acannoninthewind. blogspot. com
panemsgreatesthg. blogspot. com
Day Three.
A Cannon in the Wind;
The Fifth Hunger Games.
Terrance Vallier, 16;
District Nine Male.
Today's the day. We're finally leaving the barn — to hunt, like a real Pack.
If only this was a real Pack. I have to refrain myself from snorting. Instead, I just give a mysterious smile to the invisible cameras around us. I'm grateful, though. If this was anything like last year, or even the year before that, things would be more problematic.
Fortunately, this Pack couldn't be any more dysfunctional. It couldn't be any easier to rip apart from the seams. For starters, Vesper Quinn isn't here — and he's already got the Capitol against him, so I'm assuming he won't be a problem in the future. Secondly, Adeline is a bumbling mess. She's constantly trying to prove something to us, constantly trying to make us like her — when in reality, she's just making herself look even more pathetic. I expected her to break apart, but I didn't expect it to be right after the Bloodbath. It's just sad, really…
And let's not forget about Kostos. He's just like Adeline, but at least he can actually fake his cheerfulness to a certain degree. When he killed Calla Mallow, he didn't think anyone saw it — but I saw. I saw how his smile faltered, how he looked like he made the biggest mistake of his life. And honestly, he did make the biggest mistake of his life. I don't know why that idiotic boy even volunteered, but I guess it doesn't matter. He's not going to make it out of this Arena alive, I can guarantee that.
"Terrance," says Echo, bringing me out of my musings. I raise my brows, crossing my arms and waiting for a response. "I hope you're ready. Even if you were a Peacekeeper, I expect no slip-ups out there."
I can't help it; I chuckle. "Neither do I expect any from you. All it takes is one misstep and you won't even get the chance to say oops."
For a second, she narrows her eyes. But that second doesn't last, as she gives me one last smirk and walks away to bother Adeline. I stare at her retreating form, noticing the lack of weapons on her person. How easy it would be to just kill her right now, break apart this entire alliance in the matter of seconds.
I shake that thought away, though. Adeline wouldn't be able to do anything but shiver and shake, but Kostos would definitely be able to react fast enough and take me out. He's an idiot, but he's a strong idiot. That's why I need to plan my steps carefully, wait until the time is exactly right, and then strike when there's absolutely no backlash on my part.
Echo's my only real competition here, after all. She's an arrogant bitch, but she's deadly if given enough opportunities. That's why I need to stop those opportunities the moment I get the chance — and I've had many chances, believe me, but this chance needs to be perfect. It helps that she trusts me the most out of this group of buffoons, all because she think I'm like her. A Capitol supporter. A Peacekeeper-turned-tribute.
If only she knew I didn't give a damn about the Capitol, or even the entirety of Panem. I just want to live my life the way I want to live it, not the way President Kronin wants me to live it, working and working in District Nine until my bones turn to dust. And if I have to lie about being a Capitol supporter, I'll do it. If I have to act like I want to be in this alliance of morons, I'll do it,
If I have to kill each and every tribute here, I'll do it. Whatever happens will happen, and there's no reason for me to cringe or act traumatized at the fact.
"Alright then!" Echo automatically takes the role as leader, even though we never voted. She stands in front of us — me with my claymore, Adeline with her small knife, and Kostos with his bow and arrows — and puts on a demanding face. "We're going outside for the first time since coming here. When we're out there, I expect nothing but your best behavior. That means whatever I say do, you do it. No exceptions. Everyone understand?"
So arrogant. So stupid. "Of course," I say, plastering my fake smile.
"You're the boss, Madame Woods," says Kostos, grinning cheekily. Echo rolls her eyes, before turning her gaze to Adeline.
With the sudden attention on her, the girl blushes. "Y-Yeah, I understand," she stammers. I almost shake my head. It's just saddening to look at. One day, Echo's going to lose her patience and kill the poor girl.
I smirk. Not if she doesn't do it quickly.
This alliance's time is running out. They better do everything they want to right now — because when I'm done, there'll be nothing left but me.
"Well then. Now that everyone knows the gist of things, let's go." Echo turns away from us and opens the doors to the barn.
The light of the outside world hits my eyes hard, forcing me to squint. And that's not all that has me squinting. When Kostos and I dragged the dead bodies out here, the rolling fields of grass were beautiful — but normal. Now, it's like the grass is impossibly green and the sky is impossibly blue. If we weren't able to hear it yesterday, I wouldn't even know there'd been a storm.
It's almost dream-like. What's the point of having this place look so cartoony? Is it to lull the tributes into a false sense of safety? Or is it something more, something so sickenly disturbing that us tributes cooped in the barn can't understand?
It doesn't matter. I look away from the mesmerizing sway of the grass, hardening my eyes on Echo's sword. That's what I need to focus on — the weapons, the blood, the reality of our situation. If I let this dream-like haze distract me, it'll be all over.
"It's so pretty out here," Adeline whispers — but immediately shuts her mouth at Echo's look of disgust.
"We don't have time for sightseeing, Adeline. Just remember why you have that knife in your hand," she snaps, scoffing. Quickly, she starts speed-walking, motioning for us to follow. "And also, we aren't coming back until we have at least one kill! So remember that if you feel like slacking, Kostos."
The male from Two snorts, glancing at the girl from One. "You're prettier than this place, at least. So don't worry about Echo." And with that charismatic sentence, he catches up to his District Partner and walks alongside her. By the look on Adeline's face, I can tell that harmless sentence meant so much more to her than it should.
I scoff. "So stupid," I grumble, following the pair from Two, not even caring if Adeline heard me or not. I don't have to worry about her at all.
We continue walking through the grassy fields, the cool breeze negating the effects of the scorching sun. Kostos tries to make small-talk with Echo, but she's determined on finding a tribute and nothing else. He then tries to talk with Adeline, but her meek responses must get boring after a while, because his blue eyes gaze over to me.
I almost sigh. "Please don't."
"Come on!" Kostos gets closer to me, playfully jabbing my arm with his elbow. "We're the two boys of this alliance, yet we barely speak a word to each other. I mean, I didn't do much speaking with boys back in Two—"
"I can see why."
"—but that doesn't mean I can't make a connection with my ally, at least." He doesn't take the hint, or maybe he just doesn't care. Nonetheless, his presence bothers me and I really don't want to associate with him more than I have to.
But maybe you should get some info. More information on your enemies wouldn't hurt. I try to force the thought away, but I can't help but be a bit intrigued by his mysterious nature. It's the proactive side of me, the one that would never let an opportunity like this go to waste. Besides, it wouldn't even look like I'm questioning him, since he's the one who wants to talk to me.
"Okay." I manage a personable smile in his direction. "Why did you volunteer?"
For a second, surprise crosses his face, and I notice Echo slow down a bit. But immediately, he puts on another one of those false grins. "Because I wanted to?"
"That's a dumb reason." And not the truth, either. "I know you're smarter than to give your life away just on a whim?"
"It's not giving my life away if I'm going to win."
"Victor or not, your life is now property of the Capitol. You will always be in the spotlight, and you'll never be able to regain the normalcy of living in Two." I don't mean to sound snappy, but it does test my patience when people feel the need to try my intelligence. "So yes, you just gave your life away. What's the real reason?"
He shifts, and I can practically see the cogs in his head. I can practically see the regret of speaking to me flash across his face. But he can't give away his happy little facade, not yet. And so, with an almost bitter tone in his voice, he finally answers the question I know everyone's been dying to know.
"It's not like I had much of a life back in Two," he says, but quickly backpedals. "I mean, of course I had a life, but...y'know... It just wasn't what I wanted. You always need to aim for better things, right?" He chuckles a little, but the pep in his voice isn't quite what it used to be. He's troubled — and for the first time, I can actually see it. "But yeah, I just want to find myself here…"
"That's interesting..." I don't know if the satisfaction is wiped off of my face, but I don't care. I found out his one true weakness. I found out the reason behind his fake smiles. I found Kostos Sylett's one insecure speck in his body of confidence.
Now I know for sure that I'm going to end up being the one on top. People like Kostos can only delude themselves for so long until they fall apart. People like Adeline can only take so much until they crack. And people like Echo can never get their own heads out of their asses long enough to realize the real danger coming straight for them.
This alliance is already dead.
And me, I'm the one who's going to do it all.
Ceres Cantrell, 13;
District Six Female.
Our District Partners are dead.
It's the one thought swimming around in my head as Michael and I pack our bags and get ready to leave. Yesterday, we were both too busy fighting wild animals to fully react to the fact. But now that it's the next day, and everything seems to be a thousand times more peaceful...
Yeah, it's hard not to think about the very people you came here with when they're no longer among the living.
I mean, it's almost surreal. I knew that people were going to die the moment I got reaped, but I somehow managed to detach myself from the thought of it being Breno. All throughout the Capitol, Vita practically gushed over him, making it obvious just who she thought was going to win out of the both of us. She even made me believe that my District Partner was so much more superior, even if just a little.
Now he's dead — and I'm not.
It might be stupid of me, but I would give anything to see the look on Vita's face right now. Instead of him, I'm the one that's made it to day three. Instead of him, I'm the one that's surviving on canned fruit and a small dagger. Instead of him, I'm the one that's still in this hell-hole.
...Is that really something to be proud over? I shake my head, rolling my blanket into my backpack. I'm not happy that I'm still in this place, even if it means I'm still alive. I'm not even happy for Breno's death, even though it means one less competitor. I'm happy because Vita underestimated me, and now she's probably running around like a duck without it's head, shocked and confused.
It gives me hope, y'know? If someone like Michael and I can survive longer than our stronger District Partners, that means we actually have a shot at potentially winning this, despite what everyone else might think. Luck is very seldom on my side — but maybe, just maybe, the odds are finally going in my favor.
"Ceres, are you almost finished packing?" Michael asks me, his voice bringing me out of my thoughts. I look up at him, taking in the dark circles under his eyes, almost hidden by the blinding smile on his face. He's trying to be strong for me, even when I know he feels like utter crap inside.
It makes me feel so conflicted, seeing him like this. He obviously wants nothing more than to just give up, but I'm forcing him to fight, even when there's not a smidgen of fight left in him. It's almost selfish of me. But… But it's just not fair. He can't just worm his way into my heart with that infectious grin of his and then completely cut me off a few days later!
I saw something different in Michael. I saw a boy who could laugh in this horrible country, who could retain a sense of purity when Panem is everything but. And for him to get inside this Arena and completely change… It's just not right.
That's why I yelled at him two days ago. I just couldn't bear the thought of him giving up. I couldn't bear the thought of him...leaving me to fend for myself. I may not speak much to strangers, but that does not mean I'm some bad-ass. I realize, now that I'm here, that I can't do this on my own. I never could do this on my own.
"Yeah, I'm pretty much done," I answer, looking away. My voice is quiet, guarded — just like how it was the first day I met him. So many things have changed since then, though. "Not like we're in a hurry or anything…"
"I heard that," he says, chuckling a little. I roll my eyes, though a small smile does somehow find its way on my face.
After a minute, I'm done packing, and we head away from last night's shelter. Well, if you'd like to call it a shelter — but honestly, it's nothing more than a dip in the ground. While running from the rabid beasts that roam this place, Michael and I weren't able to find anything more than a tree to hide under. And I don't think you're supposed to hide under a tree during a storm, so we eventually settled on the dip in the ground.
The Capitol really knows how to keep us tributes comfy, don't they? I snort, clutching the straps to my backpack. Without talking to each other, we just simply walk through the grasslands, the sun beaming down on us and the wind blowing against our bodies. It's almost peaceful.
Well, as peaceful as a battle royale can be, anyway.
"So what are we doing today?" Michael questions. The cheerful chime of his voice is gone; he's nothing but serious, except for the occasional smile.
I frown. "I was thinking we'd go to a party, get drunk — that kind of thing. You know, the usual Hunger Games activities." Seriously, what does he think we're going to do? Survive, obviously.
"You don't have to be so sarcastic." He's smiling, but the edge in his voice is there. I know he's tired. I know all he wants is one excuse to stop going, even when he's trying his hardest to stay intact. I know that if I push too hard, he'll fall apart.
I don't want that to happen.
"Sorry." I sigh, slightly speeding up my pace. "If you want a real answer, we're just going to walk around until nighttime. I don't... I don't know what else we'd do." There's quite a few things, actually. Encountering a Mutt would be bad, but I think encountering another tribute would be worse. I'm not mentally prepared to take a life, and I doubt Michael is mentally prepared to do anything at this point.
I close my eyes, feeling a slight sense of panic overtake me. I'm in the Hunger Games. So what if Breno died? That just proves there are stronger tributes in here. Tributes that'll kill me without a bat of their eyelashes.
I may never act it, but I'm so scared right now. I may have lectured Michael about this, but even I want to curl into a corner and just cry my days away. Because seriously, what real chance does someone like me have? It'd be laughable for me to last longer than the boy from Two, or even the two from Twelve! And after what I said during my interview...
Shivering, I look behind my shoulder at Michael. And what about him? If he's going to win, that means I'm going to die — and vice-versa. What if he realizes this and stabs me in the back? W-Would Michael do that to me..?
The paranoia building in the pit of my chest is almost suffocating. The optimistic side of my mind is telling me to stop being such a nervous wreck, but the cynical side of my mind is screaming at me to wake up to reality.
Oblivious to my inner turmoil, he gives me a small smile.
I'm about to interrogate him — I really am — but suddenly, a soft ding catches both of our attention. I look up at the small parachute floating down towards me, completely impervious to the wind. A sponsor? Seriously? I thought the Capitol was stupid, but I didn't think they were dumb enough to actually waste money on us...
Michael jumps up and grabs it, the smile on his face looking more and more real by the second. I stare at him in slight disbelief as he tosses the white parachute away and focuses his attention on the small note attached to it.
"A note?" I deadpan, shaking my head. "Thanks, Capitol. This'll be sure to protect us from the—"
"Run..." Michael's face is suddenly very pale, his eyes wide. I tilt my head, walking up next to him to get a look at the note. On it, in perfectly clear writing, is one word underlined over and over again.
RUN!
— Vita.
I feel a horrible sense of dread wash over my entire body, dousing everything in horror. The tension surrounding Michael and I is so thick, so powerful that I can barely take in a breath. As I read the note, over and over, warning bells are just ringing and ringing in my brain. Run. Louder and louder. Run..!
"...Run from what?" I finally croak out, my voice as soft as a whisper. Michael looks up at me — and then, without a second of warning, a voice cuts through our terror-induced silence.
"LOOK! TWO BRATS!"
I jump, the fear filling up my veins, forcing my body to move on complete autopilot. I don't even have to turn around to know just what's coming for us; the girl from Two and her posse of killers. Meeting them is the equivalence of death itself.
Run. The words on the note are suddenly magnified in my brain. Run! Without even a second of hesitation, I drop my backpack on the ground and start running as fast as I can. I don't even know if Michael is following me — and for a moment, this moment, I don't even care. All I care about right now is getting away, away, away..!
Unfortunately, luck is never on my side. Never. I don't even make it a few meters before I feel a hand grip around my ponytail, dragging me to the ground. I cry out in pain, tears welling up in my eyes, and immediately lash out at the person above me. The girl from Two, Echo. I kick at her knee, trying to scramble away — but she won't stand for that. With a scowl on her face, she stomps on my stomach, taking the breath right out of my body.
No... I cough, whimpering, trying and trying to push the girl's foot off of my body. But it won't budge. No, please... I can't die here...
"You really thought you could run?" Echo taunts, her face red. A satisfied smile creeps upon her features. "Luckily for you, I'm not in the business of prolonging pain. I want this to be over just as much as you do. Say your prayers, Six."
I want to scream, call her a sadistic bitch, do anything to maybe prolong the inevitable. But all I can do is stare, wide-eyed, as she raises her weird-looking sword and levels it right above my chest.
I'm going to die. The thought bulges at the forefront of my mind, and I can't help but let out a childish sob. I never even got the chance to apologize to my mom for being such a brat. I never even got the chance to really live my life! How can I die now, when I'm just a thirteen-year-old girl who hasn't even gotten her first kiss yet?
I can't die. Please, please, please...
"LEAVE HER ALONE!" Michael's voice roars above my silent pleas. One second, Echo is about to plunge her sword into my chest. Next second, Michael comes into view and swings my backpack at Echo's head, knocking her right off of me.
I quickly get off the ground, panting, my heart beating so fast that it's the only thing I can hear in this chaos. He saved my life. I glance at my ally, who's glaring at the girl from Two. He... I was going to die. And he saved me...
"Ceres, run." Michael's voice is hard, his hands clenched around the straps of my bag. "Get out of here. Please, just—"
"And leave you to die?!" Every bone in my body is screaming at me to run, to get away, to live. But I can't. Not if Michael has to die.
But he's going to die, regardless of what happens here. This is the Hunger Games. Save yourself, Ceres. Don't be an idiot!
My ally looks at me, his voice taking a pleading tone to it. "Please..."
That's when I realize it. Michael wants this to happen. He wants to be killed by these creeps. He wants to be free from this horrifying place, filled with people who'll want nothing more than our bodies six feet underground. Now, he finally has a legitimate excuse. He's not giving up — but at the same time, he is, because he knows that there is absolutely no chance for him here.
The only thing he really wants at this point is for me to be safe. He wants me to escape, so that he can die without feeling guilty. It's so... It's so selfish. It makes my blood boil. It makes me want to scream, punch him in the face, and then cry afterwards.
...But I can't take this away from him...
I sniff, taking a few steps back. In the distance, I can see the rest of the Pack, swiftly advancing on the scene. It's now or never. Giving Michael one last hug, wrapping my arms tightly around his body, I quickly turn around and start running away from what would've been the scene of my demise.
"Who do you think you are..?" Even as I'm running, Echo's voice can still be heard. I don't turn around, even when I hear the horrible noise of metal slicing against backpack. I don't turn around, even when I hear Michael's panting.
Tears spring to my eyes. I left him. I just left him! I can't even reassure myself that it's what he wanted — because in the end, he's still dead and I did nothing to prevent that. Stupid, stupid, stupid Ceres!
When I finally feel like I'm far enough from the scene, and hear nobody chasing me, I force myself to turn around. In the distance, I can barely make out the figures of the Pack, all surrounding a boy swinging his backpack around to keep them away. I just stare, completely horrified, as a long-haired member of the Pack gets past his defenses and stabs him straight through the chest.
BOOM!
Michael's cannon sounds throughout the arena. And I know, that for as long as I live, I'll never be able to forget the sound of that cannon. I'll never be able to forget my ally's charming smile, or even his depressive pout.
I'll never be able to forgive myself for leaving him.
I'm so sorry, Michael.... Wiping the tears out of my eyes, I turn away from the scene and continue running through the grasslands of this nightmarish farm.
Echo Woods, 17;
District Two Female.
I slide my rapier out of the boy's chest, a long line of blood just oozing out. His dark blue eyes stare at me, filled to the brim with fear and sadness — and then, as he slumps to the ground and takes one final breath, a single tear slides down his cheeks.
BOOM!
The boy's cannon blows — and for a moment, the wind takes on a more erratic presence. That moment is over quickly, though, as it settles to its familiar cool breeze.
I wipe the blood off of my weapon and onto the boy's pants, sighing in dissatisfaction. Of course, instead of the tougher opponents, we just had to run into two of the youngest players left. It's good that this kid's now out of the equation, but I really was hoping to find someone like Vesper Quinn. Not only is it a good idea to eliminate the higher threats, but it'd be a lot more entertaining than fighting a thirteen-year-old wielding a backpack.
A lot more entertaining? What are you talking about, Echo? I shake that thought out of my mind, momentarily complexed. This isn't supposed to be entertaining. You don't even want to be here!
That's right… I don't want to be in these Games. All I want is for things to hurry up and end — meaning the rest of these tributes just need to hurry up and die. I'm not in this for the fun of killing or anything like that. Even I know how twisted that is...
Do you really? Because you seemed pretty happy when you killed that girl in the Bloodbath. I shake my head again, scowling at the reflection of myself on my rapier. I'm not... I don't want to kill these people. I was just happy that I could do something for the benefit of the Capitol, that's all.
But still, I can't explain the rush of energy I got when killing that girl, or even the rush I got when I saw those two defenseless brats. It was just so invigorating, like I was letting out all of my pent-up frustrations with just one fatal blow.
Look at what you're turning into. How do you think Reyna feels, watching her girlfriend morph into a sick murderer? I tense up at the thought of Reyna; I hadn't thought about her since the night of the interviews. But she'll understand, right? I'm only doing this because our beloved Capitol needs me to do this.
Above all, I'm doing this to get a chance to see her again. To go back home and live peacefully in Victor's Village with her. Reyna understands, right?
"Well then," Kostos mumbles, awkwardly scratching the back of his neck. "We just quadruple-teamed an unarmed thirteen-year-old. Anyone got any vodka for such a stunning victory?"
None of us find his joke very funny. If anything, it just makes my momentary euphoria at gaining another kill blow away with the wind. Shut up, Kostos.
"He had... He had a backpack," Adeline practically whispers, obviously not as elated as I felt. The way she glances at the corpse and visibly fights back tears... It's just pitifully annoying.
"And what a fearsome backpack that was," Kostos replies, continuing to be a sarcastic pest. Shut. Up. "And Echo, is there some sort of vendetta you have against District Five? First the girl, and now you've killed the boy. I bet their entire district is pleading to have your blood spilled on the ground—"
"Can you shut up?!" I yell at my District Partner, who widens his eyes at my sudden exclamation. My irritation is literally at it's peak right now. I tried to put up with him and ignore the fact that I had to fight those two brats on my own, but I just can't do that when all he does is talk and talk and talk.
There is no time for idle chit-chat in this place! Why can't these idiots understand that? We're in the Hunger Games and the Capitol wants us to kill each other — so instead of playing stupid games and flirting, they should be acting more like the Pack they've agreed to be in! And since I'm the only one who seems to understand that — bar Terrance — I'm automatically called out to be the bad guy.
I spin around and glare at each and every one of my allies. "When I saw those two kids, you all should've ran alongside me. Instead, you all thought it'd be cool to take your sweet and precious time. And now? Now only one is dead, while that other girl got away!"
Somehow, Kostos finds the gall to snicker at my anger. In the Capitol, I think I would've put up with it. But now, I don't have the patience to do that anymore.
My rapier is at his throat in milliseconds. Just one push of my arm and his life would be over — but I refrain from killing him, if only to retain the least bit of sympathy I have. I don't think I particularly need him for me to win these Games, but still. I'm not evil.
"Stop laughing, because I'm dead serious right now." I make sure my voice matches the anger I feel deep inside. Thankfully, he seems to catch the hint, because his features immediately turn serious. "Good," I say, before removing my weapon from his jugular. "Now I want you all to listen very carefully."
There isn't a ghost of a smile on Kostos' face, and his hand is clenched tightly around his bow. Adeline looks like she's about to either start running or start crying — or both, by the way she's shaking. And Terrance, the only one who I can sincerely say I trust, has a barely noticeable smirk on his face.
Unlike my District Partner, I'll allow him to smile. He actually knows what needs to be done, unlike a certain blonde pair.
"Ever since coming here — actually, ever since leaving District Two — you've been nothing but a joke. One big joke, Kostos. I still don't understand why you volunteered, but at this point I couldn't care less. The Hunger Games aren't meant for playing and joking around, They're meant for killing. And by the way you hesitated to kill that District Seven girl during the Bloodbath, I just don't think you're cut out for this." I smile a little, realizing just how much I've been wanting to do this. I've been wanting to go off like this since day one. And finally, I've had enough. I can't keep biting back my irritation anymore. "Sorry, but you're out. You're just a nuisance to me at this point."
The impact of my words seem to hit everyone hard — even Terrance, who barely does anything other than look impassive. Adeline gapes, staring back and forth between Kostos and I, looking like she wants to say something but not having the courage to.
As for the man in question…
"I got a higher training score than you," he responds. I'm almost taken back by how serious he sounds. Almost.
"I don't see why. Everyone in the Capitol can tell who's the most competent just by glancing at us."
"You can't just kick me out!" For a second, he smiles, as if waiting for me to confess that this is just one big joke. But it's not one big joke. I can't deal with Kostos anymore. He needs to go.
"I think it's been clear who's the leader of this alliance since day one." I can't help it; I laugh. Call me a bitch, but there's just something really amusing about this. "And as leader, I say you're out. Bye."
Without even waiting for a response, I turn my gaze towards Adeline, who literally flinches. Just so pathetic.
"You can go with him, Adeline, since you're so fond of our blue-eyed hunk. I can tell it'll just kill you to be away from Kostos for even a second, so take this banishment as an opportunity to...further your relationship."
"Wh-What?" She blushes, but there's a small fire in her eyes that wasn't there before. "Y-You can't just… We're both v-valuable members of this alliance, and—"
I take a step towards the girl, interrupting her little speech. A spark of irritation travels throughout my veins when I remember that game from yesterday, and how she straight-up lied to my face. "There is absolutely nothing valuable about you. I don't know what kind of training they do in One, but obviously they need a better instructor."
She blushes even harder at the reminder of her so-called training. And without another word of disagreement, tears in her eyes, she nods.
I look towards Terrance, who gives me an approving smile. He already knows that I wouldn't cut him off of my team. I knew, since on the train coming here, that I'd work a hundred times better alone — but maybe it'll be better to have a former Peacekeeper on my side. It'll remind me of the normality of Two, at least, and I feel like that's something I need.
"Of course, our friend from District Nine is the only competent one out of you three. He'll be sticking with me." I look back towards Kostos and Adeline, the two people that have annoyed me since the moment I locked eyes with them. "Just to make things clear, you two are officially out of the Pack. This is a peaceful break-up, though, so there will be no fighting. The next time we see you two, though..."
I trail off. I think they already know. If Terrance and I see them again, I won't hesitate to shove my rapier straight through their bodies.
"Not much of a pack with just two members," says Kostos, frowning. He gives me what looks like a pout, before giving Terrance an almost disgusted look. "But if we're actually splitting on peaceful terms, then it's only fair that we get to go back to the Cornucopia for some supplies."
Fair. I snort, shaking my head. "Life isn't fair, Kostos. Terrance and I get the Cornucopia. You two get…" I motion towards the boy from Five and the backpack clenched tightly around his hands. "You two can have whatever's in there. Deal?"
"But—" Adeline tries to complain. One sharp glare from me shuts her right up, though.
"Think of it like this," Terrance says, his voice soft and yet strangely smug. He's talking straight to Kostos, ignoring the girl from One altogether. "As you wander around the Arena, struggling to find food, maybe you'll find out who you truly are. It's just what you wanted, right?"
Kostos doesn't answer — or rather, doesn't get the chance to answer. A soft ding cuts him off from whatever he's about to say. We all look up at the sky and stare at the parachute, flying right towards Kostos. With another one of those annoying smiles, Kostos quickly grabs the parachute and reads the note attached.
I clench my fists, wondering what that jackass Arsen could possibly say to Kostos right now. Something amusing, no-doubt, because my District Partner actually laughs.
"Don't worry, Adeline," he says, snickering, crumpling the note and tossing it to the ground. "We won't have to worry about anything. Come on, let's just go." The blonde girl looks totally confused at this sudden change of attitude. But when Kostos grabs her hands and starts walking away, she follows obediently.
I stare at the two of them, walking away without even one last look at us. Good riddance, I want to say, but I can't help feel a bit pissed at Kostos' knowing laugh. What could that note have possibly said?
Terrance gives me a bored look as I snatch the note from the ground and uncrumple it. It'd kill me not to know. And how come Heloise isn't sending me anything?!
Don't worry about food or supplies. You're the most attractive male this year, with the highest training score and even a kill to your name. Sponsors are literally lining up to send whatever you ask for.
As for Echo… I told you to kill that bitch when you had the chance.
— Arsen.
"FUCKING BASTARD!" I rip the note into itty-bitty pieces, throwing it on the ground and then stomping on the remains. "When I get back home, I am going to kill you, Arsen!" It's not even the fact that he insulted me, but more-so the fact that Kostos and Adeline will be just as well-off as Terrance and I are. They won't have the best shelter, sure, but I wanted them to suffer.
Terrance places a hand on my shoulder. I look over at him, trying and failing to form words. When I can't seem to say anything worthwhile, I just sigh and start walking back to the barn. He follows at a steady pace, laughing a little.
None of that matters, Echo, I tell myself, trying to let a strange sense of peace overcome me. From here on out, you don't have to worry about Kostos or Adeline. They're gone. And the next time you see them, they'll be dead.
That's what I need to focus on. Now, this so-called Pack is broken. Now, I can really focus on winning and going back home to Reyna.
No more distractions. The Games have truly begun.
Michael Riverbee, 18th: MsAir, Michael was probably my absolute favorite tribute to develop. He started off as this bubbly kid, kinda normal, nothing at all that really stands out other than his cheerfulness — but as reality hit, and the Games got closer, he came face-to-face with his impending doom and sorta broke. He wasn't the same kid from Five anymore; the Capitol did what the Capitol does best and changed him. And this sadness didn't just come out of nowhere. Remember how he cried during the Reapings? I feel like it started right then, as soon as he got reaped, and slowly spiraled into a mild depression. Overall, Michael was just a great tribute to have around, and I really will miss him — both his cheerful side and his depressing side. May he seriously rest in peace. :')
Author's Notes: Yeah, I have no idea how to feel about this chapter. It feels sloppily written, but I don't know why because I really did try my hardest to convey the emotion and action at the same time. I don't know. Hopefully you guys like it? I guess, in the end, it all depends on whether you all like my writing or not.
By the way, I want to say HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY TO LOKITHISISMADNESS (CLOE)! She's one of the many friends I made on this site, and honestly a day not talking (or arguing) with her just doesn't feel complete. So yay to Cloe!
What are your thoughts on each of these tributes? Which POV was your favorite and why? Which POV was your least favorite and why?
You're wandering around the Arena, trying to survive — but suddenly, you hear the Careers laughing! You turn around, and there they are, demanding for you to get on your knees and beg for your life. What do you do?
Also, guys, the blog should be updated with all the deaths and whatnot. (and even a better picture for Tet!) Check it out, eh? AND I made a blog for the Hunger Games Victors of this Verse! Check that out, too! Both links are at the top of this chapter. (since the fanfiction-link problem is still a thing, I'll be adding them both up there from now on)
And yeah, I managed to get 4 reviews last chapter. I'm really grateful and all, but that is a bit less than usual. I do spend quite a bit of time and energy on these chapters, so please try and tell me what you all think! Okay? :D
BAI!