The Simpson's Hunger Games

Chapter 17

Lisa:

It takes me a few minutes to hoist myself up until I finally get to the surface. Or so I think. Instead of being greeted by the sunlight, I'm in another tunnel. I shout out in frustration, and kick the wall. I look around, regardless. This place looks exactly like the tunnels I was in before, except this time the walls are lined with lamps that give off what looks like natural light. This is another one of the Capitol's tricks. I glare at the lights, hating the Capitol more and more by the minute. Suddenly, a breeze rolls in through the tunnel, and I wonder where that came from. Am I really at the surface after all? I walk in the direction the wind came from, leaving the hole and darkness behind. I come into a clearing, with tunnels like the one I came from surrounding the centre. This seems to be a replica of the Cornucopia, and I wonder what Akira is up to. I look around. I am the only one here.

I take one step forward. Suddenly, the air is filled with a siren wailing. Startled, I jump onto a nearby pedestal, out of instinct. Instantly, the sound dies. Relieved, I am about to step off the pedestal again, but on the roof of the Cornucopia some digits show up. It takes me a while to figure out what is happening. The digits are a timer, counting down. I have about 30 seconds left, until what I don't know. Suddenly, some lit-up letters come floating up from behind the Cornucopia. This is all horribly familiar. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up, and I try not to cry out loud. My hands start to shake, followed by the rest of my body. I can almost swear I can hear the Capitol laughing at me from here. I have ten seconds left. I start to feel dizzy, and the letters get even more harder to read from my place on the pedestal. Suddenly, the time is up. It takes me a few seconds for the message in front of me to sink in. 

Happy Hunger Games, Lisa. 

I have to start the Games all over again. Of all the cruel things to do to Tributes in the Arena, this is the worst punishment. Is this specially for me, or do all the Tributes have to go through this? Suddenly, I remember that the time is up. The Games have started. Why has nothing changed then? I can't see any weapons or provisions, let alone Tributes. Cautiously, I step off the pedestal.  All at once, chaos erupts from inside the Cornucopia. Thousands of sheets of crimson paper shoot out from inside, and go all around the clearing. Several hit me in the face, and huge clouds of paper surround me. I'm beyond being confused at this point. All I can do is try not to get as many paper cuts as possible by pulling my sleeve over my face, and blindly swatting the air. I peep out from my sleeve, and spot a single white sheet of paper flying around with the huge tidal wave of red paper.

I wait until the sheet is within my reach, then put my hand out to catch it. As soon as my fingertips touch the paper, another giant torrent of red sheets fly into me. I'm curious now. Do I have to get the white paper? Probably, if it is difficult to get it. I take a step in the general direction of where the white paper went, the current of the red paper getting stronger and stronger, as I get further away from the pedestal. It takes only several more steps before I am completely blinded by a red blur. If I'm going to get that white paper, this way will never work. So, I stand still, and try to think. For the first time though, my mind is blank. I don't have a plan. However, I notice that the sheets of paper aren't hitting me as violently as before. I look around. I can see the white paper more clearly now. The longer I stay still, the less paper flies into me. A few minutes later, there are no sheets of paper bothering me. However, now I can see that I have got paper cuts all over my hands, and arms too. I wouldn't doubt that I got a fair amount on my face as well. I grimace, and ignore the hundreds of tiny pin-prick pains the cuts give me. 

Now, the sheets of red paper have made a clear path to the white paper. Slowly, I reach out my arm. Nothing happens. Before I touch the paper, I remember what happened last time. I remind myself I have to get the sheet in some other way. While I am thinking, I realise I can see what is on the paper. I start to read the sheet. Surprised, I read it again. 

Congratulations, Lisa, for your success in the first Arena. 

First Arena? I thought there was only one Arena in the Hunger Games. Has the Capitol changed the rules in this year's Games? Just my luck, to be in the year they introduce the new rule there is to be more than one Arena! I read on, willing to find out more.

You must be confused. Let me explain. This year's Games is unique; this is something we have never tried before. You see, this year's Arena is divided up into a series of different floors. On all the floors, there is a maze of tunnels, and difficulties to face. You have completed the first floor. The amount of floors there are will remain a secret to you. All you need to worry about is finding a map. This is a map of all the floors. However, this map has a more important purpose than to find your way around. This map also reveals how to find your way out. There can only be one Victor, so only one person can come out. The rest of the Tributes you have not already killed, who are still alive, will be trapped in the tunnels forever. Luckily for you, you are the first to finish the first floor, so you have a headstart. I wouldn't get too hopeful though, we all saw what happened with the Careers. 

May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favour, Lisa Simpson. 

Yours Sincerely, 

Akira.