Chapter 18: Day 6, They All Fall Down

Torren Dilark, 15

District 12 Male

Torren had never felt so much guilt in his entire life. He couldn't believe what he had done. Through sobs, Jem had told him that at least he didn't kill Autumn. But it sure felt like he did. He always knew there would only be one victor and to win, Jem and Autumn were to die. But now, he was walking at Jem's side in the final seven; Autumn was dead, and Torren had let him die.

It felt very different to him when Autumn died than when his brother Fredrico had died. He felt like it was his fault back then, but he knew it wasn't. But now, he thought that if he had thought it through a little more, Autumn might still be alive.

He shook his head, trying to think about something positive. It didn't work. Haunting thoughts of having to kill Jem exploded in his mind. Even last night he watched himself slash their throat with his dagger, but then he woke up. This time he wouldn't be waking up.

What did he even mean by this time? There was no way he was going to kill Jem! The guilt of killing Autumn already plagued him. It gnawed at his thoughts, destroying all ounces of positivity he had left. He wasn't always the happiest person, but he always tried, for Fredrico, but now. He couldn't anymore. He couldn't try to be happy when he had killed his friend and would have to kill his other friend to go home.

Maybe he didn't want to go home. Not if it meant killing Jem. No, he yelled in his thoughts! He had to, and it would be easier if he killed them now. He winced, imagining attacking them. He couldn't.

But he had too. So Torren steeled himself, preparing to make the kill. He gripped his dagger tighter than he ever had and he took a step towards them. Torren tapped them on the shoulder.

"Hey, Jem." His voice quivered with fear. "Did you see that bird?" He said, scrunching up his face. Obviously, he didn't see a bird.

"No." They replied, looking to where Torren was pointing. "I don't see anything."

"Look harder! It's right there, It's big and black, and It's right near that tree!" He exclaimed, readying his dagger and raising it above his head.

He was about to strike when a rustling in the bushes nearby made both him and Jem whip around. They were face to face with the boy from District Seven. He grinned, brandishing his hook in the sunlight.

Jem grabbed Torren and the two began to run. They sprinted through the fields as fast as they could. They were desperately trying to escape Richter, no greater goal in mind. Jem was a little bit faster than Torren but their sword was heavy, causing them to slow down.

Jem let out a small scream as they tripped on a log and faceplanted into the dirt. Torren whirled around to help them and spotted Richter, gaining on them. A million thoughts raced through his mind, and what felt the first time in his life, he knew exactly what to do.

"Run!" He screamed at Jem, raising his dagger and charging towards Richter. He collided with the older boy and they wrestled for a few seconds. It felt like an eternity before Richter finally knocked away Torren's weapon. His eyes filled with tears but he fought hard not to call out as Richter slashed his throat with his hook. He failed and his gurgled scream rang across the arena.

Jem Raine, 15

District 9 "Male"

Jem hesitated for a second, but they knew it was for the better if they ran. So they did. They hauled themself off the ground, sword in hand, and ran faster than they ever had before. They didn't stop as they heard Torren's gurgled scream. They didn't stop as Torren's canon rang. They didn't stop as tears flowed down their cheeks. They didn't stop. They kept running, and running, and running.

Jem ran until they couldn't anymore. When they finally stopped, they collapsed onto the ground, panting and gasping for air as if each breath would be their last. Each breath could very well be their last. Richter could appear at any moment. They barely cared though, they were trying to keep from vomiting.

They failed; Jem vomited all over the ground next to them and proceeded to pass out. Their body laid on the ground there for several hours before they stirred again. The arena had started to heat up more and the sun had burned their skin.

Jem struggled to get up but they did and they picked up their sword. They knew they had to keep moving. They wished one of the others would kill the rest of them. They wished they wouldn't have to fight against 23 others to the death in an outdoor arena. But here they were, five left, other than them.

They heard a sound coming from behind them and they whirled around, sword in hand. Jem came face to face with Zach, his dagger prepared to strike. Jem stood, shocked, but then, immediately went to defend themself. "Don't you dare touch me!" They yelled.

"I already killed Hesper and Willougby! I can kill you too!" Zach said, as confidently as he could, which was not very confidently. His voice wavered with fear.

"You killed them?"

"Yep! I'll kill you too!" He yelled, running forward with his dagger. His dripped with sweat but his eyes blazed angrily and Jem could tell he was full of adrenaline. They managed to sidestep easily and turned around. They raised their sword again, not ready to die.

"I won't let you!" Jem said. "I have a life back in Nine! I have a family, and a girlfriend!" For a second, Jem stumbled. They hadn't thought of Eva in a long time. They wondered if Eva was thinking of them. Oh no, Jem's blood ran cold. They had to win. They weren't going to leave Eva alone.

Zach laughed in response. "You think I don't?"

Jem didn't reply.

For a second, nobody moved. But then, Zach chucked his dagger towards Jem. At the same time, Jem leaped forward with their sword towards Zach. They both hit straight on.

Jem stumbled back, the dagger having impaled their hand. They began to tear up and the crashed to the ground. Jem began to sob, barely noticing that they had struck Zach in the heart. They barely heard their canon as they cried, holding onto their hand and praying they don't bleed out.

Richter Match, 16

District 7 Male

Richter was going to run after the kid from District Nine but he figured they would die soon anyway. They were a bit of a weakling. At least compared to the other tributes left. Wait, which tributes were still in the arena? There was himself, of course. Then his district partner, Gerv. Then the girl from District Four, Coral. Then the boy from District Two, Lou, the kid from District Nine, Jem, and then there was one more. But he couldn't remember his name.

Zach! The boy from District Five's name was Zach!

He hadn't realized until now that both of District Seven's tributes had made it to the finale. Himself and Gerv.

He was very shocked that Gerv had made it this far. That party girl did not seem like someone who could survive the arena. Although, she had done some pretty crazy stuff. He was quite surprised she even lived long enough to reach her seventeenth birthday. Let alone the final six of the fucking Hunger Games.

He was ready to go hunting for more tributes when he spotted a sponsor gift appear in the air. He smiled at the music and raced to go catch and bring it down. It was pretty big and it took him a second to even get it in his hands. He was eager to see what it is despite the struggle it took to open it up.

After a long few minutes of "how the hell do you open these again" moments, he finally opened it. He was positively amazed at what he saw. But also, very confused and a little upset, to be honest. It was a fucking confetti cannon. He lifted it up in his hands and examined it.

After a bit of time looking at it and deciding if it was useful or not, he decided it wasn't. It would be too heavy to carry into the finale anyway. Plus, who could really use a confetti cannon to their advantage?

He dropped the gun onto the ground and walked away, preparing for the finale. He was too caught up in his thoughts that he didn't notice his district partner slipping out from behind a tree. She swiftly walked over to it and took it back to her camp, without Richter even noticing.

Eulogies:

7th Place: Torren Dilark, D12M. Killed by Richter. (Submitted by santiago. poncini20)

Torren was really fun to write and I was kind of upset that I barely explored him to his full potential. I really liked him and it was a shame he had to go. He made up for letting Autumn die though, so hopefully, he redeemed himself in many of your minds. I'm sorry that I killed him off 20, he just didn't work with the plot anymore. I hope you keep reading to see what happens to the others though! RIP Torren Dilark.

6th Place: Zachary Brenn, D5M. Killed by Jem. (Submitted by Guesttwelve)

Zach was another really fun character and I feel like I took him away from what he was meant o be, a fun comic relief. But I did what was best for the storyline and I hope you can forgive me, Guest. Poor Zach just wanted to go home. I hope you'll keep reading to see who wins! RIP Zachary Brenn.

Author's Note:

I really enjoyed writing this chapter and I think I did well with it! Let me know your thoughts, please! This chapter was more action-packed than most and Richter's POV was a little shorter than the others, but I felt like I had written all that I could. Get ready y'all because tomorrow at noon, EST time, we're gonna have the finale! Are you excited? Sponsors are officially closed, so the tributes are on their own*! Please check out my profile and consider submitting an escort to Partners! Chapter Questions: 1. What was your favorite part of this chapter? 2. Who's POV was your favorite this chapter? 3. What did I do well in writing this chapter? 4. What could I have done better in writing this chapter? 5. MOST IMPORTANT: Who are you rooting for to win? Have a great day!