So thanks to the few of you who replied to that last update. I really didn't think anyone still cared about the story anymore but it's nice to know that at least a few people enjoy my story so much that they still want it to continue so thanks :) So this is for you few who replied! As soon as I saw some people wanted it to continue I got working rereading all the tribute submissions and then all the chapters. It really helped an now I have a pretty good plan for the story. I think I know who's going to win but I'm still going back and forth at time so we'll see. Anyways enough of my rabble. Here's the next chapter! I hope you enjoy!
Day 2 Meetings
Jungle Island
Alexander Lodge POV
I hardly slept at all last night, too fearful of what would come this morning. Now that morning has come I sit perched in the back corner of the hollow tree trunk eyes staring into the small clearing in front of me. The sunlight takes a while to reach the jungle floor and light up the area. The rocks glow faintly. At my waist are the few knives Hermes sent me yesterday. I hold one in my hand, prepared for the worst.
Eventually the sun reaches the jungle clearing and lights on the two figures a few yards in front of me. I wait tensely for them to stir. Zane is the first to wake. He gets off the ground and stretches his muscles. From the ground he picks up a rock, cracks it, and drinks from the inside. After, he picks up his sword and swirls it around. Still he doesn't notice me. 'Come on Hermes, you better have had a good reason for that gift,' I think to myself.
Eventually Zane gets an annoyed look on his face and steps over to the still gently sleeping Star. He stares down at her with contempt. "Wake up," he says gruffly as he kicks her side. She sits up abruptly and stares at him.
"What was that for?" she asks as she stands up and begins to brush her hair with her fingers.
"For being lazy. Come on, we have to go find the others, or at least someone to kill."
Star sighs loudly and then continues to take her time cleaning and picking up her supplies. Zane scowls at her.
"Just a day ago you were trying to flirty and seduce everyone. And today here you are being a huge brat. Some strategy," he says to her.
Star frowned at him. "Well I came to the conclusion that you were a lost cause. Besides that strategy was stupid. It wasn't working."
"It worked for Mia. You just weren't doing it right. If you were willing to give up on it so quickly it's no wonder it wasn't working for you," he says matter of factly.
Star stomps over to him, giving her a perfect view of my hiding place. "Oh yes, of course you'd think she's just fantastic! You and your sick puppy dog love." Suddenly her face changes. She's caught sight of me. A nasty smile curls on her face. "Speaking of which, I spy a Lodge right now."
Zane whips his head around quickly and catches sight of me in the tree trunk. An odd look passes his face as he begins to step towards me calmly. Star stares at me coldly and cruelly. I take deep breaths, praying that this is what Hermes wanted. Eventually Zane reaches me and pulls me out by the scruff of the neck. I hardly struggle as he carries me towards the clearing and throws me on the ground. He steps on the back of my jacket to keep me in place.
Starlight looks down at me with contempt and then looks at Zane, a challenge plastered on her face. "Well," she says expectantly.
Zane stares at her dumbly. "Well what?"
"Well aren't you going to kill him?" My breath catches in my chest.
"Isn't he from your district?"
Starlight throws her hands up in exasperation. "Yes, but like that means anything! I do intend to win this and to do that he needs to die. So do it. You were the one just saying a minute ago how you wanted to go out and find people to kill."
Zane glances down at me, his expression unreadable. "It just doesn't feel right killing your mentor's brother. Maybe we can keep him in the group."
Star scoffs at him. Her beauty is almost impossible to see behind her anger. "Oh right! Of course that's what you want. I heard your conversation Zane! I know what your plan is. You and that stupid bitch were conspiring against me this whole time. All for the little brat! So you know what? If you aren't gonna kill him I will!" she shouts at him. I'm at a loss for what she's saying but suddenly none of that matters as she comes at me with a sword…
Desert/Forest Island
Lightning Drift POV
The underground oasis really is quite beautiful. Even with my whirring and turning mind I can appreciate that. It is especially beautiful for all the wonderful resources it provides me with. The water is clean and clear. Some fish swim in it. During the day small desert creatures visit the pool to drink. Reeds and tiny bushes and trees ring the oasis, soaking up the little bits of sunlight that filter through the patchy ceiling above. Rubbles of rock line the area. Everything I need is here.
I spent yesterday mostly relaxing and making a few easy traps. Snares mostly, though a few mechanisms for sink holes too. The one I fell in yesterday got me thinking. I explored the cavern slightly and found a few pathways. I wonder how extensive they are? I didn't bother exploring too much for fear of getting lost and instead have spent my time relaxing and tinkering with some materials. Who would've though the games would be so easy?
In the morning I catch a small fish and eat it raw. I think fish are okay to eat raw… I feel like I learned that at some point. Regardless it fills me up well and I get to work tinkering with a small trip wire. My wind is whirring with different possibilities and the mechanisms behind the wire that I hardly even notice the large humped shadow growing closer from one of the caves.
With a final tweak I pinch a small knot into place. I smile at my handiwork. "Umm excuse me…" small voice says from the darkness. I jump up, surprised and scared. From my belt I pull out a rough knife I made.
"Who's there?" I ask trying to hide my fear.
From the cavern in front of me the large humped shape steps forward. "Umm hi, please don't hurt me," a small voice says. I recognize her as the girl from District 11, the mayor's daughter. On her back is a tall pretty girl, passed out. A little bunny bounces past them and sips from the oasis. Distantly in the back of my mind I think how silly it is for someone to approach another tribute and ask not to be hurt. However, I'm too distracted by my own relief to really dwell on it.
Once the relief passes I realize I could probably kill the girl and her friend right now. The small girl has no weapons, and the older one is passed out. I could do it. I could attack them. But the more and more I think about the option the more and more unrealistic it seems. Slowly I lower my little stone knife and step towards her.
"Uh hi," I say awkwardly. What exactly does she want? And why is she approaching another tribute she's never talked to before for help?
"Umm I know this is kinda awkward but my friend passed out yesterday. I couldn't get her to wake up. I don't know what's wrong," she says as she lays her friend on the floor. She's pretty, I guess.
In a way I feel bad for the girl, though pity isn't a feeling I usually feel. She clearly has no place in the games and she came to the completely wrong person for help with her friend. People are not machines. I can't take them apart and figure out what's going on. How am I supposed to know how to help?
"Uhh have you tried giving her any water," I suggest as I step closer a little cautiously.
The little girl shakes her head. I turn around and go back to my small mound of supplies and grab a little piece of wood I hollowed out. I then scoop up some water and approach the passed out girl. Gently I tip some into her mouth. She stirs slightly as the water touches her parched lips. I continue to dip the water into the pool of water and into her mouth and some on her face until slowly her eyes flutter open.
"Tyla!" the little girl cries out, as her friend's eyes flutter open and slowly come to focus. I back away, unsure of what to do. Slowly her friend sits up. I continue to back away. The little girl looks overjoyed at her friend. Eventually the girl, Tyla, spots me. Quicker than I was expecting she dashes back and pulls out a bow and arrow. She aims to shoot at me; I roll away and grab a spear I made. I prepare to throw.
Tyla Kytlee POV
My finger holds the arrow in place as I stare at the boy. My head is swimming, my stomach churning, but my arms are steady as I look at him. Lily looks at me in shock. The boy holds a spear awkwardly in his hand. His bright blues eyes twitch slightly as he stares at me.
"Drop the spear," I say, my voice weaker than I was expecting.
"Drop your arrow," he says back, voice calm and quiet.
"Both of you! Drop your weapons please!" Lily calls out. I ignore her.
My mind swims with incidents of the past day. I don't remember much, except passing out. Where am I? How did I get here? All I want to do is sit down and catch my thoughts but this boy… I don't know him and I don't like that I don't know him.
I notice his twitching arms and the slightest bit of distress in his eyes. Does he really have what it takes to throw that spear? At the same time I can feel the shift in my vision. I'm not at my peak right now and I'm already no expert at archery. Will I really be able to hit him? My thoughts are interrupted when Lily jumps in front of me trying to get me to stop my shot.
"Please Tyle! Please don't do it. He helped you," she pleads to me. I try and push her out of the way.
"Lily get down! He could shoot you!" I say to her. But the boy just stares at her curiously. As I struggle with Lily he lowers the spear. Finally I manage to push Lily out of the way. I start to bring the bow back up by seeing the boy standing there just staring at me stops me. Suddenly everything's different now that he's not a threat. I lower my bow while thinking to myself what a stupid mistake I was making.
Lily sighs with relief before grabbing my hand. "Oh thank goodness. He really did help you Tyla. He gave you water," she says. I continue to stare at the boy. He peers at me oddly, blue eyes unreadable.
'Thanks," I say quietly. He doesn't respond. Carefully I lead Lily back to our stuff. I casually go through our pack. We have nothing except my bow and arrows and a spear.
The boy continues to look at me. "Feel free to help yourself to some water or fruit," he says gesturing towards the pool of water and some trees.
I nod towards him. Lily gets right to it. Filling waterskins with water and drinking it. I cautiously pick the fruit, and sniff it carefully. Lily laughs at me and tells me it's safe. Meanwhile the boy continues to look at us. His eyes are so unblinking. It can't be natural. After a few minutes of collecting things and for me, regaining my strength, Lily and I strap on our packs.
I stare at the boy blankly. "Well bye then," I say to him. Again he doesn't' t respond. Slowly Lily and I walk down a dark cavernous path, the odd encounter behind us.
Tundra Island
Fawn Nolan POV
Skylar and I perch on a few rocks further down the mountain. The sun is beginning to climb. It must be almost lunchtime. Currently, we're taking a break. Skylar grumbles besides me.
"Everything okay over there?" I ask lightly.
"That boy got me good. Shoulder is really hurting," he says as he groans and tries to reach back to the patch of bandages around his shoulder blade. Underneath is an incredibly deep gouge made by the District 7 boy and his axe. Last night I managed to treat the wound slightly, though my medical skills are subpar compared to the rest of my skills. I hadn't counted on one of us getting injured. The District 7 boy was a better fighter than I was prepared for. The next battle will be better calculated.
"Will you be okay?" I ask lightly. Deep down I feel a small pit of worry in my stomach. I do like Skylar, as much as I hate to admit it, but at least by admitting it I can address how best to avoid letting it affect me. After that kiss back in the capital I had to admit it. Asides from stopping the dark pit of jealousy I felt whenever he was around Star, it also further resolved him as my ally. So long as I can still kill him in the end…
He gives me a smile that makes my heart flutter slightly. "I'll be fine. Don't worry about me. So what next?" he asks. He knows who makes the plans here.
"Next we go after the other two. The girl and the boy. Together they may cause a challenge but if we can separate them they shouldn't cause much of a problem. She's good with a bow and arrow, so close combat is the plan. We'll have to sneak up on her. The boy, on his own, shouldn't cause many problems at all," I say detailing what I know.
"Okay," he says standing up, grimacing slightly at the pain in his shoulder. I stand up next to him.
"Time to find our next victim," I say with my sights set on the forest.
Desert/Forest Island
Bethany Caelum POV
I lay on my back, near the cliff, beneath the shade of tall grove of palm trees. I chew on a piece of sweet grass. I'm not really sure what it is, but it tastes good and keeps my stomach from growling.
Casually, I aim my crossbow up at a tree. I set my sights on a small brown object. With a crunch I chew on the grass and let the arrow go. I manage to hit the brown object and it comes crashing down to the ground. I sigh as it plunks next to a few others.
I managed to find this grove yesterday, after escaping from the District 6 boy. Oh man for a moment I really thought I was going to die. Luckily I got away. Managed to stumble away to the cliffs of the island and find this grove. And since then, here I've been, knocking down coconuts and wasting away the time.
But that's the plan really, run, hide, and try to stay alive as long as I can. Only problem is Laury is somewhere out there… on one of those other islands. With a sigh I get up and pick up one of the coconuts. I smash it against a couple of rocks to crack it open and begin to drink from the inside.
Just as I'm about to lean back against the coconut tree a loud cannon booms. 'Another death," I think to myself. And then the ground begins to rumble. I stand up in surprise and look across the cliff as a green and vibrant island moves closer towards me.
Laurence "Laury" Malpence POV
I perch on top of a tree, as we move closer to the desert island. Slowly I begin to see the shore. Ahead of me is a small grove of pine trees and standing at the base of one is Bethany! What good luck!
With a gently thud the two islands meet. I jump down and go to greet her. Her face breaks out into a smile when she sees me. I get this feeling of purpose in my chest. This girl is the reason I'm here. I just know it.
"Laury! Boy am I glad to see you," she says as she stands up and hugs me. Together we stare into the forest I just came from. "So this must be the Quarter Quell surprise."
I nod my head. "Yeah, she's an engineer. She must've had a field day creating this." Bethany nods next to me. "I don't want to even think about the traps she has planned for us."
"Well luckily you don't have to," a deep voice says. Bethany and I turn our heads sharply to the right. The boy from District 11 stands before us. Bane I think his name was. He holds a very large knife in his hand. I pull my two swords from my back.
"Oh and why is that?" Bethany asks challengingly as she readies her crossbow. "The way I see it it's two against one."
The boy doesn't reply. Instead he charges. He's quicker than I thought and reaches us fairly quickly. Bethany shoots her crossbow and manages to graze his arm. He stutters slightly but keeps at us.
While Bethany prepares another arrow I get in a fight stance. The boy is skillful with his body and does a good job of dodging my first strikes. I scowl in frustration. He only has a knife? Come on Laury this is easy.
But the boy is strong. And as I swirl one of my swords around he grabs my arm and stops the attack. Luckily I have another sword. Quick and deadly I swing at him, he just manages to role away. Even so I make a deep gouge in his arm.
He gets up and growls at me. Meanwhile Bethany's arrow is prepared and she takes aim. Bane notices and charges for her next. Damn why is he so fast? Bethany tries to shoot but the crossbow catches. "What?" I hear her say in surprise as Bane charges her. He aims to swing his knife down while Bethany braces for the attack. Just in time I reach her and push her aside. I try and dodge back but even so the knife cuts me down the front. Stumbling backwards I fall to the ground. 'Shit.'
Bane takes a step back for a moment, catching his breath, but in his eyes I see something click. As Bethany and I quickly pull ourselves to our feet Bane charges for Bethany again. This time she's more prepared and brings her crossbow up quickly. Again she takes aim and AGAIN the arrow sticks. 'What is going on?' Once again I crawl towards her, this time I'm too slow and I can only push her down and wait for the blow. The knife hits me near the neck and it hits me deep. I stumble to the ground.
"Laury!" Bethany calls out. I attempt to get back up but I'm losing blood fast. Meanwhile Bane is charging for Bethany again.
I know what I have to do and I know this is the end. I catch sight of Bethany, readying another arrow. I can't risk it though. With all the energy I can muster I raise my sword and aim for his back. Swords are not meant for throwing but as the device flies awkwardly through the air it manages to strike him in the back. He falls down in pain as Bethany releases her arrow up into the palm trees. This time the arrow strikes and knocks an entire bunch of coconuts on Bane's head, knocking him out.
With a sigh of relief I collapse to the ground. Bethany scrambles towards me. Worry plastered on her face. She reaches over and tries to stop the immense flow of blood leaving the wound near my neck. "Nice shot with the arrow," I manage to squeak out.
She laughs weakly. "Just another prank. Like the first time we met," she says lightly. "I'm so sorry Laury. I thought we could really go a long way together."
I shake my head at her. "Don't be sorry Bethany. Ever since a young age I knew I had to enter the games. I left my home district for it so I could train elsewhere. I dedicated my life to training so I could win. But then I got here, and I met you, and I just knew you were the purpose. I had to protect you. So it's worth it. I promise." With blood stained hands I reach for hers and give a light squeeze. As the world goes black around me I stare up at her face. I've fulfilled my purpose.
Bethany Caelum POV
I gently close Laury's eyes as I see them begin to unfocus. A few tears fall down my face. He protected me. I won't let it go in vain. Gently I bend down and kiss him.
Suddenly filled with anger I stare up at the sky. "I know that was you Trinka! I know you made my crossbow stop! You couldn't have me kill Bane for some reason but at least I figured out a way to knock him out right? You make me sick!" I scream hoping the cameras catch my rage.
Nearby Bane begins to stir. I look around quickly, hoping for a place to hide. Just as I'm about to sprint into the forest the ground opens down beneath me and sucks me in. 'Whoops, maybe I shouldn't have gotten so angry…'
Jungle Island POV
Starlight "Star" Lockwood
I start towards the Lodge boy, the brother of my traitor mentor with my sword. 'Come on Zane, what are you going to do?' I stare down at little Alex's face as he looks up fearfully at me. With a look of contempt I swing my sword down.
I am completely unsurprised when Zane blocks my shot with his sword. Alex looks up at him gratefully. "Don't do that," Zane says threateningly.
I back up and throw my hands up. "Oh! Why not Zane? Afraid precious Mia won't forgive you for letting her little brother die? She's a bitch Zane! A huge backstabbing bitch! She's abandoned me as a mentor and she's using you to save her brother! She's a slut who uses that body of hers to get what she wants. She. Is. A. Slut!" I scream at him. All the anger I've been holding in since seeing Mia abandon me to help save Alex comes pouring out.
Zane snaps and steps towards me menacingly. I catch sight of Alex on the ground, scuttling backwards towards a tree. "Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!" Zane screams at me as he steps forward. I prepare my sword in case I have to defend myself. "You don't know anything about her! She's perfect! She's an angel! And you're just an annoying little bitch!" With ferocity and anger he swings his sword down. I block it with mine but the force of the blow catches me off guard.
"You know why Mia abandoned you as your mentor? It's because you're a stupid, worthless bitch! She knew you were gonna fail in here. Your strategy was stupid from the start. How could anyone possibly want you!" he screams at me.
Suddenly my sister's face appears before my eyes. 'Forever alone…' Zane swings his sword down again. I'm not as ready to block and as I bring up my sword I fall to the ground.
"You're just a ugly bitch. No one will ever want you. And you're going to die in here," he says, the ferocious anger now replaced with an icy coolness. I stumble back, tears threatening to spill as Zane begins to strike again. With one final resolve I bring the sword up to block the blow. The recoil from the block causes Zane to stumble and gives me just enough chance to escape into the jungle.
As I run through the trees leave and branches stick and pull in my hair. I stumble and crash into mud on the ground. Twigs scratch at my face and arms. Eventually I reach a tiny pool of crystal clear water. It seems to pop out of the ground as I reach it. I stumble over a hidden root and fall nearly plunging into the water. Instead as I pull my face up from the ground I catch sight of my reflection.
My face is scratched and muddy. My once shining dark eyes are pale and glazed over. My hair is messy, with leaves and tangles in it. The beauty that once greeted me whenever I saw my reflection has disappeared and been replaced by an ugly unwanted girl. With huge heaving sobs I break down crying into the pool, blurring the ugly reflection in the water
Desert/Forest Island
Lightning Drift POV
A few minutes after Tyla and the little girl left I continue making snares and traps. I was relieved when I saw their backs disappear into the darkness. I just don't understand people and that whole confrontation was weird. I could've killed them when the girl first stumbled in here but I didn't. For some reason actually confronting and killing them felt too weird. No that wouldn't have done at all. Best to catch them in a trap later…
As I sit there in my little piece of paradise, making snares, tripwires, spikes, and triggered knives I begin to plan some traps. 'Perhaps a trip wire in the caverns, causing knives to fly from the walls. Maybe pits in the sand leading to spikes…'
I'm brought out of my planning trance when the ground begins to shake around me. Sand falls from the ceiling, as the earth trembles. Thoughtfully I looked up at the ceiling. The ground trembles but the ceiling remains solid. 'Interesting…'
Once the trembling stops I climb a small rock pile and examine the ceiling. I chip and poke at it. Testing some spots before climbing back down. As I look up at the ceiling a beautiful plan forms in my mind. A small smile creeps onto my place as I begin to think of my trap. 'I can't kill people one of one but if they happen to fall into a trap well then I guess it's not really my fault.'
So some good stuff in here. A little bit of action, a little bit of catching up with some peeps, and we got to see how the first two islands come together. It actually felt pretty good to write this story again. Now that I have a fairly clear idea of what's going on it shouldn't be as difficult for me to get out more chapters so hopefully I can get on some kind of schedule. Anyways thanks for reading :)