Sorry it took me longer than usual to update, it may take the same length for next time too. I've just been really busy.
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The Second Day in the Arena
Zain Griffen D9M POV
It had been a good move to kill Quinta. I was planning on killing one of our allies and running, but had never discussed it with Rya because I didn't know if she'd approve. I wanted to get one of the bigger threats out of the way, and a reason to get out of the alliance. So far, there have been no implications that the decision was a bad one, no careers have shown up, but the games are unpredictable. The kill was a gamble.
"Do you want to stop to fill our canteens while we're still along the river?" I ask Rya.
"Yeah, we probably should," she replies.
We pull out the canteens from out survival packs and fill them with water. Even though I'm extremely thirsty, I wait the half hour the iodine that we put in the water commands.
We're in the dessert, but it doesn't feel like it other than the blazing heat, because we have the river and the jungle at our side. If for any reason, we had to go somewhere and get cover, the jungle is right here. As we have been moving on, I have been able to make out walls of rock at the end of the dessert and something that towers over them.
"Where do you think the careers are?" I ask as I prop myself up on the hot sand.
"They're probably tracking us down," she says.
"Oh, I don't know about that. They're probably tracking the weaker tributes down. Maybe those were the other cannons we heard," I say, trying to think optimistically.
"I know they're coming. Hade and Marlin don't like being made out to look like fools," she says quietly.
Soon enough, we're walking again, following the river. Even being by a cool water source can't make the dessert's scorching temperature any better. After walking for quite a while, we hear a loud roaring noise. Very quickly, we see why.
"Wow," says Rya.
It's incredible. We have reached the jagged wall of rocks that is separated by a massive waterfall, and up above it is the giant formation I couldn't make out earlier. A volcano. The gamemakers are looking for a sure show and this guarantees it. I just hope that when it blows, I'm out of its way. Black billowy smoke rises from the mouth and circles into the sky. This one's alive and active.
But though there is the ominous volcano above it, the beauty of the waterfall cannot quite be expressed. It tumbles down a vibrant blue color and looks much more enhanced than any normal water.
"This is amazing!" I exclaim.
After marveling over its beauty and magnaminity we hasten on to a cave-like alcove within the rock formation.
"I think this will make a very good camp," says Rya.
"I agree. As long as no one makes it this far, which I doubt they will, we'll remain undiscovered and have shelter," I reply.
"I think I should go into the jungle and hunt before it gets too dark," says Rya.
"I think we should both go," I say protectively.
"No Zain, I can handle it. Besides we need someone to guard our supplies and get water. You can even boil some water for the meat stew we'll be sure to have when I get back," she says as she gathers her weapons.
"If that's what you want…" I trail.
"I'll be back in a few hours," she says as she heads out the cave door.
"Rya, wait!" I exclaim. She looks back at me questioningly with her eyes, the color of a clear blue sky. I approach her ever so slowly.
"Goodbye," I say. I go in to kiss her and get the feeling of warmth and light. She puts her delicate hand on my face and holds it there even after we kiss. I give her a hug. "Goodbye," she says with a smile. And then she turns and walks out into the sun. And that's when I feel the hope flicker out. Gone with Rya's light and promising never to make a return.
Janim Botan D11F
Sure has been interestin bein an ally with Art. He has some good tings ta say, but he gets all cocky like twhen he says em. I sure am glad that he wanted us ta bring ta backpacks doe, cause I wouldn't have no water without mine. An it's hot as heck out here. I figure I'd just a been a hot fried pancake had I not had Art for an ally. I only wish Cord could be here too. Poor boy never even got ta come with us…I think he twas ta first one gone.
We've been following ta ocean all ta way down ta dessert, but twe haven't been movin too fast. Art's kinda slow, but he seems ta think we're makin good time. I just hope there ain't nobody else in ta area.
I try ta make some nice conversation as much as I can, but I always get no response or "Shut up Janim." Didn't anyone teach this boy his manners?
"The water's running out," says Art. "I was hoping that we'd come upon a fresh water source, but it doesn't really look like that's going to happen."
"Twhat are ya sayin then?" I ask.
"I think we need to turn around. We haven't found any food or water and our backpacks can only last us so long," he says.
"But twhat about the careers?" I ask.
"If I'm smart about it, I know that we can find a way in there," he says.
"Twell ok, I guess," I say.
At tat moment a parachute is sent down. Since I already got a tent, twhich greatly improved ta sleeping conditions last night, I'm sure this must be for Art. But twhen ta parachute drifts to ta ground, I see ta eleven flashin.
"Ooooh! Goody!" I exclaim. Art just rolls his eyes.
Inside are ta night vision goggles tat people who work for ma daddy back home use. "Night vision goggles!" I exclaim.
Art's face just lights up. "Perfect," he says. Twhat is it about him an ta dark?
"Why are you doing this Janim?" Art asks me after walking for a while.
"Doing thwat?" I ask.
"Doing this… The Hunger Games, you didn't have to" he says.
"Twell, ma momma an daddy jus left me twhen I's a little baby. Jus left me all alone in a grain bin. If ma daddy hadn't found me, I'd a died. I never really got ta see ma parents again, and I have ta find them. If I win the games, well then, they'd have to come an find me," I say.
"But they abandoned you," he says.
"Twhen ya really love someone, it doesn't matter twhat they've done in ta past, an not what they're going ta do in ta future. You jus love them cause they're your mama an daddy, an no matter what, they twill always love ya somewhere deep in their hearts. Ya got folks Art?" I ask.
"Yeah, the best ones in the world," he says quietly. I realize tat this is a time of sentimentality, a time of kindness, and a feeling Art doesn't often express.
"How about siblings?" I ask.
"I have a sister named Helena. She and I are total opposites and don't get along very well, but deep down, I think we love each other," he says.
"Twhat about a girlfriend?" I ask.
"Shut up Janim," he says, but he's smiling.
"You're blushing!" I exclaim.
"There's this one girl… and we're not in any kind of relationship, but I kind of wish we were. I've never told her how much I care about her… and if I get out, I won't make that mistake again," he says, looking down at the ground.
"Ahhh," I say.
"I don't need your pity, just keep walking and don't talk to me again!" There's the real Art I twas looking for.
Scotch Pine D7M POV
As I open my eyes I am hit by brilliant light. I wonder how long I have been asleep. I remain in relatively the same place I collapsed in, whenever that was. As I try to move, pain shoots through the upper half of my body. "Ahh," I scream. It alerts my allies and they are by my side in a minute.
"Just stay down," says Isis, "Rest."
The grains of sand itch across my back and make me uncomfortable, as though something is crawling around on my skin. How can I rest in such an uncomfortable state?
"We need medicine, something from a sponsor. I don't know how much longer he can last like this," says Olive. I can already picture her trying to think of ways to kill me because I am no longer useful, she would do it too. Someone has to send something.
"How long was I out?" I ask Copper.
"Only about a day," he says as he sits down next to me. Out of this whole alliance, Copper's really the only one that I care a bit about. He's the same age as Boudicca…Boudicca!
"Copper, did the little girl from my district make it through yesterday?" I ask, fearing the response.
"She did," he says.
I pump my fists in the air. "Ow…" I exclaim.
At that very moment, I hear the beeping that is music to my ears. The beeping of a sponsor's gift.
"Oh my gosh!" exclaims Olive.
I hear the opening of a canister.
"Is it?" I ask Copper. He nods and smiles.
Isis comes over and rubs the ointment all over my wounds. Instantly I feel cooling and refreshing relief for the fiery pain that was there. "Aww," I groan.
"Is it painful?' asks Copper.
"No, not at all. It feels wonderful," I say.
"Hopefully, you should be up and moving by tomorrow," says Isis.
Because of the relief I got from the medicine, Olive and Isis agree that it's safe to move me the short distance to the little hut they created. After struggling to carry me without hurting me for about 15 minutes, everyone finally settles down.
"Have you noticed any activity on the island yet?" I ask.
"Not really," says Copper, "I think we're the only ones."
"Nice job Olive, on thinking of the island. That was a smart choice," I say.
"Well thank you Scotch, but it was Isis who knew all of the plants and knew exactly how to heal you. That was very intelligent as well," says Olive in a forced and awkward tone. What was she hoping to gain by that statement?
"Has anyone been hunting while I was out?" I ask.
"Well actually, we were thinking it would be wiser to wait until we could get you to come with me and leave two people to guard the fort. Besides, I don't know what's in that jungle, and I need some backup to help me out," says Olive.
"What have you been eating then?" I ask.
"Well actually, there's some crackers and an apple that we found in your pack, and I have been scavenging some plants at the jungle's edge, so we've been living off of that," says Isis.
"Well, tomorrow we'll have a feast," I say. Nothing can beat the smile on Copper's face.
Marlin Syke D4M POV
This whole trek has been very long and boring with no other tributes in sight. I hope that the whole thing is worth it, and that we do find Zain at the end and it's not some wild goose chase. If it is, we sure wasted a lot of time.
Dusk is starting to fall by the time we reach the big waterfall. It's majestic and flowing, and in the darkness, somewhat eerie.
"Heads up," says Adira. I think she means that there is an oncoming attacker and I hurl my spear into oblivion.
"No, heads up," says Hade as he laughs and points upward.
Up above the waterfall is an angry looking volcano that fills the sky with a heavy black smog.
"We'll have to remember to not be anywhere close by when that explodes," I say.
After a bit of silence, Adira says "They had to have come here, they couldn't have gone any farther."
"Let's split up. Adira, you search around the waterfall, Marlin, you look near the river, and I'll look in the caves," says Hade commandingly.
"No, I'm going to look in the caves," I say.
"Fine, have it your way," says Hade as he throws his hands in the air.
I smile a cockeyed smile, pleased that I got my way, and head to my destination. The caves are dark and abandoned looking, but the most likely place for Rya and Zain to find shelter. And I have to be the one to find Zain, the one to avenge Quinta's death. She was from my district after all. But that's not why I care. This is a chance to get revenge, and to be cruel and merciless. Just the way my parents were to me.
As I enter the first cave, I finger my mace. I grabbed this from the pile of weapons not because it was my choice weapon, but because I wanted to give Zain a sweet end. I pull out a pair of night vision glasses from my backpack. I hadn't known what these were at first, but then Grundam had told me that they were used to see in the dark back in his district. We had left Grundam behind to guard the cornucopia. He's not really the bloodthirsty type anyways, but we didn't want any of the other tributes to take advantage of our stash.
After deciding that they couldn't be in that cave, I moved to the next. As soon as I stick my head around the corner, a knife is hurled at me. Zain must not have the advantage of night vision glasses, because it totally misses. I see that it's only Zain and Rya is nowhere in sight. What a shame.
I lunge at Zane with my mace raised and a war cry upon my lips. With his knife he gashes my leg. It's not too serious, but it's enough to drive me forward with ten times more anger and vengeance. And that's when I start. I land blow after heavy blow upon his body, starting with his face, which quickly becomes torn up. I hear his pitiful screams that rock through the cave. It only makes me laugh. I laugh at his stupidity in ever thinking that he could take me on. Well, now he's paying for it.
I see Hade at the mouth of the cave with Adira in tow. I can't let him have the kill, not after all of my hard work! With that, while Zain is stilling screaming, more suppressed now that he is more a bloody piece of meat than a human, I pull out a knife and put it deep into his heart.
Boom
I am still feeling the rush though all of the limbs in my body, and then again, I laugh. I laugh with all of Panem watching. I laugh because in less than two weeks everyone in this arena will be dead… but me.
15th Zain Griffen D9M/ killed by Marlin Syke D4M
Bouddica Rhannag received a canteen with water, but didn't have a POV this chapter
Updated Sponsorship List
Sword- 121
Spear- 97
Trident- 97
5 Knives- 97
10 Knives- 182
Bow- 61
5 Arrows- 48
10 Arrows- 91
Axe- 91
Mace- 91
Burn Medicine- 182
Cut Medicine- 182
Canteen of Water- 31
Jug of Water- 61
Small meal (1 sitting)- 31
Medium meal (3 sittings)- 91
Large meal (6 sittings)- 182
Thermal Blanket- 48
Tent- 91
Canteen- 12
Electric Coil or Wire- 121
Rope- 73
Survival backpack (it could be a really good one or not, it's a risk)- 121
Iodine- 60
Bandages- 60
Night vision glasses- 121
Light sweatshirt- 36