District Two Male

Mercury Grey

Day Eight, 5:23 PM

8 Days, 7 Hours, 23 Minutes since Game Commencement

After eight days of nothing going right for me, I have at long last reached the final two. It's just me, and that little twerp from… uh… Well, I actually don't remember what District he's from. I'm not good at remembering things like that. What I do remember is that he insisted everyone call him… what was it? Stickshift, or something like that? Anyway, stupid name for a stupid kid.

I can already hear the trumpets signalling my victory. And I can practically feel the Victor's crown being placed upon my head. I absolutely deserve it, too.

Nothing in these Games have gone right for me. First two of the other Careers died during the bloodbath. Then some wily outlier twerps somehow managed to steal a lot of our supplies while we were out hunting. Then, whenever we spotted another tribute, they always managed to evade us, meaning we never got to kill anyone; the outliers killed themselves off. And then, to top it all off, our alliance turned on one another, and now it's just me left.

So when I find this Stickshift, I'm going to enjoy slicing him up.

I'm at the cornucopia, waiting for the inevitable showdown. The sun's setting, and it's actually quite pretty. It's nice to simply sit back and enjoy it without anyone nagging at me about it. My District partner Merrin, rest her soul, said that my problem was that I keep letting myself be distracted. I don't know what she's on about. What's wrong with having a rest every once in a while?

I lean against the side of the silver horn, arms behind my head. I'm feeling quite relaxed, with a full belly, a beautiful view and a nice long break, but I'm also excited for what's to come.

I can already imagine myself stabbing what's-his-face with my sword, seeing the life drain from his body, knowing that in doing so I've brought honour to my District.

I close my eyes and let out a sigh. There's no sign of him yet, so maybe there's time for a quick little power nap. Five minutes would be sufficient, I think…

…

...what?

When I open my eyes, I suddenly find myself on the ground, a horrible pain burning in my head, with Stickshift standing over me, holding something in his hands that I can't quite make out because my vision is blurry with tears of pain.

Immediately I weakly grab my sword and swing it at him, but he parried it with his own weapon. Metal clashes against metal and my sword is thrown from my grasp because of how powerful his swing is and how weak my grip is.

I try to reach for it but the boy kicks it away from me. As I watch it spiral away on the dusty ground I realise that I've fucked up.

The point is driven in further when the boy kicks me in the chest. I gasp and curl into myself, clutching at my ribcage and wheezing loudly. Pathetically. Like a failure would.

And the point is driven in further still when he lifts his weapon and brings it down upon my head.

Merrin was right.

I do let myself get distracted easily.

I'm a failure.

And I learned this all too late.