Author Games: Dacnomania Nexus Accourt

Quarter-Final - The Face in the Dark

Bits of mutt are strewn over the arena. It has been hours since the last one was dispatched, and you have settled down and taken stock. Supplies are running low. The lack of natural resources is starting to become a huge problem, and as night falls, you begin to think about how to cope.

This time, it is a proper night. If the stars are out they aren't visible, but the whole arena is coated in darkness. Until, that is, the Capitol seal appears and the deaths are announced.

Dayta Sparke, Cander Ericius, Colere Asche Lasair, Atilius War.

As Atilius fades away for the final time, Head Gamemaker Alithia Warwell appears in the sky. For once she is wearing jewelry and instead of frowning, she seems almost impressed.

"Congratulations to our final eight tributes!" she begins, "This has been a difficult Games, and to get this far has taken determination, ability and willpower. You should all feel very proud of yourselves, as your families are."

There is a slight pause while she allows this to sink in.

"That's right. As you are no doubt aware, in the final eight we interview your families and friends. And because you all seem exhausted and in need of a rest and some motivation - Khave does not like to make things easy, does he? - we have arranged to allow you access to part of these interviews. If you find your way back to your house, you will find instructions on the door. Good luck, and enjoy your break as much as you can. From here it only gets harder."

Task:

- The note on the door is handwritten, and it reads: 'Dear [tribute name]. You will find that we have restored/ installed the screen in your house. Turn it on. It will show you a section of the interviews, during which we asked someone to record a message especially for you. But it may not be who you expect. Best wishes, A.W.'

- Your task is to write both the message and your tribute's response to it. As is mentioned in the note, the person giving the message is somebody your tribute is not expecting. This could be a long-lost family member, a forgotten friend, somebody completely random, anybody as long as you can explain why they send your tribute a message.

- Here's where you need to sit up and pay attention. You can CHOOSE to kill one other tribute in your entry. It is not compulsory. If you do, please provide us with the name of the tribute at the end of your entry.

- Ballot deaths are compulsory. Please provide two of them.

- Word Limit: 1,500

- Sponsor Perk: sponsored tributes can have EITHER one extra ballot death OR an extra hundred and fifty words.

- Deadline: 2200 Capitol Time [BST], Saturday 3rd August. Usual sanctions do apply.