Shout out to dothegeekdance, stellaslomp, and HogwartsDreamer113 for the encouraging reviews! I don't say it enough, but every review is so sweet, and helps my writing improve. Hope everyone enjoys this chapter!
Stella gripped Matt's elbow, feeling how hot his skin was. She was worried about how bloodshot his eyes had become, how painful it was for him to even try to cough. There had to have been some poison in the dust to do this to him.
"Stella," Matt wheezed, "I'm going to die. Just go on now."
She shook her head, pulling him along, ignoring his pleas. Matt stumbled over a root, making her loose her hold. She leaned against a tree, closing her eyes to catch a minute of rest.
Matt doubled down, hacking, throwing up on the mossy ground. Stella turned her face away, her stomach heaving at the smell. She had always hated being around sick people. Her whole life she could afford to ignore, and go around the sick kids at school. Now her ally was sick, and she couldn't stand the thought of abandoning him. For some reason, she had grown weirdly attached to him.
Matt paused, wheezing about needing water. Stella handed him the bottle, letting him take a few sips. She pushed his shoulder, propelling him forward.
He handed her back the bottle, and she knelt, unzipping the backpack. Matt let out a long sigh, and Stella felt herself pushed forward. Shaking her head, she turned to Matt, telling him to get on up. Her heartrate spiked when she saw this person on top of Matt.
"What the hell are you doing?" She screamed, swinging the backpack, and hitting the person's back.
The person, shifted her head, giving Stella a cocky grin. Stella backed up, blinking at the sight of Matt's bloody throat.
"Your turn," Maureen held up the knife, "Want to make this easy for both of us?"
Stella blubbered, while unconsciously her fingers curled around the dagger in the backpack. Her free hand continued to hold the pack's handle. She stepped back, getting ready to swing the pack on her shoulders.
"Come on," Maureen exhaled loudly, "Don't make me chase you." She lunged for Stella, who easily dodged out of her way.
Stella glimpsed Matt's dead eyes, and anger filled her. While Maureen recovered her footing, she jumped her, screaming at her for killing Matt. Her knife slashed Maureen's jacket, while Maureen tried to twist her off of her.
The two girls grappled on the ground, Maureen rolling on top of her. Stella's arms remained free, and she slashed wildly, bringing the knife across Maureen's cheek. Maureen howled in pain, allowing Stella to scramble out from under her.
Maureen grabbed Stella's left wrist, twisting it painfully. Stella nearly dropped her knife, trying to break Maureen's grip. When that failed, she brought her teeth down, biting Maureen's fingers hard.
Maureen shrieking, let go, her left hand still covering up her bloody cheek. She was too distracted to fight with her knife. Stella reached for her backpack, and Maureen tried to fall on top of her, determined to not let her get away. Stella saw it coming, and swung with her right hand, cutting her across her ear.
Maureen howled, falling to the ground in pain. Stella jumped up, running with her backpack. She glanced back, and as she did tripped on a root, beginning to roll down the mountain, losing her knife in the process.
Pixelle startled awake at the cannon. "Delphi!" Her voice rang out, and the boy jumped to her side.
"It's ok! Pix, it's someone else, we're alright."
She rubbed her eyes, shivering. "I just heard it, and I was worried."
He smiled sympathetically, "I know. Look someone sent us a meal while you were asleep."
Pixelle's eyes lit up, "For me or for you?"
He grinned, "I think your mentor sent a note, so I guess you're the star of our alliance."
"Really? Bernard?" Pixelle didn't think Bernard really cared whether she lived or died. Maybe he was surprised that she had made it this far.
Philadelphia handed her the note, and she tore it open, "Keep it up, Keep P. R. till the end." She raised her eyes, noticing Delphi staring at her, "He's just being nice, nothing important."
He nodded, "Well, we have some Capitol meal, I'm not sure what all this food is, but we can enjoy it."
He opened the lid, and Pixelle peaked inside, pulling out the neat little packages of food. "It smells good." She opened one, "I know this is celery, I'll count how many pieces there are."
Philadelphia took one, "This is chicken, but it's just the wings. Why would anyone want the tiniest part of their body?"
Pixelle shrugged, "I don't know, maybe when you have plenty it's the tastiest?"
"We get chicken once a month is 9, only when's there's a surplus of parts. We ship it out once a month, and if an orders full, then those who can afford it buy up the spare deals."
Pixelle shook her head, "I can't believe how you get fresh meat like that! Now I kind of wish I lived in your district."
"Let's open up the other packages, here this one's the largest."
Pixelle popped the lid, wrinkling her nose, "It smells good, but what is it?" She wracked her brain, "I think my stylist ate this, it looks familiar."
"I think it's called pizza, kind of sounds like your name, huh?"
"No,' she stuck her tongue out slightly, "Pizza sounds like a guy, and I'm a girl."
"Whatever," he laughed, "Let's just eat."
"Wait, we need to divide it and save it, you know."
He nodded, tallying up the food in the other containers. "If we eat it all now, we each get five of the wings and celery."
"Celery will save for a while. And the wings too. I don't know about the pizza."
"Well, it had cheese. And milk is awful when it's bad."
"So we should eat this first?" Pixelle looked at him for approval.
"Exactly, and for supper too." Pixelle tore off a slice, handing it to him. She watched him take a bite, assuring herself that it would taste alright. He swallowed, and gave her a thumbs up. "Oh, they sent up these too," he handed her a liter of root beer.
"Doesn't look like water." She held it up, unscrewing the lid and smelling it. "You've already drunk some?"
"Yeah, I was thirsty, and just needed something."
"So it's good?" He nodded, and she took a sip, nearly choking on it.
"That is awful! It burns my nose!" She handed it back to him, rubbing her face, "What's wrong with it?"
He was laughing, "Come on, I thought it was rather tasty!" He took a drink, "Yeah its different, but in a good sort of way."
"No, I don't want that. Thank you, but I'll wait for the tide."
The anthem began, and Pixelle leaned her head on Philadelphia's shoulders, dreading the upcoming display.
"Bernard, how'd you afford that for your tributes?" Annora stepped across the mentors lounge to the District Three mentor.
"Hey, Annora. You know you're one of the few mentors I will talk to."
She rolled her eyes, "So what. Yeah, I am one of the few standing in this room who actually cares if you exist."
"True," he ran his fingers through his thick hair, "Pixelle is doing a fine job, don't you agree?"
"For a twelve year old, I would say yes."
"Don't remind me," He breathed heavily, "I didn't expect anything but a bloodbath when that escort pulled that age." His shoulder slumped, "It's all I get every year. I'm the killer mentor, huh?"
"You didn't answer my question. That feast is a jillion bucks right now, so how?" As if to punctuate her thoughts, the PA system crackled with the announcement that all food sponsorships were terminated.
"Simple, I bought that meal the first night. When they first teamed up, everyone thought they were adorable."
"They still do."
"But not survivable, now. Your girls are just too strong." He raised his eyebrows, daring her to disagree.
"Well, thank you. But Bernard, who knows? They may hide out, and still have a decent shot."
"Oh, don't kid me Annora. The Gamemakers will never let her win, she'll cause unrest, an innocent 12 year old, imagine what a headache, too many impetuous moments that girls her age create."
Annora's eyes lowered, "Bernard, we need those moments." She was grateful Odyssey had raised the volume on the TV commentary, keeping her conversation confidential.
"I do hope your dreams come true, but not through my tribute. I simply wanted her to enjoy something before she died. Too bad she didn't like the carbonation in the soda."
