Day 12 - The Feast

Last night we bickered a lot about the damn feast. It was a back and forth of who would fight Rex as a distraction and who would stuff food into a bag. In the end, Cypress won with his argument. In a fight, I don't stand a chance against Rex, he's much bigger and stronger. Cyo can go longer, although he isn't as good with weapons.

It's strange that Rex and I are now the last careers left in the arena. Breeze was killed in the thunderstorm. I still have no idea how but her picture lit up the sky.

Now it's getting closer and closer to noon and I'm desperately trying to teach Cypress how to use the spear in a fight - his best chance at close combat out of all the weapons we have.

Of course, the weather is insanely nice today. Not a single cloud, no fog, nothing but blazing sunshine. Perfect for being seen immediately after leaving the trees behind.

I look up briefly to see how high the sun is and sigh before looking back at Cypress. "Okay... now attack me again."

He sighs and hesitantly raises the spear. "Do I have to?"

I press my lips together before raising my two knives again and saying, "Yes... I don't want you to die."

He smiles before taking a step towards me and trying to trip me up, but I'm faster. I quickly take a step to the side and bring the knife close to his arm.

He reacts by turning immediately and attacking with the spear. I manage to block it with both knives before it comes too close and push back.

Now he focuses on pushing as well so I quickly duck and let go, sending him forward and almost on the ground. I'm about to push him again when he brings up his foot, effectively knocking me back.

This time, for the first time during our 'training', I'm the one on my ass on the ground - too stunned to get back up immediately. Cypress rushes over and kneels down beside me. "Oh my God... sorry. Are you okay."

I grin and the worry slowly leaves his features again. "Congrats... looks like you have potential."

He smiles and now helps me up. "Or I have a good teacher..."

I roll my eyes and lightly punch his shoulder. "Haha... very funny."

He pouts. "For once... take the compliment."

"Yeah, yeah... I do." I smile before looking up at the sky again. It's time. The sun is a little past its highest point. I look down on the ground and say, "We need to go..."

Cypress bites down on his lip and nods. I can see he is nervous, but he wouldn't admit it.

We stuff everything we have into my backpack and hide it in a bush. Then I pick Cyo's empty backpack up and we slowly start walking over to the treeline. Just as I thought, three stacks of food block the entrance to the Cornucopia, a tall figure guarding them - Rex. He's pacing back and forth, sword in hand.

I look away and face Cyo. Our eyes meet and I whisper, "Are you sure you don't want me to go?"

He nods and tries a small smile. "I can do it, Val... just be quick with the food."

I hesitate, but then I kiss him gently. "Be careful... I can't let you die now."

He returns my kiss and grabs the spear tighter. "See you soon..." And with that, he leaves our hiding spot and makes his way towards the Cornucopia. I feel anxiety rise again inside me, a slow panic, unlike the one I felt when the wolf mutt attacked. It feels like it's gnawing on my bones, making them weak and fragile.

I take a deep breath when Rex stops. He has spotted Cyo who is now almost there. He is distracted. Now I need to move.

Despite the feeling of total weakness, I start running along the treeline until I reach the end of it near the huge cave entrance. The panic increases now that I can't see Cyo anymore. I need to get to that food so all of this can be over!

Quickly I leave the trees behind as well and run over to the Cornucopia, crossing the river where I take barely two steps to leave it behind. As I reach the back of that golden hellhole I see Cyo and Rex again. Cyo is holding up well, focusing on dodging the attacks rather than attacking himself.

The adrenaline pushes me to continue. I quickly remove the backpack and circle the Cornucopia. As fast as possible I start stuffing food that makes little noise into the bag - bread, granola bars, things that are wrapped in nets or plastic, avoiding the noisy metallic cans.

I can't help it but my eyes dart over to where they are fighting every now and then. Suddenly, as I'm already zipping up the bag, I hear footsteps coming closer from the other side. I whirl on the spot to catch a figure, covered in mud, freeze a few steps away from me.

I hardly recognize Garner, the boy from 10, but it must be him. I would have known if it was Ayla. My reflexes take over and I snatch a knife from my belt. But right at that moment, something else bundles my whole attention - a scream. Cypress...

I turn away from Garner briefly, only to see Cyo on the ground, Rex towering over him, showing only his back to me, with his sword piercing Cyo's stomach. My own scream gets stuck in my throat and I raise the knife up, throwing what was meant to be used on Garner directly at Rex's back.

Now there is a second scream - Rex's - as the knife hits its mark perfectly. If it were longer it would have reached the heart. Unfortunately, it isn't. Without thinking, I duck down behind a stack of cans as cover. This whole ordeal happened in a matter of seconds, now it feels like every single one of them counts.

I hear Cyo whimper, most likely after the weapon is torn from the wound again. My heart screams for me to help him, to save him - to not waste another moment, but I know I can't. I know Rex will now come after me.

My thoughts are interrupted by Rex's angry screams, "You little shit! How dare you!"

I grab another knife, preparing for the fight, preparing for Rex to tear down the cans in front of me... when his silhouette passes me. Confused I put the knife back in my belt and stand up. Rex is chasing after Garner. He didn't see me.

Cyo comes back into my mind and I start running over to him when the earth shakes lightly. I barely manage to stop when a huge hole opens up on the ground in front of me. What the fuck is going on now?!

I quickly look around and see holes opening up everywhere in random places. Then I dart. Oh... nononononono! There is one dangerously close to sucking Cypress' still form on the ground in.

Finally, I reach him and pull him away from the hole with all the strength I can offer. My thoughts are in a million different places. How long will Rex be away? Why is the arena ripping apart? Who the hell thought of this? What is my mama thinking now? And... how the hell do I get Cyo out of here?

A voice brings me back to the present and I stare down at him. Cyo mumbles, "Help me... up..."

I frown. He can't be serious, not with that wound. I see him grit his teeth and focus on my face, his voice is louder now, "Quickly, Val."

I nod and grab his arms with my hands. I see no other way so he'll have to walk. "Okay... on three. One. Two." I swallow, then I say, "Three!", and pull him up with me.

Surprisingly it's easier than I thought. Immediately I put my arm around him for support, and he groans. The wound on his stomach is still bleeding. It needs to be treated, it's too big... we won't make it.

I keep my thoughts to myself and we start walking towards the treeline again, avoiding the holes. At least the ground has stopped shaking now.

We reach the river, Cyo's hand slips down where he holds onto my waist, but he tries to hold on. I start chewing on the insides of my cheeks and try to hold him tighter, but I feel him shaking, feel my own legs shaking. There... the trees!

And finally, we are out of plain sight again. A loud bang rips the air apart - a cannon - most likely because Rex has killed Garner. Now I practically drag Cypress deeper into the woods behind me. I pray to whoever can help that Rex is too badly wounded to follow us. There is a good chance since the fight has taken longer than I expected.

One more step... the weight on my back gets so much heavier suddenly and I fall over, Cyo half on top of me. Panic is rising up inside me again as I turn him over. He's white as a sheet and the blood from his stomach has drenched his shirt, colored the soft grey into something else, something dirty. His beautiful green eyes are closed, unblinking.

I swallow hard, swallow the panic. I need to think clearly now. In case Rex is following we need to hide and hope he doesn't see any trail the blood might leave.

I see my hands shaking as I hold on under Cyo's arms with my hands and start dragging him. There is a spot where multiple trees stand closely, that should do for now. Desperately I yank him through the branches and lay him down onto the ground.

Hectically, I check for a pulse. Too long, frustrating, fucking eternal seconds pass and then there is a movement against my fingers on his neck and before I know it, I feel something wet on my cheeks - I'm crying.

That's when I remember the first-aid-kit in the front pocket of my backpack. I press a kiss on his cheek and mumble, "Hang on... I'll be right back." And then I run again. The bush with our supplies is not far and luckily I remember the exact location.

I fetch the bag, cutting the back of my hand on a branch but I don't care. I need to go back to Cyo. I need to save him - I need him!

When I get back I frantically fight with the zip, trying to calm down. Then it opens, finally, it opens! I pull the first-aid-kit out and see a silvery can left behind. The medicine! I still have some left!

Pulling up the shirt to expose Cyo's stomach, I gasp. How is he alive? How did he walk? The cut is deep, almost a stab wound. Pressure! I need something to put pressure on there.

I look around desperately, then I look down. - My clothes should do! As fast as possible I remove the backpack with the food and take off my jacket. Not the ideal material. Without any further hesitation, I lift my shirt over my head and make a bundle. I am now sitting in my sports-bra - but who cares?

With both hands, I hold it steady onto the wound. Just a few minutes - I just have to stop the bleeding before I bandage it. I only need him to hold on! Oh my God, PLEASE HOLD ON!

I try not to cry again, but it seems to ease the pressure, steady my hands a bit - so I let it happen.

I don't know how long I sit like that - then I carefully remove my shirt. The bleeding has almost stopped - is it because I did something right? Or... or... is it because dead people don't bleed?

My own thoughts terrify me so I try to find the pulse again. I almost panic because I feel nothing, but I know I have to be calm to not confuse my own with his. I take a few deep breaths, then try again. It's small, fragile - but it's there. He's still alive.

I have to bandage the wound now or it will get inflamed and still kill him. Carefully I remove the lid from the cream and put everything I have left on Cyo's stomach. I have trained for this in the center - come on... next step! A compress. I remove the plastic from one of the compresses and put it on top of the cream. It's too small...

I pick up the second one, drop it... damn it! Thankfully it was still wrapped. Good, now it's open, right - on the wound.

Next, I pick up the bandage but hesitate. I put it back and pick up my bloody shirt. Carefully I roll it up, all of the blood inside as best as I can.

I put that on the compresses first, then wrap around the bandage. It's difficult, but I manage to wriggle it underneath him a few times. I carefully turn him on one side and it's on there, tight. I did it.

I did it... oh shit... Every bit of adrenaline I had left is now gone. I feel myself collapse next to Cyo, eyeing him carefully. His eyes are still closed and he almost looks peaceful. At least he doesn't feel all the pain right now.

I search for his hand with mine and hold onto it. I need to feel his pulse, need to know he's with me. I should have done it. I shouldn't have let him fight Rex, he is too inexperienced. He didn't train for this his whole childhood long - I did.

His heartbeat is now a bit stronger already again, I can feel it on his wrist with ease. If I hadn't had the medicine left... No, it's alright now. He's alive, we're both alive.

Fatigue catches up with me, my eyes aren't far from closing... no, that can't happen. I sit up right away. I can't sleep. I need to protect him. I bite down on my bottom lip until it hurts, until it bleeds.

Rex hasn't shown up, yet, so I suppose... I hope he gave up on finding us. Or maybe the ground has swallowed him whole. I really want to know what's up with those holes in the ground, but I can't go look right now. Not until Cyo wakes up again.

The hours tick by. Soon it's dark and along with the hymn Garner's picture flashes over the sky. Four left. It's getting cold so I put my jacket back on. Carefully I put the sleeping bag over Cyo so he won't be cold at night. I take the blanket he usually uses.