Artemisia Carnation-McIllroy, 12: District 3 Female
You say come over baby
I think you're pretty
I'm okay, I'm not your baby
If you think I'm pretty
I hear the footsteps of the Careers getting louder. I have no choice but to start running. I spring up from the ground and start moving as fast as my legs can carry me. I thank my lucky stars for all the races I've had with Arden, otherwise I don't think I would've built up enough speed to outrun the Careers. I try to stay out of their line of sight by making several twists and turns around the giant trees. The adrenaline running through my veins keeps me going. I am not going to die here. Not today.
I don't know how long I've been running, but I can no longer hear the footsteps of the Careers behind me. I run behind the trunk of an especially tall tree in hopes of it providing me with a little bit of cover while I catch my breath. I have a sinking feeling that I'll have to start running again soon, but I still hold on hope that I will be able to wait this out.
That hope doesn't last long.
"Hey!" one of the guys says. "She's over here!"
Shit. They've spotted me. I break into another run, but I'm slower this time since I couldn't fully catch my breath. I look back again. The boy from District 1 in pulling ahead of the pair from 4. I try to pick up the pace, but in my legs, I feel an intense burning that I've never felt before. The adrenaline is wearing off and my chest feels tight. I'm running out of breath and my legs have gone from burning to heavy.
Just as if my predicament couldn't get any worse, my foot gets caught on a root. The brown ground rapidly fills my vision as I fall. I slam down on the ground hard, sliding a few feet from my momentum carrying me forward. I try to stand back up, but a push on my back keeps me down. I flip onto my back and meet eyes with the District 1 boy. He looks at me with cold, emotionless eyes. He raises his sword. In a desperate attempt to avoid the stab, I kick at his shin, bringing him to a knee. However, the sword doesn't miss me. Searing pain shoots through my left shoulder as the boy from 1 pulls his sword out, regaining his footing in the process. In my peripheral vision, I see the two tributes from 4 surround me on the ground. I've been trapped with no hope for escape. The District 1 boy raises the sword once more, this time plunging it right into my chest.
The pain barely has time to register before everything fades to black.
Jason Lager, 18: District 4 Male
Trust me, on my I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T shit hustlin'
Chasing dreams since I was 14
On that four-track bussing halfway cross that city with the backpack
Fat cat, crushing
BOOM
The sound of the cannon marks the first death since the bloodbath. The District 3 girl's body lay on the ground, motionless. Just a few minutes ago, she was up and running. But the blade of Cyrus' sword ended it all for her. She was so young. I can't help but feel sort of bad that someone with a whole life ahead of them had their life end so quickly, but that's what'll have to happen if I want to win this thing.
"You okay, Jason?" Cece asks. She looks a little concerned. I try to put her at ease with a slight smile, although my heavy breathing isn't doing any favors.
"Yeah, I'm good," I answer. "Nice job, Cyrus."
Cyrus just nods, taking out a towel from his backpack and wiping the blood off his sword.
"We should head back to the Cornucopia now," Cece says. "The sun is already up and we said we would be back by now."
"Oh yeah," I say. To be honest, I completely forgot that I had said that. It's felt like it's been so long since we left. The other three are probably wondering where we are right now.
Cyrus, Cece, and I start making our way back to the Cornucopia using the compass that I found tucked behind a bunch of other supplies in my backpack. It takes us about twenty minutes to find our way back. When we breach the tree line, Annese comes out of the Cornucopia to greet us.
"Do you guys know who that cannon was for?" she asks.
"Three girl," Cyrus grunts. "I need to sit down. That kid kicked me pretty damn hard."
Cyrus takes a seat right at the mouth of the Cornucopia and rolls his left pant leg up. I notice a pretty big bruise forming on his shin. I can't help but gasp a little at the sight of the wound.
"Damn," I say. "She got you pretty good, dude."
"Yeah, she did," Cyrus says, wincing. "And she was the weakest tribute this year."
"I know," I say grimly. "Everyone left is pretty dangerous."
"You sure about that?" Alto says, emerging from the Cornucopia.
"Yes," Cece says. "Everyone but you."
"Shut up," Alto quips.
Once again, everyone shares a little laugh at Alto's expense. I know he's probably jealous about not getting to leave the Cornucopia last night, so I'll try to steer any conversation away from Cyrus' kill, but we still need to discuss the layout of the arena. When Ancatha comes out, I gather everyone around for a little debriefing, mainly to Ancatha, Alto, and Annese.
"So," I start. "This arena is pretty big. It's bigger than last year's by a good margin. With that being said, I think sending out three of us per day is a feasible option. Since Cece, Cyrus and I went out last night, it the other three of you today. Got it?"
"Loud and clear," Annese says. "When do we get to go out?"
"In a few hours," I say. "The other tributes are probably on high alert after the last cannon. It would be too dangerous now."
"I guess you have a point there," Ancatha says.
"So I think that settles it," I say. "Be ready to go when I give you the signal."
Tyler Lockette, 12: District 7 Male
This shit got me geeked
My new freak on fleek
I miss her to death
And it's only been a week
That last cannon really put everyone on edge. Not many words have been exchanged since then and there has been an uncomfortable tension in the air for a while now. Nobody wants to say anything in case we're being watched, so we kind of just exchange looks of unease at each other. After a while, I see Tomaz stirring out of the corner of my eye. Everyone looks at him like he's lost his mind.
"Tomaz, what the hell are you doing?" Isaak asks, reaching out to grab Tomaz's arm and pull him back.
"We can't stay here forever," he says. "Whoever caused that cannon to go off is probably looking for more kills."
"We're fine here," Isaak says. "Just calm down. We'll be okay."
"It's funny that you say that considering that you agreed that we should keep moving yesterday," Tomaz says. As much as I don't want to admit it. Everyone did agree with that plan.
Isaak looks a little annoyed. I guess he assumed that Tomaz had forgotten about that. I don't know why he would considering the fact that Tomaz was the one who came up with the plan. He begrudgingly packs his bag and stands up. Turns back towards the tree line.
"Let's go," he grumbles. Azo and I quickly begin packing our bags. Then my hand lands on the empty water bottle.
"Hold on guys," I say. "I want to fill this up."
"Well, hurry up," Tomaz says. "I want to get out of here quick."
I run up to the lake and fill up the bottle. I screw on the lid and put it in the outside pocket of my backpack for easy access. I catch back up with the rest of the group, and we leave the lake, beginning our next trek through the arena. Despite Tomaz being partially correct about the dangers of staying in one spot too long, we all keep our heads on a swivel just in case something or someone decides to attack.
I find it oddly amusing watching Tomaz, Azo, and Isaak looking around at the redwood trees that dominate the landscape. This is uncharted territory for them. Being from 5 and 8, they've probably never seen trees like these in their lives. Hell, I haven't even seen these trees that much, but I'm still in relatively familiar surroundings. It's a slight advantage that I'm very happy to have in the arena because I was already at a disadvantage from the start. Anything to increase my odds of returning home is good enough for me.
But what about Tomaz? Or Azo? Or Isaak? If I want to go home, all three of them would have to die. We've only known each other for a few days, but the three of them have been great friends to me, and they're all good people. I'd hate to see them go. And if I'm the one who has to do the deed, well, I don't think I would be able to follow through. How would I live on knowing that their blood is on my hands?
"Tyler?" Azo says. I jump at the sound of her voice. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm good," I say. "I just spaced out there for a second."
"You sure you're okay, man?" Isaak says. "You were zoned out for a while."
"I'm fine, I swear," I say, trying to put the group at ease.
"Tyler, you know you can tell us whatever's on your mind."
But can I really?
"I'm good, but I'll keep that in mind," I say.
"Good man," Isaak says as he pats my back. "Just remember we're always here for you."
For now.
Annese Dior, 18: District 1 Female
Everybody wanna try to box me in
Suffocatin' every time it locks me in
Paintin' they own pictures, then they crop me in
But I will remain where the top begins
"You guys ready to go?" Jason asks.
"Yup," Alto says. "So who's in charge? Me, right?"
"Ancatha," Jason says without any hesitation.
"Why her?" Alto asks, voice laced with disappointment.
"Well, she not a flight risk," Jason says. "And she's probably the smartest one out of the three of you. No offense, Annese."
"None taken," I say. Ancatha's intelligence is only matched by Cyrus. Her only drawback is that she's kind of quiet, but not as quiet as Cyrus. If it weren't for Jason, I would have no problem with letting Ancatha lead the Career pack.
"That's total bullshit," Alto says. "Ancatha can't lead for shit."
"You can't either," Jason says. "So you can either shut up and go or I'll send someone else to go instead of you."
Alto lets out a big sigh and hang his head like a little kid sad about having to leave the playground. "Fine."
"Great. Now you guys go on now," Jason says. "Don't hesitate to come back if you don't find anything or if you don't feel safe."
"Sure thing," Ancatha says. "Let's go."
Alto, Ancatha, and I leave the Jason and the others back at the Cornucopia. I can't help but feel a little giddy at the thought of going on my first hunt. I have some targets in mind, the main one being the District 11 girl. She got away from me at the bloodbath and I won't let her get away again, but my eyes will be peeled for any outer district tribute. I'm the only Career left without a kill. Cyrus and Alto both already have two kills while my sword still doesn't have any blood on it. I promised myself that I wouldn't let anyone show me up, and I still intend for that to be the case.
We pass through the tree line, Ancatha and I side by side with Alto lagging close behind. He starts grumbling to himself again. I can't make out everything he's saying, but I can tell from his tone that it's nothing good.
"Alto, stop mumbling like a little kid," Ancatha says. "It's getting annoying."
"Jason should've put me in charge," Alto says. "I had the most kills in the bloodbath."
"Those two things don't correlate in the slightest," I say. "If we're all being honest with each other here, you would be the last person to be put in charge."
"Whatever, I still want to be in charge," Alto says.
"Listen, man," I start. "No one cares how much you want to be in charge of things. I don't know what you were told back in District 2, but I was told to do whatever is best for the group. And right now, that's letting Ancatha take charge. I don't want to have this conversation again, Alto, and I can speak for everyone else when I say that they feel the same way. All this crying, bitching, and moaning isn't going to get you what you want. So just save your breath for matters that are actually important to the entire group."
"You took the words right out of my mouth, Annese," Ancatha says. "Thank you for that."
"No problem," I say. "I'm just tired of having to listen to Alto complain about every little thing."
I turn and glare at Alto. He looks surprised, but I couldn't just let him keep talking about the same old shit. It's like he's intentionally trying to drive a wedge between himself and the rest of the alliance. Jason has given him multiple chances. If I were him, I would've just let him go by now.
North Freemont, 18: District 6 Female
Turn up to Rihanna while the whole club fucking wasted
Every time I drop, I am the only thing y'all playing
In a drop top, doin' hundred, y'all in my rearview mirror racing
Where y'all at? Where y'all at? Where y'all at?
As the sun sets, darkening the arena once again, the tension from last night still lingers in the air. André just sits and stares out at the river, most likely still upset about me killing the District 10 girl in the bloodbath. I won't front; I do feel a little guilty about taking someone's life, but it was either me or her. I was in the heat of the moment, and my dagger just so happened to end up in her neck. She didn't deserve to die, but it was the only way for me to keep on living. I had to do what I had to do. Hopefully André can come to terms with that soon.
I glance over at Niobe, who is examining her crossbow once again. I remember her mentioning that she used one on the job in District 11, which I find a little bit odd. I don't know what kind of job would require a crossbow, but I'm not complaining about it. I've seen Niobe shoot, and her aim is impeccable. That crossbow could very well save our lives at some point.
The sound of the rushing water of the river provides ambiance to the gradually darkening arena. It's a pleasant sound that I haven't ever heard amongst the clanging metal of the factories of District 6. I've almost fallen into a trance when I see Niobe perk up beside me.
"Did you hear that?" She whispers, barely audible over the river.
"Hear what?" I ask, confused but alert.
"Shh," Niobe says, looking around for the source of the sound. André seems to notice it too, as he moves closer to us.
"Someone's coming," André says. "We need to go. Now."
Without a second thought, I pack up my bag. I tighten my grip on my dagger, ready to fight if I need to.
"Wait," Niobe says. "We don't know what they might have. We might end up dead if we move now."
André, Niobe, and I all stare into the forest of gigantic trees. Now I can hear some rustling in the tall bushes that separate the riverbank from the woods. Then someone steps through a gap in the bushes. It's the boy from District 2. His eyes light up for a second, then he starts running towards us.
"Go, go, go!" Niobe yells. We take off running parallel to the river as the District 2 boy gives chase. I look back for a moment and see the girls from one and two emerge from the same gap their ally came from. We all pick up the pace, speeding along the wet, muddy bank of the river. Up ahead, I see a wooden structure come into view. As we get closer to it, I realize it's a bridge.
"There's a bridge up ahead," I announce. "We need to cross it."
Niobe and André both nod in agreement. We run across the bridge. The wood creaks with every step we take, but that doesn't matter. It'll put a temporary barrier between us and them. Niobe and I successfully cross the bridge, feet firmly planted on the other side of the river. But before I turn around, I hear a yelp and a thud, like someone hit the ground. I turn and look down to see André on the ground with a knife embedded in his right calf. The District 2 boy quickly approaches André as he tries to crawl the rest of his way to the other side of the bridge. The Career boy walks up to André, reaching into his pocket and pulling out another knife. He raises the knife, ready to kill. Then a bolt digs nicks the 2 boy's wrist, making him drop the knife.
"Shit," he hisses in pain.
"Back the fuck up," Niobe says, crossbow aimed right at him. The boy doesn't listen, instead taking another step forward. Niobe takes another shot. The second bolt digs right into the District 2 boy right in the shoulder. He twists back and drops to a knee.
"I said back the fuck up," Niobe repeats. "Or the next bolt will end up right between your eyes."
"Alto, let's go," the girl from 2 says. "It's not worth it. We'll get them later."
"Fine," Alto says. "But we'll be back."
Alto rejoins the other Careers on the other side of the bridge. They retreat, disappearing back into the forest. Niobe and I help André across the rest of the bridge. We sit him down on the ground. He grimaces in pain as blood leaks out of his calf. Then he looks back at both of us.
"Hey, at least we have another knife."
Umm...Hey y'all. I did it. I dropped another chapter. Day 2 of the Games this time. I hope you enjoyed.
Eulogies:
17th: Artemisia Carnation-McIllroy, stabbed with sword by Cyrus-Oh Arti, our young adventurer. Your fiery passion for discovery was a treat to write, but I simply couldn't see you going on any longer, especially without Elecc. I'm not gonna lie, I originally had Arti as a bloodbath, but I knew I wanted at least one of the District 3 tributes to keep going. It wasn't that long though, which is kind of sad, but alas, this is where her story ends. She was a pleasure to write. Thank you timesphobic for your submission.
KILL COUNT:
Alto-2
Cyrus-2
Ancatha-1
Jason-1
Cece-1
North-1
Alliances:
Careers-Cyrus, Annese, Alto, Ancatha, Jason, Cece
Team Wholesome-Tomaz, Tyler, Isaak, Azo
Bad Bitch Party +1-North, Niobe, André
Lesson Learned-Kaven, Callum
Loner-Taj
See you on Day 3!
Until next time,
Ty