Hello. Usually, I update daily since it's summer here in the Philippines. But, unfortunately, from now on, I'll only be updating every other day. Or if ever I have enough time, I will try to update daily.
Anyways, this story is nearing the end, sadly, but I'm thinking of a sequel. Jennifer Granger Rowling, Coin's death is not an accident, well, not exactly. And, I like Madie too, she's my most favorite.
I hope you enjoy Chapter 10. Sorry about the shortness of Chapter 9.
DISCLAIMER: I am not Suzanne Collins. I do not own the Hunger Games.
It has been two days since we were informed that we are chosen tributes of the 76th Hunger Games. For the past nights, I've been wishing that same wish, waiting for it to come true.
As we moved through the maze, we encountered quick sands, robots with guns, mine bombing and mutations of some sort. My back still aches from the cut; Deeno's left shoulder is broken; and Fin's right ear is deaf. Among all of us, Madie is the only remaining person who's kempt because of her unending knowledge of how to surpass trials coming on our way.
I panted hoarsely as a herd of mutated deer chased us all around the column. We tried our very best to kill a large quantity in one shot for our weapons are minimizing. Fin successfully destroyed all of them using an explosive. Unfortunately, our weapons that are attached to dead deer are burnt to dust. (A/N: The plural of deer, is deer. If any of you found it rather confusing.)
All in all, I only have two arrows left. Madie has only one knife left. Deeno only has three spears left. And with Fin is my broken slingshot for again, he refused to use his fork, I mean, trident.
I fell to the floor, likewise as my friends. "She's persistent, Gin." Madie said, "I tell you, Rose is persistent. She'll do anything."
"Anything for what?" I snapped. I looked at her concerned face. "Sorry. I'm…I'm just tired."
"It's fine." Madie replied, sighing, "We are all exhausted."
"Ow." Deeno suddenly said. All of us looked concerned and a bit frightened but Fin. He mustn't have heard. Madie rushed over to her brother. "You okay?" she asked.
"Don't think so." Deeno replied, "I can't move my shoulder anymore."
"Can you move your fingers or bend your elbow?"
"Quite." Deeno did what was asked. Madie gently changed Deeno's cast, ripping another piece of cloth from her shirt.
I just sat there and closed my eyes. I am Ginna Mellark. 17-years-old. I live in District 12 with my loving family and best friends. Tears started to form in my eyes. I was unfortunately chosen by a so-called president to take part in the 76th Games…along with family and friends. Sooner or later, we are all going to die. I opened my eyes again and tears fell voluntarily.
Fin noticed me and sat by my side. "Hey, what's up?" he asked, "You're usually, I mean, always, the most fierce and strong among us. Where's Ginna Ruesella Everdeen Mellark I know? What did you do to her?" He used a mocking tone that made me laugh. Fin wrapped an arm around me. "Hey." Fin gave me a reassuring squeeze. "It's going to be okay. We'll all get out of here."
Fin stood up and gathered his things in a small backpack we found in the crates. I drank from my jug and took a bite of my cookie. "Finished?" I asked the twins. They nodded. "Let's go."
We walked until we reached the next column. I stopped short. The sound I'm dreading to hear is ringing in my ears. "What's wrong, Gin?" Madie asked.
Deeno who was kneeling, stood up, "The water's not that deep. Five feet only. It's like a lake." I stared at the scenery in front of us. I'm just a few inches from the pool of water.
I was only 7 years old and I am so full of myself. We sat there in front of the lake somewhere in the woods. My mother was cuddling my 4-year-old brother in her arms.
"Are you sure you know how to swim?" Mom asked, worried.
"Of course, Mom! We learn it at school!" I lied. Students do not learn how to swim until the age of 8.
"Are you sure?" Dad asked, giving me a piece of bread with chocolate. I finished it all in a bite.
"Uh-huh." I nodded, crossing my fingers behind my back, "I promise!"
"Okay." Mom confirmed. I ran to the lake with my bare feet, feeling the cold water. "Don't go too far!" But I was persistent to prove to them that I know how to swim. I taught myself a few strokes when I bathe in the tub. No worries.
I paddled farther and farther, over-confident of myself. I reached the middle. I tried to stand but I felt no ground beneath my feet. I fell down, seeing a pit. I struggle to return to the surface, screaming as tons of water filled my mouth. "Mom!" I called, half screaming, half crying, "Dad!"
My arms and feet ached from too much movement. I kept my chin up, grasping oxygen. When I thought it's the end, I was lifted up off the water and into my father's arms. He carried me to shore.
It was the last time I ever plunged into the water.
Droplets of water hit me as Fin and Madie did a cannonball. Deeno is still by my side. He nudged me. "Gin, let's hit the waters?"
I gulped, "I-I don't think so."
"Hm? Why?" I looked at him. "Oh, yah." He remembered what I told him when he invited me to swim.
"I can't do this, Deeno." Tears are forming in my eyes, again.
He grabbed my shoulder using one arm and made me face him. "Come on Gin, don't let fear rule your life."
I wiped my eyes and quietly sobbed. "As long as I'm by your side, you'll go through, okay?" he remarked and hugged me.
"Okay." I whimpered. He let go of me and grabbed my hand. He looked at me and I nodded. We dived in.
All of those memories of drowning clouded my mind. I grasped for air even though I'm not drowning. Paddle, Gin, paddle. You are not going to drown. Do not let fear rule your life. I closed my eyes and kicked my feet. Deeno suddenly let go of me and I realized that we've reached the other end.
"Woohoo!" Fin exclaimed, "Let's do that again."
"Whatever!" I said, choking while trying to get myself off the water. My lower body feels heavy. "Hey, can you help me out of here?"
"What?" he said, "Don't you like the water?" he continued, ignoring my request, "I totally love it!"
"No!" I answered, "I don't like the water! I prefer fire over water! Now can you please help me out of here!" Fin ignored me again and continued about how beautiful the water is. Madie was very annoyed so she came over and helped me up.
"God, you're heavy." She commented, "Did you gain weight?"
I glared at her. "Of course not. My legs feel numb, actually." Her grip suddenly loosens.
"My goodness!" she exclaimed then started to pull me harder, aggressively.
"Ow, Mads! What is it?" I followed the direction of her gaze which is right behind me. I craned my neck and saw it. I gulped. A whirlpool growing larger and larger by the minute!
Deeno came and pulled with one hand. Fin keeps continuing his talk, unnoticing us. Deeno stood up and slapped him on the face. "What is that for?" he asked, rubbing his cheek. Then he noticed what is happening outside his world. "Oh my God." Fin immediately grabbed one of my hands and they all tried to pull me up.
All of a sudden, they're forcefully pulled away from me. They hit the wall hard that Fin was unconscious. There are pulled to the wall like magnets. My friends struggled to get out and reach me but it's no use.
I was nearing the mouth of the whirlpool, turning and turning. I was screaming my head off.
Near Deeno is Fin's fork, it was stuck to the wall along with the weapons and bags. He removed it from the wall and pressed a button that transformed it into a trident. Trying his best, he arched his back and put the trident in it, vertically, replacing him in the wall. He hazily fell to the floor.
He grabbed his spear, that is attached to the wall. He searched his pocket and revealed a sturdy piece of rope, great for snares. He tied it to the spear tightly. I realized what he's trying to do so I raise my hands up in the air while spinning round and round, reaching the eye.
The moment I was underwater, I thought all hope of living is lost. I've reached the eye. Deeno was too late. They all have to go on without me, supporting each other. I'll never be able to see my parents again. I'll never be able to see my brother again.
Bubbles escape as I breathed out through my nose. I was falling deeper in the unending pit. Struggling to go up will make my death harder. I can't afford to see the faces of the ones I love before I die.
Water is my weakness. How did she know? Rose must've watched me grow. She must've watched my parents live life after the Rebellion. She was ready for this. She must've planned revenge once Mom killed Coin and got away with it.
I feel my lungs being filled with water. I closed my eyes, ready to breath my last breathe…
End of Chapter 10
Freaky. Will Ginna die? Review your answer. Some of you may think that main protagonists don't die. But…I'm not that kind of writer. :)) Please review. –I.M. Collins