The Tribute and the Victor

Chapter 28

I stared at the little white note for what seemed like forever, unsure of what to do or say. I didn't take my eyes off it as Calix tended to my injuries, it was like I was in a trance, suddenly my world revolved around those two words. "Yes..." I whispered, not loud enough for any tributes nearby to hear (not that there were many left) but loud enough for the people at home watching us to hear. Loud enough for Caleb to hear. "What?" Calix asked, still totally clueless as to what was going on. "Caleb just proposed to me.." I said, still staring at the note. "Darcy, what are you talking ab-" but before he could continue, I handed over the precious note to him. "Oh..." He whispered. We sat in silence for a while until Calix spoke up again. "We need to end this alliance here." He said firmly. "What?" I squeaked in shock."There's only four of us left, I can't watch you die Darcy, and I can't let you watch me die...and I defiantly can't have us end up in the final two." He continued. "Fine, but just stay with me for a couple more hours...please..." I begged. He hesitated for a moment but then agreed. "Alright, but only a couple more hours, then I have to go." He mumbled under his breath. I didn't want him to leave me, but I knew he had no choice. Calix had agreed to walk as far as the desert, then I would have to let him go. I really didn't want to do this, but then again I didn't particularly want to have to kill him if we got to the final two. Although I doubt we would get there anyway, the two remaining tributes could kill us in one blow. Hemlock and Axe. Axe... I have to admit, I'd completely forgotten about him. How was he surviving alone? I highly doubt he would have formed an alliance with Hemlock. Then I had another thought... I was the last remaining female tribute. This made my heart pound faster, I never expected to get to the half way marker, never mind the last remaining female tribute. I couldn't help but feel a little pride. I mean I might as well, there's nothing else to feel happy about, I'd be sure to die within the next few days. My thoughts were suddenly distributed by Calix's arm pushing me backwards. "Ouch! Calix! What was that for?" I hissed. "Shhh!" He whispered back. "What?" I asked impatiently. "Darcy I swear if you don't-" but his words were blocked out by a loud growling sound coming from the bushes ahead. Suddenly, out of nowhere, came a red eyed demon that took the figure of a wolf...but this was no ordinary wolf, it was twice the size...it's teeth we're like daggers, it's growl sounded like a lions roar. This creature was a muttation. "RUN!" Calix screamed as he pushed me away from the beast. We sprinted back the way we came, dodging huge branches by just millimetres. Suddenly I dropped my bag, but before I could turn to pick it up, Calix pushed me forward once again. We ran and ran until we could hardly feel our legs, but I wasn't enough. This beast was never going to give up. And Calix knew it. The next few moments were probably the most horrifying moments I would ever experience, and I'll never forget them as long as I live. I turned round to see Calix had stopped in his tracks completely. "What are you doing?!" I screamed. "I'm so sorry Darcy." He said. Tears were streaming down his face. "Move! Calix! Come on! Move!" I pleaded. "It won't stop until its caught one of us!" He sobbed. "Calix! No!" I screamed at him. The beast was almost upon him now. "Run!" He screamed back at me. I watched as the beast pounced on him and ripped his body to shreds right before my eyes. I screeched in horror as his body was slung round like a toy. But then I remembered what he had said. Run. I ran and ran, not ever turning back once. I just kept running until I could hear the beast no more. Once I'd got a far enough distance away, I took a look back to find the beast running away in the opposite direction as the hovercraft came down to retrieve Calix's mangled body...