Majesty Holland, District 1
Although the fire has died down, the smoke is only getting worse. We continue to move as far away from it as possible, yet it still follows us.
"How long until they put it out?" I ask Neptune. He shrugs, I'm not sure what else I expected.
"I guess when more people die or we all come closer together." He says anxiously. You would think as the numbers dwindled, you would become more confident. But the opposite is happening. The competition becomes more fierce. Knowing Neptune has to die before I can return home is killing me. I start chewing on my nails habitually, my nerves higher than before.
"Let's rest here." He says, taking a seat in the grass. I join him on the ground and stretch out my legs. We share our last loaf of bread, officially out of food. I look around the area we are sat in, wondering if there is anything nearby we could eat. Nothing stands out.
"Want the rest?" Neptune holds out the half full water bottle. I shrug and he hands it to me. I drink it slowly, savoring every last sip. Eventually, that is empty as well. I sigh.
"What's the plan?" I ask. Neptune looks at the trident in front of him, as if it will give him the answers we are looking for.
"We just keep moving. Start with the search for water, then food. Kill any tributes we see, hope they don't kill us. I guess that's all we can do." He says. I lay down on the grass, the sun is slowly coming over the horizon. The heat feels good on my skin. I close my eyes and imagine myself back home. The thoughts make me smile.
Holden Hayes, District 5
Rally and I haven't spoken much since Layla died in the fire. I don't mind having him around, he seems like a good kid. I just can't get over Layla. It should have been me who died in that fire. She should be the one who is still alive.
Rally taps me on the shoulder and I turn to face him. He holds out his half full water bottle, as if to offer me some. I nod and drink the rest of it, thanking him as I finish. I wonder how long the Gamemakers will keep drying us out. I hope the other tributes are struggling as much as we are to stay hydrated.
I don't realize how late in the day it is until the sun beams down on us. I stop to rest, the sweat already forming. I exhale, wishing I was anywhere else but here.
Callista Beaufort, District 4
My mouth is dry, my head is pounding. I'm trying to stay sharp and alert, but dehydration is slowly taking effect. I curse at myself for allowing it to get this bad. I slowly walk through the grass, desperate to find a water source.
I find a bush of strawberries and suck the juices out of them before eating them. Before long, every berry on that bush is gone, and my thirst is not. I shake my head in disappointment. Why are they torturing us like this?
The anthem playing scares the shit out of me. I compose myself as Calix Agnes begins to speak.
"Good afternoon tributes. I would like to invite you to a feast. I know many of you are struggling to find water, or even food. This feast will not disappoint. It will be held at the Cornucopia at dusk. I hope to see you all there." The voice fades away, leaving nothing but silence to fill the arena.
I start to contemplate my options. My two biggest threats will most likely attend the feast. But I should be able to get in and out quickly, if I'm the first one. I look at my sword. It's done me well, but I would be much better off with a ranged weapon. I slowly walk in the general direction of the Cornucopia, pushing my thirst to the back of my mind. If I play my cards right, I will get out of that feast better off than my opponents.
Lavender Byzantine, District 8
As the announcement fades away, I glare at Demica. I can already tell by the look on her face what she's thinking.
"No." I say sternly. "We are not going." Demica looks at me before looking over our supplies. We only have one full water bottle and one apple, which will most likely be gone before the day is over. We still have a dagger, half a bottle of iodine, two first aid kits, and a plastic tarp with a bag to carry it all. We have enough to last us, and I tell Demica this.
"The Gamemakers are drying out the arena though. We haven't found water and we've been searching all day." She notes. I feel thirsty just thinking about it. We've spent all this time searching for nothing.
"Dehydration will kill us." She states.
"So will those other tributes." I remind her.
"We can stay on the outskirts. Wait for the action to be over before we run in and get what's left. It's our best option." She tries to convince me. I put my hands on my head, my gut telling me it's a bad idea.
"If other tributes are as hungry and dehydrated as Calix makes them out to be, they'll be weak and careless. We might be able to kill one of the weaker tributes. Maybe even avenge Samuel." She says in a quiet voice. I sigh, hating the fact that she might be right.
This is not going to end well.
A feast! It's about time, right?
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