The 25th Hunger Games (fanfic)

Chapter 33: The Games

Author's Note: Hey! Um, this chapter will be very, very sad for some people.... And its a very strange chapter because it doesn't revolve around Zac. Tell me if you like it please! This will be the first chapter like this. If you want more like it, comment and tell me! Hopefully I wrote it well =) This is dedicated to HeatherletCassidy. Thanks for fanning! Remember to comment, it makes my day =D 

Veronica's P.O.V.

I crouch on the ground in the clearing, witnessing pain like no other. Blood rushes out of the gash in my forehead, seeping into the ground to poison anything below me. I clutch it and try to stop the bleeding, but it doesn't help. Atlas is hovering over me, grinning at me. The long sword in his hand is covered in drips of blood. Of my blood. This is the end...

I am caught off guard by Crash, who seems to be talking. I whip my head to him, but that just makes my head throb some more. I wince at the pain, but suddenly, the pain goes away because of Crash's next words.

"Oh, Veronica," he says casually. "District 9, correct? I woulld just die to see your sister's expression when I murder you carelessly!" I am taken aback. Nobody talks to my sister like that. His words are like scars to me. Scars that burn through my brain and stay forever. I glare at him as he picks up a flail. Of course, he puts it back, looking for another weapon from the large pile that lays before him. He begins to ramble about Zac and Crystal, but I'm not listening. Oh, Kate...

I imagine Kate sitting in her wheelchair, willing me to go on. I must go on for her. I promised her, didn't I? I promised her I would be the victor. I promised her that I would see her again. And I don't intend to break my promise. 

But still, I also vowed to myself to keep Zac and Crystal alive. I told myself to do everything in my power to bring them home. Zac did everything he could, also. He started a rebellion, played his interviews right, even getting himself a 12 and her a 1 was genious. But, what if all that's for nothing?

My mind rambles on and on, thinking crazy thoughts, until my attention turns back to Crash. I stare at him, trying to burn a hole in his head. Oh, I hate him, I hate him, I hate him! He has a spear in his hand, aiming it our general direction.

"Now, who would like to die first?" 

Nobody says a word, and I'm glad. Maybe they'll kill the Lovebirds first, and Zac, Crystal, and I could escape. Maybe.

"Nobody?" asks Crash, looking at us with that stupid, pathetic face of his. Without warning, the pain comes back to my body, and I wince in pain. I grit my teeth and clutch it as hard as I can, but it doesn't help. I'm alread in a pool of blood. This cut is very severe, but if I can escape, I can survive with it. I have to. I see the orchards just behind me. Everybody's attention is towards Crash. Maybe I can escape. Maybe. 

"Let's start with Mr. Brennon!" snickers Atlas, shoving him forward. My eyes flutter open, and I watch as Zac stumbles forward. No, no, no, no, no, NO!

"Ah, why not?" mutters Crash, teasing with us. He paces around Zac, while Zac stands utterly still. Come on Zac! We've all seen how strong he is. He picked up that chair at the reaping, beat the guard at the reaping, even broke doorknobs in order to break into rooms! Why is he so still?

Then I see it. Right there at Zac's feet. Or where his feet should be. Right where Atlas pushed him was a large pile of quicksand. He's down to his knees, and he seems paralyzed. Paralyzed. Paralyzed. A familiar word. The thought of Kate triggers my adrenaline, and I go into a frantic rush. Crash has already backed away from Zac, aiming the spear at his heart. NO!