31-Day Mcsm One Shot Challenge: February Edition

A Second Too Late

Jesse’s hands quivered, sweat beading down her neck. Her breaths were laboured and her heart pounded rapidly against her chest. Deep breaths, deep breaths. She reminded herself, trying to keep herself together. The hair stylists around her rapidly moved, tugging at her hair, and constantly bickering at the other.

Jesse was too timorous to notice though. One of the blonde haired ladies, fixed Jesse’s bad posture. The viridescent eyed lady adjusted her headset and quickly began fixing Jesse’s long brunette hair. Jesse took a deep shuddering breath, feeling completely overwhelmed. She gulped, the fact that she could be dead in a couple of hours haunted her and affected her conscious. She hoped she had caught the attention of a couple sponsors. Sponsors could mean your life or death in the arena.

Jesse’s felt her hair being tugged harshly again and a soft brush ran down her hair. Jesse didn’t say anything remembering what her mentor had told her. Let the stylists do their thing.

Jesse felt tempted, but she didn’t resist nevertheless. Jesse’s soft hands ran down her loose ebony outfit, it was very comfortable for fighting in.

“Keep still,” One of the spiffy redheaded stylists whispered to Jesse. The redhead adjusted Jesse slightly. Jesse couldn’t stop her hands from shaking and it was really starting to bug her. The people here, in the capitol were just gonna watch her die. For their entertainment. People were betting and living rich and getting food with just a press of a button while back home she was forced to hunt. Hunt to put food on her families table. Her little brother was chosen, to fight in the hunger games. A little twelve year old, a child. She had cried out and took his place instead.

Jesse bit her gum and the tugging on her hair come to a stop. A mirror was handed to Jesse and she hesitantly took it. Jesse gaped, she looked like a whole different person. It didn’t even look like her. The fantastic clothing designed by Olivia and the hair done by the ladies before her, just gave her a stunning look.

“What do ya think?” Maya asked, a soft twinkle in her bright azure eyes. “I….I….thank you!” Jesse exclaimed, umber eyes wide in surprise.

“You’ll definitely win more sponsors now,” An older man exclaimed, his thin green robes extravagant. “I’m sure you’ll get far,” He says, gently taking Jesse by the hand.

“I hope your ready and Hadrian would like to have a word with you before your let go.” Otto explained, slowly leading Jesse out into the hall. Jesse felt her face fall, Hadrian was the last person that she wanted to see. Otto glanced at Jesse and gently squeezed her shaking hand. “I promise what he has to say is actually helpful this time.”

Jesse glanced up at Otto and mumbled, “I hope your right.” Otto lead Jesse into a different room and sitting on a sofa was Hadrian himself. His legs were crossed and a stern look crossed his face. Jesse was surprised that he was actually sober this time. “Jesse listen, don’t go towards the cornucopia. Go towards water and distance yourself from the other tributes.” Even though Jesse didn’t like a word that was muttering out of his mouth, she faintly nod. “Good.”

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Countdown had begun. 60 seconds until Jesse and the other twenty-three tributes were released to fight until the death. Jesse’s eyes darted to the left, a glistening river was their and she thought about what her mentor had told her. Go towards water. Something caught her eye though, a bow. That was hers. It was meant to be hers.

The bow wasn’t too far, only a good 40 meters away. She was fast, faster than all the other girls in her district. She needed that bow. Despite the words her mentor gave her, Jesse got into a running position. Not towards the river, but towards the bow. In the corner of her eye she could see Lukas giving a nod of disapproval, but she couldn’t tell. The sun was shining right in her eyes and suddenly a horn was blown. Jesse was confused between going towards the bow and Lukas. Jesse mumbled something under her breath and in frustration darted towards the bow. She cursed Lukas for distracting her. Jesse grit her teeth, her legs pumping and arms swinging. Other tributes ran towards the center and Jesse’s focused gaze was locked dead on the bow.

The bow was what she needed to stay alive, but could she get to the bow and then book it back to the forest in time. There was other tributes, but who would hesitate to kill the girl who got an eleven in training. Jesse hands reached out for the bow and arrows snug in a tree and that’s when someone grabbed it first. If Jesse had been their a second earlier she might have been able to grab it, but she was just a second too late.

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Hmm....this was fun! This gave me a book idea, but I don't know a lot about the hunger games, but I'm in love with the book right now. One of my teachers reads it to us and pretty soon were gonna watch the movie. ;)

I don't have anything else to say, so guess I'll see you tommorow with the next prompt!