NOTE: I published a few chapters close together. Please make sure you're caught up on the last Capitol Focus with Lucent before you read this one! There will be spoilers.
Eliza Maddox, 17, D2F:
The run-in with the alliance I've been tracking didn't do wonders for my leg, but the tributes left behind all their supplies when they fled. They ate the last of their meat, but having a weatherproof tent to sleep in will make my remaining time in the arena much more comfortable. Still, I ignored the food and the water purification capsules, because at some point in the Games, they'd been sponsored some of the good Capitol medicines, one for injury and one for infection. A generous application of those had left my leg greatly improved. The pain was significantly reduced, and I was mobile again.
I risked sleeping through the afternoon and what I assume was early evening, and I woke up in higher spirits, which raised even more when I discovered the silver parachute bearing a bottle filled with water. I wanted to drink it all at once, but I forced myself to ration it. Having too much after being dehydrated can make you nauseous, and I couldn't afford that. I was looking forward to the anthem, since I thought there was a possibility that I had slept through the outlier girl's cannon. I know I got her, but I'm not sure where her wound is. The anthem revealed that there was only one death, the boy from Eleven, but it was good enough to have a kill. The girl shouldn't last too much longer.
I could have waited to sleep, but I didn't, because I had nighttime plans. I'm going hunting again. The element of surprise could favor me again, since Ardledge and his ally might assume that I'm too weak to target them a second time. I'm ready to take things up another notch. The sponsors have been generous with me, but only because I've managed to endure. I hope that by hunting, I can stay within the Capitolites' good graces, which should work in my favor once I make it to the finale.
I hike uphill, in the general direction that the alliance ran earlier. If they're smart, they'll have doubled back around, but I'm not too confident in that. I feel like the Gamemakers would have put me back on course if I was headed in the wrong direction, so I'm continuing on my path. A breeze buffets around me, pressing me forward, and I adjust as its direction shifts. Am I being guided towards prey or danger? I keep my knives in easy reach and distract myself with thoughts of home. I think the interviews should be done by now. What will my parents have said about me? I know they're proud that I've survived for so long, and I hope to make them even prouder.
It's a long walk, and I'm questioning if I'm on the right course when I see a clearing up ahead, with a black blob in the center of it. Approaching it, I discover that it's a sleeping bag. I look around, wondering if it's a trap, and decide to risk it. I made as quiet of an approach as I can, but the medication has given me much more control of my bad leg, and I can creep up relatively close. It's a form I recognize, Rafe slumbering alone, with Livi and Oscar elsewhere. Rafe's a strong combatant and I know that with an injury like this, I might not be able to defeat him in fair combat, despite having the advantage of a longer range.
So I decide not to fight fair. I select the heftiest knife I can and aim for the side of his neck. He won't have a chance to mount a counterattack if I'm accurate, but if I botch this delicate operation, I'll be in major trouble.
By a stroke of fortune, the knife seems to sever his carotid artery entirely. Ten or fifteen long seconds pass as he gasps, maybe more, before I step into his field of vision. He wears a betrayed expression that I choose to ignore, turning my back on the scene as his cannon fires. No matter, it won't be long before District Two has another Victor.
Kill Tracker:
Livi Carnelian: IIIII
Oscar Poudret: II
Eliza Maddox: III
Rafe McClellan: I
Lyra-Rose Ripley (DECEASED): I
Quinten Aramdale: I
Soya Orlando (DECEASED): I
Alliance Tracker:
Career Pack: Oscar, Livi
Protective Older Brother: Ardledge, Emily
Loners: Quinten, Damon, Eliza
Supplies Tracker:
Career Pack: Binoculars, Blanket (x2), Collapsible Lightweight Ladder, Compass, Firestarter, Map of the Arena, Night Vision Goggles, Rope, Scuba Mask (x1), Sleeping Bag (x2), Special Bonus 3, Sunblock, Walkie-Talkies, Warm Earmuffs, Warm Gloves (x2), Warm Scarf, Water (x2), Water Purification Capsules
Protective Older Brothers: Water
Quinten: Basic Injury Medicine, Blanket, Bread, Camouflage Set, Collapsible Shovel, First Aid Kit (x2), Insect Repellant, Map of the Arena, Mesh Sheet, Multitool, Night Vision Goggles, Note of Advice, Special Bonus 1, Special Bonus 5, Sunblock, Tarp, Warm Hat, Warm Scarf, Water, Water Purification Capsules
Damon: Antiseptic Wipes, Compass, Grappling Hook, Multitool, Scuba Mask, Sleeping Bag, Net (x3), Spool of Wire, Sunblock, Turbo Umbrella, Warm Gloves, Water, Water Purification Capsules
Eliza: Antiseptic Wipes (x2), Firestarter, First Aid Kit (x2), Night Vision Goggles, Note of Advice, Rope, Severe Infection Medicine, Severe Injury Medicine, Small Meal, Trowel, Water (x2), Water Purification Capsules, Waterproof and Temperature Insulated Tent
Weapons Tracker:
Career Pack: Bandolier of Shurikens, Bandolier of Throwing Knives, Dagger, Spear (x4)
Protective Older Brother: Chainsaw
Quinten: Spear
Damon: Axe, Bow and Quiver of Arrows, Dagger
Eliza: Bandolier of Throwing Knives
Death Tracker/Eulogies:
8th Place: Rafe McClellan, killed by Eliza Maddox
Rafe was an interesting tribute to have around. I enjoyed writing his relationship with Eliza as it evolved. Initially he was the dominant presence in the alliance and she was much more of a follower, but as she started to gain independence, Rafe was backed into a corner when it came to district politics. I hadn't particularly intended for him to mellow out so much during the Games, but I ended up running with that arc because I thought it suited him more than a villain arc would have. Thank you for submitting him!
Hey y'all!
Big shoutout to wiifan2002 for laying down so many sponsor gifts! They've have shaken up the death order and have catalyzed some changes in the finale (although the Victor is staying the same). Three chapters are left, with the next one coming later today! Thank you for reading!
–LC :)
