Shep Howard- District Ten male (17)
I'd just had a great day out and I didn't even have to worry about going home. Of course thinking that felt like a jinx, but I could be pretty relaxed. A lot of us had been pretty open with our votes. Then again… if I was right, some of us were voting against a former ally. That would imply I was similarly at risk from my own allies. But I had a good feeling, anyway.
"Any hard feelings about the challenge earlier?" It was a good night for Isabella. She had a ton of material to fill airtime.
"I haven't killed anyone," Octavia started us off. I had to say it struck me as perhaps protesting too much.
"If she was going to, she'd use a hit man," Val said. Octavia punched his arm.
"You have to kill at least three people to be a serial killer, I think," Kallik said.
"I think they have to be separate, too," Leo said.
"Does a hit man count? Because he killed them, but for money, not for fun," Dorian said. "Also I asked one of the instructors once, and she said Careers would be spree killers. Serial has to have a long pause in between."
"Funny how we all kind of ignore some of us volunteered for this," Val stirred the pot.
"Heyyyy!" Dorian said in betrayal.
"I, for one, enjoyed the challenge," I said. There wasn't much dating scene in my community. My plan had been to find a city girl who was okay with running off to be a nomad shepherd. Or maybe she'd convince me to leave for city life. My options were open.
"Is the challenge going to affect your votes tonight?" Isabella tried to wrangle us in.
"I don't think so. It was what we thought was most popular, not what we thought ourselves," Kallik said. Which didn't pop my bubble, since it still meant most people thought most people thought I was handsome.
"I guess we'll see," Isabella said.
It must have been a foreboding moment for those without allies. The tranquility of most of the tribe suggested a certainty in who was going home and the most likely target was someone on the fringes.
"Once the votes are read, the decision is final," Isabella said. "First vote: Alara."
Alara pricked up but didn't panic. The first vote didn't mean anything. It was two votes that meant it was probably an alliance.
"Alara. That's two votes Alara."
Alara scrunched up her mouth on one side, sighed, and laid a hand on her knee. Everyone waited for the rest of the already-known votes. If they were like me, they were wondering who the outliers would be.
"Leo. That's three votes Alara, one vote Leo, five votes left."
Huh, didn't think he'd catch a stray. Wonder if it was Alara.
"That's enough. Sixteenth eliminated and fourth member of the jury: Alara."
Alara allowed herself a frustrated noise as she rose. She plucked a torch from the fire and watched the snuffer come down. She gave a wave and then she was gone.
Alara's interview: They got me good this time. I thought I had a few more safe weeks. Congrats to Two for being the last District standing. Darn it, I was really having a good time. Now I'm gonna think about all the things I could have done differently. But it was still a great time. I wouldn't trade it for the world.
Sixteenth eliminated: Alara Dory Banks
I didn't see this one coming. I'm not like shocked, but it wasn't who first came to mind. I don't really know who I expected. Anyway, the Career Districts in general are doing pretty well for themselves- maybe since hardly any were trained. Alara didn't really need the money but she'll probably give it away anyway. She's probably happy to see her family again even if she did want to stay longer.