Day Six: Sacrifices

"Just go." The words are spoken, softly. He's done for, he knows he's done for. Still, the group clusters around like it would do something. Like he isn't dead.

Petrus is very much dead. For one, there's that hole in his leg. A goddamn worm, of all things. They killed it, dragged it out to show him it wasn't his fault. Tang had wanted to eat it, but was overruled by the others, who (for once) had made a sensible decision. Worms bad eating. For another, that hole's screwed his leg. They can't move with him like this, and they're not leaving him.

Satin was first. Gorgeous Satin, Satin who'd made sure he'd been comfortable and well rested. Who'd kept the team together when nobody else would. She'd be classified as a bad person in any description outside of the Hunger Games. Expert torturer, qualified child murderer and more than willing to play with her food. In the Games, she was a perfect ally. He'd been glad to have her, even if he was sure only Archie had done that..

Her District Partner, Hero. Shit name for a decidedly average person. He wasn't ready, Hero wasn't ready. Only got a seven at the Gamemaker Scoring. Hardly enough, and he was aware he'd be taken in a heartbeat by any of the more competent careers. Still, he'd stuck with them. This was his punishment, after all. Fucked up his course, gotten two killed in the presses when the bridge he'd fixed collapsed. He'd made the most out of it, even as Satin needled him at every opportunity.

Numi. His DP. Perfect, polished Numi. Numi, with her excellent swordwork and her well kept air and the smile that could charm even some of the traditional One sponsors out of their money. Numi, who'd kept him watched, even saved his ass when that Eight boy who'd tried to sneak up behind him with a knife.

Amphitrite. His girl, his friend. In a different world he'd make sure that they'd have been the bet of friends and more. As it was, they'd been cooperative. Not watch partners, Numi and Archie had shot that down in flames. No chances of them running off, a fair logic brushed off with a smile and a wave from Amphi. Still, they'd discussed it. The gorgeous white beach, stretching for miles, had ample cover in the dunes and then the gorgeous, mountainous rainforests back. When they were out there it would have been trivial. Run away, hide on the peak one of the waterfalls fell from. Then they'd gone to the beach to track some of the runners, and in an instant that plan was gone.

Archie. Archipelago, as the Four had explained with a squirming of his feet and a blush on his cheeks, rounded out the pack. The boy was the lynchpin of the alliance. Kept everyone's spirits up, made sure everyone was smiling. Kept everyone's hopes up in the rain and mist that swept the island.

And now they're all standing around him, watching him and staring down at the hole with too much concern to say the issue at hand.

He waves his hand, batting the complaints aside. "And we're going to be arguing the point. Or rather, you are. Me, I just want this bastard hole in my leg to stop hurting. So, here's the deal. You're going to make sure that I die quickly and with a bit of blood but not too much. Mercy works, even if it's not how I'd have wanted to go. Amphi, you can..." "I can. In through the back of the skull. Pet, we can figure this out. We can wait a little, and then when you're better we can." "We can't." He's angry, now. "You need to win this. I'm sorry it has to end this way. Whoever wins, send love to Ma and Da. Mine. They'll be sad."

Amphi chokes back a sob, and Archie shakes his head. "We don't have to, there's always another way. Pet, mate, we could..." He trails off, forcing Petrus to issue another denial. "Two weeks? Three? This late in the game, Gamemakers won't stand for it. Better to respect their whims and let someone healthy win. A much better call for all of us. You lot win, you hear me? I want someone, if not me, who actually wants it. Actually deserves it."

They nod around him, and it's all he can to to keep from stirring up complaint, to keep from serving issue. To keep the tears out of his eyes. "I'm sorry. Didn't want it to end like this. Amphi, you were good. Wish we'd met in better times. Could you? It's hurting worse, the painkiller's wearing off, and I'm not ready to go just yet but I have to." He feels her hand against his shoulder, and obligingly lies down, like a lamb for the slaughter.

A warm kiss on his cheek, he isn't sure who. Amphi, most probably. A single, wet, drop on his cheek, a tear that isn't needed. He reaches his hand up, squeezing it around the one on his head. "Hey, hey. It's fine. You lot." His glare stabs out at the allies gathered in front of him. "Win this, one of you. Carry the honour of Two with you. Avenge me." A flurry of nods, and his voice softens. "Amphitrite. You were a good friend. You'd make a better victor. Good luck."

With that he turns his head, putting it down. Opening up the gap, and he feels a testing poke with the knife not break the skin. The blade stabs down, and he can feel the cold kiss on the back of his neck. The smooth hand, pressing down. Then nothing.