Morning 6
When Koda wakes up, he knows immediately that something is different. He crawls to the edge of the cave and looks out at the arena. The wind that just last night was blowing branches off the trees has gone still. The white covering on the ground has turned almost grey and become littered with twigs and pine needles. Kode reaches up and pulls his hood from his head, sweat dripping down the back of his neck. His eyes light up as the realization dawns on him, and he hurries over to wake Emrys.
A soft nudge is all that Emrys needs to snap awake. He looks around frantically, expecting another tribute or mutt to already be making its way into their hideout. Finding nothing, Emrys looks back to Koda who is again staring out at the arena with wide eyes. "What? What's here?"
Koda shakes his head, not understanding Emrys' alarm. He waves for Emrys to follow him and they sit at the mouth of the cave together for a moment before he understands what Koda is trying to show him. He looks back at his ally in awe. "The wind's gone."
Koda smiles and nods his head excitedly. Emrys can't help but join in his ally's happiness, no matter how fleeting it likely is. They aren't going to be trapped in the cave wondering what new muttations will be sent their way, or simply dying from exposure when the temperature drops even further. Emrys knows that they're not anywhere near safe, but just crossing off 'death by cold' from his list of possibilities is almost enough to bring him to tears. He throws his arms around Koda without realizing what he is doing. Koda stiffens for a moment before sinking into the embrace, his forehead resting on Emrys' shoulder.
"What now?" Emrys asks, uncomfortably peeling himself out of the hug, and Koda just stares back. They used the last of their explosives to kill the muttation the other night. Emrys' whole strategy for the arena centered on the bombs, but it looks like he will have to come up with a new plan to keep himself and Koda safe. The bombs were never going to last forever, but Emrys sure as hell didn't expect to live long enough to see them run out.
Emrys looks up just in time to see the white parachute dropping down from the sky. The attached container sinks into the slush just beyond the cave and Emrys quickly begins to reach for it. Just as his glove touches the cool metal, he notices the '3' emblazoned on the top of the container. Emrys tries to hide the disappointment from his face, realizing that the gift isn't for him after all. "I think it's yours, Koda."
Koda timidly picks up the container and it's heavier than he expected. He looks at Emrys for a moment before he pulls it apart, revealing a stack of thin metal plates and a small slip of paper. Koda grabs the paper first, quickly glancing it over before handing it to Emrys to read aloud. Emrys takes it and tries to shake his sour mood before he begins reading. "This is the best I could do. Good thing you didn't need anything last night. Sanai."
Emrys grimaces at the curt words. They're clearly from Koda's mentor, but he can't understand how anyone watching them last night could think that they didn't need help. Emrys and Koda had to drag the muttation carcass across them like a blanket when Koda suddenly stopped shivering during the night. They could have used more supplies, but neither of their mentors stepped up. Emrys figures he just didn't have any sponsors and that's not surprising, but to think that Koda does and his mentor still nearly let him die overnight is almost worse.
"What are they?" Emrys asks, peering down at the stack of objects. Koda slides a couple of the plates out to examine but he doesn't recognize them at first. He shakes his head at Emrys and flips them over and over in his hand. A small, blank screen sits over the top half and there is clearly a back panel that has been half-unscrewed already. Koda doesn't know exactly what the strange devices are but he knows precisely what they are meant for.
Emrys says it before Koda gets the chance. "More tech?"
Koda nods. Sanai sent him equipment to try and create more explosives. Koda should be impressed that he has enough sponsors to get this much help, but he can only think about how much he wishes he didn't. He looks up at Emrys, knowing full well that his ally is going to be pleased by this development. Koda prepares himself for another wave of dread but it doesn't come. He flips the device over again and a sort of shock wave of familiarity drives itself through the device and up his arm. Koda can almost picture that he is back in his father's workshop, trying to figure out why his newest exploit isn't working properly. It's a comforting feeling even if it's a lie.
The devices are small and look fragile, probably old models too, but they're definitely some kind of electronic. Koda pries off one of the back panels and sees a somewhat familiar pattern of wires. They won't be nearly as powerful as the ones from the Cornucopia but it's possible he could connect them in some kind of series. Koda looks back and finds some spare wires in the container as well. This could actually work.
"Koda," Emrys begins. He knows exactly what he has to say. He has to explain to Koda that even though he might not want to rig up any more bombs, their survival depends on it. Emrys knows that this conversation will be difficult, it always is, but they'll strike the same deal and maybe Koda will be okay after this one. Emrys could even insist that Koda be far away when he detonates it. "I know it's hard-"
"I can do it," Koda interrupts. Working with his hands feels normal, and Koda is ready to cling to any bit of himself that can feel normal again. Even just fiddling with the spare wires and removing the back panels makes him feel like he is home. Koda retreats to that space in his mind, remembering the sounds of the workshop, and nothing else matters. He is just building with his father. If he doesn't think too hard about it, that's all that will matter. Deep down, Koda knows that it isn't true but he wants it so badly that he doesn't even care to shake himself from the dream.
Laurent is glad to be on the move again. He hardly got any sleep last night, thinking again about Airla out there in the arena. He wonders if the cannon last night was her fault and if she is trying to outdo him again like she always has. Airla probably thinks that she has this all figured out that she will make a fool out of Laurent and the alliance that he has led successfully for this long. They're going to find her today; Laurent will not allow them to stop until they do. He should have just had her killed after she humiliated him by killing that District 7 tribute. How could he have not seen her departure coming? That was a mistake that Laurent cannot forgive himself for until he fixes it.
It has been hard not to blame himself for not planning for what now seems like an obvious move. Laurent prides himself on being in control of every moment and right now he feels like things are beginning to spiral out of his grasp. He still has Zaid and Valya, but they're not the people that Laurent would choose to have on his side. He needs people who are stronger and willing to do what it takes. Laurent doesn't think these traits describe his current allies, but they definitely describe Airla. He needs to find her. Laurent won't be able to sleep until she is dead. She is the only one who could possibly ruin this for him.
Zaid hangs back with Valya, somewhat unnerved by the realization that Laurent is mumbling to himself as he walks. Zaid has never seen Laurent appear so out of his element, the District 12 tribute always seems to be perfectly put together. It worries him but also opens up a bit of hope that Laurent might be more like Zaid than he expected. Maybe neither of them are handling the arena as well as they thought they would. Still, he feels more comfortable talking to Valya for the moment. She seems just as wary of the situation as he is and at least somewhat sane.
"Where do you think we're headed?" Zaid whispers. Valya watches Laurent closely, looking for any sign that he has heard Zaid. He continues walking and she allows herself to fall a few steps behind. Zaid matches her pace, glad that she is willing to talk.
"Is there really anywhere to be heading?" Valya responds. The arena must be big enough for all the tributes to have stayed hidden from each other for so long, but so far their alliance has explored very little of it. Today is the longest they have walked, and they've not seen anyone. Valya wonders if they will actually find Airla and Malachi today. She also wonders what she will say if they do. Her hand drifts down to her pocket but she snaps it away before Zaid can notice.
"No, I guess not," Zaid nods. It seems like a reckless journey to make just to find Airla and Malachi, but neither of them said anything this morning when they left. He wasn't going to say anything that might upset the already precarious situation in their alliance, but Zaid realizes he desperately wants to connect with Valya. It's difficult now without Airla around and Valya is a lot easier to like than Laurent. Zaid can't imagine not having a friend in this place, though he couldn't have imagined most of what has happened this week. "Do you think we should be doing this?"
"Do you?" Valya asks automatically. As much as she knows it's best to just wait and see what happens between Laurent and Zaid, Valya also knows that she wants Zaid to be the one to take charge. She isn't sure if she likes either of them after all that has happened, but Zaid at least seems to have been affected by it. It would be a lot easier to follow his lead than Laurent's. Valya prefers the slot of follower, it feels like a safer situation, but to whom is still to be determined.
"I'm not sure," Zaid says, dropping his gaze. Valya looks at him for a moment, hoping that he will continue but he doesn't. He stares at his feet as they walk and Valya can't help but compare him to the Zaid she met in training. If she hadn't seen the transition herself, Valya would have sworn they were different people altogether. She waits another few moments before she allows herself to quicken pace so that she is walking between the two boys. Valya should be making the same attempts with Laurent, especially considering how quiet Zaid has become, but it's hard not to be afraid of him.
Valya needs one of them to take her to the finale and at this point, it doesn't exactly matter which one. She wants it to be Zaid just for comfort, but if it's Laurent that will have to be fine. If she can make it to the final day, Valya knows that she has a good chance at winning. She isn't as strong as the boys, but she isn't helpless either. They'll underestimate her and that's exactly what Valya wants. Her hand drifts again to her pocket, zipped shut as it has been since day one. She hasn't gotten the opportunity to look very closely at the pistol, but she has the instructions committed to memory after reading them on her watches. She has three bullets and that means three chances to take them out at the end. Valya just has to make sure she lasts that long.
"You haven't eaten in a while," Valya says as she catches up with Laurent, pulling a bag of nuts out of her opposite pocket. Laurent flinches at the sound of her voice but he takes the food gratefully. Valya matches her steps with his and waits patiently. She knows that he will speak when he is ready. Laurent, unlike the new Zaid, isn't as comfortable with silence as she is.
Ainsley ties the sleeves of her uniform at her waist, flexing her fingers as the blood continues to thaw her skin. Her fingertips are bright red and shiny, and the skin under her nails is bruised and painful, but she is alive. She reaches up and touches the blisters around her ears, knowing enough not to pop them but unable to keep her hands off them either. Ainsley can't imagine that she looks as beautiful as she did in the Capitol, but she couldn't care less. The night is over, and the wind has finally stopped. She couldn't be more thankful to simply be standing right now.
The soup that she got last night is long gone and it didn't even begin to quell the burning in her stomach. Ainsley knows that she needs to find food, but she doesn't know where to look. Green is beginning to peek out from under the grey slush on the ground, but as far as she can tell there are no other plants in the arena. Pine trees she is almost certain aren't edible, though Ainsley is still tempted. She has sipped on the melting snow all morning, but it's not a substitute for food. Her mind drifts to her mentor. Cateline has already saved her once, maybe she can do it again.
"Cateline," Ainsley whispers. She knows how pathetic she must look, staring up at the sky and asking for food, but she isn't sure what else to do. She thought maybe she could find a way to kill a rabbit or something, but she hasn't even seen an animal for days not to mention the fact that she is unarmed. "Please, I'm starving."
She waits for a few minutes before she moves on. Ainsley can't even be sure that her mentor is listening or that there is any money left to get her food in the first place. She hasn't done anything for days; would anyone sponsor her just so they can watch her sit around longer waiting to die? Ainsley isn't hopeful that anyone would. She keeps walking, her head throbbing with every step, but she knows she can't just sit here feeling sorry for herself. Ainsley needs a way to show the Capitol that she is worth betting on. The trouble is that, without a weapon or any supplies, she isn't sure anymore that she is worth it.
When she sees them, Ainsley has to stop herself from crying with excitement. There, speckling the needles and dripping with melting frost, are hundreds maybe thousands of berries. She vaguely remembers passing them on the first day, but she didn't pay much attention back then. Her, Vervain, and Harland had enough food to last a couple of days and taking food from the arena seemed like an unnecessary risk. Now Vervain and Harland are dead. It's just her and she has nothing. Ainsley reaches in and grabs a handful of the fruit, taking a couple of sharp twigs with them. She wants to stuff them all in her mouth and then go back for more, but she makes herself stop to at least examine them first.
They look like blueberries, though Ainsley hasn't had those in who knows how long. She rolls one between her fingers and presses it gently, but nothing seems out of place. The Capitol puts edible plants in the arena often enough, otherwise a lot more tributes would starve to death in the later days, but they've been known to include some poisonous ones as well. Ainsley tries to remember anything she can about differentiating the two but she can honestly say she didn't spend any time on that during training. Defending herself was the only thing that felt useful. Now she is pretty sure that she made the wrong decision by not at least looking at the survival skills.
Hunger wins out and Ainsley pops two berries into her mouth. She breaks them open between her teeth and the sweet flavour of the fruit washes over her taste buds. Ainsley swallows and closes her eyes, savouring the taste that lingers on her tongue, until a bitter note makes her eyes fly open. It's subtle, but it cuts right through the sweetness as long as you are paying attention. There is one thing that she remembers Ike saying that he found fascinating about nature. That the look and taste can sometimes give things away. Before she can think it through, Ainsley drops the rest of the berries into the slush and spits out the remaining taste from her mouth. Her heart is racing as she realizes that she might have just made a mistake. Nothing looked off about the berries, but she can't ignore the taste. It feels wrong.
The cameras are probably watching her right now. Viewers back in the Capitol are probably shaking their heads and wondering how stupid a tribute could be to trust something so obvious. Ainsley rams her fingers down her throat to bring up the berries, not caring that the soup from earlier will probably come up as well. Her body tenses as she vomits everything out of her stomach, but she doesn't stop heaving even when nothing comes up. Ainsley is shaking but she can't be sure if it's fear or some effect of the poison. She isn't even sure if they were poisonous. All she knows is that she is no longer willing to take this chance, no matter how desperate she feels.
Malachi isn't sure what Airla is doing when she suddenly reaches down and pulls her knives from her boots. He instinctively grabs the handle of his sword and holds it out in front of him. Malachi isn't sure at first if she is threatening him, but as he watches her look around them his fear of that dissipates. The fear of what she might have noticed only grows. Malachi can't remember hearing anything out of the ordinary. The sounds of the arena have changed, and he is still adapting to that. He tries his best to quiet his breathing and listen. Malachi is puzzled by what he hears, it's not like anything he can place but it's almost certainly some kind of animal.
"What is it?" Malachi whispers and Airla shoots him a look. Her expression is focused as her eyes flit from one tree to the next. Malachi too begins to look around, waiting for whatever is about to happen that seems to have scared even Airla. He doesn't think his expression mirrors her focus; he knows that he looks terrified because he is terrified. It's not the same fear that he had when they found Vervain or when he watched Laurent take down Ike. Those were fear from someone else, but Malachi had always been safe. No, this is fear for himself and the feeling is enough to choke him.
Airla looks up just as the creature dives down towards them from the top of a nearby pine tree. She shouts at Malachi to move but doesn't wait to see if he is going to follow. The bird detours when it realizes its targets have moved and it flies straight at Airla with its wings spread. She brings both her knives out in front of her and tucks her chin in tight to protect her neck. It changes direction again and slides into the slush not too far from them.
Malachi looks from the muttation to her with wide eyes, clearly not knowing what they should do. He points a hand towards the forest and Airla shakes her head, eyes flitting quickly between him and the bird. This thing is fast, but it's not that big. They should be able to handle it without risking any lethal injuries. Airla takes a step towards the muttation and it spreads its wings again, flapping them towards her. Airla automatically takes a step back but catches herself before she screams. That will only draw more attention their way.
He isn't sure how to help as he watches Airla approach the muttation. Malachi's sword shakes in his hand, suddenly feeling heavier than it had just a second earlier. He hears the honking call and whirls around just seconds before the second bird would have crashed into him. Malachi shouts for help and scrambles backwards from the creature, but it pursues him just as quickly. He slashes out with the sword but the blow is slow and has no force behind it.
The bird opens its mouth and almost appears to laugh as it charges towards him again. This time Malachi brings the blade around twice as fast and feels the resistance as it meets the animal. He feels sick but he keeps going, not allowing himself to think about what is going on and only trying to anticipate the next move. The bird snaps at him and Malachi slices upwards, letting out a yell as his blade severs its neck cleanly. Blood sprays out at him and Malachi scrambles back, slipping in the slush and landing on his back.
"Not bad," Airla says with a shaky smile. Malachi can see another bird laying motionless in front of her, red seeping into the half-melted snow. Airla steps over and helps him to his feet, visually looking him over for any injuries. She can see blood but no rips in his uniform, which tells Airla that the blood probably isn't his. "You could probably work on staying upright, though."
It takes a moment before Malachi recognizes the joke but, even then, he can only manage a weak laugh. His entire body shakes but this time there is no wind to blame. He wipes the blood from his uniform before cleaning his hands in the slush, the cold feeling good against his skin. Malachi isn't sure if it's fear or pride that is swelling up in his chest, but suddenly he doesn't feel quite so helpless. They don't have Laurent or the others, but maybe they don't need them anymore to find their way.
Eleni ignores Orienne as they walk. It feels good to stretch her legs again after so many days curled up in their blanket, but it's getting more and more difficult to stay with her friend. Eleni wants them to work things out and be exactly who they were before they got into the arena, but she can't see that happening. Orienne wants to go back to the Cornucopia to find more supplies. Eleni is scared that that will only quicken their death wish. They barely got out alive last time, in fact it was Orienne that almost died trying to get out of the clearing. To Eleni, it doesn't make any sense to go back.
"Are you even listening?" Orienne says, her voice louder than she expected but it's hard not to be upset. They have spent the morning trying to come up with a plan, exactly what Eleni wanted them to do yesterday, and now Eleni won't even answer her. It takes several steps before Eleni even notices that they're no longer side-by-side. By the time Eleni turns around, Orienne's face is red with anger.
"I don't want to talk about this," Eleni says with a sigh.
"You wanted a plan," Orienne says, tears building up in her eyes. She doesn't even know why she is crying, but she is just so frustrated. She is trying to do exactly what Eleni wants and now that's somehow wrong as well. "What's the problem?"
"I said I don't want to talk about this," Eleni repeats. The more that Orienne talks about doing something, the more images of anthem tributes flicker through Eleni's mind. She is perfectly content to just stay away from the other tributes. If they run straight into danger the way that Orienne is suggesting, they will die. Is that what she wants?
"Eleni," Orienne says, grasping Eleni's shoulder when she turns around again. Orienne doesn't know when exactly their playful conversations turned into fights, but it's been happening more every day. She just wants to give them the best chance possible to get out of the arena. Orienne knows that they both won't make it, but that's not the point right now. The point is that they're running out of time. If they don't go looking for supplies and opportunities, the others will. Orienne is scared too, but they have to do something. She doesn't want to just wait for death. "Please, just listen to me."
"No," Eleni says simply. She hates to see the hurt on Orienne's face, especially knowing that it's her fault, but she's just sick of hearing her ideas. They're not strong, not even together. They won't win if they're challenged. The only option left is to hide. Eleni doesn't want to leave her friend behind, but she will if she has to. As much as she loves Orienne, her own life matters more. Eleni will make sure she does everything she possibly can to survive, with or without Orienne.
Eleni shrugs Orienne's hand off her shoulder and continues to walk forwards. Orienne calls after her, but Eleni doesn't stop. Maybe it's cruel to just leave her behind, but it had to happen at some point. They both can't survive, it's just how the Hunger Games work. Eleni turns a corner around another tree, and she can hear footsteps following her. A small piece of Eleni is glad that Orienne is coming after her, the rest can't help but be annoyed.
Footsteps. Eleni freezes as she realizes that the footsteps she is hearing are not coming from behind her, they're coming from her right side. Her body begins to tremble even before she turns her heard to look, every part of Eleni now hoping to see Orienne following her.
A body crashes into Eleni before she can fully turn to look, but she is certain that, whoever it is, it's not Orienne. Eleni shrieks but is unable to prevent herself from being pulled to the ground alongside them. Cold slush sprays into her face, but Eleni just closes her eyes and flings her hands out in front of her. She doesn't have to search long before her hands grasp the front of the tribute's uniform. Eleni spits slush from her mouth and shoves him away from her, but he doesn't release her.
Milan uses his entire weight against Eleni. It's late into the morning, but he is only just leaving the cave he spent last night in with Madina. The fact that he heard this tribute just moments after leaving only attests to his good fortune. Milan is ready for this, even as his body trembles under the weight of what he knows he must do. He allows himself a quick look at the girl, but he can't place her. Another stroke of good luck. It's easy for Milan to create the story in his mind. She would attack and kill him if she were given the chance. He is only doing what he needs to do to survive. Milan repeats the lines over in his head, his inner voice only becoming stronger as she fights back.
Eleni chokes on water as she is pushed back to the ground. Her uniform is soaked through, ice chunks pressing against her cheeks and hands as she attempts to push herself back to her feet. Eleni reaches for the knife in her belt, hoping that it has not been shaken loose during her struggle. Her hand connects to the handle and she whips it out in front of her. Milan already has his weapon drawn and he appears unfazed. He jumps on top of her and stomps on her hand as hard as he can until Eleni releases the handle. Milan tosses the knife away just seconds before he sees the other girl running towards him.
"Eleni!" Orienne screams, seeing Milan kneeling on top of her ally. She knows she has to do something, but she has no idea what that something is. Her eyes land on the knife on the ground and she clasps her fingers around its wet handle. She rushes forwards, the knife gripped clumsily in her hand, just as Milan presses his own blade against Eleni's neck.
"Stop!" Milan yells but Orienne doesn't need the warning. She freezes mid-step when she sees the identical knife in his hand. Tears run down her face, but she blinks them away. "If you come any closer I'll kill her."
"If you kill her," Orienne says, her voice steadier than she thought possible. She keeps her eyes trained on Milan, unwilling to miss a single movement. Eleni's life depends on it. No matter what happened this morning, she is not willing to let her friend die. "I'll kill you."
Milan knows that they are at an impasse. If he goes through with killing the girl beneath him, he has no doubt that this girl will make good on her promise. It's something a tribute would do, Milan can't expect anything more from them. He eases his weight off the girl slowly, his eyes flitting between both girls. How can he be sure they won't both come after him when he releases her? The truth is that he can't. Milan is outnumbered.
Bang.
Eleni and Milan both jump at the sudden noise, and Milan looks around frantically to find the source. He only sees it when Orienne falls to her knees, her scream cutting through the trees. Behind her is Madina, gun trained straight ahead and eyes watching the girl as she crumples into the melting snow. Eleni screams and tries to push Milan off of her, but all strength is gone from her limbs. Orienne has to be okay. She can't be gone. The last words they said to each other can't be the end.
Eleni's screams turn to sobs as Orienne's cannon sounds. Milan watches Madina with wide eyes, wondering how she got to him so quickly. When they both left the cave earlier, they had gone in opposite directions. Milan quickly comes back to his senses, trembling fingers pressing the knife stiffly into the other girl's neck. She claws at his hand for a moment, but Milan easily holds her down. Blood gushes from the wound and coats his hands in red, but Milan doesn't release the pressure. If he doesn't do this, she will kill him and he believes this so deeply that it urged him to keep going. A moment later, a second cannon joins the first.
"I thought you said you weren't going to save me," Milan says, his voice shaking as he purposefully looks away from the two tributes on the ground.
"I wasn't," Madina responds, turning and walking away without another look at any of them. She had decided to double back and follow Milan this morning, worried that he might come after her. It's a good thing she did, too, or else he would be dead. Madina isn't sure why it felt so easy to pull the trigger this time compared to the last, and she doesn't want to think about it anymore. Madina is not Milan's ally and she doesn't know why she decided to put herself in harm's way for him. She can't look at the bodies on the ground or think about her role in this for another second or she might be sick. She just wants to leave.
Milan rises slowly to his feet, trying hard not to look at the red that is spiraling through the water around him and dripping from his hands. He wants to thank Madina for saving his life, but she is gone before he can say anything further. Milan wishes that she would stay, but Madina made it clear that they will never be allies. It's better that way, Milan reminds himself. It's easier to think about the other tributes as selfish, destructive, sadistic beasts that will stop at nothing to kill him. That is the only way that Milan can justify all of this to himself. It's the only way he can think about the two bodies under his feet and not be revolted by himself. Milan just isn't sure that he can think of Madina as one of them and that makes her incredibly dangerous.
A/N: Hi again. Another two deaths to add to the collection and we now have just ten tributes remaining. We're going to be able to have a lot more tribute interaction now that they aren't freezing to death anymore, which is honestly most of the reason for the arena twist. This was another chapter that was fun to write but also terribly sad for obvious reasons. Of course, all deaths are sad, but these two hit a bit harder for some reason. I'm in my feels leave me alone.
Top 5 predictions?
I'm really excited to finish this story off, we have five more arena chapters which will be followed by an epilogue for our Victor. It's been a ride and while it's not over yet I already know I am going to miss this one when it's over. I've learned a hell of a lot.
To The Wolves submissions are still open until June 10th if you haven't already gotten your tribute in! I know I say this every chapter but like it's a thing so.
~ Olive