87th Games

Knot-boy.

Zane was in my alliance now. Deep sigh. It was hard when it was just me and my horse Trouble, now he had to join and make things horribly complicated. I mean sure, he was nice to have around; but that still didn’t mean I trusted him as much as he seemed to trust me. I knew for a fact Zane only wanted to join my team because I technically owned the cornucopia now. And he’s right, I did own it. I killed three people to get it, and injured two others. Zane had killed the stragglers, and because of this, he wouldn’t shut up about how he also ‘owned’ the cornucopia now too.

We had spent the whole day bickering with each other. I actually felt bad for the capitol viewers who had to watch.

“Zane, you’re lucky I even told you about my plan” I snapped.

“Doesn’t matter Scar, I own the cornucopia with you” He was infuriating! But then again, I’m not sure if careers even knew what the word ‘no’ meant.  

“No. You don’t. My district gave me explosives, it was my plan, and I executed it without you”.

“Fine, whatever” he sighed but I knew he thought otherwise.

“Good” I huffed and turned to exit the barn for some fresh air. I couldn’t breathe with the career poisoned air.

“Come on, Trouble” I called and she whinnied in response, trotting happily over to me waiting at the door. I rubbed her back softly admiring her beautiful brown and white coat.

“How’d you sleep beautiful girl?” I asked sweetly while stroking her mane.

“She can’t answer you, Scarlett, she’s a horse”.

“Shut up Knot-boy” I hissed. Knot-boy was the nickname I gave to him in the training centre.

“If you get the cornucopia, then I get to have ownership of Trouble” he decided.

“Don’t bring her into this. She’s mine” I was seriously re-thinking this alliance. Zane was an idiot.

“Aren’t you girl?” I added petting her back before hoisting myself on her.

“I saved her. You have absolutely no say about anything in this alliance”

He didn’t reply. “Look after our fort. Yah!” I kick-started Trouble.

We rode down the gully together. I loved riding with her and having the wind in my face when she galloped happily. She was without a doubt the best thing in these games, and always seemed to make me feel better about possible fate.

“Wooah” I hushed slowly slowing her down.

We came to a stop and I led her down to the small creek.

“This is where your water is”

I led her to the grass beside it.

“And this is where your food is”.

She huffed. “I know, but it’s only during the night time” I pleaded, hopefully she would understand.

“Then I’ll come get you every morning and give you some carrots for being such a good girl”. I cooed. Her eyes popped when I said the word ‘carrots’. She had a strong fascination with them, I had no idea why. They were orange death sticks that tasted like a wooden spoon.

She couldn’t sleep in the barn during the nights because strategically, it was a bad idea. If me and Zane were ambushed we could probably be killed in our sleep, and there was no chance in hell I was going to get Trouble killed because of me. Besides there wasn’t that much room in the barn and she knew how to live in the wild, I didn’t. I knew I’d have to leave her here tonight as it was getting dark, but I couldn’t let go of her.