Chapter 9: Bloodlust

My arm was healing well thanks to some herbs we found deeper in the forest. It was hard, though, trying to get through the slope. It wasn't steep, but it made it tiring. I now no longer had to wear a bandage over my arm, but I had to keep it steady.

Sky was in front of me, his pale blue eyes narrowed as he saw ahead. A thick fog surrounded us this morning. This was a couple of days after the first day. Apparently during the night time of the first day, two Careers were killed. We have no idea who did it, but whoever did must be strong. We'd have to stay away from them.

We really didn't know where we were going, but Sky figured once we got to the top of the large hill we could figure out what to do. The hill, though, was very large and long. We were near the top now, I could feel the slope getting steeper with each step and more rocks were building up around us.

"How long?" I gasp to him, out of breath.

Sky shrugs, "I don't know, soon I hope."

"Do you think anyone will be there?" I ask, hopeful that he says no.

But he just frowns and says, "It's possible, but I don't know."

I sigh; that hadn't been the answer I was looking for. But I shrug it off and keep going, knowing I have no choice. And Sky obviously is more experienced. He's about 16 years old, but still it seems like he's had experiences in these sort of situations. I wonder what his life was like back in District Three.

Finally, though, I see a peak up ahead. Both Sky's and my own pace speed up as we finally get to the top of the hill. At the top of this hill is a very large clearing with a boulder in the middle. I sigh with relief and collapse down, feeling as if I've made a great feat.

"Come on," Sky says going up to the boulder, "Let's see if we can see anything on top of that boulder."

I groan inwardly, just wanting to lie down and get some rest. But that's impossible here, and I know it. So I get up onto my tired legs and walk over. Sky is already up on the boulder and he helps me up, my arm still a bit weak.

When I scramble up and stand up, I gasp. The fog makes it quite an amazing sight. You can see the upper halves of the other hills, but where the river and the islands are it's covered by fog. It's a beautiful sight if it didn't mean that it gave us no insight into where to go.

I push my black bangs to the side. Raphael had my hair grow out longer so that my bangs now where just over my eyebrows and the back fell to the middle of my neck. I narrowed my dark blue eyes and tried to see if I could detect anything. So far, nothing.

Sky sighs and murmurs, "Can't see a thing thanks to the fog."

"We can always hang here," I suggest, "Wait till the fog goes away."

"Yeah, I guess so," He shrugs, "I just don't like the feeling of waiting in these sort of situations."

I nod, feeling that same shiver of fear I now always felt here. But something also felt weird, as if something, or someone, was watching us. I look around, trying to see through the lighter fog up here, but I can't detect anyone.

"What's wrong?" Sky asks, turning to me.

"Nothing, it's just I feel like someone's watching us," I whisper, taking ever precaution necessary.

Sky pauses, looking around, before saying, "Come on, let's find a place in the forest. It's too open here."

And right as he says that, a loud snarl rips through the air. We both freeze and look each other. What ever was there, it wasn't human. I grip my bow tightly and grab an arrow. I lift it up, putting the arrow in and reaching back with it. I narrow my gaze, watching, waiting, for something to come.

And then we see it. It is a very large wolf. Just the size of it, sends terror going through me. My dark blue eyes grow wide and I can hear Sky gasp behind me. We both know what could happen. Its claws glint and its teeth bare as it creeps forward. It's so large that I don't even think one arrow will work.

"Shoot it!" Sky hisses.

"Wait!" I snap, "I need to wait!"

"For what?" He growls, "Just shoot it!"

Finally, I shoot. The arrow cuts through the air and slices into the wolf's shoulder. It howls with rage and pain. It rises on its hind legs as it runs for us. Sky gives a scream as he pulls out his blade and throws it at it while I'm struggling to get a new arrow loaded.

The wolf snarls as it slices its side, but falls to the ground pathetically. Not it's even more enraged than before! I raise my arrow this time and shoot quickly, not bothering with timing or anything. It goes right through it's head and as quickly as it started, it ended just like that.

It let out one, strangled yowl before falling to the ground, lifeless. I breathe a sigh of relief, sliding down onto the ground. Sky follows, his pale blue eyes wide. We both stare at the dead creature, both surprised we brought it down.

"Well, on the plus side we have meat," I shrug.

Sky gives a weak laugh and says, "I thought you didn't eat meat."

My stomach growls in answer as I say, "I think I'm hungry enough to."

"We need to find water too," Sky says, frowning.

"I think the only water is at the river," I shake my head.

"We can always get it from the dew that the fog leaves," Sky says, then looks at me and continues, "Why don't you go find some water while I cut this thing up."

I just nod and walk away, hoping to find some water. I'd hate to go dehydrated, but yet be full.

Iris' POV

I finish up the last of my crackers, staring at the bag disappointingly. A couple of days had passed since that horrifying night, but no one had come near. I was, actually, starting to get lonely. I begged for a friendly person to arrive, like Sage or Nyla, but neither came. I just hoped I didn't see them in the sky tonight.

I look over at the nearby river, watching the water move along steadily around the heavy fog. I'm high up in a tree still, just a little ways from the river, but close enough so that it was still in sight. I sigh and lean my head back, watching the water move gracefully along the rocks. How could so many things here be so beautiful, and yet this could be the place where I die?

I shrug and close my eyes, knowing I should get some rest. I try to ignore the gnawing hunger in my stomach. The crackers weren't filling, I only had a sword and a dagger to try and hunt with, and I couldn't find any eatable berries. And I didn't even know how to hunt in the first place. I saw some fish in the river, but I had no idea how to do that.

Then, suddenly, I hear footsteps. I freeze, making sure that the foliage of the leaves covered me, before peaking down below. I see one of the District Four Tributes, Emily, walk by. Her short blond hair is a bit of a mess, but she looks ok. She caries and long stick and with that is tightly strung rope. She's also made a hook out of bark and put a small amount of meat on it. She must've made her own fishing rod!

That doesn't surprise me; District Four is famous for their Fishing. This place must feel right at home to her. I grit my teeth, trying not to let my annoyance show. But now I know, this is my chance to get some food.

I drop down from the branch after she gets to the waters edge. I move through the undergrowth and trees and hide just behind her, huddling in a mass of bushes. I watch her as she swings the ore into the water and waits. I start to get impatient after a while, and right as I'm about to leave, she pulls and a fish is hanging on the end.

I blink with surprise; it's a fairly good sized fish, about medium size. It would feed me well, and it would get rid of that horrible hunger in my stomach. And even though I've never tasted fish (and to be honest it doesn't look appetizing) I'm just that desperate to get some food I'll take anything.

Emily takes it off the hook and sets it down behind her before trying again. I know this is my chance, and though I don't want to steal her food, it's my only chance. So slowly, I creep out of my protection and over to her. She doesn't notice me, and I'm surprised she doesn't hear my heart pounding so hard and loud. I gulp, trying to steady myself, before edging closer.

Finally, I'm within reach. With a proud, smug smile, I reach and grab the slippery, wet fish. I grimace at its touch, but it'll do. I grip it strongly with two hands before backing away. Then she pulls out another fish and she starts turning around. I freeze and she freezes. She stares at the spot where the fish should be before lifting her gaze and meeting mine.

"Hey!" She exclaims jumping and racing towards me.

My gray eyes grow wide as I put the fish in only one of my hands and grip my sword tightly with my hand. I slash it towards her and she snarls, stopping in her tracks. I point the sword towards her as I back up. Finally when I reach the trees, I turn and run.

I can hear her footsteps behind me, but I'm faster and have some weapons. I run so fast that leaves whip against me and mud splashes all over me. But that doesn't stop me, no, something else does.

Suddenly, I hear a loud roar. I stop in my tracks and whip around. Even Emily has stopped and turned around. The earth begins to shake a bit, and right when I think it's an earthquake, I see it's much, much worse.

I gasp in horror as I see a large rush of water come straight towards us. I don't even have time to run before I'm swept off my feet and into the water. I scream as rain starts to pelt down on my face and the fish is lost in the water. I grip my sword tightly, knowing I can't risk losing it.

I try to keep my head above the water, but I can't stop it when a wall of water rises, and collapse right down on top of me.