A/N: I can't thank you enough for all the feedback I'm getting. I've never published such a successful story in this short amount of time, and I appreciate all of your support. When school starts back, I won't have nearly as much time to write because I'll be taking high school AND college classes, but I promise that I WILL finish this story. xD
Chapter 7: The Arena
"Any last words of advice?" Kade asks. I shake my head. I've told him everything I can think of. "Thank you, Katniss," he says. "Goodbye." As I hug him, I realize this may be the last time I will ever see him face to face.
"Good luck," I whisper as the first tears start to fall out. I wasn't this emotional at my own Games. "I'll keep you safe."
"I know you will," he says. Maybe that's what scares me. That he believes in me, he's counting on me to keep him alive when we both know how slim the odds of survival are.
Next, I say my goodbyes to Lenora. It's even more depressing because I know that I'll never see both of them standing here together again. Peeta is still tightly embracing her when I wish her luck. I suddenly feel sorry for Peeta. Being the youngest of three boys, Lenora is the closest thing he has ever had to a little sister, and the Capitol is taking her away. I know exactly how he feels. He would go back in the arena to protect her if he could, just as I volunteered for Prim. Effie tells us it's time to part ways and that the tributes need to go downstairs to be delivered to the arena. As the elevator door shuts, I lose whatever it was keeping me together.
"They won't come back together, Peeta," I sob. He patiently puts his arms around me, saying nothing as I cry. "What if they don't come back at all?" I ask weakly. That's what is really on my mind. What if Peeta and I can't keep either of them alive? Will I be able to go home and face the people of District Twelve again? I would give anything to be in the woods now, with nothing to concentrate on but filling my game bag. I didn't expect for Peeta to say anything in return, so it shakes me when I feel his warm breath on my ear.
"Katniss," Peeta says shakily. "We lived. Whoever dies today or tomorrow or ten years from now matters, but don't feel guilty for surviving."
"That's just it, Peeta," I argue. "What is the point of living when everyone you love is dying—?" Not everyone I love is gone. I still have Prim. And Gale. Grudgingly, I still love my mother. Here in the Capitol? The only person I have who truly cares about me, that loves me, is Peeta. He's cared for me long before I noticed him, selfless without question. He gives me a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder before we step into the elevator.
I'm too dazed to do anything but press the button for the first floor. Somewhere on the way down, Peeta runs his hand across my cheek to wipe the tears from my eyes and brushes a strand of loose hair away from my face. You could live a thousand lifetimes and not deserve him, I hear Haymitch's voice echo in my mind. You could do a lot worse. I don't know if I could do any better. I stare into those steady blue eyes. In this moment, I don't know how I've put off admitting that for so long. I stand up straighter and peck him on the lips. "Thank you," I whisper. I know the next few weeks will be rough, but the only way we'll get through it is together.
He opens his mouth as if to say something when the elevator doors open. We step outside the Remake Center for the first time in days, and find the District Twelve car that will take us to the Gamemaker Headquarters. We ride in a nervous silence running high on tense emotions.
When we arrive at headquarters, reporters swarm our vehicle asking questions. As I assumed, they want to know what happened to Peeta's nose. Right. Like it was scandalous that a victor of the Hunger Games still bruises. One of their news channels suggested last night that I hit him and that's why we won't talk about it. I'm too irritated to be answering questions like this and I push my way through the crowd, making room for Peeta as well.
My first thought of headquarters is that it is extremely misleading. There are small fountains of water surrounding the room with a cello in the corner. I imagine when someone plays it, this room is the most serene in the Capitol. It's quite peaceful for a place where children's creative deaths are plotted.
The next room is where we will watch the Games from. Like our office for the next two weeks. It has several television screens with a small number twelve on the corners, records of the tribute's odds, and sponsorship forms. I jump in my seat as the screens flash on to show Claudius Templesmith and Caesar Flickerman.
"Welcome to the Third Quarter Quell!" Claudius pips. "We will be hosting and giving you extensive information to what is happening here in the Capitol!"
"That's right, Claudius!" Caesar exclaims. "There's no place better to get caught up on Hunger Games news than here!" As if we have a choice. It is mandatory for everyone to watch. Suddenly, all of the other screens flicker on too. "Welcome, everyone!"
"May the 75th Annual Hunger Games...begin!" Claudius shouts. The sixty seconds gives me time to survey the arena. It is modeled after a town from before the Dark Days. The Cornucopia is placed in the center of the square, and surrounding it are four concrete roads leading north, east, west, and south. There is a chapel toward the east, a courthouse in the west, an ice-cream shop in the south, and a ragged sign reading Fire Dept. off the north.
Forty-two, forty-one. It's a dreadfully small arena, and I hope Kade understands this means he needs to go inside one of the buildings for shelter. It's a replica of an old city, so that means no natural food or water. I make a mental note to spend the first of the sponsor money on his supper tonight and a canteen of water to sustain him.
To his right is the girl from District Three, Elektra, and to his left is Sage, the girl from Two. He'd better run fast. That girl isn't the only one out for his blood. Ten, nine. I inspect the supplies in the Cornucopia. They're mostly weapons. I can sense that the Gamemakers want to see the tributes starve to death this year.
Three, two, one. Kade steps off the stand and darts for the Cornucopia. He is one of the first to get there and grab a backpack and a blade. I sigh in relief. There will most likely be enough food in that pack to hold him for a day or so. I see him eye a Peacekeeper's assault rifle. This is the first time I have ever seen a firearm in the arena. I will him not to go for it. For one, it will take him longer to get out of the bloodbath. The weapon is useful and deadly, but it will sound off where he is every time he fires it.
Suddenly, a knife whirls past his ear and he jerks around to be pinned to the ground by Emerald. For just learning to throw this week, she is deadly accurate. Fortunately, he is physically stronger than her and is able to throw her off of him and make a run for a building.
I look at Peeta's screen to learn that Lenora isn't faring as well. She's fighting vehemently, but her strength is fading against Micah, the boy from Four. Even I am shocked when a curved sword runs through him from behind. A hand is extended, and I realize that Kade has just saved her life.
"We're allies, right?" Kade asks. Lenora nods and accepts his offer as he drags her to her feet. "We need to find Eleven."
"Over there," she says urgently. pointing to Magnolia. She's earned herself a wooden bow and a quiver of arrows, and she seems to be a good shot. The first arrow hurdles through the boy from District Nine, and I hear a canon. Kade was right about wanting her for an ally.
Magnolia is tall and willowy with dark skin like the rest of District Eleven. Her long, black hair is tied down her back, now held in place by her quiver. Kade approaches her as quickly as he can. She whirls around, arrow already lodged and ready to fire. His hands are raised and she slowly loosens her grip. They have made a silent agreement. Allies.
The Careers have raided the Cornucopia by now and are making headway in killing the remainder of people who haven't ran for cover. I hear two more canons. Magnolia holds a finger to her lips and rushes to a building in the south end, Kade and Lenora hurriedly following behind her.
"Basil?" she calls loudly, once they are inside.
"Mag?" he asks. "What are they doing here?"
"I brought some allies," Magnolia answers. "The Careers are still plucking the Cornucopia for survivors and we had to make our way out quickly."
"How did you know he would be here?" Lenora asks.
"I saw him duck in here before the fighting started," she responds. "Without even getting a weapon. Well, we probably need to start stockpiling our supplies. What have you guys got?" Magnolia gestures at Kade and Lenora.
Kade opens his backpack to inspect it's contents. A pocketknife, some crackers, a bottle of water, and a blanket. He's made out fairly well. Lenora has a pair of throwing knives attached to her hip. She's not as lethal as Emerald with them, but she put up quite a fight with Micah, so I'm hoping they will come in handy.
"Not bad," Magnolia murmurs.
"We need to be allies," Kade says plainly. "The four of us."
"And why's that?" Basil asks, his voice raising in suspicion.
"Because we're going to kill the Careers," he answers. Magnolia lifts her eyebrows in question. No one has ever formed an anti-Career pack. No one has ever had enough nerve to question it, but this year will be different. This year, the Careers will know what it is like to be hunted down.
A/N: Thank you for reading!