The next morning, the water falls early. We fill our bottles, and eat cold mashed potatoes with the beef. We then descend down to the 11th level. It has the least amount of solid ground. If it weren't for the other tributes, I'd enjoy running along the rope bridges. I'd swing my way across the Arena. It wouldn't matter that Mani lacks upper body strength. If it weren't for the Hunger Games, he could build gadgets and I could run free.
Who am I kidding? I wouldn't be free if I hadn't been reaped. I'd be going to school and the factory, without much choice. If I want freedom, I have to be the Victor.
Mani is mostly recovered from yesterday's pollen attack. He moves slower, but agrees the roof is too open. Today we want to set traps for the other tributes. And we have tons of materials from yesterday's drones.
We peer down the open middle of the Arena. The water is higher now, level 3 will be under soon. It is also very dirty with debris and some dead animals. We can see part of a camp on level 8, there are a couple of boxes in view. Maybe it's the Careers. With enough people, they could protect their supplies and easily get water.
We move away from the edge and slowly move towards the outer wall, hoping to find a discreet route down. Eventually we find a ramp and descend to 10.
As we creep along, moving from tree to tree for cover, we hear shouts from a distance but no cannons. A grove of trees allows us to go down to 9, and away from the voices.
We position ourselves so we can see the camp on 8 better, under the cover of bushes. It is the Careers' location and there are four of them. Two girls and two boys. They've got tarps rigged to form a shelter, roped to the branches overhead.
We watch them come and go for a while, from across the interior. They don't seem interested in exploring. They've got crates of food and easy access to water.
"Mani," I whisper. "Could we electrocute someone with the parts from the drones and the sponsors?"
"Not enough voltage," he whispers back. "The batteries from the drones are too weak."
He pinches his lower lip. "There is wiring everywhere. For the cameras and for the holoscreens of the dead."
"True."
Mani's eyes gleam. "If we could electrocute the waterfall, we could take out someone sticking their hand in it, holding a water bottle. Or even on a flooding floor."
I raise my eyebrows. "How dangerous is it?"
"Well, you shouldn't do it," he grins. "In District 3, we splice into Capitol power lines when we feel rebellious."
We leave the interior for a while, heading to the edge. Once we're settled, Mani shows me how to dismantle the drones. I do that and then I go find food. I bring back a rabbit and skin it on my own. Funny what hunger can motivate you to do. Once lunch is over, Mani continues to work with some wires. I prowl around some more, gathering peanuts and raspberries.
When we're hungry again, we eat cold rabbit meat with my harvest.
"I've connected all the wires," Mani tells me. "After we finish eating, we'll go to the inner circle and hack into the electrical system."
We climb two levels and walk around until we find a tree extending into the circle. It's almost directly above the Careers' camp, so we are hopeful we won't be seen.
Mani sets up his work area, attaching the pillaged drones in a line. He carefully lies the wires onto a branch that extends into the circle. I can't watch, it makes me nervous. Mani points out that we had the daily waterfall early today. I'm still nervous.
I boost him up into a tree, so he can find the main wiring. I stand guard, checking on him. He looks happy, doing something besides hiding. It's sweet. I may feel frustration at how slow he moves, but he's a good kid. He should be home in District 3, building rebel robots or something. We don't deserve this.
Finally I help him down. He double checks the wires and is satisfied with his work. He then goes to check the wires sticking out onto the branch. He's still holding the wires as he turns to me, grinning from ear to ear. He looks so excited, he makes me smile.
By the time we hear the water falling, it's too late. There is a popping and a sizzling sound and sparks and flames. Mani's skin darkens as he is propelled backwards and falls. Every hair on my body stands up but I am not hurt. I hear the cannon before he hits the water.
I sink to my knees, mouth open. Someone yells, "Wah HOOOO!" below me. Fuck them. Fuck this stupid Arena. Fuck the Hunger Games. Fuck the Capitol.
I stand up. I grab the extra drones and I throw them into the middle so that they can't be used. I shove the miniature tools into Mani's pack. I shove everything into the two packs and I run. It hurts to think I can run faster without waiting for Mani.
I run and run, until my foot catches on a rope ladder and I fall, down onto a platform, knocking the breath out of me, slamming my face on the wood.
My nose hurts. I start to breath again, through my mouth. I can see blood falling down, between the ropes. The blood is coming from my nose.
Somehow I managed to not lose the packs. Carefully I roll over and sit up. I touch my nose and wince. It hurts. But it's not broken. I start sobbing, which really doesn't help. My friend is dead. I sit and I cry for a while. I don't care if anyone finds me. I don't care if I'm killed next. If that's how I'll leave the Arena, then so be it.
Bullshit, my grandmother says.
When the tears subside, I am a bloody snotty mess. Ding-a-ling! Oh, don't be nasal spray again. I focus on the drone as it lands in front of me. I grab the box it carried. Inside is a small pot of medicine with a thin pack of antiseptic wipes. And almonds in a clear plastic bag. When I lift up the protein treat, I see a faint mark on the bottom of the box. It's the number 3. I turn the box upside down, hoping the cameras didn't see the mark.
"Thank you sponsors," I say, in a low voice. Mentally, I thank Beetee. I use all of the wipes on my face, which stings. Then I apply the cooling medicine.
Sighing, I empty out the packs to fill the bigger one. I strip off my bloodstained shirt and pull on a dry one. There's blood on my breeches but I just don't care right now. I eat more of the rabbit and then the almonds.
I climb a tree and hide the smaller pack in a space just below the ceiling. It has the sleeping bag, Mani's jacket, and his toolset. I want to travel lighter, climb more. Again I feel some guilt that Mani isn't holding me back now. I leave a small mark just above the ground, to identify it. Then I creep about until I find a tree with a larger space under the ceiling.
Before I start to climb up, the anthem starts to play. I stand tall, and watch Mani appear in the holograms around me. I salute him. Where are you now, Mani? Are you walking on the Moon?