Day 3

Ivory Borg (16) D1F

Siobhan and I decided that returning to the cornucopia would be in our best interest. We had to capture it and possibly take out a few people probably present there. My target was Jordan, for she was slightly worse than a human, and slightly better than a beast.

While we traversed the maze trying to locate a room with a ladder, I couldn't help but notice the intricate design of the web. Yes, the purple light was a painful touch, but the positioning of the slimy webs kind of made this place attractive. Siobhan would call me crazy if I told her about this, but I really wanted to share my thoughts with someone.

"This is beautiful."

"Sorry?"

I glanced at Siobhan, her face looking grim in the purple light, her brow raised.

"This arena. I mean it's disgusting… but beautiful at the same time."

"Ah, I get you."

I turned to her as she sighed, shaking her head. She smiled lightly at me, and I couldn't help but smile back. I had always perceived her to be unapproachable, but that wasn't the case at all. It was nice to know her.

As we walked, my mind went to Dwayne. I was grateful to him for saving my life, and I had hoped that he would stay, not only due to him saving me, but also due to his strength. He was strong, and would have been a great help. I understood why Siobhan wanted him gone though; he was lessening our morale with his sadness.

Upon entering the chamber with the ladder, and an opening in the ceiling, we waited for a second to see if the trembling of the ceiling would begin anytime soon. After regular intervals of time, the ceiling would shake and threaten to fall down. Siobhan was of the opinion that something heavy used to fall on the arena overhead that caused the tremors. If that was the case, we had to be careful.

"Come on!"

It was probably a matter of minutes, but it felt like hours before we were out in the open again. The slime of the crater had really resisted our passage, and my body burnt now. It also took me a few moments to gather my surroundings; the lack of purple in my vision was overwhelming.

"Can you see the cornucopia?"

"Honestly Siobhan, I can see everything but cannot really see, you know?"

"I get that," she sighed, "It feels weird to see things in normal colour after what seems like a decade."

But her mood became serious almost suddenly, and we both tried to see if the cornucopia was anywhere in the range of our vision, which was honestly hard because we weren't turned to the natural lighting.

"I think it's there," Siobhan pointed, squinting her eyes, maybe trying to confirm it.

"Yeah I think it really is there."

Something curved certainly was visible, and we could figure out what it was only if we approached it. And so we set off, my katana securely held. Siobhan didn't have a weapon, and she really needed the cornucopia right now. Our steps were light, but as we neared, I saw that there was nobody around. Siobhan stopped in her tracks, and I followed suit.

"Something's not right here," she said as we looked at the deserted cornucopia.

"I think you should quickly get a weapon."

"You're right."

And I could feel what she felt as we hurried towards the cornucopia, my heart was beating fast, my eyes alert as they continued to scan the area.

However, nothing had prepared me for what happened next.

It was a dart flying, cutting the air it passed, and landed went right through my throat.

I couldn't believe that this happened. How could I just get killed?! Siobhan screamed, her voice chilling me to the core. And it was a figure that emerged before my eyes from behind the cornucopia, only to be followed by absolute darkness.

Ari Bell (17) D11F

It was the hunger that had brought me here.

I never planned to leave the maze, hoping to stumble across Wildflower so that I could kill him. Why would I risk getting to the cornucopia? After all, there also happened to be occasional rock showers here, which I had realised in a hard way. I had attempted to get to the cornucopia before too, only for rocks to start dropping from nowhere, and was forced into retreating into the craters. The main issue with this arena was the lack of concept of time. Everything always seemed stationary, except the ever-expanding maze underground.

I was pleasantly surprised when I could reach the cornucopia in my second attempt, and I didn't curse the rock shower as much seeing that it had driven away the Careers too.

And soon I was full, having enjoyed a meal after a really long time.

I hoped Rocco was doing well, and couldn't wait for the Games to be over. No, I didn't look forward to carnage, but this was, in a way, war. And war without carnage did not exist.

I had gathered some darts, and was packing up, when I realised that somebody was approaching.

I dived behind the cornucopia, hoping they wouldn't turn up from this side. Breathing barely calm, heart racing, I waited as still as a statue. Slowly, I peeped from behind the cornucopia, only to see two Careers approaching.

There were not many things that I could do. I could stay put, and hope that they wouldn't bother coming to this side of the cornucopia. The chance of that was very slim, since they'd obviously come here sooner or later. I could run, but have that vicious katana go right through me.

Or I could attack.

And instinctively, my hand reached to the dart, and soon it was soaring through the sky, and landed neatly at the throat of the girl from One.

She made no sound as she fell back, apart from a light thud. Her ally, however, was a different matter, and her scream almost froze me. But the cannon ringing told me this wasn't the time to think about this much, and as much as I hated the fact that I had killed someone, I needed to move. And so, I was running as fast as I could, even as I knew Siobhan had wrenched the katana from Ivory's lifeless being. And I heard her feet hitting the ground as she ran after me, trying to keep up. I turned back and threw a dart, and she avoided it. It pricked her cheek, but Siobhan paid no heed to it.

The crater hole was coming nearer and nearer and I hoped I would lose the Career in the numerous tunnels underground. But suddenly someone slammed into me, throwing me crashing into the ground. It wasn't time to wait though, and I pushed her back. She stumbled as I got up, but she swung the sword at my feet. I jumped at the last moment, barely avoiding it and then set off again.

"YOU"RE NOT GETTING AWAY!"

And I knew she was on my tail again. The hole was close now, and I braced myself for the jump, when she tackled me again. I shoved the last dart that I held at her, and she dodged it expertly, before driving the katana into my chest.

I gasped in pain even as she left me, the warm blood gushing out. I couldn't breathe, but I was trying. Trying to inhale the cold air.

"Rocco…" I whispered, tears trickling down my cheeks. The vision seemed to be getting blurry now, and it was getting even colder than it already was.

"Forgive me Rocco…"

Andrei Altair (14) D8M

"That cake is delicious."

"Canon, how long will you go on about that cake right now?"

"Oh, come on Shama! Cakes are life!"

"Big statement there dude."

"Really Shama, there's no need to take everything in that way."

"Dwayne, stop siding with your life-saver friend."

"Guys!" I exclaimed at last, overwhelmed with their conversation. The team, that until a few hours ago was in mourning mode, was really upbeat today. That was a good change, but their conversation regarding the cake that we were sponsored had been going on for too long, and I was blown away at how much they could speak on that. There must be some course on it that they had done, especially Canon. The boy, although my age, was much more childish, and his abilities to talk exceeded our pace.

"Drei got irritated," Dwayne said, "Boy, I don't know how you managed these two alone for so long."

"Believe me Dwayne, I've been thinking along the same lines."

"Really Andrei?" Shama asked, raising a brow, "Remind me when exactly did we trouble you."

"Yeah!" Canon added, "We're not fighting even now! It's a discussion!"

"Haha."

"Don't laugh dude! You insulted us!"

"That's right! You deserve punishment!"

"And that is?" I asked, trying to stifle my laugh. My little friends looked so fierce that I couldn't help but grin to myself. Their expressions bordered on being comical and it was hard to restrain myself.

"No cake for you!" they cried in unison.

"No way!" I exclaimed. How could they even suggest that?! After all, I was the one who was sponsored with that delicacy!

"Yes way!" Shama said in a huff, folding her arms across her chest.

"Exactly, you get none of it. You too, Dwayne."

"Hey no fair! What did I do?!" the eldest boy retorted, although his eyes held a mirth as he regarded his little allies.

"No way, no way

You don't have any say

It's my cake, my cake

You two can go awayyyy!"

The three of them shut up completely, eyeing me as if I was from Outer Space. Considering this was an arena based on just that, the expressions were certainly appropriate. It was, however, when Dwayne started clapping slowly at my poetic reply, did my cheeks start going red.

"Bro…"

"Hey! No need to be that way!" I said defensively.

"I think you should have all the cake Drei. At least that'll spare our little heads from your terrific poetic abilities."

"That was rude Shama."

"Well, that's something I'd agree with," Canon said, his eyes shining brightly, "I think your answer was awesome! Like, it was against me, but it was still awesome!"

"Exactly! I wish you could star in my magazine as a poet!" Dwayne exclaimed, "Just imagine. Hidden Talents in District Eight. I think that would become the best-selling issue ever!"

I threw my head back and laughed, trying to keep away the thoughts that in case I starred in Dwayne's magazine, he himself wouldn't be there to witness it. That was for later. For now, I was happy in this banter, and I wanted things to remain this way forever.

Maybe I thought this too soon, because at that moment, the sound of the cannon blasting the air rang clearly in the maze. It was so sudden that Canon jumped, startled. Everyone's smiles were wiped off, and our young friend from Three actually had tears in his eyes.

"Wh-who do you think it is?"

"I have honestly no clue," I replied calmly. I wished I felt half as calm and composed as I sounded, but that was something beyond me.

"I hope it isn't Ivory…" Dwayne whispered, his eyes down on the floor.

"The girl from One?" I asked.

"Yeah. I told you guys, she helped me, and is a really nice girl. I just hope this wasn't her."

"I hope it wasn't Casper," Shama said solemnly, "He helped us out earlier, and I'm still grateful. He's a fine guy."

"I kind of hope it is Jordan," I sighed, "There is something about her that's off. I know she's my District Partner but…"

And even as we trudged ahead, after what seemed like merely ten minutes, another cannon exploded, bringing us to our halts.

"So quickly!"

My eyes matched Shama's. something was certainly happening. Probably Jordan's alliance had killed each other, and one of them remained. I hated myself for hoping that this was the case.

"Come on guys, no need to think on it much. Let's move on."

So guys! How're you all doing? I hope you found this chapter enjoyable, despite the short read. Was any death unexpected this time? Let me know what you guys thought! Also, Drei's POV might seem much longer, but that's only because of so much dialogue.

Eulogies:

14th- Ivory Borg: Ivory was a really unique Career, in being both classic and different at the same time. She was a fun girl, and an amazing character. She was also pretty easy to write, and I really liked her a lot. Sadly, her time had come. Rest in peace dear, you'll be missed.

13th- Ari Bell: Ari! You were a fantastic person! She was so real at so many levels and it was easy to write her too. Yes, I think she shouldn't have volunteered, but had she not done so, how would I get the chance to write her? A brilliant character by all means! You'll be missed, and hopefully Rocco will be cared for by someone. Rest in peace.

Alliances:

Team 1: Everette, Casper

Team 2: Saunder, Jordan

Team 3: Shama, Canon, Andrei, Dwayne

Team 4: Aryton, Tybal

Death List:

Horatio (blew up)

Lanai (killed by Jordan)

Mickayla (killed by Ayton)

Emeline (killed by Jordan and Aryton)

Wesley (killed by Teddy)

Maurice (killed by Dwayne)

Tapicca (killed by Jordan)

Liya (killed by Everette)

Lily (killed by Tybal)

Vis (killed by Andrei, Shama and Canon)

Ivory (killed by Ari)

Ari (killed by Siobhan)

Have a great day!