The Sixty-Fifth Hunger Games

Nico

I stand awkwardly with my stylist during the last few minutes of my freedom. I think back to the last few days, I remember Leila had asked me if we wanted to be allies but I had rejected. I didn't want to drag anyone else down with me. Strangely enough, Will Solace the 11 tribute had also asked if we wanted to be allies as well. I declined that too, but I sometimes wished I hadn't.

Suddenly a ping sounded that signaled that I was to get in my odd cylinder elevator.

My stylist cleared his throat and I looked up at his outstretched hand, "We shake hands." I roll my eyes and grab his and give him a small shake, "Happy?" He looks infuriated and I turn around to walk into the cylinder. I stare up into blackness as the door closes shut, sealing me in.

I look straight ahead and see that my mentor is already gone. I don't mind. Suddenly the floor jerks and I'm moving up.

~*~

The sunlight blinds me and I scowl. Even though my months in 9 have adjusted me better to the sunlight, I'm not used to the sudden brightness of it. Suddenly Claudias Templesmith's voice resonates through the arena, "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 65th Hunger Games. The countdown begins now!" A surge of energy goes through me as the countdown from 60 begins. I quickly scan the arena. The cornucopia is in the middle of a river that divides the arena in half, along with the tributes.

I'd never learned how to swim so I had to hope I was a fast learner. The gong sounds which means that the games have officially started. A small pressure pushed me off my plate and I take off running, seeing the other tributes do the same. Percy Jackson is 4 plates away from me and quickly dives into the river without hesitation. He's probably learned how to swim before he learned to walk. Most of the other's hesitate a second before diving in.

I don't know what else to but jump, so I do. The water is shockingly cold to the touch and disorienting. I had never been in anything with more water than a bathtub. I push my hands through the water to go forward and try to find some footing.

My hands grasp mud and I hull myself out of the mucky water. I gasp for breath on the shore and look up, the fighting has already begun. Luke from district 2 is sparring with Micheal Kahale from 8. I get up and grab the nearest thing next to me, it's a small brown backpack. I don't bother to see what's in it, scanning the rest of the cornucopia for anything else I might need to survive this shit.

I see a sword glinting near the mouth of the cornucopia. It has an unusual coloring about it. A black blade that glinted in the sun. That's mine. I run toward it and grab it. My body curling around it. I get up and suddenly feel a sharp push behind me. I slash my sword blindly and feel it connect with something. Before I fall into the water I see the tribute from 6 staring wide-eyed at me before dropping to the ground. Dead.

I fall into the water and don't try to get out. I was in shock, I had never killed anyone before.

Was it even worth trying to get back up? Maybe it would be easier to sink down into the depths of the river. Before I can make up my mind, a hand grasps my wrist and hulls me out of the water.

I retch again, I was never going to go swimming again. I look up and see sea green eyes staring back at me, nothing but slight concern in his eyes. I quickly scramble back and hope that he can't see me blushing. I struggle up and press my sword to his throat, "one more step-" I growl, "-one more step and I'll kill you." I hope he doesn't know I'm lying.

Percy laughs and I'm confused, why would he be laughing? He shakes his head, "What? No! I was just trying to help. Besides I have my own sword." He hefts up a bronze sword to show me. I instantly back away not wanting to get skewered.

Suddenly a girl calls out, "Come on, Seaweed Brain! We need to get going!" He nods at her and gives me a quick salute, "Until next time." I don't know what else to do other than nod mutely. He takes off running and I do the same, but in the other direction.

Towards the mountains. 

This chapter was written by @marsh_meowllow ! Unfortunately, she might not be posting on her account anymore. Anyway,

-Toodles!