Marx Hunger Games

Part 8: "The Labyrinth" (7)

"It's nearing the end. Surely the game makers would do something to make this the best show ever." Audrey pondered while walking with her new companions District 12 tributes Jenny and Lorenzo. "You're right. Let's show them that we're not underdogs in this game, let's defeat those careers" Lorenzo said bravely. "I don't think that we're the underdogs anymore, after what we did to Romeo and Juliet" Jenny reassured. "You were the ones defeated Jenica and Paul? Wow! All the time I thought that the other careers found them or they died of too much love" Audrey laughed. As the three were having a good talk in the forest, a silver parachute swooped from the air and landed right in from of them. Jenny quickly took the parachute and opened the silver pod attached to it. She saw a map and a paper containing some sort of instructions.

She read the rolled up piece of crisp, white paper. "Greetings tributes, congratulations for making it this far, since you have made it this far the game will level up a bit. Follow the map to a labyrinth that will determine the Final 3 tributes. Instructions will follow when all seven tributes will arrive at the maze. Until further notice, killing another tribute is not allowed. You are expected to be at the site two hours after this message is delivered. That is all and may the odds be ever in you favor. "Well Audrey, you were right on cue. They will make this the best show ever." Lorenzo muttered. "I'm scared about this maze. Usually the final challenge is very complicated and it's always a nail biter. Sometimes, it gets more viewers than the finale." Jenny said. "Oh my god I'm totally scared. Seven will enter the maze but only three will come out." Audrey shivered. As the three were walking and talking about their strategy that they would help and find each other they followed the map to the site. As they drew closer to the site they could see the huge labyrinth covering an entire valley. It had four pillars located in its four corners and a center pillar which was the largest among the five. At the top of the center pillar, three pods for the three survivors of the challenge. They could see District 2 tributes Andrew and Moreen already waiting in the holding area as they prepare their weapons. Not long after they settled in, District 3 tribute Renz arrived followed by the last tribute Dani. When Dani approached the holding area a voice boomed in the air. "Welcome tributes and welcome to the challenge that will determine the Final three or possibly, the Victor.

All seven of you will be stationed at different starting points outside the maze. As you move inside the maze. You must navigate your way through the maze to the four pillars located at the corners of the maze to retrieve one key from each pillar. When you have already have the four keys, you must navigate to the center pillar where a three pods await to be unlocked. Use the four keys to unlock four locks to open a pod. Opening a pod means you have successfully completed the challenge and the pod will transfer you to a safe place in the arena while you will be fed and given special weapons. Failure to complete the challenge means death. Position yourselves now and the maze will open shortly. Killing in the maze is allowed and may the odds be ever in your favor." The voice died out and the tributes gave a swallow of nervousness as they approached their starting positions. A big screen is located at the center pillar for everyone to see how many keys a tribute has obtained and whether a tribute has finished or died. The screen changed for a moment as a 60 second clock counted down to the start of the challenge.

The weather became hazy and the sky became dark to add to the drama. Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one the silver doors opened to reveal what seems to be an unending maze to the tributes. They navigated themselves through the hazy, nervous atmosphere hoping to go somewhere and not bump into another tribute wielding a sword, knife, or spear. The screen let out a pleasing sound as Christopher's picture gained a "1" under it. This means Christopher already obtained a key. Time passed by when Audrey was frustrated of running in circles in the seven-foot-high maze when she saw Moreen. Knowing that Moreen has two keys already she decided to follow her in the hopes of reaching a pillar because she is the only tribute left who has no keys. When she followed Moreen to a pillar, Moreen obtained her third and Audrey obtained her first. Audrey's joy was cut short when she suddenly lost track or Moreen when they went down the pillar. Audrey was walking when a voice behind her made her tremble. "Following me huh? Was that was your strategy? I'm sorry but cheaters are not allowed in this game." Moreen slit Audrey's throat with a quick slashof her sharpest knife. A cannon fired and Audrey's image in the screen became blood red signalling she died.

Jenny and Lorenzo's eyes welled up with tears as they realized they lost their friend. But they know how this game works and they moved on with heavy hearts. All of the six tributes have two keys in hand except for Moreen and Christopher who have three and Lorenzo who has four. Lorenzo was about to approach the center pillar because he was so tired from finding for Jenny so he just hoped that Jenny would quickly find the keys. Lorenzo was just a few turns away from the center pillar when he saw a tribute waiting for him. Andrew was standing at the base of the center pillar as part of his plan. "When I saw that you had four keys, I knew that you would head for here and what easier way to get some keys than to steal fromsomeone who has them all" Andrew said. Lorenzo pulled out a blade and charged for the pillar. He was quickly blocked by Andrew and his axe and they fought to the death. Andrew hoping to steal the keys and Lorenzo hoping to be rewarded by his effort and enter a pod and ensure his safety for at least one more day. Both of them received a lot of slashes from their weapons and both weak from fatigue and blood loss. Unfortunately, Andrew was a tad stronger and had enough strength to deliver a final blow. He raised his axe and landed it on Lorenzo's chest sealing his fate and a cannon fired signalling the second victim of the challenge.

Jenny was stopped in her tracks as she saw her partner's picture become red and his key number reduced to zero as Andrew's became 4 and his picture became green signalling he completed the challenge. The four remaining tributes in the maze are now scrambling for the two spots remaining. Jenny, Christopher, Cara, and Moreen all had three keys. All of them now knowing that Andrew is a dirty player, they were sure to keep an eye out for him. If they were part of the Final 3. Moreen and Cara arrived at their final pillar at the same time. As both of them were running up the stairs they heard the hiss of snakes right behind them. When they turned around they were frozen in their places as they saw a basilisk coming after them. A 50 foot snake with yellow, sharp fangs and red scales, the color of the capitol. This oversized beast was slithering up the stairs hoping for a meal. Moreen and Cara arrived at the top of the pillar and saw a note. "He won't stop until he gets a meal" This means only one of them comes out alive in this battle to the death, or meal. Moreen quickly took a loose brick in the pillar and threw it directly at Cara's face. Cara screamed as the brick hit her cheek and she fell to the ground. Moreen saw this as a chance to get her killed so she pulled out a knife and ran to Cara. When Moreen was about to charge it to her chest Cara pulled up enough strength to stand up quickly and turn the tables around. Cara focused all her strength and grabbed Moreen by the shoulders. She shoved Moreen heavily as she threw her in the air, exciting the pillar and landing right on the basilisk's body. Hearing a loud hiss and a pitiful scream. Cara could barely look at how the basilisk treated Moreen's body. A cannon fired and Moreen was gone for good.

The basilisk retreated back to the forest granting Cara's freedom along with her fourth and final key. Cara found her way to the center pillar and was the second person to finish the challenge. Christopher was about to give up as his knees buckled from the hours running to search for the center pillar. Christopher and Jenny's face was full of dirt and sweat barely unrecognizable because of their fatigue. Both have four keys in hand but only one can survive at the end of the day. Finally, after hours of searching, they arrive at the pillar. Tears filled their eyes as they couldn't bare the pain and stress they are feeling right now. Racing up the stairs, Christopher reached the top first as poor Jenny couldn't do anything butwatch as Christopher unlock and enter that final pod and await her eminent death as everything she fought for in the games get wasted. Christopher got in the pod. Jenny just stared at the boy who is also going through the same torture she is experiencing as her heart stopped, tears still in her eyes and she dropped to the ground spilling the four keys from her bloody and dirt caked hands as her fight comes to an end. The fourth cannon for the day is fired and the challenge is over.

Three tributes left. Who will come out as victor?