Tohnee
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- Posted: Mon, 14 Jul 2014 08:54:16 +0000
I immediately feel the sun on my face as my platform enters the arena. Looking up, I take a moment to enjoy its view, and end up smiling at its welcoming warmth. It's funny how beautiful the sun can look, even in here. And maybe, if there wasn't the sound of the timer to remind me, I could even forget I the fact that I'm about to engage in one of the most deadliest fights for my life.
I suppose it could be worse. For instance: I could be in here alone. I've made one friend during my stay here. Which kind of surprised me to be honest. I mean making friends is usually so easy for me. Though, I do know this isn't home. I guess the games just don't call for friendship. However, I do appreciate the one I've made. His name is Sepp, and unlike most alliances, we don't share the same district. We officially met during training, he was tying knots as I took a shot at archery. And to be quite honest, I was totally failing. After continuously being unable to properly make form, I got upset to the point of tears. He noticed and — unlike all the other tributes around me at the time — decided not to ignore me. He offered me an enthusiastic "Hello!" Which sounded entirely out of place, with my current emotional state and all. Despite this however, I remember being able to hear nothing but kindness come from his voice. I immediately knew I wanted to be his friend. And for the most part, it seemed as though he wanted to be my friend too. And although a part of me believed his offer of being in an alliance together may have only come from pity, I still accepted it.
A decision I don't think I'll ever regret, cause even if we don't make it out together, it's nice knowing I won't die alone. Sepp wouldn't let me. He'd make sure to see me out.
Eyeing the timer, I can see there are only fifteen seconds until the games begin. Taking a deep breath, I try to relax. It's okay Saura, I think to myself. It's going to be alright! You've got Sepp here, you are a team, and together you'll both survive. I continue, in an attempt to put the butterflies in my stomach to rest.
My thoughts shift to my family and I feel my stomach drop at the thought of my little brother having to watch me die. What would he feel as it happened? Would he look away, unable to watch? Or would he stare, disappointed at the sister who failed him? I shake my head. No. Don't think about death, not yet. My chances are low, but that doesn't mean it's impossible. It doesn't mean I'll die here. Whatever it takes. That's exactly what I told my brother as the peacekeepers escorted him away. He had come alone, my parents too busy with work to see off their only daughter. It hurt, but not more than the thought of him home alone with nothing but the television on, the games his only company.
The timer hits five, and I now know this means business. Gathering all of my hair together, I use the string bracelet my brother made me two birthdays ago to put it in a ponytail. I get into position as the timer finishes, its sound echoing throughout the air around me. Informing all of us that the games have finally started.
I jump off at the sound of it. My feet hit ground and instantly become tangled within vines. I panic as I try to kick them off, but to no avail. I scream as my ankles become more and more tangled within them. I feel the threat of tears, and start to fear that this is where I'll die. I think of my brother again, and shake my head. No. I can't just give up now. This isn't for me, it's for him. I've got to get home to him.
Wiping the wet from my eyes, I take a moment to calm myself. Looking down, I see my feet entirely covered with vines. Crouching down, I begin tearing at them; forcing their roots out of the ground, and thus off of my feet. Pleased with my accomplishment, I smile. I did it, I actually did it!
Looking forward, I see the cornucopia. Fear sweeps over my body once again, and I feel the need to run far from it. But no matter how much I'd like to see the cornucopia's image shrink with distance, I'll have to get over my cowardice and head toward it. I made a promise to Sepp that I'd meet him just pass it. And I intend to keep it. I begin to run then, forcing my way through loose vines and large bushes. I run until I'm no longer surrounded by jungle, and instead find myself in the presence of an enormous volcano. The cornucopia just at its base. There are tributes everywhere, frantically trying to gather items. I see fights break out as I make my way through the crowd of tributes.
I'm halfway through the crowd when I trip, my knees scraping along the ground below. This just isn't my day. I groan as I prop myself up, my knees still touching ground. Looking around, I search for what it was that caused my fall. I find the source behind me, a backpack. Instead of ignoring it, I decide to take it with me. It's not too big, so it won't be a strain on my weak shoulders. I pick it up, slinging it over my shoulder before I push myself up and off my knees. I'm standing again, when I realize I'm still in the crowd of tributes. Scared for my life, I start running again. Forcing myself to pick up speed, hoping not to catch the attention of my fellow tributes.
I've made it out of the crowd when I see Sepp standing not too far from me. I smile at the sight of him, and I wave as I make my way to where he waits. It feels good knowing not everyone is against me in here.
Once I finally reach him, I turn back. I watch the crowd of tributes as they scatter about the cornucopia. There are no words to describe what I'm feeling right now. A mixture of fear and relief. Nonetheless, I'm happy to have survived the cornucopia untouched. Yet again, I've done something I thought I couldn't do.
I grab Sepp's hand then, pulling him along with me as I attempt to elongate the distance between the two of us and the death trap I just escaped. "Thanks for waiting for me," I say as we run.