Day One: Memories:
Part Two:
District Three:
Valhalla's POV:
"It's as if they made this floor for me," I laughed out loud.
In all reality, it wasn't that hard to find my way to the third floor. In fact, the staircase I used was only hidden behind a small rack of devices. There was no puzzle, no challenge. All I had to do was look into the room for about five seconds when I saw a rather large space between the rack and the wall. I guess they made it easy because it was only the second floor. They didn't want very many tributes to die simply because they couldn't figure out a way upwards.
When I first made it to this floor, I thought nothing of it. More stark white hallways and rooms. However, I began to look inside several rooms, and found that this entire floor seemed to be stocked with bits and pieces of machinery. Some rooms had parts for building random objects, but when I scavenged around a bit, I found some parts that could help me create an electrical system of some kind. It would make for a deathly trap.
When I added my new found parts with the supplies I snagged at the bloodbath, I knew that I was going to win these games. Well, I knew I was going to win them before, but I certainly didn't imagine it would be this easy!
During the bloodbath, I grabbed plenty of wire and rope for traps, along with three knives and two backpacks I filled with food and water. However, near the very back of the Cornucopia, I spotted a black case. Curiosity got the better of me, and I quickly took a peek inside.
It was the best decision I could have made.
Inside the black case was a series of vials, bottles, and cans. I quickly realized this was an alchemy kit. They hadn't put one in the Cornucopia since the 222nd Hunger Games, which is what made me believe that they wouldn't put one in these games as well. Anyways, it comes with a stock of chemicals, and it has the tools to make certain medicines and poisons. Some of the chemicals were flammable, and others extremely reactive. They would be perfect for traps! Although I didn't know much about making poisons, I did remember some poisonous substances from certain books, and if I could find them in the arena I might be able to figure out a way to make at least a weak poison. Possibly even a paralytic kind!
So now I was simply sitting in one of rooms, fiddling with a few magnets, some copper wire I found, and some trip wire from the bloodbath. Although I was a brilliant tribute when it came to traps, I wasn't a complete genius when it came to electricity. Sure, once I figured out how to conduct it I could mold it to my desire. The problem was the 'conducting' part. I had people figured out to a tee. I knew what they would do in certain situations, and I knew how to make them fall right into my traps. Things like electricity, poison, and even chemicals were not that simple. They didn't have any exceptions like people did. There was always certain ways to get it to work, but if you didn't know how to do it then you were in trouble. If a plan didn't work on a person, which mine always did, then you could simply reanalyze the person, note your mistakes, and create a new, creative way to effectively deal with them.
I don't understand why everyone find people so complicated. Sure, all humans had their flaws and personalities. However, all humans also had emotions, mainly fear, that you could play off of. If someone was afraid of something, all humanity leaves them for a time being. They resort to their primal instincts, and make stupid mistakes. It was actually quite entertaining to see people squirm. To crush their spirit, and watch as they change from a weak human into an even weaker organism. Watch as everything you had observed about them disappears, and all that is left is an animal. Rouse the fear in them, and even make them angry. Corner them and make them feel as if there is no hope. Finally, right before the kill, you give them a small, glittering beam of hope, and take it away in one fatal swoop.
That's what I long to do. I have no taste for causing them physical pain. I have no desire to watch them bleed to death. My only desire is to control their minds. Make them feel what I want them to feel! Know that, for once in my life, I'm in control and there is nothing they can do about it. Crush their entire being into dust, until nothing is left but an empty corpse.
And I might get my chance right now!
I slowly get to my feet, hide my supplies under one of the tables, and grab onto one of my knives. I walk to the door calmly, and quietly open it.
I heard something… I just knew it!
I sprint to one end of the hallway, and peer around the corner. I sprint farther down the next hallway until I come to a room with a door slightly ajar. I peek inside and almost squeal with glee when I see him bent over a pile of computer chips. I see him sorting through them, one by one, obviously looking for a certain kind.
I tip toe in, and shut the door behind me.
"So you made it past the bloodbath after all!" I laugh loudly.
He drops one of the chips, and practically falls over from surprise. There was no reason for me to try and sneak up on him. Even I can take down this pile of waste.
"Of course I did," Thomas whispers.
I slowly advance towards him, twirling my knife to and fro.
"You wouldn't kill your District Partner. District Three would hate you!" He stammers out.
"That's the funny thing," I giggle, "I don't really care what District Three thinks about me. Does a preying mantis care what a colony of ants think of him?"
"Think about your mother! Your father! How do you think they will feel? How do you think their friends and neighbors will treat them?"
"Oh, now you're just scrambling," I taunted, "Frankly, my father is probably back home cheering me on. My mother might feel a little bad about what's about to happen, but she knows logically it has to happen. Only one of us gets to come home, and that's going to be me."
I strolled casually over to a table, and perched myself on top of it. The table was close enough to the door so that I knew my target wouldn't be able to escape.
"I really think I'm doing you a favor," I stated as I looked at my reflection on the blade of the knife, "Would you rather a big, bad Career tear you to pieces? Or perhaps you'd rather starve to death. Maybe even die of dehydration if you're lucky! Oh, oh, I know what you'd really love! There's always one person who gets ripped to pieces by a muttation. Perhaps that's your ideal end to this game. No matter what you choose, you're going to die sooner or later. Might as well make it sooner rather than later."
"You don't get to choose that," Thomas stammered out.
"Oh, how pathetic. The weakling trying to act big and strong. What are you going to do? Kill me?"
"I don't need to kill you to live," he hissed. Before I could say anything else, he grabbed a large chunk of metal and threw it at me. I ducked out of the way, and hopped off the table. He began sprinting towards the door, but I quickly intercepted him. I kicked him as hard as I could in the stomach, and he stumbled backwards. I stabbed my knife into his upper left arm, and used the momentum and his pain to force him to the ground. I placed my knees on his shoulders, and held his wrists above his head.
"You know, if you stop struggling, I can make this painless. Well, physically painless."
He continued to thrash under me. He nearly bucked me off three times in thirty seconds, and I quickly realized this might not have been my best idea. I stored this information in my brain for later use. Never give up the element of surprise, no matter how weak you think the opponent is.
"Stop struggling! The more you struggle, the more painful it's going to be! Do you really want that girl to see you in this much pain?" I screamed.
He stopped fighting for a few seconds and whispered, "Lynette?"
"The one who was crying out to you at the reaping, 'Thomas! No!'" I yelled out in a very good imitation of her voice. Thomas' eyes got as round as dinner plates. "Imagine her yelling that at the television screen right now. She doesn't want you to fight. She doesn't want to see you in pain any longer."
I tried to say the rest of my statement in a soothing voice, but Thomas would have none of it. He continued to thrash about until I screamed out, "When I win, do you really want me to hunt her down and kill her myself!"
When Thomas heard that statement, all of his fighting stopped. With most tributes, that threat wouldn't have worked. Most of them would keep fighting in hopes of killing me, which would then make my threat invalid. However, Thomas didn't have that much confidence. He couldn't make himself believe in the lie that he had a chance. All he could do was accept the truth about his inevitable demise.
"There we go. Much better," I cooed. I slid my knife quickly and effortlessly across his throat. I saw a small line of blood appear across his bulging neck. It wasn't deep enough to kill, but that was the point. I knew when Thomas felt that knife touch his skin he was filled with absolute terror.
"And now's when the real fun begins," I sneer. I thought up several insults to start my torment with, but I ended up glaring right at his ice blue eyes. I felt myself slowly slipping away. My brain began to pick at several memories at once. The first memory shot through my skull as fast as lightening. A memory long forgotten.
"Mommy" I whined, "I don't understand why Daddy can't come home anymore!"
My mother turned away from watching the rain throw itself against the window. Her normally neat, perfect blonde hair was in a disarray of strands. Her normally keen blue eyes were dull and glassy.
"It's because Mommy and Daddy are getting a divorce." My mother repeated.
"But you won't tell me why! You and Daddy argue all the time, but you can always fix it! Why can't you fix it this time?" I cried out.
"Some things are better left broken, Valhalla," she murmured. She placed her head back against the window. She was normally an intellectual, strong scientist, but all I saw was a wreck. Someone whose emotions were hurting them. Someone who was being held back.
"No! You and Daddy have always told me that family comes first. That, no matter what, family is one of the most precious things in the world. That we share the same DNA and that can never be erased!"
"Well, you're father has been sharing his 'DNA' quite a bit," my mother cackled. I cocked my head to the side, and just watched as she laughed hysterically. Soon, her gales of laughter turned into sobs. She placed one hand over her face, and I watched as tears rolled down her face.
I quickly ran over to my mother, and wrapped my arms around her legs. She descended to the ground, and pushed her face into my black hair. All I did was hold her, and watch the rain roll down the window just like my mother's tears. I had no idea what happened between Mommy and Daddy, but Mommy was hurting. Mommy was hurting because of her grief. Mommy wasn't as strong as she liked to pretend to be.
I snapped out of the memory, and stared down at Thomas. His blue eyes pierced through my soul because they were almost the identical color as mine!
Thomas' voice rang through my head as I remembered what he said last night.
My father… Well, I don't know who he is. All I know is that he didn't tell my mother that he was… was… married, and they began a relationship. She found out, and left him. However, she didn't realize he was married until she was three months pregnant with me
I threw myself off of him, and put my hand over my mouth. At the time, I didn't know what my mother meant when she said my father had been 'spreading his DNA'. What six year old would? What if…
Thomas jumped up and held his fists in a fighting stance; however his face showed complete and utter confusion.
"You're mother… Did she ever talk to the woman married to your father?" I asked.
Thomas looked at me as if I was crazy. "Yes… I was around five or six."
Oh God no!
"Did she tell you what happened to her?"
"No… I only found out a couple of years ago when I asked if my father was happy with his family. She said that he lost his family when I was six when she told the wife what her husband had done."
"We're both sixteen," I hyperventilated. Suddenly, all the emotions I had been suppressing for years came surging back. I felt, for the first time in a long time, tears stinging my eyes.
"What's your point?"
I blinked my eyes rapidly, and sheathed my knife.
"I just realized that… that… that we have more in common than I once thought," I lied, "I think we should be allies."
His eyes practically popped out of his sockets, "You stab me, taunt me, and almost kill me, and then you say you want to be allies!"
"I can still kill you if you want." I lied again.
He raised his hands. "Fine… I guess I'll be in your alliance…"
"Good. My supplies are this way. You obviously have none."
I spun around, and had to stop myself from running to the door. I was taught that no matter how much you hate your family, they're still your family. You never betray them, but only help them. If my memories, analyzing, and deductions were right, Thomas was my family. Thomas very well might be my half-brother, and that terrifies me to the very core.
District Nine:
Hawk's POV:
"Oh crap,"
I whispered to myself as I dove behind one of the many torture devices. This one appeared to just be a large triangle, but I saw the chains and rope above it. I could tell you were supposed to tie someone to it, and then lower them onto and off of the triangle. I shuddered as I imagined where the point of the triangle entered, and how painful it would be.
The door thudded open, and I heard loud footsteps enter. The boy from District Thirteen saw me in one of the hallways and tried to sneak up on me. He wasn't very discreet and the second I saw him I ran away. I knew he was after the supplies a got during the bloodbath because he obviously had none. The supplies I managed to get my hands on before Lucian came to the Cornucopia were two knives, a backpack with a little bit of food and water, and a box of matches. It really was better than nothing, but I so wish Lucian hadn't come charging in only a minute after I had.
I didn't want to fight the boy from District Thirteen. However, I knew he was trained, and not killing him could bite me on the butt later. I quickly decided that trying to fight him would not be a good idea even if it could affect me later in the games. I waited until I heard him on the other side of the room, and slowly slid into a standing position. I slinked across the floor towards the door, never taking my eyes off of him. The idiot didn't shut the door, which meant I didn't have to worry about making any noise by opening and shutting the door.
Once I was in the hallway, I ran as fast as I could away from the room the District Thirteen boy was in. The fact of the matter was that I should just go up to the surface as quickly as I could. However, I needed something special to help me win these games. I needed a little boost; otherwise I had next to no chance. Think about it. If I can't handle a Career by myself now, try imagining handling them when they have two or three special items to help them out.
Of course, people might not find the special item on every floor. It was going to be well guarded, and well hidden.
I let out a deep sigh, and quickly ducked into another room. I shut the door behind me, and walked to the left corner behind a metal table. I slumped to the floor, and set my supplies down next to me. I didn't know what I was doing anymore. During training, I stayed out of everyone's way, but because I did that I ended up not having any potential allies. I wasn't the most charming in my interviews, and the only thing that made me stand out in the slightest was my training score. Now I was in the arena, and I didn't have a strategy.
Sure, I was planning on getting some special items, but then what? Was I planning on killing tributes? Was I just going to hide as long as possible? There were so many different strategies I could choose, but only one would lead to victory. The others would eventually lead to my death. Heck, all of them could lead to my death.
I thought back to what my friends and family would say. My father would tell me to use the skills of thievery and stalk tributes while slowly stealing supplies from them. My mother would most likely tell me to find an ally as soon as possible. Both of my siblings would tell me to hide and wait out the games in solitude. Both of my best friends would want me to use my brain and do anything to survive.
So many people would tell me to do so many different things, and I didn't know who was right anymore. I specifically remember eavesdropping on Lorie and Pops talking. Lorie said that she and I had a lot of the same strengths, and if it wasn't for my personality I could pull off her strategy. She was right on that note. I don't think I'd be able to act a certain way and then kill off any tribute that walked my way. Pops got a huge alliance together, and he won his games because they were very loyal and all seven of them made it to the final twelve.
I put my head on my knees, and closed my eyes. I always had a plan. I was never the kind of person who just walked around without a purpose. Yet, that's what I find myself doing now. I was simply walking around, and the boy from Thirteen found me. Now I'm just sitting here without a plan and I most likely won't leave until tomorrow morning.
The one thing I do enjoy about this arena was the fact you could tell what time of day it was. As the day went on past the bloodbath, the lights above us got brighter. Now, they were slowly getting dimmer. Eventually, it would probably be almost pitch black. I doubt they would make it completely pitch black because then no one could do anything during the night.
I head the stomping of footsteps outside my door and automatically knew it was the Careers. Thankfully, the passed right by my room without even opening the door and taking a look around. Obviously they were looking for a good place to camp out for the night so that tomorrow they would have the best chance of finding the item first.
Once the footsteps disappeared, I heard a much quieter, fainter pair of footsteps coming closer. I quickly stood up and dashed to the door. I peeked through the small window near the top of the door, and saw Ace creep by. So, my loudmouth District Partner was following the Careers. I didn't really know she could do that, but it doesn't really matter to me. I'm not going to stop her because I personally don't want her as an ally. In fact, the only people who I think I might consider allying with would be Adam and Charlotte. They would be the only people I think I could trust to actually watch my back.
I raced back to my corner, and tried to feel invisible. By tomorrow morning I needed a plan. Otherwise, I had next to no hope getting out of here alive…
District Ten:
Charlotte's POV:
"I can't wait to get to the higher floors," I whispered to Adam.
Adam nodded swiftly, and we continued to watch the trio of girls as they set up camp for the night. Right now, they were in a large room that was supposed to be some sort of barracks. I guess it would be for the scientists or torturers who spent a good chunk of their time on this floor. Anyways, off to the side of the room was a door that led to a restroom with stalls that contained toilets and showers. Adam and I were in this room watching the girls. We would leave, but the only exit was to go through the barracks, and I didn't like the odds of us two against the three of them.
I quickly stepped back from the door and paced over towards the other end of the room. The reason I was anticipating the floors that were higher was because of the size. When the map was projected for those fifteen seconds, I saw that as each floor got higher, it also got wider. That meant that the higher we went, the less of a chance we would run into the Careers or other tributes.
After the bloodbath, Adam and I decided we were going to stick together for the time being. The main reason I didn't want to stay with him last time was because I assumed the arena would be outdoors, as usual. I mean, in the 223rd Games they were in an underground network of tunnels, but who knew they would do another underground arena so soon?
Anyways, I knew that as long as I was underground I would need Adam. Sure, I was pretty hand with a rope, but if a tribute got close to me I was as good as dead. If I had Adam with me, then he could help defend me and beat the crap out of any tribute that got too close. Having an ally in these close quarters was a very good thing. Hopefully, the hallways and rooms would get larger on other floors. Right now, Adam and I could walk side by side in these hallways, but we had to be shoulder to shoulder.
However, once we got to the surface, I was probably going to ditch him.
"We could try and take them out, you know," Adam commented as he walked towards me.
"Oh please," I rolled my eyes, "We would be so screwed. The Lucy got a six in training, and they all have weapons. Jacqie has a huge battle axe for crying out loud. Oh, and the girl from Five has a bow and arrows. They could take us down easily."
"You got an eight in training," he countered.
"That's only because they've probably never seen someone try and use rope as a weapon. The only reason I got a high training score was because I was unique, not because I had a ton of skill."
"All I'm saying is that they are obviously going to go for the special items as well. Even if we only took one of them out as we ran out of the room and into the hallway, it would help us immensely."
I simply shrugged, and continued pacing. In all honesty, I didn't like how Adam could just talk about 'taking someone out' as if it was no big deal. I get it; he is a determined, aggressive person who will do anything to get home. In the Hunger Games, that's a wonderful thing to be. Still, I just can't bring myself to think about killing someone. I mean, I know I'm going to have to do it eventually. In fact, I would kill one of the Careers in a heartbeat if I realistically could. When I look at those girls, though, I can't imagine me strangling them to death, or snapping their neck with my rope.
I heard a low rumbling at first that soon got louder. I then heard a small squeal, and raced to the door. I peeked inside, and saw Jacqie press a button on a large silver case. It opened, and she picked up what was inside. It was another axe, except this one was different. It appeared to be lighter, and she seemed to be able to swing it around with one arm instead of having to use both her arms. She had a huge smile plastered across her scarred face as she placed the small axe somewhere inside her lab coat.
I shut the door, and made a quiet noise of disgust. I wish someone wanted to sponsor me. I mean, I guess I haven't really shown them what I can do. All they saw was me encircle the girl's wrist with a lasso and then hold a knife to her throat. Actually, it was a good thing they didn't send a sponsor gift now. It would make noise, and then the girls would hear it and come investigate.
"Do you think those are going to make a good enough weapon? You can always have another knife?" I asked.
"They'll be fine. I always got into fist fights with the other kids back home," he snickered.
Yeah, they didn't have swords and axes.
"Okay," I said cheerily.
The backpacks we got during the bloodbath weren't the most ideal. Adam's had three bottles of water, and four packets of crackers. Mine only had three arrowheads, an extra knife, wire, and an empty canteen. I guess neither of us really checked inside our backpacks or weighed them since ten feet away from us Lucian and Sage were laughing and singing while their blood pooled around them.
I shivered as the memory flashed through my mind. I had never seen anything so… haunting in my life.
"You okay?" I heard Adam whisper. I looked over at him, and he had a sympathetic look in his eyes. Adam is a lot of things, most of them negative. However, one way I know he truly cares about my well being is because of how protective and in tune with my feelings he is. I almost had to laugh at the irony of it all. When it comes to girls he wants to have sex with, he is the bluntest, stupidest, and callous people you could meet. When you get to know him and he is your friend, he couldn't be any more caring without it getting creepy.
"I was just thinking about Sage again," I murmured.
He opened his arms up, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes. He raised his eyebrow, as if saying 'You know you need a hug'.
I walked over to him, and sat down. I leaned into his hug, and placed my head against his chest. No, this wasn't the start of some 'epic romance'. In fact, this was the most unromantic thing in the universe. We were on the floor in bathroom for crying out loud! Still, I felt my anxiety momentarily leave me. Being this close to someone… Hearing them breathe… Smelling something different from your own scent… Feeling their warmth seep into your skin… It was kind of nice. What I mean is it's reassuring to know that event though I'm in the Hunger Games, there is someone who is there for me no matter what.
Perhaps I won't ditch him once we get to the surface.
District Ten:
Davis' POV:
I'm done.
I've spent the entire day looking for Sage or Scar. Every time I turn around a corner, I expect to see Sage running to hug me or even to see a bit of relief cross Scar's face. Sadly, every time I turn a corner all I realize is how completely and utterly alone I am. I feel just like I did back on the ranch once my daddy died.
It was a sunny morning. I was inside playing with my sister Ruby. We were playing house. Nathan had made us a toy house out of extra timber a few months prior and it became our new favorite toy. I would always go collect extra hay and give it to mommy to put into cloth. She would then sew it into the cloth and somehow it came out in the shape of a small man. Then Ruby would knit some clothes to put on it while I found things for the faces and hair. She would sew them onto the dolls and then we always named them. Right now, we were playing with our family.
It was Ruby's and my little secret. We made them to resemble our family. We had daddy and mommy and they were always somewhere doing chores inside or outside the toy house. Nathan's doll would always be outside helping. Then there was Ruby and I, and we played with our respective dolls. Oh, and we always had toddler Cooper waddling about.
We didn't like Cooper. All he did was cry, eat, and poop. I always had him wandering into the fireplace or falling down the stairs. Ruby would always laugh, but then scold me. Since she was ten and I was nine, she assumed it was her role to lecture me whenever she could. I found it extremely annoying.
Right now, Ruby and I were having our family sit down and say grace. We thanked God for our food and our family. We then pulled the chair out from under Nathan and we both went into a fit of giggles.
I glanced at Ruby and smiled. She was very boyish and even dressed like Nathan and I. Playing with the doll house was the only remotely girly thing she did. Her favorite pastime was to go outside and roll around in the mud. When mommy told her she couldn't do it anymore because that meant more laundry, she started going into the mud butt naked! Mommy still got mad because that meant she had to bathe, but Mommy still let her. Although she said the oddest thing once. About how in a few years Ruby could definitely go outside naked anymore. I didn't really understand, but I told Ruby once.
She punched me and I fell down.
I heard the backdoor slam open, and Ruby and I looked at each other in complete and utter bliss.
"Daddy!" we both squealed.
We ran down the stairs and into the kitchen. Nathan was in tears talking to Mommy rapidly.
"What's wrong Nathan?" Ruby asked.
"Do you want to play with us? I bet that will make you happy!" I giggled.
"Shut up!" Nathan yelled at me.
"I need you two to stay here and watch Cooper! We will be back in a little bit," Mommy said to us kindly.
"Why can't we come?" I whined.
"Davis, please just do what I've told you," Mommy said. She rushed out the door with no shoes on. Nathan was right behind her, and he slammed the door shut.
"Cooper's taking his nap," Ruby commented.
"So?"
"So, that means we should follow them!" Ruby glared.
"Why?"
"Mommy and Nathan are upset. Maybe Daddy needs help lifting something and he needs help. It's happened before. Remember when he threw out his back? Mommy was agitated for days! Now we're older, and we can help him lift! Maybe he won't get hurt if we're there!"
"Mommy told us to stay here," I argued.
"Will you stop listening to Mommy and come on! Don't you care about your family?"
I nodded and we snuck out the front door. We ran around the house and across the backyard. We kept going until we hit the pasture. Right now, the ground was upturned. Daddy and Nathan were upturning the dirt and planting grass seeds. That way, when summer comes around, there will be grass for the sheep to graze on.
I saw that the entire field wasn't done, and that the tractor was still out. I noticed that I saw one figure standing by the tractor. I grabbed Ruby's hand and we raced to the tractor. We tip toed around the other side, and peeked. We saw Mommy hunched over something. We began to walk towards her when I felt a hand grab the collar of my shirt.
"What part of stay home didn't you understand!"Nathan shouted at us.
Mommy turned around, and motioned for him to take us away. I saw that her dress was shredded up and there was something red on her hands.
The same red that I saw on Daddy's clothes when a sheep got too old.
I thrashed and bucked until Nathan lost his grip on me. I ran behind Mommy and peered over her shoulder.
"Davis! Get away!" she screeched.
Suddenly, everything became fuzzy. Daddy was on the ground. His usual tan skin was extremely pale. His bright blue eyes looked dull. It's when I glanced at his left leg I screamed.
All I could see was a mass supply of red, and no leg. The fuzziness became even fuzzier, and everything disappeared. I heard a scream, and felt myself falling.
I felt the tears welling up in my eyes. I didn't find out until a year later what exactly happened. A stray sheep got out onto the pasture. Daddy got out of the tractor to shoo the sheep away. The sheep got dangerously close, and Nathan freaked out. He accidently hit the emergency brake, and the tractor started moving again. The sheep frolicked away, but the tractor ran right over Daddy's leg. Nathan ran back to the house, and Mommy ran to the fields. She tried to stop the bleeding, but he had already lost too much blood. He died from the loss of blood only minutes after I passed out. Still, I wasn't mad when I found out a year later Nathan inadvertently killed our father. The only time I got angry instead of sad was right after the funeral…
"Davis!" my mother yelled after me.
I ran up the stairs as fast as I could and then into my bedroom. I slammed the door shut, and pressed one of the small chairs up against it. I walked over to the window, and stared outside. The rain was coming down hard. I was so furious. Daddy was gone, and wasn't coming back. No one would tell me what happened. All I remembered was passing out, and then waking up a few hours later. No one would let me see his body. The only people who got to see it before they shut the box was Mommy and Nathan.
I was mad because Nathan got to see him. Nathan got to say goodbye, but all I got to do was stare at the wooden box. I was determined to dig up the box when I was older and stronger, and say goodbye to Daddy. Until then, I was going to stay up here and be mad.
Through the waves of anger, I felt something else. Something I had never felt before. I couldn't name the feeling, but it was awful. I walked over to the doll house, and glared at it. The dolls were still at the dining table. I grabbed Nathan's doll and mine. I had me punching him in the face over and over again. I then threw him into the house, and placed me in my bedroom. I stared at the Daddy doll. Finally, I grabbed it.
"Bye Daddy."
I moved the chair away from the door, and rushed back down the stairs. Before I, or anyone else, could stop me, I ran into the living room. I saw the glow of the flames, and threw Daddy's doll straight into them. I heard Ruby scream something, but I was entranced by the way the flames engulfed the doll. It burned the cloth, eating at it hungrily. It devoured it until it was gone. Gone.
Just like Daddy.
I wipe the tears away from my eyes, and continue to walk. Sage and Scar aren't like Daddy. Sage and Scar are still here. They're still here for me. All I have to do is find them. All I have to do is find them…
District Twelve:
Ruth's POV:
The lights were dimmed to the most extreme. Thankfully, I still had a little light. It was the kind of light you had walking through District Twelve at night when there was a full moon out. Enough to see where you were going, but not enough to see who someone else was.
I stopped when I found a corner, and set all of the supplies down. I rubbed my shoulders trying to soothe the terrible aching feeling. All day I had been caring all those darn supplies. Four backpacks full of junk, four swords, a jacket full of throwing knives, and then even more knives. When I found my allies, they had better be thankful!
Right now, I was on the fourth floor. Since I had the map, it was super easy to find my way around. It didn't show you where the way up was, but it did show you every room and hallway. It was easy to keep track of where I had already been because the map was the glowing dot on the map. Anyways, the fourth floor was where I was going to camp out for the night. It was high enough that only a few other tributes might have made it up here, but its low enough so that I can hunt down my allies tomorrow.
After the bloodbath, I strangely only ran into two other tributes. I ran into the boy from District Eleven on the second floor. He seemed to be in a rush, and he ran smack into me. He looked completely terrified and sprinted away as fast as he could. In all honesty, he wasn't that fast and I could have easily taken him down and killed him. I just couldn't find any reason too. He was small, and had no supplies. Later, when I found that one of my knives was missing, I was ready to hunt him down and skin him alive. That little brat ran into me on purpose just so he could snatch one of my knives. It was a risky, extremely smart move, but now he had one more enemy to worry about.
Hope the knife is worth it.
The other tribute I ran into was the boy from District Three on floor three. He wasn't in any hurry whatsoever and seemed to be observing every object in the room he was in. Again, he had no supplies so I just continued on my journey.
Now, I'm on the fourth floor waiting for the death toll to come up. I remember only hearing three cannons. Small bloodbath, but I'm not really worried about it. This arena seems far more dangerous than most arenas, which means a good chunk of the tributes will die from traps, mutts, or other tributes before they even reach the surface.
I glanced around the room. This floor seemed to be where they stored all the water. I noticed on floor three there was an extremely large room where rows of power generators were lined up. The room I was in had the same setup. Giant tanks filled with water were spread through the large area. I tried to find a way to access the water, but so far I found no way. There were no controls, no nozzles, and I couldn't even put a scratch on the glass.
I heard the anthem ring out, and I searched for the projection. It was on the ceiling, and I quickly grabbed a piece of jerky from one of the backpacks and began to lazily chew on it.
I was in mid-chew when I froze. The first tribute's face that showed up was Sage Hathaway.
I dropped the rest of the jerky and gawked at the ceiling. Two more tributes were dead. It has to be Ayla and Alexei. Of course they were the ones who died. They are the first tributes from District Thirteen. The Careers hated them. They have to be dead. It has to be them. The seconds seemed to be minutes as I stared at the screen. Slowly, Sage's picture began to fade away.
Devon Wright.
All the air left my lungs, and it seemed as if the world stopped. In his picture, he looked completely miserable. There was no smile on his face, and he even looked dead.
I felt myself begin to hyperventilate. Ayla's face appeared next, and then the seal faded away.
I didn't know what to do. I could feel the breath that I was inhaling and exhaling shaking.
No… No he can't be dead. He can't leave me. I… I need him! The memory of the night before the interviews flashed into my mind.
"It sickens me," I whispered as I stared out of my bedroom window.
Right now, I was sitting on the windowsill just watching the Capitol. Devon was sitting in an armchair a few feet away.
"Why?"
"They have all this, and they don't even consider giving it a fraction of it away. All they ever want is more. They want more gadgets. They want more clothes. They want more blood. I'm just sick of being here."
"Have you tried looking through their eyes?" Devon asks.
"Why would I? They're monsters."
"They're not monsters… They're just confused. Most of them see us as Neanderthals. No, not even that high. They see us as race horses to bet on. The government has beaten into them that our sole purpose is to die for their entertainment. To make produce for them just like a cow or sheep. They aren't monsters…"
I swerved my head around, and glared at him. "They don't think the Careers are animals!"
"Oh yes they do," he sighed, "The tributes from the Non-Career Districts are animals to slaughter. The tributes from the Careers Districts are the wolves… the hyenas… the vultures. The only reason they love them so much is they give them the show they look forward to. Then sometimes, in the herd of sheep, the Capitol finds a fox or snake to root for. The only things we are to them are animals. "
"I don't care. I just want them all dead. They don't even deserve to breathe the same air as we do," I hissed.
"You're sister didn't deserve to die either."
"Don't bring her into this!"
"Why not? When you think about it, none of us deserve to live! We all do horrible things because we're human. It would be better if all of us were wiped off the face of the earth."
"Stop letting Valhalla get to you," I groaned.
"That's not Valhalla talking. I'm just tired of asking why this happened, or why that happened. Maybe it's about time I just accept that these things happen. People die. No one deserves it. Is there really any difference between Cami dying and me?"
"There's a huge difference and you know it!"
"And what is that?"
I opened my mouth to respond, but nothing came out. I felt my eyes beginning to sting when I whispered, "You're my best friend. I can't do this without you."
There was a few minutes of silence before he replied, "You were planning on volunteering."
"I know. I thought I could do this by myself. I thought I could play these games without anyone… but once I got here I was terrified. I didn't let anyone see it. Heck, I never even thought about it unless I was in bed by myself late at night. But, Devon, I'm scared. If you weren't here, I don't know what I'd do. I don't think I could handle any of this without you."
He stood up and walked over to me. "You can do all of this without me. You're one of the strongest people I know."
I look up at him and just chuckle, "I'm not as strong as I come off."
"I know that… Doesn't change the truth of what I just said."
I feel his hand on my shoulder, and I place my right hand over it. At the end of all this, I'm not going home. Sure, I'm going to kill all the Careers and get my revenge. However, when it comes down to the end, I'm not going home. He's going home. If I have to, I'll kill myself so that he can go home. Right now, he's even more important than my thirst for revenge, and I didn't think that would ever happen…
I stand up shakily and press myself up against one of the water tanks. I look at my reflection. All I see is a cold, almost emotionless, expression staring back at me. I angrily hit it. I hit it again, and again. My breathing gets shallower, and my grunts get louder. I hit the glass over and over again. I feel my face contorting and twisting about. I start to ram my entire body into the glass. I continued to ram myself into the glass, just wanting to break something.
Finally, I end up hitting my head against it extremely hard, and I slide to the ground with a howl. I feel the tears beginning to pour down my face, and I press myself against the glass like it is my life support. I begin to sob audibly, and I feel my entire body shaking. I hear cries of mourning, and I can't help but cry even louder.
I can't do this without him! No matter what he said, I just can't! I need him! I need him to carry on. I need my best friend.
The worst part is he needed me. He needed me during the bloodbath. He needed protection, and I wasn't around to give it to him. I just assumed he could survive the bloodbath for a day. I hoped to find him, but I thought I knew I could look for him on Day Two. I press my face to the ground, and curl up into the smallest ball I can manage. I let the waves of pain and grief wash over me. I let it pull me out to see so that I forget even the simplest facts about my life. I forget about revenge. I forget about anger. I even forget about my sister. All I can think about is Devon, and how I need him. All I can think about is how much I want to die. All I can think about is that Devon doesn't exist anymore. All Devon now is a memory in my heart. A memory that will be forgotten by almost everyone. A memory that I won't ever be able to forget.
Day One officially comes to a close! Oh gosh, I just realized how sad this chapter is. We hear about Valhalla's sad memory, Hawk's indecision, Davis' father's death, and Ruth's complete and utter grief. I didn't plan for this chapter to be so sad… just kind of happened.
Oh, and to the creators of Thomas and Valhala, I hope you both are okay with what i did with your characters. I know they definetly weren't planned to be half siblings at ALL. But, it was just perfect. They both have the same color eyes, he doesn't know who his father is, and her parents get divorced when she is young over something. I thought it fit perfectly together, plus all of you KNOW Raven would do this to our poor trbutes. Send them in with longlost siblings.
So please review and tell me what you think! Seriously, my reviewers have disappeared and I want you to come back D:
Oh, and there is a theme to this arena. I think I made it very obvious in this chapter, and the first one to PM me with the right theme will get… hmmm will get to help me decide one of the floors that I'm having some trouble with some different choices.
Anyways, review as usual, and I hope this was a good chapter :D plenty of surprises :D
