Princess of the Sea
By: CyanideMuffins7
Chapter 11: Ambiguity
Disclaimer: I own nothing of the Hunger Games, the trilogy or any of the characters Suzanne Collins has created. I only take credit for the characters I have created and the plot I have made.
If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride, my mom used to say. She was a very proactive person. If someone wasn't going to do it, you do it yourself. That's was one of things she taught me that I stuck by. But being in the Games, you just beg for wishes when no one will hear. I remember when Valentine and I were kids, every night she would drag me to the window or outside and wish on a star. When she asked me what I wished for, I said nothing. But she always wished something new every night. One night she would wished she could fly, then the other she would wish she could run faster like the other girls, or the other she would wish if she can turn into mud. When she got older, she began to wish for more reasonable things. I remember one night; she wished she could be a mother. When I asked her about it, she was very open that she wanted like twelve kids with a man she loves. I didn't want to point out the fact that maybe one out of her twelve kids would be reaped. If wishing to be a mother made her happy, then it made me happy. The only thing I told her was that she would have to wait until she was twenty to get married and have kids. She gave me a very sad look, but she knew she would have to wait that long to get what she wished for.
I left the cave to gather what I need. I gathered as much branches as I could find and put it in the cave along with a few stones, thicker branches and pieces of bark.
I remembered my basic camp survival training, so all I need is flint which I realize I don't have nor can find. I dig through my pack and pull out my magnifying glass. I walk out with a branch and the magnifying glass outside of the cave. It was very tedious to wait for the sunlight to light the log with only a tiny flame. I carried the branch over and tossed it with the other branches. As I waited for the flame to grow, I began to skin the animal and separate the meat with the hide. Once I separated it, I completely removed the hair and fat from the hide until it was bone dry.
The last time I remember doing this was when I was a kid and Mom was teaching me. I think the tanning was the most boring since you typically waited for days, or if you're really lucky, hours.
I sadly had to sacrifice my water I gathered to use to boil the hide with the bark I gathered. I cut my canteen in half and waited for the water to boil before I tossed the hide into it. While I waited for that, I decided to use the meat and cooked it. I tried to pace myself when eating the cooked meat however I didn't want to eat too much. Probably ate a few of the chunks of meat before I packaged the rest of it then packed it in my pack.
The rest of the time as I waited for the tanning to be done, I just sat around humming a tune or searching a little bit out of the cave for berries. I didn't pull out the hide until twilight came, where it was finally done. Then I had to let it dry, and I know that will take quite sometime. I placed the tanned hide on the branch that hung in front of the mouth of the cave. I dumped out the boiled water and tossed dirt into the fire pit. I decided to let it dry overnight and slept the rest of the night.
It was another day, and no one died just like yesterday. I'm surprised I haven't even bumped into any Tributes yet. From what I've seen in past games the Careers are like a hungry wolf pack, hunting together to kill the other Tributes. But I don't quite know how Lena works. For all I know, she may be trying a new tactic to catch the rest of the Tributes off guard. I guess I'll found out soon once I leave this cave.
I was plagued by another nightmare. This time I dreamed I was sulking around 4 with a limp. My skin was pale as the clouds with visible blue veins here and there. My lips felt cracked and the tips of my fingers and knuckles were a deep blue. The people around me were made of stone, staring off into the distance, but I can hear a crescendo of whispers around me. It became difficult to walk and I trudged slower and slower until I fell. I attempted to get up but as I did, Hei pushed me back down with a knife against my head. He began to say something through the whispers but I couldn't make it out and he stabbed the knife right through my head.
My eyes immediately shot wide open while I sat up. I seemed to have sat up too quickly and I felt a sharp, sensation on my left shoulder. It took me a moment to collect myself and for the burning to stop before I checked on my tanned hide. I headed to the branch and felt the dry and leathery hide. Now that it was dry, I can cut up the leather and into leather strips. I used the knife and cut the hide evenly into even lines.
Afterwards I began to go to work on my weapon. I sawed through the thick branches with my knife about one foot long. It left me about four, one foot long sticks to work with. I then thinned out the stones by scraping the stones against the ground so it was slanted on both ends so the front of the stone was pointed while the back was thick like a triangle. Towards the end of the day, my arm wasn't overcome with pain if I moved it. So I removed my sling and used both of my arms to work. By sunset, I secured the stones to the one foot wood pieces with the leather strips in a lattice like knot.
My weapons were complete, stone axes.
I thought to give them a few test throws before I would leave the cave. From the mouth of the cave, I threw one of the axes at a distant tree. The axe took about a few seconds before it locked itself within the bark of the tree. I tested it out with the other three axes, making sure I secured the wood with the stone and the leather and that it was strong. The axes were pretty sturdy and crafted quite well, if I don't say so myself.
I retrieved my axes and hooked them to my belt before heading away from the area. So now that I have proper weapons, I can go searching for water without worrying too much about if my knife will be sufficient in a fight.
My search was much like what I was doing a few days ago. The frogs especially were mocking me. One frog dared get in my way, and out of spite, I punted the frog. Damn frogs, I don't really care if they die actually.
I cease to step further as I noticed a human figure in the distance. I think he noticed me, but he didn't seem to have any weapons on him. He was walking in my direction, however. As he became closer, it became less human. The figure became more thin and tall, with its arms dragging on the ground as it limped towards me. But the noise he made almost brought a chill down my spine, a moan.
I began to step back, but it began to pick up its pace. Next thing I know, I'm running, not looking back. The moan became more excessive and aggressive and I assume it's chasing me. Ok, so now they have mutant monsters. I'm adding that on the caution list under floods and thunderstorms.
But the moan stopped, and I felt like it was off my tail. But I dashed behind a tree, just in case. I covered my mouth and slowly inhaled and exhaled to stay quiet. I heard a gurgle then a thud. I slowly peek over my shoulder and past the trunk.
The body of the beast was only a few yards away from me! I can't believe it was that close. But standing over the body was a girl with jet black hair that reached to her shoulders with a very young horse face. In her hand she had an axe that she was pulling out of the back of the beast. I think she's the girl from District 5. She kicked the beast a bit to make sure it's dead. Thankfully, it is.
She looked over her shoulder and called out to someone, "Fitz! Report back to Lena." Another voice responded but it was difficult to make out. I assume he was agreeing to her order.
So this Fitz and the District 5 girl are Careers. The two are probably scouting around for Tributes, or perhaps these beasts. Are there more monsters like these beasts around the swamp? Maybe that's their duty. Right now, the Careers are just as much a danger as anything else that plagues this swamp. Their demise will be my survival. But I can't jump the gun at this point in the Games, I need more time. Although, nothing is restraining me from crippling the Careers.
If I was going to sabotage them, what would I do? Taking their weapons single handily wouldn't be a genius decision since each of the Careers are trained killers and most likely would have their weapons on them at all times.
I felt my stomach twist a little, its own way of telling me that it wants food. That's right. I can just steal their supplies. I mean enough supplies for me at least. I could follow the two Careers back to their camp, hideout and observe them until I find the time when they are asleep and there are fewer people on guard to steal their supplies. By the time they check their supplies, I'll be out of there with the loot.
I begin to watch the District 5 girl trot away from the corpse after Fitz yelled something back at her. I slowly snuck behind a good distance from the girl, following her to their camp. I would occasionally stay behind a little so she doesn't get too suspicious.
I saw her finally reach the Cornucopia along with Fitz. The Cornucopia has turned into a camp for the Careers. The supplies were wiped clean from the mouth, but I assume they are all inside. At the top of the mouth, glass jars with bright lights hung lazily into the mouth along with a few spare weapons laced at the end. I stayed behind a willow to conceal myself from being seen by the Careers.
I continued watching Fitz and the District 5 girl approach Lena, who seemed to already be waiting for them.
"What did you find out there?" Lena asked calmly. "One of those jawless monsters, that moving island, that cannibal horse and…" Fitz reported until he drifted off.
"What?"
Fitz hesitated to speak for a moment, like he was afraid, "We found my Brother, in the bog. What does it mean? How can he be here?"
Lena looked confused, but stayed strong, "It means nothing. It's probably a trick the arena is playing on us."
Lena began to walk towards a wooden barricade, while motioning Fitz and the District 5 girl with her. I began to scan the camp for the other Tributes marching around. The District 6 Tributes were leaning against the tail of the Cornucopia, armed with swords. The District 2 Tributes were guarding the camp with spears, circling the grounds but the girl seemed to be walking at the same speed and pace as the boy, directionally adjacent from each other. Magnus was standing over a large fire stirring a pot with a wooden spoon.
Looking back at the Cornucopia, my eyes fixated on Hei who was sitting against the golden horn with his arms crossed and his eyes in the sky. I knew he would be in the Careers. While Hei was going to carry the tradition of District 4 tributes being Careers, I had no plan to and hoped I never will. But I imagined Hei would be patrolling the camp with the other Careers, but here he was just staring off into space. Just looking at him, I've never seen him like this before. The Careers must be tiring him out, or perhaps he's plotting on how he will kill every single Tribute.
My eyes scan around until I noticed the District 12 boy by a large table, moving his hands around, picking things up, putting things down or tossing it over his shoulder. Now this is a surprise. This is probably one of the firsts in the Games; a 12 joined the ranks of Careers. Lena must have chosen him at the last minute; he did get an eleven after all.
I mapped out my plan in my head as I did a quick scan of the perimeter again. The District 12 boy is facing away from the Cornucopia and he's pretty much occupied with whatever he's doing, that he won't notice me.
The District 6 Tributes were at the tail of the Cornucopia and they were too distracted with each other to even notice the tiniest bug flying around their heads. The fire was located at the center of the camp, but a little further from the Cornucopia and a little closer to my location; he might be difficult to get passed.
Hei was right up against the Cornucopia, so he might feel the vibration of movements inside. But surprisingly he seems to be deep in space at the moment that he may not notice me at all.
Then Lena, Fitz and the District 5 girl were at the very far end of the camp, and they seemed to be focused on the conversation they were having by the barricade. They probably don't even notice three of their own are slacking off.
The District 2 Tributes will probably be the biggest obstacle. They are constantly moving around the camp, guarding their base like hawks. If I enter through the large gap when the District 6 boy is closest to Lena and the girl is closest to Magnus, I could probably make it to the mouth of the Cornucopia.
Once I reach the supplies, I take what I may need like food or more rope, anything that will help me. After I gather the goods, I head straight out of the mouth of the Cornucopia and escape into the woods until I lose the Careers.
I'm not guaranteed this is a fool proof plan however. But this is my only chance, and I'm not going to blow it.
I wait for the moment when the District 2 Tributes were in place and I quickly dash to the mouth of the Cornucopia while muffling my steps. Once I reached the mouth of the Cornucopia, I gently step into it. I waited a second to see if the Careers have gone into chaos. I didn't hear or see anything intense yet, so I caused no stir.
My attention then goes to the supplies all around me. I pick a small clear bottle that's labeled, iodine. Iodine will come in handy, so I pack it in my pack. I take a bag of apples, a new canteen, more rope and some more crackers until I feel that should suffice.
Once I began to get ready to dart out of the Cornucopia, the District 2 boy was staring straight at me with his spear in hand, preparing to throw the spear. I felt my whole body freeze, as he began to pull his arm back to throw the spear. I force myself to pull out my axe from my belt and throw it right at the boy, hitting him precisely in his throat.
I quickly dashed out of the Cornucopia and as I passed by the District 2 boy's corpse, I retrieved my axe and kept it in my hand. The Careers began to go into hysteria as Lena began to shout commands to the Careers who were running right behind me. I hear an arrow whiz pass my head followed by a spear flying pass me and into a willow.
I had to stop for a second to catch my breath as the Careers began to come closer. I need to throw them off to cease the pursuit. But what should I do? Think, what would Finnick say to you at this moment? Find water. Water… It didn't occur to me until now what he actually meant. I had the advantage of being a fairly good swimmer compared to the rest of the Tributes. How can I be so stupid!
But I can't search for water now. I'd just be taking shots in the dark if I were going to search for water. Keep thinking, is there anymore advice that Finnick gave you?
…look for water and have grace… grace.
Grace echoed in my mind, unlocking my key to escape. When I took dancing, it was all about grace and being agile. This environment is perfect for my agile body and for my grace. I closed my eyes, inhaled deeply while standing on the tips of my toes. I pictured the whole swamp become the studio I used to go to for my lessons. I remember the studio used to be very glossy and spacious compared to the dumps we lived in. All the girls were standing by the wall including my dance instructor, Imogene. All eyes were on me and I head to preform each of the movements, spot on.
I reopened my eyes and began to move, beginning with a spin as I made quick steps. I gingerly hop while my arms stretched in front of me, moving with my body. As my body became like water, my memories of dance started a fire within my heart. It was something I had not felt in so long.
"Canon, set off the mines!" Lena shouted, a little in the distance.
Soon, the land began to explode right behind, to the sides and even in front of me. But I kept dancing. Soon the explosions were drowned out by the soft sound of a piano that accommodated my dance.
I did a pirouette to avoid one of the mines safely, and then continued by a sissonne. When I did another pirouette, I pulled out my axe and threw it straight at the District 6 girl who was charging at me with her sword. I then began to pick up the pace, stretching my legs out as I jumped into the air. I then began to spice things up in my jumps and did a slight whirl, stretching my arms out as I did so to avoid in coming flying projectiles. When I jumped and did another whirl, one of the mines was practically on my back. I had only felt a slight force push me forward as I was in midair, but as I landed and rolling back up I wasn't hit by the mine.
I can hear Imogene's Capitol accent, shouting for me to stick my landing. She said that was my biggest problem all those years of lessons, was I don't remember to smoothly stick my landing. It was one of the reasons why I quit dancing. I mainly quit because it felt empty to me after Mom died. After all she was the one who had signed me up in the first place. The passion seemed to have just died along with the ones I loved.
The sound of the Careers became more distant, but I know they will catch up to me. There were still trees around me, but ahead of me was a large flat field of light green grass. Strangely, there were no trees on that field. If I could run past the field, and hide in like another cave or a hole, I can lose the Careers.
I put all of my effort into this one jump, smoothly flowing in the air. As gravity pulled me down, my foot prepared to reach the surface of the grass, only for the grass to collapse in like flimsy cloth in the wash. I then found myself falling right into the cool dark water.
I finally struck water, but there was no time to be victorious. I immediately swam back up to the surface, stealing a gasp of air to replenish my lungs. I quickly stroked across the body of water to the other side and crawled back onto land. I slowly kept jogging until I collapsed behind a large stone.
I inhaled and exhaled short breaths to regain my air. My body began to shiver as the breeze blew against my wet skin. I rub my bare forearms to keep me warm, but that wasn't really helping. It felt good to have invaded the Career's camp and steal from them. I imagine Lena must be kicking the other Careers about the security slip by now. A small smile crept on my face at the thought of Lena turning beet red and screaming at the other Careers. I felt like I could sleep right here, but with jawless beasts, cannibal horses, hallucinating monsters and Tributes walking around, it's not completely safe.
I felt my left arm began to sting in pain again, but I avoid the sensation to cringe. I was cold, my arm was acting up, and my body ached.
I was too focused on how I felt, that I didn't notice the parachutes that began to land around me.