I got almost all the way through this chapter then realized I hadn't done like any lead-up chapters! But I was so impatient I just went for it. I know everyone likes the Games stuff best anyway so I don't think anyone will miss some more Capitol chaptesrs.
Cheyanne Talor, Distrit Three female- 17
I didn't know what to expect as the tube rose into the air. How does anyone know what to expect at a time like this? Would it be a forest? A desert? Ice and snow? I hoped not ice and snow, I didn't like being cold. Not that anyone really likes being cold...
Soon it was clear I wasn't going to be cold. The heat from the air blasted me before my head was even above the ground. As my eyes reached the surface I almost wanted to cry. It looked like home. Not the nice part, like where I lived, but the underprivileged parts I sometimes walked through or at least saw from a distance. There were buildings, seemingly made out of clay and cinder blocks, with tarps for roofs or planks for broken-in walls. There was the smell- just the SMELL- of poverty in the air. I hadn't lived in it but I'd experienced it. It was a smell of filth and rotten garbage and unclean water and the sweat and vapor of millions of people crushed together. We were in a slum.
Archibald Pell, District Eight male (13)
This Arena was a blessing for Tributes like me. In a harsher Arena, we would need supplies from the Cornucopia for any chance of survival, and that meant running into the Bloodbath. The necessity of running into the Bloodbath was a big reason the Careers so often won the Games. But in an Arena like this I didn't have to worry about building a shelter. Probably food either- I bet the houses had food in the pantries because the Gamemakers wanted a better show. I didn't know if it was CLEAN food but it would do.
I should have been really scared. Dionysus was on one side of me and Ceto was on the other. But as I looked at them I could see they weren't even noticing me. All the Careers were finding each other and wordlessly communicating. One by one they all sought out specific targets- I bet they'd planned it ahead of time. And none of them were looking at me. I guess a thirteen-year-old wasn't considered a high priority target. Not that it got me out of the woods. They'd come for me later.
Allure Beldam, District One female (18)
Nailah was three platforms to my right. Kjole was right next to me but she wasn't part of our duo. She'd been paired up with Nero and Anthony, since the others for some reason thought it was dangerous to put her too close to me. Just because I wanted to be the prettiest (and I WAS) didn't mean I was just going to start killing my allies in the Bloodbath. I was going to wait at least two days. Nailah was apparently brave enough to come with me, though she was on thin ice herself with her curly hair and golden skin. But this was the Bloodbath and we had to focus.
As the timer ticked down Nailah and I sought out our target. Ceto and Dionysus were going after Connor and Gigi, of course- whoever was closer. That was the only group with a non-negotiable target. While the rest of us were prepared to swap targets if our own was far away and someone else's was closer, Ceto was of course dead-set on her little vendetta. It was funny how so many of my allies thought I was the unstable one- me or Dionysus- when one of us was prepared to derail their entire Games because of a personal grudge. I had my own agenda but I knew survival came first. Then the gong sounded and we all ran.
Soleil Kingston, District Eleven female (17)
I was going to die. This was my last few moments on Earth. I was one platform away from Nero and he looked right at me. Then the gong sounded and I was sprinting toward the nearest row of buildings. My heart flew up to my throat when Nero barreled after me. I knew there was no hope. He was closing the distance between us effortlessly. I closed my eyes and leaned forward as I ran. I opened them just as he collided with me. He smashed into me like a truck and I sprawled to the ground on my side. There was a sudden pain in my side and I knew that was it, I'd been killed. I opened my eyes and saw Nero running on after accidentally stepping on me... on his way to chase Oberon, who had been one platform past me.
Oberon Murdoch, District Nine male (17)
Nero ran right for me. I had a twenty-foot head start, since he was two platforms away from me. I sprinted toward the run-down shacks nearest me. If I could just make it to one of them, I would have cover and could sneak away. It did make me nervous, though, that Nero hadn't even stopped to grab a weapon. He was so focused on me that nothing else came before that. I wasn't sure what I'd done to piss him off but I wasn't staying around to find out.
I was keeping a fair distance between me and Nero. You know what they say about one person running for their supper and one person running for their life. Then someone punched me in the back. I was still trying to figure out how anyone reached me as I was falling forward. I rolled over as Nero closed the gap between us. He grabbed my leg as I was halfway up and yanked me back to the ground, knocking me onto the half a brick I now saw someone had thrown at me. Anthony came running up behind Nero and I saw how unfair this had been from the start. As I desperately tried to shove Nero off and free myself Anthony joined him and helped pin me down. He restrained me with one hand as he picked up the brick in the other.
When I got Reaped I knew I would do anything to get back to Regan but I'd already made arrangements for the worst. As Anthony picked up the brick I knew I was right to do so.
Anthony Morgan, District Four male (18)
I hadn't known there would be that much blood. Or I guess I KNEW, since I'd seen the tapes, but it was different being there in real life. Oberon's blood was all over me- my hands and also my shirt. And little bits of brain too. We went on maybe longer than we needed to since the cannons wouldn't sound until after the Bloodbath was over. When I was sure he was dead I set the brick down.
"I think we got him." I said. I turned to look back at the Cornucopia. "Who should we go for next?"
I looked back as Nero swung the brick at my face. I felt a tooth go flying back into my throat as the brick knocked half the life out of me. I lay on my back looking up dazedly as Nero brought the brick up again.
"Damn, bro, sorry Oberon killed you before we got him."
Connor Merlyn, District Five male (18)
Which god did I anger? Was this karma or something? Why were Ceto and Dionysus both chasing after me? I guess I happened to be closer than Gigi. Well, lucky her.
I saw something glittering on the ground ahead of me and ran for it. With Ceto hot on my tail I leaped forward and more or less belly-flopped.
Ceto Preston, District Four female (18)
Connor tripped. It was the best present I could have asked for. He tripped and landed flat on his face just fifteen feet ahead of me. I ran up behind him with the knife I'd grabbed on my way.
As I bent over Connor to stab him in the back, he whirled suddenly and I felt a sharp punch in my stomach. I fell back a step and felt warmth flooding my shirt. I saw the knife in his hand just before I realized what had happened.
No. No. NO!
I screamed savagely as I lunged forward, aiming for Connor's throat as he rose. My knife scored across the side of his neck and chest, spilling out blood but not nearly enough. I tried to stand to run after him but my legs folded under me from all the blood I'd already lost. I screamed again, more in rage that he was getting away than in pain or fear of my own impending death. He was getting away. He couldn't get away.
"Are you okay?" Dionysus asked as he reached me. He looked at the wound and hissed. I screamed something unintelligible at him as I pointed after Connor. Just kill him! KILL HIM! I staggered forward on my hands and knees, my fingers digging into the trail of blood he'd left in the dirt. It didn't matter if I died. I would never stop chasing him. Not until every drop of blood left my body.
Nailah Nebit, District Two female (18)
As two long-range weapon users, Allure and I had been assigned to secure the Cornucopia in addition to eliminating our target. Allure went straight for the glamorous silver recurve bow clearly placed there for her while I picked up the less pretty but far longer-range compound bow. I'd take an "uglier" bow if it meant being able to shoot twice as far.
Speaking of shooting, I found our target in seconds and started lining up a shot as Allure started to move supplies farther into the Cornucopia and out of reach of the outliers, who were already realizing that we had assigned targets and were taking advantage by snatching supplies far closer than they would usually get.
Most people would have considered the Bloodbath chaotic but for me it was almost zen. I knew exactly what I needed to do and didn't have to worry about anyone staring at me. Quite the opposite- I was shooting at my target's back.
Desiree Redwood, District Seven female (17)
Maybe I shouldn't have been so bold, snatching stuff right out of the Cornucopia. It was just, I really wanted the water purification tablets. I may perhaps have learned my lesson the time me and my ex-girlfriend Fauna decided it would be romantic to camp in the woods and drink from a pristine stream. Turns out just because a stream LOOKS pristine doesn't mean it is. Also turns out that sometimes "diarrhea" doesn't cover the half of it. So I took the bottle of tablets and only then did I turn to run.
Some sixth sense made me look behind me. I turned just as Nailah was letting go of her bowstring. No way. I was one of the targets? I'm not that strong! This is some bull-
The arrow whistled past my face so close it ruffled my hair. I watched in stupid shock as it continued on until it landed in RJ's back.
RJ Macready, District Six male (16)
Damn, Nailah. In the back, from fifty feet away? Panem's finest, right there.
Martin Jackman, District Seven male (15)
I could do it. The Careers all seemed distracted and I could just nip in and get a few things. Some water, maybe. A knife. If I just had a knife I could fight off anyone who attacked me. Sure I wasn't as strong as the Careers but a lot of people don't want to pick a fight if they might get hurt, even if they're stronger. So I ran in and started gathering supplies. Allure fired once, right over my head, without even looking at me. They didn't care about someone as small as me.
Dionysus hit me from the side and I went flying. I sat up, still dazed from the impact, as he swung his staff at my head like a bat. That knocked the rest of the wind out of me. I looked up at the three Dionsyuses blurring above my face.
Well, Martin, guess you got what you wanted. For that moment, all of Dionysus' attention was directed right at me.
Porsche Romeo, District Six female (17)
Someone like me was dead meat anyway. Yes, surely the cripple will win it all. Not the Careers. The girl who can barely walk. Since I was going to die anyway, I shuffled in toward the supplies to grab a weapon. At least I could entertain myself by chucking it at whichever Career came to kill me. But none did. I slowly made my way to a spear and picked it up. I looked around for a second, morbidly interested in who my murderer was going to be, but most of the Careers were out past the ring of platforms. Only Nailah and Allure were in the Cornucopia and they were both aiming out at the fleeing Tributes.
Hello? Anyone gonna come kill me? Apparently not, I discovered as I shuffled my way over toward a backpack, passing Samantha as she chatted to herself in a demented fashion as she gathered electrical components. I hefted it onto my back and took another look around. You sure? I'm right here? I shrugged and started shuffling toward a row of dilapidated houses. All right. Guess I'll just head out then.
Mai Rye, District Nine female (16)
I kept peeking behind me as I ran. It was probably stupid, but if I was going to die I wanted to see it before it happened. I looked back as Nailah drew back her bowstring and fired off a shot. It landed in RJ's back and he crawled forward a few feet before he fell onto his side. She looked over the fleeing Tributes and picked out Cheyanne, but just before she could fire Cheyanne ducked into a row of buildings. Nailah winced in annoyance and looked over the Tributes again. I really shouldn't have kept looking back. I looked back one too many times and the last time I did I locked eyes with Nailah.
Allure Beldam, District One female (18)
Our targets were all either taken care of or had escaped. For the last few minutes of the Bloodbath it was all discretionary. I peered out at the running Tributes, some of who had already reached the buildings and were out of range, and picked out the last lucky person. Cheyanne caught my eye immediately, being probably the prettiest person left except Kjole. But then I saw Bess running some distance to her left. I sighed in annoyance as I told myself to be responsible. Cheyanne was prettier but Bess was much stronger. I wavered for a minute, giving myself the luxury of a few precious seconds before I committed. But they were getting away and I had to pick fast. They were already at the limit of my range, since I preferred the rapier to the bow. I rolled my eyes and did the responsible thing.
Turned out it didn't matter anyway. I aimed at Bess' tiny frame in the distance... and missed. But at least I hit Gigi.
Gigi Sampson, District Five female (16)
I didn't know an arrow felt like a razor cut. It knifed into me and I could feel the little barbs in my lungs with every breath I took. It was surreal how it took my energy so fast. I tried to keep running back after just a few steps I couldn't breathe and then I couldn't keep going. I fell to my hands and knees and tried to get my breath back. Instead it just got harder and harder and I just wanted to lay down.
I didn't know why it had to be this way. I never hurt anyone. I was just a normal girl. I just wanted a normal life- maybe get married, maybe have a house someday. Instead someone in the Capitol decided I couldn't have a life at all.
The deaths are a little out of order since I wrote the POVs for dRaMa instead of in chronological order. I'll try to reconstruct which ones would have died first.
24th place: RJ Macready, District Six male- shot by Nailah
Arrows are fast so it makes sense he'd die first. It's not because he was weak or anything. Quite the contrary- RJ was targeted specifically since the Careers methodically singled out the strongest competition. I liked RJ and he was a good Tribute with good odds, it's just I wanted the Careers to really play smart and make some big moves. So thank you to Max Deloria. RJ was a cynic with an idealist's soul and that was fun to write.
23rd place: Oberon Murdoch, District Nine male- beaten to death by Anthony
Another victim of the Careers playing it smart. It was hard to pick Oberon to die since he had such a good reason to get back home and he'd been through so much. But that was precisely what made him strong and the Careers smelled that like sharks. Thank you to Sparky for Oberon, who was tough without being overpowered.
22nd place: Anthony Morgan, District Four male- beaten to death my Nero
Couple of reasons for this. First it was because I had trouble making Nero and Anthony separate characters- they felt similar to me for some reason. Another reason was to have a big shocking moment. Another is because Nero saw a chance and took it. And finally it was a little because Anthony was too nice and wholesome as a career. I didn't dislike him, I just thought he was perfect for this moment. Thank you treblenotes and I hope Anthony gets more love in the other stories.
21st place: Mai Rye, District Nine female- shot by Nailah
Wow, tough year for Nine. Mai was just unlucky- she wasn't an official target but Nailah had some leftover time after eliminating RJ. Mai just happened to be slow enough and in Nailah's like of sight (and I needed some more female kills). It's a bummer since I really liked Mai. She was funny and a breath of fresh air among some pretty serious Tributes. So thank you to phantomlady and sorry she died so early.
20th place: Martin Jackman, District Seven male- Speared by Dionysus
Martin was mine so I felt rude not killing him. I was expecting people to dislike him but honestly not quite as much as they did. If we were all honest with ourselves we would admit that a lot of us have done what Martin did. He was a stupid kid, like we all were at that age, and just because people do hurtful things without thinking doesn't mean we should hate them. We've all done that. A big thank you to me for sending in Martin and also or killing him because it was the fair thing to do.
19th place: Gigi Sampson, District Five female- Shot by Allure
I had nothing against Gigi but I wanted a big Bloodbath so I picked on her. I also thought it would be interesting to see a Career miss for once. Gigi got lucky with Ceto but then her luck ran out. I'll miss her, since she was a happy nice normal teenager and I think that's more interesting than a larger-than-life tribute. I think she could have won and it would have been a cool story that hopefully someone else writes. Thanks pioneer9 and I;m glad to see (since I peeked) that Gigi is doing well in LCS's story.
18th place: Ceto Preston, District Four female- Bled to death after Connor stabbed her
Ceto's form called for this exact death. I felt mean having a Career get killed by an outlier so easily so I had her wound him, too- he's not dead or anyhting but it's not fun losing a lot of blood in a dirty Arena. Ceto was strong but blinded by her bigotry- basically she took herself out. Thanks Sparky for a controversial but complex tribute.