Franz Kubo, 18, District 2
It's been two hours since the bloodbath, the midday sun is now beating down upon us. It glitters against the insects and the gently swaying grass around us. And yet, there is an uneasy silence that flows through the air. The comforts of nature can never make me unsee what happened here only a few hours ago. The grass was still stained with the blood of the innocent.
The wooden houses begin to encroach in around us, we left the cornucopia behind after stacking our bags with all the supplies and weapons we could. I am right at the back of the group as usual, on my own, in the shadows. Where I'm comfortable. Where I feel at home. The Fours, Ones and Harrison wander on ahead, deep in chatter. Probably plotting something together no doubt. Serenity is next behind the group on her own where she seems content for now, her eyes remaining fixed ahead at her competitors. I was shocked when I heard that she had killed her district partner, another side of her came out that we hadn't seen before. On the contrary when my moment came, I froze, I slipped up, I hesitated before taking my shot. If I hadn't then that girl from Five would be six feet under by now. What stopped me? Could it be that I don't really want to be here? That I'm actually not what my father always projected me to be? I'm not a loud, confident, muscle head and you know what? I don't care. I would take sitting at home by myself, studying different species of bird over a day of training at the academy any day. Sweating, with people breathing down my neck, getting yelled at. Yet I find myself here, trudging behind this gang of psychopaths. Why am I here?
Behind Serenity, also on her own, is Tatiana. She is the quietest I've seen her. She hasn't been the same since the bloodbath. Normally she would be at the helm of the conversations with the others or coming up with some kind of elaborate plan but somehow, she is simply strolling on her own. Lost in her world. I've never seen her like this before. I'm going to do almost the unthinkable for me, I'm going to talk to her. I'm going to start a conversation.
I take in a deep, coarse breath and plod along to Tati's side.
"Hey," I greet, in a meeker voice than I had expected, stuttering slightly.
Her eyes shoot to me in surprise, yes it is me, Franz, attempting a conversation with someone. It must feel strange to her.
"Hey," she replies, even the single word she says is broken and disjointed.
"What's happened to us? Have we switched personalities or something?" I chuckle.
That brings a smile out of her at last.
"Jade was right, when she slated us for failing back there, I could have killed that Three boy if I really wanted to but I hesitated" She says, as we make our way past the first shack.
I come to a sudden halt and she along with me. Now facing each other, we come to the realization that we might not be so different… I think.
"We survived didn't we? Isn't that the goal of the game?" I question.
She pauses, seemingly contemplating how to answer. Her eyes go inwards searching for answers.
"Look, I've been thinking about this a lot lately and I figured there's always gonna be someone unhappy with who you are and how you do things. So the only thing you can do is give them the middle finger and be yourself," I continue, smiling.
Her bright blue eyes lock with mine again, glowing with surprise.
"That might sound like a bit of a childish outlook but it's the only one that makes sense to me anymore," I shrug.
"My father never wanted the best for me… he just wanted me to be the best for him," I finish.
"Franz… I think you've said more to me in the last minute than I've ever heard you say before," she chuckles.
Realising that we're falling behind the others now, we begin to pick up the pace again. Yeah, I did just admit to her that I'm not really a career deep down but you know what? From observing her since we met each other, something tells me she isn't either. She's hiding something and I don't even care what it is. I won't judge her or snitch on her or do anything. I'm just curious.
The rest of the group have stopped in front of a much much larger house, cushioned by some trees. In fact it's not a house at all… it's more of a manor. A large, creepy manor, towering above us, that makes my spine tingle. The various windows are blackened on the inside like they lead to a dark abyss.
"So…I opened up to you, you could return the favour. I'd like to know more about the real Tati," I whisper, under the chit chat of the other careers.
Tati finally turns to me again with a hushed voice.
"Franz… I…" Her lips are quivering, stuttering. She's never sounded like this before, never not sure of herself or what she's saying.
"There are things about me that you wouldn't like if you knew…"
Suddenly she is cut off by the sound of Serenity's upbeat, playful voice.
"Hey!"
We both jump back in surprise which in turn startles her slightly. The thoughts about what Tati was going to say are now fading…
"Sorry," she smiles.
"Were ya talking about something important?"
We both glance at each other briefly then back to her, shaking our heads frantically.
"So… we're gonna search this manor in teams for other tributes since it's so big and the boss decreed that I'm to go with you two. That cool with you?" She asks.
Tatiana strides forward, patting her on the shoulder.
"Of course!" Her voice and posture have been reignited with her confidence.
Tati detaches her spear which was strapped to her back while Serenity pulls out a scimitar that she got from the arena, similar to Jades. I take out my crossbow and load a new bolt as fast as I can.
"Ok so… you two form up in front, I'm ranged so I'll stick behind and shoot anyone that attacks you," I suggest.
Tati turns back to me with a childish glint in her eye and a smirk.
"Really? You're gonna make the ladies go in first?"
I freeze, unsure of how to respond to that. She glances at Serenity and then they both let out a chuckle.
"I'm just playing with you. Yeah, sounds like a plan," she says, giving me a light punch on the shoulder.
We form up ahead, Tati kicks the first door open and we force our way in, keeping a tight perimeter and staying alert as a wandering squirrel. On the sinde we are engulfed in almost complete darkness, except for the daylight that pierces through the windows from the outside. A cold breeze creeps it's way through the first hallway from the darkness. A shiver runs through my veins and the three of us give a collective shudder.
"This place gives me the creeps," Tati whispers, her voice drenched out slightly by the tight dusty air in this place.
Keeping our formation, we creep up the first stair case. The old wooden floorboards creek beneath our feet on every step. If there are tributes hiding in here, they could hear us coming and may be able to ambush us out of the shadows. We need to keep both eyes open.
The staircase divides near the top into two new ones. One going to the left and one going to the right. We take the left while the rest of the careers behind us take the right.
The first level of the manor grows even creepier with cobwebs, mirrors and ragged curtains blowing dust through the window in a howl.
With a deep gulp we progress forward in the same formation. All that can be heard are the creeks of the floorboards along with our breaths. However, after searching four or five rooms I begin to feel more at ease and even slightly… bored. This manor is going on and on with seemingly endless corridors and rooms.
After a while I begin to notice Serenity's hand is quivering around her scimitar. Tati notices it too I think. Her eyes move gently from Serenity's hand to her eyes.
"You holding up ok?" Tati murmurs under the wind coming through the windows.
Serenity shifts to her, widening her eyes, possibly taken back that she's showing concern for her.
"Never been better," she states.
But we all know that's not true.
"Hey, you don't have to do that tough career act around us. We don't judge," Tati smiles.
Serenity pauses and looks at her briefly and then back to me.
"It's true, we don't care," I mutter, forcing a smile.
"I want to know more about the real Serenity," Tati adds.
Her hand relaxes slightly.
"To tell you the truth, I don't care for any of this murder stuff… I just want to see my brother again and what I…" Her voice begins to break slightly.
The light from the window reveals the struggle in her eyes.
"What I did back there will bring me one step closer to seeing him," she finishes.
It is then it hits me. She is just human like me. With her own family, problems and life. Just like the people we are hunting at this very moment. This should never have been my life.
Me and Tati both lock eyes at the same time, thinking the same thing no doubt. That she did what we could not, that she has the drive to get home because she's fighting for something. What are we fighting for? We are now fighting for our humanity like everyone else.
There is a sound to my right, at the end of the corridor. It sounds like the scuttle of some kind of footsteps…
My head jolts to where the sound was coming from. There is a mirror to the side of the end of the corridor and in the mirror I see a… black figure, a silhouette of a human. My heart jumps in my chest, I blink and when I open my eyes it is gone from the mirror.
"What is it?" Serenity's voice whispers through the corridor.
My eyes go back to her, she is observing me and my nervousness no doubt.
"Nothing… must have been my imagination," I answer.
I try to erase what I just saw from my brain. A trick of the light no doubt. Focus Franz.
We stumble across a large double door to our left. With a nod of agreement, Serenity and Tati kick the double doors open, giving off a high-pitched creaking noise. My crossbow is raised to fire at anyone that might attempt to ambush us! The room is very dimly lit and almost empty, except for the various old cobwebs scattered about. However, at the end of the room, in the centre I spot a bright, shining, red chest. Glittering like magic.
"Watch your backs," Tati whispers, as we creep through the darkness.
Serenity turns back to the door.
"Maybe we should…"
She cannot finish her sentence! All of a sudden, she is frozen, unable to move even her eyelids, desperately attempting to gasp for air. Suspended in motion.
A deep, booming voice then courses through the manor, barely recognisable as human. It is accompanied by a bright, flashing humanoid image. Lighting the dingy, gloomy room up in a dazzling display. The brightness doesn't allow me to make out many details, but the figure appears to be wearing a frock coat along with a top hat.
"Greeting, I am the town mayor. Serenity Jasper, you have been chosen as the Vigilante. Open the chest in front of you and follow the introductions."
And as quickly as it came, the figure fades back into the blackness. Serenity is then realised from her frozen state, gasping for breath and panting. She glances at us briefly, inquisitively. Maybe expecting us to give her our thoughts on what she should do. Yeah, this is a new one on us as well Serenity.
Hastily, she turns back to the chest, not wanting to disobey the game makers commands it seems.
Kneeling down in front of the shining, crystalline chest, she unbolts it. When the lid swings open, I get the sense that she is hit by a wave of shock, staring into the chest.
"What is it?" Tati whispers, her voice rushed with urgency.
Serenity steadily rises back to her feet with something clasped in her hands. She turns to reveal an old fashioned looking pistol, the barrel is wide and held together mostly by wood. There was also a note in the chest which she didn't hesitate to begin reading out…
"You have been given the duty to use this flintlock, equipped with three silver bullets, to take care of evil doers of the town. Use your judgement wisely for the town," she reads.
Her eyes jolt back up to us to gauge our reactions…
El Shielle, 14, District 3
The three of us have taken refuge in this cave system, and have allowed ourselves a moment to catch our breath. I'm sitting next to Darrah, who's carving lines in the wall with the knife she secured. Adelina stands a few feet away from us, going through her bag. A few protein bars, a small flask for water, which we filled up before coming inside, a poncho, and binoculars. Nothing outstanding.
I was the only one who came out of the bloodbath empty handed. I could've probably grabbed something close to me, a piece of bread, or a small knife like Adelina, but I saw the Careers around me, and the other bigger tributes, and in the moment all I wanted was to get out of there. I regret leaving empty handed, but considering the close call we already had, I can only imagine how much worse that would've been if I spent time getting supplies.
"What's the plan?" Adelina looks over at me. I wish I knew.
"Well, we're going to need more food eventually. We only have one entrance to defend…I guess that's a good thing. I don't know. I don't like the idea of exploring during the day." I say. I look over at Darrah for input, but she's still focused on her art.
"I don't like not doing anything. It feels like an invitation for trouble." Adelina says, glaring down the narrow passage towards the entrance. We're so far in that the natural light doesn't reach, forcing us to rely on the torches that are scattered around.
"It's not like we're a match for some of the others left." Darrah says, still focused on…whatever she's doing.
"We're going to have to face them eventually." Adelina says, a shift in her tone.
"We can face them when there's less of them. Let them kill one another first…then we can take on the rest." Darrah finally stops carving to look up at Adelina.
"Alright, alright." I interject, not wanting this to dive deeper than it already has.
We sit around in silence for a bit. I wish I knew how long we've been in these caves. It's hard not having a sense of time, or a sense of what anyone else is doing out there. Back at home, we'd be treated to constant updates on the location and activities of everyone who's remaining. The announcers would fill in with their commentary during the slow hours, and they would replay recaps of the reapings and capitol events as needed. But here, we have to experience the slow moments in real time.
I guess it's better than bloody action.
"Get some rest, you two. I'll keep watch." I tell them. They're hesitant, but I think the bloodbath rattled them both more than they'd care to admit. So they get as comfortable as they can on hard rock and at some point, they drift off to sleep.
As the time passes slowly, nothing happens for quite some time. No cannons, no voices, or footsteps, or anything to indicate danger. I think at one point I start dozing off, but I'm fully awake when I hear the hints of trouble.
It starts off mild, just a faint rumble, so faint I'm not even sure it's real until it starts to pick up.
"Adelina, Darrah, wake up." I say, twice, waking them both up. Darrah rubs her eyes and Adelina's groggy voice asks me what's wrong.
"I don't know." I stand up, and try to listen closer to locate the source of the sound. I'm not able to do that, but I just know it's getting louder and louder as the time passes. It gets loud enough for both my allies to stand up on high alert. And it gets loud enough for me to decipher what it is. Rocks. Rocks falling.
"I think rocks are coming down. We need to go!" I take my allies' hands and pull them through the tunnels. As we run, I feel the floor shake more and more and the crashing of stone getting closer and closer.
We reach the entrance of the mountain and the three of us barely make it outside when the tunnel completely collapses. Silence fills the air around us, coupled with our heavy breaths.
What just happened? I stand up and lend a hand to both Darrah and Adelina.
"That was close." Adelina says, almost accusatory. I let it slide.
"Now what?" Darrah asks, looking over at me. I don't have an answer for her.
"Let's not stay here." Adelina interjects. I let her lead while my mind stays lost, probably still inside the caves that were almost just my grave.
What an awful way to die. Not that it would be any better than at the end of a sword, or arrow, at the hands of a Career or Adelina's sadistic district partner. Everything about being here is awful.
"Where are we going?" Darrah asks no one in particular.
"That large structure is probably our best bet." Adelina points to the distance where we can see a huge black building. There's something eerie about it, it might be the colors, or it might be its size, but I don't know how comfortable it will be for us. But the last time I suggested a place for us to stay, it almost killed us.
So, we walk in silence, crossing the entire arena, passing the town, the cornucopia, and avoiding everyone else, arriving at the fortress alive, exhausted, and a little creeped out.
"It doesn't look safe." Darrah says. I hate to agree, but there's something eerie about it. The uneven points decorated on the siding. The large gate that feels more like its keeping people trapped inside the perimeter rather than keeping out intruders. The unusually shaped statues sitting beside the gate. I swear I see one of the statues blink.
"It's safer than sitting outside." Adelina insists. Darrah looks at me, as if asking me to fight back, but I don't. I can't. I don't want to be responsible for other lives. If I keep us out of this structure, and we get into trouble, or someone dies, I don't know how I can let that live in my conscious.
I'm not an idiot. I know all three of us won't make it out of this arena alive. But being the reason my allies, my friends die, that's not something I can handle right now.
Henry Haines, 15, District 1
We have established our new permanent base in the manor we discovered earlier. No sign of any tributes in here but there are countless rooms, kitchens and supplies which could last us for an entire lifetime. We are unstoppable now!
We are spread out at the wide open space at the entrance of the manor with our various beds and chairs to sleep and relax on. Since it is day time, there is just enough light filtering through the windows and cracks to see but it is dark nevertheless. In the night we will have to light a fire, no doubt. Taliesin I mean… Bloodtide is sat on his own on one of the steps, twirling and spinning his dagger in his hand like it is nothing more than a play toy.
He notices me staring and quickly sends me a smile, well actually more of a… smirk but I think it's impossible for Tali to actually smile like a normal person. Still, I do like him. I think he is just socially awkward and maybe a little impulsive. But, he is nice.
Something strange happened to him earlier when we split off from Tatiana, Franz and Serenity. Me and him agreed to split from the others in order to get more rooms searched. Well, that's the reason we gave anyway. In reality we wanted to "Scheme" as he put it. He suddenly got suspended in mid-air briefly by this phantom thing and was given the role of "Disguiser" along with a case which he hid in a closet. After this new development he gestured with his finger across his lips for me to keep silent about it. "It's our little secret." Is what he said and I quote. So far, I have managed to keep it, but I don't really like all this scheming and keeping secrets from each other and splitting off into different teams. We'd be much stronger if we all just stayed together as one strong unit, no secrets kept and clear communication.
Now that things are going so great, a breath of extra invigorating energy runs through my chest. Tatiana, Serenity and Franz are still sitting together by the window while Jade, Marrisa and Harrison are gathered together on the right of the room, just outside the entrance to the downstairs kitchen. Time to try and make things right with them… especially Jade. I have to bring everyone together somehow. I think I should tell them about Taliesin's disguiser role just so we are all on the same page. We all know about Serenity's vigilante role after all.
So, I get up and stroll to them with open eyes, enthusiastic eyes.
"Sup my dudes," I beam in as deep a voice as I can muster.
The three of them pause their conversation and shift their attention to me. Their expressions are empty and blank, seeming not to accept my overly friendly tone.
I raise my hand up to high five them.
"How's it hanging?" I exclaim, slapping down Harrisons and Marissa's hands. However, when I move to high five Jade, she does nothing but stare daggers at me.
"We're feeling a little hungry actually," Harrison pipes up.
This is the first time I've actually spoken to him I think? It feels strange for some reason. His confidence amongst the careers seems to be growing.
"Yeah, how about you go into the kitchen and find us something to eat. Then we'll chat with you," Jade says to me.
With a deep internal sigh, I accept the proposition.
"Sure… yeah I gotcha," I reply, failing to sound enthusiastic still.
With that I head into the kitchen and begin looking around for some food. There is a cupboard on the side containing three packets of potato chips. That will have to do, i'm not their servant.
I make my way to them with the packets of potato chips, only to find them laughing and snickering amongst each other. However, when I push my way back into the group they quickly stop, their eyes wandering downwards awkwardly.
"What's the big joke?" I ask with a playful smile.
"Erm… Jade just told me the funniest thing I've heard in my life," Marrisa answers, looking to Jade and seeming slightly red…
"Oh yeah… what was it?" I ask.
"Can't remember. Did you get us the snacks?" She blurts, changing the subject quickly.
"Yeah but there were only three…" I answer, as I slowly unveil the packets, they are all snatched from me before I can even finish my sentence.
"That's alright… there's only three of us," Jade says, stuffing some of the chips into her mouth.
"I wish I had a… packet of chips," I mumble as they gorge themselves on them.
Suddenly, Harrison lets out a violent spit all over the floor.
"Shrimp-cocktail? Are you out of your mind? There is no way I will eat this ocean filth," he blurts, throwing the packet on the floor and stamping on it will his shoe. Until they are all crushed into gravel.
"Harrison! I could have had those," I groan.
Then I turn to Marissa.
"Marrisa… could I have some of yours?" I request.
"Sorry, I've got none left," she answers as she quickly stuffs the last ones into her mouth.
Lastly, I turn meekly to Jade.
"Jade?"
She simply raises her eyebrows and pours the remaining chips out in front of me onto the cobwebs.
"Look, we haven't got time to stand around eating chips, we've got some hunting to do," she says.
"I could have eaten those, Jade!" I complain, still staring down at the chips and then back up to her.
"Well, you still can," she smirks.
"I'm not picking them up off the floor," I retort.
She shrugs.
"Alright, here you go, your majesty," she laughs, reaching down, clasping some of the chips in her hand and offering them to me.
I momentarily inspect them in her hand, amongst the cobwebs and dirt but politely decide to decline.
Jade then brings up her sword in hand and marches into the middle, grabbing everyone's attention.
"Everybody, listen up. We don't get paid by the hour," she announces.
The "team" perks up around her in the middle, gathering their weapons. I slip a spear into my hand and follow behind Harrison and Marissa.
Jade clears her throat.
"Since only three of us have yet to kill, in my opinion we get a break," she declares.
Our collective attention turns to Jade, Taliesin and Serenity.
"Perfect, we're gonna have so much fun," Taliesin exclaims, throwing his hands up.
"Actually, do you mind if I switch with you Serenity?" Tatiana requests, her eyes are suddenly turned downwards in the dark of the manor.
"I… I just need a moment."
Serenity nods confidently.
"Sure."
"Fair enough… as you please," Jade shrugs.
What is going on there exactly? Tatiana, Serenity and Franz have spent all day together discussing and planning. They have to be plotting something here, I don't like it.
As the Eight of us look around at each other in the circle, a feeling of mistrust is creeping in ever so slightly like an invasive army of bugs. I feel like the spark that will light the fire of our collective demise is coming soon. Things in fact, may not be going so well.
Serenity, Franz and Harrison throw their bags across their shoulders and scoop up their favourite weapon. I am about to join them with my spear however Jade interjects me with a smirk plastered on her face.
"You're staying here with us," she says.
"Why?" I protest.
"You're a liability."
I turn back to Franz, Serenity and Harrison by the door, they just collectively shrug and prepare to leave.
"I'll go with them as well… might as well make it four," Marissa says, winking at Jade.
Jade winks back before the four of them disappear through the main doors. Marissa basically just replaced me because Jade deemed me not good enough. Unexceptable. There's no way i'm telling any of them about Taliesin it wasn't for him I think Jade would just try to kill me now and no one would say anything about it. He's protecting me…
With a groan, I throw down my spear in frustration and slump myself down on one of the wooden chairs by the fireplace. After a while, the crackling of the flames from the fireplace, coupled with the increasing darkness causes my eyelids to feel all… heavy, all of a sudden. It's only now that I've realised how tired I am after such an eventful day. Despite all the drama and frustrations I'm having with my teammates, I think I can sleep right now with my head held high. I made it to the games, I've survived the first day and I just need to find my way. Jade's overconfidence will be her downfall. Once she's gone, I can be allowed to shine once again like I deserve. I yawn with exhaustion, my eyes are heavy, and they flutter until the site of the dark, empty manor entrance is replaced by total blackness.
BOOM
I am awoken by a sudden cannon! Another one dead! I wonder if it was our teammates having a successful hunt.
It is dark all around me now, the fire has extinguished itself. I'm completely alone.
"Hello… guys?" I whisper through the cold empty air.
No one answers.
I begin creaking my way across the floorboards, a cold shiver runs through my heart. I don't like it.
Through the pitch black, I move towards a faint candle in the hallway until… suddenly someone grabs my wrist! My heart almost jumps out of my chest but a feeling of relief flows through it when I see who it is in the shadows. Tatiana!
"You scared the living daylights out of me!" I exclaim.
"Shhhh!" she responds, placing her finger over her lips.
"Follow me," she whispers.
"What's going on," I demand in a low voice as I begin to follow her through the hallway and down the stairs leading to the basement, where we stored our stuff. I still don't understand why we had to store it in the creepiest place in the entire manor!
When I accidentally creak too loud on one of the stairs, Tatiana glares at me. Jade must be losing patience with her as well. The only other fifteen year old and also yet to make a kill.
We reach the bottom of the stairs and peer around together into the silent basement. Just around the corner, I can make out some blond hair! Jade! She appears to be fiddling with our stuff!
I look back to Tatiana and she has the exact same expression as me. Shock, distrust, betrayal. As silently as we can, we creep our way back up the stairs and into the hallway. We continue through the darkness until we reach the kitchen, Tatiana bolts the door behind us.
"What's she doing!" I mutter, failing to keep my voice down.
"We have to tell Taliesin!"
"No," she whispers back.
"It'll be safer to wait until the others return, then we can out her," she explains.
I nod in acceptance but I'm not convinced. I'm not going to sit around and wait for her to kill us! Was this her plan? Why did she allow Tatiana to stay? Why did she make me stay behind? I know she doesn't trust or like Taliesin either. I think she's going to try to kill us all while the others are gone, I just didn't expect her to do this so early! I gulp and shiver on my own. What am I going to do?
Aeliana Decima, 18, District 8
I've taken refuge in the woods by a large open field, moving between the trees, and even looting some of the houses nearby. I don't stay in the houses though, as I know they will be an attractive spot for other tributes. I'm not afraid to kill, but I do not want to make myself a target if I don't have to.
I'm staying in the woods because it'll provide me more cover, and I can climb up the trees if I get desperate. I have the fields nearby if I need to flee, but there's something about them that makes me suspicious. They're too green, too vibrant, like they're attracting us for a reason. Plus, anytime I get near it, there's a weird smell that turns me away.
A great place to murder people though. So I stay near this area, in between hunting for animals and hunting for people. I escaped the bloodbath with two small knives, an empty water bottle, and water purifying tablets. I found a small pond in the forest and I've even managed to kill a few small rodents. But I've been relatively safe from other tributes. Until tonight.
After the sun went down, I couldn't help but feel like there was someone watching me. No matter where I looked though, I couldn't see anyone. Plus I knew if anyone did see me, they would either attack or flee, not simply observe from a distance. I stay on the move though, trying to evade…whatever is on me.
I reach the edge of the fields again and look behind me. I can't see anything, but I hear a single branch break.
Screw it. I run into the fields, hoping the smell keeps them away. The grass rises up past my shoulders. I run in further and further, pulling my shirt up over my nose to help block out the stench. I keep glancing over my shoulder, looking for anything, anyone, or any movement. After a few minutes of this, I slow to a stop. I wait, listening closely. I don't hear anything.
I let out a sigh of relief, not realizing how fast my heart was beating. I wipe sweat off my brow and quickly take a sip of my water, before having to recover my face from the stench.
God, it's so bad! I turn around with the intent to get out of these fields, to return to the safety of my forest, but with the grass so high and nothing distinct around, I don't quite have my bearings right away.
Breathe in. Breathe out. I stand up tall, trying to get my eyeline over the tall grass. I walk around for a bit, eyes starting to water from the fumes produced from this grass. What is this grass made of?
In the distance, I think I see the hints of trees poking up over the grass. I head in that direction, desperate for fresh air, even if it means returning to whatever I thought was tailing me. I'd rather face whatever's out there than stay in here for a minute longer. I head in that direction, ignoring the stinging in my throat and the blurriness in my eyes caused by my tears.
After a bit of stumbling, I reach the edge of the grass. I'm about to escape from this hell, when I hear it again. Something's still here. Something's going to kill me.
I see murky yellow eyes glaring at me from the darkness. A growl accompanies it.
I run back into the fields, ignoring the chattering of a group of tributes from behind me. I know they must be Careers, based on just how many of them I think there are. I'm not afraid of them, though. I'm afraid of…whatever that was I saw back there. Maybe it'll be distracted by the new prey. I laugh at the thought.
Eventually, I reach a small clearing and skid to a stop. I need to get my bearings before I keep sprinting deeper into the grass. Footsteps stop behind me and I whip around, suddenly face to face with a few of the Careers. I scowl at them, refusing to show fear.
Let's give them a taste of their own medicine.
"The thing about bullies is… they always get their justice." I smirk at them, clearly confusing them. I need to make an opening. If I can disappear back into the grass, and loop back around to the woods…
I have them where I want them. "I've led you into a trap…" I start, until a large force knocks me on my back. It looks like a human, but its skin is rough, and gray, and its eyes are murky yellow. This is what has been following me this entire time.
It snarls at me, showing me rows of razor sharp teeth. The teeth sink into my neck, and my screams are the last thing I hear before I completely fade to black.
Harrison Jones, 17, District 11
We have been walking for a few hours now, barely stopping to take breaks. The sun has begun to dip over the horizon creating a beautiful crimson, radiate light, that illuminates the otherwise sickly-looking field that lies in front of us. If the fields weren't so weirdly, green looking then I could almost be at home right now, wandering through them with Vera, having our little debates about life. Maybe I should have just opened up and allowed the poor girl in and not been so cold to her but I guess I valued her more as a friend to do that. Either way, I wish i'd shown her more appreciation now. It's only in situations like this that you begin to value the things that you took for granted before.
Marissa and Franz keep at the front, crossing a small, wooden arched bridge that slithers over a small stream leading to the fields
Serenity is just ahead of me, she's been keeping to herself as usual around the four of us. All I can say is; she intrigues me. Partly due to the fact that she's from District Nine which isn't so different to Eleven from what I've heard. I bet we've both spent more time than we would have liked, hacking away at fields, exhausting our arms. It also hasn't escaped me that she received a gun earlier with three bullets… three bullets for three of us? No, that wouldn't work. It's an extremely old-fashioned gun and would take too long to reload, in order to dispatch all of us at once. The main thing I want to know is why she's sticking so close to Bloodtide? Yes, I'm calling him that. I have done some questionable things in my life, said some questionable things, I'll admit that but he is… beyond human. I caught a glimpse of what he did to that District Seven boy… I still feel nauseous.
Serenity pauses on the bridge in front, leaning against the wooden railings while Franz and Marissa are staring into the fields, scouting out the area. Here's my chance to gage something about her. Namely, what her reasons were for coming out here with us.
"You seemed pretty excited to get back into the action," I mention, leaning next to her on the bridge.
She slowly shifts her gaze at me then back out at the stream again.
"Let's just say I'm on a winning streak," she replies calmly.
I simply raise my eyebrows and shake my head at that, she tilts her eyes back at me and catches my disapproval.
"Don't judge me, Harrison. I'm not going to pretend that it doesn't haunt me what I did back there, but we're surrounded by programmed killers at the moment. Programmed killers that win almost every year."
"Tell me, you've got family right?" She continues.
I nod.
"Me too and did it ever cross your mind that we might have to become like these programmed killers if we ever want to see them again?"
"It's hard to argue with that," I agree.
While I do miss playing chess with grandma. My family is hardly my main drive to survive. No, I'm living for myself. I have goals, aspirations, my destiny is to change the world. That's why I need to survive. The world needs me. Clearly we are talking at cross purposes here. I realise that now.
"It's like you said to me back on our free day… sometimes we have to sacrifice our humanity," she finishes.
Then she leaves me alone, standing by the stream, giving me a lot to think about. She made a very good point back there. Every single one of my moral philosophies or beliefs can completely go out the window in my current predicament. The two of us may just have to become monsters to survive this. Maybe decency and kindness have no place in this world at all?
"Everyone! Look! 12 'O'clock!" Marissa suddenly exclaims.
I leave the bridge and join the other three at the edge of the field. Marissa is pointing to a girl amongst the tall grass which almost extends above our shoulders. If Henry was here, he wouldn't even be able to see. The girl is very pale with one part of her hair white and the other black. She stands at around my height about 6 meters away. She is facing the opposite direction, so she hasn't spotted us yet.
"Franz, you're up," Marissa whispers.
Franz ever so slightly and hesitantly takes out his crossbow and aims dead ahead at the girl. However, before he can fire, something spooks her in the distance! It's hard to see what with the sun fast disappearing but she darts to the left causing Franz to miss with his shot.
"Fuck this shit! I'm going after her!" Marissa exclaims, taking off towards the girl through the long fields.
The rest of us collectively charge after her however we are instantly met by the most disgusting stench I have ever smelt! It poisons my very lungs with each breath. It's so bad that I'm forced to clasp my nose with one hand and my sword in the other.
After we bend to the left through the grass, the team comes to a sudden stop behind Marissa! I force my way next to her to see that the Eight girl has stopped in a small opening in the field for some reason,partly shrouded in darkness. She turns back to us slowly with hate and anger flooded into her green eyes. What is she doing? She cant take on the four of us.
"The thing about bullies is… they always get their justice," she smirks.
"I've led you into a trap..."
In a split second, something jumps out from her right, something humanoid but it lets out an animalistic screech! It forces her down to the ground, biting into her neck and spilling blood all over its fangs. We all step back in hesitation at the new threat.
As the Eight girls cannon fires, the creature looks up at us. It has very pale skin, paler than the girl from Eight but a complete bold head, revealing its deep purple veins. The rest of it seems almost human other than its eyes, which are a bright yellow, and it's now blood-coated fangs.
Its eyes focus up at us and it lets out a hiss, preparing to lunge! However, as it does, Franz releases a bolt directly at its forehead, knocking it down to the ground. Although just as quickly as it was knocked down, it rises back up without even using its arms, bolt still sticking out its forehead. This creeps me out no end. What the hell did the Capitol cook up in their lab this time?
More hisses and screeches begin echoing around us, hidden by the fields. We begin slowly stepping backward, accepting that this is a fight that we can't win.
"Serenity… your gun," I whisper, to her on my left.
She glances at me but simply shakes her head.
"I don't think anything's gonna work on these things," Franz swallows.
"Run…" Marissa whispers.
Like a banana, we split as fast as we can back in the direction that we came. We leave the field and the stench along with it which now seems totally insignificant. We speed back across the bridge and towards the wooden houses. I stop and peer briefly back at these mutts. There are now at least half a dozen on our tail!
"Harrison!" Serenity calls from ahead, with worry in her voice.
"Hurry!"
Breathing heavily, I return to my sprint. Me and Serenity are quite fast on our feet but we can't hope to keep up with Franz and Marissa. My brother always used to say, you don't have to outrun the danger, only the slowest person in the group.
When the group of wooden houses approaches us again I am suddenly frozen in place at their entrance. I can't even breathe! What's happening?
Serenity comes to a halt and turns back to me. I try to mutter the words "help" but I can't even do that. All I can see is her eyes widen in terror as the mutts approach us fast from behind.
"No not this! Not now!" She exclaims.
"Harrison Jones! You have been chosen as Vampire Hunter! Go to the house on your left and proceed inside to get your gear from the chest," The deep booming voice of the mayor orders from above.
I am then released, panting heavily, gasping for air. I glimpse at Serenity briefly, then to the house on my left, the sounds of the mutts fast approaching us. With a mutual nod, we race into the house together and slam the door behind us!
CRASH
They instantly start smashing and banging on the door, shaking it violently inwards! I dive towards the shining, red chest at the end of the room and practically rip it open!
"Harrison… this better work…" Serenity murmurs, stepping back from the door that's fast caving in.
Inside the chest, I find a large, silver cross and a bag of garlic. Attached to the cross is a note, written on an old, scrappy piece of paper.
"The cross is a weapon to kill vampires, the garlic bombs can also be used for ranged attacks."
So vampires are what they are calling these things? Without a second to lose, I snatch up the cross in my right hand.
"What does it say?" Serenity asks.
SMASH
One of the vampires smashes through the window, its fangs still dripping with blood from the Eight girl, ready to strike! Serenity gasps!
"This better work!" I say, raising the cross up to the vampire's face, with sweat now poring down from my face!
A beam of light shoots out at the creature and it begins growling in pain as its face is gradually melted off like ice under the sun, stumbling backward to the door until it is nothing more than a pile of molten liquid and clothes on the floor!
"Yeah! That didn't feel so good? Did it?!" I taunt.
The door bursts open sending the hinges flying onto the floor! Before they can attack I raise the cross again causing them to squirm and retreat back out of the door.
"Oh you want some too?" I shout.
I force them outside again and follow them, still keeping the cross fixed upwards. Franz and Marrisa jog back to join us but come to a stand still when they see the bizarre situation unfolding.
"It's working!" I yell back to them, pausing.
"Well don't stop now," Marissa tells me.
Amongst their disgusting ranks I spot the… Eight girl again. Only, she isn't the Eight girl anymore… she's become one of them! With yellow horrifying eyes and dagger like fangs, hissing at me. With a sigh of pity, I pull a handful of the garlic bombs out in my palm and unleash them on the vampires! Upon impacting on the creature's skin, they explode outwards, incinerating a good chunk of them including what's left of the Eight girl. The remaining vampires scatter away from the fireball, back towards the fields.
The others continue glancing around the flames in the night, nervous for more vampires but I have a new streak of confidence running through my veins!
"Check it out… Harrison the vampire hunter!" Marissa exclaims with a smile.
I return the smile and look around with a badass nod.
Seia Loom, 14, District 11
I trek through the dead forest without much of a plan. As long as I avoid the Careers, or any other tributes that want me dead, I consider that a success.
I didn't get much from the cornucopia, only a small satchel with enough food and water to last me a day or two, if I forage some. I did get my hands on a small knife. Even though most of the tributes remaining could easily overpower and kill me without me having a fighting chance, having a knife is valuable. Even if I can't kill a human, I can try to kill an animal.
Although, there doesn't appear to be too much life out here in this forest. There's a handful of blueberry bushes, but those are dead as well. I noticed the Careers packed out the supplies and moved into the large town directly besides the cornucopia. Although it's unlikely, I'm tempted to return back to the cornucopia to see if there's anything they left behind. Plus, from there I can get eyes on the lake I know I saw when I first rose into the arena. With my water bottle already running low, it's as good a shot as any.
I don't like the idea of being so close to my biggest competitors, but all I can hope for is that they're too busy out hunting in the further regions of the arena. As long as I stay aware of my surroundings, and can still run, they shouldn't be able to get me. The key word being shouldn't.
With no other ideas, I start slowly making my way back. I'm on high alert, ignoring the voice in the back of my head reminding me not to be reckless. Like that's ever stopped me before.
Yeah, but before I wasn't in a life or death situation quite like this.
As I reach the edge of the forest, I hold my breath, expecting there to be someone already at the pond. I don't see anything, but I still proceed with caution as I pass over the train tracks and get closer and closer to the water. I'm quick to fill up my bottle, then return to my forest. As I cross back over the train track, I see a movement from inside the forest. I pull out my knife, I can't let whoever it is get the upper hand.
I finally spot her moving deeper in the forest, the girl from Twelve. She doesn't seem to notice me, and I want to keep it that way. I take cover in the forest, and watch her move along the treeline. She doesn't seem to be fully paying attention to what's behind her, too focused on what's in front of her. She's holding various things from the forest, including leaves, berries, sticks, and other random things. I contemplate letting her go. But the lack of food in my satchel, and the rumbling in my stomach, makes me follow.
I do keep my distance, making sure she doesn't spot me. I follow her through the forest, eventually breaking through the treeline and ending up in a small group of houses south of the forest, just beside the bright field. Eventually, she goes inside one of the smaller houses surrounding the manor, and I'm careful to sneak up to the window. As I peer inside, I can see some of her supplies, along with a pile of the stuff she found outside.
"You shouldn't sneak up on people like this." Her voice makes me jump. I turn around, brandishing my knife, but she doesn't attack. She doesn't even have a weapon. Her arms are crossed, a curious look on her face.
"Neither should you. Especially without a knife." I shoot back, keeping my knife up. What's her game?
"You don't want to kill me." She says, backing up and walking towards her cabin.
"How do you know? It's a deadly competition." I follow her, making sure to keep her in my sights.
"You would've done it already by now, instead of just following me." She responds, going inside her cabin. She leaves the door open, as if inviting me inside? What's she doing?
I shouldn't take the bait, but curiosity gets the better of me. Besides, I can get a better look at what supplies I could possibly steal.
The girl sits on the ground, combining the things she was collecting on her way back here into a pile.
"What are you doing?" I ask, standing in the doorway. Other than her weird collection of random things, she doesn't seem to have a lot in the way of food. And I don't see a weapon.
"Alchemy. Or…an attempt. There's very few things I can work with out there." She says casually, not making eye contact, too focused on combining things into a pot.
"Why?" I ask. Alchemy won't help her win. Or feed her.
"Why do you care?" She asks, looking up at me.
"I guess I don't. But it doesn't look very edible." I tell her, glancing back outside. As if to prove me right, I see a rabbit hop across the town.
"I guess it's not." She leans back, looking back at her collection. "So, are you leaving, or are we allies now?" She looks up at me. I'm taken aback at how direct she is. I'm about to instantly reply 'no', not thinking that allying with anyone, let alone her, will be to my benefit. But I think about all the competitors left in the games, the Careers, the older kids, even some of the younger ones. Day one hasn't been easy, and literally nothing has happened so far. I know the Careers are out hunting, that's all they do. What will happen when I'm low on food, or when I get attacked? How long can I really hold out on my own?
"I guess we're allies." She nods, but goes back to her alchemy. So I decide to hunt the rabbit I saw.
That night, we enjoyed a cooked rabbit just outside the house. Neither of us talk much, which is perfectly fine for me. Nadia did finally finish her concoction, seemingly pleased with herself. I don't ask what it does, if it does anything.
A cannon had fired earlier in the night, most likely due to a Career. I was on edge, assuming we would be next, but no one ever came. Despite us being so close to their home base, we haven't had any encounters. I doubt our luck will last.
The anthem plays and we watch the faces fade in and out. The boy from Five. The girl from Six. The boy from Seven. The girl from Eight. The two boys from Eight and Nine, who I think were allied. And the boy from Ten.
"Both of our district partners are alive." Nadia says.
"I'm not surprised Harrison survived. He's with the Careers." I tell her.
"Tristan was supposed to be my ally. He saved my life." Nadia says as the anthem fades and the quiet returns.
"I'm sorry." I don't know what else to say. What does she expect in the Hunger Games? Tristan should have saved himself. I hope she doesn't expect me to do the same.
Nadia just shakes her head, then adjusts herself so she's laying down, back towards me. Even though I can't see her face, I can tell she's more upset at her former allies death.
I don't get it, but I'm not going to say anything. Hey, if she wants to sacrifice herself for me, I won't stop her. But I won't do the same for her.
Hey so day 1 is finished up and we have 1 more death! Forgot to say last time, you can see the whole arena on the blog! I made a map of it! So we got our first introduction to the roles as well as our first mutts. We'll keep a list of the roles so far here for everyone to see!
Serenity: Vigilante
Taliesin: Disguiser
Harrison: Vampire Hunter
Eulogies
Day 1
24th: Ricky James (D9M) Killed by Serenity Jasper - decapitated.
23rd: Tristan Card (D8M) Killed by Jade Hastings – Slashed through the chest.
22nd: Jonathan Priel (D10M) Killed by Taliesin Ulysses – Knife thrown through neck.
21st: Elijah Axenfros (D7M) Killed by Taliesin Ulysses – Blunt force trauma.
20th: Emily Lynch (D6F) Killed by Heather Monroe – Knife thrown into torso.
19th: Kalen Demner (D5M) Killed by Marissa Grey - Sliced with a sword.
18th: Aeliana Decima (D8F) Killed by vampire mutts – bitten in the neck. Aeliana was always a very interesting character with different sides to her. However, I think we both just lacked a vision with her going forward which is why we decided to kill her here. Thanks for the submission Gomex.
Povs written by Nautics: Franz, Henry, Harrison
Povs written by Team shadow: El, Aeliana, Seia