Frankie POV
Heads it was. I roamed the Arena with my bow in one hand and a backpack on my back. My foot was still tender from Azalea's knife, so I limped slightly. I'd bandaged it with a strip from my pants after I rinsed it with a little water from the bottle in my pack. It didn't hurt, thanks to my faulty brain, but I tried to tread lightly with it so I wouldn't do any more damage.
I'd made a few rules for myself. I was here to survive, not to murder. When I ran across a Tribute, I'd kill them quickly and cleanly. I wasn't hunting anyone in particular, but I kept moving. I would have to fight eventually.
I wondered what Peppermint and Orchard were up to. With Azalea gone, I was Eleven's only Tribute. If our mentors got any sponsors, I would be the one who benefitted. Then again, I did kill my District partner, so they might be a little sore with me. I kept an eye on the sky, but nothing fell.
I knew that with the Mutts coming out at night, I needed a camp that would provide cover. I made my way to a rocky hill and climbed to the top. From there I could see for miles, and with my bow, I could pick off any intruders. I found a short cliff and hauled myself up its nearly vertical face. I spread out my supplies on the stone platform at its top. Mutt dogs can't climb, so I'd be safe up there. I ate some canned fruit from my pack and sipped the juice.
I spread out my sheet of shiny foil as she sun began to set. It would have been a beautiful view if I cared for that sort of thing. The one good thing about the Arena was that here, I didn't have to pretend. I didn't have to pretend I felt anything, and I didn't want to anyway. There was a lot to be sad about here. For me, it was just the way it was.
It was then that the parachute arrived. I grabbed it down as soon as I could reach it. I didn't want it to give away my position. The first thing I took out was a little pot of smelly cream. That could only be one thing. I spread it on my foot, and it felt less stiff right away. I also found a little can of sausages and another bottle of water. Last of all, there was a note.
Stay put- Peppermint
"Thanks, Peppermint," I said in no particular direction. "Sorry I killed Azalea. Guess you don't really care. I don't either."
Erwin POV
My legs hurt. My back hurt. My head hurt. My arm hurt. My shoulder hurt. But that dang Mutt didn't hurt at all, since he was dead. Totally worth it. I stared up at the sky. In my condition, there wasn't much use trying to win. I might as well lie back and wait for the end.
A little white patch of sky grew larger. It was headed straight for me.
Is that death? That's not what I expected, I thought. Here I come, Colette.
The piece of sky landed on my face. Oh, it's a parachute. Whatever, it's probably too late. I let it sit on me for a minute. Wait, what if it's a picture of Colette and the babies?
I sat up sharply, and my bones ground together horribly. I gasped and gritted my teeth.
It wasn't a picture. It was everything but a picture. There was a wicked-looking needle and a single pill in a paper bag. There was a steaming roast and three cans. Lastly, there was a light wood tube and a package of darts.
Shoot, I'm popular, I thought as I pawed weakly at the bounty. Thanks, Soleil. Just looking at the food made my stomach churn, and I spat up a little blood.
First things first. I picked up the needle, screwed my eyes shut, and jammed it into my leg. It didn't seem to do anything, but a throbbing ache spread through my body. I swallowed the pill. It didn't do anything. Only then did I notice a little note in the bottom of the box.
Stay put and excite.
"What's that supposed to mean?" I whispered at the sky. Soleil didn't answer. She didn't have to worry about me staying put. I wasn't going anywhere for a while.
You have to eat something, I heard Colette scolding in my head. I nibbled a bit at the roast and pulled the tab of a can marked "condensed milk". I sipped on it and kept still.
I still love you, Colette. Guess I'm not done yet after all.
Aurum POV
The soul things were gone. I hoped they never came back, but Tributes were dying every day. Tonight there would probably be more of them. Three more, at least. With the cannon a few hours back, thirteen Tributes were gone. I was halfway home.
What would I even do if I won? Would Hyden and Azure even accept me? I wasn't the typical One Tribute. I was the kind of kid they'd beat up if they weren't busy training. But it beat the alternative, so it was my goal. I wondered who would really end up winning. Probably Dath or Eltara, but maybe Frankie. I hoped it wasn't Beth. The Capitol wasn't ready for that.
My mouth was sticky and my stomach was empty. I hadn't eaten or had a drink in twenty-four hours. Food wasn't that important, but how long could a person go without drinking? I tried to remember what the trainers had said. I couldn't imagine it was more than a few days. I needed to find water. I roamed around the thorn bushes and tried snapping off a branch, but it was as dry inside as it was out.
Wait a minute. Plants need water. There has to be water around here somewhere. I didn't see a trace of water in the loosely packed dirt underneath the bushes.
Well where are the plants getting water then? I thought. I examined the plant and pulled up everything I could remember about plants. They got water through their roots, but there wasn't any water in this dirt.
Hey dummy. Maybe it's under the dirt. I pulled at the grainy dirt and started digging a little hole. I wasn't six inches down before I noticed mud. I dug more forcefully and soon a little circle of water stared at me from the bottom of the hole.
Is that safe to drink? This Arena isn't exactly well-kept, I thought. I mulled over my options. Without water I'd die in probably three days. Usually you're sick a few days before you die.
No guts, no glory. I scooped a mouthful of water into my hand and drank. I didn't immediately die. It tasted like mud soup, but it hadn't killed me yet.
Yuck. Hooray? I don't know. Maybe I can find some food, too. I looked at the thorn twig I'd broken off. Hey, I'd already drunk the water. I gnawed on the branch.
Nope, not hungry enough. I threw it down and went back to digging. Food would have to wait. I had water. No need to be greedy.
I think this is the first chapter without a death. I have more planned, but I didn't want things to go too fast. Beth also got a sponsor, but since she just had a POV I'm adding it behind the scenes. It was a sledgehammer and a note that said "shelter". She's very happy.
I could not resist. When Frankie was sponsored "food", I have him... cocktail franks.
It seems Erwin is remarkably resilient. He was an athlete back in Five. I had something different planned for him, but the Games do as the Games will.
