Disclaimer: oh Collins, I am not worthy! I definitely do not own the hunger games
It feels like an eternity inside the tube. The space is tight and constricting, and silent. I can see Cinna leaving the launch room, but I can't hear a thing. There's just white fuzz blocking my ears.
My heart beats like a drum, pounding against my chest at a quick pace. This is it.
The platform beneath me begins to move and I'm thrown off balance, clutching the sides of the tube. There's no going back now, I could die today.
My vision is blinded with yellow light as the platform enters the arena. The sun shines brightly overhead, glinting off the golden cornucopia.
I immediately find Peeta. He's about five or so platforms away, and Rue is few to my left. We've been separated. My gaze then falls on the silver bow. Delicate, shiny, and deadly. It's almost at the center of the cornucopia, too far to run really. But... It's my bow, it is meant for me, I need it.
I look to my right and see Peeta shaking his head, he knows what I'm thinking. We really should do as Haymitch said, run straight out into the forest, and meet up together at sundown. But what does Haymitch know?
When the gong goes, I'm completely lost. There are just flashes of silver, and green, and red. So much red...
I feel completely disconnected, as if I was watching at home like every year. Only the hammering of my heartbeat keeps me aware.
Suddenly there's a glint of silver flying towards me, a knife. My reflexes kick in and I jump out of the way frantically, dodging the blade. I can't possibly get the bow now.
About five feet away I see an orange backpack. If I roll over I'll just be able to reach it. So I try my luck, grasping the pack by one strap. As I stand up I'm knocked off my feet, suddenly in a wrestling match for the backpack, and life.
The boy has managed to wrap his hands around my throat, and I'm gasping for air. I feel pathetic.
But he suddenly falls limp, a knife embedded in his back. I stand back up, dodging flying knives as I run into the thick forest. I'm almost there, just a little bit further.
When I finally make it all I want to do is collapse, but I can't. I need water, and safety.
I continue my trek, desperately hoping that Peeta and Rue are okay.
Every corner I turn I wish for water to appear, since the bottle in my pack is empty. I know that dehydration can be an easy death in a place like this. The sun beats down through the foliage, making me all the more thirsty.
A cannon booms through the air, startling me slightly. I count them... One, two, three, four... On and on until they reach eleven. Eleven dead in all. Thirteen left to play. And I won't know who until tonight.
I'm overwhelmed by the thought that Peeta could be dead. Bled white, collected and in the process of being transported back to the Capitol to be cleaned up, redressed, and shipped in a wooden box to District 12. No longer here. Heading home.
My heart breaks at that thought, but I guess I won't know for sure until later. For now I can only hope that he is fine.
The sun begins to go down, and I still haven't found water. But it's probably best to make camp, since nighttime is prime hunting time for the careers.
I choose my tree carefully. A willow, not terribly tall but set in s clump of other willows, offering concealment in those long, flowing tresses. I climb up, sticking to the stronger branches close to the trunk, and find a sturdy fork for my bed.
I arrange my sleeping bag, looping my belt around the branch as a precaution. Now if I roll over in my sleep, I won't go crashing to the ground. I pull up my hood for warmth, it's already becoming chilly.
The anthem rings through the arena, pictures of the dead flashing in the sky.
The first to appear is the girl from District 3. That means that the Career tributes from 1 and 2 have all survived. No surprise there. Then the boy from 4. I didn't expect that one, usually all the Careers make it through the first day. The boy from District 5, meaning his fox-faced partner made it. Both tributes from 6 and 7. The boy from 8. Both from 9. Yes, there's the boy who I fight for the backpack. I've run through my fingers, only one more dead left. Is it Peeta? Or Rue? No, there's the girl from District 10. That's it. The Capitol seal is back with a final musical flourish. Then darkness and the sounds of the forest resume.
I'm so relieved that both Peeta and Rue are still alive. We've all managed to make it through the first day, and now I just hope I'm able to find them soon.
I can't help but wonder where they are, how they're doing. They probably both made it in to the forest pretty quickly, so they're probably safe.
I hope so at least.
I settle into my sleeping bag, trying not to think I much about them. I need whatever small amount of rest I can get, who knows when I'll be able to sleep next. I close my eyes, attempting to settle my nerves. I'd have I wait to see what tomorrow brings.
Sorry guys, no Peeta in this chapter. I have a question for you, do you want me to do Peeta's POV next chapter? I had originally planned to have it all be Katniss but I can switch around a bit if you want.
Also, I'm going to be writing a bunch of Everlark AU oneshots if is interested. I have a few written and one published. It's called 'Only in my dreams' and I'd be so happy if you guys would check it out. And if you have any suggestions I'd be glad to hear them. Thanks awesome people.
Please review, it makes my day. (but no pressure of course)