The Third Annual Writer's Game: Roots

Cogito Ergo Sum | Females

District One - Crystal Caverly

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District Three - Paige Chromadell

I didn't see their faces in the sky. Part of me was glad that their haunted eyes didn't glare down upon me while the other half was disappointed that I didn't see Red for one last time. Seeing them for one last time stole away a piece of you – I wasn't quite sure what. I compared the arena to a drug but now I can understand how addictive it really is – how addictive it is to survive and want to make it back. Innocence is lost inside the tornado of desperation of survival. This place had become my entire world, inventing the latest software to get top of the class wasn't on my priority list anymore. Wondering if I could find food, wondering whether I'd be stabbed before I starved to death – the priorities we once had diminish until they are nothing more than faint memories from another life in our minds. Everyone outside doesn't understand how far you are willing to push yourself to survive. No one can prepare for what's inside – not even the Careers.

The air was sticky on my skin when my eyes fluttered open to the aftermath. Leaves drooped towards the ground, saturated with rain, and stray branches stretched out lazily on the forest floor. The sky was once again a magnificent blue; all traces of the grey clouds that had devoured the arena had evaporated leaving the arena bathing in its glory of a new day.

Beside me, Crystal was alert and I held back my yawn. I felt like I had slept but I knew I couldn't have. I had no idea how long I had been asleep, if I had slept in the first place. Crystal could have killed me. I felt like kicking myself, I had fallen asleep next to a killer or maybe it was just resting my eyes. My body wouldn't be able to rest, not when a constant nauseous feeling filled my body. It was a wonder how she didn't notice. My heart raced in my chest as I watched her blankly stare out into our world before I followed her gaze.

Just outside the cave, I spotted a small silver capsule gleaming proudly in the sunlight. I glanced at Crystal before studying it further. The amount of detail on it was unbelievable – it was cross-hatched on top with circles decorating the sides, it wouldn't have surprised me if it was made from actual silver. The question was who was it for? Crystal and I were the only ones in the cave; I knew that for a fact. Obviously Crystal hadn't noticed it yet, otherwise she would have taken it and killed me already. I couldn't risk her knowing.

Once again, the monster of survival kicked in – desperation. I was always good with words, now it was my only hope to get closer to the gift. But I never talked first. Crystal was far from dumb but I was from Three – I was smarter. I should be smarter.

"Do you want some food?" I asked her, the shaky voice I had yesterday was gone and replaced with a much more clam tone. I had learnt that Crystal loved power and my calm tone seemed to annoy her but she needed to know I was fine now, not the scared girl from Three. She shook her head awake, as if she had been dreaming.

"As long as you stay in sight," her eyes narrowed into thin slits. Snake eyes – lucky I didn't trust snakes. I nodded my head silently, just to let her think she had power. I slung my bag over my shoulder and made sure my dagger was still in my pocket.

Stepping out of the cave filled my body with warmth. Being stuck inside the cave with a Career wasn't exactly the best thing and I felt the constant nausea and fear release their hold slightly. The musty smelling air was replaced by the fresh smell of earth. My muscles ached as I stretched out; despite being small the cave forced me to crouch slightly. I didn't dare to look back at the Career. I bent down and studied a few of the plant, gently feeling their leaves. I moved forward more until my eyes landed on some mint and a few berries from a nearby shrub. I wrapped placed several into a small pocket of my bag before I gave my findings to Crystal. I had already known all the edible plants out here, of course, so it was easy to distract her with the food.