The Fourth Day
Oceane Cascade (17) D4F
Cecelia had fallen to the snake mutt. Bennett was gone. The Careers were dying slowly and I couldn't decide whether to be happy or upset. At least I was a step closer to home. A step closer to fulfilling my promise to Isla. I had to keep in mind that she was waiting back for me. I could let nothing get in my way now, not at all.
The acid rain from last night had burned my left hand pretty badly. For some reason I had taken off the glove and it had to rain acid at that instant itself. Not before that, not after I had put on the glove, but right then. It was gross, to say the least. At least I got some sponsor medicine for that, but it was taking quite a long time to work. The burn still felt fresh and it hurt so much, but I wasn't going to admit it. The Capitol didn't want to see weak tributes anyway.
I used the trident to push myself on my feet. Water…
My parched throat ached with its so long dryness. When was the last time I had had water to drink? I couldn't remember, but I could feel how dizzy and weak I was. I hated being weak but due to this dehydration weak was all I was.
I had been searching for water since yesterday. Just a little bit, not too much either. Even if it was dirty I would drink it, my condition was that bad. Water. Water. Water. Wate-
Maybe the Gamemakers had heard me. Maybe it had always been there, but just as my legs were about to give up, my tired eyes spotted the small pond of water. It was too small to be called a pond but water was water, and like a hungry lion on seeing its prey, I jumped at the pond.
It was not only humiliating, but also frustrating beyond belief when I hit the mud. I looked up with a groan, only to find that there was no pond there at all, instead I was sitting right in the middle of a clearing, as dry as the rest of the place. At this my patience ended, and I felt the tears leak from my eyes. This wasn't fair. A mirage… I needed water to survive! I couldn't die of thirst, out of all the potential reasons! That would be so disgraceful for the District, for me!
And I couldn't even get up now! I took off my helmet and my jacket, not caring about anything. I just couldn't bear all the weight of these clothes, nor the horrible heat of the arena. About that, it was actually pretty cool once I had taken off all the radiation-proof clothes. The light wind brushed my sweaty skin, giving the cooling effect that I so needed now.
"Water…" I whispered, as things started to get a little blurry. I hoped I wouldn't pass out. Anyone, or anything would be able to kill me. Dying in such a helpless manner wasn't acceptable to me.
But what was I supposed to do? In my entire life, I had never felt so helpless. I couldn't even get up! not even stand on my own feet! I felt so useless at the time, and so very dizzy. Water… just, somehow. Anyhow!
"What the hell?!" I cried out in frustration, crying just a bit as I struggled at the spot. And then, then the sound I had been waiting for came, and I was honestly so glad that I almost jumped up, except that I couldn't jump up.
Chime!
As the small water bottle landed beside me, I felt a darkness cloud my vision. Everything appeared to have a blurry appearance and as I grabbed the water bottle, darkness finally engulfed me, before I could even quench my thirst.
Persephone "Perry" Aster (16) D12F
Bridge was dead. Bridge was dead.
I had been repeating that in my mind over and over again ever since I saw his face up in the sky. Of course, he could have had used the Deserter's Bell. Something in my mind told me that he deserved what he got, he was a nasty little thing anyway, but my heart hated me for thinking that way and my mind hated my heart for feeling horrible for the boy.
If he was dead… I had been bad to him. Very bad. but then, he had committed a very big crime. He had killed his own father, the man who raised him! But still… I missed Bridge. Maybe it was weird of me to think that way, but I sincerely wished the boy had been with me right then.
The pond, near which I was resting, was a blessing in this place. I had honestly thought I would die of thirst, and imagine how embarrassing that would be. If Bridge were here he could have a drink too…
Stop thinking about him.
I couldn't. I just couldn't. The spear next to me seemed useless now. What was I to do with it anyway? Nothing had come my way ever since Bridge left. No tribute, no mutt, nothing. At this point I honestly wanted to hear a human voice more than anything. I wondered how tributes didn't go mad due to loneliness alone.
A creak. It was definitely a creaking sound, and I was up on my feet in a second, spear in hand. Maybe, maybe I would get to see something, another life form. Not counting the plants of course.
"I don't want to fight," Mateo said, coming into view, holding his hatchet as tightly as he could, his hands visibly red.
"I can see that," I replied sarcastically.
"I mean it."
"Well then," I said, holding the spear tightly, "What do you want?"
"Water," he said in an almost pleading voice, "Please. I need water. It's been a very long time since I drank water and I honestly feel so exhausted right now. As if I will collapse. Please."
I nodded at him and gestured at the pond, and the boy stepped forward hesitantly, trembling just a little as he walked. I wasn't going to tell him to relax, not when I could kill him right then. Why not do it?
No… I shook my head slightly. What will be the difference between the Careers and me then? I wasn't going to stoop to their level. Never.
"Thanks," Mateo said with a smile. I nodded and that was when I knew something was wrong. That I had made a mistake to let him have a drink.
He simply charged at me with his hatchet.
With an angry bellow, I thrust my spear in his direction but maybe he had anticipated it, and he rolled out of the way. He was stooping slightly and kicked at my shins but I jumped and he missed. He pushed his hatchet towards me, aiming for the stomach, but I jumped back, tripped, and fell on my back.
As Mateo brought down his hatchet I rolled out of the way, and the hatchet got buried in the mud. As he tried to yank it out, I struck at his neck with my spear, but he dodged again. He crouched and then head-butted me in the stomach all of a sudden. I hadn't expected it and was taken by surprise to find myself on the ground again. As I reached out for my spear, Mateo pulled out his hatchet and dug it into my stomach. He had tears in his eyes but he didn't stop.
"How…?" I whispered over the pain.
"I'm sorry Persephone," he replied, "But I want to return home."
With that he pulled out the hatchet, making me scream and cry in agony. It was so painful! I could literally feel my life slip away from me, as the blood flowed incessantly. I saw Caspian's face swim in front of my eyes and soon my tears were flowing as fast as my blood. I was leaving him.
"Caspian…"
And with that I closed my eyes forever.
Amaranthine "Amaranth" Carteret (16) D2M
Staying with Galilee was almost dangerous.
She did nothing other than to sit under the cornucopia and stare at the garden around her, muttering under her breath 'why did I do it?' continuously. It was almost as if she was going mad slowly and I didn't like it. I was worried about her, and although that was truly the most unwise thing to do in a place and time like this, there was nothing I could do about it.
"May I ask what is bothering you, good friend? You don't look well," I said finally.
"Huh?" she looked up as if just realising I was there too.
"Are you, are you feeling alright?" I asked cautiously.
"Yeah," she replied and I knew it was a lie. Was it just Bennett's death that had made her so sad? Was it something else?
Not knowing what to do, I sat down beside her and gingerly put my arm around her. She flinched at the touch but did not push me away so I took that as a good sign.
"What's the matter, Gal? Is it Ben?"
"No," she replied almost too quickly, "Everything's okay."
"You can tell me."
She remained silent for a sometime. A long time, actually, and I felt that I should drop the subject. Considering the way she had been muttering, almost like a deranged person, it would be wise to keep my distance. However, just as I was about to get up, she spoke.
"I shouldn't have had volunteered."
It was said softly that I thought I was imagining it. but one glance at her, and I knew it was no imagination. She truly felt that way. Was it all the bloodshed? I didn't like it either, but our honour was at stake. It was a small thing to do for one's district.
I remained quiet and let her continue.
"I was chosen as the volunteer from One," she said, in that hauntingly low voice, "My mum was so happy. But I didn't want to. I always thought I would die. Killing disgusted me. but once I was in the Capitol…"
She stopped and took a deep breath, trying to keep her voice from shaking.
"I realised that I had no choice. I had to fight since I was here, for real. Little did I know… Know that it would be so hard."
She stopped again and then just stared ahead.
"I don't expect you to understand but, but this is wrong. I shouldn't have, no matter what anyone wanted, I shouldn't have done this. There ae so many lives I have taken. Ben's death just reminded me how bad it all is. And what a big mistake I have made."
"You can't give up," I said softly, "Killing is hard, I know. Death is even frightening. But there are things that have to be done."
"You don't understand!" she said loudly. Then with a sigh she resumed in her low tone, "You don't understand. These children don't deserve it. did you not notice how pathetic everyone's condition is here? I knew Bennett came here because he wanted his voice back. But he shouldn't have had to do this anyway, if we mattered to people in the Capitol then he would have been treated anyway."
I nodded. What she was saying did make sense. Killing really was unnecessary. So many people dead…
"I will never be able to forgive myself even if I get out," she said, "All the people I have killed, they will always be on my mind. I'll never be able to be happy and I will always curse myself for the day I had volunteered. Always."
I was about to say something comforting, when the sound of the cannon spread out in the arena. It was too loud as always and I cringed. I saw Galilee lower her head and I suspected her of crying, judging by the soft jerking motion of her shoulders.
I pulled her into an embrace. To my surprise she returned it, and I heard soft sobbing.
"There, there," I said softly, patting her back, "Be brave Gal. We're in the final eight. You can't give up now. Be strong."
"For me to get out," she said, "You will have to die. Why are you comforting me?"
"Because I want an honourable match for my victory. And I want my friends to remain strong despite the adverse situation."
She pulled back and then stared at me for a few seconds. Then she stuck out her hand.
"Final two?"
I looked at her hand for a second and then grasped it firmly.
"Final two."
So I said that this will be a filler but… yeah. Had to do it even if I didn't want to. And 301 reviews! YES! Thank you so much all of you! You all really are the best people around! XD
Eulogies:
9th: Persephone Aster- Perry, Perry, Perry. You were amazing. I simply loved you. She was bold and disrespectful and swore but I liked her nonetheless, especially her relation with Bridge. It was an absolute delight to write for her, but it just felt that her time had come. Rest in peace Perry. You will be missed.
Death List:
Fynn King- killed by Bridge Carter
Rowan Clear- killed by Oceane Cascade
Burgundy Lumineer- killed by Oceane Cascade
Aspen Rust- killed by Galilee Schwartz
Oren Harper- killed by Cecelia Vertigo and arena radiations
Aileen Romeri- killed by Bennett DeVallier
Tab Hamasaki- killed by Olympia Rush
Cassidy Kelly- killed by Victory Fervaix
Victory Fervaix- killed by Galilee Schwartz and Asher Ravenstone
Asher Ravenstone- killed by Galilee Schwartz, Amaranthine Carteret and Bridge Carter
Quinoa Callus- killed by Mateo Dorsani
Cecelia Vertigo- killed by snake mutt
Arrington/ Ivy Hart- killed by Sevarian Vaask and rose mutt
Bennett DeVallier- killed by Sevarian Vaask and rose mutt
Bridge Carter- alive, used the Deserter's Bell
Persephone Aster- killed by Mateo Dorsani
Also, if you all have time, I will really love it if you submit to my new story Dawn of Light. The prologue is up and the form is on my profile. Thank you.
So do let me know your thoughts on the chapter. Is there anyone that you did not expect would make the top eight? Also, please vote in the poll.
Have a great day!