Nobody's PoV
In the early hours of the morning, a voice speaks overhead to announce this year's Feast. It wakes up all of the tributes and they each hear it; Calloway and Ellie stop their conversation to listen to it and they begin to discuss what they'll do. Tesla and Brock both are in different rooms within their cabin and don't discuss their plans. Candella, closer to the Cornucopia than the other tributes, is poised and primed to get her pack whilst Dion attempts to divert his course towards the Cornucopia to at least have a shot in getting his pack.
Six packs are laid out on the table in front of the mouth of the Cornucopia, each with a number to represent one of the tributes. Inside the pack labelled '2,' there's some food for Calloway - high protein food intended to keep up his energy when he needs it. In the '5' back for Tesla there's similar food; the Capitol have noticed how in recent hours he's become sluggish and the intent of the food is to revitalise his energy. In Candella's pack there's more knives for her to use and in Dion's pack there's a sword; although he's stated he won't kill, many have banded together to get him a sturdier sword to use so he wouldn't be completely defenceless. In the first '11' pack, for Ellie, there's some medicine that is vital for her survival - many Gamemakers figure that if she's allying with Calloway then he'll get the pack for her and, subsequently, he should be rewarded for his risk. Finally, in the pack for Brock, there's more substantial food rather than the light food the Capitol have noticed he's been eating as of late.
The announcement concludes that the Feast will start in a few seconds when the broadcast ends and, with that, leaves the tributes to determine what they'll do.
Tesla Mason, District Five, 17 years old
After hearing the Feast announcement, I'm in two frames of mind. On the one hand, I can go and attend it and get something good out of it but, on the other hand, I'm too tired to do so and making this decision could be the last one I ever make. I still toy with the idea, though. What if there's much needed spears at the Feast? Or something to keep me from losing energy. Of course the risk of going is always rewarded well but I don't know if it's a risk not only worth raking, but one I can afford to take.
Hearing Brock shout that he's going to the Feast and the door of the cabin opening and closing reaffirms one thing to me; I won't go there. While, yes, we're still allied, we're non-Career districts posing as Careers and, like any alliance really, we'll be crumbling now with only six tributes left. Either he'll kill me first or I'll kill him.
And the latter is the only option I'm willing to do.
I'm not going to wait until Brock gets back from the Feast to kill him, though. He could get something good at the Feast and, if he does, then would there be any use in putting up a fight against him?
In the motivation of a single thought, I go around the cabin picking up and any all supplies I think will be essential to surviving on my own. It's a win-win situation, really; I'm taking supplies that can help me survive but, at the same time, I'm taking supplies that Brock will eventually need. Within ten minutes I'm ready to leave the cabin and, without a second look back, I run in the direction of the lake.
I don't know why I've picked the lake for the location of where I'll be based from now on, but I can just sense it'll benefit me. The water's clean so I won't need to worry about that and, as there's only six tributes left including myself, I don't think I'll be in any great trouble. I left a note at the cabin saying I was out tribute hunting and I'd be back tomorrow morning, keeping my tracks covered by Brock so, if he finds me, he'll simply assume I'm napping.
Candella and Ellie are no true threats to me. Although, no, I won't kill them, neither of them seem to be in the position to kill me. Candella's been far too defensive the entire Games and nobody's heard of Ellie since the Bloodbath and the odd one or two run-ins. Calloway is the only threat that I need to look out for but I'm confident that if I get to a hard to reach part of the lake, I can throw spears at him from afar and either kill him or get him to leave me alone.
Getting to that place; a small cubby hole in between some rocks of a slightly raised part of the terrain, is harder than I ever thought it was but I manage. Even if I'm stuck here for the rest of the Games, that's okay with me. They'd have to bring the tributes to me and I'm in the perfect place to snipe tributes.
For me, now, it's just the waiting game.
Ellie Rosebush, District Eleven Female, 14 years old
"I promise I'll come back," Calloway says with a genuine and earnest smile.
The one thing I've learned about Careers whilst spending time with Calloway is that, surprisingly, they're humans too. Calloway's told me dreams of being a doctor and now a victory will only help boost his dream and I commend him, honestly. Or maybe it's just the odd Career? That Calloway is an anomaly amongst hundreds and hundreds of bloodthirsty killers. Regardless, Calloway's alright.
"Are you sure you won't just take my pack and run?" I say drily with a smile; he's come to understand my sense of humour and he just shakes his head with a light laugh.
"I'll be back before noon."
I nod and watch as he jumps off the balcony and runs in the direction of the Cornucopia - wherever that is.
I move slowly - and painfully - to the hole in the wall where I can see under the layers of leaves, for the most part. Because the cabin is on an incline we can see for a good bit and subsequently I'm able to see Calloway as he walks cautiously through the forest floor. Anyone's a threat at this point and I don't blame him for being cautious. I mean, look at me. I nearly killed the biggest Career in the Games. Despite the fact that I didn't go through with it, because I had the thought and was so close to doing so, it makes me a threat.
When Calloway disappears into the distance a pain rips through my stomach and the only response I have is to yelp, fall to the floor and clutch the wound area. Stupid Phantom; I've been like this for the past day or so now - random pains just rip through my stomach and I can only assume it means my conditions getting worse. This one's more intense though and, unlike the others, I begin to throw up and it's as if my body is trying to do anything and everything it can to expel whatever's causing the pain.
At first I see the remains of the meals Calloway and I shared, then I see bile which isn't the nicest looking thing ever but I'll deal with it. Then, and what alarms me, I see blood. Remembering what my grandmother said, I try to drink some water to at least make the whole ordeal a bit more pleasant but it doesn't do anything; it doesn't stay long enough before I'm expelling it again.
I can feel my whole body getting weaker and I think this is it. Sixth place isn't bad, better than seventh.
I move closer and closer to the hole and, although futile, I shout Calloway's name. Then Dion's. Then I ask for my grandmother to help me. I can't help it as tears begin to stream down my face because the pain is so unbearable and I just want it to be over.
But, in the midst of it all, I find an opportunity to laugh; the last time my partner left for me we got split up from a fire and this time we're getting split up from my death.
Funny how it all works.
BOOM!
Candella Cartwright, District Seven, 15 years old
Hearing the cannon go off as I'm picking up my pack unnerves me. I haven't been on the ground much these Games and to suddenly hear a cannon makes me scared. What if the killer is coming here and I'm next? The sheer thought of it alone makes me climb the tree I was up quicker than I have in my life. Again, not the best climber, but I get the job done before I see other people come to the Cornucopia.
I look in my pack and I'm happy to see there's more knives in there. I guess killing the bear mutts out of the will to survive did something good in my favour.
I need to do something with them though. I need to get back home. It's all very well me getting these knives but if I don't use them then what's the point? I killed bear mutts and I led Delta, and probably Laurel, to their deaths. I can do this. I can kill a few more times, right?
I'll stay in the tree; that's my best shot. I'll stay in my tree and I'll throw knives. I'm not the best at throwing knives but it's better than trying to go and stab someone, surely. And by throwing, I mean dropping knives as and when I'm able to.
I hear a crack beneath me and it startles me so much that I nearly fall out of my tree. Not the best way to go so I'm glad I'm able to grab onto a sturdier branch to balance myself. I look down and below me is Brock. The big Brock that's intimidated me quite a few times.
My instincts take over and, after giving my knife one look, I look back down to him and drop the knife hard. It lodges itself dangerously close to his neck, in his shoulder, and he falls to the floor in the unexpected pain and, probably, the force of which I dropped it at. At this point I let my instincts take over and I climb down my tree quickly, another knife in hand.
When he notices that I'm the one who attacked him he grins and raises his arm to swing his sickle at me but, because of the knife, he cowers back in pain. I don't quite know what I'm doing as the need to survive takes over me but I see myself kicking his stomach, causing him to bend over and hold it. In one quick motion I stab his neck and he squirms in pain, arms grabbing at my ankles and pulling me over.
I'm scared that I'm going to die and then I hear it.
BOOM!
I open my eyes that I had closed out of fear and, there he is. Brock's dead at my feet and I realise I killed him. Looking around I do my best to compose myself and I climb back up my tree. My hands shake and they're covered in blood so I can't clean them until I calm down.
Dion Ouyang, District Ten Male, 16 years old
Seeing Candella kill Brock is surreal - I didn't think she had it in her. That and a girl killing someone much larger than her is always intimidating, naturally.
I waste no time in grabbing my pack, a long thin one, and I don't think it takes much knowledge to know it's a sword. I don't stop to evaluate it though, not yet anyway, because I'm not stopping and staying stationary anywhere near the Cornucopia. That's a death wish.
I run and run until I get to the edge of the dense forest. There I open my pack and, sure enough, there's a sword. Brand new and it gleams off the light that comes past the leaves above. My first thought is, why give me a sword? I made it clear before that I won't kill so giving me a sword defeats the purpose. Unless it's designed to make me look intimidating? But my physique does that alone and, really, the only people I'll be intimidating are Candella and Ellie at this point.
I can hear a small voice in the back of my head telling me to do it, to kill. It's been there for the past few days and I've ignored it. I refused to kill when I was reaped, I made that decision, and for the most part I intend to keep it. But seeing Candella kill Brock ignited something in me and, now, I'm doubting that decision.
Sitting on a log, I evaluate my situation and it's not long before I come to the conclusion that I won't purposefully intent to kill but, if I need to in order to live, then that'll be the exception.
For the most part, though, I hope it doesn't need to resort to that because I'm far better versed in the medical side of the Games rather than the offensive, bloodthirsty side.
Eulogies:
6th - Ellie Rosebush, District Eleven Female, killed by injuries sustained by Phantom
Ahhh! Ellie! You had so much promise but like Delta you were a filler tribute submitted by a friend so you had no chance of winning. It hurt me, really, to see people rooting for you because I knew you wouldn't make it and you knew that yourself, deep down. Not killing Calloway was so you and I'm so proud I was able to portray that. You put up a great fight and I'm sad to see you go :c Thanks Niamh for submitting Ellie!
5th - Brock Ushums, District Eleven Male, killed by Candella
Brock, you were the shock death I was on about last chapter! When Candella killed those bear mutts I knew that was how you had to die and she was the one to kill you. Why? I think likening you to a bear was poetic and suited you; fierce and was able to kill when needed but also loyal to their family and willing to die no matter the cost. You were an inspirational tribute to me and you got to the final five - a feat not many can say. Thank you so much to Namelessghoul for Brock!
Tributes Remaining:
Calloway, District Two
Tesla, District Five
Candella, District Seven
Dion, District Ten
Alliances:
N/A
Solo Tributes:
Calloway
Tesla
Candella
Dion
So there we go! An update after so long! Only four tributes left! Now if you remember, a while back I did a poll on who your guys' favourite tributes were! Well, I have the results finalised and, as per the votes, the victor will be the winner of the poll. With my other SYOTs I'm going to think of storylines more for the victor but, with this one, I had intended to do a poll to find the victor and I'll continue to do that. Guess who you think'll win!
Also I just realised that both D11 tributes died in this chapter :O I didn't intend for that to happen!
As always, reviews make me happy~!
-Oli