The 100th Hunger Games- Fourth Quarter Quell

Chapter 17

Carmen POV

I walk back but I manage to utter out a few words to Crystal. I didn't want to be alive. To leave this world would be the best. To allow them to take their revenge. But Crystal saved me. I couldn't imagine what would happen if she didn't.

I return back to my resting spot. It's a colorful,unnatural, crazily overdone tree. I prop myself up but the only thing that I can think of is the mutts. The mutts that I offered my life to on a silver platter.

I still clearly see that scene. The scene where a mutt leaped on Crystal and injured her shoulder. Again. I still remember how enraged I was and picked up my archer set. With steady hands, I aimed right at the neck of the mutt. The arrow flew through the air and the mutt collapsed. Just as I see the familiar dark features, I start bawling. It's Kimberley. I shouldn't be crying. She threatened to kill us. But she's innocent. The Capitol did this to all of us. The Capitol made me kill. The Capitol turned me into a monster I never imagined was in my gut. The Capitol shaped me into a vicious killer machine. And The Capitol now demands of me to win.

Haven't I been a fool? Following The Capitol's commands? They demanded a good impression. I gave it to them. They demanded a killer. I gave it to them. They demanded blood. I gave it to them. I've been serving them the demands they ask of every single time. Served with the extra serving of a lost life. I've been a fool to do this. I've been feeding them with the pleasures and wishes that they desire every year.

Just as I lie down to take another rest, I hear something. It doesn't sound like anything I know of. Even hunting can't help with this. I get up to see Lux. He's walking up to the burned down Districts' sceneries. With a steady breath, I have a clear mind. I grab my bow and a sheath of arrows before I see Crystal running up towards me. She has tearing eyes and her lashes are soaked with tears. As I wonder why she's tearing, I realize something....

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Lux POV

I trot down hastily. I can't do this. With the twins both hurt. I'll lose this Games. I vowed that I would lose for Crystal and Carmen. But today, I snapped. I can't lose. Aunt Effie's waiting for me. She's the only thing I've got that I love besides Crystal.

Crystal senses me first. She turns and opens her mouth to ask something but I stop her.

"Babe, stop. I'm leaving the alliance." I coldly mutter.

"What? Why?" Crystal demands. She's very worried.

"Because... Because I need to win. For Aunt Effie." I say.

She doesn't reply me but instead kisses me on the forehead. I kiss her back on the cheek.

"I need to go. I'm going back to the Districts." I reply.

"Take care. I love you." She mutters.

I leave without any words back. But before I escape from the alliance, I mouth,

"I love you too, Babe."
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Crystal POV

Tears are threatening to spill over at any second. I've lost Lux. I can't lose Carmen too.

"Don't cry." Carmen warns in a serious tone. But her volume is soft.

"I won't. But don't leave me." I reply.

"I won't. I'll guard. Go. Take a rest. You've been guarding for ages. Did you see the faces of the Dead last night?" Carmen curiously asks.

"Yes. Only five died in the flames. One was District. Four were Capitol. That means that it's just eight more before we leave this stinking arena." I tell her.

"Right. Go sleep." She insists. I nod and take a nap in these trees that are surprising soft. As I drift off, all I see is Carmen sprinting away.

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