Chapter 7:
I ran as fast as my feet could carry me only looking back slightly. Scott was hot on my trail following behind but not exactly keeping up. That was the plan though. Since I was faster I was supposed to run to the cornucopia, grab supplies and Scott was going to cover my back the whole time.
The snow slowed me down quite a bit and I could only imagine how Scott was doing. I saw a backpack on the ground in front of me. Instead of stopping to pick it up I jumped over it and kicked it backwards with my heel. I glanced over my shoulder to see the bag lift off the ground, Scott grabbing it in midair and throwing it over his shoulder.
I smirked at how well that worked and ran faster, finally reaching the cornucopia. Spark and Elra had just run to it too. I watched in horror as Spark snapped a boys arm and then stabbed him. I forced myself to focus on the task at hand. I grabbed a quiver full of at least a dozen arrows and slung it over my shoulder, also grabbing the bow. I quickly looked back at Scott only to find him fighting another boy. The boy had a knife in hand and even though Scott was bigger he was unarmed. I put an arrow in the bow and silently prayed I wouldn’t miss. I steadied my shaking hand and fired the arrow.
It hit the boys shoulder only enough to knock him backwards, not kill him. I sighed as Scott got up and ran towards me again. I reached for the axe when a sword came down in front of me. I stumbled back and stared at Elra as she smirked and swung at me again. I ducked down avoiding the sword and scrambled to grab the axe. Elra once again swung on me. I raised the axe up, the sword clashing against it. I kicked Elra in the gut and made my way to my feet. I lightly tossed the axe to Scott who was near me.
Around me I noticed all the screaming and the cannon firing in the distance. I didn’t have time to count. I saw Spark laugh as he stabbed a girl through the heart, her body falling to the ground lifeless, another boom of the cannon going off. The snow white field was now covered in blood. “Run Sky!” Scott yelled and grabbed my arm snapping me out of it.
I nodded and quickly grabbed a few knives. I had only grabbed 4 of them though because I saw Spark run towards me with a sword in hand. I quickly ran beside Scott as we headed for the forest.
Just as we were about to reach the safety of the forest I spotted Kurt, the little boy from district 5. He was running, very slowly due to the snow which was up to the poor boys knees. Behind us I could see Elra raise another bow and arrow. Her smirk and laughter I knew were directed towards me but the arrow was pointed to Kurt. I changed my course and ran backwards.
Kurt looked terrified when he saw me run towards him frantically. His back was to Elra so he had no idea he was about to be shot. I tackled him to the snow covered ground just in time. I looked up to see Elra had missed and was pulling out another arrow, frustration and anger clear on her face. I got up myself and threw a knife in her direction before she could fire her arrow.
I smirked as the knife pierced through exactly where I had wanted it to. The knife cut through the top of the wooden bow, ripping it to shreds and tearing the string. Elra cursed at me. I helped Kurt to his feet quickly. Out of the corner of my eyes I saw Spark run up beside Elra with a knife in hand. My eyes widened. “RUN!” I yelled at Kurt and pushed him forward. He stumbled a little but did as I said.
I turned to see Spark throw the knife at me. I was surprised when Scott was suddenly in front of me. He had the bark of a tree in his hands and was using it as a shield. The knife made a decent hole in the bark but didn’t break through. “Run stupid!” Scott yelled angry as he dropped the bark but kept the knife. He pulled my arm and we ran to the forest together.
After running into the deep forest we slowed our pace and looked behind us again to make sure nobody had followed. “Safe for now” I mumbled stopping to catch my breath. Scott dropped to the ground and sighed. “Here” I said handing him the bow and the quiver of arrows that was on my back.
“Your aim was decent back there when you hit that guy in the shoulder” Scott said and took the weapons. I panted trying to get in as much air as possible. “No, it was perfect” I said shaking my head, “I didn’t want to kill the guy, only get him off of you but don’t count on my aim being that good again. My hand was shaking” I said and took a deep breath. “Your hand was shaking?!” Scott asked terrified. “Yep” I replied and sat beside him in the snow.
“You mean that you took that shot with a shaky hand and the possibility that it could have hit me instead?” he asked amazed. I nodded. “You got so lucky. Never do it again” he said with a sense of a smile on his lips as he emphasized the word never. “No promises” I said and smirked. He laughed and I stood up. “Let’s keep moving, maybe find some shelter” I said and adjusted the 3 knives I had to my belt. Scott handed me the other knife he had, the one Spark had thrown at us. I took it and thanked him then attached that knife to my belt too.
“Where are we going to find shelter in a place like this?” Scott asked annoyed. “I don’t know, maybe Seneca Crane felt like being nice and provided some shelter” I shrugged. Scott laughed coldly and in a sarcastic voice said “Yeah, right” meanwhile rolling his eyes. I put my hand out to Scott and helped him up as we started moving again.
After what seemed like hours of walking I stopped. “Damn it” I said. “What’s the matter?” Scott asked stopping too. I looked around, “We need water Scott” I said. He shrugged, “Maybe we’ll run into some along the way” he said hopefully. “I highly doubt it, this place is a frozen wasteland” I said and looked up at a tall, nearby tree. “You can’t climb the tree, Sky” he said. “I know. I wish I could though to get a better view of the arena, maybe find some water” I said to him.
“The heavy weight of the snow combined with your weight will definitely make the branches come crashing down” Scott shook his head. “I’m not letting you risk that again. Last time you convinced me it would be find to climb a snow covered tree you fell off and broke your arm” he growled. “I was 12 cut me some slack and besides my footing was pretty bad that time. I can do it” I said hoping he’d let me. “Stop being reckless and stupid Sky. I already said no. Now let’s go. We’ll find water along the way” Scott said and shot me a look that I knew meant the argument was over.
I sighed and dragged my feet as I followed him. After a few more minutes of walking we came to the east end of the arena only to find the ruins of a city. Very few walls actually stood but the ones that did seemed very strong and intact. We exchanged a look but walked closer, slowly. The walls were made of brown brick and were very sturdy. On the other side of the ruins I spotted 3 walls that were still standing with a roof over the top (http://coloncapitald.com/content/cgst/9.jpg . This is pretty much what the ruins look like but no huge lake is there in the story).
“Scott, look!” I called and pointed. Scott smiled and we walked over.
After Scott and I inspected the walls we declared them strong enough to carry the snows weight without falling to the pressure. “Looks like Seneca Crane is a nice guy” I smirked sarcastically then faced a random general direction hoping a camera was on me. “Thank you, your greatness” I bowed forward a little and Scott laughed. “Shut up, stupid” Scott said with another laugh.
“Hey, check what the bag has inside” I said and sat on the stone ground beside him. Thankfully the snow had stopped falling. The stone was cold as ice. We rested our backs to the side of the wall that was opposite of the opening so we could keep our eyes on the forest in case somebody came.
“Right” Scott said and opened the bag. Slowly he pulled everything out one by one. “We have an empty silver thermos” he said putting it down on the ground beside us. "There's a bag of raisins and dried up plums. We're saving these for when we're in a tight spot" he said and I nodded as he went back to the bag. “A thin blanket” he sighed annoyed pulling it out. I saw the blanket had a little switch attached to it. “What’s this?” I asked Scott. He looked over and shrugged. “Who knows?” he asked looking back to the bag in his lap. “We have a needle and thread” he said confused. “What the hell am I going to do with a needle and thread?” he asked himself annoyed. I didn’t pay much attention though as I picked up the blanket and set it on my lap. Then I slowly flipped the switch. The blanket suddenly started heating up. “Scott!” I nearly shouted and threw the blanket on his head. “What the..” he started out of surprise from my outburst but stopped when the blanket landed on his head. He pulled it off and stared at it. “How?” he asked. I shrugged. “Who cares?” I replied happily. “That’s insane” he said turning it over in his hands.
I laughed and pulled it away. “Ok enough. I think the thing runs on some source of power. Let’s not waste it” I said and shut it off. “Yeah you’re probably right” he said and suddenly stood up. “We have to go anyway” Scott said looking down at me. “Where?” I asked a little confused. Scott picked up the bow and arrows. “When was the last time we had anything to eat or drink?” he asked me. “Breakfast” I replied. “Exactly, let’s get some food and hopefully water” he put his hand out to me. I nodded and took it. “What about your axe and the bag of supplies?” I asked. Scott picked them up and walked towards the snow. “Hide them” he said and dropped them in the snow, then piled more snow up over them.
I nodded and walked up to him. “Let’s go then” I said with the thermos in hand in case I ran into water. “Let’s spilt up just for now” Scott suggested. “Ok” I smiled. “Don’t go too far out and you better be back here by nightfall. Understand?” he asked very seriously and very worried. I nodded and said “Don’t worry. I’ll be fine” He nodded in reply and said “Look for water. I’ll take care of dinner. Promise you won’t climb any trees” he demanded. I rolled my eyes “I promise” I replied but crossed my fingers behind my back. “I’m not an idiot, Sky. I know you” Scott rolled his eyes. I gave him an innocent look and asked “What?”
“Show me your hands” he demanded. I sighed in defeat but put my hands out in front of me, my palms towards him. “Now promise” he said. I rolled my eyes but answered “I promise” He smiled and bent over, giving me a quick kiss on the forehead. “Good luck and be safe” he said and ran off before I could say “You too.”
I casually headed into the forest being careful as to where I walked trying to remember the path so that I could find my way again. I had focused all my concentration on the task at hand that I nearly jumped when the cannon sounded. I scanned the area nervously as I begged my heart to stop racing from fear.
I had the urge to call Scott’s name but knew better than that as I walked through the snow, once again shivering from the cold wind. Scott was strong and very careful and skilled. He could easily take care of himself and would never die within the first day.
After I walked for a few more minutes I knew that I was a great distance from the ruins and Scott would probably kill me for going out this far but I needed to find water. It wasnt long after that, that I heard the sound of rushing water.
I ran enthusiastically in the direction of the water but still being careful, I surveyed the stream from behind a tree. I was shocked to see a deer taking a drink by the water. I felt as if I had to seize this opportunity though as I approached it with slow careful footsteps and a knife in hand.
The deer didn’t seem to notice me at all but just as I was stepping out from behind the tree the deer took off running. At first I had assumed that I had done something wrong and that maybe the deer heard me coming but it wasn’t until I heard the string of curses that I realized why it ran.
I ducked behind the tree again when I got the slightest glance of the Careers. “It’s your fault it ran away!” Spark yelled at Troy who just stared at him blankly. “No. It was your fault, Spark, so stop blaming Troy” Elra said rolling her eyes. Drex remained quiet as she bent over the water and filled up her bottle. “You want the deer? Fine” Troy said calmly grabbing the spear out of Spark’s hand. Spark rolled his eyes and gestured towards the deer that had stopped about 10 yards away.
Troy pulled back and after only a second threw the spear forwards with such speed I couldn’t even see it anymore. I turned to the deer to see it lying dead on the ground and nearly gasped in shocked. One thing was for sure, this boy definitely earned a 12. “Nicely done Troy” Elra laughed and skipped towards it. I held my breath as Spark grumbled under his breath and followed Elra. Drex remained silent and went after them, leaving only Troy near me.
The snow had started falling again. I kept my eyes on Troy as he looked ahead towards his teammates. Suddenly he turned his head in my direction and I ducked behind the tree again burying my face in the little bush beside it. His icy blue eyes looked my way a minute and I was sure I was spotted. His serious expression twisted into a smirk as he shook his head and walked towards the others. But I was sure I heard him whisper, “For a girl with a score of 12 you suck at hiding”
