District 12 – Kelli Forde(15)
It's weird to be thinking that being in The Games is a blessing in disguise. But that's exactly what it is for me. I either get to return home a hero and do what I want with my life without my mother or anyone telling me what to do, or, I die in here with people who I actually like and respect. Hopefully.
I only recently came to this conclusion, after Aniya woke up. Since then it has all really been fun and games. Ash, Aniya and I get along so well, it's like being in school and constantly getting to hang out with your best friends. Aniya is an absolute hoot and is probably the funniest person I know, like the perfect sister. Ash's whole persona reeks of likeability and it's so hard not smiling when you are around him, plus his grey eyes and features would be so irresistible if he were just a little bit older.
On that subject, Aniya and I have been talking boys for the past hour or so and to see her giggling is hilarious. She's asked me about my betrothed and my best friend Nathan, whom I compared to Ash. She then proceeded to ask me if we ever kissed or anything like that. I had to say that that was private information. Then I asked her about Cain and anyone else back home in District 7.
"So, you know he rescued you right? He must be so in love with you to do that. I wish someone would do that for me one day. Did anything happen between the two of you during the training days?"
Aniya goes all red at this question and almost starts hyperventilating. I can't help but laugh myself.
"Oh my God Aniya! Something totally happened. Tell me everything."
"No, no, no. Nothing ever happened. Cain is too tall for my liking. But that said, he is one of the nicest and most compassionate people you will ever meet. I mean, it makes me giddy just thinking that he saved me. Maybe if we were back in District 7 and we knew each other like we do now, then possibly something might happen. Trust me, where I'm from, he would be an absolute catch."
Aniya went on for a bit too long. That's what happens right? When you think about someone. You either say too little or you accidently go on for too long.
"Oh Aniya. I wish we met when we weren't in a battle to the death."
"Me too." She says.
Tears start to flow from my eyes, and I can't seem to hold them back. It's like when you are so stressed and you can't control your emotions. But it's different. I'm just so overwhelmed by the endless possibilities for my life now. I don't want to go back to District 12 and live the same existence. I want to live somewhere else and I want to take Ash and Aniya with me, but I know I can't.
Ash's arm is around my neck now and he whispers softly to me.
"Don't worry. I know." That's all he says. That's all he needs to say.
And then we sit in silence for the next 10 minutes before Ash finally speak up.
"So. Burning this place to the ground."
"That's right." I acknowledge. "How do you suppose we do that?"
"I say we wing it." Ash says. "Just make sure before we start we have a clear path out and just set it alight."
"Sounds good." Aniya replies. "When?"
"Well, I'm going to cook us a hearty meal now, pack up our stuff and then we will wait till tonight so we can escape under darkness."
"Okay, what's for dinner?" I love the fact that Aniya doesn't give a crap about the plan, but is much more focused on food. Her mind is probably strategizing just as much as ours, but she is keeping her cards much closer to her chest than she ever did in training.
"Rabbit stew." Ash replies.
"NOOOOOO!" Aniya literally shrieks. I've never heard such a noise in my life.
"Okay, okay, okay." Ash quickly responds. "Why not?"
"I just, I just, really don't like rabbits okay! When I was little I found a stray rabbit in the yard. It bit me. About 2 minutes later I couldn't breath. The doctor said I have an 'extreme anaphylactic reaction' to rabbits. Ever since then, I've been scared to death."
"Well." I conclude. "No rabbit for Aniya."
District 10 – Ivy Caverly(12)
"I think you're leading us in circles Sam." I say.
"No I'm not."
"In fact I'm pretty sure we have passed this door, 'cause it looks really familiar. Lia, what do you think?"
Lia just nods and stops. Her crossbow is really heavy and is taking a toll on her. Once again Sam has been pushing us so hard in our travels that I kind of wish we never even left the weapon room. Sam is sometimes just a big kid who thinks he can boss Lia and I around just because we are younger than him.
"I'm pretty sure if we go this way we'll head outside. I want to see what's in the centre of the castle here. From our view point in the weapon room all we could see was a patch of grass in the middle of the castle. But I bet if we looked closer we could probably find some other things there." Sam commands.
"I don't want to do that." I say firmly.
"Excuse me?" Sam says. "You don't want too? Well that's a shame, because we are. It's all about advancing ourselves through the game; we need to know where everything is and how to get places. And if anyone comes, we shoot them. Right Lia?"
Lia, with bloodshot eyes, simply looks down and then nods in agreement.
"That's stupid, Sam. I don't want for everyone in the arena to be able to see us. I'm not very big, and I don't think that we will be able to take anyone down. So I definitely think that's really stupid. Plus, Lia looks as if she is about to die, because that crossbow is just so big. If we keep going like you suggest, can you please carry it for a while at least?"
"No. Lia is the only one who knows how to use it, she has to hold on to it."
"But what's the point if she can barely even hold it up? She won't be able to do anything with it anyway." I find myself standing with my hands on my hips. From out the window I can see we are now circling the grassed middle area of the castle. Last time we headed upstairs again, which led us back to the weapons room. Around in circles, like I said.
"Okay, fine, I'll carry if for Lia for a little bit." Sam announces. Sam approaches Lia and kneels beside her. Lia has taken a seat against the wall and is drinking the water that Sam offered her.
"Ivy, do you think we need to rest?" Sam asks.
This is weird, Sam never asks, he is usually so intent on telling us things.
"Yes, I think that is a good idea." I take out my water canister. We all found one each in the weapons room and filled it up in random dirty tub water. The water doesn't taste great, but at least it may keep us alive.
"20 minutes." Sam says, "then we see if we can get out there." He points to the grassed area again.
"I think I spotted a well out there, with clean drinking water. We will fill up and then find somewhere to regroup for tomorrow."
So, after 20 minutes of awkward silence between Sam and I, after his, what I assume was an attempt at an apology, by asking my opinion, we head off again. This time instead of going upstairs, we continue straight ahead which circles us even further around the grassed area. It's just one entire loop. We can see doors entering at some points, so eventually we will find one. Unfortunately I do see a well at the edge of the area, as well as a wooden object that very recently must have been placed in the middle.
It takes us about 5 more minutes before we find a door to outside. Sam, still carrying Lia's crossbow, runs like hell towards the well. Lia and I, being more wary of our surroundings, skirt the castle, keeping low, until we are at the shortest point between the castle and the well before running over and very quickly filling our water canisters.
Sam on the other hand, has downed at least 4 canisters of water and spent a multitude of time in the open before he makes his way back to us.
"You know Sam, with all this game talk you do. I don't think you understand the subtleties of not getting yourself killed." I hiss at him.
"What do you know Ivy? You're just a kid."
"Leave her alone, Sam." Lia says. "We may be young, but we are not stupid. We have lasted just as long as anyone else here and are just as much of a threat."
"You lasted because of me." Sam snaps.
Anger rises in me, but I don't want to burst when we are in such a vulnerable position.
Luckily for me, I'm distracted when I see one of the other doors that enters the middle lawn area bust open to reveal someone. A sleepy looking girl with black hair tied in a low bun. It's Solaria, and she is running towards us.
District 4 – Naina Williams(17)
I'm pretty sure people still don't know I am here. I suppose that is good. The watchtower provides me with perspective on things. I saw the confrontation between the volunteer group, and I can almost feel the tension between them from all the way over here. Which is excellent for me. The quicker they off each other, the quick I can get home.
The one thing that did upset me was when I saw Nickel being thrown to the ground. He isn't in great shape, and isn't surrounded by the best group of people. There is nothing I can do but hope he doesn't get killed by any one of the volatile personalities in that messed up group.
When I arrived back at the watchtower after my brush with near death, I had to fix up my wounds as best I could. I used a minute amount of water to clean some cuts, and I also ripped some of my own shirt to make a makeshift bandage around a larger cut on my wrist.
After that I examined what I stole. A length of rope, some beans, a dagger and a bottle or two of water, which is almost exactly what I needed to keep me going. There are so many options for me now. Originally I thought I should set up a trap for those tributes I followed that were carrying the body away from the river bank. But I could also set up some traps over the remaining bridges to trip an escaping volunteer or something, hopefully not Nickel, but maybe the bigger boy.
I don't know. I think I might sleep on it and decide tomorrow. I can enjoy the sunset over the river and take as much of it in as possible.
There are only 13 of us left after the pair from 3's faces appeared not long after their cannons sounded, so I do have a chance. But I still like to make the most of the rare beauty in this arena. There are only so many opportunities for that left.
There are so many tributes I really don't want to kill off, but I know I eventually will have to.
Okay guys. I know I have asked this one before, but still:
Who is your favourite tribute and why?
I like to get perspective about who needs more development, so if you have any opinions, you can either review or PM me. I won't bite.
Thanks for reading and remember to review!
Isteed.