Writer Games | Death Wish & 51

Task Four: Agony

Agony!
Misery!
Woe!
Though it's different for each
Always ten feet behind
Always ten feet below

The tribute rises from  their slumber, shaken by the sound of the anthem in the sky, a sound to  which they don't think they will ever be accustomed. Regardless as to  their surroundings - sleeping allies or lack thereof, supplies slowly  emptying, had there been any there to start with - they turn their head  towards the sky, anxious to see who is no longer competition. Two  cannons have sounded during the day.

Ava Emerson [10] and Ariana Blake [6].

The tribute turns their  head away from the sky as soon as the second and last fades, turning  their attention to their pack. Perhaps they eat; perhaps they drink;  perhaps they simply look at it, unsure as to how they ought to proceed.  They want shelter, mostly, for the stormy clouds overhead make it clear  that if they don't find it, they will die.

Go to the castle.

The idea almost seems to  come from someone else, but really, who could get into their head like  that? Besides, it's as sensible a plan as any, so they follow it.  Footsteps guide them as they walk the other way down the path on which  the wolf tried to hunt them, and soon the castle comes into sight.  Minutes pass by, maybe hours - far longer than it should take to reach  the castle - and then it hits them: for every step they take, the castle  seems to be moving back, keeping that same distance.

And still in the horizon, the clouds come closer.

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THE TASK:

- This task is one  that's a bit more limiting, something for which I'm very much sorry -  the others will be less restricting, so worry not. You must decide,  motivated by the incoming storm, to leave your shelter and go to the  castle. Then you must realize that you're no longer moving towards it  and must find a way to fix it (there's no wrong answer; I want to see  your brilliant and creative minds at work). Please have your tribute  collapse after this. The reason why will become clear later.

- KILLS:  Please send me three ballot deaths. Seeded players may kill one person  in their entry, should they decide to do so. Seven will go up for votes,  with four dying.

- WORD LIMIT: 1,500 words.

- DUE DATE: Friday, June 26th at 10 PM BST.

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THE REMAINING TRIBUTES:

District One, Eoghan Monteligneau
District Two, Edgar Phasear
District Two, Epona Jericho [3]
District Three, Ada Huxley [2]
District Four, Marbella Doré
District Five, Nathaniel Morrison [8]
District Seven, Cas Bosco [9]
District Eight, Angora Baste
District Nine, Aster Wheatleigh [5]
District Nine, Rhea Martinez-Rye
District Ten, Wesley Redding
District Eleven, Vixen Faulkner
District Eleven, Chloe Hopkins
District Twelve, Collier Flint
District Twelve, Aya Brandley [4]
District Thirteen, Aesop Detona
District Thirteen, Macey Arson
Capitol, Kairos Quinn