Chapter 61: Closure

Tullia "Tully" O'Doyle, 17, District 8

I've been pacing back and forth in this stretch of tunnel for hours. Back and forth, back and forth.

It's my turn for night watch while Chance and Adia sleep. I figure pacing helps me keep an eye on both directions regularly. That, and it's the only thing that keeps me awake at this point. For the hundredth time since we left the sun-lit world above, I wonder what time it is. It's been awhile since the last evening report, but probably not more than twelve hours, so…sometime early morning. Probably.

Last night, after sorting through some issues, we decided to find a good place to rest for the night. We figured we might still be relatively safe, from the Minotaur at least, and the audience will be satisfied for a little while longer. After all, three tributes died the day before last.

After walking for a little ways, Chance, led by that map of his, brought us to a chamber off of a tunnel. It's a pretty defensible position—only one door from this tunnel opens into the chamber, and the tunnel runs in both directions for quite a ways before turning. So, I'm pacing, back and forth, in front of the chamber door, where my allies are sleeping.

It still seems weird, thinking about Chance as an ally. I never thought we would gain another ally this late in the game, but here he is. He seemed very eager to help me find Adia, but now it seems like the most important thing to him is mapping out this whole labyrinth. He thinks that if he can just discover all of its secrets, everything will somehow turn out just fine. For a twelve-year-old, he's pretty intense…and dedicated.

His time is up…

He may need more sleep than Adia or I, but I think I'll fall asleep on my feet if I try to pace much longer. I volunteered for the first watch, but Adia insisted she be first. She said she had some stuff she had to think about, that there was no way she could sleep, so she might as well stay up and keep a lookout. I reluctantly agreed, went into the chamber and staked out a corner. I rolled up on the floor and took just a few seconds to find a relatively comfortable position to sleep in—as comfortable as I could find on a cold stone floor. I remember thinking, I would kill for a pillow and blanket, and promptly fell asleep.

I must have been sleeping like a dead woman, because when I woke up, the first thing I noticed was a warm presence cuddled up against me, holding me from behind. The second thing I noticed was that their arm was around me and their hand was cupping my left breast. At least, that's the position it was in. With leather armor, tunic and undergarment covering it, I doubt whoever this was felt much of anything resembling a breast.

I froze, holding my breath for more than a few seconds, then let it out as I recognized the slow, shallow breaths of a sleeping person. Slowly, I lifted the arm off of me, pulled myself to my feet, and carefully stepped backward over the sleeping form. After backing away a few feet, I noticed that it was in fact the figure of Chance.

Pervert! Was the first word that flashed into my mind, but I quickly clamped down on the thought. He's twelve years old, Tully. I'm sure he just misses his mom…After all, I did comfort Magnus in a similar fashion, one that I also enjoyed…

As I turned and opened the chamber door, I considered mentioning it to Adia.

Is it something she needs to know? Do I really think it's an indication of a threat? For all I know, he did it in his sleep, without even thinking about it…

I decided against it when I saw Adia, sitting up against the wall a few feet away. She didn't react to me stepping out into the tunnel, and I could tell by her eyes that she was barely awake.

And that's exactly how I feel now, I think, as I open the chamber door. I notice that Chance is still asleep, rolled up in the corner where I left him. Adia is rolled up as well, facing the opposite corner of the chamber. I quietly walk over to Chance, squat down, tap him firmly on the shoulder, and whisper, "Chance…Chance, wake up."

He rolls over almost at once, and shoots up to a sitting position, awake but confused."

"Chance," I continue, "It's your turn to watch the tunnel. I'm barely awake as it is."

I see his eyebrows narrow and his eyes become more alert, like he's just remembered where he is. Maybe he was sleeping deeply too. Or dreaming.

"I'm hungry," he complains. "And thirsty."

His whining irritates me, but I try to keep this from affecting my face and voice. I respond as gently as I can, as I would imagine my mother might have done. " I know Chance, but we still haven't found anything. Maybe our luck will change today."I give him what I hope is a reassuring smile.

He mirrors my smile and gets to his feet. He pauses, just looking at me. I consider again mentioning how I found him upon awakening early, but decide against it.

Maybe it's better to just assume the best of him.

Even so, I wait for him to make his way to the door before I lie down in my corner. He opens the door, steps out, and closes it behind him. I hear him walk away a few steps before I try to get comfortable again and close my eyes.

It's only a few minutes later and I'm still awake when I hear Chance exclaim, "No way!"

I hear his hurried footsteps outside just before he throws open the door and rushes in. "Tully, Adia, wake up!" he shouts.

I jump to my feet in fear, my mind already conjuring up images of what could be outside.

What if it's that monster…?

Adia is just sitting up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes, when I notice that Chance is holding the map and fervently examining it. "What's going on?" Adia murmurs sleepily.

I second her question with an inquisitive look and a nod of my head addressed to Chance. It's obvious now that we're not in immediate danger, but what could cause him to shout like that?

"It's the map!" he exclaims. "I've been checking it every hour or so since I've had it. When I walked out just now, I checked it, and something was different. Just look!"

Adia and I exchange a quick glance before she gets up and we both walk over to him. He holds the map up for all of us to see. I've seen it before. As far as we understand, it's a large, detailed map of the labyrinth. I examine it closely for a few seconds, but as far as I can tell, nothing has change. I look up at him, my confusion obvious. "What are we looking for, Chance? I don't see anything different."

"No, no," he answers. "Look right here." He points at the map again.

I look. His finger is pointing at a chamber about the size of ours. What I notice now is that there's writing there of some kind, what appears to be a single word:

κλεις

I look up at Chance, speechless. I don't know what it means.

He looks at both of us in turn. "I've been checking the map, like I said. Nothing has ever changed, until now. I don't know what it means, or even what language it's in. All I know is," he pauses, then continues, more certain of himself. "This means something. This is important. It's what I've been waiting for. This is why I was given the map."

I'm not sure about all of that, but I do agree that it might be important. "So, where are we now? Are we close to this, whatever it is?"

"Well, that's the thing that worries me." He points again to the map. "This is our chamber, right here." I see that the square he's pointing at is so close to the new word notated on the map. Suspiciously close.

"I don't understand what the big deal is," Adia finally speaks up. "So it's close. Isn't that a good thing?"

"Maybe…Maybe not." Chance replies. "It's clear this is all the Gamemakers' doing. We could just be like pawns in a big game of chess. They know it's important to us. We could be walking right into a trap, or right to one of the other tributes."

"So what?" Adia argues. "We're a group of three. Out of nine tributes, we're most likely the largest group left. If this something or other on the map is important, something we need…who cares what risks there are? It'll be worth it, whatever we have to do, right?" She looks at both of us, as if expecting someone to disagree.

I look over at Chance, only to find that he's also looking at me…Why are they both looking at me?

They're deferring to me, like I'm some kind of a leader.

I consider the options for a few moments. We don't really have many.

We could ignore the thing on the map, but I don't think Chance would stand for that. He would go on his own if he had to.

We could rush in there, like Adia wants, not knowing whether it's a trap.

Or we could go and play it safe, try to be aware and prepared for any possibility. But really, that's not possible; the Gamemakers are playing their own game with us—nowhere is safe—that's their point.

I consider a moment longer, then I state: "We're going for it."

My voice must sound more confident than I feel, because Chance and Adia both look as determined as ever now. So we grab what little we have, two knives and a map, and take a left out into the tunnel. As a group, we walk purposefully to the corner and turn right.

If I remember correctly, it's pretty much a straight shot from here. Just a few intersections and open chambers to pass, then we're at the location marked on the map. We pass the first intersection, and then an open chamber on our right. We walk a full minute before we pass the second intersection. Just before the third intersection, we all freeze as one as we hear a low groaning sound coming from up ahead.

Slowly and silently, I walk up to the intersection and peer down both ways. To the right the tunnel goes on longer than I can see. To the left, I see a turn in the tunnel about fifty feet away. And it's from this direction that we hear a loud bellow, like the sound of a bull about to charge. There's no mistaking where it's coming from…or what it's coming from.

I freeze, both physically and mentally.

I don't hear any sound from behind me, so I can only assume that Adia and Chance have frozen as well. Only one thought is running through my head…

…This is it—this is the end…

Rrroooouuwww

The bellow again, this time louder and sounding more impatient. It jars a memory loose in my stricken brain…of the last time we heard this sound…Magnus was still with us. Yes, we were together, just days ago. This monster was hunting us, and nothing could deter it. Magnus…he saved us. He stayed behind so we could live.

My thoughts now turn to Adia and Chance behind me, still frozen in place, just as lost and terrified as I am…as I was…Magnus, blocking the door, the monster on the other side…Magnus yelling at us, pleading with us to leave, to save ourselves…running..crying..begging to go back to Magnus…

It's going to get us all if….if I don't do something

.

Adia James, 15, District 3

Tully's still standing there. We're all standing here, frozen in terror. We've heard the monster's bellow three times now.

I catch the scent of urine and look over at Chance, the first move I've made since we froze. Sure enough, I notice a trail of it running down his leg and pooling on the floor under his sandal.

Poor kid…...poor us…

Tully suddenly turns around and rushes back to us.

She has one knife out and holds out her empty hand to me. "Give me your knife, Adia." Her voice is full of confidence, her face of grim determination. "There's only one thing we can do. It's risky, leaving you with no knife, but it's the best chance we've got."

She's gonna sacrifice herself….She's got no chance against that thing…

She's still talking…"Chance, you've got to run. Adia, give me your knife and go, now, before it sees you. I've got a chance to take it down, and if I don't, well….it took Magnus and gave up its chase before….maybe it'll do the same thing now."

I look deep into her eyes. "But, why Tully?," I ask.

"Someone's got to do it, and it should be me. I've let others sacrifice themselves for me for long enough. I'm not worth any more than you are. And…and I'm so sorry for the part I played in Bolt's death. There's no way I can make it up to you, but…I'll do my best."

I look over at Chance, fixing my eyes on his, and I give him an almost imperceptible nod.

I step up to Tully and wrap her in an embrace.

One last hug…

Before she can respond, I turn her about and shove her into Chance. He grabs hold of her arms as well as he can for his small frame. I step forward, framing her face with my hands, and kiss her full on the lips.

One last kiss…

"I forgive you, Tully," I tell her, just before I turn and run. I'm running down the tunnel, turning left at the intersection. I'm rushing down to the next turn. When I reach it, I pause for one second and look back. Tully has reached the intersection in spite of Chance restraining her with all his might. She's hysterical, but in a somehow calm way, like she knows this is inevitable but can't help but fight it anyway. Time slows down and I can no longer hear her cries.

My eyes meet hers, and for just one second, I think I might break. I'm teetering on the edge of a knife, and I consider running back to them and suggesting we all just get the hell out of here.

But the moment passes, and my resolve hardens for the last time. My eyes linger for one moment longer on those beautiful eyes, then I tear my gaze away and round the corner, lost to them forever.

Time speeds up now. I hear Tully's cries, and Chance pleading with her to run. Then I round another corner and they're gone. All I know now is the monster facing me at the end of the tunnel, no more than 200 feet away. I keep running, almost there…

150 feet…. What's the best I can do?...The most damage I can make before it gets me?

100 feet… The eyes…take out its eyes…less of a threat to anyone else…

50 feet… The song…from the train…fiddle kid….

….Do you hear the people sing….

….Who will not be slaves again…

25 feet…

….Will you give all you can give…

….Some will fall and some will live….

15 feet…

….There is a life about to start….

10 feet…

…When tomorrow comes…

5 feet….

….I'm coming, Bolt…

.

Chance Hensley, 12, District 2

I'm still struggling to restrain Tully. It should be harder, so I figure either her energy is seriously depleted, or she really doesn't know what to do. Either way, it's seriously time to go.

"Chance, promise me you'll take care of her…promise me…be brave..." Adia's words repeat in my head.

I've given up shouting; it's not working. "Tully," I say her name in a normal speaking voice. She reacts to her name, so I whisper now, "Tully."

Her body tenses but she stops struggling against me and turns to face me. Tears stream her face and she's breathing heavily. I take her hands in my hands and whisper, forcefully but reassuringly, "Tully, we've got to get out of here. Adia is gonna do all she can, but she's giving us our best chance to get away from that thing. If we don't go now, her sacrifice will be in vain. And…" I hesitate. "She made me promise to take care of you, so that's what I'm gonna do."

I see confusion in her eyes, but she nods slowly.

"Ok then," I say. "We need to run."

I release her left hand and pull her with me, leaving the intersection behind us. We run, take a right turn, then stop at the first door on the left. This is it…

I push open the door and rush Tully inside. We slam the door shut together and both of us lean against it, chests heaving as we try to catch our breath for a few seconds.

Boom! The cannon sounds, and I hear a quick gasp from Tully. I turn to see that she's staring ahead at nothing. I can't tell if she's lost in thought or actually in a state of shock until she finally whispers, "I'm the last one, the last of our alliance. Besides Riri, and I don't even know where she is."

The sound of the cannon reminded me of my last, really my only, conversation alone with Adia. When Tully relieved Adia from watch duty earlier, I was partially awake. Despite being careful, Tully had awakened me when she got up. When Adia came in, she came over to see if I was awake. I still remember her hurried whispers…

…"Chance, listen….I've been doing a lot of thinking and….I want Tully to make it. If the time comes, I want to die knowing that Tully is still alive and safe. She's feeling so guilty about what happened to Bolt, and she shouldn't have to. I don't want her burdened by this guilt for the rest of her life. And I want to know that, in the end, my life had at least some meaning…..When the time comes, Chance….promise me you'll take care of her…promise me."

"How will I know when that time comes?" I asked.

"Chance, I think it'll be pretty obvious. Please promise me."

I thought for a few moments before replying. "I promise, Adia. I promise I'll do what I can to make sure she's safe. But I'm scared..."

"I know, Chance, I know. Be brave, for Tully."

I look at Tully now, remembering my promise to Adia.

She's looking across the room, more aware than she was before. "Look, Chance!" She gasps.

I turn and look. In the center of the room, I see a large pedestal. Resting on the pedestal is a bronze key.

.

Andromeda Eriae, 18, District 2

"Took you long enough, cousin" I say.

Using the familiar "cousin" should give her pause. It's common among most districts to address friends, neighbors and acquaintances with this term of endearment.

And this pause gives me a little more time to observe and analyze.

Observation #1: Riri is here.

Analysis: It's unlikely she just happened upon this location. It's more likely she found my messages written on the walls. That would mean she can understand my message, which means either she was once an agent for the Capitol, or…

Or the rebels secretly cracked our cipher…

Observation #2: She didn't come the first time she rounded that last turn in the corridor. I saw her.

Analysis: Either she was waiting around the corner, seeing if I would come to her, or she was looking for another, less obvious approach to get to me. Either one is suspect.

Observation #3: Her hands are mighty close to those two knives of hers.

Analysis: Could be a cause for concern, or it could be because she should be suspicious of everyone, just like any seasoned operative in a war.

Observation #4: Her body language reads "I'm pissed and ready to rumble." Clenched hands, not open. Wide stance, at the ready. Plus, she's failing at hiding her emotions-pain and anger. Oh, to most people, with the untrained eye, she might seem neutral. But to my trained eye, she's tense. It's clear what she's here for. But maybe I can feign ignorance a little longer..

"For what it's worth," I say, trying for sympathy, "I'm sorry about Arc."

She keeps her face mostly neutral for a second longer, then it slips, and anger flashes across her face.

"You don't get to say that," she growls. "You don't get to be sorry for him. It's because of you that I..I…killed him."

Ah, so there it is. When I saw his face last night, whenever it was, I had deduced that he saw my message and tried to act on it. Naturally, he started with little miss secret agent here, being the biggest threat, and she ended it; otherwise, we would have seen other faces from his alliance lighting up the ceiling.

"Actually," I continue, "I'm sorry because he's not here. We would have made a pretty good team, me and him." Let's see how mad we can get her.

"Well, I'm here now, and he isn't. And it's all because of you. So now you'll get what's coming to you." She's almost shrieking with anger.

"Really," I chuckle. "That's all you've got?"

"How about, You've eaten your last shit sandwich, and now it's time to pay the bill!" She draws her knives.

"Better," I critique. "But I've still heard better trash talk from my three-year-old neighbor girl back home, and she was practicing to be a mime."

"Is that so?" she counters.

"It is if I say it is," I declare.

"Well then, let's dance bitch!"

I'm grinning now. "What say we do."

She yells her big-girl warrior cry, runs and leaps towards me. She brings both knives down at me as I easily bring my sword up to counter. Upon impact, instead of a clang, clang, all I hear is the Boom! of a cannon. I look down, half-expecting one of us to fall over dead, but we're both still alive and standing.

Still locked in the middle of battle, we both jump back in surprise as we hear the Capitol's anthem play.

It's much too early to show the faces, right? No way it's been a whole day!

But instead of seeing faces on the ceiling, we hear a voice.

"Attention tributes, attention! Please put down your weapons and give your attention to this most important of messages."

We both turn to each other, assessing one another, each waiting for the other to make the first move.

"Fuck that," we say in unison.

Well, hopefully this wasn't too much of a cliffhanger. The chapter had to end somewhere. Thanks again for the reviews and critiques. They are greatly appreciated. Please keep them coming. I like hearing what you think will happen next, especially if your tribute is still alive and kicking. Ultimately, you have an impact on how the story is written-let's work together to make this story the best tribute we can make it.