Fashioned for Victory

18 - THE FIFTY THIRD ANNUAL HUNGER GAMES

When Dahlia's eyes finally adjust to the light something oddly soothes her for a second: her environment feels familiar. The soothing feeling replaces itself instantly with dread as she realizes where she really is. Her pedestal stands on the cracked tiles of an old patio. Dahlia whips her head around to make sure she hasn't completely lost her mind seconds before she has to be more alert than she's ever been in her life. But it's all there. The forest off to the right behind the stream, the empty pool to her left, the old crumbling building behind the Cornucopia.

This is Aubrey Debonaire's arena.

"Shit." Dahlia whispers to herself, before she realizes she must have at least one microphone on her. She gathers herself, knowing every last person in the Capitol would be watching her reaction to this. In fact she even flashes a small smirk in spite of herself, all eyes on you, Mother's words echo in her head.

She scopes out the backpacks, but they're not as scattered as they were for her mothers games. Most of the backpacks are barely a foot outside the Cornucopia, forcing tributes closer together. Even the closest one would require some collision.

"Ladies and gentlemen," the host's voice booms over them. Time is running out, time for strategy is right now. "Welcome," straight to the Cornucopia, grab the closest weapon "to the 53rd Annual Hunger Games." Unless the Career's invitation wasn't genuine, and they plan to gut me at the very start. "May the odds," Dahlia looks around for the Careers but instead sees Orion eyeing the crossbow that the Game Makers must have put there especially for him, "be ever in your favor." The voice concludes. Dahlia's eyes skip over the Careers, each looking determined to get to the weapons in the heart of the Cornucopia. Mother trusted them, Dahlia tells herself, though it seems much harder to believe them here, seconds away from slaughter. The countdown starts and Dahlia's mind races.

20, she sets her sights on a small green backpack,

19, there's a double sided axe nearby too,

18, she could run for it,

17, the stream is the only source of water,

16, should she run straight there while everyone else is fighting?

15, no staying with the Careers is safest,

14, they'd hunt her if she betrayed them.

13, could she hide on the roof?

12, have any of the others seen her mothers games?

11, they're going to be watching you,

10, she should stick to the Careers.

9, get the first weapon you can,

8, but when else will the Careers be so occupied?

7, stick to the alliance.

6, there might not be time to get away after,

5, risk the forest?

4, maybe the trees?

3, no, get ready to run,

2, just get to a weapon,

1, all eyes on you.

The gong must have been very loud, but Dahlia doesn't hear a thing. She can't see anything but the spear nearest her getting closer and closer. Just as she reaches to grab it, someone runs right into her, almost knocking her over. Dahlia manages to stay on her feet, but loses precious time as she grabs the spear. The girl from 7, Marcia, lunges at her, but Dahlia is able to get out of the way. Before Dahlia can do anything more, Cassia throws the axe Dahlia had had her eye on right into Marcia's back. Marcia goes down with a scream, but Dahlia locks eyes with Cassia. This is it. The moment of truth. Cassia keeps her gaze for a second, possibly just as unsure, then turns to grab a scythe, and runs right at the girl from 5. She could run for it, she has two weapons and a green backpack lay just out of reach. Stick with the Careers. Dahlia pulls the axe from Marcia's back and she screams out, crying for help. Dahlia cringes and on pure instinct, she digs the axe deep into the back of Marcia's head, quieting the screams.