Author Games: World Seasons

Task Three - Buttons - Halloween Tributes

Shadow Ghost

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Jack Oliver Lantern

It is cold. The small snowflakes drift from the dull, grey sky with no regrets. I swat one away as it lands on the tip of my noise, and scowl angrily. It is as if I am wrapped in a frozen blanket, a constant chill surrounding my body.

Letting out a clouded breath, I stand, unable to feel my toes. "Great, so if I make it out alive, I'll have frostbite. Lovely." Muttering was the only thing I could do. I was cold, not stupid.     

A rustling noise came from my left, and I clamped my scythe tightly, inching my way towards the noise. There were too many people in this competition; if I wanted to win, I had to kill them all off when the opportunity struck.

Without warning, a Tribute ran out of the forest, waving their arms in defense. "Don't shoot! Don't shoot!" He cried, running towards me.

I rolled my eyes. "I have a scythe, not a gun, dumbass." The boy didn't even notice. As they got closer, I recognized the Tribute. "Valen?" I asked, letting out the hesitant breath I didn't know I was holding in. Harmless.

He stopped himself right in front of me, gasping for air. Glancing around, I realized he was alone, and rolled my eyes in annoyance. "Is there something I can help you with?" Valen opened his mouth, but I cut him off. "Because if you are looking for an ally, you're out of luck."

A smirk covered Valen's lips. He seemed to have caught his breath by now. "We have to be allies. You need me." I snorted, and turned away.

"I don't need you. I am fine, all by myself." I told him. A gust of wind blew through the Arena, and I shuttered violently.

It would be impossible for Valen's smirk to get even wider. "Do you even know how to make a fire? Because I do, and I think you might need to extra support."

I rolled my eyes and scowled. "Fine!" I shouted, throwing my arms up in defeat. "Just don't be so annoying."

It was at that moment that a song filled the air, and one of the judges appeared in the sky. It was one of the two women, but I hadn't bothered to remember her name. She spoke, but I was preoccupied; somehow, the air seemed to be getting warming.

"Not nearly deadly enough for my liking!" She said, but that was hardly was I was thinking about. The snow began melting rapidly, replaced by bright green grass. An artificial sun brought light to the dull sky, and the air was a comfortable temperature.

I grinned, looking over to Valen, who was staring intently into the sky. "Well, I guess I don't need you anymore." The words were useless. He was staring into the air, watching the Gamemaker like his life depended on it.

"You'd better make sure you're not on his ground!" I blinked. Who? Whose ground? What the hell was she talking about?

It was at that moment a giant creature came into view. He was at least twenty feet tall, with razor sharp teeth and tiny eyes. A large, bushy tall dragged on the ground behind him, and it took a few seconds to figure it out.

"A fucking squirrel?" I asked, anger lacing my words. Valen noticed the creature as well, and was preparing his bow. I nodded at him, and shot the first arrow. I had to admit, for Cupid, the guy had remarkable aim. The arrow nestled deep within the creatures shoulder, yet it didn't seem to notice.

Valen frowned and continued to shoot. One of the arrowed plunged into the monsters eye, and it howled in pain. "Take that, Buttons!" He shouted, pumping his fist in the air.

Buttons? What kind of name was that? Maybe there was something wrong with the Valentines Day boy.

Without thinking, I bolted forward my scythe tightly in my hand. Buttons was so preoccupied with his bleeding eye that he didn't notice me. Standing behind the beast, I realized one false move could cost me my life. Lifting the weapon in the air, I let it fall, closing my eyes.

It was a clean cut, the bushy tail laying beside the beast. A howl of pain of ringing through the Arena, but I was more preoccupied with running. Blood splattered black clothes, soaking my body.

Taking a step forward, Buttons seemed to notice his severed tail, and growled, shaking the ground. Glancing over to Valen, I managed to miss it. Seconds later, Buttons was on the ground, rolling around in the patch of daisies that threatened to kill any of the Tributes that touched them.

Fur was melting off in chunks, but Buttons couldn't move. Covering my ears to block out the hideous sounds the beast was making, I punched Valen.

"Let's get the hell out of here." He nodded, and we took off, never looking back.

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Hailey Hallow

Buttons eyes locked on mine as i swallowed the lump in my throat.I take a deep breath.

" Nice little squirrel......Who's a nice squirrel?You are! You are!" I say trying to somehow tame it even though i knew it was impossible.

I started slowing inching towards the little opening below Button as he started coming towards me.Cornering me.

"You are a very good squirrel. You wouldn't hurt anybody would you? Would you?" I ask, getting closer and closer to the opening.

About 6 steps away Button realizes what im doing and bears his rows of pointy teeth at me. "OHMYGOD LOOK! SUPERMAN!"  i yell out and point in a random direction above his head. He makes a questioning noise, turns around, and i use that distraction to slip under him, and.Run.Like.Hell.

 I take off trying to run back into the forest. I hear footsteps behind me but still keep running. If only i can hold out a little longer.......