Just a quick update to show I haven't given up on this story.
D10- 16- (Nick DiLaurnetis)
I see a large, glimmering figure close in the woods, shrouded by a thick clump of trees which I veer away from. I run toward the glimmer. I imagine whatever it is that I'm seeing is gold, but I'm really just guessing.
Still, I'm pretty sure the fight is on and that's a Cornucopia for the feast.
Trumpets blare over the arena and I grin in triumph at being the first to the feast. Maybe I can get away with a few things and let the others kill each other for what I didn't want. Hopefully a few Careers will be taken out, as no matter how big my ego might be or might get, I know I'm not a fighter like a Career is. I know it would be a stroke of pure, amazing luck if I won against a Career in a battle.
"Attention, attention!" the announcer calls over the arena. "Congratulations to the remaining tributes of these fine Hunger Games, and sorry to those of you outside of the barrier…" This sends a shiver down my spine. They haven't been killed yet? The torture they must be getting has to be truly terrible for the Capitol people to have not gotten bored with it overnight.
"To those of you who took our advice and are currently within the barrier," the announcement continues, "the feast will still resume tomorrow, which is Day Nine of these Games. Find the woods' Cornucopia, and the special things we've put inside will be revealed at dusk tomorrow. Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor."
I grin in pure delight even though I can't steal things that are already set out—I should've remembered that they never open the Cornucopia early—and pick a tree to climb up and wait.