Nolan Hinkley, D10
"Gimme the spear, quick," Nolan shouted to Valeria, who had just gotten back from a failed hunt. He quickly took the weapon and plunged it into the water, not giving the unsuspecting fish much time to escape. They'd have dinner tonight. Nolan ignored the growling in his stomach, and Valeria's warning against building a fire. He left the fish on the spear and held it over the small flame, twisting it in his hands to cook it thoroughly.
"You're such an idiot," smiled Valeria as she ate her half of the fish. Nolan knew she was joking, of course, just teasing him for succeeding despite her warnings. They were a week into the games, and they were the only ones left from Ten. Every other person in the arena was their enemy, so they had to be careful.
Haelle Windsor, D12
Haelle led the way through their cave. It wasn't in the mountains, but rather near the beach. No one would go near those mountains after the explosion. She pushed a stained backpack out of the way as she crawled further into the cavern, seeing how deep it went before Haden and Evie followed. A tribute had died here, and that should have been a warning for Haelle, but she was stubborn. Twelve survived better in caves, and this would have to suffice now that the mountains were no longer an option.
About twenty feet in, the warm vanished, and Haelle reached the end of the tunnel. An eight-foot patch of dampened sand waited for her at the end. It would work. She called for Haden and Evie, and she watched, as best she could in the darkness, as he helped her inside. No one would be able to see them from outside the mouth of the cave, and Haelle was willing to bet they wouldn't risk coming inside.
"It's so dark," said Evie, now being carried by Haden. Haelle felt horrible about the thoughts running through her head. Which one of them should she try to save? Haden would be the better choice as an ally. He was strong, or at least stronger than Haelle was. But Evie was so small, and undeserving of this torture. It killed Haelle to think of her dying.
"I know it's dark, but dark will keep us safe," said Haden. Haelle was glad that he could comfort the little girl. He offered to take first watch so she and Evie could get some sleep, and Haelle was in no place to argue. She was exhausted, and the cool sand was so comforting that she fell asleep within minutes, Evie curled under her arm.
Bren Wrane, D9
"Nothing. I haven't found anything," He said as he stalked his way back to their little camp along the river. He'd been looking for fish, or any wild game all morning. Both Bren and Galvin were starving, their food supply having run out a day ago, when Amber had still been alive. He mourned for the little girl, but at the same time, he and Galvin wouldn't have to decide which two of them would have bee able to live. Her death erased any tension Bren had had towards his ally.
Galvin suggested moving upstream, closer to the Cornucopia. Bren wasn't too thrilled by the idea. He'd rather stay close to the shelter they'd found earlier today, in case a tribute wandered along, or the gamemakers decided to do something.
Bren was answered with a parachute. It landed close to the river's edge, and he quickly grabbed the canister and ripped it open.
"What's inside?" asked Galvin. Bren happily pulled out two packages of dried beef, two apples, and two large loaves of bread. It was still warm, and Bren wondered if warm bread cost more than old bread. He didn't care though. He bit into the apple, wanting to keep the food as long as possible. He watched Galvin eat a good portion of bread, and when they both finished their small bit of food, they climbed back into the thick willow tree they'd found.
Bren had the idea to leave the parachute on the ground, with his loaf inside.
"Are you crazy?" asked Galvin.
"If a tribute comes along, they'll see the parachute, and either they'll just keep moving, or they'll stop to check what's inside. That's when I'll attack."
"That's not a bad idea." Galvin pulled out his short sword and Bren readied his spear, and they waited in the tree for the unlucky victim that came in the form of a tribute girl from Seven. She was alone, and burned pretty bad. Bren figured she'd been too close to the volcano when it had erupted. She stopped as she noticed the parachute, and Bren tensed to throw his weapon.
She was dead within a minute, and the cannon went off. The girl was about to pull the bread from the canister when Bren had let the spear fly, landing it right in the middle of her back. He didn't watch as she died. He took no pleasure in this. He was about to pull his spear from the girl's body when he heard Galvin yell for him to watch out. He felt a stabbing pain in his neck, and everything went dark.
Peter Cooper, D2
"Go, get him, Helena!" He shouted to his ally. She ran off, chasing the remaining tribute from Nine that had been in the tree. She was fast. Peter was confident that she could catch him. He pulled his spear from the boy's neck, and removed the bread from beneath him before it could soak in any blood.
Peter raced in the direction Helena had gone, hoping to catch up with her and the boy from Nine. She came into view just as the cannon blasted, and Peter saw blood drip from her sword.
"The boy could run," she said, out of breath and smiling.
"Not quick enough. That's three more down, thirty-one to go."
The Fallen
Galvin Colt, District Nine. Killed by Helena.
Bren Wrane, District Nine. Killed by Peter.
Mariposa Dulark, District Seven. Killed by Bren.
Sorry about the short chapter, but I have a plan for the next one and I'm starting on it right now. I might even be able to get it posted tomorrow if I can write fast enough.
Anyway. What did you think of this chapter. So short, yet three tribute deaths. Were they unexpected, or did you guys see them coming. I've mentioned before, that I have already decided upon the winner(s). If anyone wants to take a guess at who it'll be, PM me. I'll tell you if it's right or wrong, but I'll only answer once.
I'll probably introduce Wayland's big plan for the tributes when it gets close to the top twenty.