Tesla Mason, District Five Male, 17 years old
There hadn't been any cannons in the night, nor had there been a different face other than the ones who died in the Bloodbath shone in the sky. I'm not a Career naturally but even I can't help but feel annoyed - aren't all the weaker tributes meant to succumb to the Careers in the first night? The only explanation we could come up with in the cabin is that the tributes this year are being a little smarter, maybe taking more of a serious note of what their mentors are saying to them rather than doing it on a whim.
Aside from the lack of canons it's easy to tell that the others haven't had a successful night - they all walk to the cabin slightly drooped, their body languages just accentuating their disappointment. Neither Calamity nor Shelldon speak, walking into the cabin after giving me a curt nod and nothing more. Diamond and Stellar, on the other hand, whine about the lack of kills, both telling the other about how they were so close to getting their target - the boy from Ten for Diamond and the girl from Eleven for Stellar. Neither of them go in immediately and tell me they want to guard the back of the cabin. I let them because if they're planning to kiss or something I'd rather not get a front row seat of it. If they plan to take off? I'm sure they won't last long, not with the other Careers about.
I don't need to be in the cabin to hear the annoyance of the other Careers. Calamity complains loudly that she was extremely close to killing Ellie and Shelldon says Dion seemingly vanished into thin air running from the lake. If only they had brought a non-Career district tribute, they might've found them. I can already guess that Ellie probably climbed a tree and was able to hide, using the pitch black darkness to her advantage and I highly doubt Dion left them from the lake. From our small travels we saw the lake and how it dips slightly, lying in a crater-like hole. Of course the mounds surrounding it aren't steep enough to make it a proper crater but they'd provide most with some challenge - you'd hear scuffling if someone did try to leave. Shelldon says he heard the leaves move, no scuffling mention. That, to me, suggests Dion outwitted them by staying right where he was. Maybe the Career's lack of initiative will bring their downfall this year?
I hear some shuffling and I look up, seeing the bushes on the edge of the clearing being disturbed by something. I raise my spear, ready to throw it at whoever appears. It's Victoria. She steps out proudly, probably knowing she doesn't have to fear me. We have a pact. I lower my spear and she smiles a little, probably happy I've kept the pact up. We continue to have a stare-off for a few seconds, probably trying to establish what new ground we're on. She's a lone tribute and I, when I made the pact, thought I'd be in the same situation but now I'm with the Careers. It adds an interesting dynamic to the mix. I think my lowering of the spear has confirmed I'll uphold the agreement if she does. She seems satisfied because, after staring for a good while, she nods and leaves.
The danger of Victoria Benson hasn't gone down since we arrived in the Capitol - she still might just be the one to strike an arrow in my heart. Quite literally.
Shelldon Flanders, District Four Male, 18 years old
Diamond and Stellar return inside the cabin, saying they were guarding the back for Tesla so he didn't need to worry about it. What they were doing in actuality, I don't know nor care. They come back in time to discuss our plan for today. We decide that the same group will go hunting today and will swap duties at night, the only difference being Calamity will be replaced by Tesla. Having two spear wielders hunting will be beneficial to us - if a tribute is hiding in the trees one of them will be able to spear them down.
I can't help but feel like a babysitter as I round Diamond and Stellar up, preparing them for another day of hunting despite their protests and desires to sleep in the warmth of the cabin. We trudge out and I tell Tesla the news. He seems eager to actually do something other than keep watch. It's a mundane job, that much is obvious.
"Where should we go first?" Tesla asks, "Anywhere in particular from last night you'd like to go?"
"The lake," Stellar, Diamond and I seemingly answer in unison.
Tesla looks a little taken aback before laughing a little, nodding, "Sounds good to me."
We get our bearings to get a rough idea on where the lake is and, just as we're ready to leave, Stellar decides to open her mouth.
"I think we should check the perimeter," She says, "I saw Tesla staring into the bushes and if it's a tribute like I'm sure he suspected, we'd want to kill them, right?"
Diamond, Tesla and I look at each other, nodding. It's not a bad idea and it's probably the most intelligent thing I've heard Stellar say since meeting her.
"Fine," I say, "We'll split up and regroup after checking."
I assign us areas between distinguishable trees, giving us no more than five minutes to check thoroughly. The arena's a little bit lighter today so we should be able to see tributes easier.
It isn't long before we hear the rush of leaves and Stellar giggling a little too manically for my liking.
Stellar Madison, District Four Female, 14 years old
I found someone! I'm going to get a kill before Shelldon! That'll prove to him what a real Career is.
The boy from Nine, Blake, is running just a little in front of me. It's cute, really, how he thinks he'll lose me. Well, Blake, let's just say I don't give up too easily - especially not when I've got a point to prove. I can hear footsteps behind me and no doubt it's the other three probably trying to keep up with me. You snooze you lose boys - you wanted this first kill? Sucks, it's mine!
The run's difficult, I will admit that. The terrain goes from flat to hilly and the amount of branches I have to push out of my way or slice with my rapier is annoying, but I'll persevere. I can tell we're running to the lake too - a bonus. Maybe this boy has just unwittingly led so many other tributes to their deaths today. That wouldn't be the best way to be immortalised in some districts, the reason why their tributes who otherwise had some chance at survival are dead.
I eventually catch up to him, tacking him to the ground. He kicks blindly a few times, hitting me enough for him to get back up and attempt to run again. So he's not going down easy? Understandable - I'd be the same. He only manages to get a few steps in before I tackle him down again, stabbing his legs a few times to make sure he can't get up again. He writhes in pain, trying to clutch the legs that I'm pinning down. Placing both of my hands on the handle of my rapier, I begin to stab at the back of his neck. One times, two times, three times, loads of times. You'll be able to play dot-to-dot on his back by the time I'm through.
BOOM!
The only reason I stop stabbing is because Diamond has to physically pull me off of the dead body. I'm laughing. I find it hysterical - I got a kill before Shelldon did. The Shelldon who attempted to insinuate that he's more of a Career than me! I volunteered, he's just a reapee!
"You see that?" I say in between giggles, "I got the first kill out of us two. You, Mr. Non-Career, can shut up now!"
Shelldon simply rolls his eyes and I take it as a victory. If he can't say anything in return then it means I've won!
"That's great and all," Tesla says, "But now what? How do we go about this lake?"
We all look at the lake and, now in daylight, I can see just how expansive it really is. The banks of it presumably end where the force field starts so it'll take us a while to investigate it all with much depth.
"I say we throw a throw spears at different places," Shelldon says, looking out, "If a tribute is close by they're sure to take off."
Stop trying to sound smart Shelldon - I got the first kill!
Phantom Spinarid, District Eight Male, 18 years old
I was right - there's no mutts in this part of the forest. All the other tributes are avoiding an ingenious hiding area for nothing, really. Their loss - more places for me to hide as I plan how to win the Games. As much as I love this as a base of operations, I can't spend another night without no supplies. I need to venture out and find something - or someone - to do with supplies. I make sure to stay by the edge for a good while, listening out for any footsteps. I don't hear any and decide that this is as good of a time as any to venture out.
And, when I do, I come face to face with the girl from Eleven, Ellie.
I raise my sword and she raises her knife. We're both clearly on the defence and, from the looks of it, she's been split up from Dion. Perfect. I notice she's got a backpack that, from what I can tell, is stuffed with supplies. Even better.
"Truce?" I ask, lowering my sword and putting on my best afraid voice.
She shakes her head, still holding her knife offensively, "You make me laugh - why would I ally with you?"
I move back a little, to humour her, "Why wouldn't you? We'd be a great team together - didn't you see what score I got?"
"You're beyond creepy," She says, face contorting into one of disgust, "Me allying with you will be the biggest mistake I've made in my life, I can tell."
I need to think fast. Making her do what I want is much better than killing her now and taking her supplies.
"Have you ever heard of a tactic?" I ask, trying my best to sound offended, "No tribute went near me and now no tribute is going near me. See? Perfect."
She can't fight with that logic - you can tell. She lowers her knife down a little, probably contemplating in her head whether or not, with this newfound information, it's worth allying with me.
"You look starving," She says after a lengthy silence and I smile, knowing she's let herself come to terms with allying, "You should eat."
Do I feel bad? Not in the slightest. She's taken a dangerous risk and I'm going to make sure it's one she regrets taking.
Dion Ouyang, District Ten Male, 16 years old
The first think I realise when I wake up is, besides that sleeping in a ditch is extremely uncomfortable, is that I have no supplies whatsoever. Ellie had our supplies and I don't know where she is now. All I have is a small knife, one that'll be no help to me at all come a confrontation with another tribute, especially a Career. It's not the best situation to be in and now that I'm alone it makes it even harder. I'd try to hunt for Ellie but I don't know where she is - she could be anywhere in this arena by now and I could die trying to find her. No. My best bet is to take this now as it comes. Set myself small goals with the ultimate goal of finding Ellie again.
I had heard the Careers come close to the lake but I didn't think anything of it. I've moved away from the immediate bank of the lake so they missed me when they were searching. I think they went back the way they came, probably going to search the arena from the other side and then work their way around. Subsequently, when I get up, the lake is empty sans a few birds who take a drink from the water. It's a gamble they're taking and, if the water was poisonous, they'll die instantly. I watch them, seeing if they do and, when they don't, I decide to take the risk myself.
I crouch down over the water's edge and cup my hands, bringing some water up to my mouth and taking a sip. It tastes perfectly fine and I don't feel funny. When I bring the water to the light it's clear, not a murky colour like lake water usually is. The only other thing I kept from the backpack was a small canteen which I fill up immediately. I feel a little better now, having some water on me - it makes traversing the arena a little more bearable. I can see, from my side of the lake, a small river that offshoots and I decide to follow it. It might lead to food, whether that be animals drinking that I can snare into dying - I'm not going to kill them - or berry bushes.
I'm happy to see that the river doesn't die out near instantly. Instead, it goes on for quite a while, hopefully leading somewhere. I notice that this is the first place in the arena, bar the Cornucopia, that isn't full of trees. I can move about without having to outstretch my arms to knock away branches. The water in the small river is clear, confirming that the water in the lake is more than likely safe to drink from - which I'm happy to see. I continue to follow the river until I come to a creek and there I meet the girl from Twelve, Alys.
She looks scared and is ready to run but I hold up my hands, indicating I don't intend to harm her. I keep my distance, however, as I don't know whether or not she'll attack me. She has supplies - maybe I can ask to ally to get some?
"Truce?" I ask, "The Careers are about moving - maybe we'd be better together?"
She gives me a look up and down and I can tell she's reluctant to truce but I think she might've encountered the Careers before because she nods, "Truce."
Melvin Morris, District Three Male, 13 years old
It's boring, moving around the arena. There's not much to distract me like there was back in District Three. There is, however, a large amount of perfectness in the arena. Everything is done in such a way and has a purpose, making the arena absolutely perfect. Delta and Bobbin let me ramble on - I assume it's to ease them as much as it eases me. Bobbin and I laugh every so often and Delta's sarcastic remarks and eyerolls. She always ruffles my hair though which, if it was District Three, I'd get annoyed at but we're in the arena. I suppose my perfect appearance can be forgone if it means I can be comforted by someone.
We traverse the arena carefully, making sure that each step is calculated and that nobody strays to far from the others. At some points Delta holds mine and Bobbin's hands and lead us through the arena. I can only imagine it makes myself and Bobbin look even more vulnerable, given our size compared to Delta, but it's nice and comforting. I feel at ease, thankfully. It's a hard walk and I'm sure her holding our hands is more of an attempt to drag us to somewhere safe where we can camp out for the rest of the day.
We eventually come to a lake and none of us can contain our happiness. We drink from the water messily, ignoring all possible risks though it seems like we're fine to do so because the water doesn't appear to be contaminated.
"I wish we had something to hold the water in," Bobbin says, sitting back on her heels, "It'd be hard to keep coming back here again and again whenever we're thirsty."
It's as if it was on cue - we hear a beeping noise and a parachute lands in front of Bobbin. She opens it and, inside, are three small canteens. We all smile, thanking the sponsor before filling them up.
"I say we should get moving soon," Delta says, screwing the lid on her canteen tightly shut, "We don't want to be kept here."
We hear some leaves shuffling behind us before a voice laughs, "You won't have time to start moving."
Brock Ushums, District Eleven Male, 18 years old
Calamity and I have been hunting tributes today. There'd been a canon so we figured that Shelldon, Diamond, Stellar and Tesla managed to get a kill but we need more than one canon, hence why myself and Calamity are out hunting.
For a while we had no luck, coming across signs that a tribute had been in an area but no tribute. It was getting boring and repetitive, until Calamity suggested we go to the lake. The lake'll be a focal point - it's the largest body of water in the arena for sure and subsequently there'll be at least a few tributes there. Thankfully, Calamity was right.
We find the two from Three and the small girl from Eight. It seems as if the girl from Three has taken on a mother role and decided to align herself with the youngest two. That's a stupid move, really. They can only bring her down. Maybe it's the Career mindset that's beginning to develop inside of me or the fact that it is such a foolish decision to make, but she's only asking to be killed by doing so.
We've been watching them for a while, seeing them drink from the lake and receive a sponsor. Someone out there is rooting for them, someone beyond their districts. We let them marvel at the fact they they've got sponsors, let them fill the canteens up - it'll be one less job for us later - and we let them discuss what they'll do next, not that they'll need to do that.
We reveal ourselves, Calamity telling them that they won't have time to move whilst laughing and they all turn near enough instantly, fear plastered all over their faces. You can tell they're not truly ready to have contact with tributes because they all scramble to move. They'll have a hard time escaping - Calamity and myself are blocking the only exit that doesn't require traversing slippery rocks to escape.
The boy from Three and the girl from Eight try to scale the rocks, slipping a few times but are pushed by the girl from Three. Calamity springs into action whilst I block the exit still - they'll have to face one of us that way. Calamity tries to ascend the rocks like they have but slips a few times, causing her to stay where she is. The boy from Three disappears over the ledge and the girl from Eight follows soon after. Calamity manages to get her footing and tries to wave her sword up at the girl from Three, slashing her leg lightly. It's not enough to do any true harm to her, but she still howls in pain and kicks, knocking the sword out of Calamity's hand.
Calamity doesn't seem to like this and tries to climb the rocks again, getting a decent way up but missing Delta as she climbs over. We can hear her footsteps walking away but that doesn't stop Calamity. She tries to climb over and slips when she's near the top, falling down. I rush and catch her because otherwise she'd probably injure her spine and that'll be game over for her; any tribute could prey on her.
"They'll die soon enough," I say as I set her down, handing her back her sword, "No need to chase them. They'll probably run into the others."
Calamity nods begrudgingly and we set off in the other direction.
Laurel Eresong, District Nine Female, 15 years old
I haven't moved much from my hiding place at the creek. It serves it's purpose nicely, so why should I move and risk it? The only reason I've moved down from it is because the girl from Twelve, Alys, had walked around the creek. I don't know how much of a threat she is but you can't assume in the Hunger Games. Assumptions lead to mistakes which lead to death.
I walk west, keeping far from the Cornucopia clearing and sticking to the denser trees as much as possible. I eventually come across a river, larger than the one that connects the lake to the creek. From what I can tell the area seems undisturbed and I can guess that no other tribute has been here yet or, if they have, they've been incredibly stealthy. I think because nobody has seemingly been here yet, that this is the best place to declare a base.
I spend the afternoon using the knife I got from the Cornucopia to cut branches down so I can prepare the traps I learnt whilst in the Capitol. I also find a forked stick, a decent one, and I manage to craft myself a slingshot. I've noticed there's a lot of spiked seeds in this arena, meaning I'll have some form of weapon. I feel a little better when I construct the traps and make my slingshot, keeping a handful of the seeds safe in my backpack. If there's an animal I'll be able to have some food and if it's a tribute then, hopefully, I'll hinder them enough for them not to be a massive threat to me.
Unfortunately there's no obvious places where I can hide - the majority of the land closest to the river is damp and unpleasant to stand on, let alone lie down. There's a small hole in the ground underneath a tree and I throw a rock inside to see if anything moves. When nothing doesn't, I try my best to line the edges with the waterproof mat I have so I can sleep comfortably.
It's a tight squeeze and definitely not my desired sleeping arrangements because my head is peeking through slightly, but it'll do. Besides, nobody's been in this part of the arena so, theoretically, I should be safe. There's a decent amount of foliage too so, in the darkness of the night, I don't think I'll be seen too easily.
I have a feeling I'll become nocturnal as a result of the Games.
Victoria Benson, District Five Female, 17 years old
Spending my birthday in the arena isn't my ideal way of fun. I manage to have a slice of cake, however, courtesy of a sponsor which makes a little more bearable. My encounter with Tesla could also be considered a birthday present, I suppose. Good to know he still upholds the truce, though I can't say I'm in the same frame of mind too. Maybe I'll let him off once, at least that way I can kill him by surprise next time.
I haven't made much ground since my encounter with Tesla - I've walked to and from the two clearings. I've seen some tributes on the way and they've avoided me or, if they have tried to come close to me, back down at the last second and run. I don't try to chase them. No, my sights are on the Careers. If they're down then I won't have much stopping me getting home.
I've hidden behind trees a lot these Games and right now is no different. It's late afternoon and the sun is beginning to go down. I'm still in the middle of the two clearings and I'm sure that if the Career pack intends to come back to the cabin I'll be in contact with at least one of them. I choose to hide behind a sturdy tree with a thick trunk and wait.
It takes a while for me to hear anything but, soon enough, there's footsteps following with an order - "Come back straight away."
I recognise the voice as belonging to the boy from Four, Shelldon, and I can only think that a Career tribute is intending to relieve themselves. I look from around my trunk and see Stellar. She's loud and annoying and I'm sure if I kill her I'll be doing the Careers a favour. It's a win win situation. I've only got one arrow, so I need to make it count.
I load my bow up and aim for her heart. My aim must be impaired by something because I hit her in the lungs. I can see her drop to the floor and shake in pain. She'll start screaming if I'm not quick enough. I run over to where she is, pinning her down and putting my hand over her mouth. She looks at me with terrified eyes and I keep the arrow in place, fighting her arms which attempt to push me off. I've heard of ways how she wants to be sadistic to tributes when she kills them so I decide to do the same. I twist the arrow and soon she's coughing up blood. I hold her head down by pulling on her hair and soon enough she's choking on her own blood. Her hand is trying to push me off, pushing on my forehead. I can feel how desperate she is - her hand is shaking - before it goes limp. I can see her take her final breath.
BOOM!
I hear another order given by Shelldon and no doubt a Career will be sent to check up on what's happened. I expect Diamond so I get ready to run but who do I see? Tesla Mason. I pull the arrow out of Stellar's body and load up my bow, aiming it at him.
"Come closer and I'll shoot," I say, not letting him say anything.
"I won't kill you," He says to me after a silence, "We have a truce."
I keep my arrow trained on his head, stepping back slightly. If there's anytime to test the waters it'll be now. "You are?" I ask, "How do I know?"
He looks behind him for a second before throwing down his spear, "That's how."
"For a second there I thought you were going to throw it at me," I say, laughing a little and I see he relaxes somewhat as a result of this, "You would've had an arrow in your heart quicker than you could react."
He lets out a small chuckle before shouts asking about him can be heard. He ushers me to go and I don't waste my time.
Eulogies:
19th - Blake Eden, District Nine Male, killed by Stellar
I do feel bad about this death, mostly because this tribute was the one I found that I couldn't do justice. I wanted to but I felt like I was creating two of the same character - Phantom and Blake. Your submitter was content for you to die in the Bloodbath but I couldn't do that to ya buddy. Thank you glittergirl20 for submitting Blake!
18th - Stellar Madison, District Four Female, killed by Victoria
I'll miss you Stellar, especially your almost 'larger than life' attitude. Don't worry though, you'll leave a legacy I'm sure. Thank you SparkHat for submitting Stellar! She'll be remembered later on - don't worry!
Tributes Remaining:
Diamond, District One
Buckingham, District One
Calloway, District Two
Calamity, District Two
Melvin, District Three
Delta, District Three
Shelldon, District Four
Tesla, District Five
Victoria, District Five
Candella, District Seven
Phantom, District Eight
Bobbin, District Eight
Laurel, District Nine
Dion, District Ten
Brock, District Eleven
Ellie, District Eleven
Alys, District Twelve
Alliances:
Diamond, Buckingham, Calloway, Calamity, Shelldon, Tesla & Brock
Melvin, Delta & Bobbin
Phantom & Ellie
Dion & Alys
Day Two is done! I just noticed all but two tributes are aligned with someone.
Two deaths today! We're slowly getting there.
As always, reviews make me happy~!
- Oli