POINTS:
Author196: 110
kealimepie: 260
hollowman96: 10
AtruxDragneel: 15
GalaxyPika: 15
Muddyboots: 155 (sorry your reviews were all the same)
jul312: 130
DeadlyHuggles: 160
Bananananananana: 5
BabyRue11: 20
murphyyy2000/hgfanboyy: 65
Elim9: 10
Jolteon2404: 95
The Wandering Phantom: 10
Poodlenoodles: 5
BloodedInk: 60
The Girl With The Knives: 35
EllaRoseEverdeen: 55
Pi Or Pie: 10
MrDauntlessHorse: 5
Lmklein20account2: 20
Guest: 5
BloodBath Guy: 5
yyvonnee: 5
Radio Free Death: 5
Guest2: 10
Cornell Wheaton(D9 Male)
I woke up the next morning feeling very stiff and not at all refreshed. I immediately jumped to my feet, cracking my back and stretching. I felt like I was underwater, like my ears were being drowned. I sighed, laying my head back against the confines of the tiny cave and looking around. The sun was still down, with just a faint crack in the darkness signaling light. Stars shimmered faintly against the backdrop of sable, their twinkling reminding me of wind chimes.
Zahava was dead. So was Harriet. Now, the only one left from my alliance was Cameron.
My gaze shifted to the sleeping tribute. I was still kind of in shock at what had just happened the day before, the Bloodbath. Day 2. I lasted to day 2.
That seemed impossible, now. Yesterday, I had almost died, with Azurine aiming a knife at me, prepared to throw it. We all knew she had deadly accuracy with throwing knives, which could've propelled Harriet to jump in front of me and take the blow. I hadn't even seen, and by the time I caught wind of the attack, she was already dead.
I wasn't really that sure I could trust Cameron. I mean, he was okay, but..Well...I couldn't stop thinking that he had that unnatural skill with the knives and it was really creeping me out because he could've been a Career no problem.
I decided to go out of the cave and get some fresh air, maybe even catch some food for us if I was lucky. I had never really hunted much before, being in the District for grain and all. It was obvious there were no farms here or anything, based on the temperature.
Setting off on a slow trot, every step making me on edge, I tightened my grip on the scythe I had managed to pick up during the Bloodbath, cursing internally for not getting a backpack; it would've made me felt so much more protected.
I paused, seeing that my footprints were making tracks in the snow. Kicking some over to smooth it back down a little, I continued on my way, mumbling random jokes to cheer myself up. "What did the cow say to the mushroom? Uh...hm.. Mooshroom?!"
I sighed, wiping my sweaty palms on my pants and concentrating fiercely. The open land was unsettling, but at least that meant I could also see if someone was coming toward me. We had decided against going into the forest because the majority of people would probably have the same mindset.
I shoved my hand into my jacket pocket and was surprised to find my token tucked deep in there. I hadn't even remembered I had brought it with me. The silver grain pin reflected the light dully, capturing the inner depths of light and letting out only a tiny bit. I stood there for a moment, simply staring into the grain, my heart aching for home.
Home.
Such a beautiful word. But first, I must win these Games. Pushing the pin hastily back into my pocket, I stalked faster, my feet kicking up snow, not even caring if they left prints, not even knowing where exactly I was going.
Each breath I took in began to turn ragged and there was a stitch in my stomach after a while. I barely had any breathing problems, but now I was reminded of them, by thinking straight back to the fire, and Grayn. Mom, Prairie, and Barley. Mom, who had fallen depressed after the death of Grayn. Prairie, who was so nervous about her first Reaping(this made me think of Zahava). And Barley, just a normal, happy boy who was not filled with any stresses at all.
Who did not understand why this world need be so stressful.
I fingered the pin again and pushed on, ignoring the darkness that lay behind me.
Soon the sun was up, bringing a flaring intensity of coldness, and I grew even more sweaty. I was almost tempted to take off my jacket except for the whispers that I might get sick. I used my scythe to catch a small raccoon-like animal, and brought it home with me while it was still warm. Its soft pelt brushed against me, threatening to strip away my conscience. I tried not to think about the raccoon thing as an actual soul and hurried to the cave.
Cameron was up by the time I got back, a huge yawn on his face. He nodded acknowledgement at me as I entered the cave, looking extremely tired. "Good morning," he said optimistically.
I smiled- his everlasting happiness was contagious. "Good morning," I returned. I nodded to the raccoon thing. "What do you want to do with this?"
Cameron studied it, contemplating. "We could use its pelt for warmth," he offered.
I ran my fingers across the creature's fur, noting how warm it was. "Good idea," I stated, "however, what about its flesh? Are we just gonna eat it or something?" I was repulsed by the idea.
Cameron made a face. "Ew. No way- that's cannibalism. How about we just use its pelt and worry about the flesh stuff later?"
I shrugged, "Sure. Oh, hey, I have a joke for you by the way."
A small smile flickered across his lips. "Yeah?"
"What did the cow say to the mushroom?" I asked cheerily.
"Mooshroom," Cameron answered promptly. "I've heard that one before."
I scowled.
The rest of the day passed by with a humor-tinged atmosphere. We got things done, bringing down a couple more creatures and working on removing their pelts. The food we rationed, due to a limited supply and both of us unwilling to eat animal meat.
Then night fell, and the chilliness came back again full force. My worries became more apparent in the way that the anxious lines in my face became more prominent. I thought of my siblings and my family, though, and my heart lifted with incredible hope. I would do anything to get back to them.
And to save Father, I added.
Cameron was studying me minutely, his lips slightly pursed, the small cheeky, radiant smile never gone from his face. I supposed that was what most girls saw in him: the fair skin, bright blue orbs, always happy and optimistic.
"Cameron," I began, "I was just wondering...not much happened today, compared to yesterday. Do you think...?"
His attention snapped up to me and he rubbed his brow tiredly. "I would prefer not to think about it," he said truthfully. "If we could avoid the stress and get back to it when it actually happens, then that's really the best we could hope for. Stress undermines you- I learned that looong ago." He grinned. "Which brings you to me."
I mustered a smile. "Yeah, I guess," I admitted.
We stayed up exchanging jokes, and I found out Cameron actually knew a lot of the ones I knew. I had thought they were special to Nine or something, but I guess not. Darkness descended upon the cave and I felt strangely vulnerable with the cave opening staring at me like that. Anyone could come through there as we were sleeping and steal our stuff. With that thought in mind, I began tucking our supplies into little niches in the cave walls, hoping that would be enough of a hiding spot for now. I moved the blankets and things right beside the niches so that if they wanted to get our stuff, they would have to move us, and we would wake up.
I yawned widely. "We should...get to sleep now."
Cameron nodded, "Yeah." We settled in and waited, our eyes wide open. I could barely sleep, my eyes having not adjusted to Capitol time, which was way different than normal. I rubbed my eyes and forced them to close, the clink of my pin tucked against the sheets in my jacket pocket.
I didn't know how long we just lay there, wide awake, before something scorched my vision. I blinked and sat up at once. Cameron was already tensed, his grip on his knives. He stared into the cave depths. "Who is it?" he called out. I was completely paranoid.
"You mean, what is it," Cameron corrected darkly. "Look out!"
I let out a girl scream. I think you can imagine the rest.
Boys don't scream like girls unless they're really petrified and can't control themselves. That was what I felt like right now. Like I couldn't hold it in any longer, like I was gonna explode with fear...
"Um, I need to go use the restroom," I excused, quickly dashing out of the cave.
Cameron yelled back, "Dude, you don't have to make excuses! You're running away, aren't you? Are you seriously gonna leave behind all these supplies?" He did have a point there. But I was just too scared to even consider his words.
I knew that whatever it was, was inside the cave, and I didn't want to find out what it was that had made me wake up. I ran as fast as I could, coming to a rest in what seemed like no time at all. Heaving for breath, my hands cupped over my knees, I glanced back in the direction of the cave and saw that it was out of sight.
Good.
I kept running, running, running, my feet skimming over the snow, never stopping to look back once my foolish fear was ignited. Then I heard a loud, desperate shout that chilled my heart, "CORNELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!"
I was practically torn. I wanted to go help Cameron but...my life was also important to me... Without even knowing what I intended to do, I tore through the frost to my ally, my heart pulling me in the direction of him. A fierce loyalty gripped me and as I skidded to a stop next to the cave, I spotted an artificial fire and halted immediately.
"No. Oh no.." I whispered.
The fire looked like earthly fireworks coming up from the lava beneath the ground, exploding and fire and danger. It was so red and orange, blazing hot and fiery, so bright. It made crackling noises like a whip every time it got closer, ringing the clearing so that Cameron was trapped.
To be honest, I had been putting much of my hopes into Cameron. Because he was so good with the knives, if I had died, I would've wished him to. After all, he had gotten that high training score and was now a major target.
I didn't know how I could get through the fire, so I just looked around dumbly. "Uh...Cameron...WHAT DID THE COW SAY TO THE SPONGE?" I distracted him.
My answer was a loud scream. I had the feeling he was getting burned or something.
I punched a tree and managed to unleash the tiniest bit of water from it. Cupping my hands underneath, I got what few drops came out and threw it at the relentless fire, which...did not help, obviously. The fire just snapped and blazed, stark against the wintry land.
The wall of fire rose and rose and smoke was thrown into the sky. Then- which would be known as the most magnificent thing I had ever seen if I came out of this whole mess alive- Cameron leaped over the fire.
It was just simply...amazing. He must've taken a huge running jump and somehow made it over the fire. It seemed so impossible.
"How?" I screamed at him.
He grinned. "Magic. I don't know."
"How do you jump in freaking boots?!" I yelled.
"Yeesh, calm down." He folded his arms.
"After seeing that? No way." I was annoyed he was taking this all so coolly, especially since he had been the one in the fire.
"This must be the Capitol's doing," Cameron muttered. "Fire in ice? Now that's what you call impossible."
I just nodded, panting so hard I couldn't breathe. My throat felt dry from breathing in all that acrid smoke, and my gait was slightly stumbled. We continued in silence, then I said, "What about our supplies? Did you get any?"
Cameron nodded. "Yeah, I stuffed my pockets with as much as I could get before the fire burned all of it down."
"Do you have any more of those cracker packs? I'm starving," I admitted.
"Yup- I think there's like one or two." He dug out from his pocket a flattened packet of crackers and I ripped it open, relishing the salty crunch that met my mouth. I devoured it so quickly my stomach began to ache, and I laughed aloud, surprisingly through all my anger.
"Why was the cracker green?" I asked, my mood restored as my hunger dispersed.
Cameron let me for this one. "I don't know, why?" His optimistic attitude was admirable.
"Because it had moldy cheese on it," I replied, cracking up even though it wasn't that good of a joke. I was just so relieved Cameron had survived. "You're the new Algar, Cameron," I smiled.
Cameron rolled his eyes. "Oh, I hope not." His joking grin spread across his face. "Here's one for you. What is the question that you can ask every time and always get a different answer?"
"Your reflection. You changed it a little," I remarked.
Cameron nodded. "Yeah, I think it sounds more difficult that way."
Jokes were what we had in common and my heart went out to this twelve-year-old in an unexpected way- he was just so incredible, with the throwing knives, the endless happiness, the humor, the wisdom pressed between words...
Well, I would be rooting for him if I died, that was for sure. I was glad I had an ally I could trust, though, too; I had been extremely nervous about allies killing me during the night before.
As we continued walking and my eyes started drooping, I thought I saw a shadow move to the right, but I couldn't be sure, after all, it was super dark so I just ignored it.
Dahlia Rhodes(D10 Female)
The note was written in heavily pressured black ink.
You must think me your enemy now, don't you? Well, the thing is, I just want to warn you of something that will be a threat in your Games.
You know Murray Keyes, your District partner? Well, his mentor, Wendigo...he's sort of a criminal: I don't know how else to explain it. Beware of him, he might make appearances in the Games. Don't question me, just stay clear of him. He's capable of doing anything and you don't want to get in the way of his ambitions. I should know.
Please, this is your one advantage over the other tributes. Use it well~
Mia.
11/6/17
A/N: Omg I woke up soooooo early from Daylight Savings, hbu?