Okay so I would have updated on Friday but I was really busy. And yesterday was my birthday so I was kind of busy too. But here is the next chapter. Only a few more until Kasi's plan! Anyways this chapter has everyone's POV in it. Another thing is that if people want I could skip until later in the games(to Kasi's plan) that way you could have action. Disclaimer today is done by Valernia Lame.
Valernia: HpHgPj doesn't own the hunger games. I Valernia Lame, am not lame but magnificent, ambitious, glor...
Me: Okay Val, they get the point.
Max Greene's POV
I've done it! I've killed two people. Terra, and Spruce. I wonder what Kat would think right now. Would she be proud or disappointed? The day before the reaping we had talked about the games. I still wonder what she meant.
We were sitting on the beach. In our favorite place near the dock. The dock was where all the boats come in. We use to sit near it and talk forever. Playing games about what boats we thought would come in. Used to. Now Kat is more shy, and hidden. Ever since she found out that she had an older brother. An older brother who had died in the games when he was 12. Her parents had only told her a year ago. He died in the 18th annual hunger games.
But this time we were sitting in our usual spot. Hand in hand. Talking and laughing with each other. Kind of like how it use to be. She put her head against my shoulder. And we just sat there for a while. We then started eating chocolate bars from her parents shop. After we picked up a project we had been working on. We were making necklaces out of net material and shells. Katarina had always wanted to sell jewelry that she made. But she never had the money to open a shop.
"Max, listen. This isn't hard to say. But I know that you are going to volunteer." She knew that? I didn't know she knew that.
"And I also know that no matter how much I try to talk you out of it, it won't work. So I am going to ask you something." I nod back at her for her to continue. But I can't help but wonder why she'd want to stop me. I am doing a great thing. I mean I am risking my life for glory, and honor.
"So Max, what I want to tell you is, stay true to yourself. Max don't forget who you really are and why you are doing this. I've seen the way people are when they come back from the games. Remember Tar?" I nod in reply.
"Well Tar was a lot like you. He was sure of himself. And then he came back from the games scarred. And he was different. More distant, and he had changed. A lot. I don't want you to be like him. And I don't want you to end up like Drake either." Drake had been in are class. He was kind of my friend. Last year he went into the games. He was a lot like me. He went into the games, killed a lot of people, and then died because he ate poisonous berries.
"So Max, what I'm saying is don't be like them. You have a choice. Make the right one. And I also want to make sure you stay the same. So that if you come back..." Wait if?
"...you will still be the same Max I love." As she finished that the chocolate bar I had been eating lost flavor. Could it be that what I do in the arena will change me enough to make Kat not love me anymore?
I hope she is proud of me. Because after losing my brother I don't think I can lose her too. That's when I notice that we have made it back to the cornucopia. The real one too.
SIlk Hegrey's POV
Okay I no I abandoned her. But she tried to kill me. And it wasn't by accident like she pretended. I no she meant to kill me, and if I had stayed around much longer she would have. Still 2 cannons have gone off. I hope none were hers.
I had been running for a while and stopped when the hill became unbearable. The thing is the hill hasn't stopped yet. So I don't know what's on the other side. But it better be worth it. I've been resting here for an hour now. I decide to look around my surroundings.
One to see how high up I am. Two to see if I can use them as camouflage or something. And finally because I am running out of water. The only thing is, when I look down it doesn't seem like I've made any progress. I decide to see if I can make any progress by trying again. I walk until dark. When the anthem plays. That's when I see that I'm in the exact same place as before. I walk down. It works perfectly. Odd.
The Panem Anthem plays and I have the perfect idea to get sponsors. I sing the anthem. I did once when I was younger. And I've been told I'm pretty good. So in order to gain sponsors I sing the anthem.
One great nation.
Outlawed with
12 outlying districts.
And one all mighty
one generous
Capitol.
And then the districts rebelled.
But now we know are place.
Oh Panem. Oh Panem.
One beautiful country.
And we were saved.
By the President.
And he showed hi faith
in us.
One day we will Unite to be
one great and peaceful nation.
Then when the faces appear I am shocked. First it shows Spruce, from 7. And then it shows Saph. I begin to cry. I am a terrible person. On top of the crying, and I think the singing a parachute floats down.
In the silver chute is a loaf of bread(from district 1 I smile at this), a bottle of water, and a thermos with rice and beans? I don't complain. Instead I happily eat the Capitol food instead of the arena food. I save half the bread and half the rice for tomorrow though. I then climb a tree. And fall asleep.
Black Cob's POV
When the anthem plays tonight I am surprised to see Spruce's face in the air. He was a good fighter, and I thought he'd make it a while. Please don't be Saph. I silently plead. The face comes up. I look. And it's her.
She was only 12. She was from my district too. I start to cry. Once again Willow takes first watch. I cry in my sleeping bag. So far I have caused to deaths. I killed the girl from 5. And then it's my fault Saph is dead. I should have stayed with her. I bet that the career guy from 1 killed her.
He was her ally. And I was her partner. She allied with a career. And I did nothing. I should have warned her against being with him. But I had believed he was okay. I wanted to help her. I felt bad for her. I mean she's only 12, and she has a whole life ahead of her too.
If only I had done something that night differently. We were sitting in the living area of our floor. It was just the two of us. And I did something.
"Black, I need your help." Saph says.
"Sure Saph. What do you need?" I reply.
"It's about the boy from one. Should I trust him. He is really stupid. But he loves me, and he is a good enough fighter." All I wanted at the time was for Saph to feel safe, so I said to her something I regret now.
"Saph, I think you should go with him. He is a good fighter and love will attract sponsors." I wish I had told her no. She would have listened, understood. But I said yes. And he killed her. It's my fault.
Willow Anner's POV
I took first watch again. Black seemed pretty shaken about his partner's death. I wasn't about Randor. But he was to career like. He didn't like me. He was just mean to me. I am only 13 and he was 18(I think) but he taught me like I was some pathetic thing. He even told me I'd die.
"Willow, you are pathetic. I bet you will be the second death of the games." That is what he told me. Well guess what. I am in the top 11, and you Randor. Not me but you. Were the second death. Well he's dead now so there's nothing I can do.
During my watch all I do is sit there and wait for something to happen. Nothing does though. All I do is think about home. I want to go home so bad. I think today is a Wednesday. Wednesday. At home I would have had gymnastics. I guess I should practice.
Sighing I get up. I do my regular warm up of stretches. Then I bend over and begin my flip. I practice doing a double and even triple back flip. By the end I feel exhausted. It must have been like 2 hours of practice. The next thing I do is look for berries.
Keeping Black in sight I find a bush of berries. I pick them. But don't eat them. Until morning I can't be sure if these are safe. Smiling because I have a surprise I awake Black. He grumbles something about a bad dream and let's me get into the bag.
I watch as Black paces back and forth with his sword in hand. He wouldn't use it. I know he blames himself for Saph's death. So I know he is in no shape to use it. But he does look more threatening. Soon I close my eyes and let dreams take over.
I dream about being back in district 8, and in a new house. A victor's house. I am with my best friend Poly Ester on the porch of my house. We are both playing a card game called spit. I am awful at it but Poly is great. I wish I could beat her though. That was the good dream.
I also dream about getting killed. I am found by the careers. And I am stabbed over and over again. Once they kill me they laugh and start mutating. Once mutated into huge grizzly bears with big sharp teeth. They start biting me. I yell for help but no one is there. Then the dream turns. And I am a grizzly mutt killing all the people I love. I keep screaming for help, but no one comes. Black then awakes me.
Coal Hartsell's POV
Kevin decides that I get first watch. Then Max get's second. And finally Phlox get's third. Leave it to him to decide all of this. So that he can sleep without being interrupted. Kasi asks him a question that I was wondering to.
"Kevin, may I ask why I don't get to be on watch?" She asks. I can tell that Kasi is smart, and skilled with a knife. And I'm pretty sure she's killed at least one person. But I don't know why she hasn't bragged about it. Maybe she's just not that type of person.
"Because you are weak Kasi. You haven't killed anyone. Everyone else has." All I can say is that was the wrong choice.
"Fine Kevin, maybe I am weak. You're right I haven't killed anyone..." Kevin gives a triumphant smile.
"...But that doesn't mean I won't hesitate to kill you." I can see where this is going. I also see Kasi discreetly getting her knife out.
"Ha...You kill me. You're funny. Now maybe I can see why you got a 9. What did you humor the game makers to death?" Kevin asks. I have to do something before a big fight happens, but what?
"Why yes Kevin, I did get a 9. Thank you for pointing it out. In fact I chose to get a 9. You know to represent my district. 9. You were bragging about a 10, so I am guessing you like the number 10 more than 2, right?" She asks Kevin. I can see Kevin's tiny brain trying to figure out what she means.
"Yeah I like 10 more than 2." I can see the smirk on Kasi's face now.
"Wow. Very interesting. You know I thought you might've picked 2. But that's just me." Kasi says. I am trying to fight back my laugh now.
"Why would I have picked a 2 over a ten?" Kevin asks dumbly. Then he continues with "2 is for weaklings. 10 is for strong people like me." Kevin says proudly.
"Well I am certainly surprised. I mean. You like 10 more than 2." I laugh now. Kasi has closed a trap.
"YES! OF COURSE I LIKE 10 MORE THAN 2!" Kevin yells.
"Okay, just making sure. It's weird. Right Coal?" She asks turning to me. All I do is nod my head. That's when I see Kasi thinking. Then her face lights up.
Kevin Firestone's POV
What is up with all these ridiculous questions from Kasi. If she is trying to prove that she is smart then it's not working.
"Wait a second, if a 10 is better than a 2, then so are 4's, 6's, 9's, and 12's right?" Duh. Kasi.
"Well, duh Kasi. A four not by much, a 6 yeah but average, a 9 is strong, and a 12 is the best and most powerful." I say back to her.
"Okay then, I'm just making sure. So if you really believe that then shouldn't you be ranked lowest? I mean after all you are just a weakling from 2. And Max is a bit better, but not by much. Then Phlox is average, which makes you below average. I myself am good, and Coal is apparently the best being from 12. Which unless I'm wrong, which I'm not would make him leader of the careers." I look around stunned. Everyone else is just nodding along.
Kasi's POV
That was awesome. I out smarted Kevin, and now Coal is the leader. I smile over at him and he gives me a thumbs up before speaking up.
"Right then, so um. Well here is the new watch schedule. Kevin, Phlox first watch. Max, Kasi second. And I'll do third with Kasi. Is that alright with everyone?" Coal asks.
"Coal it's fine with me." I say. He nods at me.
"Now tomorrow we are going to hunt down Leigha Marx and Austin Steampuff. They will most likely be together. And I'm pretty sure I saw them both go into the desert. Any questions?" Coal asks. I think he is a good leader, and he is also smart. Of course though Kevin has a question.
"Why not go random like we've been doing. A lot of tributes are dead." I want to laugh at this. When we've just randomly gone places we have killed Minnow, a career; and Spruce. So we haven't accomplished much.
"Good question. My father said that it's best not to walk into something blind. So that's why we have this plan. Now get to sleep or watch." That went rather well. I smile to myself. Part one of my plan: Get Coal as leader is now in progress.
Phlox Astridi's POV
I got to hear an awesome argument between Kevin and Kasi. It was really entertaining. And Kasi got Kevin to say that Coal should be leader and he is terrible. I bet the Capitol was in hysterics. Well I'm on first watch. Unfortunately with Kevin.
All we do is sit there in silent until Kevin starts ranting on and on.
"What does she think she has that I don't? Okay so she got a 9, I got a 10. She is smarter than me, but who needs intelligence. I am stronger, she is weak. I've killed she hasn't. So why does she think she is better than me. I am awesome she's a dork. I am from district 2, she's from district 9. I was a leader of the career pack, and she never will be..." I have to resist not to laugh at some of these things. Instead I just sit quietly on watch.
Nathaniel Kaskill's POV
I kind of feel bad about killing Saph. But she attacked me. And I was not about to die because I wouldn't fight a 12 year old. I lost my bag of nightlock but I guess a tribute might find it and eat it. So far I have actually been quite board in the arena. I love being able to do what I want but I just don't like how boring this feels.
Sure being able to do whatever you want when you want is fun, but the feeling just isn't right. The feeling is like telling me not to enjoy this. It's reminding me where I am. Back at home I would wish to be able to do what I wanted. Not be under the strict guidance of my grandfather. But now that I can do that it just doesn't feel right.
I am still practicing my karate. And those tedious meditation techniques. I am still doing those tiresome stretches, and saying those prayers. But why? I never liked any of it but the karate. Is it because I find it helpful to my concentration? Or is it because I find it comforting? A reminder of home? Or is it to make my grandfather proud?
I don't know. But I do know I can do this. I can keep up what my grandfather has taught me, and do a good job. Maybe I can even win this. But first I need some rules.
1. I will only kill in self defense.
2. I will not commit suicide.
3. I will not hesitate to do anything against the Capitol in order to make sure they don't forget me.
4. I will remember why I am here.
5. I will not forget my cousin, whom I have volunteered for.
6. I will not forget my sister Luna.
7. I will die honorably.
After I have my rules I lay down and fall asleep.
Austin Steampuff's POV
So Leigha has something to tell me. I hope it's good.
"So Austin, I need to tell you something." She says. I nod for her to continue.
"The truth is, I have food. Don't worry I haven't ate any. I just wanted to make sure you knew how to manage it before bringing it up. But now that I know you can manage it here." She had food. Hmm. I see her take out a few bags of food.
"I wanted to make sure you could manage it so that if you couldn't we would still have some. But since you can that's all my food. Please don't be mad." I'm not mad at her. She had a logical reason.
"I'm not mad at you. You didn't know if I could manage the food correctly so you hid it for are safety." She smiles in relief and hugs me. I am surprised but hug her back. I am surprised too. A month ago I would have done anything for this. But I can't help but wonder if she's only doing this because she doesn't trust anyone else.
Leigha Marx's POV
I am so, so, so, so happy that Austin is not mad. I do like him a little bit. And he has definitely shown how much he loves me. Since it's night we have started to move back towards the cornucopia but we aren't necessarily in a hurry. In just 2 days though 13 of us 24 are dead. It's kind of sad. But it means my survival is greater.
Survival. Only one of us can win. I don't want to think about it. I don't think I would be able to kill Austin if it came down to it. And I know he couldn't kill me, but still. What will happen to us? I know that they won't change the rules. I hope that I can win. I want to go home. But I also don't want Austin to die. Leigha, it's only day two. Stop worrying.
Okay that's the end of this chapter. I know that the last few POV's were short but I am tired and those people are featured more often. What do you think of Kasi and Kevin's showdown(I don't know what to call it.)
The Fallen
Rye Grain killed by suicide
Rory Lockheart killed by Coal Hartsell
Randor Pencyn killed by Kevin Firestone
Lee Bengerson killed by Volos Belles
Volos Belles killed by Dessen Locklear
Valernia Lame killed by Kasi Pimonae
Terra Mason killed by Max Greene and Minnow Reedsworthy
Phoenix Depark killed by Nathaniel Kaskill
Dessen Locklear killed by an eelshark, Capitol mutt
Phoenyx Moore killed by Black Cob
Minnow Reedsworthy killed by Kasi Pimonae
Spruce Dejack killed by Max Greene and the Eletopus Capitol mutt
Sapphire Flash killed by Nathaniel Kaskill
HpHgPj is hungry and off to eat something. Bye.
ps. This is the longest chapter yet. it is like 3,750 words.