Hey there!
I decided to write an extra long-ish chapter for you, seeing as I haven't been very constant with my updating recently! I hope you enjoy it - there is a bit of gore, but not much.
I somehow want to compact everyone's experience into one chapter but I can't fit it in. Just so you know, I know exactly where your tributes are, and what they have salvaged from the arena so far! It's this lovely great big list with about 60 keys, but hey ho.
Voila!
*In the Blink of an Eye
Aden "Red-Haired" Hanran, District Eight
The gong resonates through my ears and before I can remember what my mentor told me to do, I am speeding towards the Cornucopia. But when I get there, a horrific sight meets my eyes. There is evidently nothing of use. String, wood and rocks. Pathetic.
I make a split descision to bolt for it. Good timing too, because as I peek over my shoulder, I see a girl's head being bludgeoned in by a rock. That could have been me.
Seeing as the rapids are obviously impassable and the mountain is too obvious, the rocks bordering the clearing seem the safest option. Soon I am taking on the rocks, dodging boulders and leaping over pebbles and natural crevasses. No one is following me yet, and in a few minutes of running, the sounds of screaming and fighting have vanished. I slow to a constant jog and begin looking for somewhere to hide.
It's not too far along the crooked route I am following, when I see a medium sized pack. It has been cleverly designed to make it look like an extension to the craggy landscape, but my sharp eyes have picked it out. I am careful when opening it. It could be some cruel trick of the Gamemakers, and actually be containing some type of triggered death trap.
But to my joy, it contains a full water bottle, a pack of dry food and a knife. On closer inspection, I find a raincoat, a tightly packed sleeping bag and some rope with hooks attached. 'This is good,' I think. It is at that moment when I hear footsteps grinding furiously towards me. I don't hesitate. I take off, trying desperately to keep my footing.
Dann Lee, District Nine
The oversized timer ticks to zero and the gong sounds our deaths. I leap off the raised circle and sprint to the Cornucopia. I am a good runner – that's what got me a training score of 6 – but my hand-to-hand combat is appalling, as well as everything else I might need to defend myself.
I am the first at the golden horn, but the only thing there is flimsy materials. Dismayed, I flounder for a second, costing me valuable escape time. The Four boy has reached the Cornucopia now, and he doesn't waste a second. He swoops up a rock and smashes it onto the Twelve girl's head. She crumples and blood oozes from a dent in her skull.
My limbs aren't working. What is happening to me? I need to move!
Four boy turns to me. As if in slow motion, his face curves into a smile and he smashes the still bloody rock onto my head, the same time a wooden stake erupts through my chest.
Jaysper Pavane Grey, District Eleven
I'm not the best runner in the world, but as the faster ones reach the Cornucopia, I see that they are dismayed at the worthless provisions. At a safe distance, I see that the Four boy kills the Twelve girl with a rock and turns on the Nine boy. At the same time, the Two girl makes use of some sharp wood and plunges it into the poor boy. If those are the only weapons available, I'm out of here.
I use my split second judgement and turn back. The mountain. Unexplored territories but less dangerous than the compacted rocks surrounding us. Out of the corner of my eye, I see my District partner chasing after me, an expression of pure fear on his face. I can see why, as I start speedily climbing the angled slope.
The Two boy has managed to salvage a sharp slab of rock and is brandishing it like a spear. His long legs easily catch up with the pitiful 13 year old. He goes down with a whimper and I take advantage of his sadistic demise and pour adrenaline into my run.
The Fallen:
(Italic names name the killer if necessary)
Dirk Vermont, District Five Boy [Cause of death: Bleeding on brain-Anumus Titan]
Bri Graphite, District Five Girl [Cause of death: Suffocation-Rye Kuna]
Mark Zukerburg, District Six Boy [Cause of death: Stab wound-Domitrius Waess]
Dann Lee, District Nine Boy [Cause of death: Stab wound + brain damage-Anumus Titan + Priya Pendus]
Husk Hatchet, District Eleven Boy [Cause of death: Stab wound-Domitrius Waess]
Leo O'Rourke, District Twelve Boy [Cause of death: Strangled-Priya Pendus]
Bernadette Decoy, District Twelve Girl [Cause of death: Concussion + brain damage-Anumus Titan]