Alright, here's the no death chapter, hope you like it :) But it does have something to do with tomorrow! And the Capitol will never rest, from trying to wound and hurt their tributes, will they? Yeah right, but still, I guess here it is. And guess what? Guess what? Tomorrow, is the final eight! But no family interviews, because I really wanted to get those done with, ugh, those were terrible, but who cares? Here it is, once more.
Reyce Ansilen:
I suddenly jerk up, from my sleep, my eyes still dropping on the thought of waking up. I look around. It's black as night. But that's because the clouds are blocking the sun completely. Its' like being in nighttime.
I don't know how I know this, because it never rains like this back home. Is it miserable? Yes. Is it ugly? Of course. How could I not know? I go outside everyday, there's nothing else to do. But I see the clouds, blocking almost everything. I expect today's storm, to be quite worse than yesterday. But it would be best, to leave my tree, for perhaps a cave.
It's almost scary, how close the clouds are together, those large clashes of lightnign, while I'm still in my tree. But I guess the Capitol is only trying to scare us, because they don't kill us. After all, I hear that lighning deaths are not really entertaining, but I find it hard to watch people die for fun. In fact, it's completely impossible, for someone like me. I don't like rebellions, but I like the Hunger Games less. Why don't they just make up their mind?
I think about Sarah, off in the woods, speaking with those rebels. Are they alright? Have they been caught for their actions. I think about them, as I quickly shove my stuff into my bag. If I'm lucky, I can find a clearing, without a lake, and maybe a cave to take cover from the storm. I don't need to be soaked. It's nothign good, unless you're home. But I have to remind myself I'm not home, I will never be home.
"Are you, are you" I sing, climbing down, but not loudly "Coming too the tree, where they strung up a man they say murdered three"
I'm sure it's not too loud, or they might recognize it. Sarah sings it all the time, back home, which to me, makes it a rebel song. And thinking of the lyrics, it is kind of going against them. With their cruelty. I guess that's the reason it's meant to be so bad. But I don't care, not really. I've known this song forever. It would be stupid to give it up now, for something so little, so stupid. I just can't believe it's true. All my life, my mother, she never told me it was like this. She said it was fine. It was nothing. But of course, like an idiot, I bought into it.
I tell myself this is no time for thinking those kinds of things. It's just not fair, the way this has been going on. I quickly scramble down the tree, and trip and fall to the ground, and hit my nose. It hurts, but I stand up. It's bleeding. I quickly wipe it up, and then realize I forgot my treatment cream. My hand yanks up, but there's nothing to grab.
Suddenly, I feel my hair stand up. No! This can't be happening! As soon as I get a sponsored gift, this is what happens. I quickly boost myself up, desperate, and grab it, and pull it down with me as I fall to the ground. Clang.
I then quickly get up, and start to run, but it hits the tree right as I'm leaving. I'm blown to the ground, and the cream spills all over the back of my head. Not all of it, but most of it. I shout out. NO!
I then remain there, for a second. Wow. They must really hate me for being alive, because they're punishing me, for nothing at all. I then get up, slowly and carefully. The sky is even darker, and for a second, I feel so much misery, I just wish I could curl up here, and go home. Just go home, where Mom and Dad are.
I force myself not to cry. It's not all over. My hair is greasy, from wasted cream. I immediately reach up, and feel the cream, entering my cut hands. It stings, but I used this cream, to get to my legs, to heal them, so I guess it's use, is almost over. But now, half the thing will be wasted, on my sleeping bag tonight. Sleeping bag! I suddenly gasp, and look up! No!
I then begin to climb up the tree frantically. I left it in there! But when I look inside, it's blown to bits, infact, the bits enter my face. I look down, unhappily. Completely side tracker.
Well, so much for the Games. I lost my tent, half of my treatment cream. I guses that's enough of a loss. But I have my backpack, my food, for a while at least,and one bottle of water. If I can find a stream, and quickly refill it, then it will be good.
Nothing to me, is really luck now. I'm wandering throught something broken, and it's just barely begun the day. Well, I guess the night will bring worse things. But without a sleeping bag. I shake my head. That's something I should've thought of. What will keep me warm? Will my sponsors bring me another one? Who knows, or even cares. Haymitch knows I have no chance to win, and that's why he's holding up the gifts. Because I have no chance.
I shouldn't blame him, I know, and I probably wouldn't, if I were home, at home, watching this on TV. But my Mom and Dad have me and Monique in the back, while they watch, and sometimes, I think I could hear them scream, I guess they saw something gruesome. They told me, that last year, was very gruesome, and that I should be careful this year. Well, I've already broken that promise, what's the next?
Kiy Everblossom:
Will the night ever end? I look through the top, and all I see, is a desperately cold, and dark night. Not pitch black, but something lighter, I guess. I can hear Mara sleeping next to me, tossing and turning. I have all night, because the minute I feel asleep, I woke up screaming, but no one was there to help me.
I then sit up, and wipe my nose, which is running from having no blanket at all this night. I guess it's better than my delusional cold, but I feel awful. Dizzy and light-headed. Two bad things, when I'm supposed to be killing. I find my bow and arrows, by reaching out my hand to the right, and my fingers wrap around them.
For a second, I don't know where I am. In the Hunger Games, but not down in the valley? Then it comes to me. The feast. When Mara and I pushed that girl into the nettles. When we ran for it, when we almost got struck. All of that, would be enough to overwhelm me, if I was weak. But no matter how easy it seems for me to give away, I'm not.
"Where you going?" asks a drowsy voice behind me.
I nearly jump out of my clothes, when I see Mara, perched on her elbow.
I shrug.
"Nowhere, just out to eat" I tell her "I'm starving, did you remember to bring your game?"
"Of course, it's right there" she says, cocking her head towards a bag of what seems like a bunch of legs a little ways from here.
"Oh" I say, opening the tent.
We don't exchange more words, but I watch as she comes out, her blonde hair in a frizzy mess. I can't help but smile, but I've never really been into looks, so it's not really making fun of her, or mocking her. It's more of a friendly tease.
"Nice haircut" I tell her.
She shrugs.
"I just can't seem to keep my hand away from the electric socket" she tells me.
I shrug, and then walk around our camp. It's small, and hidden, which is good, in case an, urm, attacker should intrude, and I think I can hear and see everything outside. Leave it to Mara to find one of the best places to hide, even back in the valley, wasn't as good as this though.
"You're not bad' I tell her.
"At what?" she asks, opening the bag of game, which smells disgusting.
"Finding hiding places" I then smile.
She doesn't say anything, but dumps the empty meat, onto her bag. I stumble backwards, and wrinkle my nose.
"Ew, can't you find anythign better?" I ask, looking up.
She shrugs.
"This is a survival Game Kiy. I have to" she then rips a leg apart.
I turn away.
"Whatever, I'm on watch" I mutter.
She only laughs humurously, and turns away, as though it's a big joke, although I have to admit, I do sound like a Capitol person, who would defininetly be disgusted. But how they call our looks disgusting, and then smile at the way we brutally kill each other. This thought, does not brighten my feelings about them. In fact, I could kill them, if I saw them. Tear away their eyes, so they can't see us anymore, and then leave this place, with all the tributes, and live at home. But I know that can never happen, and not just because of a dream I had last night.
"Sleep well?" she asks me, obviously seeing the blackness under my eyes.
"Not sure, you seem to have a nice beauty sleep" I tell her.
"Here" she says, handing me what looks like the leg of an animal, and seeing my expression "Well it's just meat!"
"And how was it cooked?" I ask her, almost gagging.
She shakes her head.
"It's fine to eat it like that, my god" she then turns away.
I look at it, not wanting to touch anything about it. It's boniness. But it occurs to me, that I'm acting like a stupid snob. That won't appear well in front of the cameras, or in front of anything. Not home, certainly, where we've been taught to survive on this kind of food. I sigh.
"Sorry" I mutter to her.
She looks up.
"Sorry about what?"
"For being rude and a brat" I tell her, barely audible.
"What?"
"Never mind" I say louder, and she doesn't interfere.
"If you don't like it, I understand" she tells me "I mean-"
"I'm fine Mara" I tell her, a little coldly.
She hardly responds, and pops the wolf leg, I'm guessing that's what it is, into her mouth. I do the same, and chew, spitting out the bone, disgusted. She only laughs.
"No need for that Kiy" she tells me "Just don't eat the middle part"
That is mocking, so I stand up, and go inside the tent, no words, no anger, just a little way of saying, that I've had enough. I then close it, and sit down, eating only the sides, as Mara said, but not caring. This allianceship is going nowhere. But maybe I can hold it to the final five. Then, I'll decide who wins. I can call it off, and walk away, but what would that mean? It would mean one less person to care about. But it would also mean one less person to talk to, to help out, the be entertained with. I guess either way, it's a dead end.
Aaron Dait:
I could barely sleep tonight, because I know he's done it. President Snow. He's killed Rachel, maybe even my family. What does he want from me? Did he think I was rebelling? Well, I was, but I meant no absolute harm? Besides, he's the cruel one, not me. He would've killed Lili and Gary, killed Nate, who died anyway. He would've grabbed that girl Bea when she was falling, only to torture her, and throw her in. My hate for him grows, and my complete want to make him seem stupid, does too.
A little spark, that's what they need. I thought losing Rachel, would completely blow me off, but it didn't, instead, I went limp. Because I knew, I couldn't save her, not even if I had tried. Rachel. Quiet, beautiful Rachel. Who was very kind to me always. Who I usually underestimated. And this is how we both pay for my actions. Me losing Rachel, and Lili. Both of them. Back and forth.
I try to think about it. If I had died, instead of Lili, would this still have happened? No. Maybe, if I died, he would leave them alone, not kill them. Who knows when the next letter will come? Destroying me completely. I didn't know, but now I know. There's nothign he won't do, to kill me, or break me. He wants to show the rebels, if there are any, that we're not worth him. I would kill him, if it ever came down to me and him, I would kill him, above anything, if it was the last thing I would do. If I could die, painfully and slowly, to see that we have rights, then I would. But right now, I'm exactly where they were before, right here, right now.
I quickly warm myself, and pop some food into my mouth, savoring the taste. This is not somethign I should be doing. I should be broken, crying, completely rageful, killing, and bashing brains out! But I'm not. I'm eating, and warming up, like what I would do, if nothign had happened. Can they tell I'm waiting for the pain?
Yet somehow, this doesn't seem real. They must be having the interviews! And why would they kill Rachel without it? But of course, I know that somehow, this doesn't fit anything, this must be a joke. Maybe that's what's keeping up the grief, the fact that I think, it's still a joke. But President Snow, was never one for jokes. Only trickery.
But then how would they have the picture of Rachel? What would she tell me, if I could have her next to me. What will be our next twist? All this, is registering in my mind. I just want to go home now, check on Rachel. Surely, she will be there, smliing at me, as though nothing has happened. Nelly will congratulate me, and pat my back. Mom, well, she'll hug me, and Dad will nod. That's if I win, which with Snow, will never happen. Unless...
He means to break me, then I could win. Go home, be with my friends and family for a week, and watch them die live. Painfully and slowly. I guess that's his plan, if he wants me to win. Either way, it's a dead end. By winning, I'm carrying out a debt, that I owe, to a man, who could've spent half of this money, on something better, than this alliance.
So go ahead and win, but face the death of my family. I guess it's that or that. Snow did originally come up with this choice. But then it hits me, like a crack. Supose Snow sent the food, and made it seem like Gary's dad did?
I just stand there, stuck for a moment. That's not true, it couldn't be. But with Snow, I can't say I'm surprised. Instead, I just sit there, imagining all the reasons, why on Earth, this would happen. I'm sure other tributes have rebelled before. Haymitch Abernathy, except that wasn't rebel, that was live saving. He saved his own life. He was the last one left. Why did he do that? I don't get it, but of course, like usual, I can't say I'm surprised. Because Snow's evil actions could never surprise anyone, not if you're smart.
I look down. I can't be sure, but of course, he would. It does sound like him. Snake-like. Hateful. That's our good President Snow for us. Now I should know what I should do. Don't plan to win. But if I do, I guess I can be thankful. I will thank, if I win, both Lili and Gary's parents, no matter what the cost. If I win, Snow can't kill me. He'll kill anyone I'm used too. But how? He's already killed Rachel, sure enough, and maybe my family. But I don't know that. I'll never know, unless I go home. That's all I can feel now.
I kick the ground. Forget this. He won't convince me to win, or lose. I can't let him do that, because I know, he'll just break me either way. I have to do, what I can do by myself. Don't try to lose. Don't try to win. It's all a waste of time, because either way, he's watchign me. I should've known it a long time ago, as soon as I walked into that Gamemakers Sessions. I should've played it well, and he wouldn't have been all on me, and Rachel, well, she would still be alive.
I then duck my head, holding in tears. She can't be dead. Not after everything, he would go and kill her. I don't believe it. I just very simply don't. It's like Lili dying. Maybe even worse. I've known Rachel for most of my life. And if Snow killed her, then I can see, exactly what he's trying to do.
Aria Charin:
I guess if this is the way things are going to go, these Hunger Games are going to be pretty hard. I sit down, in front of the lake, waiting for the lightning. Why I do this, I don't know. It's like waiting for death, except I know, that the only reason the Gamemakers would strike us, is to wound us, for more bloody fights. They just love that stuff.
The hate I feel for them, is so extreme, I can hardly control it. For making me this, for making me that. I don't even see why we need the Hunger Games. It's more like convincing us to rebel. Which I would, if I didn't put my siblings in danger. But of course, if they already did the Interviews, that is enouigh for me, I guess.
But of course, as much as I hate them, and want to show them, that I'm a person, I have to think of my family first. And my friend too. They will likely be alright right now. But if I rebelled, and then died, or even lived, they would kill them all, every last bit of them. I know that. My father told me before, when I was about eight. I was so little. I didn't understand. But now I do.
I pop a piece of bread into my mouth, and wonder how it tastes so good, after all of this. I don't think I'm shining anymore. In fact, my hair is no longer crimped, like my stylist told me. It's curly. But I shouldn't really care. I've never cared about what I looked like, and less now. The Hunger Games is like my redemption, I keep on thinking, keep on remembering, all those days, which seemed so much better.
I can hardly remember the days, when my Daddy didn't drink. I was six, my siblings were hardly on this Earth, and some weren't. But I remember every bit. How he used to laugh, and hold us in one arm. Chrissy, who was so little. Only three. Michael was just born. I remember seeing Mom's big stomach, how she laughed. It was so recently, that I was taken away from my family, but it seems so long ago, all those memories.
It's as if I'm in the bloodbath again, running for my life, quite clean, but so much more scared. I would trade it in fear, for dirtiness. I can't be fearful, no one can afford to. It never helped anyone, not when I was poor, or running through the Cornucopia, dodging arrows. All of it was the same too me, except I'm now in the worse hell.
I wonder about the other tributes. Have they been through as much as me? Chased by mutts, reeled in by jabberjays. Watched a boy get a beak stuck in his throat. Running for my life, being pushed in needelike plants. Well, you'd think that I would have enough. The truth is, I have had enough, after all this time, but I can't let on, because I know, that the more trouble I get into, the more sponsors I get, but I seemingly have none.
Suddely, I feel it. I stand up, and my hand travels to my knife. But it's gone. My hair flies into the air, like a bird, soaring through the sky. And then, I grab my backpack, and whatever I find in the dirt, and run for it, my arrows bouncing behind me, and I fall to the ground, as the explosion ripples around. What kind of lightning bolts are these? Are they meant to kill us? Destroy us? This is blocked out by the horrific feeling, of dying slowly.
But I know I'm not dying, the minute it goes away. I roll on my back, and let out a huge breath. What is going on? Are they trying to kill us? Or only wound the ones that they don't like, so we'll be found by the Careers, and die a slow bloody death. I guess that's their plan. But what haven't I done for this? I don't understand. I was going to kill Nate? I suffered being pushed in thorns! And now, they're thinking that I deserve to die!
I slam my fist onto the ground, in frusteration, and try not to cry. It wouldn't be good, for anyone to know how broken, and down I am, especially not here. Not my siblings. Do they know about my siblings? I don't know. I think about it. My siblings. My poor helpless ones. But Brian will take care of them, they must be alive. They should be. I haven't rebelled. The worst thing I had done, was simply to allow the birds to kill Nate, but that was bloody, right?
My hate for the Capitol, grows immensely in a few seconds. And all they did to me, comes back. They took away my father. Sent us to the community home, where their operators beat us. They made me scrounge for food myself, instead of feeding us, because they were rather interesetered in their hair, and clothes. I worked hard, they were sitting in front of the mirror, from the time I went, to the time I came back, in the evening, and they hit me, and laughed, if I stayed out too late, and took away the food I earned! And ate it themselves! And then! They had both Brian and I in the Games. Who could've been more cruel than the fucking Capitol! I don't care if I cuss, but I willl. If I lost Brian, I would lose my siblings too.
And now, they try to kill me. See how virtuous the Capitol is now!
Mara Mason:
"Kiy?" I ask, knocking on the tent "Come out"
"Forget it" she snaps in response.
I finally sit down. Maybe I shouldn't have been so mocking. It was only a joke though. I don't see how people can take it so seriously, especially around here. I sit down, and throw the near-empty raw bone away, into the forest, where some animal can find it, and maybe I can hunt it. I was lucky, to get a good partner, who knows plants, so that we can both eat well, without being concerned which is good, and which is bad. Kiy has taught me quite a bit, but now, she won't even speak to me, so I finally shove my hands into my pockets, and punch the door.
"Kiy!" I shout "You really need to come out. It was just a joke! I wasn't making fun of you!" and then a horrible thought hits me.
Suppose she wants to break off the alliance? Great. Just perfect. I guess I can go to that girl from 10, and ask her to be allies. And she would kill me on spot. I know that, for sure. But losing Kiy as an ally, it would very hard. I mean, we've been together for the entire Games, and it would be imaginable.
"Why?" she asks, opening to tent "Why are you so concerned? If you were concerned enough before, you wouldn't have said that" she then sits down "It's bad enough to be here"
I don't say anything. It's weird, fighting someone, that you don't really know well. I mean, we've been allies for about eight days, I guess. That's a little over a week. How much longer can we be here? LLast year, was around two weeks, until a sake brutally ate them all. It's disgusting to think of that. He even ate a helpless little twelve year-old! And I could hear cheering in the background! Goddamn them, as long as they live, because their cruelty, will really have no end.
"How much longer, do you think?" she asks me.
"Until what?"
"Until we split up?" she tells me.
I look down. I don't want to talk about this. But there's only so many alliances out there, in so little time, so I look up again.
"It's nothing" I tell her "How about at the top six?
She nods.
"Might as well do that. I don't want to end up, with just us to" her voice is stuffy.
"I guess so" I say "But anything can happen Kiy. Where we're hiding, anything at all"
She gets up.
"Then why don't we move?"
"No" I tell her "Too long, and everyone is likely recovered. We can hide anywhere, and the unthinkable would happen. After all, think of when we were down there, we had to freaking dance and play games to keep warm! Think of how stupid we seemed to the audience!"
She nods.
"Whatever" she says, pulling the flaps apart of the tent "But it won't be my fault, if we're attacked.
"And when did fault matter?" I ask, but she's already went in.
I then sigh, and sit down. And for the first time, release my hair, which comes out in waves. I haven't brushed it, since I've been in the Capitol. Over a week ago, and I don't know, if I will ever brush it again, I know that. I rock back and forth on the log, my knife at my side, when a crack, brings me from my daydream. I jerk up, and my hand travels once again to my knife. A bear.
I stay still for a second. I don't have anything, besides my knife. I could never kill it, and I'm sure Kiy won't be obliged to open up. But maybe, if I leave it alone, it'll leave me alone. Of course not, this is the Capitol, and these are the Hunger Games, nothing is normal.
It's red eyes turn on me. Red, as, as fire. I look into them, curious, and it looks at me, as if deciphering, how good I would make as a meal, and then, it leans back, and I know it's not streching.
"Kiy!" I suddenly shout, in agony, reaching for the tent "Open up!"
"Why?" I can hear her ask.
"Op-" but I'm cut off my the feeling, and sound of his roar "Open!"
She unzips the door, but just enough to see the creature, jumping on me. She suddenly, agonized as well, grabs my hand, and tries to pull me in. But the hole is too small. It's teeth, clamps around my legs. I let out a howl, and the unbelievable pain, washes through me. It then clamps higher, at my shin. Kiy's working desperately on the flap, but the bear, tries to tear me apart, tries to win me back.
"Kiy!" I whimper.
She then, almost in tears, pulls again, but the bear doesn't let go.
"I'm sorry Mara!" she shouts, letting me go!
"No!" I shout, as the bear, angrily, tears at my leg again. It almost comes off. I scream in pain. Not caring who hears. I then struggle, like a mad girl, as it tugs again. My leg is coming off, that's all I'm aware of.
"Kiy!" I shout again.
It then stops at my leg, and lunges for my throat. I try to move, but it has me pinned. I brace myself, for the end, when right when it's teeth, are at my throat, it suddenly jerks upwards. Kiy is there, holding spear, the bear already has an arrow in it's back, and she stabs it again. The beast falls over, straight on me, as I wait, for myself to die.
"Mara!" she cries, trying to lift it.
I push it a little, but hardly a few inches off me. But her expression tells me, that I might be stuck here forever.
Bea Nuova:
"I wish I knew where that came from" Abe mutters, under his breath as the screams cease.
"Why?" I ask, stuffing cheese in my mouth.
He sharpens his knife in answer.
"Why would you want to kill them?" I ask him, a little more than horrified.
"What do you mean?" he looks up at me "These are the Hunger Games Bea, you can't trust anyone"
I shrug.
"Well, they were obviously screaming for a reason. If you ask me, I'd avoid that place at all costs"
"Well I heard no cannon" he responds "So they must be still alive, that means that they are alright"
I just roll my eyes.
"I wouldn't depend on it. It could mean, that there are more around. Or maybe the cannons happened through the screaming."
He laughs.
"You are very naive" he tells me.
I shrug.
"Nothing completely wrong with it"
"Sure, maybe home, but not here" he then throws down his knife.
I sit down, my head nestled on my hand, just feeling the life around me. This may be the arena, but there is so much life, it's hard to imagine anything else. Well, home had more humans than animals, but once in a while, a squirrel would pop up, and everyone would adore it. We had lots of pidgeons, and horses. Those were the two main animals at home. Never rode a horse. Not enough money. The horse-riding, was for the rich people, and while I was middle-class, that's not much where we live. We still don't have a good TV, or at least in Capitol sense. It's very tiny, but very clean, and the graphics, as they call them, are quite alright. Clare always comes to our house, to watch it.
"How long has it been, since we've had a victor?" I ask Abe.
He shrugs.
"I guess it was a few years ago, the sixty-second Hunger Games, yes, that's the one"
"Do you think we'll have a victor this year?" I ask kind of shyly, knowing that if my District does have a winner, it will be him.
"Hmmm" he says "Maybe, if one of us could outlast the others, I think it could work, but I don't know" his voice is kind in a minor tone, so I don't say anything else.
I just sit there, wondering what it would be like to be victor. I don't want to daydream for long, but now, it's just fine. I don't need any disappointments, if Abe dies, and I'm all alone, in these woods, dead at night. No protection. To me, nothing is protection though. In other Districts, I guess you learn pretty useful stuff. In ours, it's only if you work in the factories, and my Dad told me I didn't need to, because I would always be home, all the time, and he wanted me to enjoy myself. Well I did, when I had the chance.
It's amazing I never thought of a boyfriend, but I guess it's better this way, because then, that would be one less person to say good-bye to. But I know a few of them, had boyfriends or girlfriends. I think that Loewen girl did have one. I saw the replay of the reapings on TV, so I saw some things. I think Loewen was holding hands with someone else. But of course, when was my judgment ever right?
I sit down, humming and whistling. It's like a love song, that Dad used to sing to me, when I was a little kid. Abe then stands up.
"Wanna do anything today?" he asks me.
I look up at the sky, fearfully. The lightning bolt, has already struck in several places, so I think going inside will work.
"Let's go the cave to eat" I say, shoving the cheese in my pocket.
"Alright" he says "Help me move it"
I pick up one side of the tent, but it doesn't seem to be much help. I bet it's going to rain like this, for at least two more days. If the Gamemakers finds something good, they'll be able to use it more a few days, so moving our stuff, won't be a waste. It turns out, that I'm not much help to him, so he tells me, to bring in the food. I pick it up, and mount it on my shoulders, and then follow him, who's already got it placed.
"Hand it up here" he tells me, and his hands reach out from behind it.
I then place it in his hands, and go outside. I get our two backpacks, and sling both of them, over each shoulder. And without effor, I climb back into the cave, where Abe is waiting.
"Taking long enough sweetheart?" he asks me, as I hand them over.
. We have our sleeping bags, Abe's knife, my knife, and I think that's all we need. I climb inside, and Abe helps me up, but I only look back once, to see the descending lightning bolt, right on the cave.
Abraham Van Alst:
And suddenly, her hands loosen against mine, an with a look of completely surprise, and fear she falls backwards. The lightning lands with a terryingingly large BOOM! I then am thrown to the side, as if an earthquake has taken over. Two more lightning bolts, crash into the cave. I grab onto the tent for balance, but it doesn't allow me to move. The tent falls over, bringing all our stuff with it. Well, i guess our medical treatment, will be spilled all over.
I look up, as the lightning bolts clear away. That was quick, but it has done enough damage. I stay down, for the sake, of being stuck again, and if we are, I don't want to be the one to get hurt. Bea.
I then jerk up, hoping that the Gamemakers will finally have some pity.
"Bea?" I ask.
No stir, no movement. I then grab my knife, which is waiting on the ceiling for me. How it got stuck up there, I will never know, but it doesn't matter.
"Bea?" I ask.
What happened? I didn't hear a cannon, but I am nonetheless worried. A fall, like that, when you were already halfway up the ledge, on hard cold rock, is nothing good. And sharp rock too. I shudder, and then slowly, I reach towards the edge of the climbing rock, as I call it. It's about eight feet down, which is a pretty big fall, for a girl, who is so short. She was about four feet off the ground, and then, she fell.
"Bea?" I ask again, my foot slipping on the first try.
Suddenly, I'm tumbling down, but unlike the lovely Bea, I don't fall on the rock, or at least, not so hard, because the tent was stuck between the walls, and I fall onto it, and then, it quietly slips down. and I land, with a small thump. I can see her shape underneath, so I get up. It takes some effort, in order to get off, because the tent is so bumpy, within this cave. I then move off it.
"Can you hear me?" I ask.
No answer. I then, in panic, lift the tent, and see her lying there, blood trickling from her mouth, Bea.
I just stare for a moment, before I can wonder if she's dead or alive. She's on her side, which means her temple must've hit the rock instead of her head. I know that's the one place in your skull, which is almost holy. If you break it, you die immediately, or that's what I've been taught back home. Just because I'm poor, doesn't mean I didn't have an education.
I cover her mouth, to feel if there's any breath. None. Underneath her nose, not that I can feel. I then lean over, and place my head, against her chest, listening for a heartbeat. It's very awkward, but I guess it has to be done. I can feel a faint heartbeat. So faint, it hardly feels there, but it is, and I guess I should be lucky.
"Oh my god" I whisper turning away.
That lightning bolt could've struck her, in a way. Or it was just the fall. I remember falling off a tree when I was little, and it downright stopped my heartbeat for a moment. I think the same thing is with Bea, but how am I going to get her up there?
Well, I may be a boy, but it doesn't take much time, to realize I'm very weak for one, because carrying Bea, even with two arms, isn't enough to lift her up a foot. I don't want to do this, but I guess as long as she's unconscious, it might as well happen. I try to lift her over my head, but still no luck, the thing is so large, it could take years, so finally I give up. she can rest there, for the rest of eternity, because I can't do it. So I decide, that I might as well, do the tent, and then, maybe try again. But then, another lightning bolt might come, and I guess I will just have to do without an ally.
I've seen people who lost their allies. Some have gone mad, some don't talk to other people. It's creepy, how hard they can try, but they can never make it. But, I guess that's life, in a sort of way, that I'll never really get to figure out. I then pick up the tent, and push it upwards just like I did earlier. It would be easier with two people, one on top, pulling it up, one on the bottom, pushing it up. Either way, it would be equal work.
I grunt as I push it up, because it likely has everything in it, from this, to that. Our sleeping bags, and whatever else Bea managed to put in there. I then hoist it on my shoulders, and push it up, until I can't any longer, and then, I let go of it. Before it falls, I jump to the top, and catch it, and pull it up again. It comes up quickly, but I can still see her broken shape below. It's like a dead person, lying on their side, their hand tossed sideways carelessly, and the other hand, rolling off the side of her coat.
I guess there's some things, you just have a give a chance with. I hop down, completely ready for anything, and I pull her hand. I guess it has go this way. It's like climbing a wall, with having to hold two hundred pound weights, which is virtually impossible, but like the tent, I push her upwards, leaning her side, against the wall, and I do it again, until it reaches the top, and then shove her over. Good, done. Who said jobs like this were clean?
Caluenda Bates:
We walk along the jungle, Conner and I. I've turned to hate him in the last hour and a half, but can't bring myself to say it. After all, the Career pack has never been close. It will be easy to turn on him, when we're the final two. Just take him out with a mace, easy as hell. He has a bow an arrow of course, but I don't care if it's fair or not, this is real life, not the stupid allies he's had before. I troop before him, because he's too goddamned slow to do it himself. Leading takes skill, which I know he lacks.
"Any little kills?" he asks me, annoyed.
I turn around, and turn on him immediately.
"It's the fucking final nine Conner!" I shout "Get over it, there's only so many people you can kill"
"There's Reyce" he mutters.
"Who the hell is Reyce?"
"Little kid in the pack"
I remember him, the little kit that Conner tried to shoot, but those girls stopped him. Guess they don't like injustice. But that was their fault, because he left, and stole a backpack even! I would've killed him without thinking, and now that I'm in the Games, I'll kill him the first chance I get, I guess that's our priority, both Conner and I. That's the only thing, that we share in common.
"I guess we can start at that" I tell him, and he grins.
"Well, I guess we got ourselves a sugar top princess"
My outfit is still black, I'm guessing due to the fact, that it's cold and winter. They already told me about this. That this bodysuit would keep me either warm or cold, depending on the weather. That I could have any weapon that I desired. That my odds of winning, could be higher than others. And I camouflaged at night. The only deal was, that I was about as hard to find as a prowling bear at day. I guess that's fine. After all, now I'm prepared. And they don't know me, they know Connner. There's a good chance, they'll think of him as more of a threat, and shoot him.
I went through through everything the rest of them did. The Chariots, all by myself. I wore an armor suit of meal, which comes at skirt in my legs. And I had a sword, and nicely decorated helmet. I went through the interviews! And even the training. I trained with my mace and cross bows most of the time. But of course, I tried to pick up more skills. I guess only weapons are worth it, when fighting.
"Rest" he tells me, as he sits down.
I know it's just because he wants rest.
"Listen" I tell him, standing up "I don't want any shit about this, okay?"
"Right on sister" he tells me, mockingly.
I shake my head.
"We'll kill that little kid, and whoever gets in our way, but when I kill, you don't interfere!" I shout.
He shrugs.
"Fine by me"
I then sit down, thinking this a waste of my time, and take off the mask. I don't need it now, maybe later. I quickly chug down half of my water, realizing how truly thirsty I am. I then put it away.
"Break done" I announce.
He looks at me, surprised, and shakes his head.
"Hell no" he tells me "That was barely a few minutes"
"And?"
He doesn't answer, and picks up his pack. It's either my way, or he fight me, one on one, and he knows, that he can't win. I have a mace, he has a bow and arrow. I guess bow and arrows are fine, but I know, with my mace, things can be easier. Bow and arrows are much easier to dodge than bullets, because you can see them easily, but one swipe of my mace, can take out his face, right on time. So he only follow me, and I guess we're good like that.
I don't see why the Capitol let in bow and arrows this time around. I mean, they're very easy to kill with. You can hide, climb high in a tree, whatever, and then easilly shoot someone. It's not so easy with a mace, or a sword. You can throw it, but it doesn't do much damage. Well, it works better with a sword, or a spear, but it's easy to dodge, nonetheless. Besides, bow and arrows, they're usually not so bloody, so people don't like them. That's why they usually don't have them, but here? It's certainly better than nothing.
The trail is long, and tiring, but Conner told me, that it's the only trail he hasn't been on. I guess we'll try other ones some other time. But this is much better. I can easily get through, and there's no branches in the way. Conner also mentioned so many traps with trees, and I guess that's really all we could talk about, before we got annoyed with each other's presence.\
But I know he will be easy to kill, as soon as we find our last kill, I will turn on him, and take him out with my mace, just be ready, but of course, this could backfire. It would be just as easy, to shoot me on the spot. Maybe we'll find Reyce last, and I'll let him have the satisfaction of killing him, and before he's done, I'll kill him, I guess that's my stupid plan, but of course, it be much harder.
Conner Sun:
I don't know how this bitch is planning to kill me, but it's going to happen probably as soon as we make the last move. I know that. She could use me in so many different ways, but that would be hard. If Layla, and Jules were alive, they would know this right away, but we could easily all turn on her, and then turn on each other. It wouldn't be easy, of course, to kill the friendliest Career pack alive, but of course, it would work somewhat. I know I am heartless, but that's not my fault.
There's always been a reason, why I hated my father, because of what he did to me. He turned me into what I am today, ruthless, angry, a Career, and I'm aware of that, but I've never bothered to changed. Training, did not change me completely. It was all those beating, anger, and wounds, that turned me into what I am now today. If not, then I would've been exactly like Jules, brainwashed.
I guess my only humane act, was Santana, but that was so long ago, I can hardly remember. These things, Caluenda (because I dare not call her by her nickname) will never know, not as long as she lives. I've only had a certain soft spot for a few people, and it's really not much of something. It's hardly something to be called a feeling, because I've lost interest in "feelings" as far as I'm concerned.
"We'll take this trail" Caluenda tells me, pointing ahead "And then continue on for the rest of the day. I don't care where we go, as long as it's something"
Yep, as long as well manage to kill someone, especially Reyce. I wouldn't mind finding the little bastard now. Nope, in fact, that would be just great. Finally, some revenge, would be nice. I guess I haven't killed anyone lately. I almost killed the kid from 11, but the fucking golden thing, dragged us away, and he ran away, when I was still dazed, but I managed to get a nice scene of the battle, lots of blood.
It's like a flashback, when I see Jules, mad, and angry. Killing Layla, and Lili, both so ever easiliy. That boy from 11, mourning for a few seconds, and then pouncing on Jules. And if Jules was aware of that, he would've flattened that kid like a ragdoll. I also have him, on my revenge list, and if I'm on the one to kill him, that will be my revenge.
I kick the dirt, and walk ahead, I don't care if Cal complains. It feels wrong calling her by her nickname, or at least one I made up for her, but I don't care. I don't need to say her entire name when I speak. I don't even care about saying her name. I don't know why I'm like this, but I am, there's nothing I can do about it. If there was, I would've changed it long ago. Very long ago.
I wonder, if those tracker jackers were never there, would've Jules killed the people he killed? He would've killed that Lili girl, that's for sure, but who knows what he saw in Layla? Surely, he didn't recognize her, and took her as an enemy, but that hate in his eyes, that was unreal, that was something, beyond what I could've done. I think Jules could've beat us all, if his weakness didn't take over again.
"Is there something you'd like to tell me?" asks Caluenda, suddenly, turning around.
"No"
"Well, I'm sure there is"
"Why the hell are you always being so goddamned stupid?"
"We're the same Conner! I can tell you are thinking, because you're lagging"
Lagging? I don't care anymore, I turn away.
"Well, I would easily trade in your life, for my allies" I spit at her.
She raises her eyebrows.
"I guess that's just one more thing we share in common Conner" she says "It's better than sharing it with you, but get in reality, cause that wouldn't happen for shit"
She then turns away, and begins to walk. That makes all my fear or her, settle down. She's just like me, ruthless, a Career, even if she is quiet girl, she's still that ruthless girl. I remember what she said. I kill, and no one interferes. I guess she's one hell of a character, but that's as far as it will go. Suddenly, the rain automatically begins to pour down, starting with someone a bit soft, and then ending, with something so sharp, it seems to rip off our skin. But she doesn't stop, which wonderfully typical of her. She is one of those Careers, who just won't give up, no matter how bad the condition.
Me? Well, I don't give up either under hard conditions, unless it's deathly conditions, such as this. Lightning, so big, it could blow us to pieces. But I doubt the Gamemakers would like to lose their wonderful Career pack, so they don't strike us, like usual. We seem to get a free ticket, walking away from this, as it's nothing. I bet the others are having a bit of trouble.
But I don't care. I've known I was destined to win, the minute they called Austin's name at the reaping. It seemed so impossible, but it was, wasn't it? Would've I volunteered if he wasn't called? I guess so, but maybe someone else would get there before me, and I wouldn't be able to go in. They'll see. My hand reaches my bow and arrow, and releases it, in midair. I catch it once again, aim, and shoot it, straight into the tree. As a reminder, no one fucks with Conner Sun.
Alright, like it? I'm sorry to PleaseUseAnotherName, for stealing your line. Just thought I'd acknowledge that. He said the same thing, except with his bloodthirsty and ruthless character, Alessandra Rizzo, which made me take forever to finally like her! Yeah, I loved that story. Anyway, I just thought that I'd tell you about a little something, I call pictures. Remember what I said I wanted to draw pictures of your tribute? Well... I did! And I have a deviantart account, under the same name. So I may release it! But it might take awhile. And yes, I'm doing all the tributes. They aren't good pictures, really, because I suck at drawing, sorta, but I did try, on most of them. So please, when I release the links, check it out. Anyway, yeah. Thanks!
SPONSOR POINTS:
bearberry915: $20.00 (Conner Sun)
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Bookgirl333: $6.00 (Layla Thompson, blanket, correct answer, one pill)
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NinjaSharpie78: $29.00 (Krow Haliss, Mara Mason, correct answer, bread and soup)
Rivers of Venice: $20.00 (Nate Morgue)
wizard muggle: $6.00 (Aria Charin, water, small package of food)
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GirlL0vesDoom: $26.00 (Kiy Everblossom, right answer, correct answer, correct answer, correct answer, one pill, right answer)
Serpent's Ballet: $42.00 (Reyce Ansilen, one guess, correct answer, correct answer, correct answer, correct answer, two right guesses, right guess, treatment cream, right answer)
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Thank you for everything you guys have done, and please tell me if I'm screwing up some more, because I always forget to change them, so just make sure, especially you shadowed13, and Boswerboy. And Goddess of nightmares, I gave you ten bucks. Accepted! Of course :)
Question: This if from this chapter, and the last: Who did Aaron get a picture of, and what was happening in it?
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