A/N: Thanks to Violagirl23, richards25, DigbyThompson, MJElliot and charliesunshine for reviewing the last chapter!
I think this chapter shows something a little different, but I guess I'll have to see what you, the readers, think.
I hope you enjoy the chapter :)
"You can make the accusations
But all the facts are blurry
It went wrong in a hurry
The world is on fire
Oblivion
Oblivion."
- Colin MacDonald, 2012.
The 40th Annual Hunger Games
Sapphire Tompkins (18), District 1 Female
The Trews feat. Rich Robinson - Oblivion (2012)
I sprint as fast as I can, the sounds of the collapse echoing all around me. The arena, which is relatively small in comparison to other arenas of recent years, is set in a deep ravine, with narrow passages winding halfway up the slopes, with over a hundred feet to the bottom of the abyss if you fall. Into the cliff face there are small, narrow, dark passages that lead to a highly confusing maze of tunnels. I was one of the lucky ones; I got one of the three pairs of night-vision glasses that were in the supplies at the cornucopia. The other two pairs are now lost, as their owners are now dead, giving me a distinct advantage. But it now seems like the Gamemakers want to rule out that advantage by causing cave-ins in all the tunnels, forcing the five remaining tributes back to the ravine for the final showdown.
In amongst the sound of the collapsing tunnel behind me, I have already heard two cannons. I don't know who they belonged to, and I don't care, either. All that matters is that I am alive.
The tunnel that I am running through has its roof collapsing roughly twenty metres behind me, so I know that I have a safe lead over the Gamemakers' device. I pass a side tunnel that connects to my one, and I hear the patter of feet behind me, and the heavy breathing of a tribute who has been running hard for a long time. A quick glance over my shoulder tells me that it is the girl from District 4, who is armed only with a knife. She won't be able to do anything with it from ten metres behind me, so I know that I'm safe. For now.
In the distance, among the rumbling echoes of the collapsed tunnels, I think I can faintly make out the sound of another cannon. If so, there's a good chance that me and the girl behind me are the only two tributes left alive in the arena.
We burst out into the light and I'm instantly blinded by the sunlight that filters down from the top of the ravine fifty feet above me. I turn left onto a narrow passageway that is only three feet wide, throwing my night-vision glasses away to allow me better visibility. I don't realise until it is too late that I threw them straight down the ravine. Now there is no way of me getting them back.
I try to maintain a fast pace, but it is difficult to run quickly and keep my balance perfectly. One stumble will be enough to send me over the edge. I try hard not to focus on the colossal drop to my right, but I can't ignore its presence. I can't remember the last time I have felt under so much pressure. That being said, this literally is a life or death situation.
Despite my best efforts, I can tell that the girl behind me is closing in on me. If I don't turn and fight, I'm an easy target. If I do turn and fight, we're evenly matched. We both scored eights in training, and we are both armed with short length combat knives. At least if I turn round, I stand a chance. I take a moment to compose myself before stopping to turn round and face my pursuer, my knife in hand.
I didn't realise how close the girl was to me. Neither of us have much time to react as I lunge at her chest with my knife, but she somehow has time to grab my wrist and smash my hand against the rocky cliff face that is now on my right, forcing me to reflexively let go of my knife. I watch as it bounces once against the rocky path that we stand on and falls down into the ravine. I already know that I won't be getting that back, either.
Seeing me to be weaponless, my adversary makes her move, lunging at me with her knife. I duck beneath her blade and kick her hard in the shins as she lunges forward, causing her to fall flat on her face on the path, her knife being released from her grip. I kick her hard again as she tries to stand up, this time in the stomach. She rolls backwards reflexively, right over the edge.
It was quite funny watching her try to avoid the drop, and to her credit, she managed it. She's clinging on by her hands, the rest of her body dangling dangerously above the hundred foot drop. I stamp on one of her hands, forcing her to release her grip on the ledge of rock that she clings on to.
There's no way of her getting back up now. She's holding on by one hand. I can tell that she's scared; I can see it in her eyes.
I crouch down in front of the terrified girl from District 4, and calmly pick up the knife that she had dropped earlier which lay on the floor next to me. Feeling a mean streak suddenly come over me, I look down at the girl who is desperately trying to cling on, waving the blade in front of her face, whilst trying my hardest to smile sweetly down at her.
"Goodbye, District Four," I say brightly, still smiling, as I plunge my knife down through the girl's hand and she falls into oblivion.
A/N: If you enjoyed this chapter, please review! Have I ever mentioned that I welcome constructive criticism?
Here's another reminder that I'm holding a competition, in which one of you gets to write a chapter for this story. If any of you are interested, information is in the author's notes for chapter 37 of this story :)
P.S. I've finally updated my other story 'Mentor', so if any of you are fans of that story, please head over to it and check it out :)
