Into the Flames [Watty Awards 2012]

Chapter 35

The sound of cannons filled my ears. I wasn’t counting, but I think there were at least six canons.

“Okay, we are all here. Tell me your kill counts,” Ethelreda sat on a box in the back of the cornucopia, looking down at us.

“None, but I injured two,” said Ruby. “Emerald helped.”

“Almost got one,” exclaimed River. Ethelreda’s eyes turned to me.

“None,” I tried to make my voice sound confident, but a little fear stuck out.

“Did you at least injure someone?”

“No, but I got us supplies.”

“Fine, but you need to start helping. I will bring you out tonight to help me while the others watch.”

I nodded, great, she was going to bring me out there and kill me! This was too early! “I’ll get some backpacks together.”

“We only need one, and you will carry it.”

“Okay, I will get it ready so at nightfall we can leave.”

“We will leave as soon as you finish packing.”

I nodded and grabbed a backpack. I stuffed in a few bags of food, some knives, bandages, and water. I was about to put in a blanket or sleeping bag, but I thought that might be too suspicious. I stood up and grabbed my spear, “I’m ready.”

“Good, let’s go,” She turned to leave, but turned and faced River, “You’re in charge.”

River nodded, and we left. I ran after Ethelreda toward the woods. I silently sighed in relief. We were headed towards the woods in the opposite direction. I could see smoke rising from the grass. Ethelreda was headed right for it. As we neared the smoke, I could see the fire burning with five people sitting around the fire. Ethelreda slowed down, putting her finger over her lips. We stalked to alliance, growing closer every step. I handed Ethelreda a pair of knives. “I’ll get them from the other side,” I mouthed. She nodded and I crept through the grass. Once I stopped, I saw Ethelreda throw a knife, hitting one of the tributes. The others leaped up, running for the woods. I ran after one of them that seemed to be weaker. I caught up to her easily.

“Please don’t kill me,” she huffed, trying to go faster, but not succeeding.

I shook my head, “I won’t.”

She gave me an odd look and stopped, “You won’t?”

“No, just keep running it needs to look like I’m chasing you.”

She nodded and started running again. We ran far into the trees before I waved and turned to the right, leaping through the foliage with only one destination in mind.