The Quater Quell: 50th Hunger Games

Chapter 23

      We continue on our hike to the mountain. Dean keeps calling it "Mount Doom" because he is sure that the snow is poisonous too. We have heard two cannons sound off since we left.

34 dead. 14 left.

The game makers are probably scheming together right now, trying to figure out a way to push us together for another fight.

We finally made it out of the forest and were now traveling in a rocky terrain. It was nice to be in a different surrounding. It had mountains and valleys, and even a roaring creek. I'm pretty sure we would make it to the mountain by tomorrow afternoon.

Dean and I made camp on a cliff top which gave us a good vantage point. If anything were to come at us, we would see it.

The sun was setting and we dangled our feet over the edge of the cliff and watched the sunset together. Neither of us spoke until it had almost disapeard over the horizon. "So, are you feeling any better?" I ask him while chewing on a beef stick, although this time I believe it is actually turkey instead of beef.

"Im alright. This hiking isn't helping though." I hand him the last of the enhanced water and tell him to finish it off." "Are you sure?" "Yeah, Drink up." Dean hesitates but accepts.

Dean tosses his head back and pours the last of the water into his mouth. "It's too bad we're in here. I know that you would have made Walt really happy." He smiles but the look of pain and heart ache is painted on his face.

"You think?" I ask

Dean smiles at me, the sunset flaunting his golden eyes. The same eyes that reminded me so much of Walt's.

"Yeah, I do." he answers and faces the sunset.

It was so beautiful and so peaceful. If this was my last day or night on Earth, I feel that it would be okay. For some reason, the sunset over the canyons beyond us makes me feel at peace.

The clouds were illuminated with the different hues of the sunset. Red, yellow, orange and purple. I could see the meadow of brightly colored flowers. Their aroma, I'm sure, was deadly in itself but they were none the less beautiful.

Dean and I sit in silence, taking the sunset in. I steal a glance at him. I can't help to admire him. He was very handsome. The sun was making his golden eyes gleam more than usual. I have a flashback to the two of us in grade school. He picked a handful of wildflowers and had woven them into a crown. He placed it on my head and planted a sloppy wet kiss on my cheek. We must have been no older then 5 at the time, so I shoved him to the ground and tossed the flower crown beside him. He was crushed.

"Man. Ain't this something? It so pretty, you know? I think that if I-" but Dean was cut off. I'll never know what he was about to say becuase a large force slams into Dean.

"Dean!" I cry out, but Dean was gone.

One second, he was right next to me and the next, he had vanished over the edge of the cliff. Something, or someone, had knocked him over the edge to the rocks below. The sound of two cannons shoot off.

"Dean!" I cry even louder and force myself to peek over the edge of the cliff.

Dean was lying on the ground, his limb and neck were twisted awkwardly. His body was surrounded in a pool of blood. Next to him, lay Larten.

I could not help but to cry. Warm tears fell down my cheeks.

Larten had given his own life just to end Deans. I scream in sadness and in anger. My friend and ally was gone. He was dead. I curl myself into a ball and bawl my eyes out. I don't care if the whole nation of Panem witnessed me crying or thought I was weak. They didn't just loose one of their best friends or their center of gravity in the arena.

I lay in the fetal position for what seems like eternity until my head begins to clear.

My thoughts drift to his family and to Walt and to Waylon. How selfish was I to think I had the right to feel like I was the only one affected by Deans death.

I was alone and I was angry. No one to talk to or watch my back.

No wonder why the game makers weren't forcing us together for another battle. Dean and I had one hunting us the entire time.

I close my eyes and collect my thoughts. There was no way I could climb down there and search Deans body for supplies. The mountainous cliff was too steep and honestly, I'm not sure if I could take anything off of Dean's corpse. I will miss him dearly but I've got to get my thoughts back on the game.

There were only 12 of us left now. I don't think I can survive on my own but I have to try. Who else could I even ally myself with? Demetria? Good one. She'd kill me on sight.

There was Haymitch. I'm sure Haymitch would consider allying himself with me if I had something to offer him, but first, I would have to find him.

I say my goodbyes to Dean and combine both of our packs into one. I sling his dart gun over my head and grab my sword. I was on a mission and that mission was my survival.

No longer was I afraid. No longer was I going to accept the fact that I was dead already. These games are anyone's. I have just as much of a chance to win as Demetria does or any other tribute here. I just had to be smart and careful. I was going to make it home. Waylon won, so why can't I?

I hike through the rocky terrain and just make it to the edge of the field that meets the forest. I was fortunate enough that in Deans pack turns into a sleeping bag. Why hadn't he told Larten or I? Either he didn't know it turned into a sleeping bag or he didn't want to have something nice that we didn't have. Probably the later one.

I don't light a campfire and instead use a magnifying glass to toast a loaf of bread. I was too close to the games end to be so reckless and light a fire. I lay there and stare at the stars. Tonight, the game makers put two moons in the sky. They were so close that they almost took over the entire night sky. It was so beautiful.

I scoff at the thought. There they go again, the game makers. Making you believe you're on another planet in some fairytale world and that everything is beautiful and that everything will be okay. I roll over on my side and close my eyes. The anthem plays and I want to ignore the faces that will play tonight but I cant help myself. I peek and am greeted by an unfamiliar face. Lartens face flashes next. Then Deans.

It hurt more than I thought it would seeing them two up there. Even Larten. He was from home after all. Dean was as handsome and sweet as always in his picture. I couldn't help but think of Walt and Waylon then and how they are taking Deans death. I squeeze my eyes shut and fight the tears as they try to escape. I'm done crying. I snuggle myself deep into Deans sleeping bag and drift off to sleep.