The Capital Games (a writer games)

Torao Ariwa

Finals here I come! Maybe me and Kasia can win. We only need to kill two people and we're free. The crowd shouts their congratulations for the finalist except one. This one girl sitting in the front row decides to yell "I hope you die Torao" I try not let her words faze me but I'd be lying if I say they don't. Something strikes as odd though. Why are the Game Makers putting gas masks on? Why is the room filling up with the sweet scent of lavender? What are they doing to us? Why am I asking so many questions? WHY DAMNIT?! This gas is making me angry. I need to calm down. Breathe Torao, breathe. But seriously, why? What is going on? The smell tears at my senses and rips all sane thoughts out of my head. Kasia drops to the floor unconscious first, the smell obviously becoming too much for her small body to bear. Spitha drops next, followed by Rarity. Why do I not care? Is it because I know I'm next? Darkness fills my vision, I don't fight it. What will be will be.

When I wake up I'm in a room. Just an ordinary room with beige walls and a dark brown carpet. The only thing that makes it stand out is the figure in the corner. At over 6' it's hard not to forget who he is. Geo, the same pineapple that dressed me up like an idiot. Geo, my stupid stylist. "So you're not dead yet? You surprise me"

The best way to deal with him is to remain calm. So while my mind rages I simply say "You underestimate me"

"Unfortunately so but there is no way you will survive the final" He chuckles darkly. Now, can you see why I hate him?

"We shall see" I wink at him.

He raises his fist to strike me but thinks better of it "You've changed boy" More than he could ever know...

"Tell me about it" I mutter but I say louder "And you haven't changed one bit"

"You little-"

"Don't you dare cuss at me because when I win, I will have you punished for your poor treatment of a future victor" I snap at him.

Geo snorts "Good luck winning kitty boy. You won't last a second with what the Game Maker's planning"

"You don't know what the Game Maker's are planning. Why would they tell you anyway? You're just a lowly stylist" I taunt. It's worth it seeing his plastic face redden with anger.

"Fine! I don't know what they are planning but I know for a fact that you will not be one of the two standing at the end. I even put my money on that ally of yours, the 12 year old, back-stabbing you" He storms out of the room in a fit of rage, dramatically slamming to door as he leaves.

"Well Torao, let's prove him wrong" I tell myself I will and deep down I know I will be one of the last two with Kasia by my side.

A speaker in the room buzzes into life "10 seconds 'til launch". I clear the room in 5 large strides and the moment I step on my plate doubts fill my mind. What if Kasia doesn't want to win with me? What happens if she dies? If push comes to shove will I have to kill her? Why am I doubting her intentions? She's like a little sister to me so I can trust her. Stupid Me.

A sense of relief fills me when I see the arena, just a simple white room with the Cornucopia in the middle of the room. Nothing too bad, just a fight to the death though Kasia is eying the Cornucopia with suspicion. As she is closer to its opening she can see what's in it more clearly than I can so if there is any danger she would tell me... right? Suddenly she turns to look me in the eye. The intensity in her lilac eyes nearly knocks me off my plate but when I notice her lips forming words, I realise she isn't glaring at me. Instead she's trying to warn me. I can only make out the words 'Paper' and "Ally". I shake my head showing that I don't understand her but she'll have to wait as the cannon sounds freeing us from our circular imprisonment. Whatever Kasia wanted was important so I know I have to see what she is talking about.

Me and Spitha are the only ones that race for the Cornucopia as Rarity streaks past me in the opposite direction. What is she doing? Spitha reaches our destination first swooping down to pick something up off the floor and retreats further into the Cornucopia. Stupid girl! She's trapped and I can kill her. However before I do I pick up the piece of paper that has my name written neatly on the showing side. Is this what Kasia was trying to tell me about? Keeping one eye on Spitha I open the delicate paper.

Torao,

You do not know me, and it's likely you never will so I'll keep this short and sweet. Your dear Grandmother Tigris is not as sweet as she seems. She is a liar who has back-stabbed you in one of the worst possible ways.. She has kidnapped your mother (Her daughter) and is holding her for ransom. The only way to free her is for you to win. That's right, You're Grandmother is holding her daughter as a way of her own rebellion. Should you lose it is believed she will kill your mother. Now let me explain. A while ago, after Katniss and Peeta's rebellion failed, your Grandmother was caught for helping them. After her arrest she had some medical tests which provided inconclusive data on her mental state. It would appear that she has gone off the path of sanity. No matter what, if you win or lose, I will do everything in my power to have her captured and punished in the appropriate manner. Just be warned if you die so does your mother.

Anonymous.

I always hated that woman! Why do that to your own offspring? I hate her! HATE her! Who does she think she is? Taking my mother and threatening her. If I win, I will get my revenge. One way or another, I'm going to get her. But first I need to kill two people. Spitha and Rarity. Kasia shall-

"TORAO!!!!!!!!!!" A familiar voice screams.

"KASIA!!!!!!" I yell back running to the opening of the Cornucopia and peering out. What I see makes me want to physically puke. Rarity leans over a wounded Kasia who is bleeding from about 7 different wounds. Her eyes have dark rings around then like Rarity has punched her.

"You can't call for kitty boy. He isn't coming for you." Her attacker cackles adding another wound to Kasia's already damaged stomach. "Just die already."

I almost don't notice Spitha creeping up behind me but I do. She lifts a finger to her neck and drags it across it before pointing at Rarity. I nod knowing what she wants and I'll be honest I want revenge for poor Kasia. My heart tells me that she's dead. I can't save her. That fills me with rage.... that some heartless plum has taken the only one person who has ever shown me kindness. Rarity must die!

Spitha pushes me out of the Cornucopia mouth grinning wildly at me then she points at Rarity as if saying that I should cause a distraction. I would make a terrible avox. Think Torao... Think of innocent Kasia. Think of all the awesome ways you can kill Rarity. Think. "HEY! Snowball" I yell at her causing her to spin around to glare at me.

"If it isn't kitty boy. here to watch me finish your ally off?" She shoots me a menacing smile (Which can I just say doesn't affect me).

My eyes land on the groaning 12 year old. She doesn't have much time left on this dastardly planet. I suddenly gain the urge to slap the cow who did this to Kasia. It's an urge I can't deny not after what she has done. As I leap on her, Spitha attacks as well. Together we stab and slash at the evil girl. One slap for having a disgusting pig as a grandfather, a stab in the stomach as Kasia's cannon fires. I motion for Spitha to stop. I want the final kill. The avox does as I tell her... The girl's smart, she knows what I want and not to mess about with me especially when I'm out for revenge. I kick the evil girl laying in a puddle of blood causing her to scream feebly. A swift stab in the heart should do it. Now my shiny weapons cry out for blood and who am I to deny them? A quick slash and another cannon sounds.

"AND I am happy to announce this year's victors Spitha Fotia and Torao Ariwa!!!!" Ravea's voice announces sounding some-what distant. I should feel relief that my mother isn't going to die but I don't. Instead of relief, I'm hollow. I could have saved her. in my mind there is only one winner... Kasia.