The Capitol Games

Chapter 12: Rain

I slowly shut my eyes, hoping this was all a dream.
It wasn't.
Laughter rang in my ears, sending shivers up my spine. It was dark, darker than the sky that was now turning to night. The laugh was evil, dark and very, very disturbing. I shudder once more before standing and turning to face him. I didn't even know who 'him' was.
"Who are you?" I ask, taking a step back and almost falling into the fire. Two arms catch me around my middle, pulling me flush against a toned chest.
"I'm the man of your dreams, Darling. The name's Flávio, and what is your name, Beautiful?"
"Flattery will get you nowhere, Flávio. I'm Frinchessa, future victor, so watch your back." I say, wiggling out of his grip.
"Such a fitting name for a beauty as yourself. It's a pity you and I were thrown in here, I would marry you in a heartbeat." Flávio remarked, ignoring my last comment. I lightly gasp as he scoops me up bridal style.
"I would never marry you. You are just another obstacle in my way. The only person I care for is my sister, and she is the only person I need. There is no way you are above her, you are a stranger whom I just met. I wouldn't even consider marrying you, you filthy pig." I say, raising my voice and holding back tears. How dare he hit on me after what I've just been through! How dare he!
People start to crawl from three of the four tents, the fourth most likely being for Flávio. They stand before me, and as I observe them, I realize they are freaks, just like him.
Two girls, two boys. I come to the conclusion that Flávio and the girl on my left are twins. They have the same almond shaped eyes, full lips, and thin figure, but they also have differences. Flávio has neon green eyes, short jet black hair, and pale, reddish skin, while the girl has aubergine eyes, shoulder length platinum blonde hair, and a bluish complexion. It seems as though they were the more normal of the group, as the other boy has bleached skin and blood red eyes, while the girl has orange skin and sharp, animal like teeth, her pupils in slits like a cat's.
"Who are those people?" I ask, forgetting about what happened earlier.
"My sister Aiyana, Rollio, and Sequin. Watch out for them, because, while I wouldn't harm a beauty like yourself, they wouldn't hesitate to slit your throat and paint your pretty little porcelain face red. Got it, Honey? Good." He asks, not waiting for a reply.
"Are those storms?" The cat girl asked in a scared purr.
"Don't be silly, Love, we're in the desert. There are no storms." The demon boy replied, turning to her and holding her hand.
Packing up camp, we set off in the direction of the cornucopia, my left wrist being tied to Flávio's right. We were about a yard behind the others, so I could see every kiss and grab Rollio made to Sequin.
"You guys sure don't hide your feelings around here, do you?" I ask, a little repulsed at their PDA.
"You never know when your life will end, so why not? Better to enjoy life now then regret not later, Babe." He replies, glancing at the sky every so often.
"I suppose so, but-"
I'm cut off by a crack of electric death striking the earth and leaving behind ashes where Sequin once stood. A few body parts were still mildly intact, an arm here, and a leg there, but the majority of her is gone, ashes now scattered in the sudden wind.
I gasp, horrified, and frantically search for shelter. I see it, a blurry sharp in the distance: the cornucopia. I have no time to tell the others, I bolt in its direction, pulling Flávio with me. We run with Rollio and Aiyana, Rollio not showing an ounce of hurt for Sequin. More lightning strikes all around us, loud claps of thunder following quickly after. Craters litter the ground, some smoldering, while some are completely on fire. I watch as Rollio trips in front of me, me jumping over his body, not looking back as I hear lightening crack.
Then, when things couldn't get worse, the rain started. It came pouring, pounding us to the ground. It left holes in our clothes, burning our flesh. We fall over and over, more and more rain burning us as we move on towards our safe haven. The rain quickly fills the craters, and, with it being as dark as it is, we can't see them.
I hear a pain filled scream rip through the air. Aiyana stepped in one of the craters. She collapsed on the ground a few yards from the cornucopia, her foot now an oozing lump of flesh, red and raw from the acid rain. Blood is seeping from the wound, soaking into the dirt. I see a gleam of a knife and scream as he brings it down towards me. I gingerly look down to see that he cut my wrist free. I look up at Flávio to see him mouthing out words to me, the winds ripping away any noise he might have made.
Help. Me. Drag. Her.
I nod in understanding, grabbing one of her wrists. Together, we slowly drag her, inching closer to the cornucopia. Tears well up in my eyes as my shoulder wound reopens, blood mingling with rain to soak the fabric of my suit.
Just a few more steps.
Three.
Two.
One.
We're safe.
I collapse on the ground, tired and in pain. I roll onto my stomach, crying into the dirt. Too much death. Too much pain. Too much. Too much.
I notice Flávio collapse next to me, and arm around my waist. At this point, I don't care. I'm happy to be alive, I'm hurting from my shoulder, I'm scared for the future, but most of all, I'm scarred for life.
I fall asleep, images of bleeding limbs, fire, and lumps of flesh plaguing my dreams.