Heat
Chapter 25
The Bloodbath
A/N: I feel that this is pretty obvious, because, you know, the Hunger Games, but this chapter contains descriptions of violence and death. Nothing too graphic, but people will die. You have been warned, proceed at your own risk. Let me know if anybody wants me to tone the descriptions down.
One year ago, minus about thirty seconds…
Galia Faraan –17- -D4- POV
I hear the gong and run off my platform, straight for a sword I had spotted when the countdown was going on. I just need to grab the sword, grab some food, and then I'll run. Then I'll just hide, mostly. That's my plan. I couldn't find any allies, the careers didn't want me because I didn't train, so I'm alone in this fight. Against twenty-three others. I run. The sword is just in front of me. I bend down to grab it- and find myself pushed forward, a searing pain in my chest. I scream. I look down. There's a sword running through my chest. Then it comes out with a sickening sound and a fresh burst of pain. I fall to the ground, and feel arms under me, lifting me up. I close my eyes, trying to block it out. I feel feet running. I'm being put down. I feel more pain, and I hear myself screaming. I wonder if Kai is watching. I hope not. I don't want him to see me like this. I know I'm going to die. I tune out the pain, there's nothing I can do about it anyway. I open my eyes and only see a white light. I think about Kai. I should have told him how I felt. I'm almost sure he felt the same way. I was just too nervous. I was a coward, and now I'm paying the price. I'll die, and he'll never have known how I felt. Before I drift off, I think, I love you, Kai. Even if you never knew. Even if you'll never know. I love you.
Back to the present… T-30 Seconds until the timer goes off.
Wyatt Fritz –14- -D12- POV
I rise up from the launch tube, into the arena. I have to close my eyes because I'm suddenly blinded by the light. Maybe some sort of dark eye covering would be useful. What do they call them in the Capitol again? Sunglasses. Those would be nice. I open my eyes to see… a desert! What the? I was excepting a forest or something. This is going to be a struggle just to survive. Should be fun. I look over at Abi. I see her blinking out the light from her own eyes, then she looks at me. I nod, and she gives me a thumbs up. We brace on our platforms, ready for the starting gong, and start to survey the area, looking for supplies. Easy to get to, minimal risk, hopefully,
Abi Hendrix –14- -D12- POV
I look around the arena. A desert. Shoot! This will be a problem. I look at Wyatt, and he nods at me. I give him a thumbs up, and brace for the games to start.
Calyx Anther –17- -D11- POV
I rise up the tube into the arena. I look around. It is not what I was excepting to see. It's a desert. This will be a bit of a problem because my strategy is mostly to find a small weapon and hide most of the Games. The desert will make the hiding a bit harder, as I doubt that I'm going to find any waterfalls with grazing deer. Then again, maybe there will be a watering hole… I start scanning the Cornucopia for weapons. Ideally a dagger, or a short sword. A crossbow would be great, but that's not going to happen.
Athena Fallow –17- -D11- POV
I rise up from the holding area into the arena. I'm blinded by the suddenly intense light. As soon as my eyes adjust, I find Sofie on the other side of the circle. I give her a thumbs up and she returns the gesture. And I realize that we're in a desert. Oh well, we planned for this. Sort of. I immediately turn my head to look behind me and all around. I see a grove of trees. If it goes beyond where I can see, which it looks like it does, we can hide there. Of course, they're desert trees, without leaves, and with some cacti interspersed, but a forest is still a forest. I look at Sofie again and point to the forest. She nods. That's where we're going. I start to scan the Cornucopia for a good weapon, getting ready for the starting gong.
Noah Jones –17- -D10- POV
I rise up into the arena, and after I recover from the blinding light, I realize that we're in a desert. Shoot! I think. My and Belinda's plan essentially rested on hiding the whole game, but that won't be an option now. I give her a questioning look, and she shrugs.
Belinda Mosler –15- -D10- POV
I rise into the arena and realize that it's a desert. I look at Noah. He gives me a questioning look. I know what he's thinking, that our strategy is going to, let's say, let's say that it'll have problems now. I shrug at him. I don't know what we'll do, but it seems like he excepts me too. I wish I could say, 'working on it'. Sadly, I can't. I scan the Cornucopia for a good weapon.
Angus Blush –17- -D9- POV
I rise into the arena. After I blink the light out of my eyes, I realize something. There are no trees, no grass. There is only desert. Crap, I think. This should be fun. Then I feel something – someone – coming out. No! I think, but it's too late.
Azalea Saffron –12- -D9- POV
I rise into the arena and blink the light out of my eyes. And the arena is a desert. Great. Just great. I look over and see Abi and Wyatt exchange glances. I wave. They wave back. I nod, they nod back. I get ready to run.
Kaine Thomason –14- -D8- POV
I rise out of the arena. I quickly blink the light out of my eyes, reminding myself to always be alert. I immediately start looking around the Cornucopia for a good killing weapon.
Twyler Onzui –16- -D8- POV
I rise into the arena. Looking around I notice that it's a desert. Well, my plan didn't really hinge too much on the design of the Arena, I figured that I couldn't be sure. So, my plan is the same. Run into the Bloodbath, get a good survival kit. Get a good weapon. Kill anybody in the way, but try to stay under the radar, then run.
Cyder Lamentian –17- -D7- POV
I rise into the arena. I am blinded by the sudden flash of light, but only for a few seconds. Then I look over at Aurora. I nod. She nods. We both know the plan. Get in on the edges, get out. I notice the blue ribbon in her hair. It looks pretty. It makes a good token, especially in contrast to our white clothes. I think of Juniper. I smile and start to scan the area.
Aurora Dayton –17- -D7- POV
I rise into the arena. I see that it's a desert. I return Cyder's nod and then start surveying the area for quick to grab weapons, ideally an ax, and for good places to run. I know that Cyder is doing the same.
Edmund Caden –16- -D6- POV
I rise into the arena. I scoff when I realize what cheap trick the Gamemakers have pulled. A desert. Can't they be more creative? No matter, I'll still win. I quickly locate the biggest sword I can find. That's the one.
Lindsay Cutt –13- -D6- POV
I rise into the arena. I look around. A desert. It doesn't really matter. I'll be dead soon anyway.
Spire Windell –16- -D5- POV
I rise into the arena. A desert. Nice. I hope that I can find enough water. I quickly start to locate killing weapons, ideally a spear.
Sofia 'Sofie' Guinness –16- -D5- POV
I rise into the arena. After I blink the sudden light out of my eyes and note the rocks and sand instead of the usual grass and trees, I look over at Athena. She gives me a thumbs-up and I give her one in return. There's a river that separates the platforms from the Cornucopia, with one path for each Tribute. The platforms aren't separated from each other, so somebody could easily get killed on their platform. We're all wearing a white t-shirt and pants, not good for stealth. I remember that it was an argument I had to have with my stylist, and then he had to have with the Gamemakers, to include an interior pocket on my shirt. We had to convince them that it didn't give me an advantage and that since I guess I could stab somebody with the pencil, we could consider it my token. Luckily, we won, so I still have my notepad and pencil. I hope that I'll live long enough to write in it. And that somehow, it will get home, hopefully not stained in blood. I start looking around for a weapon, and a place to run.
Kai Presley –18- -D4- POV
I rise into the arena, blinking the light out of my eyes. I remember when Galia did this. I thought she had such good chances, but- snap out of it. This is no time for reminiscing. I look over at Brooke. I need to protect her. She smiles. It looks pretty. Wait. Did I just think- No. Focus, Kai, focus. I smile back at her. I think of- Focus, Kai, focus!
Brooke Nash –15- -D4- POV
I rise into the arena and blink the sunlight out of my eyes. I realize before I even open them that this must be a desert or a place like it. I open my eyes and realize that I'm right. I look over at Kai and smile. It takes a second, but then he smiles back. He looks so handsome when he- Focus, Brooke, focus. I look away and start scanning the area for weapons. Maybe a trident or a net. Or both. I know that Kai will be looking for a place to run.
Titanium Sparks –18- -D3- POV
I rise into the arena. I'm annoyed by being blinded, even if it's only for a few seconds. I notice the desert that certainly has all the other Tributes, especially that pathetic little girl next to me, frightened. I fear nothing. I know I'll win. I start looking for killing weapons.
Rianna Meade –16- -D3- POV
I rise into the arena. I look around. It's a desert. Crap, I think. I should just run. That's what I'll do. I'll run and hide. Maybe somebody will gift me a dagger. Maybe I'll wrestle one from somebody else. I can survive without a weapon. I could probably make one. There must be cacti here, there's one now. I bet I could pull off a spike and use it as a weapon. I'll figure it out. First, run. I turn around, away from the Cornucopia, being careful not to step off my platform.
Arc Woods –18- -D2- POV
I rise into the arena. I notice it's a desert, but I know that the careers will manage. They always have in the past, and now they have me. I look over at Lily and smile. She actually looks pretty, somehow, in her plain clothes.
Lily Cross –17- -D2- POV
I rise into the arena, noting that it's a desert. It shouldn't be much of a problem. I notice Arc smiling at me, and smile back at him. He actually looks handsome. Hmm. Those thoughts could be problematic. I push them aside and start to scan the area.
Topaz Hazard –17- -D1- POV
I rise into the arena. I notice that it's a desert, but I doubt that it'll be a problem. I remember Diamond, and I smile. I'll be coming back to you victorious soon, I think. Then I start to look for the best weapon in the Cornucopia.
Satin Hermes –18- -D1- POV
I rise into the arena. It's a desert, it shouldn't be much trouble. There have been deserts before. Around forty-five percent of the time, somebody from District One wins. Since I'm here, I think those odds increase. I look around for supplies, my part of the career agreement. And a good weapon, of course.
The Tributes stand on their platforms, absorbed in thought, as the last seconds count down to the start of the games.
5.
4.
3.
2.
1.
Gong!
Edmund Caden POV
I run off my platform a second after I hear the gong. I run right into the center of the Cornucopia. I look around, looking for what I spotted earlier. I see it, and grab it. It's a sword, a big one. I struggle for a second to hoist it, but then I grab it. I look back towards Lindsay's platform. I see her walking, literally walking, across the narrow bridge to the Cornucopia. I wish that I could kill her with just my fists, but that would leave me venerable for too long. Suddenly, she breaks into a sprint.
Lindsay Cutt POV
I stand on my platform for a few seconds after the gong rings. Then, I start walking towards the Cornucopia. In the ten seconds I walk, I'm surprised that I haven't been shot with an arrow. Maybe I do stand a chance. Probably not. I see a glint of metal. A dagger, I think. Maybe it's worth a shot. I see Edmund lifting a giant sword and looking at me. At least I'll go out fighting. Screw Edmund for all he's done to me. I break into a sprint.
Edmund Caden POV
Lindsay runs right at me. I hoist my sword. For a second, I think she'll run her neck right into the blade. Then, she ducks at the last second and runs under my blade. Why is she suddenly putting up a fight now?
Lindsay Cutt POV
I duck under Edmund's sword and keep running. I dive for the dagger and grab it by the hilt. I roll onto my back and bring the dagger up in a defensive gesture. I see that it's unnecessary because Edmund is still struggling to bring his sword around. I take the dagger and rise to a crouch. I run at Edmund's leg.
Edmund Caden POV
I feel a stabbing pain in my leg. I look down and realize that a dagger is sticking out of my leg. And that dagger is attached to Lindsay. She picked a mighty fine time to fight back.
Lindsay Cutt POV
I pull the dagger out of Edmund's leg, to a nice scream. He shouts some profanities at me. I stand up to put the dagger into his belly and – feel a hot pain across my neck.
Edmund Caden POV
Lindsay stands up and lunges at my chest. Her final mistake, and one she won't live to regret. I swing my sword in front of me, and her head comes cleanly off her body. It falls on the rock behind her body, which falls to her knees. As she topples forward, I grab the dagger from her hand and step back. I put the dagger down, and grab a survival pack nearby. I sling it over my shoulder, pick up the dagger again, and start to run off. Then, I see the boy from District Nine. He's bent over, trying to lift three spears at a time, without success. I decide to start towards him.
Miller Blush POV
I took over from Angus before the starting gong even went off. I'm the only way he can hope to survive. I decided on a much riskier plan than he had, with a much higher reward. I run into the center of the Cornucopia, picking up a survival kit while looking around for weapons. I see a stack of spears and struggle to pick them up. I manage to pick them up. Then I hear footsteps coming towards me. I see the boy from six coming towards me. He's got an ugly wound in his left leg, but it doesn't seem to phase him. Probably adrenaline. Either way, he's got a big sword and wants to kill me. And Angus. And Dem. So I lob a spear at him. And I miss. He's getting closer. I throw another spear. This one barely misses. He's so close now that I try to stab at him. His sword cuts through my spear.
Edmund Caden POV
The boy from nine notices me and throws one of his spears towards me. It misses, and I don't even have to dodge. The next one comes closer, but it still doesn't hit. He's a bad shot. I cut through his last spear with my sword. I can see the fear on his face, and I like it.
Miller Blush POV
I don't have time to think of another plan before I feel a hot pain through my chest. I realize that the other boy's sword is sticking through my chest. He pulls it out, and I fall backward.
Edmund Caden POV
After I dispose of the boy from nine, I look around for anyone else who looks like an easy kill. I don't see anyone, so I pick one of the clumps of desert trees scattered around the Cornucopia and run for it.
Rianna Meade POV
I hear the starting gong. It sounds like the gunshot that killed Thea. I fall down to my platform.
Satin Hermes POV
I run off my platform and straight into the Cornucopia. I grab some of the supplies I was looking at, and a longbow.
Belinda Mosler POV
I notice a small knife, not a dagger, but a knife, only a few feet away from my platform. As soon as the gong sounds, I dash and pick it up. Then, I look at Noah. He's found a small sleeping bag. We don't really care about many supplies, mainly about getting out of the danger area as quickly as possible. We get closer together, as we run for a clump of trees. We're about halfway there when I feel a sharp pain in the back of my chest. I look down and see an arrow sticking through my chest before I fall face down on the ground.
Noah Jones POV
I grab a sleeping bag. I think that I and Belinda will sleep in shifts, one keeping watch, one sleeping. Our plan is pretty much to hide out all Games, and only go and kill people at the end. Then, we might have to fight each other, but… We'll burn that bridge when we get to it. I see her stumble as we run. There's an arrow sticking out of her chest. I slow down, and try, unsuccessfully to grab her. A small part of my brain reminds me that she's dead and to keep running. Too late, as I feel an arrow through my back, protruding from my stomach, and sending me careening forward into the dirt.
Satin Hermes POV
I grab the bow and take aim at two fleeing Tributes. It doesn't matter who they are, but from their positions around the Cornucopia, I'm guessing they're the pair from ten. I send an arrow through the girl's heart. The boy slows down to help her. His sentimentality will get him killed. I send another arrow at him. I was aiming for his heart, as he squatted down to help her, but I miss and hit his stomach. Oh well. He's dead either way. I sling the bow and quiver over my shoulder and start to stand up from my crouching shooting position when I feel pain through my back. A spear shows through my heart, and I fall forward onto the ground.
Spire Windell POV
I run off my platform towards the Cornucopia. I look for a survival pack, but the closest one is by the careers. I settle for a bottle of water and a sleeping bag, slinging them over my shoulder. I grab a spear. I spot the girl from one, squatting with a bow. She shoots an arrow at somewhere I can't see. She is somehow only a few feet away from me, but it makes sense, as we are both deep inside the Cornucopia. I rush towards her, aiming my spear at her heart. I adjust quickly as she starts to stand up. My spear runs through her heart, and I pull it out quickly. I only hear a quick sputter from her, before I run away from the Cornucopia.
Topaz Hazard POV
I run off of my platform, and into the Cornucopia. I grab a sword, a tent, and a flask of water. I turn to check on Satin, who should be getting us supplies. I see the boy from five behind her. I go to shout out, but it's already too late. She's dead. She crumples to the ground. That cowardly child! I will skin him alive! He runs off into the woods. I'll get him later. I continue grabbing supplies.
Titanium Sparks POV
I run into the Cornucopia. I grab a battleax and a large bottle of water. Then I look back. I see the pathetic girl crumpled on her platform. This way, I'll prove myself to the careers. I take my ax and run towards her. She starts to stir, but not soon enough. My ax comes down on her body just as she opens her eyes.
Lily Cross POV
I run from my platform into the Cornucopia. I start to grab supplies. Once, I look up and see Titanium running towards a girl crumpled on her platform. He chops her- ugh. Does he think that will prove him to us? Killing a defenseless girl? He is truly a horrible person. I decide that I'll kill him first. Then, I see the girl from eight.
Twyler Onzui POV
My plan is bold, but I think that it'll work. I run into the Cornucopia. I spot a survival kit and grab it. Then I look around for a bow. No bow. I see a long sword. Okay, I can work with that. I grab it and a knife and start to run. Then I hear footsteps behind me, gaining on me. I don't think I can outrun them, so I turn around. It's the girl from two. She has a sword and is coming right at me.
Lily Cross POV
I grab a nearby sword and charge at the girl from eight. Everyone out of the way now, one less to kill later. She turns around and raises her sword once she hears me coming. I slow down, I don't want to run into her blade. I reach her and faint a stroke at her neck. I quickly come down towards her stomach, but she blocks me. Nice. She might actually put up a fight. I quickly pull back. I faint towards her left arm but pull up towards her neck at the last second. She doesn't see it. A squirt of blood comes from her neck, staining my shirt, and she falls backward.
Twyler Onzui POV
I block her first strike. She backs away, and I get ready to block the second one. I see it coming and move my sword. In the blink of an eye though, her sword is in a completely different location, and I feel a streak of pain across my neck as I fall backward.
Sofie Guinness POV
I see a pack of throwing knives by my platform. Good luck. Athena said she knew how to use those. I grab them, a knife, and a small pack of water. Tiny, maybe two sips, not more. I spot Athena. She has a sword and motions towards a grove of trees. I follow her and we run out of the kill zone. I try to ignore the sounds of violence behind me and weave so that I don't get hit in the back by an arrow. Amazingly, we make it to the trees alright, and disappear into them.
Athena Fallow POV
I grab the sword I had spotted by my platform. Sofie should know how to use that. I also grab a small pack of food, a bar, really, a packet of water, and a small bag. Then I run towards a grove of trees I had noticed earlier, motioning for Sofie to follow me. She does, and amazingly, we reach the treeline without incident.
Azalea Saffron POV
I spot a knife by my platform and grab it. Then I run towards Abi and Wyatt, who have a few small items and are already running for a grove of trees. I scoop up a ration bar on the way and run as fast as I can. We reach the treeline and take a few seconds to catch our breath, away from the possibility of sudden death.
Abi Hendrix POV
I see a small pack of water by my platform. Further in is a sleeping bag. It's risky, but I go for it. I grab it, and a small backpack nearby. I look for Wyatt, and he motions to a grove of trees. I run after him. Azalea catches up with the two of us, and we disappear into the treeline.
Wyatt Fritz POV
I spot a small knife by my platform and grab it. Then I grab a small bag. I look over at Abi, and motion to a grove of trees. She starts to follow me. Azalea catches up to us as we disappear into the trees.
Brooke Nash POV
I look over at Kai, and we nod. We run into the Cornucopia. I grab a trident and a survival kit. I'm surprised that I manage to get one, but I'm not going to complain. I look over at Kai, who has a sword, a sleeping bag, and some food, and we run. We run until we crest a hill and come down on the other side of it, safely away from the carnage of the Bloodbath. For now, at least.
Kai Presley POV
Brooke looks at me, and we exchange nods. In the Cornucopia, I grab a sword that I had noticed earlier, a sleeping bag, and what looks like a packet of food. I check on Brooke, who has a trident and what looks like a survival kit. We both know that now is time to run. And so we do until we reach the cover of a hill.
Aurora Dayton POV
I look at Cyder, and we run. Not far into the Cornucopia, but enough to get ourselves a few good weapons. I grab an ax and a pack of throwing knives. Then I grab a roll of something, and run, with Cyder, towards a dip in the landscape. We reach it without incident.
Cyder Lamentian POV
I look at Aurora and run into the Cornucopia. I manage to find a sword and focus on grabbing a few bottles of water and a pack of food. Then I follow Aurora towards a dip in the landscape.
Calyx Anther POV
I run quickly into the Cornucopia. I grab a short sword and start to pick up a sleeping bag before I hear footsteps behind me. I turn around and am greeted by the boy from two charging me with a sword. I raise my sword to defend myself.
Arc Woods POV
I run into the Cornucopia. I grab a sword and start to go for a large bottle of water when I see the boy eleven bending over to grab something. I take my opportunity and run at him. He turns around before I can get there and raises his sword. I start to slow down, and before I can react, I see his sword coming towards me. I'm rewarded for my slow reaction with a cut across my leg. I step back and he lunges at me again.
Calyx Anther POV
The boy from two is too slow. I cut across his legs, causing a bit of blood to sprout from them. I lunge at his chest. Maybe I stand a chance – and I feel a hot pain through my stomach. I look down to see a sword sprouting through it. I lunged right into his blade. He pulls the sword out of me and I fall backward.
Arc Woods POV
It was his speed that kills the boy from eight. He lunges right into my sword, the blood from his stomach staining his white shirt. I pull my sword out and he falls to the ground.
Kaine Thomason POV
I run into the Cornucopia. I grab a pack of food, another one of water, and stuff them into a small bag. Then I grab a spear and a small knife. Then I run into a grove of trees, safely away from the Cornucopia.
Lily Cross –17- -D2- POV
After I kill the girl from eight and leave her body lying on the ground, I walk back to the Cornucopia. I'm not in a hurry. Most of the fighting seems to be over. Most Tributes have fled or are dead by now. I walk back into the Cornucopia and see what spoils are left for me and the rest of the careers. It's a pretty good pile. I survey the various people looking at the supplies. Then I realize something.
"Where's Satin?" I ask. Topaz points and I follow his finger. I see Satin's body sprawled on the ground, face down. I see a spot of blood on the back of her shirt. "Who did this?" I ask.
"The boy from five," Topaz says. I see anger flash in his eyes. "He stabbed her in the back and ran. Coward."
"We'll kill him," I say.
"I'll kill him," Topaz says.
"Okay," I say. "Where did he go?" Topaz indicates a grove of trees. "Okay then. That's where we go. Everybody grab a survival pack and their favorite weapon. Somebody grab a tent. Grab some sleeping bags if you want, and if you have a bow, make sure you have enough arrows. Okay?"
"Who put you in charge?" Titanium asks.
"Nobody, but I don't see you doing it," I say. No, no, avoid a fight. Be diplomatic. "Look, how about this. We're all going to kill each other, so no one is in charge. Let's just do what's best for all of us. My plan makes sense, right?" I see grudging nods from everyone else. "Okay then," I say. "We're going hunting.
To be continued…
The Fallen:
Satin Hermes, 18F, D1. Career. Stabbed in the back by Spire Windell.
Rianna Meade, 16F, D3. Killed with an ax by Titanium Sparks.
Lindsay Cutt, 13F, D6. Decapitated by Edmund Caden.
Twyler Onzui, 16F, D8. Throat slit by Lily Cross.
Angus Blush, Dem Blush, Miller Blush, 17M, D9. Stabbed by Edmund Caden.
Belinda Mosler, 15F, D10. Shot in the back by Satin Hermes.
Noah Jones, 17M, D10. Shot in the back by Satin Hermes.
Calyx Anther, 17M, D11. Stabbed in the chest by Arc Woods.
A/N: I hope you liked this chapter. Sorry to all the Tributes who died. Everyone had brilliant characters, but 23 must die. Anyway, tell me what you thought if you want me to change anything. Also, the rest of Day One will be coming soon! May the Odds be Ever in Your Favor!