The Runners: Positivity

Chapter 9

Chapter 9- Kitty & Theeny

Almost four years have past since Minor's games. He came in fourth place, dying in the final battle between him and the boy from Sector 2- who won along with Vegas. You remember how Vegas barely made it through to the end... But despite the Sector 5 victory, it still breaks your heart to remember being forced by people to watch the blade tear through the "armored" shirt that Minor wore. The fabric seemed to have no resistance at all.

You remember the tears stinging your eyes as you curled your head into your lap. Ten years old at the time and not knowing how horrible death could be. Never before in your life had you watched the games in the Labyrinth- and now knowing the horrible fate that the Runners faced, you don't know if you want to call it a "game" anymore- since they were usually ever streamed in the Positive section and the richer sectors. Your family didn't have a TV anyways...

You flop on your bed after a long day of training. The Choosing will be coming up soon- about four days. Heather knows that you're ready but she just can't bring herself to sharing your strengths with the government so you've been training in a private room, away from everyone else. Heather has trained you in various guns, moving targets, obstacles, and survival skills- all that you've mastered fairly quickly. She thought that you were too young, and sometimes you would get offended by her words, but in times like this, during training, you were thankful for her protective nature.

Also, Petra decided that Samikah was ready for the games and they're now in the Kingdom, training during the past year for the Labyrinth which she would enter in less than a day.

Another Sector 5 girl is scheduled to move into this cabin this year, a day before the Choosing, and along is coming her to be trainer, Kendalle Orion. Kendalle has already moved in, but she's been out of the cabin a lot recently, so you haven't gotten a chance to talk to her that much. And besides, you don't really want anyone else in the cabin, it's been awhile since someone else has shared your cozy dwelling with you and Heather and you've quite gotten used to the peace.

Syren, Jade's lovely trainer, also decided that Jade was ready for the Labyrinth, joining Petra and Samikah in the Kingdom. In all honesty, you don't care if either of the win. Both of them dying would be great! But whatever, you've got long late night training session to go through.

Checking the clock on your bedside table, you move to change into something comfier than your training clothes, which consists of a black and gray- your sector color- polo shirt, thin black leggings, and a pair of black combat boots that have worn down over the past year. You look in your closet to find only some clothes that you took from your home sector and suddenly you miss the family you left behind- at least visiting day is soon.

Later that evening, Heather meets up with you at dinner.

After you grab a quick sandwich from the sandwich bar- which is transformed from the morning omelette bar- you make your way to the balcony, unsure of where to sit at first, since Heather had been out of the cabin earlier, when suddenly you hear your name being called.

"Hey! Raygen!"

You turn on your heel, tired of hearing people calling you name- everyone has been teasing you for the past few weeks, since you're the highest level Positive but still haven't been Chosen. Mostly those are the obnoxious people who don't get Chosen but desperately want to. They're the ones who just tease other people to make themselves feel better. But when you see who is calling your name, a smile curls the corners of your mouth up and a flutter of joy fills your heart.

Heather stands, waving her hand, signaling you over. She sits at a four seat table, with Kendalle. Her dark blonde waves bounced up and down, excitement in her eyes. You walk over to the table in the center of the dining hall.

"Hey, Heather! Kendalle, nice to meet you." You greet the newcomer with less comfort that you greet Heather. It feels as though she's invading in your and Heather's relationship. "Heather, where were you earlier? I feel like you kind of just left me alone in the cabin!" You try to add a laugh at the end, disguising your accusative tone; thankfully Heather doesn't notice.

"Oh, Kendalle was taking a walk with me, you know, getting to know each other, that's kind of helpful when you're living together. And she's just been so busy with other stuff, so we never got to catch up as a group. Come, sit down!"

"Oh, yeah!" You hint a touch of sarcasm in your voice, but sit down anyways.

"Raygen, it's so wonderful to finally meet you." Kendalle says softly. "Heather has told me so many stories about you!"

You notice that the gorgeous blonde seems to avoid eye contact and speaks in a softer tone. Although, that is just one thing that makes Kendalle so spectacularly beautiful. The flowing hair, deep blue eyes, porcelain skin, soft voice, it all makes her like a delicate flower. You would never know that she was supposed to enter the Labyrinth. Yes, just a few years ago, Kendalle had been chosen to compete. However, her trainer begged and fought and eventually, Kendalle was taken out.

It seemed like a really bratty move to you, and you never really liked that, but after hearing her small voice, you couldn't really blame her trainer. Who would want to put someone that spectacular and perfect in a deathmatch, risking her beauty and innocence? But you had mixed feelings for your new cabin mate... Hopefully those would be put aside later.

Clearing your throat, only to break the silence, you ask, "Kendalle, how old are you again?"

Kendalle looks up from her clam chowder. "Oh, I'm 20..." After giving a confused look, she continues. "Because I was chosen at 18 but never went in, the Kingdom decided that it would be best for me to to become a trainer."

Suddenly you remember two years ago, when her name was called. The way her shaky legs carried her up to the stage, when the results of the game came back, and then Kendalle just going off the charts for a year. No one had heard from her or the Kingdom for a whole year- and everyone had just assumed the Kingdom had kicked her out or something, but you had always had different suspicions. And now, she is back, here in Sector 5.

"Kendalle was an amazing athlete. No one could run faster or climb higher," Heather says, obviously trying to make this conversation a little less painful. But it's not Heather who saves you. It's Rowan.

Her voice fills the dining hall, and hundreds of heads look up in unison. "Hello all, just a reminder, your submissions for all trainees to be evaluated to go to the Kingdom are due in a week." Rowan's voice has a very professional tone, silencing the entire room, and even after she finishes, the room is still silent, only the quietest of whispers going around the room.

Kendalle eyes you and then Heather. "Are you going to submit her? I mean I've heard so many great things about Raygen, and she seems ready, but..." She allows her voice to fade away.

Heather shakes her head, "No,"

Kendalle nods her head, but doesn't seem focused... "Oh..."

You look at Heather with an eyebrow raised, and she returns the nervous look, biting her lip and you know that you are both asking the same thing in your heads.

Will Kendalle alert Rowan?

Author Note:

Hello All!

Long time no update, but we've decided to pick up this story again. We will update basically every week or more if we can, also, we won't be doing chapters switching the writer; all of them will be written by both of us together from now on! Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

What do you think about Kendalle? Will she tell Rowan?

Until Next Time,

"May the Fourth" Be With You.