ＷＩＴＳ | ＭＡＲＶＥＬ ＨＵＮＧＥＲ ＧＡＭＥＳ ✅

ｔｗｅｎｔｙ ｆｉｖｅ

By the time the group understands what's happening, it's already too late. The four hear a loud explosion, enough to shake the ground beneath them. Rye and Marvel hold onto each other as Clove holds onto Cato. Moments pass before the ground stops shaking and all Rye can think about is which tribute was stupid enough to go and trigger the mines.

They all sprint back, only to find Chase tossing a couple of rocks on the destroyed surface, making sure no more mines are left. There's a small pit where all the food used to be. Rye just stares in shock at how there's simply nothing left. She knew what would happen but she wonder if she should've stuffed some more food in her bag. Her, Marvel, and Clove look through the area to see if there's anything as Cato loses his mind. But they find nothing. It's all destroyed. And someone needs to be blamed.

She barely registers Cato's presence until he's holding her by her jacket, shaking her violently. "Who made this fucking plan?! Was it you? Huh?!" he seethes with rage.

"No! No!" Rye shouts. "It was Chase! He didn't think anyone would go through the mines. He planned it out like this, I swear!" she promises, hoping Cato will let her go. And after a moment her does, pushing her back and turning to Chase, who stares at him in fear.

Rye collides with the ground, forcing the air from her lungs. She coughs violently, Marvel moving to help her up to her feet. She takes deep heavy breaths, clinging to Marvel for support. But then her breath is gone as she watches Cato snapped Chase's neck with the flick of his arm. The blood immediately drains from Rybbon's face. She knew what would happen, but it was hard to stomach.

"Hey, you two," Cato says, gaining Marvel's attention but Rye's eyes are still on Chase. Something protrudes from his neck. It looks wrong. "You go check out the other fire and check the traps. If you see anyone, kill them. Kill them slowly and painfully." His words are filled with fury. Marvel nods his head, leaving Rye standing alone as he grabs his and her weapons and their bags. He yanks her off in the direction of the smoke, forcing her feet to move despite her body not cooperating.

As soon as Marvel thinks he's far enough away, he Rye's bag and weapons and forces her against a tree. "What did you do? Was this your plan all along?" Rye stares at him but her eyes are glossed over, cloudy almost. "Answer me." His words are soft but filled with anger.

"I-I knew he'd die just not like that. Damn," she admits, finally looking at Marvel.

"What did you do?"

"He didn't think anyone would go through the death trap, so he laid the mines like that. He didn't know about the medical leaves. I did be-because my mother showed me when we saw a tracker jackers nest back home. I just needed him as a... as a shield." Marvel's shoulders slump as her words sink in. "I needed the odds in my favor. It's equal ground now." His eyes become red with fury. He grabs his spear, pointing it at her.

"Why shouldn't I just kill you now?"

"Because I can help you survive. Neither of us could take Cato on alone, right?" He lowers his weapon slightly. "Now he doesn't have food. I know what berries and roots we can eat. Your spear can be used for fish. Cato has nothing now. And remember the mines I spread around the area? Do you know where they are?" A sigh escapes his lips. "I do. Even if you kill me now, I can kill you later." A moment passes before he's off her, rubbing his face in annoyance.

"You're fucking aggravating, I hope you know that?"

"I just gave us a one-up on Cato and Clove. You're welcome asshole," she says, grabbing her weapon and her bag.

"Can you at least tell me where the mines are?"

"There aren't a lot, if that's what you're worried about. I'll tell you to stay weary of the lake and the wheat field." Her last words make him confused. "Where else would you think the boy from 11 is? That's his little home."

"So this was your whole plan?"

"Well, not really I kind of came up with it on the fly. I knew about the mine but then Chase showed up. And then you decide to be all-" she waves her hand around, not really knowing the word for Marvel's recent behavior, "and it changed as time went on," she admits.

"But I've been what?" he questions, eyeing her. She shrugs, trying to come up with the right word.

"Possessive, I guess?" She's not really sure if that's the right word but it felt right.

"No I haven't," he scoffs, walking away. Rye rolls her eyes before moving to follow him in stride.

"'Chase. What a cute dog,'" she mimics him.

"Shut up."

"You said it."

"I just don't get why he was all up on you, that's all."

"Jealous?"

"Am not," he scoffs.

"Yes you are."

"No."

"Yes."

"No and will you shut up-" A scream of terror shut them both off. They give each other one quick look at each other before running toward the sound.