The Bloodbath
I sprint towards the closest backpack in front of me. It's maybe thirty feet away and not very big. My mind is telling me to turn and run, to get away from the danger of the volcano but the adrenaline is now fueling me. I won't survive without any supplies but I don't need a weapon. I refuse to be lured into the cornucopias trap. I grab the backpack and double back without missing a beat. I dash toward the trees. It green for as far as I can see and looks like the safest place to me right now. I just run straight making no turns so I know my way back.
Most of the trees are too thin to hide up in but there are some that are thicker. The leaves flow down from the branches like drapes. I hear footsteps behind me. I have been running my fastest up until now but push myself to run faster. I turn back just for a second to see my pursuer. The boy is not far behind me and clearly running towards me with a weapon in hand. I see the blonde mohawk and realize it's the boy from Seven. As I get deeper into the green abyss the sky grows darker. When I turn around I can't see the boy from Seven anymore but I can still hear his footsteps and the occasional brushing of leaves. I assume he can't see me either and decide to climb a tree that looks perfect to hide in for the night. I toss the backpack on my back, until now I had been running with it clutched in my hands. I jump on the tree and wrap my arms around. Luckily, I have a jacket that protects my arms from most of the pain. The sneakers are not just comfortable to run in but also great for climbing. I feel like a cat as I easily climb up the tree in only a few swift movements.
I settle on a branch with a huge leaf to cover me. I can see the boy from Seven looking for a clue as to what direction I went in. It's too dark to see what weapon is in his hand though. I almost laugh when he kicks the ground in frustration. He thought I was an easy target without a weapon but the jokes on him now. I hear the sound of the trees moving. That's when I see a shadow approaching in the darkness. My first instinct is that it's some wild animal. The thought of wild animals didn't scare me until just now. The boy from Seven starts spinning in circles, trying to sense where the danger is coming from. It's so dark and the trees block most of the moonlight from reaching the grassy floors of the forest. I start to make out the shadow as it gets closer to the boy from Seven and it turns out to be the boy from Eight. I can just make out the braids traveling down from his head to his back. His right arm swings in one quick motion. I watch as the boy from Sevens head falls right off his shoulders. I hear the sound of the canons and I've already lost count at this point. I barely noticed the machete that he just used to decapitate his prey; I was too terrified when I realized the goggles he was wearing. I immediately get up and press my back against the tree. If he looks up, it's game over for me. I quietly hide, shielded by only a thin wall of leaves protecting me. I figure he was chasing the boy from Seven to catch up to me. He is probably looking for me this right very moment and he can see in this darkness with his goggles. I feel like my heart is one beat from exploding in my chest. I hear his footsteps start to move again. He is going even deeper in the forest. I finally relax and pray there is food in my back pack.
I hear the Capitol anthem begin playing. I look up and wonder whose face I will see in the sky tonight. I see the boys from Six, Seven, Nine, and Ten. I see the girls from Seven and Eleven. I'm glad Addis is still alive, and Oscar to be honest. When I open my backpack I find some dried fruit, some nuts, a canteen of warm water, and a slingshot. I always figured the slingshot was some type of sick joke, I mean who could actually defend themselves with this. I would rather have something more useful but try to stop thinking negative. It doesn't help though that I'm allergic to nuts.
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