James Rivers's POV
I sit in a corner of an ally in what appears to be District Five, as I bawl my eyes out. I still can't get over what I did the other day. I was so stupid! I should have seen the deception coming. It my fault that Crystal's face was shown into the sky. She died at my hand, even if it was unintentional. I don't know if I'll ever forgive myself for causing her demise. Even if I do win, I'd have to live with the guilt for the rest of my life. But there as never been a twelve year old winner before, so I probably won't be alone without Crystal for too long. I'm almost to the point where I don't want to win, it won't be worth it. But I made a promise to my family that one of us would win, but I think they meant Crystal. She does better than me in everything. She got a higher score than me in training and seemed to be more popular in the Capital. But she shouldn't have died before me. I was the one who should have fallen into the career trap.
My mind is racing as I continue to sob. But my mourning is interrupted by a strange chattering noise. No. It can't be. Not now of all times. Does the Capital have any respect what so ever? I know that I am about to face a mutt. But not just any mutt, a mutt that has been tailored especially for me. I grasp my trident and cautiously peek out from behind a corner. I let out a small gasp of horror as my suspicions are proven true. I am face to furry face with a creature of my nightmares. A giant squirrel. I know my fear seems irrational, and I guess it is. There is no reason for my terror of squirrels, it just sort of happened. The creature looks just like an average squirrel, but about feet tall. It is a light chestnut brown and its claws stretch longer than the average squirrel. When it hasn't yet noticed me, I wonder why it is acting this way. The Gamemakers wouldn't just create some tranquil mutt. There's something off. Then I realize what's going on. The squirrel's black eyes have a slight haze to them, meaning that it's completely blind. But that doesn't make it so that it doesn't know where I am. I freeze as the mutt sticks its nose in the air and turns, abruptly, as if it's looking right at me. Makes since, it sees with its nose. There's no since in hiding from the mutt, I'll have to face it and fight.
As I pull out my trident, the mutt growls and charges at me, its claws waving as it runs. I block its paws with my weapon, but I can't block all of them. One of its many attacks gets through and claws me in the leg. I stumble back and gaze at my right leg, where I was struck. My white pants are tattered and stained a dark crimson. But I can't pause to tend to my cuts of I want a chance to survive. I get back up, wincing at the pain, but enduring to save my skin. In rage, I charge at the beast, my fear draining, being taken over by anger. I scream in fury as I charge at top speed and skewer the oversized rodent in the chest. It lets out a shriek of pain and drops to the ground, dead. I sink to my knee, satisfied by my victory. Maybe this whole fear facing thing is good, after all.
I take a seat by my backpack and roll up my pant leg. The spot where the mutt struck me stings greatly and hurts whenever I move. I dig through my pack, in search of something I could use as a bandage. However, the only things I have are a few crackers, some darts, my trident, and a thin net. Nothing that I would be able to use to stop the bleeding. Not seeing any alternative, I rip off my left pant le, the one that isn't tattered and tie it. I can vividly imagine Ivria's shocked expression at the fact that I have turned my dress pants into shorts. She's always been OCD.
I look up to find that the sun is already setting. Well then, today went fast. Time flies, I guess. It isn't too long until the sun is completely gone, replaced by the moon and dazzling stars. When the moon becomes high in the air, the Panem anthem plays briefly, only the crest showing in the air since there were no deaths today. Then, the seal disappears and the night goes silent.
A/N
Just this once, everybody lives! But the joy will be short lived. What will the Gamemakers do to spice things up? By the way, sorry for the short chapter. Also, please vote at the fan favorite poll. Lastly, Oceanebreeze13, the creator of Cyra and Scarlett, has an SYOT! Standing Together: The 175th Hunger Games, a brilliant twist, and great chapters and the best part is, there are still open spots! Go ahead and check it out!
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