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Day Ten: Sacrifices

Lara Lynn Case's POV- D5

It's the final 19. I'm alive, and it's the final 19. I think I might go crazy. Although, according to some, I already am.

I'm living off of these funny little bugs that live under leaves and am drinking the water from a stream I deemed safe. Yesterday I caught a bug that changed colors! It went from blue to green to yellow to red to white. And then I ate it. One of them grew really, really big and chased me. I screamed really, really loud. I still wonder if anyone heard me. I doubt it. If they had, they would have come. Unless they're afraid of me. After all, I can be pretty viscious when in defense. Like when I got stalked by Mr. Viol.

Doon Wainright's POV- D8

I saw the Careers. I knew they were away from camp. So when I got my syringe, I took advantage of my opportunity and ran. When I got to their camp, I saw a depressed Jesse Tame guarding. I snuck around him and injected as much food as I could with what was left of the syrup. Then I ran as far away as possible, hid, and waited. They came back, ate, and fell asleep. All but Axel. He remained alert all night. So, in the morning, when he finally sleeps, and the others leave him, saying he can fend for himself with the armor, I swoop in. Grabbing a sword from a pile of weapons, I stand over him eagerly. But I can see killing him will be more difficult than I had anticipated. I can't see a chink in the armor.

I decide to move up to his head. No protection. Without thinking I swing the sword and stick it in his skull. The cannon sounds. "Good night," I whisper, then run off into the Desert Section.

Lani Tuckerson's POV- D5

My mind wanders back to the day of the reaping as I suck on the rind of a cantelope slice. The goodbyes play themselves in my mind.

"Lani, listen to me, you can't die! You have to come home! Lani! Please!" My mother grips my shoulders, tears streaming down her face.

"I'll try, mommy." I reply, choking back my tears. She leaves, along with my father and three older brothhers. Only my older sister, Briella, remains.

"You can do this, Lani. I know you can. I believe in you. Kick some butt, kid." She kisses my forehead. I giggle.

"No promises," I croak and clear my throat. She looks at me. Her eyes have an intense look that I've never seen before. It makes me feel as if I must do anything to get back to her. I have to return to Briella. "How?" I ask, suddenly willing to do anything.

"The Games are all about sacrifices, Lani. Risks and sacrifices. You take risks and make allies, and sacrifice your trust when you get far enough into the Games. In order to win you must leave them. You must sacrifice. Even if it means taking the risk of making enemies out of your former allies. See? No matter what you do, you always have to make sacrifices and take risks." I nod, trying to comprehend.

Now we're down to the final 19. Well, 18, now, since there was a cannon this morning. Now is when Briella would want me to break off the alliance. Now is when she would want me to risk it and sacrifice the trust I have built with Amaryllis and Genevive. Amaryllis had morning sickness and threw up earlier, and now she rests in a tree. Genevive is about ten yards away gathering fruit, but still out of sight. Now would be my chance to leave. But I can't bring myself to do it.

I stare at Amaryllis's face. Then her stomach. I want to go home. To live. To win. But she has two little girls in there that deserve to grow up. I decide the odds of it coming down to just the two of us are pretty slim, so I walk away. It's the best thing to do.

I walk through the jungle, feeling Briella's smile warming me all the way out here. Soon I hear the heavy tread of the Career pack and hide in a tree. Leaning over a branch, I catch snippets of their conversation.

"- disgusts me. Such a loser. The sooner she's out of the way, the better. Come on. I know she's somewhere around here."

"What's worse is she's using the pregnancy as an excuse. A sob story to get her sponsors. It's no one's fault but her own that she got knocked up before she was 19." There's no doubt in my mind: they're planning to kill Amaryllis. I don't think before I jump down from the tree in front of them.

"What the -" Jesse begins but I cut him off.

"Don't. You- you can't- you can't kill her." I stammer.

He scoffs. "Why not, twirp?"

"Because... beacause..." I don't know what to say. How can I save her? The words come out of my mouth before I can stop them. "Because she's already dead. Died this morning. That was the cannon." They believe me. I'm relieved. Soon they'll figure out my lie, but hopefully it will buy her some time.

"Okay. But we need a kill today... and, since you're here..." I barely have time to turn and run before he grabs me from behind and holds me in a headlock. I scream, kick, and scratch, but nothing frees me. I know it's over. I know I've let Briella down. As he brings the knife to my throat, a tear rolls down my eye. I stare straight ahead and whisper, "I'm sorry Briella."

Beau Atkinson's POV- D3

BOOM! The cannon sounds. I wonder who it was. Well, one less person for me to worry about. I can't help but think if it was Genevive, the only other tribute from Three. The thought makes it hard to breath and I focus on the silver parachute that floats down in front of me. A poison dart gun. Yes! I actually might have a chance now in the final 17.

Genevive Hawkins' POV- D3

Lani is gone. And I heard a cannon. I was certain it was her when I heard it, came rushing back, and found her gone, and now my suspicions are confirmed. Axel is gone, too. Her face lights up the sky, her smile beaming in her last goodbye, and I can't help but cry. "Goodbye, Lani." I whisper. Then the gift appears. A gallon of water. I give Amaryllis a few sips and take a couple myself, then take to first watch of the night.

I know this one was shorter and I'm sorry! I plan to have 6 more days of the Games and then the Victory tour! Again please vote and submit tributes for next year when Sisco and this year's victor (who has yet to be detirmined) will appear again! And, as a reminder, later in the Games, we will have some special guest stars make an appearance in the arena! But you have to read to find out who they are!

Points:

I'mALittleCinna:
Beau Atkinson- 455

neb88:
Doon Wainright- 55

zorack1995:
Magnum Harron- 70

CharmyXcream14:
Shimmer Star- 95

Turq8:
Nan Weatherall- 155

Headmund:
Blane Audy- 175

Skywriter5:
Alicia Evans- 140

kitresskat:
Kaeit Grey- 145

Pynnelopi:
Lara Lynn Case- 140

Nightfall12:
Jess Malice- 155

Rachina:
Amaryllis Field- 70

TwiggySpazz:
Jesse Tame- 140

Becky Barnes:
Avery Davis- 140

primrose98:
Genevive Hawkins- 165

ButterflyBliss8:
BeBe Collins- 140

KiwiRawr:
Ollie Prevo- 170

LawAndOrderSVUAlways:
Pearce Shaw- 145