Chapter 11: Shattered Resolve

A/N: Yo, hope you're having a good day. We've passed the halfway point with Velvet's passing in the previous chapter. Rain's luck is about to run out, and the Career Alliance will be undone soon...

LittleMermade - And so, a wedge is driven between the two protagonists - perhaps they won't win together after all, or they could - the road's going to have bumps now.

Day 8

Location: The Arena, Cave in the Forest Sector

Rain Orion's P.O.V.

I couldn't sleep at all last night, thanks to the downpour, and also...

I had visions of Sophia brandishing her sword, and cutting right through me, with no hesitation.

In other visions, I'd attempt to attack Sophia, after willing myself to kill her for destroying my trust. My lance would shatter, representing my resolve. Or, I witnessed Cyrus plunging his axe into Iris' stomach.

And I couldn't do anything about it.

I peek my head out of the cave, and the rain is still pouring down, forcing me to stay in the little cave that I'm in.

Traveling through the downpour would be difficult, not to mention impractical.

I stare at Iris' axe, with it still glistening in the darkness. She apparently left it behind in her backpack - favoring her dagger instead.

A good choice, in retrospect. An axe is cumbersome and not exactly a weapon that excels in the stealth department.

The axe hasn't lost its sheen - considering it hasn't been in a single fight yet, with its owner's passing.

But that's going to change pretty soon.

I take the supplies from Iris' belongings - which consist of mostly food, which is something I needed, and transfer it over to my own pack.

If only our alliance lasted longer… and the fact that I led her to her death… The blood on my hands will never be wiped away because of that.

I open up a pack of dried fruit, and the rainfall suddenly starts to lift. I poke my head out. There has to be a catch to this; the Gamemakers wouldn't just stop the downpour for nothing.

I poke my head out of the cave… only to find nothing out of the ordinary. The ground is extremely wet, and I hear footsteps coming my way.

I duck back into the cave, and I witness who's causing the noise.

It's the little girl from 11: Linde. She's been likely hiding in the brush of the forest for the entirety of the Games - which is not a bad strategy, given that you have supplies to last you for that long. Some have succeeded with that strategy, such as two tributes from 6 a couple decades back did.

Flashback

Location: The Capitol, District 12's Floor

I'm sitting at a table with Lukas, Katniss, Haymitch, Iris, and Effie. It's the last night before the Games, and it's up to Iris and I to figure out something on our own, or ask our mentors. We choose the latter

"Any strategies on how to survive the Games?", Iris asks.

"Hiding would be a good one", Lukas replies.

Katniss elaborates on what our most recent victor said.

"Lukas here used the strategy he just mentioned. Some people even win their Games by basically hiding 'til everyone else was dead."

Haymitch comes in.

"Also, you two… stick together. Split up around the Top 8 or so, if both of you make it that far."

Present time

I finished my pack of dried fruit, and I considered asking her to make an alliance with me, but I decided against it - the moment she saw an opportunity, she'd stab me with no hesitation. I feel like there's something off… that the Gamemakers are up to something.

The one time where I don't want to be, I'm proven right. I witness the sky turn red, and the forest is set ablaze. Meteors rain down from the heavens - or what seems to be the Arena's forcefield.

I should've gone through the downpour.

I quickly grab my backpack, and in my haste to respond, I drop some things out of my bag. I don't go back for them; my life is more important.

I hear shrieks coming from one direction, which is likely from Linde. I immediately run in the opposite direction, not looking to fight in these conditions.

To my horror, there are meteors coming down from the sky. One comes down near me and explodes, with me on the fringes of the blast radius. A fireball formed from the explosion strikes me on my left shoulder.

It burned right through my arena jacket and shirt. I howl in pain, and try to endure it - if I stayed here any longer, I'd be toast - and not the good kind.

The cliff sector would likely be my best bet. It might be crumbling and in ruins, but it's far safer than the highlands. Being injured with no cover from other tributes would be a death trap.

I make my way to the large clearing I was at earlier when I first faced off the Careers, using familiar scenery to guide me on the way. I suffered a few more minor burns, but they were nothing compared to the ones on my shoulder.

My luck's starting to burn out - literally. I witness what is likely a mutt burst out of the flames.

Location: The Capitol, Mentor's Bar

Wade Rankine's (D2 Victor/Mentor) P.O.V.

The forest section is burning, meteors striking the brush. I don't really care, since none of my tributes are in there.

I swap to the camera watching the Cornucopia clearing, where the Career Alliance are. They seem to be watching in rapt attention, as the forest sector bursts into flames.

I sigh as Sophia watches, with a saddened look on her face.

She's grieving about her soon-to-be dead boyfriend from 12, I bet. A cannon hasn't sounded, yet, but it'd be hard in general to hear a cannon amidst the chaos here.

I feel someone familiar, sit down next to me. I swivel my head around to see one Cato Hadley. His cropped, slightly spiky blond hair has remained the same over the years. He won the 74th, right after mine.

"Hey, Wade. You watchin' your precious nephew in action?"

I scoff. My faith in my nephew has become something of a little joke between us.

"Pfft. Unless the Games end in a couple days, Cyrus' good as dead."

"You really have that little faith in your nephew?"

"...Yeah. He's got power, but lacks a good strategical wit. What about your niece? Got any faith in your little 'Soph', Cato?"

"Yeah, she's smart and strong. Love's not a good thing to develop during the Games, though."

I chuckle at this, considering this is coming from Cato of all people.

"What's so funny, Wade?

"I mean, you had the hots for Clove, old buddy. So you're one to talk."

Cato looks down in his seat. Looks like I hit a pretty sore spot…

"Wade, my man, you know I don't like bringing that up…"

I sigh, and put my hand on my fellow District 2 Victor's shoulder.

"Sometimes, I wonder what would've happened if I lost the Games. Would my sister have gone down a different path?"

I look at Cato, not really knowing to say.

"It's best not to look in the past, man."

"I know…"

Location: The Arena, Edges of the Forest Sector

Rain Orion's P.O.V.

I barely fought my way through that bull deer, another mutt employed by the Gamemakers. It may as well be a bull stuck in a deer's body.

That damn thing already added on to my severe burns from the meteor strikes, and I only beat it by pushing it back into the flames.

I limp across the river, my blood dying the water's surface a slight tint of red.

I crossed the ruined cliff sector, and once I found a nook created by the fallen rocks, I almost immediately collapsed in the temporary shelter.

With all the willpower I could muster, I forced myself to take off my jacket and arena vest, and do my best to have it staunch the blood flowing from my injuries in the form of tourniquets.

I take a look at my left shoulder's burn - a first-degree, or worse, a second-degree burn from the looks of it. Being able to identify the severity of burns was a useful piece of knowledge from District 12's second industry in this case.

I use the remainder of my strength to apply cold water from my canteen to the burn.

I can't take it anymore. I was about to scream in pain, but I bit my tongue. To stop myself. I then apply the healing ointment, which does speed up the healing process.

I hear the distinct chime of a sponsor gift floating down. I extend my hand to grab it, but I'm too weak.

Far too weak.

I spiral into the darkness of unconsciousness.

Location: The Arena, Careers' Camp

Sophia Kirhart's P.O.V.

I watch the meteor strikes finally draw to a halt.

The forest sector has been burnt to a crisp, with only some smoldering tree trunks remaining. It's no longer a good idea to take cover there.

I hope Rain's alright.

Not that it matters. I'm dead to him anyways. I know love isn't something to be developed overnight, but he crept up on me. Vulcan interrupts my thoughts.

"Hey, you guys. I say, tomorrow, we split up."

Aileen jumps in.

"Why, Vulcan? Want to betray the group already?"

"We lost most of our supplies; I think it's just better if we just split up."

Vulcan glares at Cyrus and Adrian specifically, and the two shoot equal glares back.

The whole soon-to-be disbanded alliance agreed that we would split up first thing the next morning.

We spend the rest of the night evenly splitting the few supplies we have remaining. I volunteered to take the first watch.

It wasn't out of 'selflessness" though.

I want to see if Rain's still alive. If not...

I watch the night sky for any sign of the Capitol insignia, but nothing appears - so nobody died today.

I breathe a sigh of relief, but I know the relief won't last.

A/N: Phew, that's done. I had some familial issues, which is why this one went out a little late. I was going to have the Careers split up this chapter, but I decided to push it to the next one - I think it'll be more of a surprise that way, and to cool down from last chapter's events. If you have some free time, please review. Catch you guys later, and take care :)