The Purging Games

Chapter Five

     When I woke up the next morning, on day two of the games, I was greeted to the pleasing sight of the green trees, and the warm sun above me. I sat up from my spot on the ground, and found that Shadow was still asleep. I glanced again at my surroundings, stood up and began walking around, looking for some food. I was fortunate enough to come across a strawberry bush. I plucked each and every one of the ruby red fruits from the bush, and stuck them in empty cans of food from my drawstring bag. I climbed a tree, for no reason at all, I just felt like it. The calming wind whispered to me as it past, stroking the locks of my hair after blowing by.

      I was startled when I heard footsteps below me, and was relieved when it was just Shadow. "What is wrong with you? I thought someone caught you, or worse! Stars, your one crazy girl." He said. I climbed halfway down the tree, and jumped to get down quicker. I felt this inner peace inside me, and I didn't want it to leave, so I said nothing back. "Come on Crazy. That's your new nickname." He said. Again I said nothing. Shadow and I walked through the woods for a good hour, before we finally stopped for a rest break.

     I pulled out the strawberries from earlier, and began eating them. Shadow sat there, staring at me, so i tossed him a can of the sweet red fruit. "Thanks." He sighed.

     "Who were those kids in the tree yesterday?" I said.

     "Just some crazy students, who always team up, and try to kidnap other people during the Games."

     "Oh, do they kill their prisoners?"

     "No, they trap them in their basement, for the rest of their lives."

     "How do you know?"

     "They got me once, but I tricked the girl into letting me out."

     "How did you trick her?"

     "I told her that she was my true love, and she said she loved me back."

     "And then you just, left?"

     "Yeah. Yeah, I did."

     We sat in silence, but when I heard the footsteps, I pulled out my gun, and faced it towards the noise. "Jess? Jess it's Niah." came my sister's voice. "Niah! Oh my stars I missed you so much!" I screamed. "Jess, you have to take your earrings out. Maria was able to track you very easily through hacking the stoplight system." she said fiercely. I obediently took out my blue studded earrings, and threw them into the grass. "Does anyone else have on any dowry?" Shadow said. Everyone shook their heads, except for Lexi, since she had a necklace on. Suddenly, we heard the laughs of a young girl, the girl from the tree. "I have found you my Prince Charming!" She shrieked. She was talking about Shadow. When I turned around to try and protect him, he was gone. I screamed, and then everything went black.