Chapter 38: Feast at the Boat Docks
Next morning, I am roused by the voice of Claudius Templesmith, booming out over the island:
"Attention to our final 8 tributes: there will be a feast today at noon. It will be held at the prison boat docks. We plan to be…. generous hosts."
I frown and think back to the other day atop the cell house roof. When gathering my bearings, I had noted the boat docks in the distance.
But I had climbed down the drainpipe on the opposite end of the roof.
Then, the Gamemaker waves probably chased me what I judge to be about a quarter of a way around the island. That would leave me maybe another quarter of the island to cross before I reach the boat docks.
I have no idea how many miles my rough guesstimation will be; but it must be very conservative; from what I could gather, the island is not very big.
I leave my palm tree and step out of the forest patch, heading what I think is east, towards the docks.
As I go, I begin to formulate a plan: with the Final 8, there are the six Careers, myself, and one other tribute. I can't remember which gender, or from what district. I'll figure it out later.
The sun is almost to its highest position in the sky when I spot the dilapidated boat docks in the distance. This must have been the place where prisoners were let off after being ferried over. Tethered to the structure is the rusted shell of what must have been one of those ferries. Just ahead of me is a shed-like structure; perhaps that is where prisoners were first screened upon arrival. I duck behind this shed and wait.
At noon, a golden backpack appears on the docks out of seemingly nowhere. I gulp and eye the prize. What valuable supplies must lie inside!
Suddenly, I hear whooping, and look up to see the entire Career pack running down from the front entrance to the prison cell house. I shrink into the shadows behind my little shed. No, they haven't seen me. Just the golden backpack. The whole horde stops just in front of it. One girl - the girl from District 4, I'm pretty sure - holds up a hand and glances around. She must be the leader.
"Any sign of the District 7 girl? Or Baby Mama?" she asks at large.
I scowl, as it's clear by Baby Mama, she means me.
The other Careers shake their heads No. The District 4 girl sighs. "All right, then."
It happens so fast, I almost don't believe it. Whipping out two blades known as Dao (I recognize them from training), she reverse-thrusts them into the chests of the two smallest Careers behind her - her district partner and the girl from 2. Both keel over dead and two cannons boom.
In the commotion, the District 4 girl has rushed forward and grabbed the backpack, holding it aloft. Her allies, the District 1 tributes and the boy from 2, are now armed to the teeth.
"Looks like the alliance is over," the boy from 2 says.
He charges with his saber, but District 4 spins and lashes out, drawing blood across his stomach. He stumbles back in surprise before falling flat on his back. The District 1 boy now charges forward, but Four sidesteps so that he rushes past her. At the last second, she seizes him by his jumpsuit and then flings him into the hull of the rusted ferry. There is an ominous crack, and I just know he is dead.
BOOM. BOOM.
Four and the District 1 girl now circle each other, the latter holding what I identify as a Roman Gladius.
"Give me the backpack, Tess," District 1 orders.
"Not on your life! You want it? Come and get it."
District 1 is smarter than her male counterparts. She charges, but manages to jump back and avoid Tess's swipe with the Dao. As District 1 reaches for the backpack, however, Tess tosses it to the side and out of reach.
A moment of disbelief is all she needs. Tess spins about and slices the Dao across District 1's throat. The girl falls dead, followed by one last cannon.
While all of this has been going on, I have quickly formulated a plan. I silently ready my bow and arrow.
Silence reigns as Tess walks to the discarded golden backpack. She faces away from me. Without hesitation, I pull back the string and fire.
Tess barely starts to turn before my arrow's tip plunges through her stomach and out the other side.
The last Career falls to her knees. The backpack is feet in front of her. Cautiously, I emerge from behind the shed and approach.
But not cautiously enough. I have forgotten that a cannon has not fired. As I pass by the kneeling girl, she suddenly lashes out with her Dao.
I jump back, just in time to avoid a fatal blow, but not before one blade has sliced my thigh. Next second, I have loaded an arrow and shot Tess in the head at close range. She collapses.
BOOM.
I now limp towards the golden backpack and pick it up. Stupid! What a stupid thing for you to do! You should have waited until she died!, I scold myself. Remembering that the District 7 girl could appear at any moment, I toss the backpack over my shoulder, pick up Tess's Dao blades for safekeeping, and retreat back into the cell house.
Once inside, I find myself in a large thoroughfare, flanked on either side by cell blocks. Both have signs nailed to the second-floor catwalks; to my right is B-Block, to my left is C-Block.
I frown. The Cornucopia is not on the floorspace here, between these two blocks. Maybe there are other cell blocks spread further out within the cell house. I'll find it soon enough.
But first, I have to take care of this thigh. I lean against the wall and examine the wound. It is somewhat deep, but not by too much. Good thing I won the golden backpack. I dump it on the floor and open its contents. Three water canteens, a packet of steak, a crossbow, a spool of thread, and the parts for a tent.
But no medicine.
I huff and instinctively cast my eyes upward. Please let there be a sponsor...
A minute later, I see a parachute float down from a gaping hole in the cell house ceiling. Strange. I didn't notice that when I accessed the roof the other day. I snatch the gift up. Yes! Inside is medicine, along with gauze, and also a note:
Put this salve on your wound. Then wrap the gauze around it; it will act like a tourniquet and staunch the bleeding. Nice going at the feast! You can do it! I love you. Our baby loves you. ~ Peeta
I smile as I think of my beloved, as well as my child. I wonder how they are doing, watching me fight for my life. Fight for them. I just hope I win so I can see them again.
All that stands between me and that happy future is one last kill….
A/N: Contrary to what you might think, I have never actually been to Alcatraz. Tours are super expensive and you have to book it like a year in advance! Aerial images of the island as well as floor plans of the Cell House helped me maintain accuracy.
Also, special thanks to those who have reviewed so far, particularly IgNighted and ZhiZhu. You guys are awesome! Thanks!