The Sixth Night
Amari Edison (17) D8M
I still couldn't believe it. The last thing I remembered was being chased by wolves and then I woke up covered in leaves and mud and branches. There was no sign of my ally. I was searching for him since I woke up. I had been almost sunset by then, or what I thought would be sunset. Didn't really make a difference.
I hoped Astreus was alright. I had no idea what all had happened when I was passed out or how many more people had died. My thoughts wandered to Kinnie. I prayed she was okay. I considered her a friend even though we did not spend much time together in the arena. She never told me why she volunteered or anything about what she liked and what she thought but she was always nice. Yes, if I didn't win I wanted either her or Astreus to win. Even I had no idea why I wanted to keep him safe. Maybe because Avalyn died and that he had volunteered only to protect her. Or maybe because he was the only ally I had left with me.
I was careful not to call out too loudly to him as I tread over the branches. I didn't like the creaking sound which was made by my shoes coming in contact with twigs. It disturbed the loud silence of this forest.
My supplies were running low. I still didn't know how to get to the cornucopia and it was no use. I just couldn't understand why I wasn't receiving any sponsor gifts or why they didn't play the anthem for the past couple of days. It seemed as if not only the Gamemakers but also the whole Capitol had lost interest in us. But that couldn't happen. Insane people like them could never lose interest in watching live murder. Was there an unrest there? That couldn't happen either. Nobody was brave enough to do so.
I was lost in my train of thoughts and bumped into a tree. "Oww!" I groaned, rubbing my forehead. Oh come on Astreus! Just come out already!
And then the voice that I dreaded echoed everywhere. And the announcement… surely people had died that day. I was definitely in final eight. I hoped Kinnie was there too. I just wanted her to be safe…
I was in a daze when the announcement got over. My heart was beating too fast. That time just couldn't be here now!
I hoped to find Astreus tonight.
Edith Blackwood (16) D7F
Tyler had been in a kind of shock when he killed that mutt but now he was fine. Not really fine, more like his old self. Angry, reserved, silent. He didn't talk much. After he had killed the mutt a parachute had landed there. It had a medicine for my leg, and it worked like magic. It also had a small vial. There was a note with it.
Make him drink it. –B.E.
B.E.? I had no idea who it was until I saw the note with my medicine.
Uh, try not to die. That will be really nice.
PS:- Baby elephants are cool.
I slapped my forehead at that. Tyler was so sad and depressed! He was crying and yelling Dawn's name! And Samara had sent a note saying baby elephants were cool?! She had signed it as B.E.! There was something either too wrong with her… or she was trying to lighten the mood.
Tyler had refused to drink the liquid. He had pushed me back so hard I landed on my back. I looked at all the stuff again and found an injection. How come I missed that?
Yeah, he's too stubborn. You'll have to inject it. –B.E.
So that's what I did. I had thought it was either sleep medicine, or poison (Sam had tried poisoning us a couple of times) but it was neither. Tyler was really angry when I injected the potion and he yelled a lot at me. Then he became quiet abruptly. His eyes kind of glazed over and then he started helping me with my wound. He didn't speak anything though, and after he had applied the medicine on my leg, he simply stood up and started walking ahead, looking back from time to time whether I was following him or not. It must have been some drug or something to calm his nerves.
Today he was much better. A little furious but at least he was talking. "Thanks B.E.," I muttered. I was sacred though. Three people had died today and almost around the same time. I had no idea who they were but it made my heart ache just to think that three more children were dead.
I stopped in my tracks and Tyler grabbed my arm. Claudius Templesmith's voice echoed through the arena.
"Tributes! We would like to invite you all to a feast! The feast is at the castle's court room and the timing is eight o'clock in the morning! Don't miss it! …"
He said something else but I didn't hear him. The courtroom… I shuddered as I thought about the statues there holding swords. They had killed Roland and me. Roland… I shook my head. This wasn't the time to mourn.
Tyler spoke up, "It will be a rough day tomorrow."
I couldn't help but agree.
The Capitol
Regal Winter
Opal did it. She did it!
Regal was glad to have her on the team. Sure, she was rude and slightly mad but she was resourceful. She had found out about the passcode to the main office of the Gamemaking centre. She had even found out what security was there. Regal was surprised to know that the security system, though tricky, was not very heavy. It would take some effort to breach it but there was nothing that could not be overtaken. He was ready.
Most probably he would have to make the ultimate sacrifice. Too many people would die but it would be worth it. Freedom at any cost was desirable now and it didn't matter to him how many people died or what happened to others. He had, in a way, turned quite monstrous. No, he didn't go around torturing others and doing things that were inhuman but he realised he was ready to kill anyone if it came to that. He wouldn't spare his own team if that could make them free. He had started hating himself for this, for now there was barely any difference between him and his father. Regal had already killed people and he was scared to find out that he felt no remorse for his foes. He didn't regard the Peacekeepers, and the enemy in general, as humans anymore. He despised himself even more for that but the future was at stake.
"Give me one day," Opal said, "I'll disable the whole system. You'll be able to easily break in."
Regal considered for a moment whether Opal could be the traitor. She was a Career victor, supposedly happy with her money and life. She had killed people in some really brutal ways that he didn't even want to think about. Would it be too hard for her to leak out their secrets? However, for some reason he trusted her. Opal had no reason to betray them, or at least no clear reason.
"Yeah, I believe you will do it," he said with a smile, which faded as quickly as it had appeared.
"Opal," he said, looking at the elder woman with something that was almost like as if he was pleading, "Please try to make it quick. I want to get those children out of the arena as soon as I can. Only seven are alive and I want to get those seven out. Alive."
"I don't see why you'd want that," she said, "Death is cool."
"No it isn't," Regal replied firmly, "Especially children dying is not cool."
Opal sighed. "Yeah well. You certainly are different. Not that it will be any fun, not having the Games."
"Uh…" Regal started but stopped. What could he say? He'd rather not argue with someone like Opal. She left him there and walked away, her head held high.
Regal didn't know from where the arrow came. "OPAL DUCK!" he cried even as he ran towards her. But she was too far away for him to save her. The arrow went right through her heart. The woman stopped and looked down at the arrow as if she couldn't understand what was happening. Then she fell down in Regal's arms.
"Opal…" he whispered as he pulled out the arrow in a swift motion.
"Nothing can be done," she said, her voice still strong, "Go catch them!" And Regal knew nothing could be done. An arrow came for him too but he moved back in time. He saw the figure, completely covered in black. They had a mask pulled over their face. Regal couldn't make out whether it was a man or a woman but he would find out soon. He ran after the person. They were thin and tall and sprinted like a tornado. Regal pulled out his gun and shot at them. They tried to evade but the bullet hit them on the shin. From the bullet a tough string shot out and wrapped itself around their legs, binding them together. The person pulled out a knife and cut through it. Regal was almost there. He saw their eyes. This was someone familiar, he just couldn't place it. But it was definitely a girl.
She threw the knife at him and he dodged it barely. It went past his ear, making a small gash on it. Regal shot at her again, this time with a fire bullet. She screamed when the bullet pierced her shoulder. That didn't stop her though. She threw another knife at him, knocking the gun out of his hand. She knew Regal wasn't an experienced fighter. Then she shot an arrow at him which he dodged again.
He had almost picked up his gun when suddenly someone grabbed his arms and pulled him back. In just a few seconds Peacekeepers had surrounded him. His eyes widened when he registered that they had the weapons the rebels were using. He looked at the girl. It was the traitor…
He struggled against the men who had him. "Take off your mask!" he yelled as two more men grabbed him. The girl shook her head.
One of the Peacekeepers helped her stand. "We need to look at that wound," he said. "Yeah," she replied, trying to make her voice deeper, "But first, the President wants to see him. Take him in. And don't forget to blindfold him." The Peacekeepers nodded.
One of them cuffed his hands behind his back, another tied a black cloth over his eyes. Regal almost smiled. These people didn't know what they were doing. He had one weapon at his disposal that no one knew of. He hadn't even told Alan. If nothing else worked, that weapon would. The price would be a bit heavy but that was the least he could do.
As he was dragged away he only hoped that the other rebels would find out who that girl was.
This was a kind of filler for the Games. This was necessary for the subplot though. Some of you have been asking whether I will do family interviews or not. Even though I would love to do them, I won't. Not because I don't want to but because it would just contradict the plot. The Capitol is in a tough situation right now and their focus is not entirely on the Games. The rebels will not let anyone go outside the Capitol. That's the only issue, it will go against the plot. I hope you don't mind it.
And my heartfelt thanks to all of you for reading and reviewing. You are all so nice! I reread them again and again!
Oh and there's an important poll up. Many of you have voted but those who haven't please do. You don't want to miss it.
Here's the Death List:
Coleen Mines- blown up by a mine
Coal Telve- killed by Adela Martins
Jessika Bowers- killed by Devon Lark
Misaya Despain- blown up by a mine
Brynn Stone- killed by Silver Cantello
Halen Moons- killed by Tyler Axton
Avalyn Bellona- killed by Virgo Ryans
Ayra Redgrove- killed by Devon Lark
Roland Stewart- killed by Carmen Diego
Carmen Diego- killed by Edith Blackwood
Arcturus Sharps- killed by Silver Cantello
Carlor Carton- killed by Ayra's mutt
Silver Cantello- killed by Kinnie Duff
Jasper Wool- killed by mutt
Astreus Bellona- killed by mutts
Virgo Ryans- killed by Devon Lark
Devon Lark- killed by Cress Woods Jr.
Have a great day!