The Xatian Games (TXG)
Disclaimer: I don't own The Hunger Games; All credit goes to Suzanne Collins.
Constructive criticism is always appreciated; Any flames will be used to roast marshmallows.
"Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favour." - Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games
[A/N: Ooh look at you, you lucky lot. Two new chapters in a day. It must be the weekend! Enjoy! :')]
Chapter 5
"It's called survival of the fittest, son." Murmured a deep voice.
"It's murder." Came the defiant reply.
"I watched you lead that girl to the apple tree" says Roelof, leaning up against a tree. Maddie backs away further, and sheaths her blade. "You were aware of the Tracker-Jacker nest nearby, weren't you?" he says, his brow creasing. Maddie gasps and shakes her head. She knew how aggressive the bees were, and begins collecting her things to head back to the tree. "She'll be fine." Roelof reassures, putting a hand on Maddie's shoulder.
"There's medicine for the man there." says Maddie quietly, looking increasingly worried. "She'll have to climb the tree to get it"
Roelof ruffles the girl's hair. "She'll be fine." He repeats. "While your care for others is a benefit in some situations, it will also be your greatest weakness, especially here. You must learn to use your aptitude to your advantage." Roelofs' eyes lock with Maddies'. "And then you will go far. Maybe even farther than myself, but in the kindest sense, I hope we don't meet again at The End." He smiles and flicks a finger across Maddie's cheek, causing her to smile. "Goodbye Young One. May the odds be ever in your favour." He turns and begins to walk away.
"Wait." whispers Maddie. Roelof turns as Maddie runs up to him and buries her face into his shirt. "I'm scared" she says into his shirt, her voice wobbling.
Roelof puts a reassuring hand on her head and ruffles her hair. "I know, little one. We all are." He murmurs, kneeling down in front of her. "Close your eyes." Maddie does as she is told. "Take a deep breath, and as you breathe out imagine all the fear inside you rushing out on that breath." Maddie takes in a deep breath and lets it out slowly. She smiles and opens her eyes to say something, but Roelof is no-where to be seen.
In the distance, a scream echoes through the forest and bounces from tree to tree, silencing birds as they stop to turns to see the swarm building up in front of her, their buzz deafening in her ears. Her heart pounds as she pushes herself into the ground, cowering in fear.
Suddenly, rancid smelling, smoking ball of leaves, branches and moss flies into the clearing, crashing straight through the swarm and onto the ground between Marie and the bees. The swarm breaks formation and bees begin to fly in all directions, crashing into trees, each other and the ones who were hit by the ball drop to the ground like flies and struggle around pathetically. Out of the bushes a blonde tribute bursts, holding a stick with another smoking ball attached. She swings it at the swarm which is rapidly decreasing in size as the tracker-jackers flee from the smoke and smells and confusion.
As the last of the bees disperse, Marie stares at the blonde tribute in stunned silence. Slowly, the blonde's face morphs into nothing but smooth skin, and the tips of Marie's fingers begin to burn like she's put them into fire. She howls in pain and a hand grabs her shoulder and pushes her into the ground. Panic flutters in Marie's chest as the hand disintegrates into thousands of tiny spiders which crawl into her shirt, face and hair. She claws at her body and face, trying desperately to get them off as everything begins to morph into a blur of light and colour, and a rushing noise fills her ears. She continues to scream until her world plunges into darkness and silence.