Well, here's the new chapter. It's not the end, but I needed to end this chap here. A new chapter will be up soon. Yay for long weekends!
The Hunger Games belongs to Suzanne Collins, and I'm guessing she belongs to her publisher! I own nothing.
Enjoy it, then review!
CHAPTER 6 – KATNISS POV
The screens flicker on. We see Prim and Crist standing on their small metal circles, both pairs of knees knocking from the nerves. A voice blares from the speakers.
"Ladies and Gentlemen! Welcome to the 3rd Quarter Quell- the 75th Hunger Games!"
Green. Everywhere there is green. The golden Cornucopia is already beginning to lose to the rapidly growing vines surround the small opening in the forest. Prim and Crist struggle to catch a glimpse of the other tributes but with no luck. The thick forest seems to make it impossible to see someone standing a yard in front of you. The camera pans to show the audience a wide view of an endless swamp.
"Let the Games begin!"
The seconds tick by, with Crist flitting his eyes from tree to tree, determined to find the Cornucopia. He finally spots it, a gold and green structure overflowing with food and weapons. I hope there is something to clear branches and weeds with, because it looks impossible to travel through the arena without tripping every other step.
The gong rings out, loud and clear. Prim seems confused, only standing on her metal plate. Crist is determined to reach the gold horn, but has some difficulty pulling his boots out of the wet ground. At least their suits provide some camouflage. The tributes are wearing dark green full body jumpsuits, perfect for sneak attacks. The black boots don't look east to walk around in, as if they were purposely made to get stuck and slow down the user.
Prim has started to move, but away from the Cornucopia. She must be looking for Crist by the way she's moving her head, but she's going in the wrong direction. She might be able to find some edible plants, but I haven't seen any animals suitable for food up on the screen. At least she's leaving the other tributes. The tribute pool is made up of mostly experienced killers. My fears quickly turn to panic, and I want to hold Peeta's hand. I need support. I need someone to tell me Prim will be safe. But Peeta is in the other District 12 room, with his two television screens on Prim and the entire tribute pool. My room has a screen focusing on Crist and the pool. I hate that we're separated, as if we've been planning with our separate tributes how to sabotage the others. Does the Capitol think their Games can really make Peeta and I forget our trust in each other?
Prim keeps tripping, sometimes falling on her face. She gets covered in dirt quickly, and Crist isn't looking too good either. He however has already gotten as many supplies as he can carry and is heading in the same direction as Prim. He's got a set of knives attached to a belt he has already strapped around his waist, a first-aid kit, and water bottles dangling from the belt, a long spear in his left hand, and a bow and arrow slung over his shoulder. These seem like good supplies, and I'm surprised he had the strength to get them, but he'll need to open the kit soon because he's got a long red cut on his cheek bone. This help has come at a price.
I look at the screen that's showing what all of Panem sees, and it's focused on Prim. She's stopped dead in her tracks. She seems to have heard something that's forcing her to make no noise at all. I see a rustle in the thick leaves, and see a shiny black boot step out, followed by a long, sharp spear poking out in front of it. Prim sees it a second after I do and tries to bolt, but doesn't get far. She screams.
The seconds seem like years as the spear flies through the air. A low noise escapes from Prim. She now has an open wound in her right arm. The blood is flowing so fast I can't see the exact shape of the cut, but I can see her attacker lying on the ground face down. I decide the reason the spear didn't hit Prim in the chest is because Crist has taken down the victor from District 1 with his own spear.
He then sprints through the thick vines, gets to Prim and throws her over his shoulder and keeps running away from the dead victor. The Panem screen focuses on other tributes at the Cornucopia, fighting with each other and with the vines. My eyes move to Crist's screen and my jaw closes after hanging open for so long. Since when did Peeta's brother, a baker, get so strong and fast? How could I not have noticed his power? With little Prim looking like she's just dangling off his shoulder, can I really be thinking that Prim can kill him?