Percy, Annabeth, Jessica and Sally watched nervously as the four Careers crowded around the five other tributes. The leader of the Careers, the one with the scar, gave a nod and a grunt. Piper, Jason, Sean and Clarisse were dragged away from Louisa and the leader Career squared his shoulders at Louisa, levelling his sword at her chest. Annabeth saw their plan immediately- kill the captain and pick off the failing team.
Louisa glanced at the camera as if she could tell her family was watching. She smirked, using two fingers to push the sword away.
"Hardly a fair fight if I ain't got my own sword ready." Louisa was aware of Clarisse and one of the Careers battling it out viciously with swords. Sean was dodging a second Career, firing arrows when he saw a chance. Jason and Piper teamed up against the third Career.
Louisa drew her sword, flicking her hand. A knife fell into her hand, but the Career leader didn't notice. "OK, I'm good."
The fight was brutal. Louisa didn't let her opponent breathe, repeatedly slashing and jabbing at him. Clarisse had her opponent in a headlock, their swords forgotten on the ground. Jason and Piper were ducking and exchanging wild swings of blades with their opponent while Sean snatched an arrow from the ground.
Louisa threw out her hand and her knife embedded itself in her opponent's shoulder. He howled in rage and agony, staggering back. Blood soaked his jacket. Louisa was about to attack him when Piper and Jason's opponent changed tactics. He charged Sean, who had darted back to look for a clear shot. The arrows he had collected needed to be reserved; he couldn't afford to waste them.
The Career ducked an arrow Sean fired and slammed into him. Sean's head smacked against a rock and his hair was instantly sticky with blood.
Louisa noticed.
Something snapped in her eyes, anger boiling onto the verge of explosion.
Her opponent lunged. His sword grazed off her ribs, but she paid no attention to that. She locked her arm around his wrist and landed a kick on his nether regions. As he doubled up in agony, Louisa kicked off his injured shoulder and twisted to the right, his wrist still in her possession. There was a crunch and a crack of bone and he screamed. Louisa kicked him away and threw two knives. She didn't look to see where they had landed, but the dull thuds and the angry outbursts of the opposing team told her all she needed to know.
She threw another knife. It landed square in Sean's attacker's eye- an instant death.
At home, they were torn between horror and fascination. Louisa had a temper, they all knew that. But her team had been under her protection and on had been hurt. No way was Louisa going to let that go.
The other two team members had the sense to run. Louisa freed her bow and made to notch and arrow when Clarisse stopped her.
"Sean needs your help." Louisa looked at Sean. He was fighting to stay conscious, blood pooling beneath his head. She replaced her arrow in the quiver and handed Clarisse her bow.
"Stay with us, bud." Louisa said, dropping to her knees.
There was a sound of a bell tinkling and they all looked round. A silver parachute floated to the ground, weighed down by a silver and black tin. Louisa gestured for Jason to retrieve it. He hurried to obey, opening the tin and handing over a dressing pad and a rolled up bandage still in its plastic sleeve. "Get Leo, Jack 'n' the supplies." Louisa ordered. Clarisse and Jason rushed off. "Piper, talk ta him."
Piper knelt opposite Louisa and talked to Sean, holding his hand. Louisa had to move Sean carefully, making him grimace. She apologized through gritted teeth and his expression relaxed slightly. Louisa managed to patch Sean up as the others returned.
Jack and Leo stared at the dead bodies in amazement, but they hurried forward when they saw Sean's semi-conscious form.