Author Games Compilation [Cycle 1]

Task 4 - Claire's Brigade (PC)

They're dead, they're dead, they're dead. A cold spell had been cast upon Percy inside and out, and as he stared at the flickering fire before him, he couldn't help but let his thoughts run wild. Maybe if I'd been paying more attention it could've been prevented...Or maybe my yelling attracted more mutts...That had to be it. Their deaths are my fault. The day before was the mutt attack, but it felt like ages ago. Just as they had disappeared into the brush of the island Ember and Teagan had been snatched up, just like that, with two cannons following the event. Percy had been both doubtful and hopeful until the anthem played with their faces projected high in the sky. Now he sat in the depths of the small island, his feet nestled underneath a pile of sand, blaming himself.

Layla scooted to his side. "You need to eat."

"Not hungry," was his dull response.

"Just get something in your stomach, whether you are or not. It is the Starving Artist Games. Can't have you being the symbol of that name, all skin and bones." She brought the fish she'd been holding over the flames closer to his face. The scent made his mouth water, and he clamped his mouth shut before drool could escape.

"Not hungry," he repeated. A stab of hunger prodded at his stomach and a rumble sounded in protest. Layla raised an eyebrow and practically threw the steaming fish at him and didn't say another word. Defeated, Percy dug in. When he finished he was glad Layla had pressed him to eat. He felt energy trickling through his veins again. A canteen recently refilled was passed around the circle of three. Naveen leaned against a tree with his hands folded behind his head.

"Maybe we'll finally get a break today," Naveen said. "There's barely been any chance to pop a squat."

The image of a small boy appeared in Percy's mind for the first time since entering the arena. His only brother, Nigel. Relief found its way to him. I'm here, not him. I'm the recipient of these attacks, not him. I'm living his dream, not him. Despite the overwhelming disappointment that had been plain on Nigel's face when Percy volunteered for him, he knew he made the right decision. There was no way he was going to sit back and watch his little brother be slaughtered on national television.

Percy didn't hear the beeping, but Layla did. She pointed towards the sky and exclaimed something he couldn't decipher. He looked up to see something silver glinting in the afternoon sun with a parachute slowing its descent. A sponsor? Another one joined the first parachute, so there were two sponsor packages floating towards them. Percy was caught in disbelief. We actually have sponsors? When they were close enough he reached up and took one in each hand. A crisp slip of paper was attached to the lid of each container with two letters. P.C. and N.A.

He looked up at Naveen and handed the latter to him. The former must've been for himself.

 "What did you guys get?" Layla asked, sounding more than a little disappointed that she didn't receive one of her own.

Percy was just about to check when a white-hot light assaulted his vision and made him drop the package in surprise. After a few seconds he expected it to disappear, but it didn't. It was brighter than the sun. No, it was probably what it would be like if the sun was directly next to the planet. The air around him went frigid.

"I can't see!" Layla screeched. "Why can't I see?!"

"Me either!" Naveen hollered, sounding like he was directly next to Percy's ear. Maybe he'd be both blind and deaf if the guy wouldn't tone it down.

Percy remained in his spot, unmoving and blinded. Calm, calm, calm. If he got worked up again like with the mutts... He couldn't let it happen. He needed to be collected and make sure his allies remained as calm as he was or, at least keep them in the radius of rational thinking. "Follow my voice." He waved his arms about until they smacked into a person and he latched onto them.