Reaper ~ THG AU

Ch. 17: Cornucopia

"48..47..46..45.."

The numbers tick above the cornucopia, the voice unrecognizable. My eyes adjust to the bright sun shining down on us. My chest huffs and puffs as adrenaline starts to pump. I scan the area as a few of the other tributes glance my way or at everyone else.

I spot a crate on the far right of the entrance to the cornucopia. Three or four bags lay on it or beside it. I can see some type of blade on top. A few other weapons are nearby as well. It's close enough to the tree line and far enough from the careers that we might be able to grab some before running into the woods.

I look towards Acacius, raising my left eyebrow. He nods, getting that we should run right. We both get into our starting positions, looking back towards the items as the clock gets closer to the start.

"..39..38..37..36..35.."

I take a deep breath, keeping my eyes on the items on my mind. No matter what weapons or supplies it is, I'm grabbing what I can before anyone else can. Acacius does the same, seeming to notice where I'm looking.

"..32..31..30..29..28..27..26.."

I take a glance at the biggest threats, seeing Augustus eyeing a few of the other tributes with Jovie. Dante and Caraty seem to be looking for what they want to go for first. Dagan is glaring hard at the wall of blades barely poking out of the opening. Ivette and Lincoln are once again talking with their hands, sending signals from their separate platforms.

"..23..22..21..20..19..18..17.."

I look towards my brother, who sends me a small smile before looking back towards the cornucopia. I take another deep breath, calming my racing heart best I can as time ticks down. I look back towards the clock as it gets closer and closer towards the kickoff.

"..14..13..12..11..10..9..8..7.."

I look back towards the items, getting ready to push off from the platform. The sound of the two beside me doing the same barely registers as I take a final deep breath.

"..5..4..3..2..1"

A loud boom sounds, starting the main event of the year. I push off, running as fast as I possibly can. The sound of multiple boots hitting the grassy plain barely registers over my racing heart. Wind hits my face as my boots dig into the ground. I don't see anyone in my peripheral as I continue towards the crate. I can hear someone coming up on my right as I push myself to run faster.

"Come on! We're almost there!"

I almost sigh as I hear my brother. He's almost side by side with me, both of us clearing the field faster than anyone else. Instead of stopping, I leap over a smaller crate with a bundle of apples laying against it. I skid, immediately grabbing the first weapon I see near the crate I was eyeing. It ends up being a sword, the blade shorter than the one I trained with. Acacius stops beside me, grabbing up two bags before slinging one over his shoulder.

I grab another backpack, slinging it over my shoulder before turning to watch our backs. Acacius looks for a weapon for himself as more people get to the outer parts of the Cornucopia. Most who got closer are still ten feet away, making me feel safe enough to scan the area one last time.

Another burlap sack of apples is within arms reach of me. I quickly grab it before looking back up in guard. Acacius finally grabs what he can, a belt of knives and a hatchet. We take off towards the woods, the sound of kids dying behind us.

"Come on!"

A sharp pain hits my arm as Acacius runs ahead. I turn, seeing the boy from 7 holding a sword. He goes to swing again as a battle cry leaves him. I jump to the side, effortlessly dodging his blow before countering. My own sword meets his neck, his throat leaking blood immediately from his dark skin.