Mira Marlina, 17
District 4 Female
For the first time since entering the arena, I got to sleep in a sleeping bag. It felt so nice to be covered with the warm fabric, snuggled in my own little cocoon. I tucked myself behind a stack of crates and practically barricaded the entrance to the horn to keep myself safe for the night, which passed smoothly. The bodies had been cleaned up shortly after the Feast and only a few bloodstains remained.
My pack contained several small white pills labeled as pain relievers. My head was pounding again after the force of the explosions, and the medication did wonders. I also had pills to help my stomach settle after drinking unpurified water. My stomach wasn't the happiest, so those were appreciated too. It made me happy to know there were still people on my side.
For so long, I'd been the only one there for me. I fought hard to keep my self-esteem up, to keep my image untainted, and to prove I was more than a naive little teen who abandoned her family for a hateful lover. But Lumine saw me as someone worthy of fighting for. So maybe other people did too.
The rain pattering on the metal of the Cornucopia began to fade away and I climbed out of my sleeping bag. After sliding on my boots and socks, I put together a breakfast of protein bars and dried fruit. I swallowed another pain reliever as well. I had a feeling today was my last day in the arena and I wanted to be on top of my game.
Using an old quiver, I secured several shorter spears and set aside two longer ones. Then I began to shift the remaining supplies further back into the horn so they wouldn't get in my way. The boy from 5 had already proven himself to be clever and sneaky, and I didn't want him getting his hands on a weapon.
I had to think a bit to remember who my other competitor was, but I finally recalled the pretty girl from 7. She hadn't been at the Feast, so I could only assume she was well-supplied. I didn't know what weapon she used either.
Now there was nothing to do but wait. I practiced my fighting techniques for a little while before deciding it was best to conserve my energy. So I leaned against the Cornucopia, a spear in each hand, and waited.
Ebony Chaste, 18
District 7 Female
I'd woken up with a grumbling stomach and so far my attempts to catch fish were unsuccessful. I was growing more and more frustrated as I plunged my knife into the water. Finally, with an angry yell, I tossed my knife to the side and slumped back against a tall tree.
This was pointless. I could search for a fruit tree or something, but now I felt too riled up to be productive. For all I knew, this was my last day in the arena. Maybe I could just wait it out.
I couldn't be more excited to be out of this stupid jungle, but I also had a sense of pride. Money could be tight back at home, but luxury was literally placed in my lap. I didn't want for anything except for something fun to do; a party to attend, a girl to sleep with, a new lipstick Vitex said he'd buy for me.
In the arena, I'd learned to fend for myself. I felt stronger, not physically, but in my soul. I could take care of myself and others. My alliance had broken, but I'd avenged Marino and Jackson's deaths. And before they died, I'd made food and laughed and danced with my companions. I protected Jackson from Billie in the bloodbath. I used the tools at my disposal to catch fish and stay hydrated.
A strange creaking sound reached my ears and I snatched up my knife as I scrambled to my feet. Holding the blade out in front of me, I looked around wildly for any sign of danger.
Suddenly, to my surprise, a long tendril emerged from the ferns. It looked like wood, but it moved too fluidly. Branches snapped as the full creature joined me in my small clearing and I had to bite back a scream.
It was a tree, but it had legs. Its roots were moving like stiff tentacles, allowing it to walk across the jungle floor. Its long branches reached towards me, its fronds shaking in the breeze. I turned and ran.
As I sprinted through the jungle, the rustling grew louder and louder. I hurtled over fallen logs and crashed through clumps of ferns, but the tree continued to follow me. To my horror, my foot tangled in a root and I fell, crashing to the soft forest floor.
Something firm wrapped around my ankle and began to pull. I screamed and dug my knife deep into the ground, using it to anchor myself. But the tree mutt was strong and the hilt of my blade was still wet from the stream. My fingers began to slip as tears tracked down my cheeks.
I shrieked as I was finally pulled away from my knife. The tree dragged me back, more of its branches wrapping around my legs and torso. They curled around me like living vines, scraping and bruising my skin.
One of the branches began to move toward my face. I turned my head to the side, a whimper escaping me, but the wood just began to encircle my throat. Squeezing my eyes shut, I felt my airway restrict and my heart begin to pound faster. This was it.
I was so close to making it home! But I knew this was where my journey ended. One by one, I forced my muscles to relax. I would face death with dignity. I fixed my eyes on the cloudy sky until my vision went black.
Rain Barton, 13
District 5 Male
Boom.
The sound of a cannon made me jump. I coughed a little, nearly choking on my breakfast of nuts and dried fruit. Quickly grabbing my biggest fish hook, I looked around nervously. But everything was still. Almost unnaturally still.
I put my makeshift weapon down, but I was still on edge. Tentatively, I finished my breakfast and gulped down some water before surveying my supplies. Most of the backpacks I'd taken were filled with food and water, though the girl from 3 had handwritten notes in her backpack. For some strange reason, I felt as if I shouldn't read them. So I'd tucked them back in the bag and hidden the whole thing.
That cannon meant I was in the Final 2. I would have to face my opponent soon, and I had no idea if it was Ebony or Mira. Both girls were bigger than I was, but I found myself hoping it was Ebony. She wasn't trained like Mira was.
I wasn't sure what weapon Ebony had, but Mira used spears during training. And she stayed at the Cornucopia after I fled the Feast. I had a nagging feeling she would be my last obstacle.
I picked up my rope and examined it. I didn't have any weapons besides the rope and a variety of fish hooks. They were useless against a spear. But I was quick. If I stayed away from her, maybe I could dodge the weapons. I just had to outlast her. She'd run out of spears eventually.
But then I would need a way to kill her. She could probably take me down if we fought hand-to-hand. But if I could keep her away… The idea popped into my head and I laughed lightly as I imagined a lightbulb above me. Grabbing my biggest fish hook, I secured it to the rope and then threw it at a nearby tree. It scraped across the bark without doing too much damage, but Mira was a lot softer than a tree.
This makeshift weapon would have to work. I could even try to sneak up on her and get her from behind, wrapping the rope around her throat or cutting it with the fish hook. It was the most solid plan I had.
Nodding to myself, I stood up. I put on my ghillie suit as well, hoping the extra layer of fabric would provide some extra protection. After thinking for a moment, I elected to leave most of my supplies behind. They'd just slow me down, and after today, I wouldn't need them.
Taking a deep breath, I began the trek to the Cornucopia. My plan was incredibly risky, but I'd been a risk-taker my whole life. And I knew that confidence was key. If I didn't believe I could do something, there was no way I'd succeed. As long as I was clever, cautious, and alert, I could win these Games.
The Cornucopia clearing came into view and I carefully made my way to the back. I approached the metal structure slowly and pressed myself against it. My heart was pounding in my chest and it took another pep talk and a whole lot of courage for me to spring into the open. But I did.
Mira jumped in surprise as I lashed my weapon at her. She held her arm up to shield her face and chest, crying out when my hook tore into her skin. But she grit her teeth and shook it away. A spear came whistling through the air and I jumped to the side, slamming into the metal of the Cornucopia. Stunned for a moment, I barely had time to sidestep as Mira stabbed at me.
Backing up quickly, I swung my rope again, but she knocked it aside with her spear. Then she grabbed another spear with lightning speed and threw it with insane power. And this time, I was too slow to move aside. It sank deep into the right side of my chest and knocked me off my feet with the force.
By some miracle, I kept my grip on my rope. I desperately tried to swing it at her, but she swatted it aside again. The spearhead of the weapon in her hand gleamed wickedly and I closed my eyes. This was it.
Pain tore through my throat as something wet stained my chest. I tried to breathe but there was just a whistling, sucking sound instead. Mira looked down at me with an indecipherable expression and I let my eyes fall closed.
Boom.
Panem, I give you the Victor of the 58th Hunger Games: Mira Marlina!
We did it! We made it through the Games, and we have our victor. I agonized over this decision for ages, but in the end, it had to be Mira. I feel like she had the best arc and learned the best lessons during her time in the arena. Like I mentioned before, I wanted to finish this story up before November, since I'll spend that month writing my original novel for NaNoWriMo. I might have a few rogue updates though since I'll start working on the second Chaos Reigns collab soon-ish, and may potentially open up submissions for my third SYOT (the 66th Games). We'll see.
Thank you again for following along with this story and giving me so much feedback and such awesome reviews. I really appreciate you all, and I'll see you in the next story!
Eulogies
3rd: Ebony Chaste (killed by walking tree mutts)
RIP Ebony. You were such an incredible character, and you actually were my victor for the majority of the Games. You were unique, and quite the fiery individual. You took no nonsense from anyone and you would have been an amazing victor. You will always be remembered, and you faced death with the confidence you always had. Thank you SilverflowerXRavenpaw.
2nd: Rain Barton (killed by Mira)
RIP Rain. Rain, you were appealing to me right from the start and I had so many wild ideas for you. You were a bold risk-taker, and you had the courage to stand up to a trained Career! I loved that you were both a loner and outgoing, and your friendship with the aluxob was SO fun to write. Your cleverness and ingenuity were beyond impressive, and you will be missed. Thank you Very New To This.
Victor: Mira Marlina
Guys... it had to be Mira. I truly did agonize over this painful decision, but in the end, Mira's character arc stood out more. She's also a trained Career, and realistically stood a better chance against Ebony and Rain. Mira, you were surly and had a mean streak, but your time in the arena showed you that people do care about you, and you can care about them. Thank you Kkstar47. Congratulations!
Have a nice day, be kind to each other, and never stop reading!
- Fiona