lili eats slowly her sandwich, which I understand. It's not the best-tasting thing ever, which is a disadvantage at points in life. Very disadvantage. I look around, and dig into mine. Aaron is off somewhere, I don't know where. Lili looks up.
"How long have we been here?" she asks me.
Suddenly, I realize what she's asking. How long? I really have no idea. I haven't been paying attention. Let's see, I think this is our fourth day.
"Four days" I answer.
She then whistles in a low tone.
"Wow! I thought we were longer" she sighs and leans back "It really feels like we've been here a week, or maybe even two"
It's true, time goes VERY slowly in the arena, and you find yourself socializing with your allies. And if you don't have allies? Well, it's a lot harder. Not Aaron. I never really wanted much to do with him, and I haven't changed my mind. There's just something about him! So suspicious. Lili pulls her hood to her face, to cover up the blue spots from the cold. I do everything to keep from shivering, because it's a sign of weakness to the audience. Very much a sign of weakness, which makes things get complicated. They're probably hating on me, because of my sister. But she was lovable, right? And they can see me the same way? I don't know. It's definitely karma that this happened. Since the last thing I said to Mary was "I hate you". It's not going to be the last thing I say to Lili.
"Do you know what time it is?" asks Lili.
I wince. Why did she ask something like that? Of course I don't know! It's the arena, there's no time. And if there was, it wouldn't matter, because we can look at the sky, and figure it out. Believe me, I've done it enough at home. I slide underneath the low-hanging branches, and my stomach hurts, mostly from emotional pain. It's like that, being emotional. You just can't fully escape it, I turn my head back.
"Wait here, I'll be back soon" I tell her.
She nods, and looks away, as I slide in. And when I'm finally free, I begin to run, tirelessly. Just plain running, with nothing near, or far, or anywhere. Just a bunch of trees. I run and run, not caring who hears, or can hear. I hear shuffling behind me. And I stop in mid tracks, and collapse to the floor. Goddamit.
"Gary?" asks a voice.
I lift my head in shock. It's Aaron. He's standing there, sort of bent over, scythe in hand, lips pressed together.
"Go away" I mumble, trying to hide everything.
"It's okay" he tries to make me calm, but only adds onto my fear of being seen.
"Go away" I say louder, my voice trembling "It's not what you think"
To my surprise, he does go away. I look around, he's not there. I want to punch him, but don't know how. He was being somewhat kind to me, and now I'm going to repay him, by thinking cruel things about him. But nothing's fair right now. He has a better chance then me, even if he's a peaceful kid. He's still the better man, and I know that. And Lili's better then both of us. At least I can save her. I get up, trying to catch all my self-thoughts together. Forget it. It's stupid to cry for things that will never come back, like Mary, just a bunch of empty promises, which I will never make. I tuck my knife, into my belt, and make it back.
Both Lili and Aaron are eating, I sit down, Lili looks at me with a weird expression.
"Are you alright?"
I nod. And she hands me a piece of bread, and a slice of cheese. I take both of it, and combine them. So much better. It's nice to eat, finally, after all of this going on. It's just a bunch of fancy things, in my eyes. It's like clouds. I nibble at it. Aaron quickly finishes his, and drinks out of bottle of water. I raise my eyes towards him. It's not his.
"Where did you get that?" I ask softly.
He looks at me curiously.
"Are you sure you're alright? This is mine. I got it from the stream" and he points behind him.
"Sorry" I mutter, not really meaning it sincerely.
He nods, and turns around, towards my friend Lili.
"Why don't you come searching for more water?" he asks "You look like the right person for this kind of job"
And now he's taking my ally away from me. Clever, true. He's trying to get her on his side, so he can have her assistance, and get her to agree to go with him. That's his plan? Well, I'll show him. I step right up.
"Actually Lili was going to help me search for berries" I inform him.
Lili looks up at me, waiting for an explanation, and drops it, when she realizes that I just made it up. She doesn't see it though.
"Oh" Aaron mutters, looking down "Well, I'll see you guys soon" he then disappears.
After he's gone, Lili raises her head again.
"What was that about?" she asks me.
"I don't trust him" I tell her, flatly.
"Why not?"
"Just believe me on that Lili"
Lilith Adler:
I really don't know what's going on here. In fact, it frightens and confuses me. It's like they're fighting over me. I tell myself that it's not true, that it's only because they don't like each other, but I can't escape the feeling either. I just feel so stunned right now, as though I'm being used as an object. An object, to two boys who call themselves my allies. Oh whatever. At least they didn't kill me, and I'll have to play the helpless little girl as long as they are with me, so they won't. Is that what made Gary okay with letting me live? I really can't tell. It's hard to tell with boys. They just seem confusing at times.
"Please tell me what's going on Gary" I beg, looking quite gullible, and easy to believe whatever story is on.
"What do you mean" he asks, getting up from his bent down position.
"Well, you never told me we were going to pick berries" I tell him, crossing my arms, acting a bit disappointed.
He sighs.
"If you only knew Lili, what it's like for me, you'd understand" his voice is really soft.
"Well? What is it like?" I ask him.
He just shakes his head.
"It's not much Lili, but it's something, please, let's talk about something" he looks ready to break, so I lay it down.
"But you're okay, right?" I ask him, looking at him with a soft eyes.
"Sure" his voice is even softer than before, it's barely audible.
I look around, and bend downwards, as though I'm sure there's someone around, and while I am, it isn't that strong. I dig against the floor. Berries are all around, but I'm not sure which ones are good. I spent some good time at the survival area, but now I can hardly tell. There's bright red ones, which practically scream poison in my head. But Gary lifts one and pops it into his mouth, and is perfectly fine. Just wonderful. I take one too, and hold it up for him to see. He looks at it desperately, and nods. I eat it, feeling a bit unsure at first. But when it explodes into strawberry flavored juice, it's just unbeatable. I smile, and so does Gary.
"Some of these berries are really good" he explains, and holds up another "But ones like these, are just look alikes"
I stare at him, unable to understand. He goes on.
"You see? It looks like the berry you just ate, right?" I nod "Well, it's actually poisonous. Very poisonous. You will grow very sick, and begin to turn old. Then you'll die a very painful death" I shudder.
"But how can I tell" he raises his finger at me.
"I was just getting to that. Just break it open, the inside is different. You see?" he then takes the one next to it "This is real, because it has a light inside, it's bright red" he breaks it open, and indicates it "But if you break open this one, it's blue "he does the same.
I just watch, fascinated. Well, I'll make sure to remember that. And if I don't learn anything else today about poison, these are going to be the only berries I'll ever eat out here. But we have normal food too, so it really doesn't matter. I look at Gary.
"How did you know all that?" I ask him quietly "They couldn't have taught you ALL that in the training center" this is true, because usually, they want to confuse the tributes.
"Well" Gary pauses for a moment "You see, my dad used to take my sister and I down to the river, to fish, and hunt a little, so we used to see this"
I feel quite awkward about this, so I don't say much. I just stare down. It's the first time, that I really thought of my fellow allies as actual people, and not another tool for survival. Gary Sue. Brother, son, friend. All of those words, which apply to most of us. Me? I'm the sister, daughter, friend, troublemaker, class clown, manipulator. All of that comes in one girl, with light strawberry hair, which bounces when she walks. That's all me, and that's all there will ever be to me. I stand up.
"Why don't you do it anymore" I ask him.
He doesn't answer this, and only bows his head.
"It doesn't matter" he tells me.
I look down, but shrug it off. If he doesn't want to tell, he doesn't want to tell. I shouldn't interfere. It doesn't matter after all! But why is it SO hard convincing myself that? I don't know, maybe it's because I have the tendency, to feel sorry for people. And seeing Gary, the eighteen year-old, just staring into the mud, glumly, is enough to make the world turn around. I look at some fruit in a tree, before I realize that it's actually FOOD! I then look down at Gary.
"Are those fruits edible?" I ask him.
He looks up.
"Sure"
I then grasp onto a branch, very tightly, because I'll always have a fear of falling. Always. I then swing my foot up, careful not to go too far. I then climb onto the next branch. They're up pretty high. I then reach, but they're barely in grasp. Or a bit far from it. I groan, and pull myself up more. Gary doesn't look up, instead focuses on the soil, as if looking for something. For what? There's no more berries, the rest are on trees, but he seems to be looking at the soil. He's strange alright. But it seems as though he knows what he's doing. I then quickly place my arm up, when I realize I'm about to fall. I gasp for breath. Thank God That would've been something! I laugh, but not much, because my foot flips. Gary just laughs.
"You remind me of her sometimes"
Jules Eade:
"Be careful" cries Layla from behind me, as Reyce steps onto the platform.
It took us quite some time, to convince him that it's not entirely bad, to go up there, and hike across, to a place, that's easier to reach. I don't know about this kid sometimes, I really don't. Layla and Thalia watch in complexity, Conner in triumph. He knows it's not safe, and that Reyce could easily fall and break his neck, but that's what he wants. He hated Reyce the minute he pointed his arrow at him, and he knows that losing him, would put Layla in something to mourn for. I can't say he doesn't like Layla, or Thalia, but he doesn't like them much either. He thinks they're tough, but not enough. Not enough for the Hunger Games. I really couldn't tell, because now, I'm fanning away the cold from my face, which is frost-bitten.
"Hurry the hell up!" shouts Conner, to the stumbling Reyce.
And of course, like the kid he is, Reyce goes ahead. He knows he's in a risk, but he doesn't want to be kicked out of the clan, or that's bad news for him. I stand there, with my sword in my hand. Large and full of it. I tap my foot against the ground, since I'm ready for action. I haven't had much since Conner killed that girl. It's a shame I couldn't do it myself. For me, I could've known if she was lying or not. And if she was, that would mean a quicker death for her. Sometimes, life is unfair, it doesn't make a difference. I've lived unfairness, since I was three. And that's all I've been trained for. Careers, lunging at me, killing, complete destruction. Some people must've thought I was crazy, training like I did, and I understand. Well, after forever, I do. It has been forever.
Conner stands there, bow and arrow in hand, ready to shoot. I didn't know they'd have some of those here, since usually, they like people to kill face to face, but honestly, they're a good weapon. Good for hiding and killing. Sometimes, it goes so fast, people won't see where you are. That's the advantage. Right there. I step forward, and turn to Conner.
"How's the rope?" I ask him.
"Steady" he answers.
Conner's not a good person, but neither am I. We're not friends, we're not even together on anything. He's a killer by birth, I'm a killer by training. But we understand each other for it. I know every step he does, because it's familiar to me, he knows every step I do, makes sense. I could see why he took his time with that injured girl. I can see that, but I wouldn't do it, unless I had a better reason to, which I didn't. I haven't any reason to kill anyone in that sort of manner. I don't need approval, I have survival skills on my own. And besides, we have lots of food, so it won't matter.
"It's a bit uneventful today" murmurs Conner "I don't think our opponents are awake" and there's a hint of a smirk on his face.
I just stare, and look down. He's more then I imagined. Layla looks ahead, and shouts in alarm.
"Reyce! Watch out!"
The kid whips around, terrified, and ducks as an arrow flies past him. Suddenly, all our weapons are notched, and ready for action, as we expect to see someone, when I realize it's not a person. It's a trap. Again.
"Rey-" but Thalia pulls her down, as another arrow showers down.
Looking confused as hell, Reyce begins to run for the exit, but the bridge breaks, and down he goes. Layla lets out a shriek, and we all run for the edge, except Conner, who seems to be awaiting something.
"Reyce!" calls Layla.
We all look down, but there's no answer. However no cannon. He must still be alive. I look at Thalia, who's eyes are terrified. I need to do something. I then hand my backpack to Thalia.
"It's your turn to hold on sweetheart" I tell her, as I roll down.
"Wait" she cries, but I'm on the next rock.
It's a mess of all kinds of rock, completely broken and sharp. There's hardly a chance he's alive, but if he is, that's pure amazing. But, there's no such thing as luck, and it's likely not. And if he was, he'd be terribly wounded. Suddenly, I hear shuffling. I stop for a second, and pull my sword out, ready to attack, but I realize he's beneath my feet, Reyce's bloody face. I jump backwards.
"Reyce?" I ask, leaning closer.
I can see the glint of his eyes, and I throw some stuff off of him, until I can see him, bare. He's not terribly wounded in anywhere, but his face, arms, and legs, and maybe a little bit in his chest. He looks around, with tears in his eyes.
"Help" he musters.
I don't say anything, just look around. If Conner knows Reyce is wounded, he'll dump him off, to live and let die on his own. But Layla and Thalia wouldn't be fun to deal with either, so I lift him out of there, he winces.
"Jules?" asks a voice above me.
"I'm down here Thalia!" I shout, leaning my head backwards.
Then I see a streak of red, before I realize it's her red streaks. As she jumps down, her hoodie falls up.
"Reyce" she mutters, looking over his bloody body.
He doesn't say anything, but lurches over. We catch him fully, and sit him up, and soon Layla is behind me.
"Here" she cries, handing me the treatment cream.
I look at it, if we put it on Reyce, then it'll heal him, and likely enough, and hopefully, he won't feel anything. But it's hard knowing this. Finally, I make up my mind, and we observe, as the liquid pours onto his head.
Abraham Van Alst:
"Here" I say, dumping the last piece of bread in Bea's lap.
She looks up at me in surprise.
"What do you mean?" she asks.
I then sit down next to her.
"I mean, enjoy our last piece of bread" I inform her.
She looks at me curiously, as though she's trying to sense any kind of "sarcasm" but picks it up.
"Are you sure?"
"Of course"
The truth is: I already ate, and that's why, but no need to tell right now. I zip up my jacket. She looks at me.
"Any new activites today?" she asks me.
I shake my head, and we're both silent, as she nibbles on her bread. Her jacket is half zipped up, and her sleeping bag is a mess, while my side, is nice and clean. I'll want to keep it that way, in case there's an emergency, and we're going to want to move. I lean backwards, and pretend to be focused on the birds outside. It's the fourth day, and it already feels like a week being here. Bea looks up.
"Isn't it a bit colder then yesterday?" she asks me.
Yes Bea, it is colder then yesterday. But not by a little bit. I guess it's just because she's inside. I wonder if the lake has turned back today. Then, an idea pops into my mind, however I'm not sure I'm going to carry it out. To go see the lake. It's a huge risk, I know that. I remember when Bea was almost caught in that trap, if it weren't for the boy from District 11. So we were both pretty lucky, I guess. Because now, neither me or her would have as much security. But we don't, without Krow. I guess I've gotten quite over it, since this IS the Hunger Games. I lean backwards. Should we? Because I know, that sometimes, the Capitol usually keeps stuff full for us, and sometimes will release something like a feast. But something tells me, that they're satisfied, because there's no sign of one. I groan. Maybe not. I mean, what's it going to be for, if the Career pack is already there? Or if there's nothing? Then, it'll be for nothing. All for nothing.
Bea looks down. I bet she's still embarrassed from yesterday. Yeah, whatever. I step out of the tent, as the biting cold enters my jacket. My knife is in my hands. I thought I heard something, or maybe I was looking for a reason to get out. I turn towards Bea.
"Let's move" I tell her.
She raises her head, and looks at me with surprised eyes.
"What!" she asks, quivering.
"You heard me" I tell her.
We both stare at each other, with almost rival looks. I shake my head. She hasn't got a BIT of sense does she? Why is she even my ally? I don't understand anymore. Is it because…. Well, I don't know. That's the problem. I look at her, those quivering eyes, and I wonder, for the first time, why I chose her to be my ally. I then remember her, sewing my jacket, smiling at me, helping me out sometimes. I guess that's why. Even though she's not that sensible, she's still my partner, and she's helped me a ton. And I have to pay her in return. I look down.
"Where are we moving?" she asks, getting up.
"The woods" I tell her, picking up my backpack.
She looks uncomfortable, and I know why. It's because she doesn't want to get into any trouble. Well, isn't that the Hunger Games? Everyone has trouble! It's if you're smart enough to get out of it. I don't know. I plop down and begin packing, she looks at me, scared.
"Wait!" she then grasps my shoulder, so we're facing each other "You're serious?"
I let out a breath.
"Of course Bea!" I then stand up, and wipe my damp hands on my jacket "Listen. There is more security there"
"And more traps" she murmurs.
I shake my head.
"But there's also more food, more people, that way, we could build more allies onto ours. Right?" I ask her.
She appears to take this in, and for a while, I expect her to say yes.
"No, I'm not going" she says, turning away.
"Fine then"
I quickly pick up my stuff, and take hers, and push it out. She looks at me, as if I'm crazy.
"What're you doing?" she asks.
I look at her, quite hardly.
"This is my tent. If you're not coming, you're not coming" I then sigh "It's the way it has to be"
She then sits down, as I take down the tent. I'm planning to find a cave somewhere, and settle there. After all, caves are very supportive, and you usually don't get found, because people are scared of them. It takes a while, to bring down the tent, with only one person, but it works. Bea just watches me, from the side of her eye. It's her choice whether she wants to die or not. I'm feeling bad, which isn't normal, and she's not helping. I try to convince myself, it's only better. It's one less mouth to feed. One less person to take care of. But also, one skill missing, one ally gone. I then pat out the fire, and get ready to go, when she jumps up.
"Alright! I'll come with you!" she shouts "Just please!"
I look at her, downwards.
"Spot on" I mutter, as she scrambles to pack her things.
I sit down, as I watch her, and wonder if I'm right. Should we go into the forest? I don't know. All I know, is that I'm preserving another life? But what I don't know, is whether that's a good thing, or a bad thing. Because many things here aren't what they seem. Usually, saving someone's life is really good. Unfortunately, that doesn't apply the same way here.
Bea Nuova:
I scramble to pick up my stuff, as he watches me with calm eyes, that seem to belong to a tiger. I pretend not to pay attention, to be focused, but it's so hard, when someone is watching you so closely. I pull a few of my strings, my sleeping bag, my blanket, my backpack, and my knife to me, by the time he's already waiting for me, staring down, like a tiger on a prey. I don't know what's going to through my thoughts, I'm just worried that he'll leave me here, undefensive, lonely, without sponsors.
"I'm ready" I cry, as I pop up.
He looks at me, my jacket half zipped up, my hair all messy, my sleeping bag tucked under my arm, my sewing kit tucked under the other arm, holding my knife in my hand, my backpack carried unstably on my shoulders. And the blanket drooping over me. He just shakes his head.
"We're going to be hiking for a while, so you better get comfy"
I think about it. True. This is far away from the comfort I used to know, so I set it down. I zip up my jacket, swing up my backpack, tuck my sleeping bag in there before I do, and my sewing kit, put my knife in my pocket, and look at him again. He nods in approval.
"Much better" he says, and begins to walk.
After a little hesitation, I follow. Is this really smart? Necessary? Going out into the woods, where there could be ALL types of creatures. We're better off here, in my eyes. At a clearing, before a large fall at the ledge. I sigh. Maybe he's afraid of falling off. I don't know how long it lasts, but I'm not going to find out, besides, the last thing anyone needs, is an injury.
I have a huge fear of bees, so when I spot tracker jackers up in a tree, I just freeze, and look at them, paralyzed with fear. That one little nest, so full of them, ready to sting. And kill. I just stand there, until Abe realizes I'm caught in a trance. He shakes his head.
"Come on Bea" he says, shaking my shoulder.
I put my hand on his, and I just stay there, wanting to cry, but not able to. He doesn't see them, but when his eyes lift, he gasps, and mutters in a low voice.
"Get back"
I whimper, but he pulls me pack a little. I know, that they're triggered by movement, or at least dangerous ones, and something tells me that the Hunger Games love violence, being what they are. As I step back, I snap a twig. Abe looks at me in alarm.
"What?" I ask, almost fearlessly.
Abe just points, they have risen. Their stingers are pointed outwards, however not ready to charge, but if we move, they will be. I whisper to Abe.
"Please? They can't be there forever, can they?" I ask him, fiercely under my breath.
He suddenly jerks.
"It's too late" he shouts.
I look up as the bees rise on us. I'm prepared to lay down, and let them kill me, slowly, but at least gone from this hell. My legs are quivering, my eyes are bulging.
"Run!" shouts Abe, weakly.
I don't hesitate, I speed off, where he already is, and we're both running. By the minute I'm running, I'm also panting. I can hear their stings behind me, and I scream. Abe doesn't protest. I'm going to die. They're catching up. Tears flood down my face like a tsunami. I knew it was no hope! I knew it! Abe's hand is there, but the stingers are climbing into my back. No! They're beating me.
"Over there!" shouts Abe, kind of happily.
I feel alarmed, shocked. I'm slowing down, the stingers are going into me, I'm seeping into a long sleep, of drowsiness, and Abe's hand on my arm, is the only thing keeping me awake. Stay! Stay! No! Go away! You don't belong here! Little arguments going through my head. The place turns stone cold, and red hot at the same time. Fire, ants, bees. And suddenly, I hit a hard cold floor, and they encircle me.
My eyes open, and I'm in… nothing. Pitch black ahead. My body aches, and I see illusions climbing around. I'm thirsty. I need water. Anything. There's buzzing, and I immediately sit up.
"Get down" whispers a voice, harshly.
The smooth, cold face of Abe appears before me. At first, I don't know who he is, I reach around for my knife, but he catches my hand.
"You remember?" he asks.
I sigh, and calm down, and then I try desperately to calm myself, nothing works.
"Here" he says, offering me some water.
I look at it, suspiciously. Maybe it's poisoned, ready to kill. But his hand pushes it upwards, and stream of water fills my mouth. The reaction is immediate. I settle down. Abe is my partner, my friend, my ally. I can trust him. I can trust him.
"Are you okay?" he asks me.
I shrug.
"What happened?"
He then grits his teeth hard, and looks down.
"The tracker jackers. They took our tent. They're still out there, waiting for us. I scrambled into a cave" he points upwards "The rock is made, so that they can't come in" he then looks behind him "But they're not going away, I don't think they will"
I shudder. That means that we'll likely be stuck here, until everyone dies, or until we die ourselves. I look up at Abe, that honest face. He doesn't want to hurt me, and I don't want to hurt him. How will we fare? Where will we get our water? It doesn't make much sense to me. He then sees my expression.
"Don't worry so much, Bea. We'll do fine. Hey! Maybe someone will come along, and the jackers will give them hell, and we'll be fine" Tough luck.
Mara Mason:
"One death today" Kiy announces, handing me some food.
"I heard" I tell her.
She raises an eyebrow.
"Really? That's one hell of a surprise"
I turn towards her, thinking she's serious, but she just rolls her eyes. I shake my head.
"You have no idea" I tell her.
She then picks up her bow and arrow.
"I'm going to go make sure, the outside is clear" she tells me, as she leaves.
As she leaves, my hands seek a jacket, because it's so cold, my hand could freeze off. I find Kiy's old one, and I gladly wrap it around me. She got it at the Cornucopia, well, the other one at least. This is one is normal, but it's good enough. I lost mine, yesterday, in an incident, which involves a whole lot more than needed. It seems like everyday, more people keep dying. Can't there just be one, where NOTHING goes wrong?
"Where's my knife?" she asks, she pops back in.
"Here" I practically shriek, as I throw it to her.
"Thanks" she then leaves.
Thank God. I take off my jacket, showing all the bruises. The spot where Kiy kicked me, the spot where Zoe kicked me. Everyone uses me as a dog, but I don't mind. If they underestimate me, that's good. It means they don't go after me. The spirit from District 9, just like the one I say, when I say riding along the Chariots. My little, sweet spririt. Oh my spirit! Please believe me! I'll never do you, no harm! I then laugh. It's a fun joke, all the time, and I guess that's what we crave in the Hunger Games, something good to happen. Well, there's none.
Maybe a feast, maybe a fiesta, whatever! To me, it's all the same. If I can't kill, if I'm the last person left, they'll kill my partner for me. Oh well. I sigh. None of this is making much sense anymore. The whole Hunger Games, now that I think about it. Standing here, doesn't even feel real. It's like I'm floating or something, like my spirit. Like the phantom. Me, the little girl from 9. With a boyfriend. Oh god.
Kiy returns a moment later, with a squirrel, and a white, but very bloody bunny on her back. I turn away, it's disgusting.
"I'm sorry if it grosses you out" apologizes Kiy, putting her catch down "But that's how we do stuff here!"
I nod, but don't' look ahead, because any bloody bunny, doesn't sound to good to me, and not a whole does right now. She looks up at me.
"What's up?" she asks.
"What do you mean?"
She just shrugs, and forces a smile, and maybe a little laugh.
"I mean, you look weird" she tells me.
"Thanks" I mutter, leaning back, against the cold floor.
"No" Kiy says, as though it was really offensive, which it's not "I mean, you look sad"
"Aren't all of us?" I ask her "When was the last time you communicated with your family?"
She doesn't answer, and then, I realize that, she may not even have a family. It's the first time I realize, that I know so little about her, besides that she's Kiy Everblossom, from District 11, who is good with weapons, and is likely to win, if the Careers don't. But the Careers always do. They did last year. But at least the Career was a person, and not a piece of stone. Hard-core stone. I don't know about our Careers, they seem genuinely normal to me, but you never know! Some people appear as they aren't. Most Careers are bloodthirsty animals, who only want blood for dinner, lunch, and breakfast. I look at Kiy.
"Why aren't you a Career?" I ask, resting my head, in my hands.
She looks up at me.
"Because I didn't volunteer" she presses her lips together "And I'm from District 11"
"So?" I ask.
"District 11 is a poor district, with very hard keeping" she explains "You're practically doomed to life of horror if you live there" and from her voice, I can tell, she's not joking, not one bit.
But she doesn't joke, unless she really wants to, and I know that, so I just stare. In 9, we have quite a bit of rights, I mean, it's home to me, so I can't really tell, or compare it to anywhere. Willow always says, that Bill wants everything to do with the Capitol. Not because he loves it, because he hates it. But he wants to know all about it, so he can bring it down. I really don't know HOW they're going to do that, because it really doesn't seem likely to me. Any rebellion, seems like suicide. I look up at Kiy.
"So, it's too strict, to… urm…. do anything?" I ask her, a bit unsure how I should put it.
She looks at me, with a weird look.
"What do you mean, by anything?" she asks.
I shrug.
"Oh I mean, like have a little fun"
She then sighs.
"It's a really hard system. You can have fun, within limits. Maybe a little too many limits" she pauses for a moment, thinking, and then continues "Like climbing trees, you can climb, but you can't go too high, or you'll be whipped"
I do get it. You can do this, but you can't do too much. But it depends how far too high is. I look at Kiy, and I can tell it's pretty crazy. Why? It was District 12 that rebelled the hardest, next to District 13. Why did they take their wrath out on 11? Maybe. I don't know. I look at Kiy.
"How do you have fun?" I ask her.
She sighs and sits down.
"A lot of times, I really don't Mara. It's not so simple. Sometimes, they don't even let you know what's punishable" she pauses again "It comes from experience"
Nate Morgue:
Nobody. So many hours, and nobody. I lean backwards, great. I sit here, awaiting something like a trap, or some mutts to come around, and finish me off. Well, soon enough, my wish will come true. I hear noises, but nothing jumps out at me. I'm well enough, to move a little bit now, just a little bit. I grasp onto the tree, and pull myself up, using all the force I can. I groan with pain. It hurts like crazy. The cut disallows me to move so much, without feeling terrible pain in my leg. I grit my teeth, and move on. More thoughts enter my mind. Like Amanda going into the Hunger Games. I shudder. Just the thought, is above and beyond despicable. The last thing people need, is too watch two siblings, die in the same Games, and Amanda doesn't have many skills, so she won't last.
I let out a little grunt, as I pull myself to my feet. I press all my weight on my half-good leg, which is also burnt from the lake, and almost broken. The other leg is still bleeding, sprained at the ankle, swollen at the knee, and much more, for when I fell from the tree. Whoever threw the knife, hurt me worse, then they probably think they did. Some people might say : what's a little knife wound? Well, this isn't a little knife wound, this is the real thing. It hurts just to see it. I push up on my knees, and then I'm on my feet. I can breathe now.
Grasping onto the tree desperately, I try to move an inch, with little success, and very painful spasms through my leg. I drop on the ground immediately. This isn't improving. I grab on again, and I try to push up. Up there, I have food, I have a backpack, I have my sleeping bag. People can't reach me up there, and that's good enough. But there are tree-climbers, I'm sure, and it's not that high, so there's always a chance. But who cares? I'll be better hidden up there. And that's what matters in these woods, these frozen woods. I quickly move down a notch, and squat down there, in the position of the tiger. Like a tiger waiting for someone to come along.
For the first time today, I think of all my friends and family back home, usually the tributes forget about them, when they're here, in the arena. But I don't, because I know they're out there watching me right now, every second I'm here. It's just another freaky game to play. I sit down, so my legs are dangling over the edge. I look down. It's much longer then you would've guessed. Just by looking up. My sleeping bag, and my stuff is not so far away, but it seems as it is. Just two more branches, swings, and I'll be there. I should still put it in the tree, but lower, so I can reach it in one swing, that way, I won't have to suffer so much.
"Ugh" I mutter, as I stand up.
Both me legs shake under all the pressure, and pain I'm putting them in, so I quickly grab unto the branch, before I can fall. I don't dare hang on it though, because it doesn't really look so stable. I then swing my legs up. A sting fills them, and my eyes tear up. It's no use. I'm going to die like this. Blood pours out from my leg, I have to look away, to keep from being disgusting. Names gush through my mind. Isabella, Duncan, Horace, Vee, Amanda. All of the people I loved. Even Vee, who thinks I'm just nothing but worthless. Nothing but worthless.
I'm not worthless, and it's the first time I actually realize that. Maybe at home, I wasn't too helpful, but here, I've survived for a while, and maybe a little hope is securing in my body, to take with me to my final moments, if I have them. If only I had a sponsor, I could win. All I really need is one sponsor, just for one time. But no one seems willing to do that.
My eyes flutter a little bit, frightfully, as I hoist myself up, unto the next branch. One more, and then another. I quickly climb, moving my legs as fast as I can, trying to not use them as much as possible. I'm even higher now, which almost looks about as high as the beginning of the Games. I remember now, the pain of the cold water, the large fall, the pain of my feet smacking against the water. I've never been really good with water, as far as lakes and rivers go, since that's really all we have in our District. But oceans? No one can stand that. Besides, the only lakes we have, are just little ponds, that are swimmable, if you're careful. But you HAVE to be careful, otherwise, it doesn't work out a whole lot.
I swam as hard as possible through that, breathing at the top of my lungs. I couldn't see other tributes for a long time, and then I saw the girl from District 4, she tried to kill me. But killing someone with their own weapon doesn't always work, because I've learned defense too, I dodged right in time. I hid in the bushes, by the time I reached the Cornucopia. I was about to get shot, but it didn't work. I guess he had his arrows jammed or something. Or maybe he just missed. He was the vicious Career, from 1. I saw two boys die, which was quite unusual, since usually so many people die in the beginning. But I don't know anymore. I hid, and then gathered my stuff, and earned my burnt leg.
I look up, as I hear a noise. As I slip from the tree, my hand secures on my sleeping bag, and backpack, and they come down with me.
Aria Charin:
"Dang" I mutter, as I pull up the empty bottle from the floor.
It's meant to catch some food, but it doesn't work. I learned it in survival, but I guess I wasn't listening properly. I must be an idiot, to think I'll survive without anything. Well, the mutts went away, and didn't see me. One of their little "bloodsuckers" lunged at me, but I killed him, moments after he drew some blood from me. I still feel awkward about it. It was a tiny place on my arm, the forearm. I reach towards it, it's all blue. I turn away.
I decided to give up on hunting. I've never done it well enough. I never will. I understand we needed survival back home, but that didn't mean hunting in the woods. Oh god. I place my head in my hands, as I sit down on a rock.
So this is it? Staying around? Mourning for what happened? Is that all the Game I'm going to play? I'M the small one here, the little lonely one. The Capitol likes that, if you play well at your Game. Well, I don't have a game. I don't even have a drink of water. I'm thirsty, but there's nothing. There's the lake, but that's covered in acid. Really bad acid, that could burn off my entire body, and haven't I promised my siblings that I'd come back. The begging of Seraphine and Michael, the tears of little Chrissy, the confused look of Jeremy. Those are the memories I hold in me right now, as a reminder, that home is where I belong, and home is WHERE I need to go. When I win.
I then kick some branches out of my way. It's no use, being out here alone, without a friend, or an ally. I wonder what it would be like to have an ally. Well generally, I'm very quiet, so I probably won't do with one. My knife is tucked into my pocket, where no one can get hurt, except my enemies. I walk down the trail. It's frosty. I'm almost turning blue. My hair is hopelessly tangled in all sorts of terrible ways. My face is pale, and like I said, almost blue. I look like the goddess of snow, and coldness, and of poverty. I was poor, but not like this.
I can now vividly remember all the sights and smells of the Capitol. Warm, safe, happy, and so full of it. What would've I been, if I hadn't been reaped? Well, I'd take care of family, all the same, not caring if the world came down on me. I'm starting to regret not putting on a show for the Capitol, because that would win me some nice presents from them. Maybe a little something from my own District. That would be nice. A loaf of bread, a piece of meat. Just anything to eat! I wish now, that I had been sweet and smiley on the Chariots, like most of the other tribute. I wish I had been fun and loving at the interviews, maybe a little bit mysterious. Unforgettable. I remember my mentor's words. I remember the entire conversation we had.
"Aria" shouted Ming as she walked up to me, as I was running up the stairs.
I turned around.
"What?"
"Aria!" she shouts.
She is much taller than me, with big muscles.
"What?" I muttered, leaning against the door.
She caught up to me, her fist shaking.
"What went on out there?" she asked, annoyed.
"What do you mean?"
"You were about as entertaining, as dirt, beneath your feet" she practically screamed.
I looked back up at her.
"Well maybe you could've given me something to work with!" I shouted back, she then backs up, surprised by my sudden anger.
"You don't get it do you?" there's alarm in her voice "That INTERVIEW was your ticket to winning! And you just blew it all up. You're as desireable, as an ape, you are as beautiful, as a gorilla. You were as exciting, as dirt! No one's going to sponsor you"
At first, I took it lightly. So? How were they going to help me? But then her words sank in, and I realized I had made a mistake.
That seems years ago, when I was enjoying feasts, getting prepped up for my slaughter, and even more. I wish I had done more to win the crowd's attention. I know she's right, I knew she was right, but I refused to believe it. I told myself, that I could win without them, that the Districts could win without the Capitol. Well, maybe that's true, but it's not easy. And I'm not winning. I sit down, and sigh. A tear rolls down my cheek. It's much too late now to do anything about it.
I stand up, then I remember her saying something, by convincing them I'm still worthy. Have I done that so far? No. I've been chased by mutts, bitten by a bloodsucker, and so much more. Attacked by a wolf. So? I've stood through all that. But then, I realize that was not what Ming was talking about. I know now. They want me to take on a small, but deadly angle.
Small but deadly? It's a stretch, but it'll help. If they think I'm useful, that I can do something rather than hang around, then I'll get more sponsors. I curse myself, for not thinking of it before. Small, but deadly. There are people who use that angle. I then stand up again. I turn out plain, honest, maybe a little sullen and hostile, but not here. Maybe I can convince them, it was all wrong. Maybe. I stand up, and take a smile.
"Wake up Capitol" I say, as if they can actually hear me "Because the show is on"
It sounds stupid, but it seems to me, that they crave stupid things.
Kiy Everblossom:
We sit, not facing each other, Mara and I. I managed to catch a few white bunnies. They're fat, and I'm sure they're good, but Mara wants to eat them now, but I want to save them until later. My stomach growls, so I take out a pack of crackers. For the first time this hour, Mara turns toward me, in alarm.
"You can't have those to yourself!" she shouts, moving for them.
Annoyed, I pull them out of her grasp.
"Calm down" I instruct "I was going to give some to you"
She then calms down, looking down, but still a bit angry. I shake my head. She can be annoying at times. I look at the pack. There's at least seventeen crackers in there. I went hunting today, I'll have at least nine, she can have eight.
"Why can't we have the kill?" she asks me, a little bit whiny.
"Because" I growl, as I open the pack.
"Because what?"
I turn towards her.
"Because if you're smart" I tell her, a bit angrily "You'll save up your food! So that when you're hungry, and there's none left, you still have leftovers!"
She seems shocked by sudden anger, but I'm the one with issues, yelling all the time. I take out eight.
"Here" I mutter, handing them to her.
She then turns away, and begins nibbling. I have a feeling she won't finish them all, after what I said to her. I slowly pull one to my mouth, as I can see the pink streaks in between. I scowl. Why do they focus on pink crackers? Is there much more stupid things they can do? Like be naked in public? To be honest, I have seen people naked in public, because they like to show off their bodies. And others don't mind! In District 11, being naked, means death, again. After all the things I can list for being killed for, they still have that one. Sometimes, more like all the time, I can't understand these people.
"Why are they pink?" asks Mara.
"Because they come from the Capitol" I tell her.
She just look at them weirdly.
"It looks like a crap my brother took" she then smirks a little.
I think about this, and end up laughing. It's amazing someone can use that kind of language. What? Are the little pink heads going to cry, and refuse to sponsor us, because we made fun of their crackers? Well they can go ahead, because the crackers are actually really good. Mara seems to still be enjoying her little joke. It may sound weird, but she's the only person, besides my father and Cienna, that I'm fine with sharing a room with. In fact, I wouldn't really care, if we were smashed up against each other. It gets like that, when you become allies with someone, even for a week. I sometimes feel the comfortable with Jay, but not the entire time. I miss them all, even though I usually don't let on for good measure. I wish I was with them right now, to have them cheering me on.
I look at Mara. It's hard to believe we're both sixteen. She looks fourteen, because she's so small. Maybe a little bit childish. It's even more amazing she has a boyfriend. Usually, I think of her, as a younger girl. Maybe even thirteen, or twelve. I look her over, from that blonde hair, to those distinguished features. Me? I'm pretty small, but not that small. I'm a bit taller, but I look more mature in body wise. Mara stares out.
"Do you know everyone's name out here?" she asks me, slowly.
"Most of them" I tell her "There's violent kid from District One. That girl Thalia's from there also" I purse my lips in thought "And then there's that Layla girl from District Two, and Lili and Gary from Three" I then count on my finger "Bigandburly from four-"
"Who's alive?" she asks me.
"All of the ones I just mentioned. Plus the girl from 7, Abe and Bea from 8, You are from… nine?" she nods, and I continue "Both from ten. I'm from eleven, and I think Aaron Dait is still alive. Then the little kid from twelve"
She nods.
"You really know your stuff"
"Yeah" I pop another cracker into my mouth "I like to know my competitors. It really allows to me advance" I then smile wickedly at her "That way, I'm one step ahead of them"
"Does anyone know about you?" asks Mara.
"You do" I tell her.
"I know, but not much" murmurs Mara.
I look at her, kind of softly. Maybe I'm beginning to soften up to her. Usually, I'm known to be a tough friend. You have to break through me first, before you actually get into my heart, but it's really hard to do that, no matter who you really are. Mara just looks ahead, like nothing ever happened. I look backwards.
"You seem quite skilled too, with a knife, and with traps" I tell her.
"A six isn't amazing" she mutters, sadly.
"Hey" I cry "I got a five, you should be thankful"
"I know" she says "But you wanted a low score, so people would underestimate you" she looks down in shame "I really tried"
I shrug it off.
"It doesn't really matter Mara. Sometimes, you have hidden talents. Don't worry about it. There's been kids with HORRENDOUSLY low scores go home. Believe me"
She looks up at me.
"Thanks Kiy"
I feel a bit shocked at my own words, because we know we're not supposed to get attached to other tributes. However, I really can't help but smile, just a little bit, so she can see I feel the same way. Either way, if we're friends or enemies, I'm glad I have an ally. I feel bad for people who don't. It's a real advantage to take.
"Don't worry about it"
Aaron Dait:
Lili and Gary finally turn up from the woods. It seems like it was forever. They are holding in berries, and some fruits. They look good… enough I suppose. Not perfect, like the ones back home, that Mom used to buy for us. It seems so long ago, when that happened. Now, it's all over, as usual. I sit down and watch, as they approach.
"Any good luck?" I ask them.
Lili nods, and lays her down on the little "table" we made for us to eat. Gary doesn't say a word. He despises me, it doesn't take a therapist to know that. It's not impossible. He likes Lili though, and I guess that's what we share in common.
"One second" she tells us, as she gets up to go into the tent.
I look at Gary, trying to see his hate for me, in his eyes. He doesn't meet mine though, and just stares down.
"What kind of berries are those?" I ask him, trying to sound friendly, after what I've encountered today.
"I don't know" he murmurs, after a little pause.
I sigh, he doesn't like me for sure. Maybe I can convince him I'm a friend. Maybe. I look up at him.
"Look Gary" I say, but he doesn't raise his head "I'm sorry for coming into your alliance, really, I am, but I really needed someone"
He looks at me.
"That's why I took on Lili" he mutters, looking down.
"I just want you to understand. I didn't want you to distrust me. You may not like me, but just please don't count me out like that. I can be really useful" I tell him, hoping he'll listen.
He sighs.
"Well now, you talk sensibly. You know I don't like you" he sighs and looks away "But I guess I take you, in a way. Besides, Lili needs all the protection she can get"
His voice trembles a bit when he talks, and I think there's reason behind all of these. Him wanting Lili alive like I do. I look at him.
"I understand"
Lili then comes out, with a bigger jacket on, and she looks at us, a bit accusingly. When we don't give her an explanation, she just sits down.
"I'm sorry, I had to chance. I was really uncomfortable. By the way she says it, I can't be sure whether she was uncomfortable with us, or with her outfit, but her face is calm, so I can't really guess. I just smile.
"Welcome back"
She laughs a little, and then sits down. Her eyes cast on the food.
"So fruit, some water?" she asks, looking at us.
I nod.
"That's all we have"
"Don't we know how to hunt?" she asks us, looking up.
"A little" I confess "But there's not much in these woods, and I'm not that good"
She nods, and begins to eat a little biy. Gary and I both watch her, just a little bit glumly. I can tell she feels uncomfortable. I understand. Being with two boys who are older than you is never a good thing. Ask Rachel. Especially since we just met. Like what? A few days ago? Maybe even less. I can't tell what day it is anymore. I look up at the sky, which is grey as usual. I groan. Don't they ever get tired of it. I mean, I'm not, but they ARE the Capitol, and change and entertainment mean almost, well, everything to them. They crave it. Well, they're not giving it to us. Besides, sometimes, the tributes die of the cold, and that's not fun to watch. So usually, they change it to something different. Who knows? Maybe we'll make up to a desert instead of a frost island. Whatever really. I look up to the sky. I wonder how much Snow is going to make me pay. Make me regret being alive. I know he will, it's no question, with no answer. Honestly, I really don't know what gets into these people, that makes them think they're so much better than us, just because they live in big fancy houses, with nice decorations.
"Hey, aren't these those wildberries?" I ask, pointing to one.
"What?" Lili asks, fearfully.
"Yeah. I mutter, they look like them. Maybe not" I say reassuringly.
They both look at me.
'I guess the only way to know-" begins Gary, but I grab a berry before he can finish.
"What are you doing?" he hisses.
Without answering, I throw the berry out. There's a bird flying above, who catches it. He then swoops down on it. Gary and Lili watch, fearful. It quickly swallows up the berry. Nothing happens.
"Well, I guess it's fine" murmurs Gary, more than a little bit angry that I "wasted" one of our berries.
I wish he hadn't spoken so soon. Suddenly, the bird looks up in alarm, and then it drops. Gary looks at it in disbelief.
"No-" but I cut him off, as the bird jumps up again.
"Get in the tent" I shout.
The bird's eyes have turned red, deep blood red, and his mouth shows foaming, and fangs.
"No way" murmurs Lili.
I grab her arm, and we race to the tent. The bird goes nuts behind us, with his fangs, and it's teeth, and it dives. It barely misses Gary, who hits it with an axe. It chops in half. But it's not dead. It comes up again. I look at Gary.
"Don't be stupid!" I shout "Get here" I then zip open the tent.
Lili gets in, frightfully, her face utterly terrified. Gary takes one look at the half of the bird, and runs for it, into the half-open tent.
"Close it!" he shotus, angrily and frusterated.
Lili clings to my shoulder, but I zip it up, right before the bird comes in. Gary looks at me.
"A little warning would be nice" he says, cleaning away the cut with his sleeve.
Too late.
Reyce Ansilen:
"Are you okay Reyce?" asks Layla, as I'm laid down on the ground.
"Reyce?" asks Thalia.
"I'm fine" I mumble.
"Why did you guys rescue him?" cries Conner "Now he's a load on our hands" his voice is angry and trembling.
"Yeah well, maybe you need a sense of heart!" shouts Layla back.
"Right, and what does a heart get you in the Hunger Games?" he then shakes her "What?"
"You're hardly human Conner" she says angrily, pulling away.
My vision is all blurry from the fall, and while the treatment cream helped a lot, I still can't weak. Layla leans next to me.
"Are you alright Reyce?" she asks.
I'm surprised by the level of concern in her voice. Except more gentle. I look at her, through my blurred eyes, and I see around me, a campground we've never been at. It's very nice, it's a shame we didn't settle here. I look around.
"I think I'm okay" I respond.
"No you're not" responds a voice.
I turn around, to get a small vision of Jules Eade, who comes through the forest, with a calm, but troubled look on his face. It's no shock, he usually wears it. He doesn't smile, or even look kind, but I owe him anyway, he got me from underneath the broken rocks. When my legs were skinned, he helped carry me. What reason do I have not to be grateful to him? I look up at him.
"Really, I feel fine" I tell him.
He sighs, and sits down.
"I'm not a doctor Reyce. I'm not a friend. But I know that you're not okay" he tells me.
I look at him, with a kind, but confused stare.
"But seriously-"
"No. Look at your legs. They're no longer bleeding, but they're still skinned, and almost broken" he tells me "You can't put on any more treatment cream until tomorrow, and then there will be none left." He looks at me, deathly serious "And we'll have more wounds, so the best thing to do, is rest, and not move"
I listen to him, but Conner shakes his head.
"If he can't make himself useful, then he can't stay"
"But you're not the leader" Jules tells him, very harshly.
"What?" cries Conner, unbelieving "And this is coming from the killer guy, isn't it? It would be best if you left this alone"
Jules doesn't seem taken aback.
"I may be a killer, but at least I have sense" he tells Conner, ignoring his hard look "I say the kid is useful. He can stay here, and wait while he hunt, so he won't be in our way. And when he heals, he'll be a better fighter"
I listen to this, wondering if it's true, or Jules is covering up for the girls, because he doesn't' want to upset them. Conner scowls at him.
"Well, don't complain to me if you find all of that treatment gone tomorrow" he growls, and goes in his tent.
Thalia, Layla, and Jules just stare for a while. Jules shakes his head, and murmurs something. Like "some ally". That's true. I don't' like Conner, and not just because he doesn't like me, it takes much more than that to win my disapproval. He's just so…. capable of violence, and death. Jules is too, but he's more subtle, except everyone can tell from his eyes, he's a killer, a ruthless one, and that he's willing. I know, absolutely anything will tick him off. I look down at the treatment. I won't touch a scent of it. I don't think I can even stay here anymore. If Layla, or Thalia die, that means I die too. And while they've been very nice to me, I can't stand that thought. It's usually a Career that wins, and this year, it's likely to be Jules. Unless there's some crazy killer out there, who's not part of the Career pack.
Usually, all the strong people go here. I think about the people I saw. Those sullen kids, all of them, with large sad eyes, just waiting for death to arrive. I see them in the sky at night, but I don't recognize them. Only the girl from District 5, because I remember she was unforgettable to the Capitol, who loved her so much. Those little red-heads and pink-heads. And now, they laugh at her, saying that she didn't stand a chance anyway. Layla sits by me.
"Don't worry about it" she tells me, spreading a little bit of treatment cream on a cut on my face "Conner's an asshole anyway. You're still useful" she then smiles and leaves.
I sigh. People like her don't belong here. So nice, so gentle. So kind. I wish we had those people at home. And while mom and Dad cared, I'm sure, they just didn't seem, like her. This girl, from District 2. Most people from District 2, are usually crazed, bloodthirsty, killing machines. Full of it, ready to jump, and more likely, just a bunch of people who don't have any friends, because they prefer their weapon. I've seen people like that, but not in District 12. The Games are a part of our povertized lives. It just keeps on going. Layla sets down her bag.
"I think we're done for the day" she announces "Conner was looking for someone to kill, and he found her" she then smiles and laughs "I guess he really needs a rest from all that blood"
Thalia nods, and I can see her trying to suppress a smile. It's the first time, when I realize how large she is, with muscles, as she takes off her jacket. I'm surprised she can be so gentle at times. I fan away the air, as her cheeks turn very frosty. She looks towards us.
"I need to go for a minute" she says.
Layla watches her leave.
"I think she's hurt" she mutters to me.
I'm hurt. I'm no use. I will leave.
So there ya go! Remember to review. I'm pretty happy about it, and don't worry, I don't have as much a camp coming up. This camp was a hiking in the desert camp, and it was hell. it was hot, tiring, and most of it was uphill. But the overnight trip was fun. We swam in the lake, we fished, we played Games. It was the life. Anyway, enough about that. I'm am REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY sorry to RascalLil' Pixie about killing Quorra (and even more sorry if I mispelled your name :P ). Honestly, it was a hard decision. I had the Games planned out after the reaping, and I really love all your characters. I even have a soft spot for Daisy! It's not much of a love, but still! Anyway, I know who the victor is! :) Well, I'm actually going to have you guys vote between two people. and I'm entire sure it's going to be an easy vote. I guess for three people it will be. Smirks and Smiles!
SPONSOR POINTS:
bearberry915: $20.00 (Conner Sun)
thebookreader: $20.00 (Thalia Constellian)
RascalLil'Pixie: $25.00 (Quorra Foxe, Ambrose Trueheart, pot of treatment cream)
Bookgirl333: $6.00 (Layla Thompson, blanket, correct answer, one pill)
Bowserboy129: $24.00 (Gary Sue, two guesses, correct answer, two water bottles, correct answer, correct answer, correct answer)
laralulu: $24.00 (Lilith Adler, correct answer, correct answer)
gimmeyopeetabread: $20.00 (Jules Eade)
ligersforlife: $20.00 (Loewen Shade Grenweth)
Sybl Anglekat: $21.00 (Daisy Sheen, Clawdius Halestorm. sleeping bag, sword)
Rachina: $20.00 (Quinn/Samyule Pincer)
Skywriter5: $9.00 (Danielle Raye, correct answer, treatment cream)
WolfRida: $20.00 (Cedar Blackstone)
shadowed13: $16.00 (Abraham Van Alst, blanket, correct answer, correct answer)
Goddess of nightmares: $22.00 (Bea Nuova, one guess)
NinjaSharpie78: $42.00 (Krow Haliss, Mara Mason, correct answer) Did you want to send Nate something? Because you can't, unless you tell me what YOU want to send.
Rivers of Venice: $20.00 (Nate Morgue)
wizard muggle: $16.00 (Aria Charin, water)
Sonofhell666: $8.00 (Aaron Dait. hand scythe, correct answer)
GirlL0vesDoom: $26.00 (Kiy Everblossom, right answer, correct answer, correct answer)
Serpent's Ballet: $36.00 (Reyce Ansilen, one guess, correct answer, correct answer, correct answer, correct answer, one right guess)
Iluv every book out there: $22.00 (Linna Limye, right answer)
K. Dorn: $20.00 (Lux DeLoren)
Claudia Harris: $20.00 (Sapphire Corte)
Jac Danvers: $20.00 (Calendula Bates)
So there, remember to tell me about any mistakes, and I'll fix it next chapter. Anyway, the night is going to be called "Dreamers and Reality". And you'll know why, if you actually read it, or more likely if you're Serpent's Ballet. :) Well, good luck! Remember, NO ONE DIES!
Question: Who are the tributes who didn't get accepted into this SYOT? And why didn't they? You'll have to dig through for this one! You'll find all the answers, believe me, you'll just have to read a little deeper, heh heh.
ONLY PMING