Abram Butcher, Day 3
Time: 11:19 PM (23:19)
Quadrant~ 4
"Like this?" I ask, tying a knot in the paracord.
"No, that's gonna slip right through. Did you even pay attention during the knot station?" Lily jokes, taking the cord and netting from my hands.
"Of course I did."
"Then why can't you tie?" she asks, her hands flying over the netting, looping the paracord this way and that before pulling it away to tighten the stiff knot.
"Show off," I say.
"I'm showing you how to do it, there's a freaking difference. Jeez." She chuckles.
"There's really not though."
"Says you." She says, quickly getting to her feet.
"Of course," I reply, standing to join her as she starts to drag the netting towards the nearest torch. I give her a playful smirk and turn the opposite way, dragging the other end. She rolls her eyes but lets a small giggle peel off her lips.
"How's this?" she asks, threading the paracord through the torch's silver handle.
"Looks great to me." I nod, attempting to do the same to mine.
"It works." Lily shrugs, finishing up her end and walking over to where I stood fiddling with the grey cord. "Need help?" she asks.
"No, I can do it." I chuckle.
"Cool," she says, letting a yawn out into the smoky air.
"Tired?" I ask.
"I slept terribly last night." She shrugs. "But it's fine, I haven't slept well this whole time."
"Oh, I'm sorry. How about I take both shifts tonight?" I offer.
"I can't ask you to do that, you need sleep too."
"Yes but so do you," I say, pulling the cord tight to get the netting to stay put. "Ha. I did it."
"Looks good, now we wait," Lily shrugs, turning towards the backpacks we had laid down so we could set up the netting. "Want some water?" she asks, crouching down. She reaches towards the jet black bag and unzips the zipper, causing it to create a loud tearing noise.
"Why is that so dang loud?" I ask.
"I don't know." She sighs, pulling out the lustrous grey flask that was once filled to the brim with clean, potable water. Lily hands the flask to me and sends a small smile my way. I take it and give her a nod of thanks. Raising the flask to my lips, I inhale and exhale deeply. We'd only been drinking water for the past three days, not having any sort of food in our packs. Lily and I have tried looking for plants or animals but the only thing we found was ash. Lots of ash. I let a sip of the glimmering liquid fall onto my lips and coat my tongue before pushing the flask away. We have to be sparing with our resources, the water is already halfway gone and we still have at least a few more days in the arena.
That's if one or both of us don't die along the way. I can't help but shudder at the thought of Lily dying. Deja vu from James's time alive haunts over me like a rain cloud. She can't die, not a chance. I hand the flask to Lily who takes a small sip of the clear cold water.
"Abram?" Lily asks, pulling the water away from her lips and screwing the cap back on to the top.
"Yes?"
"Are you nervous about who could fall into our trap, if anyone at all?"
"Honestly, yes, we don't have any weapons so I don't know how we are gonna kill them."
"That's what I'm talking about." Lily nods sheepishly.
"I don't know, the netting has small spikes but that's it." I say, and she nods. "Well, maybe we could fashion some sorta weapon?"
"With what?"
"There's a fruitless tree we passed on the way in." I laugh, "I even pointed it out to you."
"What? I don't remember that."
"Then you should listen to me more, idiot." I chuckle.
"But seriously, we could turn tree branches into weapons."
"The invisible tree that I pointed out to you?"
"Oh shut it." Lily sighs, slipping the flask of water into her backpack.
"Can't."
"Whatever, lead the way to this tree. Are you sure it didn't have any fruit? I'm starving."
"I'm sure." I nod, "I still can't believe you didn't listen to me, I showed it to you." I let out a small chuckle and lightly punch her arm.
She sighs and glides the zipper of the bag shut. She flings it onto her shoulder and turns to me, "ready?"
"Slow down, let me grab my bag," I say, rolling my eyes.
"You're so slow, why do you have to be such an old man?"
"I can still beat you with my cane."
"Grandpa." She laughs.
"Where are me glasses?" I ask, bending over backward, mimicking an old man.
"Right here." She says tossing my bag to me. It hits me in my stomach and knocks me off balance. I fall to the ground in a heap of giggles and Lily can't help but laugh along as well. "Come on old man, hurry and lead the way."
"Whatever," I say, smiling as I get back to my feet. I slide my backpack over my shoulders and slip my arms into the straps. She nods at me and I head back towards the direction we'd come from. She rolls her eyes as I take her arm, "come on, and you're the one calling me slow." I quip and she shoots me a lighthearted grin. Something in my chest sputters at her smile but I don't take much notice.
"Normally." She sighs.
"Excuse you, look who's talking."
"You talk a lot of smack for someone so slow." She says, starting into a jog alongside me.
"This way," I say, turning to the left. After a few minutes of jogging, Lily stops mid-run. A gasp is whispered from her lips.
"Oh, how did I miss this." She replies, looking up at the tall tree's trunk.
"I have no idea." I chuckle.
"Whatever, let's make some amazing weapons." She says smiling as she races toward the tree. I let her pass me and beat me to the tree, giving her something she'll undoubtedly brag about for the next few days.
Kinnik Verudo, Day 4
Time: 12:24 AM (1:24)
Quadrant~ 2
I shift the tiniest bit to the right, not too much that Al would notice I'm up, just enough to switch my current position to a more comfortable one. Allegro hasn't gotten sleep since we'd gotten into the arena, but then again, neither have I. Liz's out for my blood, I can't ever let my guard down. Not even to rest. She could be absolutely anywhere, waiting, and watching for the best time to strike.
"Kinnik? You up?" Al asks quietly, obviously seeing my shift.
I don't answer, hoping he'd drop it but he stays staring at my back. My face flushes red but I pretend not to hear him.
"I saw you move." He sighs quietly.
"Fine," I whisper, rolling over to my side to face him.
"Can't sleep?"
"Yes." I sigh, I hadn't been able to sleep for a while. The last time I'd gotten actually good sleep was the night I fell asleep with my head in his lap. But that's the only time in the Capital I've been able to actually rest.
He smiles, not saying anything for a second before patting the ground beside him. I sigh, embarrassed for a second. I slowly sit up and scoot over to where he sits peacefully. Leaning up against one of the backpacks we had gotten. I give him a tiny shy smile, running my hand quickly through my messy hair.
I sit beside him and he places his arm around my shoulders, looking up towards the sky. I can't help but flinch at his touch for a second before taking a deep breath in and relaxing my shoulders. I take another breath and lean my head against his shoulder. I'm happy for Allegro being here right now, even if I have been a bit of a jerk. He smiles and I snuggle lightly against the hood of his jacket. His body slightly shakes but he ignores it, Al hasn't seemed to stop shaking since we've been in the arena. Even with the extra coat and being out of the colder half of the arena, his body's still absolutely freezing.
I stay this way for a second before slowly lifting my head off his shoulder. He sturs for a second, confused, but stops when I wrap my arm around the nape of his neck. I don't want to be able to not see ahead of me. My hand brushes over a rough patch on his neck and I can't help but cock my head to the right. My fingers tracing what undoubtedly are long thick scars that lace his neck and upper back. Allegro feels my hand and raises his shoulders.
"Al? What are those?" I ask softly.
"I don't know what you're talking about." He whispers, even in the torchlight I could see the lie written all over his face. His dark eyes deep-lined with pain. These aren't normal scars… These are thick lines, forged deep in his tan skin. He closes his eyes and shoots me a small smile, one he uses often for hiding.
"Allegro, these are deep marks. What are they?"
"They're just scars."
"Yes but not just any scars," I say, narrowing my eyes.
"Yes, they are." He sighs.
"I doubt that but if you don't wanna talk about that, it's alright," I say, lightly planting a small kiss on his cheek. I shoot him a sideways little smile and he lets out a small chuckle.
"No," he replies, "I'm gonna be honest with you. They're whip marks."
"What? Whip marks."
"Yeah." He shrugs sheepishly, "I wasn't exactly a golden boy back in Two. They were from working outside the district."
"Oh my, whip marks? Outside the district? Wow."
"Yes." He says, his eyes averting my stare by looking down at the ash beneath us.
"Is that why you didn't join the careers?" I ask, taking my arm off his shoulder and gently grasping his cold hand.
"Not exactly." He sighs.
"No?" I ask.
"Not really but also yes…" he says, dragging his words out. His voice deep and raspy but full of emotion. I want to comfort him, obviously this pains him, but I'm not exactly sure how. I hold his hand to my chest and just let out a small sigh as he turns back to face me. "It's just sheep."
"Sheep?" I ask lightly, not trying to sound mean.
"I volunteered 'cause, well it's stupid, but it was all the fistfights, the bullies, all the taunting."
"Taunting?"
"Nevermind, it's stupid." Allegro chuckles, trying to change the subject from sheep and taunting. Sheep? Why sheep?
"No, of course it's not stupid."
"No it's not stupid, I'm stupid." He says.
"Don't say that." I say, "of course you're not stupid."
"Says you, the smartest boy I know." He chuckles, laughing to hide the pain that almost seemed to well up in his eyes. He blinks a few times to clear his eyes before looking out into the darkness.
"You know damn well you're not stupid." I laugh, scooting my body closer to the shivering boy. Close enough to hear his heart thumping lightly in his chest cavity. I look at Allegro and the same butterflies I've felt since he kissed me during the week of recovery. I still have no clue why he was so sure about taking me to whatever spot he had picked out. Whatever the reason was, it's what made me see this sorta light in the boy. I hold my breath as Allegro sighs, his smile wearing thin.
"Whatever."
"I'm serious. Hey, look at me." I say, dropping his hand and lightly touching his chin to get him to look my way. He doesn't say anything but just looks at me, eyes scanning my features.
"Can I kiss you?" he asks, and I just let out a small laugh. His question catching me off guard. Al's broken smile completely drops but he lets out a small gasp when, instead of answering him, I push my lips up against his. Time stands still as Allegro runs his hands through my hair, lips still interlocked. I hold his chest tight to my own and close my eyes. Fireworks spring through my body, shooting at all the butterflies that once took over my stomach. Allegro's blocky shoulders are comforting, holding me safe for just a split second before we break apart. He lets out a small laugh, amber eyes glowing with light. He turns his head to the right, pulling me into a hug. He snuggles into my chest and I lightly kiss his forehead.
We stay like that for a few seconds before Allegro let's go of me and accidentally slides down the pack we were sitting against. I can't help but laugh at his clumsiness as he sits back up, rolling his eyes my way.
Celosia 'Cel' Spring, Day 4
Time: 2:48 AM (2:48)
Quadrant~ 3
I hold my breath as the wind rattles through my clothes, sending seeping chills into my bones. I swiftly turn back towards Sage and give them a warm smile. They grimace back and I can't help but feel a pang of guilt shoot through my veins. I should've gone with Elizabeth to help her save Sage. I hate that I couldn't be there, why was I so stupid? Why did I let her go alone? Elizabeth would be in a way better mindset if she didn't have to kill Onyx by herself. Even if there's not much I could have done, I shouldn't have waited. I should've gone.
"Do you guys see that?" Elizabeth asks, stopping dead in her tracks. I turn my gaze away from Sage and snap it back to her.
"No," I say, curiosity icing my over words. What is she talking about?
"Look, it's the group of older outliners."
"What?" I whisper, shifting my head and taking a step forward to peer around the ice wall. There Sunna, Anella, Zach, and Ciara sleep peacefully. Ciara curled up in a small ball beside Zach, clutching her sword and what looks like a can of pepper spray to her chest. Sunna and Anne facing each other, their heads on the same backpack. Zach sits up, obviously supposed to be on watch right now but instead, dozing off.
"Oh my," Sage says, rushing forward to join us. "Wait."
"Huh?" Elizabeth whispers.
"They could have medical supplies," Sage replies.
"Then we wouldn't have to steal from the Careers, brilliant," Elizabeth says, jumping headfirst into Sage's plan.
"Steal from Sunna and her alliance?"
"Yes, that's what I'm saying." Sage nods.
"What if they catch us?" I ask, normally Sage would be the conscious one but I guess when you're bleeding out you can't really be all too careful.
"Please, Cel, stealing from them is way better than trying to steal from the Careers."
"I guess…" I say, unsure of my words. On one hand, I have Sage who's bleeding out and needs supplies. But on the other, Sunna is Syd's district partner, who I have a sub-alliance with. Her and Lily, that's who's left of launch team One, with Tyree death and all.
"Why not?" Elizabeth asks, concern labeling her features.
"Meh, it's nothing. Sage needs this." I say, shaking my head to clear the thoughts of Sunna and Lily.
"So we just sneak in and grab the backpack in the corner? The one not being used as a pillow?" Sage asks.
"Sounds good to me," I say and Elizabeth nods, giving me two thumbs up before taking her knife out of the padding of her bra. Her bra knife was absolutely stunning and gleamed effortlessly in the torchlight. Elizabeth hiding a knife in her bra is actually surprisingly cool, very disguisable when it's pinned up against her chest. Except, she lost her other bra knife in the Onyx attack yesterday and since then hasn't bothered to get another one.
"Here, um, I got a staff," Sage says, "you take these." They open up the small pack on their belt and take out the two daggers Elizabeth had shared.
"No, you can take it." She nods humbly.
"Please. I want you to have some sorta protection if they wake up."
"Thank you," Elizabeth says sheepishly, taking the dagger and placing it in the palm of her hand. She admires the luster of the small blade before looking at me. I nod at her, taking a small step forward towards the sleeping alliance. Ciara lets out a small noise and I freeze for a second before Elizabeth gives me a reassuring look. She takes a step and stands beside me, narrowing her eyes in admirable determination.
"Let's go," Sage whispers, taking a step forward to stand alongside Elizabeth and myself. Slowly and silently the three of us creep towards the backpack. The backpack pushed off to the side, away from the sleeping group of older tributes. Elizabeth reaches the bag first and bends down slowly, hands reaching towards the jet black bag.
Suddenly Zach stirs, sleepy opening his eyes. He stretches his arms out and lets out a small cry at the sight of us. I can feel my legs shaking beneath me and Zach plants his stare directly at me.
Zach's cry awakes his district partner, Ciara, who lets out a sharp screech. The words "what the fuck?" are shouted from her lips.
"Time to get going," Elizabeth says with an oddly calm voice. I turn around, grabbing her arm to keep myself from collapsing. Elizabeth takes off, letting out a grunt of determination. She holds tight to my arm as well, not letting go for dear life.
"Cel!" Sunna screams, her voice light and airy but a deathly tone set deep. I don't look back towards the girl, undoubtedly staring at my back as Elizabeth and I sprint away.
"Sage?" Elizabeth whispers, whipping back towards the group of older, deadly tributes. They had gained ground on us but stopped where Sage stands frozen. My eyes go wide as they start to get closer and closer to Sage. I can't help but let out a high-pitched scream and turn to Elizabeth.
"Sage!"
There's no response, just Sage standing frozen in the ashes. They lock eyes with the boy from Eight, piercing stares from both. Zach makes his way even closer to my district partner. I let out a small quivering gasp and I shake Elizabeth's grip from my arm. The girl lets out a sputter laced with confusion but I take no care. I rush towards Zach, taking the small knife from my belt. I run forward at the boy but he just sighs and continues his long strides toward Sage.
Somewhere behind me, I can hear Elizabeth curse and the clang of metal against metal fills my ears. There's a scream from somewhere to the left of me but I can't tell whose lips unleashed it. All I can focus on is Sage and the boy heading straight for him. I let out a small gasp and a whimper as Sage stays frozen in place, not breaking eye contact with Zach. The boy holds out a long curved blade in his right hand, his arm shaking.
Zach Paisley, Day 4
Time: 2:56 AM (2:56)
Quadrent~ 3
I hold my long blade a foot away from Sage, who stands frozen in fear. I try not to pay attention to the fact my right hand is shaking extremely badly and take another step towards the kid. They don't try to run, not even shield their body from the point of my knife. I extend it towards their terribly bandaged stomach, stopping only inches away from their stomach. I look into Sage's eyes, my heart pounding in my ears.
Boom.
Boom.
Boom.
Everything stands still, all noise cancels out as I close my eyes. I inhale deeply and move the weapon an inch closer. Even breathing hurts at this point. I exhale my stolen breath and open my eyes to the torchlit darkness. The sound of a scream erupts in my ears but I ignore it.
Boom.
Boom.
Boom.
I take one more look at Sage's dark eyes before plunging the blade deep into their gut. Blood splatters on my face, it covers my skin like Anne's freckles dots her face. More screaming behind me commences and my head feels fuzzy. I whip around and to my utter surprise, the girl from Eleven slams herself against my body. I let out a confused grunt but stay on my feet. The girl, however, falls to her knees. Tears start to stream like waterfalls down her face. I look over at Ciara who is dueling the blonde from Seven, waving to trying to catch her attention.
"Zach!" Anne screams, rushing to my side and Sunna soon follows. We all stand behind the girl, still balling her eyes out. None of us knowing exactly what to do.
Boom
Sage's cannon screams in my ears, blocking out Sunna and Anne's whispered words.
"What the fuck are you doing? Kill her already." Ciara asks, spraying Elizabeth in the face with pepper spray. The girl drops her weapon and sends her nails clawing at her eyes. Ciara turns away from Elizabeth, giving me a triumphant smirk. I freeze, Sage's blood dripping from my knife. "Fine, if you won't, I will." She says.
"No, Ciara, you can't kill her," Sunna says, bravely stepping in front of the crying girl.
"Get out of the way Sunna, stop being an idiot."
"You can't kill her."
"Sunna," Ciara commands.
"Ciara?" Sunna asks.
"Sunna."
"Ciara."
"Sunna, move."
"No," Sunna says, gathering a great sum of courage.
"Get out of the way," Ciara commands.
"No, please," Sunna begs and Anne takes a step away from me and toward Sunna. She freezes in place as Ciara pulls her sword forward, threateningly close to Sunna's chest.
"I will not hesitate to stab you. Now move."
"Ciara…" Sunna pleads.
"Why the fuck aren't you moving?" Ciara asks as I shift my gaze away from them and land on the girl from Seven. She excruciatingly cries out in pure agony, frantically rubbing her hands against her eyes.
"Syd… she is Syd's friend."
"Was. She was Sydney's friend, but she's not anymore." Ciara replies, eyes fluttering towards me for support. I don't say anything in response, just stare down at the bloody knife in my right hand. My hands shake, spattering even more blood down onto the ashes.
"Syd." Sunna croaks and Ciara senses the moment of weakness and pushes Sunna out of the way.
"Cel?" Elizabeth asks blindly.
"Shut it." Ciara snaps back.
"Cel!" Elizabeth screams, getting to her feet. Celosia continues crying, not caring about anything else around her. She holds her face in her hands, eyes getting red and puffy. Both of the girl's faces blotchy but for different reasons. Elizabeth lets out a gasp, blind but able to hear just fine. She starts to back up slowly, her breaths coming in short wheezes.
"Sage," Celosia cries, sobs racking her small body.
"No," Ciara replies, but Sunna scrambles forward, throwing herself at Ciara. Ciara lets out a scream, hand flying to her sword.
Suddenly out of nowhere, an arrow comes flying through the air, whizzing into straight Celosia's chest. The girl screams and heaves backward. She grabs at the arrow stuck deep in her chest, eyes still red and blotchy. Celosia tries to rip the arrow out but it stays stuck, screams of torture flying from her mouth. Blood pours from the wound, making a mess of the ashes around her. Celosia flings her arms to the sky before her body falls limp.
"Cel?" Elizabeth screams, clawing at her eyes but still backing up.
"Anne?" Sunna asks and I turn to the girl beside me wielding her crossbow. Anne looks defeated for a second before looking straight at Sunna. "I thought you were my friend." Sunna croaks, her voice shaking.
"Sunna please." Anne pleads with her.
"No, get away from me. I trusted you."
"Sunna, listen to me." Anne looks sadly at Ciara before turning back to Sunna, "come here."
"No bitch."
"Sunna, please hear me out."
"No," Sunna says, her body shaking.
"I'm going after her," Ciara says, motioning where the girl from Seven once stood. She seemed to have turned around and fled blindly into the heart of the ice maze.
"No, no more Ciara," I say grabbing her wrist.
"Why not? You're supposed to be on my side."
"Of course, I'm on your side," I reply.
"Then why are you holding me back bitch." Ciara says, trying to free her arm from my grasp.
"Because I want you to stop. The arena's messed you up and more death isn't gonna fix that."
"The arena hasn't messed me up at all." She hisses.
"Yes, it has, what happened to the Ciara I knew back in Eight? The kind and funny girl? She's obviously not standing in front of me, where'd she go?"
"She died beside Vienna," Ciara says, still trying to wrench free.
"But she can come back." I whisper, "please."
"She's gone, I have people to make it home to."
"So do I, so do they," I say motioning towards Anne and Sunna who stood, not speaking.
"I'm sorry to disappoint but she's fucking dead." Ciara whispers, "let me go."
"No." I sigh and Anne gives me a small nod. "That girl's probably already close to death. She's blind now."
"Pepper spray to the face doesn't mean death." Ciara hisses.
"Just let her go, we've gone through enough."
"Fine, but I'm not sleeping."
"Neither am I," Anne says.
"Honestly, me neither," Sunna replies.
"Guess we'll all just stay away then." I chuckle but Ciara shoots a glare at me so I close my mouth.
Liz Starr, Day 4
Time: 11:04 AM (11:04)
Quadrant~ 1
Two canons had gone off late last night but too early in the morning for them to be featured in the sky. I can't help but wish they were Kinnik and Allegro's but I get a strange feeling in my stomach they're not. My mission's still on- kill the boy from Seven. I let out a small sigh as I continue trudging through the ice maze. The small glimmer of hope of finding the smallest sign of a track sending a pulse of excitement through my veins.
My feet sift through the ashes, even with heaps of hope, tracking is impossible in this shit. I'm practically guessing which way to go, taking shots in the dark. I've heard at least three different tribute's voices today but over the past few days, I've taught myself to drown out all such sounds. The arena's haunting my hearing, so it's best to just ignore it altogether. It's been three days, right? All my days blend together without Lin. Thoughts of revenge are the only thing I've been focusing on. I can't afford to get lost in the emotion, not now at least.
"No, why?" I hear the boy from Three, Gage, asks. I ignore the rest of his whispering until he ushers, "I can't believe it."
"Shut it you're dead!" I scream into the air, kicking up ashes.
"No you!" shouts Gage. Not Gage, not Gage at all. Just his voice, his haunting deadly voice.
"I might as well! My plan to kill Kinnik's going absolutely fucking nowhere and my best friend's dead."
"No need to get angry, jeez." He says. Obviously, these voices were recorded before we hit the arena but they're so lifeful. He can't be gone, none of them can. It's all just a game, an illusion of sorts. A glittering, shimmering fantasy.
"You don't get angry," I reply. I know this isn't a real conversation but having some sort of interaction makes me both smile and feel a little worse about Lin being gone.
"Oh come on." I hear a new voice pipe up, this time the girl from Eight.
"You're not dead shut up." I sigh, "or maybe you are? But probably not."
Suddenly, mid-conversation with the voices, I turn to the right and come out to a giant clearing between two sections of ice maze. I roll my eyes, guess the gamemaker missed an area. Gamemakers are such idiots like that. The entirely of the Capital's citizens are idiots, every last one of them. I've yet to meet a non-idiot in the Capital that wasn't another tribute or a mentor. I guess the mentors are alright, albeit some better than others but yeah, at least they're all not as brainwashed.
I make my way across the giant clearing and within ten minutes I'm across to the other section of the maze. Looking back I sigh, am I even going in the right direction? At this point, hopefully, I am, but I have absolutely no fucking clue. The stupid maze is impossible to work through in any methodical way. At this point, I'm just going whatever way my gut tells me to.
Only a few steps into this new section of maze and I freeze. There's a picture on the walls. But not just any picture, a small thirteen-year-old girl who looks oddly familiar. She has her short blonde hair tied behind her in a stubby ponytail. Her small baby blue eyes drip with sorrow, starry freckles dot over her small nose. I narrow my eyes at the image, pains of guilt wash over me as I recognize the girl's bright smile. It's Tyree's little sister, or I presume she's his little sister. But why? Why is she-
"Honestly, very loud." I hear a voice say quietly from somewhere in front of me. I shake my head to clear the image from my mind but it stays plastered to the wall.
"Yeah." I hear another voice reply. I had tried to ignore all sounds but this voice has an almost realness to it. A greater one than the recordings did I can't place whose voice rings in my ears but it belongs to someone. I creep forward, peeking behind an ice wall.
I let out a loud gasp as I recognize the two frames walking with their backs to me. There they are, the two I've been looking for, exchanging lighthearted conversation. Kinnik and Allegro, with their backs, turned to me as they trek through the maze. I narrow my eyes in determination, retightening my grip on the wooden handle of my axe. Revenge already tasting sweet on my cracked lips. My lips dry from the harsh bitter cold and the fact I hadn't managed to get much food or water since the bloodbath. I'd been able to chip off some ice this morning and eat that, satisfying my thrust and revenge is all the food I need.
I let a small smile drip from my lips as I get up from my hiding place. Softly creeping forward, being careful about my foot placements. I make my way toward the boys. Allegro talking about canons and I can tell that the conversation had stemmed from the two deaths earlier this morning.
"My guess is they have some sorta speaker computer system set up in the ice walls, that's where the cameras are." Kinnik laughs.
"I mean that would make sense." Allegro nods.
"Or maybe it's done from the cornucopia?" Kinnik suggests.
"I think it's probably like the cameras,"
"Yeah, that'd be more fitting." Kinnik says, "and while I think we're heading towards the cornucopia, I have no idea, the cannons could have been from anywhere."
"Exactly and I think we've got to be heading in the right direction, right?" Allegro asks, as I slowly take a few more steps forward. Soon I'm about four yards from the boys. I don't even dare to breathe at this point. I wait for Kinnik to take a step forward before striking. He does but at the same time, I leap to attack, I feel something fall against me from my right.
Allegro tackled me to the ground, pinning his body against mine. He doesn't have a weapon in his hand, but that's my advantage, I do. I grip my axe and slice into his left arm. He heaves, but ignores it, keeping my arms pinned at my side. Blood seeps from the wound and I let out a heavy scream. Kinnik stands to the left, watching, standing frozen with fear. His eyes flash for a second before his body jumps to life, reaching for a knife in his belt.
That's when I take Allegro's distraction of Kinnik pulling out a knife to push his kneecap in and flip over. He lets out a fierce grunt, sweat dripping from his forehead even in the cold weather. Kinnik holds the knife out, unsure of what to do with it.
"Kinnik." Allegro grunts, fingers peeling onto the handle of my axe. I let out another scream, attempting to pin him with one arm and heaving my axe forward with the other. It flies toward Kinnik as Allegro takes a small dagger, where did he even get that from? He plunges it into my wrist and rolls out from underneath me. I fall onto the ground, clutching my bleeding wrist. Allegro nods at Kinnik, who my axe had messed, and Kinnik nods back. Fear clutches to Kinnik's eyes but he holds out the long knife to his ally, who takes it gently. I scramble to my feet, backing up to retrieve my axe.
Allegro flings himself toward me, stopping me from reaching my weapon. The boy grabs my ankle, pulling me backward. He reaches up with his knived hand, plunging it towards my chest. Luckily I roll out of the way just seconds before the knife could crash against my skin. I shake my ankle from his grasp, letting out a sharp sigh.
I jump to my feet and my district partner does the same, knife still in hand. I spin, sending my long blade cascading toward Kinnik. I'm not here to kill Allegro, I'm here to kill Kinnik. If I get Allergo in the process, great, but I could care less about his bloodshed.
"Kinnik!" Allegro screams and Kinnik steps quickly to the right, the axe only digging into his side. He lets out a whimper, grabbing the handle of my weapon. As Kinnik attempts to rip the axe from his torso, his ally advances toward me. Allegro heaves his knife towards my stomach but I jump out of the blade's way. A grunt ushers itself from his lips as Allegro pulls back his knife and turns to the right.
"Liz." He says.
"Al?" I ask, weaponless but still able to dodge his knife strikes.
"I'm sorry." He replies, faking a turn to the left and catching me by surprise when he flips to the right. Pain suddenly blossoms in my stomach and I look down at the knife speared through my abdomen. Blood streams from my wound and my head feels light. Dizziness fills my body, pain blinking away my tears as I fall to the ground.
15th place- Sage Greenberg, stabbed in the gut by Zach Paisley
Sage my baby nooo. I really didn't want to kill you but in the end, you had to freeze up. You brought so much freaking fun to Ashes and I loved having you. You were only twelve and won the smartest prize, that alone proves how amazing you were. I've had your death planned for a while but it was still really hard to write. Your practical look on life went so well with Cel's calm and upbeat one. You four made quite the team but I guess you'll have fun with Syd and Cel during your afterlife :)). Rip… Sage
14th place- Celosia Spring, shot in the chest by Anella Finch
I'M NOT CRYING YOU ARE. Cel, gosh, I don't even know how to start. You were so freaking sweet and I absolutely loved you. Cel will always be close to my heart. She was the 'fire queen' and I still can't believe she's gone (even though I'm the one who wrote her death). You were way too freaking nice for these games and don't deserve such a fate but in the end it had to happen. Sage dying was your last straw. You were already trying to deal with Syd's death and Sage being stabbed just made you lose it. Rip… Cel
13th place- Liz Starr, stabbed by Allegro June
Liz Liz Liz. Ahhhh I had so much fun writing your and Lin's arcs. How much she changed you and without her, you were just one half of an incomplete puzzle. Your revenge plot to kill Kinnik was really fun to write and I loved expanding your character after he killed Lin. You definitely had some anger issues but Lin kept you from exploding, without her you just kinda developed into pure rage, too bad you didn't plan your attack for when Allegro wasn't there to stop you. Rip… Liz.
Alliances-
The Bread Queens (and Zach), That Are Starting to Divide a Tad: Sunna, Ciara, Anne and Zach
Just Your Local Band of Idiots: Lily and Abram
Extremely Interesting Cause Numbers Have Shifted: Angel, Kai and Misty
No Matter What They Do They're Always an Emotional Train-wreck: Allegro and Kinnik
Sub-alliances-
Hospital Gang: Abram, Lily, Ciara and Zach
Just a Pact: Anne and Abram
Mentor issues: Kinnik and Elizabeth
What's Left of Launch Team One: Lily and Sunna
Interesting Rollercoaster of Emotions: Sunna and Anne
Just Keeping Ciara From Murdering Everyone In Her Sight: Zach, Ciara
Loners-
Pepper Sprayed But Not Giving Up: Elizabeth
Kill Count (underlined ones are gone)-
Sasha: 1 (D5F, self)
Ciara: 1 (D6F)
Kinnik: 1 (D3F)
Misty: 1 (D9M)
Kai: 1 (D5M)
Abram: 1 (D12M)
Angel: 1 (D3M)
Tyree: 1 (D6M, self)
Elizabeth: 1 (D1"M"-NB)
Anne: 1 (D11F)
Zach: 1 (D11"M"-NB)
Allegro: 1 (D2F)
A/N: Annnd shaboom another chapter down! A multiple death chapter, yes. I cried multiple times while writing this but I hope you guys like it. Also I'm chuckling because we have Abram's wholesome PoV, some Kinnik/Allegro content that's alright then BAM Cel's PoV and Sage's death. BAM Cel's death. BOOM Liz's attempt at revenge but failing and coming up short. Lmaoooo. I probably just find that funny cause it's late and I'm tired but whatever.
So, honestly I'm not exactly happy with the this chapter and I think I could've done better ngl. But you can only rewrite a chapter so many times before you just decide to post xd. Also y'all, so, on Day 1 the PoVs were about 700 words a piece Then the last few arena chapters have been 800 a piece butttt this time I did I whole 1k per PoV. Which one do you guys like better? Personally I think the 800 ones cause I feel myself dragging to complete the whole 1k so yeah. But I'd love to hear your thoughts on the length! And yeah that's it, I don't have much else to say besides have a good day/night/afternoon.
Bye for now,
Marie
