Author Games Compilation [Cycle 1]

Task 3 - Esmeralda's Mutts (PC)

Percy revelled in the duty he'd been assigned. He was up to his knees in pristine blue water, trident in hand, scanning the sandy lake floor for food. There, a dark flicker under the surface. He stilled until the flicker returned, now as a small, dark blob. Down the three prongs went, impaling the poor creature before it had a chance to know what was happening. "Caught another one, guys."

He left the water reluctantly, wishing for its cool embrace to stay attached to him. It didn't take long for his legs to dry in the heat, though it was only early morning. The sun had barely risen over the horizon and he was already sweating. Percy waved his third catch of the day in Naveen's face when he arrived at his temporary abode under a tree. "And you said I'd only catch one."

"Get that slimy thing away from me. If that's a mutt and it comes back to life, I'm not losing my nose," Naveen said, annoyed. "Toss it with the rest. We'll start a fire when the sun comes up." Percy shrugged and let the fish slide off his weapon. It landed with a wet sounding plop and Naveen wrinkled his nose. Back to the water he went. There was an eager passion he possessed for these islands, like he was right at home. But he knew deep down that this place was nothing like home. Home was natural, formed by nature's own hand. This place was manmade and artificial, created only for the sake of watching children bludgeon one another.

The Bloodbath flashed in his mind and he shook the images away, replacing them with the aftermath. After arriving at the island with Teagan they had met up with Naveen and Ember. Layla was next. The night passed smoothly and Percy patched up his hand with bandages that had fortunately been hiding in his pack. It still ached terribly, but at least he wasn't bleeding out. His hand wasn't the only thing in pain, though: a dark bruise had formed above his brow from the encounter with Alistair. He reached up to feel it and a sharp sting spread throughout his head before dissipating. What a dick move...Then again, I wasn't necessarily "nice" either.

Percy slammed his trident through scaly skin more roughly than intended. I don't need to think about it. What happened yesterday can't be taken back and I shouldn't linger on it. He removed the fish and tossed it at Naveen. It slid across his arm, leaving a trail of blood and the scent of fish. Naveen sighed and, his eyes cast upon the dead fish by his foot, said, "You're lucky we're allies, Four. Had you been anyone else I wouldn't have hesitated to gut you."

"That's assuring," Percy called back. Sometimes he questioned allying with Naveen. Despite having such a welcoming appearance, there was something about him that sent unease barreling through his nerves. Maybe it was his attitude about the Games. Still, Percy was confident in his choice of allies. He hoped it would last until worst came to worst.

Suddenly, a cannon rang out. The morning sky was still dark enough to broadcast the deaths, and the face of Elias Vector was large against the force field above. It didn't faze Percy, strangely.

He faced the lake again. The sun was rising painstakingly slow, and the only assurance that it was moving was it's increasing orange glow. Once he caught another fish, he let his mind wander. Must be a Gamemaker trick. Who knows what they've got-- It was the smallest of movements in his peripheral vision that interrupted his thoughts. A few yards away from him was a tree, and in that tree was a flash of white, the rustling of branches.

Percy spun, trident held in front of his body like he had done so many times before. His crappy ears picked up a whizzing, and his eyes widened at the glint of silver headed straight for him. Offense became defense as he moved the weapon in front of his face. Blood squirted and ran down his skin, but he didn't mind. What he did mind was the knife just centimeters away from his forehead, only held back by the flesh of the fish still caught between the prongs of the trident.