XIX. JUST CAN'T PROVE IT
DAY 4
TEMPEST TRINIDAD, DISTRICT 4 FEMALE (18)
The Careers had moved on from the Cornucopia and into the rough jungles, which, though probably not the best decision, had been Hestia's move to make, as the district 2 girl had somehow stolen back the role of leading the Careers.
Merlot was more than unhappy with these turn of events and somehow blamed Tempest. Angelo and Nero had remained neutral in the conflict, though, and Lux had done nothing but try and stop it.
At this point, Tempest wasn't sure if all of the Careers would make it to the final eight- or even the final ten, at the rate they were going.
One of them was going to snap soon. Tempest could practically taste it. Despite trying to control her brashness, it was definitely hard to with every stupid, completely idiotic remark she heard. And by attacking, whether verbally or physically, it didn't determine her safety to the finale at all.
The arena didn't have the freedom Tempest expected to possess once she'd gotten in, and, to be fair, would victory either?
It just didn't make sense to question that because she had come so far, trained for years, and endured Hestia and Merlot's ceaseless bickering, and for it to amount to nothing? It wasn't a good thought.
Tempest bumped into a branch and swatted it away with her short sword, wincing and feeling a spot on her head where it would probably start to bruise.
The Careers had split up to hunt, though having found walkie talkies at the Cornucopia, and as Lux and Angelo were staying at the Cornucopia, Tempest was confident that nobody would get lost. They'd started in pairs, though, with District 2 as well as Tempest and Merlot in separate groups just in case one of them needed help killing one of the stronger tributes off.
However, Tempest and Merlot had separated after Merlot had continuously tried to incite arguing and Tempest's self control had been close to breaking.
So now Tempest was left alone in the forest, searching for straying outer district tributes.
And considering she'd been hunting for at least an hour, Tempest honestly didn't expect to find anyone today.
Left were the girls from 3, 6, 10, 11, and 12, as well as 12's district partner and the rest of the Career pack- though Tempest was sure she was forgetting someone. Tempest was surprised that the Careers were going so strong, because it was a bit shocking the tension, while mounting, was still (somewhat) relaxed.
Tempest picked up someone humming from behind her, and immediately wheeled on her feet, following the quiet tune through the fog.
She broke through the fog, surprised to see Lux bent over something, maybe a pack. She wasn't facing Tempest, but was positioned by the cliff- a cliff! Maybe that had been where one of the non-Career deaths took place.
"Lux?" Tempest asked, approaching her ally. "Why're you here? I thought you were staying at the Cornucopia-"
Her eyes flashed with understanding, but she was too late.
Because that was when Lux attacked her.
With the spear she'd been bent over, had been hiding.
And this wasn't Lux.
Tempest blocked maybe Lux's first move, trying to toss away her pack so she'd be more able, but was so disarmed and not ready at all and Lux stabbed Tempest in the gut with her spear in a single moment of weakness.
Tempest gasped, stumbling back and feeling the wound. She could survive this, would survive this-
And then Lux pushed her.
Off the cliff, down to the rocky ground.
Tempest was falling.
How?
How had she messed up so soon?
She doesn't hear the cannon as she crashes into the rocks.
BOOM!
AUDELIA GLIDDEN, DISTRICT 6 FEMALE (16)
Two days.
Two days since the Careers had killed Avven.
Audi felt strangely numb, not upset. Sure, she had been crying when it had happened, but now that had faded, and she felt angry.
Which was ridiculous, because she knew either her or Avven was going to die at some point. Likely both of them.
But she still felt overwhelmed by the fact that her friend was dead, had been stabbed by the boy from 1 who hadn't thought for a moment to place himself in Audi's place. He was the one who had organized it all, because without his scheme to attract sponsors Audi wouldn't have to feel this anger that threatened to overtake her senses, have her make the wrong move, and die.
Her mind felt broken, as Audi herself felt hysterical. Was the aftermath of someone dying in your life supposed to be this chaotic, make you feel this messed up? She'd only known Avven for a few weeks, but they'd been good friends, and those weeks were cut short by some vicious Careers.
They thought she wasn't a threat.
Audi was going to show them they'd killed the wrong person.
For Avven's memory.
Because she just couldn't hold this seeping anger in anymore.
And the fact that it was her fault Avven was dead.
She had lost most of her stuff running from the Careers, including her drone, which Audi was more than sour about. She still had some food and water, though, and was trying to ration it so it could last for days because at this rate she doubted anybody wanted to sponsor her.
Who wanted to sponsor the kid everyone thought was the weakest kid in the Games?
Well, other than the girl from 3 and the girl from 10 since they were the youngest kids in the Games. Then again, it was probably ironic that Audi was unconsciously underestimating them, as she didn't want anybody to underestimate her.
She had to get out of that mindset.
There were only thirteen of them left, six Careers.
The girl from 1 was still alive, Audi thought hatefully. She really hadn't been nice at all, and wished she could just tell Avven I told you so.
She couldn't, of course.
Even though that girl had played a large role in killing him.
Especially because Avven was dead.
And heading back to Six in a box.
Worst of all was the fact that they could've been friends outside of the Games. Avven was Six's hope, was what Audi's district had placed their hope in. Yeah, they hadn't had a Victor in twenty-two years, but that only increased the chances of Audi or Avven actually being able to win.
BOOM!
At the sound of the cannon, Audi found herself hoping that it was for a Career.
Wow, the arena really does change you.
She grabbed her stuff anyways, keeping her knife out just in case whatever had killed someone was coming for her. Audi didn't think they were, because the cannon sounded quite distant from her, but better safe than sorry.
Why are you hiding? Why aren't you defying them? her mind whispered.
Because I want to live, Audi argued.
Still, you're not like this. What happened to the Audi who would scream screw the Capitol at the cameras, who didn't care at all what everyone else thought?
Was that Audi dead?
She hoped not.
REYENA JENSEN, DISTRICT 10 FEMALE (13)
Reyena had discarded eight of the ten bowling pins.
It had been nothing personal to whoever had sponsored her, but she just didn't have enough room in her pack for all of them. Plus, what was she supposed to do, use them to knock people out? However, she had kept two for the sentiment and for the fact that she might actually need to knock someone out.
The fog today was even heavier than it had been during the bloodbath, and Reyena literally couldn't see two steps ahead of her. It was a bit nerve-wracking, as someone could just jump out from behind and stab her at any moment. Nobody in the arena was safe at this point, not even the Careers. Reyena would bet her life, which she would never do if it had a high risk, that the next death would be someone too cocky who fell from their pedestal. She also bet that a measly fog was not all the arena had in store.
The Gamemakers had planned something, and that was definitely coming out soon enough.
The projections had been somewhat disappointing as nobody had died the previous day, and as Reyena wanted to get home, every face in the sky meant she was closer to getting home.
That hope did make her feel bad, but she brushed it off.
She was halfway there- only twelve more projections in the sky, and she could finally escape this arena!
(Not to mention its horrid style, and the consistent ugly uniforms.)
Hearing a small twinkling, Reyena turned towards the source of the sound and was delighted to see that a parachute was drifting towards her.
Two sponsor gifts in two days? At this rate she could easily win with the gifts they sent her. I doubt Demeter's doing so well, Reyena thought with a hint of malice.
Why shouldn't she be proud of the fact that she was doing better than a sixteen year old?
They'd all bet against her but a few sponsors, and now Reyena was killing it.
Karma.
Attached to a small packet of trail mix was a note. Reyena ripped it off, and began to read, "Reyena, you have been one of my favorite tributes for a while now, and your alliance with Demeter -though not solid-" Reyena snorted, "-was a powerful one. With your weapons, you can now of course go kill tributes, get one step further towards your Victory, and that's of course what you should do, but I'd suggest you get an ally." Reyena considered this- she really didn't want to tie herself down again like she had by allying with Demeter, but she should follow advice.
Reyena kept on reading, "One that you backstab only later, really make them believe that you are friends with them, then let them go. I think the boy from 6 had an ally, right? It would offer you protection and the backstabbing would be entertaining for you and the cameras." Reyena smirked slyly. Whoever had sent this knew her pretty well.
The note finished off with, "Show them what you can do, Chloe." Probably someone from the Capitol or District 10. It was very nice of them to send her a gift, no matter how small.
Reyena packed the nuts in her sack. She had rationed another rabbit she found, so Reyena could probably save the nuts for later. She had water too, which she was trying to ration as well, but it wasn't going well.
She considered the option of allying with the girl from Six. Audelia, wasn't it? Well, she was older and probably smart too, but Reyena could take her on any day.
It was simply a means of manipulation, and Reyena could outmaneuver anyone in her sleep.
Everyone underestimated her because of her age. Had they ever been thirteen? Because she was nowhere near as innocent as they thought she was. She could kill a Career if she tried, heck, she'd do it right now-
BOOM!
Reyena started up, grabbing her things, and started moving.
On the run again.
PERIWINKLE CALLOWAY, DISTRICT 12 FEMALE (17)
"I can't find the snare," Tristan groaned.
Peri was surprised they were doing so well- the contact were large advantages since they could actually see
Peri bit her lip, "You can't find it from when we set it out?"
He nodded, "I left it out yesterday, and then I checked the hollow where I placed it and it's gone."
"I don't think someone stole it," Peri replied thoughtfully, "but it could've gotten trampled. It's probably just misplaced, or you looked in the wrong place."
"Yeah, you're probably right," Tristan agreed. "Let's split up to look for it," he suggested, and Peri nodded.
"But we need to be back soon, just in case either of us gets caught by someone. The longer we're split up, the bigger the chance we'll get killed," she joked.
Tristan chuckled. "It's probably not too far away either, and it likely just got dragged away or something. I'm not the best snare setter."
"Tristan, I'm sure you are," Peri grinned. "I won't take any contacts, because I'm sure that we'll be fine. I don't want to waste them, anyways."
"Yeah, that's a good idea, but just in case, can I use them?" he asked.
Tristan had somewhat placed Peri in charge of their duo, probably because she was two years older. More mature? Probably not, because Tristan had told her what he'd gone through, how he wasn't meant to be the oldest sibling but ended up being so.
"Of course, but just don't lose them like you did with the snare," she said wryly. His face fell, but Peri elbowed him, "I'm kidding."
His face split into a grin as he took a few contacts from Peri.
They split up, and Peri felt vulnerable venturing into the jungle alone even though she could actually see, unlike the other tributes.
Coming upon a clearing, Peri sucked in a breath, realizing there was a sharp cliff where Tristan had told her Lyana had died. She absentmindedly touched the bandages near her stomach, feeling the still healing wound, and neared the edge of the cliff, scoping out the rest of the jungle from her angle. In the distance, if she squinted, she could see two female figures far away.
It was a peaceful scene, to be honest, even given the circumstances.
And then Peri noticed something terribly wrong.
A beautiful blonde Career girl was laying with her limbs splayed out and bent at an unnatural angle maybe thirty feet down off the cliff, her eyes staring right into Peri's- but unmoving, lifeless. Red bloomed from her chest as well, and color painted the jagged rocks- her blood.
Peri felt so much more than sick, barely holding back from vomiting rich there and then. The girl had dropped her pack, which was covered in blood too, but Peri knelt down, inspecting its contents.
She heard footsteps and tensed, then relaxed. Tristan was probably the only other person in the area- but then Peri realized the girl was a Career. Which meant the pack was near too. She seized the girl's pack up, getting ready to run in case it wasn't her ally coming her way.
"Tristan?" she called hopefully.
"Tempest?"
Shit.
They hunted in a pack.
How had she forgotten?
The redheaded boy from 1 broke through the fog, and Peri startled up from the girl's pack. The boy's eyes darted off the edge of the cliff as he circled her, then back to her, and Peri realized he had come to the wrong conclusion.
"Did you kill her?" he hissed, advancing slowly and wielding a lethal looking spear.
"No, no," Peri begged. "I didn't, I swear-"
He wasn't killing Peri because he had liked the other Career girl or anything, simply for the glory of seizing another kill. For his district, or for himself? Peri didn't know, but she didn't want to think, she needed to run, run right now-
The pain Peri felt when the boy's spear entered her stomach was indescribable. A few tears leaked out of her eyes as she stumbled back, pulling out the spear and gasping in pain. The boy from 1 watched, unimpressed, as Peri felt the shock set in. She fell, her vision twisting to the sky, making a vain attempt to cover the wound because it wasn't how she had expected to go, no, it wasn't at all how she had expected to die at all.
She didn't want to imagine her family watching in horror- and Sam. Her tears stained her face as breathing became more difficult- this really was the end, then, wasn't it? No, no, no, no, it couldn't be-
It was.
She wasn't ready for this!
Peri heard a scream, barely comprehending that the Career pack had turned on the boy from 1, and his blood was staining the ground too, like Peri's was…
The shock numbed the pain, and Peri felt herself slipping away.
As long as Sam forgave her, she had accomplished something at least.
Something was much, much more than nothing.
BOOM!
KILL COUNT
The Arena: III
Merlot Montague (DECEASED): III
Nero Blastaries: II
Hestia Mclearson: II
Tempest Trinidad (DECEASED): I
Reyena Jensen: I
Lux Leblanc: I
Angelo Marris: I
13th Place: Tempest Trinidad, killed by "Lux" (mutt edition)
This death is no doubt shocking to everyone. Tempest was always a finalist, and I definitely wanted to explore her backstory with not seeing the ocean a whole lot more. I loved every detail about her, and I related to her on many levels. She was everything a good Career victor should be- strong, but not a musclehead like most Careers. Then, suddenly, I just didn't see her winning anymore. Unfortunately, she took the place as my red herring eventually. Half of District 4 was going to die here, and Tempest's prime had passed I thought, so her story ended here. Thank you so much to ladyqueerfoot for submitting her!
12th Place: Periwinkle "Peri" Calloway, speared by Merlot Montague
Peri was one of my favorite characters. Her optimism, her bright personality, all screamed bloodbath, but I just couldn't do that to her or Tristan. They were such a sweet pair especially given they were so similar. I only imagined Peri as my victor once, but I couldn't just do away with canon, no matter how much I hate Katniss and Peeta, and such an innocent character wouldn't be able to cope with the post victory trauma Peri would have suffered if she won- and she couldn't kill anyone either. She was a bright light in the really dark arena, and I'm so so so upset I had to kill her. I actually listened to the saddest songs on Evermore while writing out her death, and it just felt so morbidly fitting because she was based off of The 1. I'm sorry if I made anyone cry (I know I made myself). Peri will forever live on as the queen she was. Thank you so much to optimisms for submitting her!
11th Place: Merlot Montague, backstabbed by the "Career pack" (mutt edition)
Speaking of queens, here's Merlot (aka the drag queen lol). His confidence just flowed off the screen, but this was always where he was going to die. Merlot, like Ayla, also started the journey of And We Run, and I will forever be glad for that. He was such a fun character, and had awesome dynamics with the rest of the Career pack. He was also the first sub I ever got, and therefore is one of the characters that marks my development as a writer some of the most. Rest in peace, Merlot. You were pretty awesome. Thank you so much to ladyqueerfoot for submitting him!
A/N
And there we have Day 4 which was obviously a huge day. And we have hit the Top 10! Thanks to slytherindauntless for sponsoring Reyena (now she's beating Demmie in terms of sponsor gifts- the race is on!) I really did feel bad, Linds, killing off both of your kids on the same day, and Opti, ik that Peri is your first death and I hope it doesn't hurt too much :(. Obviously the non-death POVs were shorter as they were by no means the main focus of this chapter XD.
I will see you all back (hopefully soon) for Day 5! -Tia