The Hunger Games

Chapter Eighteen

ROSE'S POV
The podium was cold through my boots, I gazed around at the arena, a huge meadow with sparse trees. On one side of the spreading meadow there seemed to be a thick forest like the ones near District Twelve. To the opposite side there was a huge body of water, stretching further than I could see. I peered into the cornucopia, making out a rack of spears inside. There were also other supplies. Would I risk going in? There were backpacks and other things around me, I'm not sure what they were filled with.
"Welcome, welcome to the ninety-ninth hunger games." Boomed president Snow. The old man sees immortal. He probably was, weren't bloodthirsty demons immortal? I  crack my knuckles. Bring it on. I'm going for the cornucopia.
I catch the District 11's girl tributes eyes. I narrow mine and look away. I know I shouldn't but I look around for Jay. He's four people down from me. I focus on the spears, hearing the President speak again.
"May the odds be never in your favor. Let the Games begin!"
A deep, robotic voice sounds and starts the countdown. I ready my long legs, my charm bracelet hanging on my wrist.
"60, 59, 58, 57, 56, 55."
The sun flashes in my eyes. I block it with my arm and continue to stare at my target.
"54, 53, 52, 51, 50."
I keep hearing the clock, sweat dripping down my forehead, until I realize how much danger I was actually in.
"5, 4, 3, 2, 1."
Just as the horn sounded I was off my podium, my legs carrying me to the cornucopia. I skid into the shady inside, heading to the spears. I take many of them, enough for battle but not too much to carry. I grab a backpack, checking what's inside. It's stuffed with food and water purifier, and a thick blanket. I press my face into the fabric and sling the back pack across my shoulder. I turn to see the face of a small, weak looking boy, seeming to be around 12. He has a knife in his hand, he's panting wildly. I back away, hitting the wall of the cornucopia. He brings back the knife and aims it at my head.