XXI. INHALE, EXHALE
DAY 6
REYENA JENSEN, DISTRICT 10 FEMALE (13)
Reyena had been trying to find the District 6 girl for a while now, but with no luck.
In everything else, however, she was on a winning streak. While being young in the Games was usually viewed as taboo and making whoever was young just another bloodbath casualty in the eyes of the public, Reyena had a smaller appetite and consumed less which was especially good for survival considering her pack had been made for someone older.
She was still holding onto the nuts for the worst case scenario, as well as the bowling pins.
Reyena honestly hoped she'd be able to attack someone with the bowling pins soon, because that would be epic.
And it would probably be the most original weapon in the whole history of the Games!
Yet she didn't reflect on this thought with the usual sass and snark Reyena possessed, was proud to possess.
The more the District 10 girl thought about it, the more she realized she was homesick.
For crying out loud, why wouldn't she be? She was barely a teenager, despite the fact that she had to act like a child for the sponsors and the cameras. And being the youngest kid in the Games, she missed her family.
Reyena was willing to do anything to further herself.
Death in itself was a terrifying entity, something chasing her, and if the race ended, she couldn't fathom what would happen to her as a result.
Reyena stood up, hearing footsteps coming her way. She froze, and slowly grabbed one of her bowling pins, feeling so stupidly pathetic. She hadn't even grabbed her knife, but it was too late now.
No sudden movements.
Reyena backed away from the source of the footsteps, realizing that she was shaking.
What happened to bravery?
With an unpleasant jolt, she was reminded of the bloodbath, right before she'd fled after killing Bailey.
Only if she won would she ever know who was coming.
"Demmie?" Reyena said timidly, as she swore she saw the familiar strawberry blonde hair peeking through the fog.
Lo and behold, Demeter showed her face, and Reyena relaxed slightly, letting the bowling pin fall to her side limply. "Hey, why're you here?"
Demmie's face was emotionless as she circled Reyena. The District 10 girl should've thought that something bad was going to happen, because it would've been the smartest move. It would've been what anyone would do, but Reyena was foolish-
"Tributes," Demmie said nonchalantly.
An involuntary shiver went up Rey's spine as she was forced to keep turning on her heel to watch Demmie.
Her curiosity got the better of her. "What do you mean?" she asked inquisitively.
Demmie let out a huge, exasperated sigh. "They chased me, and I killed them. They might have an ally coming for revenge, though."
Reyena's brain processed this on so many different levels.
A tribute was dead!
She hoped it was the girl from 2 since she was the predicted winner, but if it was a Career, any Career dead was good news for her survival!
"Which one?" she asked, her voice barely veiling excitement.
Her mind calculated the tributes left: four Careers, her and Demmie, the duo from 11 and 3 and the girl from 6. It lowered the field down to eight, which meant she was getting closer!
Wait… but why didn't I hear a cannon?
A flash of understanding lit up her eyes.
And Demmie noticed that.
She realized this too late because not Demeter flew at her, fingers lengthening to claws that ripped into Reyena's skin, her flawless skin, and she was falling to the ground, which seemed so far, but Reyena swore it was only feet away, but then why was this so painful and she'd never even gotten to use her bowling pins-
It was death.
Reyena slipped out, hearing a faint you.
Yes, it had been her who died.
At thirteen.
At least it hadn't been the real Demmie who killed her.
BOOM!
AUDELIA GLIDDEN, DISTRICT 6 FEMALE (16)
Audi was on the move.
After hearing screams close to her the previous day, she could only guess that the Careers had caught the boy from Twelve- the victim being him, Audi thought wryly, through on her part an incredibly astute observation of the projections.
Hey, at least some of her humor had returned.
She definitely felt sorry for the boy who'd probably been killed by the Careers, but they were almost in the Final Eight. There was no time for weakness here, even if Audi was nowhere near as morally stone cold as her other competitors.
Being less willing to kill only meant she had to try harder.
So now Audi had tried to find an end to the suffocating jungle, furiously hiking in one direction for days, hoping with her whole being that she'd find something of use.
Maybe luck would return for the first time since Avven's death, and she'd find a place isolated from the tributes, a hidden place in the arena.
She did.
Around midday, Audi stopped to take a sip of water. The trees were thinning which she found as a good sign, but this was mentally hard to endure for her. Simply walking on, never knowing where to go and if you'd die in an instant?
She wasn't ready for this.
Especially because she'd never expected to make it to the top eight of all things. She could imagine Pilot and her dad cheering her on back home, just as disbelieving of her luck as Audi was, and it brought a smile to her face.
It wasn't so bad, after all.
But thinking about the remaining tributes made her smile falter, then disappear.
They were so much more prepared than her, and stronger too.
How could you compete with that?
Her pack was running low on supplies, possessing only a few remaining apples- and her halfway full canteen of water. She was definitely worried about her supplies running out completely, and wished she still had her scout drone to look out. Being a lone wolf now, it was only harder to supply for herself.
It was when Audi was shoving the canteen back into her pack that she swore she saw something peeking out from the trees to her left.
She set off that way, and the trees thinned even more quickly.
It was then that the jungle stopped completely, leading to a desertlike stretch of land and a pyramid.
Audi stared at it, hardly believing her luck, and made her way towards it.
The area surrounding her was just a dry and flat expanse, so Audi had never felt more vulnerable. In the jungle at least she had cover and had safety but didn't have nearly as much here.
She began to make her way up the steps.
No traps set off- she gave thanks to the Gamemakers, oh, the irony- and she found the door in no time, tracing a pattern on it that immediately opened it.
Audi jumped back at the grinding on stone, which made a rather loud noise she hoped hadn't been heard by anyone.
She gazed at the rest of the pyramid in awe, because it had everything she needed.
Knives, trap materials…
The pyramid was separated into five floors as far as Audi could tell. She was standing on the second, and the walkways were only on the sides of the pyramid, showing that a large gap led to what seemed like a bottomless pit.
The first floor below her had a door entry that Audi would have to block off. The second, her current floor, had walls lined with knives and blades, as did the third and the fourth. The fifth floor ended in a small ledge big enough for someone to sit or stand, but stretched too thin for anything else. There weren't stairs, but ladders, so Audi could close off her floor if she desired to.
And then there were the ropes.
Through every floor, thick ropes were strung, and across the bottomless pit as well. They were thick enough to swing across to reach different floors, but should someone try to get to different floors, Audi could snap the ropes quickly.
Audi actually had a shot at winning this thing now.
BOOM!
The cannon was muffled through the pyramid's walls, but she heard it nonetheless.
As if it was a reflex, Audi startled up, immediately on the alert.
Then she relaxed- maybe she could be safe, not have to worry about a Career stabbing her when she least expected it.
Nobody had sponsored her, and she'd prove them all wrong.
Audi Glidden was back.
The Capitol was never going to be able to kill her.
DEMETER JARNIVEN, DISTRICT 9 FEMALE (16)
Demeter had a rough night.
Unable to sleep, her eyes were now red and puffy, and worst of all, she wasn't feeling on top of her prime- definitely more sick than healthy. It was definitely just a small bug, but Demeter
It's fine. I have traps set, and they're knocking each other out fast. I'll be home soon.
She took a bite from one of the pizza slices. They were cold now, and more tasteless than she'd thought they'd be, but the pepperoni's protein would keep her strength up.
She was lucky, overall, to have gotten the pizza.
Though it was more of a joke gift, she appreciated it nonetheless.
Demeter hadn't moved the past day, and to be honest, this fact did worry her a bit. The Capitol generally wanted everyone to move around so they'd eventually run into each other, but she hadn't done so. Well, she was a favorite, and hoped this wouldn't affect her chances. She made a mental note to move soon.
Demeter spent the morning fiddling with things in her pack until she heard the cannon, which jolted her out of her thoughts.
So did the voice that followed shortly after.
"Demeter!"
Demeter immediately recognized the voice, relaxing slightly, but searching for the source anyways.
And there was Reyena, a knife held limply at her side as the District 10 girl rushed toward her and out of the foggy landscape.
"I've been looking for you-"
And she attacked.
Or at least attempted to, because Demeter stumbled back, dodging Reyena's attack.
"What are you doing?" she hissed, snatching up her sickle and blocking Reyena's swipe.
"Killing you," Reyena said, effortlessly stabbing into Demeter's arm. The District 9 girl gasped in pain, backing up as Reyena circled her.
She tried to keep up her charismatic facade, "What happened to calling me Demmie?" she said sarcastically, trying to stop a few tears from escaping as she blocked Reyena's attacks with her left arm.
Reyena's eyes glinted dangerously, and her mouth split back to reveal fangs.
This isn't Reyena.
That barely registered in Demeter's mind- and then it did.
This isn't Reyena!
Well, no shit!
With this, Demeter found the strength to club Reyena in the head with all the strength she could summon. The mutt gasped, then started to disintegrate.
"Demeter!"
Reyena broke through the fog again- Demeter was sure it was the mutt. She couldn't fight Reyena off again, mutt or not.
Not with her arm.
So she ran.
"Demmie, wait for me, I'm coming!" Reyena sang, which only spurred Demeter on faster.
How terrible can they make this?
She didn't want to find out.
Demeter looked back, seeing that Reyena had disappeared, only making everything more unnerving.
She froze, hearing voices coming her way.
From what it sounded like, maybe a duo- the girl from 3, Demeter heard emitting a small laugh much softer than she'd expected to hear from someone who seemed so angry.
But nevertheless, that meant her ally was with her too.
The duo would easily be able to beat injured Demeter any day.
Demeter started backing up, finding relief in the fact that whoever was coming would be walking straight into her traps. That would mean Reyena wouldn't be able to make it in either.
She wasn't sure what the fact that it had been a mutt chasing her was good. On one hand, now she knew they existed and wouldn't be trusting anyone, not even someone who seemed harmless. For all she knew, they'd turn out to be a mutt, but now she was injured, maybe grievously.
Demeter ripped off a portion of her shirt and tied it over the wound, waiting anxiously to know if her traps would work.
She wasn't sure if she wanted them to.
DEIONDRA ASHEZ, DISTRICT 11 FEMALE (17)
Deiondra was getting close.
And Arden was letting her in.
As long as the pair could make it a few more days, maybe if Deiondra didn't win Arden could. Maybe Deiondra could accomplish the goal she wanted to, the object of the game to restore Arden's faith.
In what type of faith, she didn't know.
But still, Deiondra had a motivation: Amber.
She needed to get home.
The pair's days consisted mostly of hiking and wandering, hoping no tributes would run into them. As such, this was what they had been doing on this day.
And it was with thrill that Deiondra heard the familiar buzzing off a parachute, and with even more adrenaline that she realized there were three parachutes coming towards them.
Arden, next to Deiondra, was openmouthed in shock, saying exactly what Deiondra thought: "Three gifts?"
As soon as the parachutes landed, however, Deiondra could tell it was only two- a heavier, bulkier package followed by two lighter ones that seemed to come together- as a pack.
"Which one should we open?"
Arden pointed to the lighter ones, and Deiondra obliged, picking them up. One had her name, the other Arden's, so she tossed the latter to the District 3 girl, who immediately ripped it open.
Deiondra took her time with hers, but the surprise made her almost teary.
It was a few mementos from home. Amber had put a few photos together of her and Deiondra, as well as a bracelet Deiondra assumed her sister had made. She flipped through the pictures, pining for home, until she realized something.
Arden stared at her mementos darkly, then shoved them into the pack.
If she didn't want to talk about it, Deiondra wasn't going to make her.
Deiondra looked towards the next package and as Arden seemed to want to open it she let her. "This feels like Christmas morning," Arden commented dryly.
Deiondra smirked, then got distracted, seeing a sheaf of white paper poking out, "Wait, there's a note. Read it."
Arden seemed a little reluctant, but if they wanted more gifts, it only made sense to acknowledge and thank the gifter heartily, especially if they came from the Capitol.
"For Deiondra and Arden, my favourite alliance, for the dangers that might come ahead. keep safe, keep running, go - the both of you can do it!"
"Is it signed?" Deiondra asked expectantly.
Arden looked over the note again, "No, I don't think so."
Despite this, Deiondra smiled. Maybe they really, actually had a chance now.
Then again, it depended on what the gift was.
Arden took her time unwrapping the gift, and it didn't disappoint, as it contained a set of poison darts. Deiondra gasped at the extravagant gift, and Arden seemed to be holding in the same excitement Deiondra was feeling. This really evened their chances.
After all, they were in the Final Eight as Deiondra had heard from the cannon earlier. There were four Careers left, maybe three if the cannon had been for one of them, though Deiondra doubted it. Tensions were probably rising with them anyway, so close to the end.
Arden stood up, and Deiondra's eyes followed her ally. "Come on, let's keep moving. We have the darts now, we'll be fine." She grinned, "And I get the darts."
So the pair started out towards nowhere as usual.
Deiondra tied the bracelet Amber had made her around her wrist, feeling strangely light. The family mementos had been just what she'd needed to boost her spirits.
"We're getting to the finale now," Deiondra nudged Arden, and her district partner let out a small, short laugh, but it abruptly cut off as Arden stared into the distance, her eyes focused on a single point.
Deiondra had seen the flash of strawberry blonde hair too, and began to whisper to Arden, "Should we back up or leave?"
Arden shrugged, kneeling down slowly to tie her shoe, but Deiondra could see the anxiousness on her face and the movement she made unnerved Deiondra- as if they'd have to run, but Deiondra walked a few paces forward anyways. "I don't know. Maybe-"
And then Deiondra felt the ground cave in below her.
She was falling.
Into a spiked pit.
And she saw the blonde girl fleeing.
Pain.
Deiondra's mind didn't process the scream of anger she hears, maybe from Arden, because she was trying to keep her eyes open, but it was hard and getting harder, and Deiondra just wanted the pain to end-
BOOM!
KILL COUNT
Arena: IIII
Merlot Montague (DECEASED): III
Hestia Mclearson: III
Nero Blastaries: II
Tempest Trinidad (DECEASED): I
Lux Leblanc: I
Angelo Marris: I
Reyena Jensen (DECEASED): I
Demeter Jarniven: I
9th Place: Reyena Jensen, ripped to shreds by "Demeter" (mutt edition)
First of all, Reyena, I'm sorry for making your death so gruesome. Reyena- the antagonist that truly wasn't so antagonistic at heart. Like most kids in the Games, she was just a good kid terrified of death, which made her, in my eyes, one of the most realistic tributes in the Games. She was going to make it to the finale in the end, but this was one of those split-second deaths where it only happened as I wrote it but it made a ton of sense. She was such a dynamic character, and as she wasn't super detailed when I got her, I had to take some liberties with her, but in the end I'm glad I kept her around this long. However, she was never my victor, because I just couldn't see her fulfilling that role too well through the series. I loved her though, and she will most definitely be missed by me and by everyone else, as she was a crowd favorite. I'm so glad I got to do so much with her and her arc (Reyena for District 10 Female awards in 2021!) and she was an absolute blast to write. Thank you so much to 30777 for submitting her!
8th Place: Deiondra Ashez, fell into a trap created by Demeter Jarniven
Where do I even start with Deiondra? She was such a dynamic character, and I felt like I got to develop her a lot more than I thought I would, especially because writing her came so naturally. Her alliance with Arden just came naturally and wasn't going to be planned at all until it happened. Deiondra was seized by this desire to nurture Arden, and in protecting Arden kind of healed herself- and Arden had a part in that too. Her whole personality and backstory made her so broken but in the end she rose above it. I wanted her to make it farther, and the saddest thing is like with Audi and Avven she and Arden could've been great friends out of the arena. Deiondra and Arden kind of caught each other, and were what each other needed: a good friend who understood. And though Deiondra's outlook on life was much, much different than Arden's, in the end that was what made them such a good duo. Thank you so much to Firedawn'd for submitting her!
A/N
So, thoughts? We've moved into our Final Seven! Reyena and Deiondra are dead :(, but Audi's got an advantage now!
As we're so close to the end of AWR, I'm going to reveal the chapter order:
Capitol Check-In
Day 7
The Finale Pt 1 (Day 8)
The Finale Pt 2
Epilogue
We are so close, y'all! This has been such a journey so far, and I'm so excited for the next chapter!
The sponsor system will be shutting down after Day 7, so get those gifts in! A special shoutout to Firedawn'd for Arden and Deiondra's gifts.
Until next time!
-Tia