Predator

Chapter 8

The day of the Games arrived in no time at all - coming with a whirlwind of nerves and last-minute preparations.
As me and Michelle made our way over to our launch rooms, Effie fussed over my appearance, making sure every detail was perfect, while Haymitch gave me a final rundown of strategies.

Michelle and I offered quiet words of encouragement to each other, her eyes filled with a mix of hope and fear. I wondered how she would do in the games, since we hadn't spoken anything about being allies or even friendly inside the arena whatsoever.

Standing in the launch room, I took deep breaths, trying to steady my racing heart. The cold metal platform beneath my feet vibrated slightly as the countdown began.

I looked down to the mockingjay pin on my outfit - given to me by Katniss. It felt like forever ago when I had last seen her, but I would only use that for motivation to get through this.

My mind flashed back to all the training sessions, the advice, and the skills I had perfected. This was it - the moment of truth.
—
Bright sunlight assaulted my eyes as the platform ascended from the dark tunnel. As soon as I could, I looked around, trying to make sense of the arena. The cornucopia stood in the centre of a flat expanse, a dangerous area I planned to avoid later in the games.

Dense trees surrounded the open space like a labyrinth, where it would be so easy to get lost. I imagined at least one person would meet that fate - stranded and alone, slowly succumbing to starvation or dehydration.
I made a mental note to find a water source as soon as possible.

Focusing back on the centre, I saw items scattered across the ground, increasing in value the closer they were to the cornucopia. Analysing what would be most useful to me, I decided to aim for a pack and a set of knives. It would be a sprint, and I would need to be quick, but I was determined to get them.

The countdown began: ten, nine, eight. I got into a running stance, eyes fixed on the knives. I glanced around one last time and noticed the boy from District 10 also eyeing the knives.

I assessed him; he had a slim build and looked sickly. He would be an easy kill. I shook my head, banishing the thought from my brain - the games hadn't even officially begun yet. When I looked up, the hologram above the cornucopia displayed 2. As I locked my eyes back on the knives, the buzzer blared.

My feet moved automatically, and before I knew it, I was close to what I soon hoped would be my weapons. I was so focused on the knives that I didn't see the boy from District 10 charging straight at me.

He collided with me, sending us both sprawling to the ground. I had underestimated him - despite his frail appearance, his hands clamped around my neck with surprising strength. I tried to pry his fingers off, but every time I freed myself slightly, his grip tightened as he got hold of me again.

I wondered what district 12 were feeling, thinking their tribute was going to be the first death. I imagined what expression my sibling had on their faces right now.

Desperate to get out of this, I looked into his eyes and adopted a fearful, pleading expression. I saw the manic look in his eyes fade, and his grip loosened around my neck.

He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, I swiftly reached up and stabbed him with the knife I had managed to grab while he was still intent on killing me, with nothing else entering his mind. His expression turned to one of shock, as if he couldn't believe I had tricked him.

I couldn't help myself - I smirked as he fell to the ground, dead. He should have known: you can't trust anyone in this game of death. Getting back to my feet, I gathered whatever was around me. I ended up with a pack containing some rope, bread, and other essentials.

It wasn't much, but it would last a couple of days if I rationed it.

I scanned the clearing again, making sure no one else was targeting me. Most of the other tributes were engaged in their own battles, too preoccupied to notice me. I took a deep breath, my mind racing. I needed a plan.

The forest was my best bet for now - it allowed for cover and potential resources. Clutching my knives and putting the pack on my back, I sprinted towards the tree line.

The trees swallowed me whole, and the sounds of the screams back at the cornucopia faded. The forest was dense, the bushes and roots thick. I moved carefully, trying to leave as little trace of myself as possible.

I pushed deeper into the forest, the adrenaline from my first kill still coursing through my veins. After what felt like hours - but was probably only minutes - I found a small stream. Relief washed over me, water was a crucial find, especially this early in the games. I filled my canteen, taking a huge chug and then refilling it.

As I knelt by the stream, I heard a rustling behind me. My heart skipped a beat, I gripped one of my knives and slowly turned, every sense on high alert. A girl, no older than thirteen, emerged from the bushes. Her eyes were wide with fear, her hands empty.

She was from District 8, if I remembered correctly from training. She was the one who had reminded me of my sisters back at home.

"Please," she whispered fearfully, "I don't want to fight."

I hesitated. She didn't seem like a threat, but in this arena, appearances could be deceiving, which I had just found out. I needed allies, but I also needed to survive. Trust was a luxury I couldn't afford to give out just like that. Still, something in her desperate expression softened my hard resolve.

"Stay quiet and keep your distance," I said gruffly. "If you follow my lead and don't cause trouble, we might both make it out of this alive."

She nodded vigorously, her eyes filled with gratitude. As we continued to move further into the forest, I couldn't shake the feeling that every decision I had made would be the difference between life and death for me. Trusting her was a gamble, but in this deadly game, every choice was a risk. I just hoped that it would pay off.