tw for suicide in the first POV

Indigo Li, 13

District 8 Female

Indigo spent most of yesterday curled up in a ball. She hadn't eaten food or drank water. She just slipped in and out of a tortured sleep. But finally her grumbling stomach demanded attention. She wolfed down a protein bar and a few pieces of beef jerky as she surveyed the savanna. This was her final day in the arena.

Last night, as she drifted off to sleep, Indigo thought about her earlier commitment. She was going to throw everything at winning. But why? What was waiting for her at home? A district that hated her. An aunt that wanted her gone. There was no reason to return.

Indigo was afraid to die. But she didn't deserve to live. She wasn't sure how to approach her attempt, but she knew what she had to do. She had to kill herself. The very thought filled her with terror, but all she could think of was Blythe's terrified face. She made her ally suffer a painful, bloody death. Indigo deserved the same.

Sitting up, she examined her two backpacks. There was nothing there that would help her. And she had no idea where their tent was. In her frantic scramble to get away, she hadn't taken note of her route. But maybe Kelsi could help her out?

Indigo crawled out from the shade of the tree, tears beginning to track down her cheeks.

"Kelsi?" she whispered. "Could you help me? I don't—I don't think I can win." She couldn't bring herself to voice her thoughts out loud, but she hoped her mentor understood.

For a few minutes, there was nothing but the breeze through the grass and the chirping of a bird in the tree. Then the soft pinging sound of a sponsor gift reached her ears. Indigo watched as a small box floated to the ground in front of her. Opening it revealed one small, round, white pill.

"Thank you," Indigo croaked. She crawled back to her water bottle and sat for a moment, examining the pill. She was terrified. But she needed to do this. And hopefully, she'd be with her parents.

She put the pill on her tongue and gulped down a sip of water, swallowing everything. Then she laid down on her back and waited.

Prince Middleton, 17

District 1 Male

Prince was grateful for the shade of the trees. The Gamemakers had cranked up the arena temperature overnight and it was absolutely sweltering. Fighting in this heat would be miserable. But there was definitely a fight coming.

Iago had vowed to kill Prince. And he had no doubt the older boy was capable of doing it. He'd have to be extremely clever and cautious in order to defeat him. He needed a plan. But what?

He could try sneaking back to the Cornucopia, but Iago was probably guarding it. If he could lure the boy somewhere… maybe into the territory of the creatures that killed Queenie? Let them do the dirty work? It was a possibility. But he wasn't sure if he could get out of the way in time, or if they'd even go for Iago.

No, he'd have to think of something else. Facing Iago head-on was suicide, but the boy from 12 had proved himself to be both ruthless and smart. Outmaneuvering him would be extremely difficult.

Suddenly, a cannon fired, making him jump. He gripped his sword and looked around wildly, but everything seemed calm. He wondered who had died. He doubted it was Iago. Prince wasn't that lucky.

A part of him wanted to just go and face the boy from 12. Prince had been a coward his whole life. He never stood up to his parents, he never fought to be with Ali, he never listened to Maia's advice. This was his chance to be brave. But the other part of him knew facing Iago was probably a death sentence.

Beyond that, he didn't have time to decide. The wind was picking up and a strange howling reached his ears. Looking back, he spotted the strangest thing he'd ever seen. A spinning tower of dust and grass was heading straight for him! Other, smaller columns were forming too, and they were all headed his way. Prince sheathed his sword and ran.

Stumbling over hidden holes and cursing the sweltering heat, Prince sprinted across the savanna. The twisting towers stayed on his trail, close enough for debris to pelt his back but not near enough to suck him up. Still, he knew if he slowed even for a second, he'd be overwhelmed.

The Cornucopia appeared on the horizon and Prince sobbed with exhaustion. He didn't have a choice. He had to face Iago. He put on an extra burst of speed, using the last of his energy to reach the warm metal structure. He slammed against the side and stood there panting, using the Cornucopia for support. The twisters were dying down, now just little clouds of dust swirling on the ground.

He heard the scrape of metal on metal and lunged forward just in time. Iago's pickaxe slammed into the ground as Prince whipped around and drew his sword. He charged while Iago's weapon was still lowered, but Iago backed up and Prince's sword only slashed through his shirt.

Adrenaline pumped through Prince's veins as he panted. He was exhausted from his run, but he couldn't just give up and let Iago kill him. He was mostly on defense, but he just had to wait for the right moment…

The sound of more feet against the hard-packed earth reached his ears and he couldn't help but glance at the newcomers. The boy from 10, his face red from exertion, had the girl from 9 on his back and a large ax in his hand.

Prince turned back to Iago, but he was too late. The massive boy slammed his pickaxe into his right shoulder and Prince cried out in pain. His sword dropped from his hand. He swung his left arm in a desperate punch, but Iago knocked it aside and swept Prince's feet out from under him.

Crashing onto the dusty ground, Prince squinted up at Iago. The dark-haired boy was framed by the sun and was smirking down at him.

"Any last words?" he asked smugly.

Prince wanted to say something clever. He wanted to face death with maturity and pride. But he couldn't.

"I love you Ali," he croaked. "I'm sorry."

Rolling his eyes, Iago swung the pickaxe down. Pain unlike anything he'd ever felt burst through his chest, and then everything went dark.

Dakota Grangerford, 12

District 9 Female

This was it. Dakota's heart was pounding in her chest as she desperately clung to Mars's back. The dust devils chased them across the savanna, not attacking, just herding. They were shepherding them to the Cornucopia.

Mars was running with all the energy he had. They'd left their supplies when the small tornados appeared. This was the finale, and they both knew that. All Dakota kept was her small knife, which was tucked safely in her boot.

By some miracle, they reached the Cornucopia safely. Mars let Dakota slide down from his back and helped her into the shade of the large structure. She leaned against it and drew the knife from her boot.

But the two other tributes were distracted. The boys from 1 and 12 were fighting each other, weapons clashing loudly. But the boy from 1 turned to look at her and Mars, and the boy from 12 seized the opportunity. He slammed his pickaxe into the Career boy's shoulder and took him down with ease.

"Any last words?" the boy from 12 snarled. The other boy said something quietly, but Dakota was focused on Mars now. He was crouched in the shade, ax in hand, looking ready to strike. She held her breath nervously.

As the boy from 12 swung his pickaxe down and a cannon fired, Mars leapt out. He slashed the ax across the larger boy's chest before bringing it down on his forearm. The dark-haired boy cried out, bringing his weapon up and slamming it into Mars's thigh.

Her ally grunted in pain but stayed on his feet. Suddenly desperate to help, Dakota fell onto her stomach and began to drag herself forward on her elbows. If she could throw off the boy from 12, Mars could deal the killing blow… And then she would have to kill Mars.

The thought made her stop. Wouldn't it be easier to just let the boy from 12 finish them both off? He was strong enough to do it, and she didn't think he'd make her death too painful. But then she watched Mars cut into the other boy's chest and she had her answer. Mars was literally giving his life for her. She had to stay alive; to honor his sacrifice and live to see another day.

Mars threw himself forward, knocking the other boy off balance. As he fell, he sank his pickaxe into Mars's side. Her red-haired ally groaned in pain, but managed to bury his ax into his opponent's chest.

Dakota frantically dragged herself over to Mars, who was now lying on his side. She barely registered the other cannon firing. She just took Mars's hand and gave it a squeeze.

"You did it," she whispered.

"Yeah," he panted, his expression pained. They both looked at the gaping wound in his side. He wouldn't last much longer, but his death would be a painful one.

"Can you do it?" Mars asked again. Dakota looked at the knife in her hand.

"Are you sure?" she asked quietly. Mars nodded.

"Okay. How do I do it?" Mars raised a bloody hand to his neck and drew a line.

"Cut here," he croaked. "It won't hurt and I'll bleed out fast."

Dakota bit down on her tongue so hard she tasted blood as she fought back a sob. Mars closed his eyes. Dakota reached over and took one of his hands in hers. Then she dragged the sharp blade across the side of his neck.

Mars's body went limp. A peaceful expression replaced his pained one. His cannon fired. And Dakota screamed.

Panem, I give you the victor of the 54th Hunger Games: Dakota Grangerford!

Oh my god I did it. This chapter was hell to write because I've gotten so attached to Indigo and Mars and Dakota (sorry Prince). But it's done. Not gonna lie, I did cry a bit writing Mars's death scene. I feel so bad for Dakota! She really grew as a person in the arena and I just wish it was under better circumstances. Thank you Pi for creating such a tough but lovable character. Dakota is probably one of my favorite tributes ever.

There will be one more chapter after this to wrap up the story, featuring Dakota's victor interview and her return to District 9. I don't know when it'll be out, but hopefully it will be soon.

Eulogies

5th: Indigo Li (8F) - committed suicide
Indigo is a character that is very near and dear to my heart, so killing her was rough. The Games completely broke her spirit and she just couldn't keep going. I'm sorry it had to end this way for her. She was a firecracker who thought she couldn't be beaten, but she was also her own worst enemy. At least she's with her parents now. RIP.

4th: Prince Middleton (1M) - killed by Iago
Prince was a character I came up with at the last second, but I'm proud of how I developed him. He was just a cocky guy from 1, but really learned the lesson to value what he had in the arena, as well as learning patience. If only it wasn't too late... Also, as a note, I majorly messed up Ali's name. He was named Alabaster, with Al as his nickname, but then my brother was watching an Ali-A video while I was writing and I got all mixed up. So there's the story of how Prince's boyfriend came to be named; just in case you cared. Anyways, RIP.

3rd: Iago Moore (12M) - killed by Mars
I've never seen a villainous tribute from District 12, and that's how Iago was born. He was murderous and cruel, but also very intelligent, and that made him scary. He was willing to do anything it took to win and he was going to make the lives of everyone else in the arena a living hell. And he succeeded. But Mars's goodness was too strong, and so he had to fall. RIP.

2nd: Mars Szalinski (10M) - killed by Dakota
MARS! My sweet boy. Like Prince, you were a last-minute addition whom I came to love. You were loyal and true and cared for everyone so deeply. You definitely left your mark on the world, as you'd hoped to do. Dakota is alive because of you, and she will never forget you. And neither will I. Thank you for being good in a sea of bad. RIP.

Victor: Dakota Grangerford (9F)
Obviously this was a victor exchange, so we all knew Dakota was going to win. We just didn't know how (me included). I wanted her to stay surly, but I also wanted her to see the world hadn't given up on her. Maddox and Mars proved that, and it's a lesson she will keep on learning. Pi, I hope I did your girl justice. I had a blast writing her and a HG story has never made me as emotional as this one. Maybe I'm just a wimp though. A big thanks to AmericanPi for doing this exchange with me, and go check out their story Sharp Objects if you haven't already.

Have a nice day, be kind to each other, and never stop reading!

- Fiona