The 100th Annual Hunger Games

Chapter 7

After about six or seven hours I finally arrive at the Cornucopia clearing. I stay well hidden and the darkness of the night gives me extra cover from the naked eye. Although, it is the Quarter Quell so there is a high chance of there being binoculars in the arena. Banishing the thought from my mind, I cross my legs at the foot of a tree and peek into the clearing.

There is a group of about ten tributes at the Cornucopia, all Careers. They have not gathered all of the supplies together, and they seem to be fighting amongst themselves. I stifle a laugh. Teamwork even amongst the Careers isn't very popular. One boy, about twelve or thirteen, is messing with a sword and slicing off bits of his jacket, leaving parts of his torso bare. Bad idea.

I decide to wait, taking off my bags and burying them in leaves. I put two steel knives and three glass knives into my pockets. The faces in the sky show six deaths, including the boy with the greasy black hair from my district. He lasted longer than I thought he would. He probably died for food. I scold myself under my breath, feeling very mean. That means forty-one remain.

Eventually the Careers begin to doze off. A girl about my age was obviously supposed to be on watch but is clearly too tired as she dozes off. Once I’m sure its safe, I creep out silently. As I walk I’m as quiet as a ghost. I open a supply bag and empty the supplies out. Nothing that I don’t already have, but I grab some material anyways. I might be able to fashion a coat or something in case it becomes colder. Time to carry out my big plan.

I walk closer to the Cornucopia, and make a start. Quickly but quietly, I grab as many blades and weapons as I can. I stuff knives and swords into the bag and put a bow on my back. I also grab about six quivers of arrows, a dart blower with darts and some more needles. I take two more supply bags and scurry away.

The girl on watch seems to be stirring so I try to be as fast but quiet as I can. As soon as I get back to where my bags are, I grab them and break into a run. Weighed down by six bags and loads of weapons, I make slow progress, but eventually I make it a safe distance from the clearing and stop.

I slump on the ground and wait. My plan will only work if I’m always moving, so I go through the bags. After deciding on what I want to keep, I make two piles. One for what I want, one for what I don’t. I have three bags with material, food, my knife pack with at least two dozen knives and more stuff. I also have a bow with three quivers and a dart blower with twenty darts. I stuff as much as I can into the bags and then lie back. I drink some water from the water bottles I found at the Cornucopia and then go through what I don’t want. It’s mainly blades but there are also some bits and pieces that I won’t need like spear heads and bullet-like things. Then I decide to rest.

As soon as the cannon goes I’m up on my feet. This is my chance. It’s close and I lift up the pile with the stuff I don’t want, wrapping my arms around it. I master all of my strength and sprint hard and fast.

I arrive at the body in minutes. It’s a boy who obviously didn’t think water was necessary to survive. He’s clearly dehydrated. I glance quickly at his supplies. Nothing special there. Then, I put my plan fully into action.

When the bodies are airlifted from the arena, any weapons or supplies in the metre or two surrounding it will also be taken. By putting the blades there, I erase the chances of the Careers taking me out with those blades. Its a simple idea but I've never seen it used before and it could diminish the supplies enough for me to make it out of here with a beating heart.

Gently closing the boy's eyes, I dump my pile of supplies next to his body, being careful not to harm him. Then, I run.