It didn't take long for Bram and Simon to discover what they were up against. The mutations. These were hounds created by the capital using the DNA of the dead tributes. They were usually placed throughout the arena to bring the final tributes together. "We have to run to the cornucopia," Bram whispered. "That's where they want us to go."
"Good thinking," Simon said. They started to run to the cornucopia while being chased by a group of mutts. They ran as fast as they could, but it still took a few hours for them to get to the cornucopia. They climbed on top of the metal wall in the center.
"Bram, Simon help," a voice yelled. They turned around and saw Abby had entered the cornucopia. Her leg was badly damaged by the mutts. Simon reached his arm down for Abby to hold onto so she can climb onto the wall. When she was about halfway up the wall, she let go of his arm. Her face went blank and she fell onto the ground. She had been shot with a bow and arrow in the back of the head.
"No," Simon screamed. As the canon went off, Brutes climbed onto the wall. He pointed his bow and arrow at them. Simon stood up and looked at him.
"Me against the star crossed lovers from different districts," Brutes taunted. "How will I ever survive? Oh yeah. I've been trained for this moment my entire life, but you guys haven't. I can easily take down two tributes."
"You only have to take down one of us," Bram said. "Kill me and become a victor with Simon."
"I know I can win with one of you, but the thing is I want to be the sole survivor of these games," Brutes said. "I'm going to go home and be a victor while bringing honor to my district. That's all I know to do."
Bram chucked his knife at Brutes, hitting him on the shoulder. Bram let out a pain-filled cry as he fell off of the wall, leaving him to be mutt food. Soon, there was a canon fire. They waited for the announcement saying they were the victors, but there was just silence. They looked at the dark night sky for a few moments.
"The game makers are probably asleep," Bram whispered. "We should head to bed as well. They'll probably announce it in the morning."
Simon nods and he lays on top of the wall. Bram lays beside him and wrapped his arm around his waist. Simon wrapped his arms around Bram's neck. Bram kissed his forehead and they snuggled with each other until they were asleep.
"Attention tributes," Cinc said over the intercom. This woke Simon and Bram up. The sun was rising over the arena. "The rule that states that there can be two victors has been revoked. There can only be one victor again. That is all."
Simon and Bram looked at each other. "Kill me," Simon said. "If you die, you'll have a younger brother who would never have met you."
"But if you die, you'll have a twelve-year-old sister who will have to watch you die," Bram said. "I should be the one to die."
Simon thought about what his life as a victor would be. He would spend his days by himself in the Victor's Village in district twelve, remembering that he had lost the closet thing to friends and a lover he had. He could try to form relationships with the other victors, but he would rarely get to see them because they all live in different districts.
Instead, Simon pulled out the nightlock berries. They shared a knowing look. "One, two," Simon counted down. As they were about to consume the berries, the intercom came on.
"Wait," Cinc shouted, causing Simon to drop the berries. "I present to you the victors of the seventy-fourth annual Hunger Games, Abraham Greenfeld, and Simon Spier."