Reaper ~ THG AU

Ch. 16: Tracker

Our last night in the apartment was spent laughing and sharing stories from before the reaping. Acacius managed to find the leftovers from the earlier feast, including the jar of pepper drizzle that he requested. It was definitely some of Able May's, but not as fresh.

Now we're up way before dawn, eating a quiet breakfast before anyone else even has a chance to walk up. The leftover pepper drizzle is spread across my eggs and fried potatoes. I have a bit of toast with jam spread across them and slices of ham. I don't feel like eating, but knowing what we're about to go into...

I need the energy and nutrients.

"You ready?"

"I don't think I'll ever be ready..."

I look up towards Acacius as he nods. He turns his breakfast into a sandwich before taking a big bite. I eye him, cocking my head to the side as he hums.

"You gotta try it like this..."

"With the jam and the eggs? No thank you."

He shrugs, taking another bite as I eat my toast. I sigh, swallowing before looking back up towards him.

"Do you really think I can win? If it came down to that..."

"Of course." He swallows, looking up to meet my eyes. "Z...you're adaptable, fast, strong, and limber. You are definitely more capable then you realize."

Atlas's words ring in my ear from the day this all started. How serious he looked as he told me something similar. I take a sip of my orange juice, looking back down at my food. I guess I need to listen to my brothers...there's a reason I got that 10.

——

"Okay. Just as we talked about...don't freeze up, that will be an immediate death sentence. Go for the first weapon you can find, even if it's something you're not used to. Grab anything you may need and get out of there as fast as you can, okay? Staying too long will also result in your or your brother's death, do you understand?"

"Yes ma'am. Who is with him?"

"Chaff is giving the same speech I did. Now go before they have to come grab you."

I nod, leaving Seeder at the door. I start the walk towards the hovercraft, seeing a few other tributes doing the same. It takes awhile as the walk is longer than a corn field away. I get to the steps, sighing as I climb up. A few peacekeepers are inside and all around the outside, no doubt trying to prevent any mishaps. I sit in one of the seats, bucking up my seatbelt.

Once all the seats are filled, the doors close as a few of the peacekeepers starts to walk around. They ask for everyone's arms, injecting something into them. When one walks up to me, I hesitantly hold out my arm.

"What is that?"

"Your tracker."

A white hot pain shoots through my arm as he injects the tracker into me. I grimace, holding back my reaction best I can as my eyes land on the careers. They all eye me, seeming to be planning something. I sigh, looking away as my brother waves towards me. I smile, waving back as he mouths something. I can't make it out at first but then I see it.

Remember the plan.

——

The ride takes about an hour, making all of us anxious as the time ticks by. Most of the ride I was observing the others. Caraty rubbed her leg twice, seeming to try and massage the muscle. Jovie spent a good portion of the ride rolling her eyes and staring at the ceiling. I don't think she likes hovercrafts.

Dagan spent a good portion of the time looking at the wall, seeming deep in thought. Ivette, on the other hand, spent most of the time silently talking to her district partner with hand gestures. They're definitely planing something. Alice, the girl from 3, is deep in thought, using her hands to count out something.

The only one I couldn't get a read on was Augustus. He spent the whole flight staring at me. It made me stiff, on edge even. His threat just kept playing in my mind, over and over again. When we landed, I was able to exhale for a second before letting two peacekeepers escorted me off.

Now, walking down a white hallway, I'm doing everything I can to stay calm. I can't let my emotions get to me or it'll be immediate death. I have to stay focused on the plan at hand, and that's getting to the cornucopia as fast as possible and leaving just as fast.

Hopefully nothing happens and we're able to get away without any bloodshed. That includes others as well. But I know that's just wishful thinking.

The two peacekeepers stop outside a door, pressing a button on the outside before stepping aside for me to go in. I give them both a look before hesitantly stepping inside. They push me to go faster before I see who else is in there.

"You have two minutes."

The door shuts before I turn towards Noviana. She holds out her arms, beckoning me in for a hug. I step forward, sighing out as I fall into her arms. She laughs softly, squeezing me tight before pulling away. She smiles at me before reaching for a jacket with my district's color on the sleeves.

"This will keep you warm enough, but it's still not the best. I suggest more insulation if you get the chance."

She sighs before reaching into her pocket and pulling out what they took away last night. I almost cry as she puts a finger to her lips. I turn around, allowing her to slip my family locket around my neck. I tuck it under my bottom layer before shooting her a smile.

"1 minute remaining."

My smile drops as fear grips me. Noviana looks towards the pod before reaching up resting her hand against my cheek. She offers a comforting smile before exhaling. Holding out the jacket for me to put on, she starts to hum the familiar lullaby.

"Thank you..."

"Thirty seconds."

"Go make us proud."

She brushes my curls back before zipping up my jacket. I take a deep breath, stepping into the pod. Before the doors can close, she reaches in and fixes my hood. She kisses my forehead before stepping back. The glass doors shut suddenly, causing me to jump. Noviana kisses her hand, putting it against the glass. She mouths out a phrase, her eyes holding my own.

You can do this..

"10..9..8..7..6..5.."

"Noviana!"

She points up, the platform below my feet rising. I look up, taking a few deep breaths as I prepare for what could be my last day on this earth.

"3..2..1.."

The bright sun blinds me as soon as I reach the top. A grassy field surrounds us, tall trees of all kinds providing enough cover for anyone to run towards. The boy from 5 and the boy from 8 are on either side of me. I can see the careers across from the people to my right, almost all near each other. Acacius is about five or six tributes away from me with the same jacket on his body. I take a few deep breathes, eyeing the cornucopia as the clock ticks away.

Welcome to the 67th Hunger Games...may the odds be in my favor.

⚔️

A/N

Arrrrrrrrrrrre y'a ready Kids?!

Cannons are about to sound!

Drink water!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love
-the Author