The First Annual Hunger Games

by Callidora Medea

Following the Dark Days, the President of Panem announces the beginning of the Hunger Games. District 4 girl, Cass, District 1 girl, Silver, and District 7 girl, Oak, are all thrown into the turmoil that is the first Hunger Games, and must choose their alliances; decisions that can mean life or death in the arena. All intend to win. But there can be only one victor.

24. Chapter 24- Facing Fate

Chapter 24.- Oak Peacewood

Aldar hasn't talked to me since last night, and now I don't know if I'll ever have the opportunity to again. He's off on his hovercraft, and I just got my tracker implanted while flying in mine. Orden's with me, looking reserved. I don't talk. I don't think. I try not to think about the next hour. Then we land and I'm taken down to the catacombs under the arena. At least that's what Orden calls them. He suits me up in the arena uniform, then we sit down together on the couch in total silence.

I can't take it anymore. "Orden, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for how I've acted, sorry for everything," I blurt out, and tears start coursing down my cheeks. "Hey, hey, Oak. It's okay. It's understandable," he says, wiping my tears away. "I'm going to die in there, I know it, I know it Orden!" I say, suddenly panicking. "No, you're not. You're going to be fine, Oak. I know you are. And I happen to know that you already have a sponsor lined up." "Really?" "Really. Make me proud out there, okay?" "But, I'm going to have to kill people, and I don't want to do that, not at all, Orden." "Find your own path in there. Do what you have to in there. And remember, your only real alliance is with yourself. And get out alive. Got it?" I give a shaky nod.

Orden gets up and gives me a glass of water. I sit and sip it in silence. "Thank you for the beautiful dress last night," I whisper to him. He smiles. "Better than a tree?" I give a smile and nod. "Ready the Launchpad." I start to panic again. "I can't Orden, I can't! I can't!" I say, going into hysterics again. He takes my arm and leads me over to the plate in the corner. "You can and you will, Oak. I'm counting on you." Then the glass rises around me, and I can't hear Orden anymore. I press my hands to the glass. He nods at me. Then the plate rises and I take my hands off the glass. I stand up straight and wait to face my fate.