The 71st Hunger Games - A Love Story COMPLETED

Chapter 8

[edited]

It was a forest. A freaking forest. Even the forest behind the fence wasn't this bad. The only clearing was the Cornucopia. There was trees. And trees. And more trees. I saw Han looking at me. I blinked clear and she blinked back. We heard Caesar start to introduce everything.

"Welcome to the 71st Hunger Games! Don't step off! You know what happens! Well, we are going to start in 10." His voice echoed through the arena, bouncing off trees.

My jaw tightened. I got this. I have Han. I have strength, mentally. 

"9."

I set my feet. 

"8."

Go straight to Cornucopia. That was my plan. 

"7."

I looked at Han. She looked set, looking straight at Cornucopia. Great minds think alike apparently. That or we were both dumb.

"6."

She looked straight there.

"5." 

I turned my attention back, steady.

"4."

Wasn't Han from the Lumber District?

"3."

This is perfect for her. I'm safe with her.

"2."

Back to attention. To a running stance.

"1."

I launched and ran. Everyone ran. Some ran to Cornucopia, some went to the forest. 

I ran directly to the center. I was good at running. I grabbed 2 bags and Johanna grabbed an axe and pretended to seem like it was heavy. Arrows were shot and we both ran. 

"Let them go. We'll get them later, they're easy targets. We'll get the harder ones now." This was said by a Career. Glitter?

I controlled my breathing and led Han to deeper and deeper. We needed to get farther. The farther we went, the less fake Han was. We saw a person starting a fire.

Dumb.

Han threw her axe and killed him.

"Hey Snow, I know you're there. I'm not weak." I bet you a million dollars the audience gasped. It's weird to think everyone in the world was currently watching your and everyone in the Hunger Game's move. Creepy.

The person fell over, dead. Cannons didn't go on the first day because too many people died.

She grabbed her axe and I grabbed his stuff. I was in shock for half a second then Han began to  climb a tree.

She looked down then motioned for me to come up. I started to climb. I followed her branches carefully and slowly. She sighed and reached out her hand. I got up to the top of the tree, sat and steady myself. 

Han was good at this. We opened the backpacks. 3 of them, including the dead guy's.

"Ooh!"

"Shhhh!" Han opened the pack and found some nuts, and empty water bottle and a bit of candy. Sweetness before death.  Well, ain't that an omen.

The second one had water. And a sleeping bag. And a jacket. Actually useful, for once.

The boy's had a small knife and a tube of something. It looked plastic. I was about to dump it in my mouth, but Han sniffed it. 

"Suicide Powder. For a quick death." 

I sighed and watched below for movement.

Nothing. Han looked around, not scared. 

"I like your strategy. I hope Snow likes it, too."

 She looked up.

"Oh he will." She was distracted though. "Ven, shh." I stopped moving.

I saw something down and an arrow came straight for me.