Monday: June 3rd, 2010 – 2:32 A.M. (Deserted Island: Great Plains)
Beck POV
Damn it! Were those gunshots? Jake…is he…Damn! How could I just leave him there to die! How can I just turn my back on him? Why is…everyone dying like this?
The grass crunches beneath my blood covered shoes as I continue to speed through the plains with nothing but regret filling my foggy mind. Nothing better than a splitting head ache while running for your life… Camille is right in front of me with Tori basically hanging from her side as she staggers to the nearest safety. Poor Tor', how many injuries does she have now? God, I can't even keep count.
The sky is littered with twinkling stars that give off a vibrant light…but who has time to stop and look? All I know is that Jake, Hayley and Andre are all dead thanks to fucking Felix! He killed three people that I shared seven years of my life with…just like that in cold-blood. Why? Why us? Why now? Why here? It all doesn't make sense! My head feels like it's going to explode from the mental pressure of this situation and I can't stop feeling guilty. But why should I feel guilty? Maybe because no else feels it…Felix didn't…I heard Lucy's playing for the winnings too. The hell are we going to do now that we only have two days left? Two days until these metal collars go Boom like a pipe bomb.
"Go!" I hear Katniss bark from behind me in a frantic voice. Of course I'm way ahead of her. I rush up to Camille in order to help her carry Tori. All they do is give me a smile of appreciation and trudge off after I've placed my trembling arm around Tori's slim waist carefully.
"How're you holding up Tor'?" I ask her as I huff out exasperated breaths. All this running is starting to kill me…
"Okay…Jake…is he…" Tori can't even finish her statement without tearing up as she thought about her smart-mouthed classmate who nearly saved her life only a day ago before the competition. Tori…it wasn't your fault. I know that it feels like it is, but just know that it truly isn't. I want to say that. But how can I…I feel like everything's my fault. I know deep inside that it's not but…God, why does everything keep falling apart?
Tori still keeps letting fresh blue tears fall from her tired eyes like drips from a faucet until I simply say, "Jake would've wanted us to get away. He wouldn't have wanted us dead Tori…He wants us to finish the job."
"How can…we do that," Tori questions with a soft voice as she sobs lightly; tears rolling down the sides of her moonlit face.
"We just never give up," I reply with a determined voice. I mean it! Never give up! These bastards aren't going to win I don't care how many guns or threats they make…I'll keep fighting till the very end. Tori must feel the same now that she has a hopeful smile on her tearstained face.
"Right. Never," Tori agrees with a motivated expression as we cointinue to trek through the shining grass field that seemed miles wide. How are we going to get out of here? Nowhere to go and nowhere to hide…damn! I glance around frantically as my heart begins to beat like the rhythm of an exotic drum. I see nothing but wide open plains in all directions except for the twenty-foot tall fire glazing the area behind us which still continues to the grass in a golden yellow light.
"Where do we go? Katniss?" Camille squeals in an upset from Tori's right side. I feel your craziness Camille.
Katniss hastily snaps her head back and forth while contemplating a decision, but she better hurry or we'll all end up like…I can't even say it. Suddenly, I see the silver-eyed huntress widen her eyes as if she got a perfect solution and I couldn't wait to hear it.
"There! To those trenches!" she stormed as her entire braid flailed behind her violently like a solid black whip. Yeah! There! I look over and see the steep depression in the grassy grounds. Perfect.
Just then I hear those pesky damn shots!
Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat
Will this bastard ever give up? Got to hurry! I feel the dirt fly onto my face as bullets pound into the earth beneath my feet; barely missing my flesh as I bolt to the trenches.
Katniss, as usual, spins around swiftly with an angered look on her dirt covered face as she fires a few rounds from her deadly shotgun. "Crap! Will this little priss ever give up!" I hear her scream in annoyance as she continues to fire the burning shotgun shells in Felix's direction.
Couldn't agree more Kat! We finally reach the inner-earth fortress and I help Tori climb in gingerly in order to prevent any more painful encounters before helping Camille's terrified form into the steep, narrow trench. The moon outlines Katniss' body as she plunged straight in; still firing shots. The rich boy was continuing his violent shooting spree with occasional rants slipping from his lips which only infuriated Katniss more.
"Come and get me Hillbilly!" he barked referring to her origin in the Midwest. Camille, Tori and I watch eagerly as her eyes turn a quick copper color due to the rage that was aching in her soul. "How much….Goddamn Ammo did they give this Bastard!?" Katniss hollers with a few veins popping from her neck as she throws her shotgun to the dusty ground like a useless trinket. She reaches for a beautifully crafted arrow that was longingly waiting in the quiver on her strong back; just waiting to be sent right into Felix's chest.
"Katniss!" I begin screaming but I feel her voice tear through me like a hungry tiger.
"Shut up Beck! Don't you dare give me another 'Give Him A Chance' speech or I will send this arrow through you instead!"
"No! I was gonna ask if you need some assistance," I smirk at her while holding up a gun I was able to receive from one of the bags…I think it was Hayley's…
"Hmph! Fine! Hurry up!" She boomed as she gripped her wooden bow with her bloody fingers. Camille gives me a friendly wink before pulling her backpack off and zipping it open within seconds. At first I'm confused, but then I understand. Ammo!
"Camille? You…have," Tori starts with a shocked tone in her voice but all she is met with is a simple nod from the acting prodigy known as Camille Roberts.
"You can thank me later," she laughs after tossing me the crucial parts to my weapon. Camille…we were beyond wrong about you. I quickly fill my Mauser HSc ( A semi-automatic pistol) and carefully poke the nozzle out into the open. My eyes are training on Felix so that I can get a perfect shot and…FIRE!
"That's it Beck!" I hear Katniss laugh in amazement as I pop off a few bullets. The only issue is that the force of the gunfire is making my hands shake madly and my arms feel like jell-o after every shot I fire.
"Rat-A-Fucking-Tat!" I hear Felix screech like a banshee from a far as he continues to blast his weapon at us.
"Shit!" I hiss in an upset after clicking the trigger, but nothing comes out. Empty. "Camille!"
"I got you covered!" she replies loudly while snatching away my-or…Hayley's gun and starts refilling it with led bullets. I hear them fill the deadly weapon before realizing that Camille has already placed it back in my numb hands ready to be fired.
"Fire!" Katniss roars as she carefully aims the arrow for Felix's form.
"Katniss!" Tori shrieks from behind with her eyebrow furrowed in boldness. I can't believe how much this once dainty cheerleader has grown!
"What!" she growls, obviously focused.
"He's wearing a Kevlar vest! Aim for his head!"
"Got it!" Katniss gives a faint grin as she zooms in a Felix's wobbly skull that was swaying back and forth as he walked.
"Beck! I have a spare magazine that I got from True's duffle bag after…you know. Use it! It's much faster!" Tori firmly pipes up while giving me the bullets with a wide smile on her face. Camille gives her a surprised look that soon melts into a motivated smile that matches my own.
"Thanks Tor'! Way to go!" I laugh in shock as she begins to give me a nod of absolute spunk. I quickly load the gun while squinting over the moist soil of the hedge to spot Feliz pointing the smoking Uzi straight at us with his glasses crookedly fixed on his prim nose.
Time to take you down you loaded son of a bitch. "Camille!" I shout with a nod of recognition. I hear an out-of-character boom of voice respond immediately.
"What is it?"
"I need you to take him down!' I feel her eyes gaze at me almost dumb-founded as give her such a conflicting request. Katniss even glares at me a bit before speaking up.
"You want to give her a gun?" she hisses but I quickly cut her off.
"Yeah I do! Camille has to do it! She has the perfect aim!"
"N-No! I can't!" she stutters with disbelief as she spots the gun gun being passed to her.
"Camille!" Tori gasps after seeing her reaction, but feels nothing but sympathy for her. "Beck…you know she feels guilty…She can't just rebound and shoot someone after…what she did."
"I know but…maybe you're right," I feel a blast go through me. That blast is guilt. How can I be so insensitive? After what happened with Suzie and Moze…What she must be feeling now that she's responsible for two innocent girls' deaths…
"No! Don't leave me…
"Come Back! Come Back to me…
"Together…Always…Together…
To live with that for the rest of your life….
"You know something M-Moze? I-It would…It would have been great i-i-if Beck had come…"
It's all too much to deal with!
"Forget it!" I screech after coming out of my thoughts, "Camille! Katniss! Tori! Get ready to take down this rich bastard!"
"Forget it Beck!" I hear Katniss cry after she fires her aching bow, but misses Felix's head by an inch. "We're outgunned and this little prick knows it! All he has to do is keep us here and bam…we're added to the Elimination Roster!"
Shit…she's right…when isn't she right damn it…I can't run out there. You'd think I would have learned by now, but obviously that didn't happen. I look around to see Camille and Tori's faces; each one is painted with horror as they hear the deafening gunfire get louder. Is that even possible?
"Always gonna be the smart-mouthed wise guy…right Jake?" I laugh sadly while trying to hide the tears forming a thin stream down both sides of my cheeks.
"Betcher ass," Jake smirked as he mustered all of his strength to place his tarnished hand over mine, "And I ain't talkin' about me."
"Jerk," I chuckled, "I'll miss you bud."
"Yeah…gonna miss you too…make sure…you keep yer' promise."
"Promise?"
"Between you and Mike…don't break it Beck. Keep her safe…for Mike's sake," Jake breathed quietly.
"Promise. Mike…Jake. Prepare to be amazed!" I whisper lowly to myself so that only I can hear it. I am met with three puzzled looks before I begin to speak. "How fast do you think I can run a mile?"
"What?!" Katniss booms unintentionally, "Have you lost the remainder of whatever you call your brain? We're on the fucking verge of being blasted into hunks of meat by that fancy pants dick and you want to run out in the open for a cardiac work out!"
"Hm…probably six minutes. You guys agree?" I completely disregard the angered BR veteran's statement and narrow my eyes at the expanse land that lies just ahead. I probably could get outta here in about six minutes…give this guy a little mouse to chase to buy these guys time.
"Beck? What are you planning?" Camille raises an eyebrow as she watches my face glow as the idea blossoms within my head.
"Remember the grove? This morning where we first met up? You guys head over there. Katniss you protect Tori…Camille, you keep the fort held down! I'll meet you guys there later," I speedily lay out all of the components for my plan but I am met with intense stares. "Don't give me those looks. I'm the fastest guy in class…fastest on the team! Not 'Stevie Baskara' fast, but fast enough! I can keep this dude busy…"
"Beck…no! You can't! He'll kill you for sure!" Tori cries in concern while pinching the cuff of my dress sleeve desperately; tears reforming in her eyes. It kills me to see her like this. I'm sorry Tori…this is all I have…I have to protect you and this is the only way.
All I see from Katniss is a small shake of her head as she grits her teeth and a little smile plays upon her lips. "Idiot…" she sighs with a small chuckle. "Always trying to be the hero."
"Yep…guess I'm just another Superman in the making," I sigh with a arrogant shrug.
"Shut up…so conceited," Katniss rolls her dusky gray eyes. "Don't die."
"Don't plan on it," I give her an eager nod that is accompanied with a devious wink that only causes her to give me another roll of the eyes but this time…she smiles genuinely at me.
"Beck…Please be careful," Tori wraps her arms around me and I can't help but feel secure in her touch. The smell of her hair intoxicates me for just a few seconds and everything goes bright in hope; the stars twinkle like dashes of psychotic glitter as we pull apart.
"I will… Katniss, get her out of here! Camille…Go!"
Katniss does nothing more. She takes Tori as if she's an underweight doll and hoists her over her broad shoulder. Camille tags behind like a aiding shadow and within minutes they are almost a mile away. I resume my attack on Felix with whatever bullets I have left in my pistol; avoiding the vicious spray Felix is delivering to me at the same moment.
"Die!" I bellow fiercely as I pop away red hot bullets. I can't get him from here…I have to get out there. Only way to get a clear shot for his head. I place both of my filthy hands on the grass that is over the edge of the trench and hoist myself up with all of my remaining strength. After I get my knees carefully on the ground, I jump up and fire away; light bursting from the tips of our weapons like shooting stars.
"Wait!" I feel my entire heart sink in an instant after pressing the trigger and watching nothing come out. I've run out! "Shit!" I bark in hysteria as I toss my thoughts of killing this guy to the curb and focus on something else. Escape.
I bolt off to the left and spot a distant valley of tall oaks that seem to be a mile away. A nice little forest. I can do this…I can definitely make it. I hear Felix send off another series of shots and can see the white light from the Uzi illuminate the pitch black fields. The bullets graze my neck just barely, only resulting in a scratch that sends a thin line of blood down the crook slowly and down my chest; absorbing into my school shirt. "So close! Almost got me though! Damn! C'mon Beck Oliver! Just a little more!"
Going to make it! Once I'm in the trees…I'm in the clear. Trees will block him completely. I'll lose him after a few minutes in the woods and then I can jet straight over to the girls in the grove. Hell yeah! It's perfect! What?
I feel I a sharp pain go through my side as if a sword has been sliced through it. Blood sprays from my side like a fanning mist and I still feel a stupid smile on my face. Why do I always smile at the dumbest freaking moments? Damn!
I lose my footing and go flying face first into the ground with a strand of red liquid flying from my mouth. Tastes like coins…ugh God…this is sick. "Oh shit," I groan; still smiling like a moron as my face meets the soft patch of grass. I can't die! Not here and definitely not ever in the hands of these bastards! I lift myself back up while growling in pain. My muscles ache from the running and I can feel blood bursting from my side…I can't give up…I can't give up. Protect her Beck! Tori! Protect Tori!
"Oh! Got you! Elvis wannabe! Got you right where it hurt huh? You greasy cockroach! I'll finish you! Just like I did those other three!" I hear Felix shout behind me with a few laughs interjected into the threat. Never! You'll never kill me!
I hear the bullets tear past me like raging bees trying to envelope me, but I won't have it. That is until I trip once again…Carlos…you're not the only klutz. I tumble down a steep hill that is covered with bushes and small trees. My body is like a barrel as I roll endlessly down it and I feel my head bang against the ground harshly which only worsens my headache.
"Gah!" I scream while grabbing my head as the swelling pain overtakes me. At last, I reach the bottom…hollow breaths escaping me as I lift myself back up for, hopefully, the last time. However, Felix is just as ruthless as I am.
"Might as well give up Elvis Piss-ley! I've got you this time!" He runs almost hazardously down the hill; occasionally stumbling briefly as he pushed past limber trees and meddling bushes.
"I can't believe it…Can't he just give it a damn rest?" I breathe as my eyes go wide in terror. The blood is dripping endlessly from my waist and I can't help but feel it trickle down the inside of my pant leg. Gross…can't take any more of this blood. "Why Felix…I thought you'd be above all of this crap! Rich boy with Daddy's credit score…Bull shit. What? Did riding in a yacht every afternoon become boring? Did having dinner with various opera singers in exclusive NY restaurants lose its appeal?"
Felix's eyes widen as he fixes his gaze upon me. His glasses resemble those you would see in a low rate thrift shop…I would know. Broken and chipped just like his mind.
"Waste…Felix, you're a total waste! You get it? If you win…you basically lose everything…your money, your title in the social status of town. All of it gone."
"Shut up! I will not lose it all! My parents will make sure of it!" Felix wails with insanity as he raises the gun up to level the barrel with my head even though I am ten feet away. To top it all off, a cliff leading to the deadly seas is right behind me meaning no escape. Crap…why does it always come to this?
Just then…I see it…a pole fly down like a spear and it stabbed the rough ground perfectly causing it to stick straight up in the air. Z-Zander!
It is him! A guy with curly brown hair swoops through the treetops like a skilled chimp with determination and his body descends to the ground as he lets go of the trembling branch causing gold leaves to fall from it in a mess.
"What in the hell!" Felix spits in a snarky manner as Zander reaches for his the pole in just a matter of seconds.
"Zander!" I cry in absolute bliss. He gives me a wink along with a shake of the head which can only mean one thing…What have you gotten yourself into?
"Stand back Beck!" he howls with a calm grin as he races towards Felix's flabbergasted form and smacks the boy's wrist full force with the wooden broom pole. We all watch in awe as the Uzi flies from Felix's sweaty hand like a cherished object and, as if there were no other audible noise, it clanks as it falls to the ground.
"Zander…" is all I say with the quietest voice and that is still heard over the powering winds. Zander does nothing more…he turns on his heel like a reflex and rams into me; wrapping his arms around my back like a sack of flour, and hoists me over his slender shoulder. His hair looks like a small chocolate mop upon his head now that I get a better look at it, but what is he doing?
"Hold on Beck!" is the only thing I hear come from him…then I feel weightless. Gravity is defied as we jump off the ledge of the lethal cliff. Pebbles and bits of dirt were the only thing that followed suit as the two of us plummeted into the dark vast ocean waters.
"Oh My GOD!" I scream in a howling fit of laughter as the wind rushes past me in a mix of moist ocean spray and we descend closer to the treading waves. The water consumes us like a monstrous beast and starts to move us to and fro like useless garbage. I feel my breaths slow as I realize I can't swim! My arms are numb from all the blood loss and my head is throbbing so badly that I might pass out.
Just as everything begins to blacken like the depths of the sea, I see the most horrific thing. Two bodies intertwined together like pieces of metal wire. Like they were hugging. One of them has blonde hair that is floating around the both of them like levitating wisps of sunshine. They both seemed to be smiling…wait! Oh no…
Sam…Freddie! Their bodies seemed stiff and their eyes were shut tight as can be.
My vision blurs and before going out…their underwater faces are deeply embedded in my mind.
17 Students Remaining
Monday: June 3rd, 2010 – 3:00 A.M. (Deserted Island: North Eastern Seas)
Zander's POV
I was lucky…all I can say. Lucky that, not only Beck but, that I got out alive. The sea swallows me with every wave that sweeps by, but I have to get him to shore. Why is he always getting into trouble…Beck…you are something else.
I smile to myself as I finally swim to the dry shores. The brisk sand felt like ice against my skin as I toppled over onto it with Beck in my drenched arms. Pants are the only thing escaping me now as the winds continue to pick up just like they did last night which only made things worse.
"Beck…you can't sleep…not here…not now," I pant while giving soft chuckles, but all I get is an unconscious load of Beck sprawled out on the chilled sand. "Beck? C'mon!" Now I'm worried. Why won't he come to? No…he can't be dead can he? No. I won't believe that!
"Beck! Damn it! Wake up!" I start to shout which causes my voice to resonate throughout the cold air that is dancing across the shores in the winds. Still nothing. What now? Dear Lord…please help me.
Stevie…if only you were still here to help me.
Without even realizing it, I look down and see that there are five pairs of feet before me. Oh great…just what I need. One of them is a pair of green vans…another is a pair of bright red high-tops…navy blue sneakers…petite feet covered with little red flats and a nice pair of bright purple converse (Ankle High). What do I do…Guess we have to wait and see.
"Who are you?" a voice asks in a demanding tone which causes my body to tremble a bit, or maybe it's from the cold.
"Please…I don't want any trouble," I reply as calmly as possible before looking up. However, I do not expect to see a dirty blonde boy towering over me holding a gun to my face. Kendall? He has a stern expression on his face to show that he means business, but it quickly dissipates after he sees who I am and he is back to being the all-around nice guy.
"Zander?" he whispers in confusion; his emerald green eyes were reflecting the gleaming moonlight.
"Um…hi," is all I reply with as crystalline salt water streams down my pale forearms and into the sand causing it to stiffen. Kendall immediately gives me his award-winning smile before flagging the other four down. Carly's deep brown eyes sparkled with joy after seeing me and she quickly ran to help me onto my feet with a sweet smile on her angelic face. With them was James the basketball hero, Logan the doctor to be and Cat the lovable redhead…what an alliance!
17 Students Remaining
Another Chapter! What did you think? What will happen now that Kendall and the gang has met up with Zander & Beck? What will become of Katniss, Tori and Camille? What about the rest of the competitors?
Find out in the next chapter of the 61 Annual Battle Royale Competition!