The Hunger Games (Fan-fic)

Chapter 7

Here's another chapter sorry it's so short though! But just wait the story is really gonna heat up :D And I FINALLY figured out how to post a pic on this website so theres a pic of Wren for ya ---->

I remember nearly dieing when I was five. Our house had a small window leading out onto the roof and while my mom and dad were away I decided to explore it. Somehow, I managed to open and climb through the window. I remember the freedom I felt. Being high above the world, the meadows beyond the fence spreading far into the horizon. The wind on blasting my face with the smell of pines and smoke and all the other smells around District 12. I was so lost in the experience that I stepped forward, thinking maybe I could just step into this bliss and be carried away from the depressing sights of our district. But I fell. I dropped like a stone, eight feet. I didn't even have time to think as my body cracked against the hard soil, didn't even have time to open my eyes or realize I was slicing through the air. The breath was knocked out of me, literally, it was a quick, painful gasp. I felt like someone was pushing on my chest, I couldn't breath. It didn't even feel like my lungs were moving, like they were made of stone.

That's how I feel right now. Like my chest is compressed, my breath coming out in short wheezes. It's nerves, probably, or maybe it's the fact that I have less than two minutes until i'm forced to kill or be killed.

Atley notices, "You'll be fine Wren. I know what you're capable of, that score was nothing more than a fluke. You will win this, you have to." I nod at his encouragement but it doesn't help me, my lungs are starting to hurt. Faye's the only one who managed to comfort me, or at least get me to walk here. I close my eyes and try to remember her words.

"These kids have nothing on you, that baby there? That's what will keep you alive, keep you fighting. Your determination is the biggest help here, use it. Find some food once you get in the arena, but get water. Determination is good but it can't keep you from dehydrating. Remember Wren, i'm counting on you to live."

I bite my lip, I really need her right now. Atley touches my shoulder, a soft reassuring movement, and I open my eyes to look at him. He's smiling but his eyes are filled with sadness, maybe even a hint of a tear. Do I really mean that much to these people?

"It's time", he leads me over to a clear tube in the corner of the room, this is what will bring us into the arena. I hesitate, maybe I can run, escape like i tried to at the reaping. But I decided against it, there are probably peacekeepers stationed right outside the door.  

My outfit hasn't helped me figure out what kind of environment i'll be in. I'm wearing a black tank-top, something certainly for a hot place, but then I have a big, heavy parka on too. My pants are also strange with a zipper at the knees so I can transform from pants to shorts. I'm guessing there will be a lot of weather changing.

I step into the tube and for a couple of seconds nothing happens, then, it shifts making me tip over a little. The plate on the bottom of the tube moves up slowly and  before I know it Atley's gone behind a wall. I'm shrouded in darkness before blinding light takes over my vision. I squint furiously, trying to make out my scenery and plan my moves, and it works as the light slowly fades.

All around me is rock. Tons and tons of rocks are everywhere, hills made out of rocks, mountains made out of rock,  I even spot a few cliff faces. I imagine it wouldn't be hard to find a weapon here. There are a few trees clustered together and some moss but mostly it's a wonderland of head smashing objects.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 11th annual Hunger Games!" Claudius Templesmith's voice bashes my eardrums and sixty seconds later, i'm running for my life.