Becoming Adamant [#1]

Chapter 16 - Arena From Hell

“I counted six cannons.” Talon says as the cannons come to a stop. So that means I’ve outlived 6 tributes already…so much for dying right in the beginning, Capitol-bitches! I nod at Talon as I snap out of my thoughts. “Yeah, I counted that as well.” I say at first. The cannons have caught me a little off guard. It makes me truly realize this is now really happening. It’s no longer pretty dresses and smiles for the crowd, it’s downright serious. Talon bends down next to me to unload his stuff. I can tell he’s a bit relieved to let them down for a little while. He’s been carrying a lot.

“I never imagined you could carry that much.” I let out. He smiles as he exhales in relief of giving his back some long wanted rest. “I’m carrying weapons for two…what else do you expect?” He then asks me as he hands me my beloved axe. He doesn’t stop there though. He gives me a couple of knives as well. “God, I’ve missed these objects.” I then say with a smile on my face. “I thought I’d give you both of your favorite weapons. With both of them I know you will be unstoppable if the Careers ever catch up with you.” Talon says as I then remember something. “But what about you? What kind of weapon are you using?” I ask him. He brings up a sword and it makes me slightly confused. A sword? “How do you think I pulled an 8?” He then asks me with a confident smile.

Oh well, I guess there’s more than meets the eye. Talon seems to be skilled with many things. Among other things, bringing me my favorite weapons…well, I only have these two so there aren’t too many to pick from when it comes to me. Now I’m ready to take on those Career-bitches. Where are they now anyways? They haven’t walked in circles like I did. They must’ve turned left somewhere. Anyways, I pack my back up tight. I sheathe my axe as I fasten its belt around my waist. I hold both knives in my hands in case I’ll need to throw them at someone.

“So where do we go now?” Talon then asks me. We’re both armed and dangerous, but that won’t do us much good unless we move. We need to find a water-source and I’m pretty sure we won’t find that inside this hell-hole. “Well, if we keep going that way, we risk meeting the Careers. If they take enough right turns they might end back where they started chasing me.” I say. Talon nods. “Well, I know for a fact that the Cornucopia is empty. The only ones there are the ones that died to the Career’s hands in the bloodbath.” Talon says. Empty, you call it? A room filled with dead tributes and that’s what you call empty? Well, I guess it kind of is. I just feel like Talon just minimalized human-beings. I know I do it at home all the time, but in here, it’s for real.

“Okay, I guess we can go back there then? If it’s empty, we can have a look around and see if there’s anything that can help us out of this place.” I suggest. “And what if the Careers show up?” Talon asks me as he fastens his backpack and picks up the sword. “I have knives…it’ll make a nice target-practice.” I answer as we start walking. “And by the way, remember the deal: the bitch from 1 is mine.” I then remind him. “You know, it’s not the first time you point that out. I get it, alright? I won’t touch her unless she actually gets to kill you.” He says with a dash of attitude. Who the hell does he think he is to talk like that to me? Sure, I should be grateful to him for bringing me weapons and stuff, but he should be grateful that this alliance even exists!

As we get to the edge of the Cornucopia, I can just feel the silence of the place. Either the others have a found a way out or they’re stuck somewhere in this maze. Either way they’re not in the middle of it all. The Capitol haven’t picked up the dead bodies yet…which means I get actually get the ‘pleasure’ of seeing the Career’s handy work. I can tell that the ones there are from 5, 11 and 12. All Districts have a special uniform so that we can recognize them…they also have a number on their upper arms. Talon walks right up to me as I’m looking down on this young girl from 5. She wasn’t much older than me, if she ever was. God, I hate this place! It’s too quiet in here. The Careers can just pop out any minute and attack us. I need to have an escape…I need to get out of here.