Just so you know I changed the last chapter! The change is about how she got cut. I recommend going back and reading it since I might reference something that happened later on.
After five minutes I'm shivering uncontrollably. I feel like a pathetic little wet cat out in a thunderstorm. Good thing the wind is keeping everyone else from moving too. I'd be dead for sure by now if anyone was out looking for tributes.
At least I have a little time to think. Like about how long this is going to take, the games. A week? A month? Three days? What if there are still people alive after a long time? Will President Cartwheeler kill all of us? I shiver. So many lives wasted- for nothing. Not even one district would have it good for a year. If I'm ever in that position I'd kill them. Unless it was Urso. I could never kill him. My best friend for so long. And he's from my district. I'd just let him win.
And then there's the arena. Where am I? Well, somewhere in the wilderness. But am I on a different continent? Or am I near District 2? Maybe I can escape. Just keep going and never look back. But what then? And they could have a giant fence like the one in District 4 so we can't escape. That would be a huge waste of time.
After a while, hunger wins out and I break down and eat the mushroom from Cayne's pack. I've been holding out on the squirrels because I don't know how long the wind could last. I'm kind of afraid that the mushroom will be poisonous, but then why would they put it in a pack at the Cornucopia? Because they want us to die. Whatever. I'm hungry.
It's surprisingly delicious, and I've never been one for mushrooms. Its tangy and smooth and surprisingly sweet.
Nothing happens immediately. Good, but maybe it will slowly destroy my organs or burn a hole in my intestines.
I take some time to remove the fur from the squirrels and cut them up. I simply throw the stuff I don't want into the wind. It will take it far enough away. I wrap the rest up in plastic wrap.
The plastic wrap has actually been very useful in collecting rain water. Its pouring so I'm not about to die of thirst. But going to the bathroom is kind of an ordeal. At least I've only had to go once. I've also got the pack itself, my knives, the squirrels, rope, some eatable plants, and the blanket.
I'd really like to have a water bottle and some iodine, not to mention some of my many medicines. But I've decided to just end the alliance. I'd rather not be in an alliance with Cayne. Plus I don't want to make the ending complicated, like Urso wanting me to stay and getting caught. And even though I don't want him to kill Urso, I know he's perfectly capable of protecting himself. He's not a baby. He's also not Fitch. I bite my symbolic tongue and tear up a bit. Also, a little guiltily, I don't want to be the one to kill him.
Some part of me wants to defy the rules of the Capitol. The rebel that's still alive. Funny, she should have died when District 13 blew up. But I know I'll never rebel against these games. The Capitol is just too strong. They could kill all of us right away. I wonder why they didn't. Instead they threw us in the wilderness and made us kill each other.
I guess it gives them a way to do it in front of the Capitol citizens and, I realize all of a sudden, separates the districts. During the rebellion we were strong together. They don't want that happening again. So maybe even just having an alliance with Cayne was a bit rebellious.
Suddenly, I realize how quiet it is. I glance around. The trees are no longer swaying. Branches aren't falling. I'm not as cold. Then I pinpoint the change. The wind has stopped. Just like that. In a second probably, even though I didn't realize right away. In the orange glow of the sunset, I can see how absolutely still it is.
Wow, this weather is weird. It's so unnatural. I've never been somewhere where its so windy you can't move one second, and then the next it's absolutely still.
All I can hear for ten minutes is the pitter patter of the rain. It's peaceful really. Then the birds start singing. I can hear them well because of the rain. Its like the sound of a train on a rainy day. They sound kind of echo-y. It's moist and darkening and altogether relaxing.
When I finally move, I take off my sweatshirt and tie it tightly around my wound since it's warmer now. Then I get up and walk quickly in the opposite direction I was traveling before. I'm trying to get as far away from Cayne before night as I can. My shoes squish in the damp earth silently. I realize how dead tired I am. That wind really wore me out, but at least I'm not as dirty as before.
My quick pace got me far enough, but I'll have to move quickly in the morning. I find an oak tree to sleep in. They're the best so far because a lot have a bunch of thick branches close together.
I flex my arms for a second and then start trying to climb the tree. The first three times I slide and/or fall down painfully. I manage to keep myself from swearing, which is new. Normally I can't help it. The last rays of sunlight are leaving the forest floor and the thought of deadly mutts motivates me.
Before I try for my fourth time, I remember I'll need water to live. I walk over a few trees and carve out a little hole Maybe it will make a puddle of drinkable water for me to drink if the rain stops. I don't know. This is the first time I've tried that. I've usually had pots or bowls.
I sprint back my tree and actually manage to get up before it gets really dark. My hands are full of dirt and are really scratched up and my arm's hurting where I got the gash, but I'm up. I find some nice sturdy forks, tie the satchel strap to a tree, tie myself to a branch, and snuggle down under my blanket for the night.
When its pitch black, I see the Capitol seal floating in the sky accompanied by the anthem. Some parts are blocked out by the leaves. I wonder how the seal just floats there. I have a horrible thought that maybe we're in a huge dome. But then I realize that would be pointless. We can't fly.
First up is a weak looking boy from District 3, then a girl who was actually really good at weapons from 9, and a girl from 10. The seal flashes again in the sky. That means fourteen of us are left. Ten are dead. We're almost at the halfway point. It kind of surprises me that some people who looked like they didn't stand a chance are still alive. But there are still people to look out for. And surprisingly, Urso's still alive. They probably think I'm coming back.
I forget about everything pretty quickly and fall into a deep, relaxing sleep. The last things I hear are the fall of heavy raindrops, a chorus of insects, and a hair-raising howl somewhere far away in the night.
Once again review! I love constructive criticism!