Quanta Bomm-13(D3F)

"As I'm sure all of you have noticed the heat is rising and the closer we get to crowning a victor the hotter it's going to get. With that in mind tributes we've decided to hold a feast commencing tonight at dusk, but this is no normal feast. This feast will provide all of you with the one commodity that is in increasingly short supply for most of you, water. For a ten minute period starting at dusk, you'll be provided with the chance to collect as much water as possible from the supply provided at the cornucopia.

While this feast is obviously not a mandatory event I'd advise each of you to think long and hard before you decide to skip it because it's only going to get hotter from here and if you're running low now it's only going to get worse. Good luck and may the odds be ever in your favor…."

Well, this obviously isn't a very thinly veiled attempt to get us all in one place or anything. I mean everyone has to see this for what it is; a trap. Then again not everyone is going to be in the same boat as Dargo and I are, after all, before we got our sponsor drop last night we were dangerously low on water ourselves and I can't imagine anyone else has an even remotely comparable stockpile of water right now.

"What do you think we should do?"

That's a good question and for the first time in my life, I honestly don't have an answer to a question. On the one hand, this is so obviously a trap that it's not even funny, I mean it's pretty obvious they want us to end this relatively quickly and this is an easy way to do it. On the other hand, though this is also probably going to be the last chance anyone has to take a large swath of tributes out at once. I mean I absolutely hate the idea of looking at this as an opportunity to eliminate the strongest opponents left in the games but it's hard not to, this is the moment that everything can change.

"I don't know Dargo. I wish I did but I just….I just don't know."

"Well, we're pretty much set as it is so I'm not sure what the real benefit would be to wading into the muck."

"We're set now but that can change in a blink. I mean we've gone through what three-quarters of a bottle each so far today?"

"I'm closer to four-fifths but I get what you're saying."

"Do you?"

"Of course….At least I think I do anyway."

Honestly, he probably does but just doesn't want to risk looking silly in front of me if he's wrong. That's one of the funny things about Dargo that I'm only now starting to appreciate, his ability to be so cutely befuddled while still looking and sounding confident. Honestly, that's just one of his many fun and endearing qualities but this isn't the time or the place for me to start thinking about things like this. I have enough crap to worry about without heaping my feelings for him on top of it all; I'll have plenty of time for that in the very near future.

"You probably have it but I'll lay it out for you anyway."

"I mean if you really want to I'd be a fool to decline."

"You are a fool sir but we'll save that for another time. The problem we're in right now is that our water is a finite supply and based on today's consumption we're likely to use it all up within a couple of days, provided it doesn't get too much hotter that is. If we pass on the feast and just try to outlast everyone with what we've got we're probably going to run out long before whoever ends up securing the feast bounty does."

"So you're saying we should go even if we don't need to?"

"I'm saying that in the end it's not really an option for anyone not to go, not even us, unfortunately."

"Ok, so we'll just have to go then. I assume you have a plan for this too so let's hear it."

"What do you mean a plan? We've know about it for all of about ten minutes and you think I already have a plan for it?"

"Of course, I do. In fact, I'm pretty sure you have a plan for just about any potential wrinkle the Gamemakers could fathom throwing are way. You're a very prepared and through person Quanta so it shouldn't be a surprise that I'd assume you have a plan."

"Well I mean I have the general outline of a plan in mind but it's still a little….I don't know, presumptuous for you to just assume I'd be the one to come up with the plan again."

"I….I think I'm sorry but I'm not really sure."

"How can you not be sure?"

"Well it sounds like you might be a little mad but at the same time, you also said you've got the basics of a plan down so I'm not sure if you're really mad or just pulling my leg."

"Well, when you put it that way I guess I can understand. So do you want to hear my idea or would you rather wing it like we did the bloodbath?"

"Well considering how effective your last plan was compared to the wing it bloodbath plan I'm going to go ahead and defer to you on this one."

"Ok, so I was thinking the first step should be to get to the cornucopia as quickly as we can and since we know this road leads back to it that shouldn't be that hard to pull off. Now once we're there we'll scout the area and look for an area that provides a little shade and a relatively unobstructed view of the surrounding area."

"So far none of this sounds very hard or very plan like."

"We're just getting to the hard part so be patient. Now once we get there and find a hiding place we'll settle in and try to recover as much as we can before the feast actually starts. This will consist mostly of rehydrating and maybe a little catnap for each of us."

"Not at the same time I hope."

"Of course not at the same time, that would just be reckless and silly. Now just dusk hits we'll get set up and consolidate the rest of our water in my bag while you'll use the empty one to carry the water we get from the feast. Now the general plan for the feat is for you to run in and scoop up as much as you can safely carry in your bag while I use my crossbow to cover you. Now I've got a finite number of bolts but as long as you don't try and fight the other four tributes at the same time I should be able to keep you relatively safe. Now once you've reached the feast table make sure to prioritize…."

"Hold on why am I the one doing the running? Why don't you run in while I cover you?"

"Well for starters I've seen you shoot and don't take this the wrong way but you're absolutely terrible at it. Second I'm a thousand percent sure I'm not strong enough to use your pitchfork in any sort of competent way so I'd be without cover or a weapon. You're also significantly faster than me but that's not as important as the first two. Should I go on or are you convinced?"

"I think I'm good. So what were you saying about prioritizing?"

"You'll need to make sure to value size over number. It's better to end up with two full gallons then twenty little eight ounce bottles so keep as close an eye as you can on the amount of water each container holds…."


Brooke Kolstad-13(D12F)

I'm not sure it's a good idea for me to go to this feast but I'm not sure how much longer I can last without water. If it wasn't for the merger amount I got from the boy I killed I'd probably be dead already and while I still feel terrible that I killed him I can't help but feel thankful that at least he had water. If I hadn't killed him I'd be dead and there's a decent chance that he'd be dead too so at least his death was able to help me keep living.

"So because his death preserved your life you're going to absolve yourself of guilt or blame? Sure you may have survived because of his death but doesn't that make you the same kind of monster that killed your brother during his games?"

"No I'm not absolving myself of blame, I'm just willing to accept that sometimes bad things happen and it's up to everyone involved to make the best of a bad situation. That's what I'm doing accepting my role and moving on."

Ok now I know I'm delirious, I seriously just had a legitimate conversation with myself about what happened and not did I answer myself but I did it out loud too. I mean I know I'm in a bad place right now and the fact that I'm still too scared that a mutt will pop out and kill me to even think about resting hasn't helped but I didn't think I was this bad. Not yet anyway.

"It's perfectly normal to talk to yourself, I mean who else is going to give you expert advice if you don't do it?"

"That may be true but it's still not a good thing that I'm doing it, not to mention answering myself at the same time."

Oh for the crying out loud I did it again! What is wrong with me right now?"

"You mean aside from you blister covered feet, your dehydration and hysteria, the sleep deprivation, the massive cuts and scrapes covering your legs, and your hands that are cracked and cut up while being covered in what might be your blood but might not?"

"Well, when you put it that way I obviously have a laundry list of problems. Of which one is apparently my inability to stop talking to and answering myself out loud."

However even though it's incredibly frustrating that I can't seem to control my incessant need to fill the muggy silence with my own voice I did make a few valid points. For starters my body is completely and totally destroyed right now, I mean the fact that I can still stand is a miracle and I'm almost certain my continued movement is nothing short of divine intervention. I mean I haven't had a chance to see what I look like since the games started but I have to imagine I look a lot like the miners that survived the cave in a few years back. I might not be covered in soot but the sand is just as abundant and invasive and when you look at the scrapes and scars that cover my body I'm sure the resemblance is uncanny.

"Oh, nonsense you look just fine. I mean it's not a look to revisit on the Victor's Tour but it's nearly as bad as you're making it out to be."

"Of course, it is, but that's not the big issue here. The real problem is that I'm literally running on adrenaline and emotion right now and I'm one trip and fall away from being done. Worse yet I'm out of water, have zero sponsor support, no weapons, and I'm still talking to myself!"

"Well you've got to do something and seeing as all you seem to be willing to do is argue with yourself you might as well do it."

"That's the thing though I don't want to keep arguing with and pitying myself like I have been. I want to go out there and do something real and meaningful, I want to win damn it."

"Do you want to win though? Deep down is that really what you want or are you just saying that to avoid having to live with the fact that you gave up the moment you killed that boy?"

"Of course, I still want to win; at least I think I do."

"Well, that's something you need to figure out and fast. Do you want to spend the rest of your life thinking of yourself as a monster like the boy that killed your big brother but get to help your parents? Or would you rather give up now and free yourself from a lifetime of pain and regret but spend what time you have left thinking about how your death is going to shatter what little sanity and destroy what little comfort your parents have left in this world?"

"I….I want to live. I want to win."

"Then you know what you have to do. You have to steel yourself against that which is to come and prepare yourself to do the hard things and make the tough choices no one else wants to make. You need to get moving and get to that feast and once you're there you need to let go of your hang-ups and inhibitions and do what must be done. You need to be ready to fight and die if necessary in order to secure the supplies you need, but most importantly you need to be ready to kill again. Can you do that?"

"Yes, yes I can."

"Ok then let's get moving then, the Gamemakers aren't going to wait around for you so you'll have to get there early and wait for them."

I take a deep breath to calm myself down before starting to slowly make my way back towards the central valley. I may not be all there right now but I did manage to talk myself into doing what I have to do to win so maybe it's a good thing I'm a little unbalanced. After all, I think every one that survives the games is a little bit crazy; all I'm doing is making sure I'll be able to relate to the other victors when I finally win.


Topaz Kayden-12(D1M)

It's a good thing we're almost to the cornucopia because I'm not sure how much longer I'm going to be able to last in this heat. I'm mean it seemed so easy in my head, we'd just move as fast as we could and get to the cornucopia fast enough that we be able to find the girls and come up with a plan to control the feast. Then again it's my own fault I'm in such bad shape if I had just listened to Archie and spent all day yesterday recovering instead of insisting on pressing on when it was obvious I needed to stop maybe I wouldn't be cramping up so bad it's a struggle to keep moving. However, this is a small price to pay considering what's at stake, at least that's what I keep telling myself anyway.

"Topaz are you sure you can handle this?"

"I….Um what…What did you say?"

"Ok that's it we're stopping and you're going to drink some water and rest."

"We can't stop Archie not when we're so close."

"We're close enough that we can afford to stop for a little bit. The cornucopia isn't going to move and we have plenty of time before the feast starts so sit down drink some water and catch your breath."

"I'm fine, I promise I'll take a few minutes and recover my strength as soon as we get there. We can't leave the girls hanging Archie, we just can't."

"What we can't do is have you go down in the middle of the feast when Audrie and Connor will be counting on you. Not to mention I'm not exactly keen on the idea of explaining how you ended up in this condition to them so I'm sure as hell not letting you get any worse."

I can tell this isn't a fight I can win so instead of pressing the issue I decide to find a rock and take a little breather. I've only been sitting for a couple of seconds when Archie comes over and tries to shade me from the sun and while he's not exactly big enough to pull it off I appreciate the gesture. I still can't understand why he's been so helpful and protective but I'm guessing it has a lot to do with his personality, I mean why else would he be willing to risk his own safety in a situation where you can do everything right and still end up dead if he wasn't a genuinely good person?

Honestly, I think that's why he's been so concerned about me and the girls not because he's playing a part or trying to win sponsors but because he actually likes us. I'm sure he'd never admit that out loud and if he did Connor and Audrie might give him a hard time but in the end, I think they'd appreciate just how helpful and caring he's actually been, at least I'd like to think they would anyway. Regardless of his intentions and whether or not the girls would see them in the same way I do he's been a good ally and that's gotta count for something.

We spend a few minutes sitting in silence and after draining around half of our last gallon of water I feel good enough to start moving again, or at least that's what I tell Archie anyway. It's taken us too long to get this far as it is and while the Gamemakers said the feast would be at dusk they could easily decide to make dusk happen at a moment's notice. Not to mention that the sooner we get there the sooner we'll be back with the girls and the sooner we're back with them the sooner the two of them and Archie can start planning for the feast.

Surprisingly I only cramp up a half a dozen times between then and our arrival at the cornucopia and only one of them was actually bad enough that I had to stop. Because of this little windfall we're able to cover the rest of the ground relatively quickly and within no more than ten minutes we're finally there, the only problem is I don't see any sign of Connor or Audrie.

"Do you think they're out looking for us?"

"We would have passed them if they were. This doesn't make sense."

Well he's right about that, I mean I'm far from a tactical genius but even I know that it's foolish to abandon the site of an upcoming feast so close to its start and if I know that then so does Audrie. I mean why would they not be here, we didn't pass them on the way up and there's no reason they would have gone down one of the other paths unless they abandoned us….No Audrie wouldn't do that and Connor doesn't strike me as the backstabbing type, at least not at first sight.

"Do you think they left us then?"

"Maybe, but I really don't think they would do that. Connor spent a shit load of time droning on about always doing the smart thing and the right thing and abandoning her allies doesn't strike me as either of those things."

"But, if they didn't betray and abandon us where are they?"

"Well I hate to think like this but I guess someone has to."

"What do you mean Archie and what exactly is it you have to do?"

"One of us has to ask the important question. Are they dead?"

I was really hoping we wouldn't have to talk about that but it looks like we do. The only thing we know for sure is that they were still alive as of the fallen tribute last night but we've heard two cannons since then and while I may not really want to think about there is a one in eight chance that at least one of them belonged to one of the girls.

"I hope nothing happened to them, I'd feel awful if they died because the two of us didn't come back here with them."

"I know what you mean, by the way, do you still have the sword?"

"Yeah I do, why?"

"Give it here."

"Why?"

"Just give it to me Topaz."

I'm not sure what he's planning but it's not like I can use the sword anyway so I hand it over and watch as he carefully pulls it out of its sheath before tossing that back to me and taking a couple of practice swings. After he's sure he's comfortable, or at least not going to lop his own arm off trying to use it he turns back towards me and offers up what I'm assuming is supposed to be a confident grin but it honestly just comes off as one of sheer terror.

"Ok so this is a terrible idea and I want you to be ready to run if it backfires on me."

I want to stop him and make him explain what he's planning but I'm far too slow and before I can blink he's already moving towards the cornucopia with the sword resting casually on his shoulder. He closes maybe three-quarters of the distance between us and it before coming to a stop and driving the sword into the sand and letting out a surprisingly deep and commanding yell.

"CONNOR, AUDRIE! ARE EITHER OF YOU HERE!"

This is his plan, bellowing like a fool? Well regardless of who's here and who's not everyone in the arena knows where we are now. For a moment, it looks like that might be the only result of his brash and semi-stupid action until a lone figure shuffles out of the cornucopia cradling its left arm close to its chest. In an instant, Archie rips the sword back out of the sand and takes up what I think is supposed to be a defensive stance but for some reason, he doesn't advance or retreat. I can't figure out what's going on and why he's not moving but after a few seconds and a second glance at the approaching figure, I understand why. It's Connor who's walking towards him.


Connor McCormick-13(D8F)

I really hope they buy this or I'll have just cut my arm up for nothing. Maybe this was an irrational reaction to hearing Archie calling out for Audrie and me but it was honestly the only thing I could come up with in my panicked state. Hopefully, the two of them will buy that the injury is from a recent fight between Audrie and me and the mutt that killed her, I just hope I can sell this as easily as I think I can.

"Topaz get up here and bring the first aid kit with you. Connor stop moving and just take it easy, we're here to help."

It takes them a few minutes to get me 'calmed down' and a few more to clean up my wound but they finally manage to get it done. A few minutes later the three of us are sitting a half a hundred yards or so away from the front of the cornucopia on top of one of the starting pedestals when I start telling them what happened.

"It took Audrie and me longer to get back here then we thought it would and by the time we did it was too dark to really see or do anything so we made camp and waited for morning. Once it was finally light enough for us to see inside the cornucopia we ventured in and started looking around and that's when Audrie got hit with the trap."

I take a couple of seconds to 'collect' myself as I try my best to make it seem like this is as hard for me as it should be and to my astonishment it seems to be working as Topaz looks like he's on the verge of crying, Archie, on the other hand, is surprisingly difficult for me to read. Trying to gauge his reaction to what I've said so far I make an awkward attempt to pick up my water bottle only to have it bounce off my fingertips and spill all over the golden sand covered ground.

"Topaz get her some more water, please. What happened next?"

"The trap was pretty crude but it was effective, Audrie tripped it moving a crate and it did a real number in her shin."

"What kind of trap was it?"

"Some sort of spring thing with a sharpened rock on a stick. It tore her shin up pretty bad and while the two of us were able to do a semi-decent job of cleaning it up it obviously put her in a world of pain. I decided that it was too dangerous to go back yesterday with her in that condition and despite her initial objections, she agreed to stay another day to recover."

"That sounds like Audrie, on the train ride from One she told me a story about how she had dislocated her shoulder during training but forced her trainer to let her keep fighting in the little grappling tournament her class was having. She kept saying how much it hurt and eventually her trainer had to force her to go get it looked at by the doc…."

"Topaz the trip down memory lane needs to wait for just a little bit, we still need to get to the bottom of what happened here."

Well, this is just great, I mean I figured on Archie being the hard one to convince but I was hoping he'd at least be willing to give me the benefit of the doubt. Then again if I know anything about him it's that he's always ready to put up a tough front even when he's emotional so maybe that's all this is an act. However even if it is just an act the fact that he's still got his hand wrapped around the hilt of that sword isn't exactly comforting. I guess I'll just have to keep playing this angle and hope for the best.

"What's there to get to the bottom of? I got us lost trying to get here and Audrie had an accident. We had a series of unforced and frankly unforeseeable errors that ended up costing us dearly in the end."

"You never mentioned that you were the reason you guys got lost."

"Of course, I didn't, I'm not exactly proud of it or anything."

"Fair enough, so what happened next? How did Audrie die and more importantly how did you end up getting hurt?"

"She had the second watch and I woke up just a little after mid-morning or so to find her sitting outside in the sun cleaning and rewrapping her leg. I got up and went to check on and help her finish up when the mutt showed up. It stalked out of the little cavern on the far side of the valley and started towards us at a slow but steady pace. My initial reaction was to run but Audrie didn't have her wound rewrapped yet so I decided to try and cover her while she finished up. I ran out and tried to draw the mutts attention and while it seemed to work initially after a few seconds of hesitation it turned away from me and lunged towards her. I tried my best to stop it but I wasn't fast enough. It pulled her back into its cave and all I had to show for it were these lousy cuts."

For the first few seconds after I finish spinning my tale neither of them says a word and the only noise I can hear is my own breathing but just as I start to get nervous Archie's composure cracks and a sad smile spread across his sun-baked face.

"Well, it sounds like we're all lucky to still be alive. I just hope our luck holds through this feast."

"Me too and I'm really glad I found you guys."

Topaz wraps me in a quick hug while Archie looks on and takes a small sip of water before directing our focus to the battle plan for the feast later today. Most of it ends up being common knowledge and basic crap but I have to say the thoroughness does catch me a little off guard. The one part of the plan that I'm absolutely in love with but have to act like I hate is his insistence that Topaz and I stay back and let him handle the resource collection and fighting.

"Topaz is still a little shaky and you're in no real condition to fight. It's better for the two of you to hang back and let me take the risk."

"Are you sure Archie? I mean I've been a little under the weather but I'm pretty sure I can still help."

"Don't sweat it Topaz I got this. You just keep an eye on Connor for me and I'll handle the rest."

"I don't need anyone to watch over me. I'm capable of doing it myself."

"I know that but I still think it's better that the two of you worry about watching out for each other and let me get the supplies."

This back and forth goes on for a lot longer than it really needs to but eventually Topaz gives up and I'm forced to 'concede' the point as well and the three of us finally settle in to wait for the feast to start. A couple of sweat-soaked hours later the sun finally starts to set and Archie scoops up his sword and moves into position near the far side of the area where the sun will be at his back as Topaz and I head a little further back and crouch down amongst the larger rocks covering the ground.

A few minutes later a low rumbling sound starts to reverberate off the surrounding rocks and within a few seconds, that low rumbling has strengthened into a roar as the ground in front of the cornucopia opens up and reveals a massive stone table surrounded by statues of men with crocodile heads rises up from the ground below. As soon as the table stops rising a few tense seconds pass as no one is willing to be the one to make the first move, so I take the initiative.

"Topaz I'm sorry for doing this."

He turns his head towards me with a questioning look in his eyes but it quickly disappears as I drive my knife into the center of his throat even as the tears start to stream down my face. The last thing he ever sees is my tear filled eyes and as the cannon blast rings out I catch Archie's eyes as all hell breaks loose.

~BOOM~


A/N: Well there we have it all hell is about break loose and I hope all of you are as excited for it as I am. Also I hope no one minds that I updated a little ahead of schedule ;)

So anyway I'm not going to ask any questions other than the obvious how was the chapter, who do you think will win the games and who do you want to win the games? But other then that no questions lol.

Anyway as always please review and let me know what you think and I'll be looking for all of your smiling faces at the next update later this week :D

Death Order/Cause/Place

24-D10F- Fern Shelton-13- Killed by stepping off her plate

23-D7F-Sequoia Sable-12-Killed by D4M- Lachlan Melbourne

22-D9M- Jamie Dexton-12-Killed by D4M- Lachlan Melbourne

21-D11F- Iliana Alder-13-Killed by D2F- Antonia Bismarck

20-D5F- Emiliana "Emi" Jameson-13-Killed by D4F- Iona Harrowell

19-D11M- Moriah Trace-12-Killed by D6M- Aldrin Derino

18-D2M- Alex Trake-13-Mercy killing by D2F- Antonia Bismarck

17-D12M- Brenton Aldair-13-Killed by Cobra Mutt

16-D6F- Kaelia Blitzen-12-Killed by Mummy Mutt

15-D9F- Alden Devaire-13-Killed by Jackel Mutt

14-D4M- Lachlan Melbourne-13-Killed by Sphinx Mutt

13-D3M- Bryn Snowdon-13-Killed by D12F- Brooke Kolstad

12-D6M- Aldrin Derino-13-Killed by the trap set by D3F- Quanta Bomm

11-D5M- Luell Berring-13-Killed by the trap set by D3F- Quanta Bomm

10-D4F- Iona Harrowell-13-Killed by the trap set by D3F- Quanta Bomm

09-D2F- Antonia Bismarck-13-Killed by the trap set by D3F- Quanta Bomm

08-D1F- Audrie Christison-13-Killed by D8F- Connor McCormick

07-D7M- Aster Elmore-13-Killed by Jackel Mutts

06-D1M- Topaz Kayden-12-Killed by D8F- Connor McCormick

Kill Total

5- Mutt

4- Quanta

2- Connor

1- Brooke


2- Lachlan

2- Antonia

1- Iona

1- Aldrin

1- Fern(Suicide)