The 140th Annual Hunger Games [Ended]

Chapter Three: Fragments of Crimson Ice

I wasn't strong enough for this. I'd barely survived the first time and now they expected me to do it again? I already knew I was going to die, there was absolutely no way I was going to let Mia fall victim to the cruelty of the Capitol. But that didn't make this situation any less terrifying.

Throughout everything; the training, interview, parade, even the Reaping, I saw red. Since the moment I'd heard our names called I'd been filled with overpowering hatred, one that burned brighter than the very depths of my fragmented soul. Every ounce of my body had been denying my new predicament; until the moment my platform rose up into a feverishly cold winter wonderland of terror.

A loud ringing resonates throughout the arena and a sixty second countdown begins. Twenty-six tributes were lined up around a huge metallic building; the Cornucopia. I breathe in deeply, sinking down into a defensive stance. A whirl of wind slams against my face, whipping my face away from my face and sending a dazzling tornado of shivers down my spine.

I reflexively search out Mia, looking anxiously for her frail form and feeling a surge of worry come over me. We were standing on ice, frozen over water; something she wasn't able to handle well. Finally, I find her and watch in frozen shock as she hovers one foot over the edge of the platform. A furious yelp gets stuck in my throat just as she jerks back and stumbles away from the edge.

"Dammit Mia!" I growl, barely audible as I come out of the terrified trance. A frustratingly shrill voice barks through the arena and I lunge forward, digging my heels into the ice and dashing across the frozen surface with a narrowed determination. Without thinking, I rest my hand down on Mia's shoulder and she lets out a surprised squeal. I'm completely unprepared when she swings her arm back and catches my wrist in her hand, ready to snap it in two. The muscles along my arm tighten reflexively.

"I swear if you break my wrist I'll leave you here." I snap, keeping my voice low. Mia's spine stiffens and she glances upward, staring directly into my eyes.

"Sorry." She whispers, releasing me. I nod in response and glance toward the Cornucopia, watching with anxiety as tributes engage in a captivating dance of blood and fury.

"We need to move Mia, now." I urge, feeling a sense of unease clawing along my skin. Mia jerks and stumbles away from me, her arms pulling her legs against her chest fearfully.

"No, I'm not moving from here." She cries, her voice bitingly cold and scared. I tilt my head slightly, exhaling a tiny sigh and relax my stance.

"You'll freeze to death." I reason.

"I'd rather that than drown." She bites, I roll my eyes and step back from the platform, jumping up and down on the ice with vehemence.

"You won't drown, Mia. The ice is solid. See?" I jump again and feel a tiny crack beneath me. Quickly, I kick my heels against the surface to secure myself and hide my shock from Mia. As far as she could know, the ice was solid. "Come on Mia, we need to move." I snap, frustration building up within me. She couldn't sit here all day, she was going to get us killed. I reach over and grab her upper arm, trying to slide her onto the ice but she starts to quiver intensely and stiffens under my grasp.

"No."

"Mia, please." I beg with a sigh, Mia's lips part slightly and her eyes un-focus for a split second but it's enough to send her into a downward spiral of terror. She jerks, an ear splitting shriek ripping through the air and covers her face in her hands. I stumble back, tearing my hand from her arm with surprise.

"No! Go without me!" She growls, I blink with unabashed shock and nod involuntarily. I didn't want to leave her here, but we needed supplies and she clearly wasn't moving. Sighing softly, I turn away and sprint toward the Cornucopia, hoping with everything in me that she'd still be alive when I got back.