The Volcano

As we race toward the volcano, we tie our jackets around our waists. I still experience the pills lingering effect. I feel like I can take on all the careers barehanded, as if fear is a foreign concept to me. As we begin to sweat, Oscar suggests we take our shirts off too. Oscar's body is just as well toned as mine and he is a bit more muscular.

"How old are you Oscar?"

"Eighteen. You?"

"I just turned sixteen a month ago," I say, pulling out my last piece of meat.

"That sucks! If you're birthday had been a month later, it could've made…"

"… all the difference in your name being called at the reaping, I know. Tis my fate!" I say in a capitol accent. "But on a more serious note, shouldn't we raid the careers base while they are away? I mean the girl from Two…"

"Less talking, more running!" barks Oscar. "And try to keep up!"

I roll my eyes and pick up the pace as Oscar takes the lead.

We finally reach the volcano as the sun hovers in the west. I have a really long stick with a sharp point. My pockets are fully loaded with rocks, while my slingshot is tucked in my boxer briefs. Oscar has a huge log of a stick that he needs two hands just to swing. As we kneel at the edge of the forest, I can see a path leading straight up the volcano. Near the top there seems to be an entrance leading inside the volcano. I realize I'm parched when I swallow the dry air.

"I would kill for some water! I say.

"I promise I'll find us some water after we have Winnie."

"And what about Addis? How do you even know Winnie is up there?"

"The girl from Eight…" he whispers. "I saw her this morning soon after meeting Addis. She was so terrified, and she thought I was going to kill her."

He takes his glasses off and begins wiping them with his shirt.

"And for a moment, I was going to do it."

My eyes widen at his confession.

"She crept up behind me with a knife!"

Tears start to form in his eyes.

"I know she just wants to go home, and I know she's just a kid but when I had her pinned down all I could think was to end her life. End her suffering. That's when she told me about Winnie and the careers."

"I have to take a piss!" I say disgusted.

"By letting her go, all I did was send her off to die! I could've prevented her from dying in a brutal way at the hands of another tribute! I thought you would understand Thales."

I just stand there in silence, because he is partially right.

"She's my cousin! Winnie. We grew up together; she is more like a sister than anything. If I let her die in the arena, winning the Hunger Games would mean nothing. I would never be able to face my family back home. In fact, I don't have any intention of winning. If it will give Winnie a fighting chance, then I would gladly die."

"Wait, what are you saying?

"Don't worry, this isn't a suicide mission, but we have to hurry before the girl from One gets here."

I take what I think may be my final piss before racing for the volcano entrance, but Oscar stops me. He points up at the boy from One who is at the entrance standing next to the girl from Four. He is looking right down at us. Oscar pushes me to the ground and we both lay there motionless. The boy from One looks around, surveying the area before they turn to go back inside. That's when I see the huge sword on his back and know what we're up against.

"Ready?" ask Oscar picking up his log.

"Lets go!"