Sharp Objects

chapter twenty four

I smile to myself when I reply my thoughts: the old sarcastic bitchy clove hasn't gone anywhere yet. And that's good: I haven't lost myself. I haven't been changed to the brutality and menace of the death fight in front of me.it hasn't altered me as a person.

That was a good thing,right?

"Well, I'm pretty sure it is reliable, seeing as the guy is from the electronic district." I reply, hoping that it wouldn't escalate into yet another argument between us. We've already had enough of those in this arena. One more could end the alliance,and I don't what that to happen because then where would Marvel and maverick go. And,more importantly, who would die first?

Luckily, cato doesn't try to begin the second shouting match of the day and,instead, stalks off to the other side of the pile, waving one of the other side around in his left hand as if he's about to throw it.

"Don't worry he'll be fine later." I say quickly,reassuring my allies, although I even doubt myself on that: yeah,he'll be fine later,but I think he's hoping that something will happen today. Some action,at least, after a day or two of no tributes in the sky.

I,too,hope this is true,I wont have a raging fit if it doesn't. I pretty sure cato will,though,so I direct Marvel and maverick back to the shelter,and away from cato, until either he's calmed down or there's something going on.

It turns out, however, that something good does happen.

At about midday, I am awoken from my cozy daydream by marvel's frantic shouting and the pounding boots across the soil. Immediately, I replace my knife to my jacket and slot the tray axe ( that I recieved from the extras on the first day), into my belt,and stand quickly to my feet, alert and ready to fight whatever is thrown at me.

I emerge from the shelter to find that Marvel's shouting comes accompanied by pointing. I follow the line of his finger,to find a line of smoke leading from the tree line a little way into the forest.

Oh,you stupid,little idiot, you're going to be dead soon.

Cato beckons me over to the gathering at the foot of the supplie pile,and i run quickly to meet them, pulling my over coat around my shoulders and making sure my knife jacket is secure. " nice little dead tribute in those woods somewhere,I think." I say, smiling with malice. Mavericks face becomes instantly alarmed,and I laugh for greater effort.

He seems almost horrified by my disregard for morals and guilt. I can't blame him: I would be too if I were a quiet,normal, district 3 citizen. But I'm not, I'm a career, and careers aren't exactly known for there utmost sympathy when it comes to tributes.

"You stay here and guard the supplies." Says cato, turning to maverick and shooting him an icy glare. Maverick can only nod, as he seems frozen I terror by out sudden lifted spirit.

I look up at my two allies,and we nod assent to each other,then set of running into the woods, straight towards the line of smoke seeping out through the forest canopy.

I rip two knives from my jacket,poised to throw as soon as the tribute comes to view,and carry on running, my feet pounding the forest floor. Once again,I am running away from death, I am going to be the cause of this imminent death.

It seems like we have been running for around ten minutes,and suddenly,it seems as if there's something wrong.very wrong.

When we reach the fire that we chucking smoke out into the sky, and find it empty, I curse loudly, throwing my knives to the floor. And I'm just about to look for another fire,hoping that the first was a signals or something, and a second might lead to the tribute in question,when it happens.