The 55th Hunger Games

Chapter 12

        We all stand in a circle. I can't see the tributes directly across from me because the enormous golden Cornucopia blocks my view. My attention doesn't immediately stray to the prises around the Cornucopia, but to the landscape.

        Rocks. Lots and lots of rocks. They pile on top of each other to form a bowl surrounding us. Perhaps there is more beyond these mountainous walls, but I can't see it. The air is chilly and fresh. The sun shines down on me, warming my back. I take in a few deep breaths, trying to calm myself before the gong rings at the end of sixty seconds. A step off the metal plate before the gong means obliteration by minefield.

        I try to concentrate my attention on the pile of supplies. Seamus said he wanted me to get something, but maybe he's now shaking his head at me from the control room. If I run in, I might not escape before the Careers reach the weapons and start picking tributes off the rocky walls. Still, maybe I should take the chance. Speed and agility are supposed to be my special skills.

        Inside the Cornucopia are the weapons, tents and large supplies of food. It would be suicide to try and make it all the way in. I begin to quickly scan the items of lesser value making a wide ring around the Cornucopia. My eyes rove over the items close to me: a small container of food, a water bottle, gloves, a sleeping bag, and finally lock on a green backpack.

        The bag is a fair way in, further than the other items, which leads me to suspect it holds more things inside of it. Besides, a bag will make carrying any food I gather far easier. I quickly weigh up its value against the time it will cost me to get it and out. I decide it is worth the risk. The Careers will probably be busy with other tributes... I hope.

        I get ready to run. When the gong sounds, I launch myself off my plate and pelt towards the green bag. To my horror, most of the tributes seem to have decided better than to risk their lives running into the Cornucopia. They are running away, already beginning to climb the rocky walls, getting as far away from the Careers as they can.

        I lunge forward and reach the bag. No one fights me for it. I sling it up over my shoulders. Maybe it will help protect my back when I run. I turn away from the Cornucopia towards the rocks. But as soon as I turn, I crash right into the boy from District 6. I fall onto my side, my head swimming. I scramble, disorientated, to my feet and run.

        I hear a grunt of effort from behind. A spear whizzes past me, and impales itself into the boy from District 3. He falls, writhing to the ground. There is nothing I can do for him if I value my own life. The Careers have already reached the Cornucopia and I need to get out of here. 

        I hear screams echoing around the bowl as more weapons find their marks. Any second now, those screams could be mine. My breathing is harsh and filled with uncontrollable sobs as I reach the rocks. I begin launching myself up them as quickly as I can.

        Above me I see a few tributes pulling themselves out of the bowl, escaping into the world beyond.  Meanwhile I am still only at the base, inching up to the middle of the wall. Then I make the mistake of looking down.

        The District 4 female is armed with a barbed net, preparing to throw it at two tributes clambering up the wall. The two tributes are the pair from District 9. They are nearly at the top now and don't see their danger. I know the net will ensnare them before they reach it.

        Without thinking about it twice, I pick up a fist-sized rock and throw it with all my strength at the District 4 girl's arm.

        It hits her shoulder. She recoils in shock, though it can't have hit her very hard. She turns away from the District 9 pair and looks right at me. I feel a shiver of fear run down my spine when I see her rage. The District 9 pair have by now disappeared. I clamber up the rocks as fast as I can.