The Fourth Quarter Quell

Hunger Games Day One

Paisley Rae's Perspective

I stepped into my platform and felt the sudden rush of air as the glass tube swallowed me. Through the glass, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror set up on the wall.

My short brown hair was tightly tied up in a ponytail. I wore a brown durable tank top made for hiking and exercise, a light black rain jacket, black cargo pants and black leather combat boots. I wore my intimidating expression and focused myself.

This is the time, I told myself. Don't screw it up.

The platform began to rise and it took me by surprise. I stuck my hands against the slowly descending glass tube and looked up into the arena, sunshine blocking my view.

My heart kept beating rapidly inside my chest and I tried to calm myself down. The last thing I needed was to be panicky and anxious. No, I needed to be fierce and ready.

The platform continued to rise with a deep humming noise. I took a breath as it stopped inside the arena, the glass tube gone, beneath my feet. If I stepped off of this pedestal before the gong sounded, I would be blown to Paisley bits.

I figured I had a minute before the pangs of the countdown began. I used that time to gather my surroundings. The glimmering Cornucopia sat fifty yards before me, glinting in the artificial sunlight. Surrounding the meadow like field we were in was a large forest with the nearby sound of a waterfall bubbling by. There was a small creek behind me. Clever, on the Gamemakers part. Put what is most likely the only water source near the source of a majority of the deaths.

The pangs started and I glanced around me. To my left was the girl from Eleven, Elsa, who was the daughter of a past victor. To my right was Chase Woodley, the somewhat creepy tribute from District Six.

Okay, I thought. They mismatched our alliances.

The Gamemakers didn't assign our pedestals in close vicinity of a member of our alliances. Daniel, who I spotted, was six pedestals away on my right. Crystal and Eli were most likely blocked by the Cornucopia.

Thirty seconds now.

I glanced at the mouth of the Cornucopia. There were both survival supplies and weaponry. I spotted a short rack of handheld weapons including daggers, shurikens, and throwing knives.

Throwing knives, I thought. Where are Isabella and Mike?

My eyes darted to the left of the Cornucopia, the last tribute I could see before the structure obstructed my view. Sure enough, there was Isabella, preparing to run. Directly opposite her was Mike, preparing to do the same.

Ten seconds.

I readied myself on the pedestal. Once that gong went off, my reflexes sprang into action. I sprinted as fast as my legs could carry me to the mouth of the Cornucopia. I didn't look back and I set my sights on the knives on the rack.

However, I tripped over a backpack once I got there. I hit the dirt ground surrounding the mouth with a thud but quickly got to my feet. I slung the pack over my shoulders and leaped to the rack.

The knives were just in my hands when Isabella and Mike showed up. Such timing. I took Mike off guard by swinging the full pack into his stomach, sending him flying in the other direction.

Isabella wielded a small dagger in her hand as protection. I made a face at her like she was a small child trying to do something impressive.

"Sweetie, you're not getting those knives." I said, crossing my arms.