Don't Be Afraid

Chapter 23

Issac's POV

It's been about two hours and she's still sitting on a rock, motionless, drawing in the dirt with a stick. I tap my foot impatiently. "Have you come up with anything yet?"

"Patience. We only get one chance."

"I know that." I mumble. I stand up and stretch, the cracking sound of my bones being the only sound in the woods comforts and frightens me.

"I've got it!"

"Then spit it out!"

"Okay. I have some smoke bombs, or at least I think that's what they're called, anyway I only have a few. You stay on the perimeter and throw one." She reaches into her bag and pushes the bombs towards me. "When you throw it I'll sneak in, help free some of the girls. If the smoke starts to clear, throw another one, but only if it's clearing. When all of the girls are free, I'll lead them back the way I came. About two miles away we'll meet again."

"That may actually work." She smiles and claps her hands together.

"Okay...when will this take place?"

"Now."

"Now?"

"Yes. The sun's setting. It would be perfect."

I rub my temples for a minute and think about it. "Okay."

"Oh! Before I forget." She reaches into her bag and pulls out two radios. "We can communicate easier like this." I take one and clip it to my belt.

"Are you ready?"

"Yeah."

Linda's POV

Someone hits the top of the cage and I jump, hitting my head. "Good morning sunshine." I recognize the voice and groan.

"Is it time to kill me now?"

She laughs. "No. It's time to show you where you'll be working." She snaps her fingers and a man is unlocking the cage. I scoot back as much as I can, but it doesn't help. He grabs my ankle and drags me out. I scream and try to claw his eyes out, but it's no use. He picks me up like a rag doll and throws me over his shoulder. Cleo stands behind him and smiles at me. I flip her off, which only makes her smile more.

The man starts walking, but away from the "working stations". "Where...where are we going?"

"Oh pardon me, I forgot to tell you. You're not actually working here. No. You're going to the games."

My pulse quickens. "The games?"

"Yes. You'll be fighting in the games. If you live...you get to keep playing! If you die...you'll come back and still be a part of the games. See! It's a win-win!" Her smile is sadistic and makes the blood in my veins run cold. The man throws me into a hole that's probably 20 feet long and 10 feet wide. I scramble to my feet and look side to side. There's people surrounding the arena and making bets. I put my back against a wall and stare at the door across from me. Someone in the crowd throws me a stick and I grab it, hugging it closely to my chest. I hear a screeching sound and my eyes widen. The door's opening and all I see is figures, walking limply towards me. The smell is awful and makes me sick to my stomach. The first one walks out and starts towards me. I flinch at its harsh movements, but put my stick up, ready to fight.

Issac's POV

I crouch behind a bush, radio in hand, waiting for the signal. Sam went around to the other side of the camp. It's been a few minutes and I'm starting to worry. "Issac? Issac?"

I press the button. "Yeah?"

"It's time. Throw one."

"Okay." I clip the radio back to my belt and pull a bomb from my pocket. Pulling the pin, I hurl it into the center of camp. I hear people screaming and see shadows rushing around in confusion. I pull another one out, ready to throw it at any minute.