The Fourth Quarter Quell

Hunger Games Day Five Part Two

Isabella Tanner's Perspective

I wiped my hands on my pants after I finished my lunch. With my throwing knives, I was able to kill a snow hare and roast it over a hand-made spit. I hoped that it was cooked thoroughly because if it wasn't, I'd be dying of food poisoning.

I packed up the rest of my food for later and stood up, investigating my surroundings. I was far from the stream but about a five minute run from the Cornucopia. I figured that if I was going to survive on my own, I wanted to be close to supplies but far from my old alliance.

It still pained me to think about them. I abandoned them after they stopped me from killing myself. I just couldn't face them when they woke up so I packed up my stuff and left.

Thankfully, I was able to fashion an igloo from the snow near a pile of snow and ice covered boulders. I hoped it looked natural to any predators--like mutts or other tributes. I got some sleep and when I woke up, the sun was high in the sky so I assumed it was lunchtime.

I heard an announcement regarding a new attracting brought in by the Gamemakers. Judging from my knowledge of previous Hunger Games, I figured it was best to stay a good distance from the Cornucopia.

I regretted leaving my alliance. They were really nice and gave me a sense of happiness while in this arena. However, I was now alone and had no one but myself to rely on survival.

"I thought you died of depression, Bella." Someone sneered from behind me.

I whirled around, knives in hand, and faced my opponent. A wave of fear washed over me and I wanted to run. I wanted to sprint away. But my feet didn't move.

"Must've thought wrong." I managed. I tightened my grip on my knives and prayed that my hands wouldn't get too sweaty from the nerves that were building up.

Daniel, the Career from Two, smirked and swiveled his sword in between his fingers. He took a step closer to me. His hair had a frost over it and there were splats of blood all across him. I guessed that he wasn't one for peaceful confrontations.

"Do you know what this is, Bella?" Daniel said.

"Isabella." I corrected. "And it's a sword, obviously. Don't they teach you the names of the weapons in Two? Or are they too focused on teaching toddlers how to kill each other?"

Daniel's eyes glinted. "Don't get cocky on me, Five."

"No promises, Two." I sneered.

"I was planning to give you an easy death but you pushed it." Daniel shrugged and then lunged at me. He swung his sword at me with impeccable speed and I rolled out of the way.

He stabbed it down at me but I rolled once more, slashing my knife against his shin. He roared in pain and I used that time to get up and try sprinting away.

It was hard to keep a good pace, what with the snow and ice on the ground. I dodged branches and rocks as I didn't dare to look back. I was positive that Daniel was behind me. Why was I so stupid? I could have eluded my way out but instead I gave myself a death wish.

My heart began to pound heavily as my breathing got more labored. I skirted the field surrounding the Cornucopia, darting in between the trees when my boot for lodged between two boulders. I tried pulling it out but no success.

Daniel was coming, I could see him now. Fear and hope of survival was present. My hopes for living and escaping this monster flew away like the crows that took flight away from Daniel, with each lumbering step he took.

I surveyed my options. Try and be allies? No, definitely not. Kill him? Like that was possible.

I looked down at my boot in desperation and saw the glint of my other knives hanging from my belt. That's it! I clutched one in my hands and sent it flying towards Daniel.