The Last Hunger Games

Chapter 25 - Relay Race

"Great! Looks like I'm leading then," I say, ignoring Jack's muttering complaints. I wink at Violet, and she smirks. I guess it's not often that Jack doesn't get things his way. Well, for the duration of our alliance, I'll make sure to show him who's boss around here. For now though, it's time for food. 

"Wait here, and Jack, hold this," I say, handing him two spears.

"I'm coming with you," he says determinedly. 

"Oh no you're not," I tell him. "I can handle this alone. I'm not that weak." And with that I run to the Feast table, grabbing a loaf of bread and a few small packets of crackers, then I run back to the others. I nudge Jack in the direction of the table. 

"Oh, so this some kind of relay race now? Who's next?" he says sarcastically. I restrain myself from slapping him and point to a running tribute. 

"Them," I answer, and grab his spears off him before he can throw them. As much as I want to win these Games, I won't let him kill everyone in sight. Neither will I let these children starve to death in this place; there was too much of that in the Districts. I remember seeing small clips of the District 12 children in the Capitol propaganda, their cheekbones sharp and hollow faces, empty eyes with no hope left in them. I tried to persuade Grandfather to send them more food, but apparently the President isn't allowed to send more food to some Districts than others. Yeah, right. Anyone can see that Districts 1, 2, and 4 are all sent many more supplies than the others. They are usually the Victors. In these Games, there are no 'Career' Districts, or anyone that's been trained more than the others; pure strength and skill are what we are relying on. And the mental ability to cope with the tension in this Arena. 

"What now? You know, I'm really starting to reconsider this alliance, Avita," he says, and although I completely agree, I don't say anything in return, and we just stand and watch the lone tribute run off. 

Once the tribute has disappeared into the ruined city, I almost chuckle. Jack was right about one thing: it's some kind of relay race now. Almost immediately after one tribute runs back, another comes to the table, and gathers as much food as they can carry before running back to their 'spot' around the Cornucopia circle. The only thing stopping my laughter is a memory of a relay race back in school.

Every year at the Academy, we are put into teams and made to do a Capitol Sports Day, wherein every child at my school must take part, no matter how bad you are at sports. We are only taught two sports in the Capitol: football, and some ancient game called lacrosse. Football is simple, you just kick the ball into the goal. Lacrosse is basically where you have a stick with a little net in the end of it, and you have to chuck the ball from net to net, eventually getting it into the goal. Obviously, I am horribly bad at both of these. And so obviously, I hate it when every year I am made to take part. Unfortunately for me, last year I was put on Jack's team. Now Jack is extremely good at sports, very strong, very muscular, very good at everything. It gets seriously annoying. Anyway, I was put on his team and he made fun of me the whole time. Whenever he was supposed to be giving us a 'pep talk', he was just teasing me about how bad I am at lacrosse. In the end, we lost. Probably because of me. Since then I've gotten a lot faster and better at running, but I'm still just as bad at the actual sports as I was before. I have very bad hand to eye coordination. 

Anyway, this 'relay race' continues for a good few minutes, and on our second turn to go and get food Jack insists on going, so I give in and let him go. He comes back with a plate of iced buns, and we all grab one straight away. The sweet taste of sugar in my deprived mouth is like an ice cold drink on a baking day. I'm not surprised in any way that we devour the lot in one minute flat. I'm probably going to regret that; I've seen lots of times in previous Games where tributes have eaten so much rich food at once after a bleak diet that they throw it all up right afterward, and by that time there's none left. Licking our fingers, we stand back and watch as the 'relay race' continues.

But now they're coming two at a time, then three at a time, until every tribute except one - I think Steph is missing - are around the table, gorging themselves on delicacies from home. I hadn't realised how much I'd missed proper food; crackers, and stale bread with some dried fruit is what I've been living off, and it's not been enough. Last night as I slept my stomach growled and ached for proper, not stale, food. 

Every face around this Feast table I recognise, and that's what scares me the most. 

(A/N: This one's slightly shorter, but there's going to be plenty of action in the next one! I'm looking forward to your reactions XD. Feel free to comment, I don't mind at all! Blow 'em up lol. Hugs from me and a special hug to all my silent readers, you mean just as much to me as those who comment! Byeeee)