The Hunger Games: Bad Beginnings

Chapter 10: Cedar

A/N: That's Cedar⬆️ She's portrayed by Rayven Ferrell.

Day 9

Name: Cedar Dalian
District: 11
Initial Scoring: 9
Weapon Of Choice: N/A
Weakness: Inexperience
Judges' Comments: Cedar has a strong, athletic build and much knowledge in the field of agriculture. Her strength and ability to recognize edible plants will prove effective in the arena, however she has no experience with any weapons/fighting technique.

* * *

I rinse the tubers I found at the base of the tree in the stream. The water is so cold I can only keep my hands in for a few moments at a time, but it feels so good running over the blisters and cuts all over my fingers. After washing off the dirt, I sit under my little willow tree and watch the sunset above the open field. I've been at the very edge of the arena since day 4. They normally don't let tributes go this far away from the Cornucopia, so I know that someone else is out here. Either they haven't found me yet, or have been hiding. I sit and eat my dinner in the remaining light, and prepare myself for an eventful evening.

* * *

It's well into the night by now, and I just keep walking around the perimeter of the arena, daring any tribute to come into my path. Living in District 11, I'm accustomed to running on less than 3 hours of sleep. The peacekeepers used to have the kids work from sunrise to sunset, and they had the adults going for even longer. One time, a new peacekeeper tried to make me stay with the adults. His buddy had to explain that I was only 16.

"She's part of that freak family," he had told him. "Her sister's like 6 foot, and the brother's got arms the size of hams."

I'm built differently than everyone else, but that's what makes me strong.

As I walk my usual path along the edges of the arena, a thought comes to me. "It's only me, 12, and the careers left. Unless I want to face fire or beasts, I need to get away from the edge."

I know they won't let me stay away from the action forever, and it would be smarter for me to beat them to the punch and get moving closer to the center.

* * *

Day 10

As I walk around the arena, the scenery changes from open fields to thick forests. The sweet chirps of mockingjays become bitter screeches of cicadas. I stop to take a drink from a nearby pond. It's so beautiful and mesmerizing, with its gorgeous waterfall just across the way. As I dip my hands into the water, an arrow whizzes by my ear and hits the rock next to me. Without missing a beat, I book it through the forest, zigging and zagging wherever I can. The arrows keep coming though, and by now I realize it's another tribute.

"This bitch hasn't even met me, and already she's trying to kill me."

That's the way of the games though, and if there's one thing I know, I can outrun anyone. I've almost lost my attacker, and turn to check, seeing no one. When I look back, a black haired girl jumps out from behind a tree. I can't stop myself and we're too close for me to dodge her, so I do the next best thing. I continue to charge and slam into her. We go rolling down the rocky side of a hill, both on top of one another as we go down.

We finally stop and I can barely get to my feet. The whole world is foggy and spinning. I look at the girl and see it's the same for her. By now, the girl with the bow is sprinting down the hill towards us.

"Olive! What is wrong with you?!" yells the blonde girl, coming down the hill.

Without thinking, I grab the dark haired girl by the throat and block as much of my body as I can with her.