Inferno: A Hunger Games Fanfic

Chapter 18

The Cornucopia is full of exciting items that could be the salvation of any tribute. But I don't run to it, and not just because they don't have my weapon. I run in the exact opposite direction to almost everyone else.

I slow to a consistent pace and keep it for about 10 minutes until I find a river. There is a small hole in a thick section of foliage that will easily conceal me from any unwanted visitors, but also let's me see who I want to find.

I didn't think anyone was following me. But I was wrong. Upon hearing footsteps, I shift into a more prepared position, though staying concealed is my first strategy.

The footsteps draw nearer until I can see the owner. I was expecting a huge career-by-genetics carrying a sword and ready to stab me. I was not expecting a small tribute from district 3 carrying a green backpack. It's Lepus.

"Hazel?" He whispers, " Where are you?"

I don't answer, he might only be small, but I'm defenceless and who knows what was in that backpack?

He sighs, " Hazel, I know your here, Meir told me you would wait by water,"

I crawl out of the bush, and survey him.
"Hello!"
"Hi?" I say uncertainly. How does he know our plan? He's never proved that he's untrustworthy but that dosen't necessarily make him a good ally. And why wouldn't he tell me? Does Meir trust me? I feel a slight ache of betrayal. All I know is I'm vunerable, at least until Meir comes, and Lepus is not. Which means I need to get that backpack.

"So you do you want me to sort your backpack?" I ask brightly. He gives me a weird look. Maybe bright isn't the best time to have in the games. He nods though, and I sit by the river and relieve him of his bag.

It's a pretty reasonable stocked bag. It contains: a two litre bottle -bone dry , but that's not a problem at the moment, a sleeping bag, a few bread rolls, water purifer, matches and a medical kit. The medical kit consists of fever pills,  bandages, wipes and other stuff that I would know how or when to use. No weapons. Weird. I would have thought there would be  some kind of defense. I check the bag again. Nothing.

I turn around to look at Lepus. He's right behind me teasingly playing with a small dart gun , spare bullets in a strap slung over his back.
" Yeah, I thought you might have some trust issues," He slides the gun into his waistband, "So I decied it was safest to keep this on me,"
I stand up defensively, " And how do I know this isn't all a trap, so you can kill me?"
He smirks, " Definetly, trust issues!"

If looks could kill, a cannon would be sounding. Now is not the time to joke.

"Look," He says, uncharacteristically serious, "If I wanted to kill you, you'd be dead, since I have a weapon and you, regrettably, don't. And it's not a ploy to find Meir because I might as well have killed you already since he's coming either way and it's illogical to wait until I'm out numbered. I am here to protect you until your boyfriend comes, assuming he survived the blood bath. So trust or no trust your stuck with me until he comes. Get it?"

I do get it, although I'm still in the dark as to why I was in the dark about this prior to, well now. I open my mouth to tell him, but am drowned an earth-shaking boom. A cannon.

Many follow this first one, I lose count and have to have faith in Lepus mouthed counting to tally the dead.

" 14," he says, as the world goes quiet and the birds begin to sing. 14. That's more than half of us. These were the people who were killed in the bloodbath. Meir could be one of their number. Meir could already be gone. Suddenly it's hard to stand. I lean against a willowy silver tree, hoping it will teach me to stand tall against every thrown my way. Trees are more resilient than I could ever be.

" 14 is so many, It must be some kind of record," Lepus can get excited about literally anything.

" Why do you think so many died?"
" Well my theory is, because we all got random capitol citizens instead of victors for our mentors, they just told their mentees to fight in the blood bath, since it makes better entertainment. The few who could kill expertly massacred the others, who realised much too late that their mentors were wrong."

" Intresting concept, "  I compliment, but it's hard because my throat seems to have swollen to twice it's normal size. What if Meir dosen't come back, what if, what if.

We spend the best few hours collecting water from the river and Lepus shoots a bird to eat. Neither of us says it, but with each passing minute the odds of Meir coming to find us dwindle. We can't stay here for ever. Its mid-afternoon but night will upon us before we know it, and we'll probably have to move away from here.

By early evening, we lost all hope, the sky behind to redden and soon our fears will be confirmed by his picture in the sky.

I'm getting more water when I hear movement in the branches. I summon Lepus, He still has the gun and together we move towards the sound.

A few steps into the forest, we hear another noise, but from the same place. It's a horrible sound, human, but so animalistic that it must be from our deepest instincts. It's the sound of pain.

We see it. A bruised, disfigured, lump , barely recognisable as a body. It's stained red from the constant flow of the blood and patterned with bruises. It's alive. I know because of the stuttering  rise and fall of the chest, because of the much to slow heartbeat and because it's murmuring my name.

It's alive! Meir's alive!

But only just. Only just.

DUN.  DUN. DUN.
What did you think of the first chapter in the arena. Btw I can promise you, the arena has many more suprises in store.
Comment, vote, ENJOY!!!!!
Xxx