Death's Game

Chapter 1~ Flight from the Orphanage

"Finnick Shields!" The high, feminine voice called across the small yard. I groaned, looking over to the orphanage's back doors where the headmistress stood.

"Yes, Miss Prin?" I called back from my perch in the one scraggly oak tree in the dreary yard. It was misty outside, and I could tell that it was about to rain, looking up at the heavy dark clouds.

"There is someone here to see you!" Her voice rang out again. "And dear, you really should have shoes on."

I rolled my eyes at the last comment, but leapt down from my branch, landing clumsily. I felt the cool grass under my feet, smiling a bit before striding over to the open door. A stout woman, not even as tall as me, stood there, dressed in a purple sweater and purple pants. I don't know why, but she had a thing for purple stuff.

"Finnick, why do you go out without shoes on? You'll catch cold." She fretted, hurrying me inside, past a few other stray kids.

"I'm fine, Ms. Prin." I shrugged, following her as she led me to a visiting room. I stopped short. No one ever came to visit me.

Ms. Prin waited for me to go in. "Dear, what is it?"

"No one ever visits me." I shifted uncomfortably, placing my hands in my blue hoodie. She sighed, giving me a small smile.

"Finnick, they want to take you to CrinInc. To Paradise."

My eyes widened at her words. Paradise. The only safe place, away from the world that was slowly dying around them. Sickness struck down even the strongest, and everything was dark and dreary. But Paradise was said to be a safe haven.

"Why me?" I accidentally mumbled aloud, and Ms. Prin placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

"Because you're special, Finnick." She smiled, and I nodded, shuffling into the room. It was gray, and cold, like every other room in the whole orphanage. A brown table stood in the center of the square room, and two men sat in plastic chairs pulled up to it. They were dressed in fancy suits, and I suddenly looked down at my dirty sweatshirt and ripped jeans, then my bare feet.

"Ah, Mr. Shields." One of the men smiled, waving me towards a seat on the other side of the table. "Join us. Ms. Prin, we'll only be a few moments."

Ms. Prin smiled before softly nudging me towards the chair. I finally got a hold of myself, forcing myself to walk to the chair and sit. I looked down, embarassed. We sat in silence for a while before one of them finally spoke.

"We've heard that you are a very special boy, Mr. Shields." The one on the right said. I nodded, still not looking up. "You have powers, do you not?"

"Yes, sir." I muttered quietly, nodding my head. A low rumble of thunder could be heard, and I could sense the rain hitting the roof of the orphanage. This sitting was making me restless.

"And, can you show us?" The left one asked, not seeming to notice the rain. I gulped, but nodded, obeying. I closed my eyes, and another rumble of thunder could be heard. Rain fell harder, and I opened my eyes. A cloud had also formed above me, pouring rain. Yet I was completely dry, and the water danced around me. The right man nodded, scribbling on a small paper on his clipboard.

"Good, good. Thank you. You may go now. Tell Ms. Prin to come in, then go and collect your things. We leave leave in an hour." The right one said, dismissing me with a wave of his hand. The cloud dispersed, but I could hear the rain still pounding outside. I walked out, smiling. I was going to leave this place.

"Ms. Prin, they need you." I said quietly, smiling at the headmistress. She looked over from talking to another kid, and nodded.

"Thank you, Finnick." She smiled sweetly, then walked into the room, closing the door softly behind her. I smiled giddily, sprinting up to my room, which was on the second floor. I flung open the door to my room, and grabbed my small backpack, shoving my only possessions into it. This included another pair of dirty jeans, a black sweatshirt, some old blue converse, and a small locket. After adjusting my dirty blonde hair and checking my blue eyes, I grabbed my pocketknife, shoving it into my pocket. I then shot downstairs, leaning against the wall across from the room.

About an hour later, Ms. Prin opened the door, smiling. I walked in, and she followed, closing the door.

"I'll miss you, dear." She said sadly, and I gave her a small hug, then turned back to the two men.

"Come now, Mr. Shields. We mustn't be late." One of the men said, escorting me out the large front doors, Ms. Prin behind us. It poured rain, but I didn't care, looking up at the sky and smiling. They brought me to a large black limo, opening the door for me. I waved goodbye to Ms. Prin one last time as we drove out of the gravely driveway, a sad smile on my face. I then turned and relaxed. I was on my way to a better life. On my way to Paradise.