Not Just Another Hunger Games

The land seemed no more than a barren wasteland at a first glance. Twenty four pedestals were easily visible in the center of the moor, a cornucopia in the center. Yes-this was the arena. Among the grass, several pools of water were gathered, and although they were well hidden, they seemed to be one of the only water sources besides a small pond hidden a ways away from the area. A difficult arena, so it claimed, however that would depend upon the tributes the year would bring, being a special hunger games-the youngest to occur, the tributes no older than 14.

District one was the first to emerge, rising on stiff platforms, both bold and confident - John even more so. The boy certainly didn't look 13, that was for sure. He was broad-shouldered and strong-looking - however, it wasn't a surprise, considering the way the careers were trained to shove all challenges aside. Jenna, however seemed no less than the opposite. She was small, sure, but knowing her district, she would have to be quite swift to compare to her opponents as they too rose on their platforms - district 2.

Ah, one of the most recognized tributes. Noah had made a remarkable appearance the night before-jumping up on his float and uh...what appeared to be some floppy dance - he was practically the center of attention! As he rose to the scene now, he didn't look like he could keep the smile OFF his face. He certainly didn't act concerned about the fact that he might die soon, that was for sure! As for Kady, she rose delecately, yet surprisinly bold. Like Jenna, she seemed small, but her stern expression warned opponents that she intended to win.

Next ascended district three. You honestly would have thought the male tribute was a career, as his figure was similar to John's. Well, Tyler was bold, yet more so than that. In fact, he seemed ready to bowl over all that crossed his path, and it was obvious the careers would consider letting him join their annual alliance, assuming the skinny girl on the platform beside him didn't insist she tag along with him, as it was obvious she had no chance.

District four. Both careers, both deadly-looking, as always. Triston's glare swept across what would have been the inferior districts to him, rolling his eyes as though he already knew who would win. But of course, he thought it would be himself, so there was no surprise there. The female tribute, Taylor, seemed to confirm that most of that year's careers were quite short, however Taylor too, had her advantages, for instance, the girl was certainly sneaky. Despite the lack of trees, her height would be an advantage to hide within the tall grass.

District five - like most non career districts - appeared much friendlier, and it was obvious neither of the two had volunteered. Gabe was tall, and seemed bored, yet it was obvious he would rather have someone else from his district join him in the games other than Maggie. Speaking of Maggie, she certainly had goals, but you really couldn't blame her. Her only intentions were to survive as long as possible, and to please her (much older...) siblings - to let them know she tried. More to the point, well...it was correct. The two district five tributes were fairly friendly, just not exactly toward each other.

District six was made up of Brendan and Morgan. Brendan was much like Noah. He just wanted to be remembered, however that might not have been accomplished had he not tried. Morgan, like Gabe from the fifth district, towered above Brendan. She was indeed quite intimidating, and an excellent choice for the careers to invite into their group.

District seven may not have been the tallest, but if the careers were to invite everyone of use, they sure would have their hands full with district seven tagging along. The boy's name was Luke. Luke was the perfect example of why the Hunger Games should be shoved aside. I mean really, at least some of them were intelligent! Sam was much the same. They would make a good team for sure, but seeing as they were both fairly intelligent, aswell as well rounded in athletic abilities, they may have had some issues with not being able to cover each other's weaknesses, however if they were really that clever, they would come up with some sort of solution.

District eight had a fair advantage aswell. To have a chance in the games, you at least have to be fit - and to think Alex fat would be like thinking apples were purple - neither of which were true.

The girl on the platform near him, however, seemed anxious. She held her breath as the silence dragged on. At least she knew that few survived the games...

District nine was equally balanced. While District seven were well rounded, district nine appeared to be an unstoppable team - however, they may have been at a loss if Nick were to lose his glasses. Oh well, perhaps he could fight without visual of his opponent, or get Josie to assist him, as she seemed fairly capable. She looked average at a first glance, yet her legs were powerful, and she was quite agile, which would be useful to evade attacks.

District ten was at a huge loss. The male tribute was scrawny, and poorly fed, and even their female tribute looked as though her district had no food at all, but perhaps they would find a way.

Caelum and Anna were the oldest in the games. Whether the eleventh district thought they would have an advantage if the two both met the age limit for the years games or not, they were both tall. Caelum looked more excited than anything, already eyeing the weapons as Anna

District twelve? Not to be forgotten, the chosen male tribute that year was short, that's for sure. The name he had was Jordon. Though he carried no extremely notable traits, it was sheer coincidence that the female tribute was related to him, though some thought she volunteered. At first you may think of Katniss, but Rebecca was in no way as mild as that past champion. Though she was short, even her expression revealed she thought the games no more than a petty competition. They were no doubt an unusual pair, but of course, it would all depend how they played out in the end.

In each and every one of their minds, they imagined what their families saw on their televisions. The camera would pan across the face of each individual, their score and other attributes flashing on the screen as it passed by them. District one, broad and stealthy. District two, memorable and deadly. District three, bold and desperate. District four, determined and agile. District five, lighthearted and blunt. District six, hyper and intimidating. District seven, smart and well balanced. District eight, athletic and nervous. District nine, crafty and clever. District ten, scrawny and underfed. District eleven, tall and mature, and last of all, district twelve - short and viscous. That was all it took. Within moments, each of the tributes snapped awake from their separate daydreams to the loud sound of a horn.

The Hunger Games had begun.

Everything happened at once. Tributes darted in every direction, some toward the cornucopia, and others making a break for it up over the ridges that circled the beginning point. Jenna was the first to grab a weapon, closing her fingers over the handle of a sharp pocket knife. Without hesitation, she grasped it firmly in her grip, lunging forward at Alex. However, Alex was prepared, and sped past her, grabbing a fair sized bag before he fled up the ridge.

John on the other hand, had already gathered a small group made up of himself, Triston, Noah and Nick, and the four were looting the cornucopia as fast as they could, avoiding the group that gathered with Jenna – Kady, Taylor and Josie, who stood dumbfounded as Maggie seemed to refuse their invitation, smirking in at their reactions as she bolted up the terrain.

Near the far side of the structure, Gabe faced Tyler, who lumbered toward him with a massive axe. Ducking under his deadly swipe, Gabe attempted to trip him before fleeing empty-handed up a steeper part of the ridge, stumbling as he cleared it. But Tyler wasn't defeated that easily. Spotting his next target, he charged mercilessly toward Sam. Caught off guard, the female tribute let out a shriek as he advanced, about to swing when something hard smashed into the bottom of his shoe, and he stumbled forward. Luke dashed to Sam's aid, tossing another rock, yet only grazing Tyler's shoulder as he aborted.

Though Caelum and Anna had looted most of the smaller rewards, a few tributes hung around in hope of more. Jordan for instance, carefully eyed what Brendan wielded—a stiff fishing rod that could be used to the boy's advantage. He quietly snuck up behind the crazed tribute, heaving a heavy metal pole that he could just barely lift above his own head, and clumsily dropping it over Brendan's, causing him to fall over. With that, Jordan grabbed the fishing pole, dragging it and the metal pole up the ridge.

Becca and Morgan watched from a distance, and followed with stealth, keeping out of sight as Jordan crossed paths with Luke and Sam, crashing head on. This time, Sam was ready. Using the weight of the pole Jordan held to her advantage, she hooked her leg around his ankle, easily tripping him, sending his pole crashing onto his chest and knocking his breath away as Sam loomed over him.

"Going somewhere?" Sam snarled, beginning to put weight on the pole. "Wait," Luke advised, causing Sam to whip around. "What?" "Let me kill him.” "What? Why? What does it even matter?"

As the pair quarreled, Becca and Morgan suddenly burst from the grass, knocking Luke over with no more than brute force as they dove for the metal pole, rolling it to Jordan's neck and stepping on either side of it, crushing his windpipe. "You see? Now neither of us get to kill him because you had to try and take all of the glory for yourself!" Sam ranted, but regardless helping Luke to his feet regardless to face the girls. It was vicious indeed to eliminate one's true team-mate, however there was not time to think, for Morgan and Becca had already departed in search of careers.

It seemed that each year brought different tributes, each with different strategies and strengths—however that would be putting it lightly. That year, the careers had divided themselves by gender, and the two newly aligned female tributes of 12 and 6 unfortunately came across the male group, who were alert as they set up camp. Noah was the first to spot the movement in the thick stalks of grass. "Nick!" he whispered harshly, pointing off into the distance somewhere where he had seen a flash of white. "Someone chose a bad time to intrude," Nick snickered, wrapping his fingers around his weapon and launching himself into the developing battle. Across the moor, however, Josie, Taylor, Kady and Jenna sat quietly in a circle as Taylor used a large kitchen knife to dig around the platforms. "Hurry up!" Kady hissed as Taylor managed to get the first mine loose. "If I work any faster I'll cut the wire!" Taylor retorted, tossing aside a chunk of dirt and grass. "So?" "So, unless you'd like to die to what could be an advantage, I suggest you back off."

Kady scowled impatiently, sitting back on her haunches as the sun began to slide down the sky to the horizon. "Come on Kady, we can guard instead," Jenna offered, crouching beneath a ridge. "We should really be thinking about a permanent camp," Josie murmured as they took up posts. "We can take cover in a deeper ridge tomorrow, but until then we'll take shifts. But for now, you should rest," Taylor assured her, carefully prying a second mine from the ground.

The sky was dark and eerily open above Tyler's head as he whisked his axe along a wooden plank, slicing two slivers from the board before setting to work rubbing them together. Sparks flew from the slivers of wood, and the flame ignited onto the dry rocks he had set up. The boy sat there for hours, the light flickering across his face when he suddenly heard the unusual rustle of grass. Grabbing his axe without hesitation, he jumped as a voice echoed behind him. "You really shouldn't be lighting fires in an arena like this."

Whirling around to spot Alex, Tyler tensed, however Alex made no move to attack, continuing to sharpen his sword on a small stone he held in the palm of his hand. "And why is that....?" Tyler queried after a moment of silence. He willed the aggressive tension to rise, however it didn't even seem to exist as Alex made his way down the hill to stand before him, tossing the stone around Tyler's fire. "It'll attract too much attention at night, and in the day the smoke will cloud," Alex explained. "Besides, it could spread far too easily."

Either he couldn't come up with an effective retort, or Tyler was simply stunned by Alex's mild attitude, yet either way he was silent as the athletic tribute carefully covered the fires remains, until the smoke was no more than a misty trail, its warmth too lost in the moor. "Follow me," he offered, trotting up the slope in the direction he had come. They walked for what seemed an eternity, however as they neared what might have been halfway there, Anna abruptly burst from the grass, thrusting forward a medievally designed spiked club at Tyler. Alex was in front of it in an instant, deflecting the blow and swinging the sword out at her, grabbing Tyler's wrist and fleeing without a second thought, disregarding the earsplitting crack of a cannon behind them, striking the arena with the promise of death.

It was nearly dawn when the images were finally projected into the sky, and the four teamed male careers looked up expectantly to the light. The group had already sought out a small hollow, and each had separate roles to perform come morning as they waited patiently to see who remained. The light was blinding at first, but at last, after repeating all of the tributes' faces, the list began.

The first image was of Brendan, killed by Jordan. The second was Jordan himself, ridden by Morgan and Becca. In turn, Morgan was slaughtered by Noah. Becca, had been maimed with the help of Triston, and Anna had been left to die thanks to Alex. Once the faces had been displayed, a decorated number displayed itself to all, its message clear, and Triston seemed to realize it, his face eerily lit up as he whispered, "Fifteen tributes remain."

The sun peeked delicately over the face of the moor, decieving the shouts and agonized cries within the maze of grass. It seemed no more than a peaceful sunrise at first, however this clearly was far from the truth.

The grass up to his thigh, John had led his group to face Tyler and Alex, Maggie tagging along with the two as she headed straight for Nick, a thick staff in hand. Within seconds, she was upon him, swinging the staff with brute force straight at the side of his face. However, for once, lacking a weapon was to Nick's advantage. Had he weilded a weapon, he would have countered, however Maggie's force would have proved successful, and he instead grabbed the staff, hurling Maggie along with it straight at John.

Cold-hearted and determined, Maggie took up the new opponent, quickly tripping John with her staff before he could react, and pouncing like an excited tiger cub to put weight on his neck. "Say goodbye, you pathetic excuse for a career," she hissed, struggling to keep her foot planted over his throat as he thrashed his arms, trying to throw her off. At last he stilled, preserving the energy he had left as Maggie was suddenly overthrown by Triston, but it was too late.

John's eyes grew dull, a cannon blasting the moment Triston's glare snapped to Maggie, a vengful gleam within it as he lunged forward.

Triston held a particularly defensive weapon, if you could call it as much. Large, rusty chains fit comfortably in his grip, one end in each hand, proving to be more than just a heavy item of restriction. However, it did little offense, as Maggie immediately lifted her staff above her head, clashing it against Triston's chain as he held it up to block the breathtaking blow.

Nick wasn't hesitant to come to Triston's aid, imagining his whole attack. He would leap, turning sideways as though he were in an action movie, launch himself off Maggie's waist to knock her over, and land back on his feet. Perhaps in the same fashion as in action movies when people scaled walls. Wind rushed past him as he carried out his plan, time seeming to slow as his feet left the ground. Twisting around, Nick skillfully planted his feet upon Maggie's side, however time resumed proper speed. Instead of launching off back onto his feet as planned, his legs faltered, and he simply flopped dramatically onto the ground beside Maggie.

Nick laughed as though he'd known it would happen, but his expression was open, and it was clear he'd actually thought gravity would have allowed him to pull it off. He watched with no more than a foolish grin as Noah gauged Maggie's neck, standing with a grief-filled glare. "You deserve to suffer as you've done to John," he whispered, his voice quivering, clearly shaken as he stood to join Triston who crouched mourning for John.

He really shouldn't have meant that much to them, but they couldn't help but feel it had been their fault for not helping him sooner. It grew quiet, only the chirping of frogs by the pond interrupting their thoughts, but at last Alex grew impatient behind them, heart racing as he went in for the kill.

Before Nick could react, Alex jabbed his sword forward, straight into his back. His gaze clouded. He could hear Noah's shout as he and Triston drove Alex away, catching up to Tyler as they fled, smug grins of accomplishment on their faces. He doubled over with the pang of agony that followed, eyes wide and glazed with pain as Noah returned to his side.

"Nick!" Noah wailed, fear that he'd lost another friend reflecting through unguarded orbs of grief lighting up with surprise as Nick staggered to his haunches. "Triston! Help him!" he begged, but Triston had already gathered fat strands of grass, pushing Noah out of the way as he knelt in his place, weaving it into a net of grass to drape over the gash. "That will work for now," Triston murmered as the nightly projectoon cast into the sky.

The girl's camp had certainly improved throughout the day. A thick barrier caved around a small ridge, Josie and Taylor standing guard, looking up as the light engulfed their faces, John's picture was displayed within the light, followed by the number of remaining trubites. "Fourteen left..." Taylor murmered, eyes gleaming in the darkness as she turned to Josie, who nodded silently. "It is time."

HG Chapter 4

The sky remained dark, black clouds rolling above their heads, dumping rain into the moor as the death announcement vanished from the sky. "We're in good shape, it is time we god rid of some of the weaker tributes," Josie called over the pounding rain, almost shouting to be heard. "Great, I will fetch Kady and Jenna," Taylor began, halting as Josie grabbed her wrist, lightning flashing behind her, outlining her figure eerily.

"No," Josie growled, pulling her back. "Did you not hear me when I said weaker tributes? Now grab your bow, if you can snipe Jenna and Kady without combat, we'll be better off," she planned, picking up a blowgun and knife.

Taylor held her glare for a moment, hesitating until at last she dipped her head, scrambling up a rock face to get a view of the stirring tributes. She watched for a moment, as though she wasn't sure she could really turn on them, but at last drew back the string, peering down the arrow at Jenna. Flicking her finger back from the string, the single arrow projected toward the girl, zipping straight into where her neck had been only moments ago had she not sat down.

Head snapping up in alarm, Jenna was back on her feet in an instant, grabbing a knife as Kady emerged from the little hut they'd assembled with a long spear, edged with several knives. Josie, however harsh she took the threat, calmly handed Taylor a whip she'd made herself. It perhaps wouldn't be too forceful a weapon, yet ideal for fending off attackers.

Kady had already lunged at the ridge, clawing her way up using the knives on her spear, skidding downward as Josie jammed her knife into the face of it, directly between Kady's fingers, however trapping the knife. Still with three remaining arrows, Taylor pulled back the string of her bow once more, the wind of it's flight causing Jenna's shirt to flutter as she flattened herself to the ridge, before lurching up over it to hold a surprised Taylor to the ground.

Taylor reached for her bow as Jenna raised her knife, however her weight was thrown off with a single kick from Josie. "Come on!" she exclaimed, helping Taylor to her feet before fleeing, leaving Jenna and Kady to glare after them with a newly found hate.

• • •

"You're sure they went this way?" Josie queried, gripping a mild cut upon her shoulder as they passed the cornucopia. As if in answer, the grass rustled, Triston and Noah emerging from the taller section, armed and ready. "Wait," Josie insisted, stepping ahead of Taylor. "We come to you with proposition."

Triston pondered this a moment. "Come with us," he agreed, leading the girls back through the grass, Noah taking up the rear. At last they arrived at the male career's ridge - what was left of it, anyway. Nick hauled himself to his feet as they entered, glaring through narrowed eyes. "What are they doing here?" he growled. "They say they have an offer, so I figured it would be best for everyone to hear it," Triston snarled, motioning for the girls to sit on a circle of rocks with flat tops. "What is it you want from us?"

"Will you help us get rid of Jenna and Kady?" Taylor murmered. "I thought you were teamed," Noah scoffed, clearly unimpressed. "Don't be so negative, Noah," Triston nagged, eyes sharp with amusement. "We all know you like her." "What!" Noah gasped, glancing at Taylor with more than anger. "I do not!"

Rolling his eyes, Triston returned to the pair. "How will that benefit us?" "Two tributes down, and two extra team mates to kill off the rest," Josie reasoned, the trio exchanging glances. "Give us a minute?" "Sure"

The three turned their backs to Josie and Taylor, murmering their thoughts to one another. "They're liars," "They are right though," "But aside from them them there are only six other tributes!" "Exactly, a team of five versus several teams of two and maybe even lone tributes. It would be easy," "So it is agreed?" "All in favor." Noah was the only one not to raise his hand. "Then it is decided," Triston concluded, turning to face the pair. "We accept."

• • •

Noah twirled a knife in his hand, jabbing it into a log to make a thick mark, supposedly signaling the third day gone as the sun sunk at last down past the horizon. "We strike at the moon's highest peak," Noah murmered, the knife's tip gleaming as dusk fell.

The moon rose high above the arena, Noah and Taylor flashing past its rays, slowing as the grass rose above their heads. "I'm surprised your little team trusted you to go," Taylor whispered, her face dim yet lightened by amusement as she looked up to face him. "Is it true? Do you actually like me?" Noah was hesitant, voice cracking as he replied, "I've only just met you." "and?" Taylor promted.

Noah stopped in his tracks, turning to stare into her gaze. "and..." It was at last too diffucult for words, and instead, he leaned inward, kissing her cheek gently. "and you're beautiful."

Before long, the pair arrived at Jenna and Kady's camp. They grew silent as Taylor held up the box, striking a match and handing it to Noah, who eagerly snatched it, setting flame to a branch before he bagan to edge the ridge with fire. Turning to go, they made sure to burn the food, leaving the majority of the ridge demolished in flame for when they awoke.

Josie, Nick and Triston sat huddled in a corner of the ridge, staring up at the sky. "Nick, how did you get that mark, anyway?" "We were killing off Tyler's group, and stopped to sit with John. Alex came up behind us before he ran off." Josie's gaze narrowed. "and you think nothing of this?" Nick was silent a moment. "Well we haven't really-" "I say we get him back," Josie rallied, sitting up to jab a knife into the log, marking out a map of the arena as Nick and Triston sat beside her.

"But we've only just attacked Kady and Jenna," Triston reasoned. "No, we only burned their ridge. Taylor and Noah will be unwounded when they return." Triston shrugged. "I guess we could give it a try," he sighed. "I'll stay behind," Nick offered, baffled as Triston suddenly turned to him. "No. You might slow us down, but you're not useless. We leave as soon as Taylor and Noah return."

As if on cue, Noah led Taylor into the ridge's dip. "Leave where?" he queried, sitting himself on the log to run his fingers over the map. "We're going to get Alex back," Triston explained, standing up and thrusting a knife into his posession. "Right now."

Feet pounded against the ground, grass rushing toward Alex as he ran toward the larger group, Tyler struggling to keep up as he drew the axe from his belt. A thick scar wound down his leg from a previous battle with Sam and Luke, however this did not slow him down as he plunged into a hopeless battle, missing Triston's flank just by centimetres, even slashing the rim of his shoe.

Triston yanked his foot away, leaving his shoe behind to turn for another opponent, leaving Tyler to yank his axe from the shoe. Josie saw her chance. She darted forward, tripping Tyler with multiple blows to the flank, knocking the axe from his grasp to use against him until at last his cannon sounded.

The death only led to more, as, led to the sound, Jenna and Kady appeared - unscathed by the group's attempt. If only Noah had bothered to check if they were even there, he wouldn't have wasted a match. But that didn't matter now, as the two girls were already racing down the slope, plunging into battle alongside Alex.

Alex could feel the wind as Nick's staff whipped past his face, recoiling at the last second only to lash out with the thick blade of his sword. This time it was Nick's turn to jump back, but instead of countering, he fled, stumbling to his feet to help his own group.

Just in time. Josie was quick, but Jenna was quicker. Before she knew what was happening, Jenna had already flung the knife, spiraling toward Josie. Suddenly, Nick shoved her aside, diving in front of her with his hands outstretched to hold th staff he'd retrieved from Maggie. "You shall not pass!" He quoted. He was trying to seem funny - brave even - but Josie's eyes glittered with terror as the weapon peirced his skin.

"Nick!" she wailed, falling to her knees beside him as Triston drove Jenna away. "You're welcome," Nick rasped, eyelids fluttering with his effort to keep them open. They sat in silence, but finally Nick heaved himself up to hug her. His grasp was weak, and he gently fell back with a smile, his cannon blasting as he closed his eyes.

Taylor was suddenly beside her, pulling Josie to her feet. "I know he was in your district, but he doesn't matter anymore. You didn't even know him," Taylor murmered. Josie took a deep sigh, but lifted her head. "You're right," she muttered, struggling to keep her voice from cracking as she spoke, clearing her throat. "Come on," Taylor offered, gesturing with her arm. "Let's help Noah and Triston fend off Jenna and Kady."

Looking up to spot Alex splayed on the ground, Josie dipped her head. Noah and Triston must have picked him off.

• • •

The sun had already begun to rise as the group returned, and no sooner did Triston slump to the ground in front of an old set of leaves he had used to cover Nick's old wound. Josie gently rested her hand on his shoulder. "Let it go," she murmered. "If he hadn't died, you know you would've had to kill him yourself, or die trying." But Triston's gaze flashed furiously.

"No! I could have saved him! We could have done something! But instead these huge groups have taken away a friend! I can't let them take me." His face was red now. The message behind it was clear, but he stated it anyway. "I think the group should break up."

It left the others silent, but at last Taylor reached out to hug Noah, a couple light tears streaming down the side of her cheek. "He's right," she rasped, pulling away toward Triston. "I'm sorry, Noah...we can't be together, it just won't work." Noah looked about as hurt as she was, the two slowly backing up as though they had no choice, straining to keep holding each other's grasp as he leaned down to miss her hand. "May the odds be ever in your favor..." he whispered, unlocking his hands from hers.

The two held disbelieving glances only for another moment, before Josie and Noah both began sprinting in different directions, leaving Taylor to cry over Triston's shoulder.

Tributes were awoken one by one, by a shrill cry that echoed over the empty landscape, piercing the ears of any who happened to hear. The grim beat of a single cannon announced the death of yet another tribute. Tonight, Caelum’s image would be projected upon the sky, although less disfigured than he was currently, now crumpled beneath Sam’s brutal glare.

"Let's go," Luke breathed, eyeing Sam as he motioned to move away from the body.
"The hovercraft will be here to take him soon."

The girl’s glare softened as she looked away from Caelum’s dull eyes, and up to Luke.
“Why do they do that? Pick up the bodies, I mean.” Sam queried, picking up her nun-chucks.
Luke only shrugged in return, thinking on how to word his answer. After some time, he finally answered, nose crinkling as the two walked through the grass. “Some say it’s to make sure tributes don’t eat the carcasses... I know it sounds gross, but apparently it’s been done before.”
“What do you mean some believe it? Don’t you?”

Luke had already begun sharpening his knife on a small stone as they walked; he lifted his head to scan her face, which was full of disgust. "Well yeah, but, my mom told me that in the last few generations, they used the eyes of dead tributes to create these creatures to kill off the...the less entertaining tributes..." He trailed off into a shudder that had been creeping up his spine, looking back down at the small sparks flying off his blade from the friction. The weapon made his stomach churn almost as much as his thoughts.

Sam's gaze clouded, as though she were picturing a vicious animal, yet with the eyes of John, lumbering toward her.
"Do you think they'll do it again?" She whispered, her voice quavering at the thought, as well as the fact that the capitol was listening to their every word. Luke briefly grasped her shoulder, shaking his head, though he seemed rather unsure of himself.

"Don't be silly. They haven't done it in years, what makes you think they'll do it again?" Sam fell silent, grateful as they continued walking on, only to stop at a small lake to drink, keeping to the thick shadow of the taller grass.

"Did you happen to notice if Gabe died last night?" Luke broke out as Sam lowered their water bottle from her maw with a quick shrug, trying not to let the water drip as she wiped her jaw with her sleeve.
"No one died last night. Not even Gabe." She assured him, passing the bottle to him.
"What?" Luke was clearly puzzled. Here he'd thought Gabe was going to be the first to die, but the boy must be staying strong, regardless that only nine tributes remained.
"He lost his team, I don't know how he does it," Luke muttered, pressing the cold rim of the bottle to his lips for a sip.

Sam shrugged. "We could always just-" something in her sights suddenly cut her off, and she slowly sank to her knees in the grass, grasping onto Luke's wrist with an iron grip, silently willing him to crouch as well. Slouching down beside Sam, Luke strained to see the cause of it, barely spotting Kady through the thick strands as she leaned by the lake, picking some sort of berry.

Nudging his ally, Luke held up his knife for approval; stomach no longing doing flips at the thought of death, and an eager grin sliding onto his face as Sam nodded. The two split to different edges of the lake toward their victim. As both neared her, Sam nodding again to him as an attack signal.

Luke sprang into action, lashing out instantly. He flinched at her agonized cry as she whipped around, even more so at the cold iron of her own blade piercing his face on an angle, to match her own new wound.

He didn't hesitate to fall back as Sam lunged for their target's thigh, stiffly splaying his own trembling fingers around his face as at last the cannon blasted. He longed to grip the gash, though he knew his warm grasp would only increase the wild sting.
"You okay?" Sam asked through a tired huff.
"Fine," Luke snapped, but Sam recoiled as he looked up to face her, wary of the red glisten around the slash across his face. "I said fine."
"Well, you don't look fine," Sam retorted, kneeling beside the boy to pull up some thick brush.

“I’m not covering it with that,” Luke snorted, pushing the other’s hand away as she offered out the grass. "For all you know, it could be the cause of my death!”

Sam had to roll her eyes as she dropped the foliage, standing to make her way to the pile of berries Kady had been making. Truthfully, she hadn't paid attention during the lesson on plant identification; she had many other priorities during training. But if Kady was picking them, they must have been fine.

"Don't touch them," Luke warned from his spot on the ground, head bent back to cease some of the bleeding.
"They're fine," Sam said calmly, pulling a few of the juice filled fruit off the plant and bringing them over to her wounded partner. She forgot to offer out the berries as she popped one in her mouth, hungry now that she had the food to eat.
"Besides, I haven't eaten in days," she mumbled, swallowing the fruit.

"Here, want one?" she finally offered, tossing one over, though Luke quickly rejected it.
"No thanks, I'm not hungry," he explained, fumbling for a knife to cut off the bottom of his shirt, and wrapping it around his head.
"Did she hurt you at all?" he asked suddenly, scanning her arms for any signs of a wound.
"I'm not too sure," Sam breathed. "She might have gotten my flank, it just started hurting."

It was the single and sudden fluid motion of dropping the berries and wrapping her arm around her stomach that frightened Luke, and he forgot about his own wound as he scuttled toward her. Her stomach convulsed violently, but she couldn't seem to gag.

"Sam!" He exclaimed, reaching out to grab the water bottle that she gripped.
"No, no, stay with me." His voice rose higher as he got more desperate, watching the girl choke on nothing but air. He'd told her not to eat those berries...if only she'd listened. Panic surged through him as he fumbled to put a purifying tablet into the water bottle, pulling Sam closer as she began to calm, which he knew was not a good sign in his case.

"Sam, wake up..." He put the water bottle to her lips, allowing cool water slip down her throat. But she didn't swallow. At last, a cannon fired. Luke dropped his friend's lifeless body as soon as he heard it, crawling back as fast as he could, eyes wide as the sound knelled in his ears.

• • •

All these cannons going off had sent Noah fleeing as far as he could get, and Sam's had brought him straight to the perfect hiding spot. Grunting as he climbed down the side of the ridge, he managed to miss a footing, falling and scraping his knee down the side of the rocky wall.

"Heavenly bacon gods-!" he blurted as his other leg buckled under his own weight, and he knelt, holding the scrape under his hands. Blinking away some painful tears, he gasped, looking around to see the trap before him. It was almost like a bowl. Letting out a low and disgruntled groan, he pulled himself up, edging back into the shade. How stupid could he possibly be?

Jenna could say he was very. Burning up all the food and supply was a bad move on his part, she was plotting revenge and it would come with a sweet slice of victory.. Right after she got rid of a small problem, one that could possibly turn into a big one within time.

In the ample amount of supply her and Kady had collected, she somehow still had time to curse Noah's name, as she prodded at a tick that had wedged itself into her leg. She had been waiting for Kady, and yes, by now she was rather worried- what, with all the cannon blasts. But she was more worried about the parasite attached to her.

"Come on.. Stupid bug…" Jenna bit her lip, pinching the end of it uselessly and tugging. She closed her eyes as she heard the sickening crunch, afraid to look down and see the head of the beast, but as she opened her eyes and slowly lowered her gaze, she sighed in relief, chucking the flailing insect into the fields to die.

Now she looked around, eyeing the fields and bushes, the stalks of bracken and fiddle heads, her companion nowhere in sight.. It was possible that if she had wandered too far, that the group had found her and were tearing her limb from limb at that very moment. Jenna couldn't put limits on what they would do after what she'd done to Nick.. Cringing at the thought, she started to make her way stealthily through the bushes.

"Attention, tributes. Attention," A voice interrupted everyone. Jenna halted in her tracks, as confused as she was, Luke finally managing to lift his head. Even Noah stopped his cursing a moment.
"Commencing at sunrise, there will be a feast tomorrow at the Cornucopia. This will be no ordinary occasion. We offer not only food, but something each of you need." After the announcer went on about glorious victories, his shining face gleamed upon the projection. "I hope to see you all there, and may the odds be ever in your favor"

Noah looked from his knee, to the bowl-like ridge, and back to his knee, groaning again. Of course they'd decided to hold the feast when he was trapped within the ridge. How...thoughtful of them.
A voice suddenly piped up directly behind Noah, sneering in amusement as the boy turned. "Sucks, huh?"

Noah quickly spun around, holding a dagger to the speaker's face. "Relax," the tribute scoffed, barely flinching. "I am stuck." Noah raised an eyebrow. The other boy - Gabe, he determined - looked perfectly capable of spilling blood. That was the case until he looked down to the boy's feet. His right foot seemed to be twisted under the weight of a large rock, and he recognized the shaky tone in his voice, one he'd recognized in Nick's voice as he'd once spoken; one of pain.

He could have killed the tribute right then. Could have just flicked the daggers blade out at Gabe...but he didn't. Instead, he lowered his weapon, scraping it along the boulder that pinned the lesser tribute, without any intention to move it. "If I were anyone else you'd be without a head by now. You should be grateful to be alive," Noah growled, glancing up at his face a moment as the light of dawn lit it up.

They spoke for a couple hours, until at last Noah noticed the slope behind Gabe, strategically shallower than the rest of the ridge. He peered behind the boy and realized it would be easy to climb out-he hadn't been stuck after all! Ignoring Gabe's protests to stay, Noah scrambled away from the ridge. "May the odds be NEVER in your favor," he twisted, before sprinting off to the feast that was soon begin.

The first thing Noah spotted was Luke. Luke...dashing past the table with his canister of what must have been medicine for the awful gash that split his face. As he watched the strategized tribute flee, he knew the others were simply waiting...watching...for someone to give in-then they would strike. But of course, Noah was not exactly the most parient, and darted away from the cover he had hidden in the grass. Now, he had nothing but hope-and...a sudden agony.

He doubled over instantly, clutching his shoulder as he spotted Jenna behind him, rasing up a huge kitchen knife. He crumpled beneath her harsh glare as she yanked the knife from his back, and then...nothing. Eyes...dim. Hands...numb. Just...nothing.

Taylor's cry broke the horrified silence as she scrambled over to Noah. His eyes were wide, perhaps filled with surprise, yet dull as he faded, staring at nothing in particular. Triston came to her aid as she shoved Jenna aside, legs collapsing, slumping down to sit by Noah. A glistening tear streaked down her face as she brushed aside his hair-matted with blood.

His breath was ragged an shallow as he rolled his face to face her. "I'm sorry, Noah," Taylor managed to choke, her face red with the pain. It wasn't her own pain...rather the pain of knowing she would lose him.

"We shouldn't have split up. You should have come with us. I could have...we could....we could have survived." Her face burned now, and it was clear she'd wished he could have been in his district as she whimpered the last word he heard. "Together.

At last she couldn't bear it anymore. Cradling his head in her arms, she gently leaned in to his face, kissing him gently, his cannon blasting as she pulled away, overlapped by a second. Alarmed, she stumbled to her feet, sighing as Triston stumbled toward her, away from the fallen corpse of Josie. "Let's get out of here!" Triston advised, sprinting away without a second thought.

It was late at night, and the projection was finally cast upon the sky. The deceased tributes were displayed first, but the anthem changed after they had all been seen, hushed beneath the boom of a powerful voice.

"Congratulations to our five remaining tributes. You've all managed to survive thus far, but few will prevail. Who will it be?" The hologram sizzled into a photo of each tribute as the man continued. "Jenna, of District One. Triston, of District Four. Taylor, of District Four. Gabe, of District Five, or Luke of District Seven. A new challenge has risen, and only the best will overcome it. So in the honor of the games, may the odds be ever in your favor.

As if on cue, a rasping huff abruptly emitted from the depths of the cornucopia. It was a good thing no tributes loitered around, for they would have been running for the hills-god knows they wouldn't have made it-for two large eyes glistened within the darkness, followed by more and more pairs, until 19 sets of murderous glares gleamed in the darkness. The capitol's army of deceased tributes was ironically lively, and their violent intention was clear with the echoed, threatening snort. The true games, had only just begun.

Gabe was frantic. He thrashed wildly, struggling to remove his foot from beneath the boulder. They were coming. He could hear them thundering toward him, yearning to speed up his death-nineteen quad sets of legs. Powerful, crushing...his head would be no challenge to crumble beneath their feet. A surprised breath was knocked from the tribute as he hit the ground. He...he was free! His foot was twisted in an awkward position, but he was free!

He was off in an instant, out of the ridge. Took one step...two...three. His heart soared. He could survive! He could win! He...he couldn't do this. His heart had soared-but it only made for more impact-for now it plummeted, not the only thing to crash into the ground. They were upon him. His eyes widened 'till all you could see were the whites of them, the horrific crack of his skull echoed throughout the moor, and he knew he was done. His cry would ring throughout the barren landscape, cut off by the grim sound off a cannon-but it didn't. His terrifying shriek sliced through the cannon blast, wavering into a wail so inhuman, it could easily cause the hair on the back of your neck rise-but the deadly creatures were fascinated by what took place before them.

Gabe was surely dead, yet at last his agonized wail was no more than a battle cry as he heaved himself to his feet. His shoulders were broad, and muscular legs had formed over his previously scrawny ones. His black hair was long, flowing with the breeze as he reared back on two backward facing black legs, until strong hooves thudded back onto the ground.

A bold, creamy brown horse shouldered him aside into the group, setting her unmistakable glare to the horizon as the sun began to rise-KADY's unmistakable glare. She scanned the moor as though she could see through the grass at each tribute, waiting for something to happen-and if it didn't, she'd just have to do it herself.

He'd never felt more alive in his life. Suddenly, this wasn't the Hunger Games anymore-not for Triston. The tall grass whipped at his knees as he frolicked, among swaying flowers he hadn't noticed before. Away from the stress, the fear of death-he wished it would never end, when he finally caught up to the long legged animal, which was surprisingly fast.

For once, the capitol had gifted him something of leisure, as he hadn't desperately needed anything at the time. Now, he swung a rope over the animal's back, leaping up to perch himself upon it. The creature swiveled it's head around calmly, peering at him as he seated himself on it's feathery back, returning it's gaze. It's face was so serious...dignified, even-for an ostrich that is. Serious and dignified...until it nearly plucked his eyes from his head.
"Hey!" Triston muttered, rubbing his nose crossly.
"Bad ostrich!" he growled, pausing to consider his words before revising them.
"Bad Bob!"

Even so, he pushed the ostrich's head back around nervously, gripping the ropes in his hands. "Onward, my trusty stead!" He raised his head to the sky, holding in a self-amused chuckle as he sat, rope in hand, snapping it like a rein. But the ostrich was as defiant as he was dignified, and refused to move, making a rather spine-chilling screech. "Shh, Mr. Bob." Triston hushed with haste, smoothing out the feathers of the bird's haunches. Taking a moment to look around, he went back to manually training the wild animal, once again snapping the rope.

It would take a while, but soon Triston would manage to break the bird in like a new horse, and it would accelerate forward...only to dump him face first into the mud, thrusting his own head into the filthy muck. The bird hurred, burying it's face deeper into the ground, until at last, Triston could somehow see through the mud that plastered his face and body, spotting a second tribute as he advanced swiftly, sword in hand.

Luke pressed toward's Triston, watching with a near innocent smile as the other tribute stumbled backward into the dirt, which he supposed would be thick with not only muck, but blood in few moments. But he wasn't surprised as the other made it to his feet, slipping a bit, but still managing to steady himself. But he would use it to his advantage, delivering a one-handed blow with hardly any effort or skill -both of which he lacked at this point, tired from all the fighting and death, and inept with a sword by default. The slash still left a thick mark across the other's right hand shoulder, though, possibly even severing a muscle.

Triston gasped, immediately reaching for his own weapon, crying out at the strain. He couldn't fight like this, and his opponent sure knew he couldn't, either. But Luke showed no compassion, striking out again with his own strained cry, but Triston backpedaled away from it, stumbling toward his companion... Not Taylor, but Bob. Taylor was toward the cornucopia, collecting berries and assorted things. But judging from the direction Luke came from, who knew where she was now, and he didn't dare go check. He would stay by the edges as soon as he got away from Luke, and a plan formed in his head as he quickly mounted Bob, clutching the ropes and scowling at him to go forward.

Luke was quickly recovered from his momentary confusion, lugging his sword toward the ostrich and his rider as fast as he possibly could, breath faulting a bit, catching in his dry throat. "Come 'ere, four!" The smaller boy choked. For a moment, the bird was faster.. But in the tall grass, roots were hidden, and the animal wasn't meant to run over them, but to naturally trip, staggering with his passenger. "Bob!" Triston growled in frustration, looking back and only seeing a streak of blonde before he looked forward to the ground, rolling over something that made a terrible crunch as he did so.

Triston groaned, pulling himself up with one arm as quick as he could, taking yet another glance behind him and flailing to the ground again at the sight. "Bob!" He exclaimed now, jaw falling, stumbling into the grass, Luke stuck behind trying to pull the heavy iron sword from the dead animal's hide. There was no time to mourn. Staggering to his feet, he was off, racing through the moor, those tall blades of grass again whipping at his feet, but this time he could feel the sting as he fled-a new plan quickly materialized, and he knew he had to find Taylor, before it was too late.

The knife flashed in front of her face, but Taylor scrambled to her feet, evading Jenna. Where was Triston? Why wasn't he helping her? His excuse would have to be important, that was all she knew. Her thoughts were cut off by her own choke, Jenna sitting back. Perhaps it would be of amusement to watch her die-however Noah thought differently. A single cluster of hooves thundered across the moor, until the nightly horse could be seen racing toward them, circling Taylor a moment. His expression revealed his stress, and the look said it all. Noah wanted not only to free her of her agony, but her current life as well. "We can still be together..." he seemed to say as Taylor's cannon blasted, and a brilliantly bleached horse rose to powerful legs. "And we will."

Jenna's head snapped up at the grim blast of a cannon. It didn't really alarm her, but it did make her curious. Which of the two had fallen? How? If Triston had fallen, she was sure she could take on a measly tribute from district seven. She was small and quick, so she could most likely evade his attempts. Though, if it were Luke's death cannon? Triston seemed like the type of tribute that would hunt her down. She hoped Luke was alive...for her own sake.

The capitol had gone a whole day without a death until today, and now the tribute wondered who had fallen, and how. But as long as it didn't affect her, it wouldn't matter. Besides, Jenna had other things to worry about. She was dying to get out in the field and hunt down the remaining tribute - she was one of the final two, after all. But she knew she would have to find out who it was before she even began planning. Some would call this weak, but to Jenna it was vital strategy. If Triston were her foe, she couldn't just rush in. Triston was swift on his feet, but wouldn't have a plan of his own. If Luke were her rival, it would take careful thought to get around whatever plan he would come up with. They were almost complete opposites. One used brute force, the other used careful strategy. Triston could be watching her that very moment, waiting to strike...or perhaps Luke was relaxing in the grass, waiting for her to fall into his trap.

No! She musn't think like that. For all she knew, she could have the upper edge in the games. Besides, she would find out who it was come night...if she could survive the day, that is.

Shaking the thoughts that swarmed her mind, Jenna finally pulled herself onto her feet, and slowly began pacing the area, allowing herself to focus. She had to make up her mind. If she waited until nightfall, the other tribute would know she was his opponent. Her only other option would be to find out who her opponent was on her own...but that could get risky.

Either way, she supposed a few traps could be worth it. But what sort of trap could take down Triston, yet still outsmart Luke? It took her a moment, but she finally remembered. The mines! Taylor had dug them up already, but they hadn't been used! Jenna prayed they hadn't been taken as she grabbed her knife, heading out.

Her stomach only knotted as she progressed. What if the other tribute was nearby? Taylor had left the mines by the lake, so it was quite possible. Though, only thinking about Taylor was bad enough. She had died to the mut(t)ations. Were they still around? Perhaps they were waiting for her...or even chasing her opponent toward her. The thought alone made her sick, and she couldn't help but to grip the knife she held even tighter. Maybe someone had already used the mines, and she was heading toward her death...

Though to her relief, she had been wrong. There they sat, covered in grass, still wrapped in a ragged looking net as though they had been waiting for her. It almost brought a smile to her face. She had a chance!

She grabbed the spade that leaned against the wall they had weaved, dragging it over to the mines. Beginning to unravel the net, she knew it would take up most of her day, but frankly, she she happy about it. It was at least something she could do to pass the time, right?

Jenna's mind raced as the holographic image flickered into the sky for the last time. Who would it be? What she saw now would determine her fate. Her stomach knotted as she waited, nervously tapping her nails on the spade she still clutched, tighter now with the suspense.

"I congratulate the final pair on surviving this far," the low voice of the announcer boomed at last, echoing over the quiet landscape. "Though you both know that there may be only one. With the knowledge that for one of you, this will be your last night, I bid you good luck, and perhaps farewell. May the odds be ever in your favor, as you attempt to overcome the final challenge." Jenna's face lit up at the light grew bright, shielding her eyes momentarily before looking into the source -

The brightly lit image of the only other remaining tribute.

She stood now, a smile creeping onto her face as she spotted smoke behind the image. She knew it was perhaps a trap to lure her toward him, but she needed to find him anyway.

She began sprinting toward the flame, picturing it. The tribute crouched by a tiny fire, struggling to stop the smoke from rising above the grass - that was what she imagined, anyway. Though, it was the reality that caught her off guard. She was greeted by a gust of warmth, nearly overwhelming as she broke through the brambles that blocked her path. Oh how naive she had been. Had she really thought he would be so bland as to start a fire this far in the games? No matter - she would pay for it now, as flames licked the air around her, crackling wildly.

But she swore she saw him. Silhouetted against the flames, standing there...raising a massive sword ... she was smart to run.