The Odds are Definitely Not in My Favor

Heat: Chapter VIII

Heat - Chapter VIII:

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It was loud when Cato was killed.

Clover screamed in a manner so anguished, Foxface wondered if Clover really thought one of them would've gotten out of this alive without killing the other-

Or be killed by others- as Cato had been not even five minutes since the game started.

Foxface wondered-

Did Clover scream in grief?

In anger?

(Or perhaps was it in shame? Resources, time and effort spent on a tribute that didn't even last the initial bloodbath-)

(Killed by someone who promised they would kill him first.)

Foxface inhaled, trying to regain her bearings in the cave she found to rest in temporarily, willing herself to calm down and adjust based on the information she's privy to.

Clover wasn't incorrect in being confident.

After all, it was true that more often than not, seed players win. Careers, tributes from District 1 and 2, duke it out and the strongest of the bunch get fame, wealth and glory. The training in favored districts gave them an edge that the measly 11 days other tributes had as 'training' before the game started, couldn't make up for.

It wasn't as if Cato wasn't strong, because Foxface knew he was.

He really was.

After all, aside from going to booths related to survival, she had spent the rest of her time relentlessly observing - profiling notable tributes and well-

He probably didn't expect it.

To be fair, no one did.

Foxface fought to swallow the nearly hysterical laugh bursting from her chest, until only an aborted sound that could barely be called a whimper fell from her lips.

Solanum Everdeen.

(What kind of monster did District 12 raise?)

.

When the gong that signaled the start of the game sounded, Foxface's feet felt like lead.

She was running, Foxface could feel herself running - the sound of her beating heart too loud for comfort - however-

Too slow.

She's too slow.

Foxface couldn't help but think that as she sees from the corner of her eyes how Solanum Everdeen reached the mouth of the Cornucopia, easily keeping up no, surpassing Career tributes in terms of how fast she was.

Solanum was several seconds ahead of them. Not enough time to actually enter Cornucopia and get out, but plenty of time to snatch a good enough pack and still have leeway to leave.

Foxface grimaced, trying to stamp down the jealousy and lay off the panic attack threatening to swallow her whole.

(The only one that could probably match Solanum's speed was that girl from District 11, Rue. However, Rue was more cautious and much like Foxface aimed for supplies that weren't as contested, nearer the edge.)

It would be useless to compare, Foxface pursed her lips, relieved, as she got the pack she wanted without a fight.

Not to mention, the measly seconds that Solanum managed to buy for herself most likely wouldn't save her enough.