The Survival Games

Chapter 3

  The morning of the first day led me to a major case of cold sweats and anxiety. I had a slight migraine and aches all over. Cramps in my stomach, sores in my back. What the heck is this?

  I take some medicine and the pain instantly goes away. I just shrug it off as we head to the plane where we're travelled to the arena. As I sit in the room waiting for my stylist, I start tearing up at the fact that today's the start. The start of a new beginning, and the end.

  I felt like I should do the sign Katniss did that meant "farewell." So I put three fingers to my lips, and faced them towards my stylist. He did the same in return. The pedestal starts pushing me up, up to the sky. At first it's blindingly bright, but then everything settles. I know this arena. This was far too familiar to not recognize. This is one of the "over-played" maps on MCSG, and Devon's probably thinking that right now. Probably because...

  We're on Holiday Resort.

  Or at least what looks like it. A huge red and white lighthouse in the center of the grassy and floral arena. Roses and dandelions everywhere. I should get a rose for Devon, I thought to myself. The clock starts to tick down and my heart starts racing.

  60 seconds until the end begins.

  Tick, tock, tick, tock. Just like Catching Fire, I felt that this was a giant Quarter Quell, and that most of these people were— and probably are— better than me. They've had more experience, the best routes, while all I've done was hide in the corner and collect chests along the way.

  The clicks get louder. And louder. And louder. Then it's like they're banging inside of my ear, and I was starting to go insane. The insanity was so intense that I could barely think straight. Ten, nine, eight, seven six..

5.

We position ourselves.

4.

3.

"Happy Hunger Games!"

2.

"And may the odds be ever..."

1.

"...in your favor!"

  BOOM! Everyone rockets towards the lighthouse and tries to pull away at the leaves. I knew which position I was in, so I pulled all the leaves necessary out of the way, and found a black and grey backpack. I equipped it and darted out of there. It was pretty easy to see where I was going, even with the trees in my way. I dive into the water and swim as fast as I can to the house with the secret room behind the painting. It was a tier one double chest, but that would get me off somewhere before I get the tier two chests in the same house.

  While running to the house I see that Julio, Devon, Colt, and Blake were heading for the same house. Oh crap. I quickly darted in the other direction before they could see me. And just when I thought I was out of their sight-

  "Hey!"

  Oh no. I wanted to get as far away as possible from them, but I was afraid that they were going to chase after me if I did. I stand behind a tree, having enough time to find a kitchen knife in my backpack. Really? Who puts a kitchen knife in a backpack?!

  I slowly walk toward them, gripping the knife with both hands. Calm down, you don't know if they're going to kill you yet, you just coincidentally encountered them. But then that's just like coincidentally encountering your death.. Or your team....

  I loved them all so much. But when it came to MCSG, I knew they were some of the best. So if a little tribute like me passes through, they're possibly going to strike and execute them before they even had a chance.

  My feet shift in their direction, slowly, being cautious about them attacking me when I get close enough. But when I got into that range of space, they didn't even point their swords towards me.

  I stare at them in confusion, "Um... Why aren't you guys... Attacking?"

  Colt answers, "Were we supposed to attack?" Julio punches Colt in the shoulder. "OUCH! What the heck, man?"

  "Stop acting stupid and ask her already!"

  "W-w-what?" I stutter.

  "Okay, listen." Devon clears his throat, "We decided that we were going to team with the first fan we run into outside of corn."

  "And you're saying that's me?"

  "Yeah, I mean, you're the first anyone we've run into as of the past 10 minutes of the game."

  "But how do you know I'm a fan?"

  "Um... We've talked through social media and we all saw your artwork... So..."

  Okay... "So.... Does this mean I'm teaming with you guys? Because if I am, I need to let you guys know that I'm not good at this.."

  "Well, you could be like the creeper. The 'guard' that looks for incoming tributes. You don't have to fight, but that would be helpful."

  "Well, I can fight. I'm just not a good fighter." I shift my gaze to the water slide behind them.

  "So, you in or not?" Devon's eyes gaze towards me. I force myself to look up. Even though how much it would leave me in pain. If anyone ever found out...

  "What about Hannah? Why didn't you just team with her?"

  "Someone killed her before she could even reach corn."

  "Oh..."

  "Are you in?" Devon asks again. I look at all four of them. I take in a deep breath, not believing this is happening.

"Count me in."