Marx Hunger Games

"The Victor" (3)

Cara, the unfortunate tribute from District 11, bit her lip so hard from the excruciating fear as the cannon shot signalling the death of another tribute. “27 canon shots, only three of us left.” She said as the tears started falling.

It has been a long time of trying to stay alive that she barely had a chance to show emotion. But this was too much for her. She knows there are only three of them leftand unfortunately, one of them had to be the one person who gave her reason to fight. Now it has come to this: her life or his life? She ran fast but not as fast as her thoughts were running. 

 It had been four years since the day they’ve met and she remembers it so clearly it sent the tears streaming a little faster. Four years since that day the District 3 representatives set up the electric fences in District 11. The project took long and the representatives had to set up camps and bring their dependents to the latter district. That’s when she met him. Living near the camps, Cara would often swing by to catch a glimpse of the engineers’ devices because it fascinated her but as time passed it wasn’t those that interested her but the boy. “Christopher.” she said, amazed at the boy’s name.

Not long after she had seen the boy, the project had been finished and it was time for them to leave. But really, the boy never left her mind. Every year the District 3 representatives come back to check the fences and whenever the whistle, signaling the arrival of the train, blew, she would rush to the fields but almost invisibly fast, just to catch a glimpse of the boy. And at one miraculous point, their eyes would meet and they’d share a smile because of the familiarity to each other. No words, just smiles. To him, this is just another friendly encounter but to her it means everything. 

She had the shock of her life when she found out they were both tributes at the day of the reaping. Of all the people, it had to be them. It had to be him. And now this? It has come to this excruciating point where the chances of having to die from each other’s attack is so unbelievably high. He wouldn’t doubt killing her if that meant his victory. After all, it was her who loved him and not the other way around. She pushed off the branches and brushed off the tears from her face. “Be strong.” she whispered. 

The game makers were observing the three tributes and have noticed that Cara was too far from the other two to cause any collision and that meant less thrill for the viewers so they decided to drive her back. They sent a wildfire. “Too fast, the fire’s spreading too fast!” she exclaimed so loud that fear was so evident. Her leg was severely wounded that it made running a hundred times more impossible. She couldn’t afford to die this way, she had to survive. She ran until the fire stopped and 

then it happened. They collided. 

 They’re eyes met and fear shot. It was the kind of moment when things fall apart into pieces and the big things start to lose importance. Unexpectedly, Andrew, the third of them, showed up. He aimed his axe at Christopher who is very unaware of what is happening. For Cara, it was impossible not to breakdown but she knew what to do. Again, at these moments, the big things lose their importance and we realize what matters more. A sudden decision, but she is very sure. 

 As Andrew threw the axe at Christopher’s back, Cara pushed Christopher to the side fast enough and threw her knife at Andrew but she took the blow of the axe herself. She took it deep in her chest just a little beside the sternum. Andrew’s axe pierced through her heart. And at that sudden moment, the cannon shot. Cara’s dead. 

Christopher’s eyes widened at what had happened. He felt sorry for the girl. After all, they were acquaintances a while back. But there was no time to show any emotion. He turned to Andrew, who was weakened by the knife that hit his clavicle. Christopher had no hesitation, he plunged the spear into Andrew’s stomach. There was nothing more to do, Andrew is lying on the ground, eyes wide open and choking in his own blood. The cannon shot.

Andrew is dead and we have our victor.