The 126th Hunger Games Chapter 28: Day Eight, a hunger games fanfic

Day Eight:

Mason Riley (D2 M 18)

"Rise and shine troops!" I shout. "We've got a big, big day ahead of us!"

Alexandrite and Jessie sit up in their sleeping bags and squint at me. "Already?" Alexandrite says.

I point over at the sun; the top edge is peeking out above the mist. "The sun's up so it's time for hunting!"

"Geez," Jessie says looking over at Alexandrite."The boy kills someone for the first time in three days and he turns into a madman."

Alexandrite laughs. "It's not funny," I say. "Glint killed four people before he died, and now I've killed four. I need that fifth kill, just to prove to people that I'm better than him."

"You've already outlasted him," says Jessie. "Doesn't that count for something?"

"I suppose so," Mason says, "but I won't be able to live with myself if Glint beats me at something."

"Whatever," Alexandrite says. She stands up, stretches, and yawns. "It's my turn to keep watch today, isn't it?"

"Yeah," Mason says. "You guys promised that I'd never have to keep watch again, and since Jessie kept watch yesterday, it's your turn today."

"Okay," Alexandrite says. "I guess I'll just grab some breakfast then." She walks away, leaving me alone with Jessie.

"Be ready to go in ten minutes," I tell her.

"Okay," she says, rolling her eyes.

Ten minutes later, Jessie and I meet next to the rope bridge. "You ready?" I ask her. She nods.

"Have fun, you two!" Alexandrite shouts, standing inside the cornucopia.

Jessie and I each give her a wave, and then turn back towards the bridge. "Ladies first," I say, gesturing at it. For a moment, her face seems to turn a little paler, but I figure it's probably just a trick of the rising sun. She steps onto the first wooden plank with me following close behind. Even though I'm hunting with Jessie, I couldn't be happier. I could reach kill number five today. If I manage that, I know I'll finally fully prove myself to the people of Panem.

Harvest Anson (D9 F 18)

My eyes flutter open and I spot the sun peeking out through the trees. I sit up, actually happy for once. I'm going hunting today- not for tributes, but for animals. I haven't gotten a chance to stretch my legs in a while. I yawn and reach into a bag for some food. I notice that I'm beginning to run out. Even though I've still got enough for a few days, I'd rather be safe than sorry. Plus, I'm getting pretty bored in this cave. It's time for action.

I sling my bag over my shoulder and duck out of my cave, holding my spear in my hand. I don't have anywhere in particular to go, so I simply wander through the woods in a straight line. I'll end up getting lost if I swerve around too much. I think I'll just continue in this line until afternoon. Then, I'll head for the stream to collect some water. It makes sense to do that last so that I don't have to lug water around all day.

My backpack starts to slip, so I readjust it on my shoulders. It must have been Osborn's. The straps are stretched out way too much, and it was at the bottom of my pile of bags back in the cave. I still miss Obsorn. We didn't know each other for very long, but he was the closest thing I had to a friend. It's lonely out here, and it stinks. No one has my back, unless you count sponsors, and there's only so much that they can do.

Out of the corner of my eye, I suddenly spot movement. I whip my head around and spot a giant, mean-looking lizard. It leans back on his scaly legs and narrows its eyes, looking ready to pounce. I clutch my spear tightly in my hands and lunge at the lizard. It dodges my blow and prepares for another pounce. This time, though, I'm too fast for it. As the lizard leaps into the air, I jab my spear at it, impaling it right through the mouth. The lizard twitches for a while and then falls limp. It's still attached to my spear, so I hoist it up into the air. Well, I guess I have lunch now.

Peyton Stanley (D6 M 12)

Swirl holds out the four tiny rolls. She hands me two of them. "Do you think we should each eat one now and one later?"

"Sure," I say. "Whatever." I'm at the point where I don't really care anymore. I've never been this hungry in my life. I've never been this scared in my life. I just want it to all be over. It doesn't matter when I eat these rolls. I'm dead either way.

After we're done eating, Swirl and I climb down our tree. "We can do this," Swirl says. "We can find food." I nod, even though I think she was speaking more to herself than she was to me. She steps out into the forest, and I follow her.

We walk in silence for about half an hour. Then, Swirl suddenly speaks up. "Do you ever wonder who will miss you if you die?" Swirl asks. "I mean, assuming that we don't make it out of this mess."

"Not really," I say. "But I guess my mom and dad will miss me. My sister too. And my friends Max and Hayden." I pause for a moment. "Why? Is this something you wonder about?"

She nods. "Recently it's begun to cross my mind, given the fact that I'll probably die within the next two or three days."

"So who do you think will miss you?"

"I don't know," Swirl says. "I don't have a family. I have four great friends, but they're going to be fine on their own. I needed them more than they needed me. They all have each other. They'll all bounce back fine after my death."

"Swirl," I say, looking at her. "They will miss you. I promise. Plus, I'll miss you. If I somehow outlast you, I don't know what I'll do. I can't survive on my own. Also, you're not dead yet. You can win this thing. You have a much better chance of winning than I do. I believe in you. Our mentors believe in you. And I'm sure your friends believe you too."

Swirl stays quiet for a while. After nearly three minutes, she speaks up again. "Thank you, Peyton. That means a lot- it really does. I'm just sorry that I can't be more of a help to you."

"Swirl," I say. "You don't have to be sorry. If anything, I should be apologizing to you for weighing down."

Swirl doesn't respond to that, and I decide not to say anything either. Instead, we walk through the silence, eyes peeled for any source of movement. It's crucial that we find something to eat today. This really is our last chance. If we don't find anything, we're dead.

Jessie Harte (D2 F 14)

I watch as Mason steps over a huge, fallen branch that I'm forced to duck under. I honestly cannot wait until he's gone. Mason isn't even that bad of a person; he's just a huge threat. That's why Alexandrite and I need to take him out. I'll be able to sleep soundly at night once he's dead.

"Do you think we'll find anyone today?" I ask as we continue to trudge through the forest.

"Probably not," Mason says. "Alexandrite and I found someone yesterday, and we haven't killed twice in a row in a while."

"I figured," I say. "Besides, there's only four other tributes out there. They've evaded capture for this long. Chances are, they're hiding somewhere good."

"That's why the feast will probably be soon. The Gamemakers have to lure the scared tributes out of their hiding spots somehow."

"Yeah," I say. I can't wait for the feast either. The sooner the feast comes, the sooner Alexandrite and I get to kill Mason.

We continue to walk, and my mind begins to wander. I start thinking of my mom and dad, back at home. Ever since my twin sister, Anjie, died, I've been their only child. I can't leave them on their own. My parents are the only ones who believed me after rumors were spread that I killed Anjie. I need to win the Hunger Games for them because of all they've done for me.

A twig snaps behind me. I whirl around and fire a knife at the source of the noise. Mason runs over to where my knife landed. "It was just a lizard," he says, holding it up by the tail, a knife lodged in its green, scaly back.

"What do you think we should do with it?" I ask.

"I think we should just leave it here," he says. "It's not like we need the food. Plus, making a fire is too much work."

"Okay," I say. He drops the lizard. "Wait, I still want my knife!" I shout at him.

Mason rolls his eyes, picks up the lizard, and pulls out the knife. "Here you go," he says, handing it back to me. "Next time, try killing what we're out here to kill."

I aim a kick at him but miss. "Whatever," I say. "Let's just keep hunting."

Mapelle Green (D7 F 14)

I begin walking through the forest again, my bottle and stomach now filled with water. Even though I'm glad to be hydrated, I can't help but wish I had food. Unfortunately, I've started to run out. I haven't had any meat since before my allies were killed. Lately, I've been surviving on berries and leftovers, but my leftovers are gone and the berries are disappearing. I haven't seen a single edible berry bush all day, and I don't think there are many left.

I pull my ax out of my bag. If I'm not going to find any food, I guess I'm going to have to hunt some down. I may not be an experienced killer, but I am quick on my feet. I've also been working with axes my whole life. Maybe, just maybe, I'll manage to sneak up on something edible.