The Hunger Games

Chapter Seventeen

"Did you just kill four dogs...with a shovel?"

I lifted my head and turned to a very tired Borris leaning against the curved wall. I smiled and raised the bloody tool to show him.

"Yes, yes I did."

Borris chuckled shaking his head in disbelief.

"You have the belt full of knives yet you use a garden tool. Should have seen that one coming. Did you kill 4 with the shovel too?"

I smiled

"No, I had my rigs set up and he tripped the wire making him impale himself."

"Why am I not surprise?"

I dropped my head back on the ground.

"Because you know it is something I could do."

"How many have you killed?"

I held up 3 fingers.

"Sam from 3 when she stupidly tried to get the bag from me, the girl from 8 and the Boy from 4."

He smiled.

"I wish my number was only 3."

I rolled my eyes.

"You are part of the career pack Borris, of course you are going to have more then three kills."

He chuckled.

"At least I don't kill my victims with a shovel. You know how much force you need to do that."

I weakly shrugged my shoulders and pulled myself to a sitting up position.

"What can I say, I have a mean swing."

He shook his head and pointed back to the hole we cam from.

"It looked like day light is started to peak through, I should probably go find the others."

I smiled and nodded. We both got to our feet and Borris had me club the ladder first. I peered over the age questionably and climbed the rest of the way out when I made sure the coast was clear. I then leaned down and helped Borris out. Borris looked beat. There was obvious bags under his eyes and grime covering him from head to toe. I could only imagine how bad I looked. Two cannons went off causing Borris and I to exchange a look. That is one way to start off the morning. That is 15 down. I wondered who was left. One day and 15 tributes were dead.

"It is time to separate Borris, I will see you around."

He nodded his head and turned to head back where we left Egger and Thia.

"Borris."

He turned to look at me. I pointed to the roof to the right of us. I could see the district partners from one that were looking down at us. Egger had a spear and Thia had a sword strapped to her back. Borris nodded a thank you and jogged towards them. I hope he doesn't come to regret befriending them. I turned on my heal and started heading back to the cornucopia. I kept the shovel close just in case. The streets were fairly deserted there wasn't much to see. A few rats scurried by. I slung my backpack forward and grabbed a few pieces of dried jerky. I didn't eat anything yesterday other then breakfast and I was still lacking water. I should have asked Borris if they had any. Maybe the other side would have some. It as just a matter of time before I got there a cold wind blew by making me shiver a little. I brought my hand out feeling the moisture in the air. It was going to rain soon. The sky was gloomy and the moisture was too thick in the air for it to not. Right on cue a crack of thunder rang over head. I looked up and I could see the lightning spark around the sky. That didn't look good. I swear these were going to be the quickest hunger games in history. They are going to kill us all by natural causes before we can kill each other! I took off in a sprint knowing the best shelter was going to be the cornucopia. Once I reached the clearing I made a new line just as the rain started coming down. I rounded the corner and something came flying at me. I ducked back in time but the blade of the knife nicked my cheeked. I didn't really leave time to feel the pain. Instead I grabbed my own knife and threw blindly. I heard a grown but no cannon so obviously not a kill shot. I looked to see a boy with a knife sticking from his hand. Ooo that had to hurt. Not deadly but definitely painful. He glared at me and charged. I tightened my grip on the shovel and threw it like a spear with all my might. I had one shot. He was bigger then I was and I would go down if he would get the upper hand. The shovel flew with surprising speed catching the boy off guard. The tip hit is neck just right causing his head to roll from his shoulders. His body slumped to the ground. I stared at it, feeling the rain prickle against my skin. I looked up sticking my tongue out catching the water in my tongue. I soaked up what I could and brought my bag forward grabbing the water bottle just as the canon to the boy I killed went off. I opened the container and let the rain do the work. I walked away from the body and fetched the shovel from the ground. It was coated in blood. I cringed lightly and brought it to the opening of the cornucopia. I leaned the shovel by the mouth allowing the rain hit against it. I kept the bottle out until it was filled then I brought it in and closed the top. I would need to reserve that. I looked around the metal cave seeing what was left over of the place that was once piled with weapons. Most things were gone but there were a few crats left. I opened some only finding comfort items like blankets and socks. Ooo fresh socks. I smiled at the idea and unlaced my boots exchanging my damp pair for the fluffy new one. I quickly put my shoes back on. I would need to be ready especially if someone decides to join me. I still had my knives but my new main weapon was outside. You know maybe I should check some more sheds to see if one may have a hatchet or an ax. It would be helpful with 16 tributes dead. That only lefts 8 including myself. I would imagine the siblings were left. Borris and myself, Egger and Thia and the other two were a wild card. The rains started coming down in sheets making me climb to my feet and grab my shovel that was kind of clean. I needed to be on my feet especially since I couldn't really hear anything with the rain hitting the roof. What was the game maker doing? Drag the games on longer. No one was going to try and... someone was in the tunnels. They are filling the tunnels up, meaning those were no longer and hiding spot. I didn't hear any cannons so I would imagine that whoever was down there made it out alright. It continued to rain well into the next mornings I yoned standing up as I watched the rain slow to a mist that filled the air. The ground being warm caused a steady fog to grow. I smirked at the environment that was just presented to me. Today was going to be a long day. The world was still. I twirled my shovel around and tightened my straps on my shoulders. I set out making sure to keep my steps as quiets as I could. I heard a whistle behind me and I dropped to a roll. I turned to see Egger smirking and holding another spear. I rose a brow at him.

"I take it this means the deal it off."

He smiled.

"The deal is off."

I heard a scream and a cannon went off. I heard an angered yell. Well that didn't sound good. Another spear being thrown cause me to be brought out of my head. I ducked again. I grabbed a knife and threw it. He was lucky he brought his arm up. The knife lodged into the arm he used to shield with he screamed in pain making me smile. He ran at me in anger and I rose my shovel and stepped back when he was close enough and swung. The shovel made contact with the side of his head making him crumble to the ground. I snatched another knife and jamed the blade into his temple making another cannon go off. 6 left. I whipped the blood from my face, at least what I could feel. I heard approaching steps and fearfully prepped a knife. Dawson stood with tears on his face and blood on his eyes. He had his ax rose and I could see the blood on him. I looked around for Jane but she wasn't near. I dropped my stance and walked forward and hugged him. He could kill me but he needed a hug. I don't know what I would do if my situation and his was switched. If Cato died. I heard a thud and felt his arms wrap around me. We stood like that for a bit. When I felt he was good and his body was done shaking I let go and bent grabbing the ax he dropped to the ground. He shook his head and he had a look I didn't understand. He took a few steps back and open his arms to widen his chest like he was making it a target.

"Please, Kit."

I shook my head.

"No, I won't take a cheap shot."

"She won't...but I will."

Thia appeared through the fog and brought the blade through Dawson's back into his heart.

"No!!!"

I watched as she pulled the blade out and his body slump to the ground. I blinked away the tears. A canon boomed, echoing around me. I glared up at Thia. She rolled her eyes and whipped her blade.

"You would have had to kill him anyways."

I squinted my eyes unsure what she meant. She pointed her sword at me.

"Watch yourself 2, one more cannon and you are my next target."

5 left. Me, Borris, Thia and the two random. I watch Thia walk away, if her and Egger split up that meant Borris was by himself. Would he kill me as well? I shook the thought from my head and tightened the grip on my shovel. The sun was now high in the sky making the fog seem more dense and made the moisture cling to my skin. I started the day with death. I could feel my mouth go dry and I took the water bottle I filled out from my side bag pocket. I took to gulps before forcing myself to stop. My stomach tightened and I frowned. I grabbed a pack of raw nuts and found a small porch on an abandoned building for me to sit and take a break. I looked around at the breaking floor board noticing a small rope tied off on the opposite end. I stopped eating and placed the remaining in my bag. I drew a knife and threw it at the rig. The rope snapped, a beam fell and I let out a fake scream and stomped on the wooden board to hopefully mimic a cannon. I smirked when a loud clash echoed around us. I drew out another knife and pressed my back to the wall. I could hear rushed steps and a boy rounded the corner to find his victim. I threw the knife but quickly side stepped making it lodge in his shoulder. I cursed under my breath and went to draw another one. The boy grabbed the knife from his shoulder and let out a growl. He jumped taking me to the ground. I brought my arm up to block him from bringing the knife down on my head. I slipped lightly, letting him get one jab down. I moved my head to the side causing the blade to nick my ear. I brought my arm back up to block him from doing it again. I thought quickly and brought my knee up making the boy temporarily go weak. I quickly moved from underneath him, grabbed the shovel from next to me and swing blindly. The bar of the shovel shook when I made contact. The boy let out a huff and then fell sideways on the floor. A cannon didn't go off so he was still alive. Do I kill him? Or do I let him live another day. He did try to kill me. I didn't make an alliance with him. I felt wrong with what I was about to do. At least it would be quick. I grabbed the longer knife that came with the bag and aimed for his heart. I threw the knife and immediately following a cannon went off. I sighed and shook lightly. That could have been my last day on earth. I could have died there. 4 remaining. I repacked up my stuff and set out to find a place to hang low for the remaining of the games. 4 left ment the game makers would pull something to take us back to the clearing.