The 23 Cannons Trilogy

Restoration

Emerald Glitters, 18, District 1 Tribute

I munch slowly on the apple, savouring the sweet flavour of the moist red fruit. I finish the apple, and throw it to the floor, taking a sip of my water as I stalk the rich and fertile section of the tropical forest. Yesterday was good; we managed to take out ten tributes within the first twenty minutes; three tributes shy of the record. Oh well, even if I don't get out of here in record time, I'll still give the Capitol a show they won't soon forget.

I raise my spear as a rustling noise sounds out from one of the denser parts of the trees. Perfect, another tribute. It may not be the first kill of the day, but I'll make sure that I don't die soon after, unlike a certain overly confident fool from District 11. I mean, he managed to completely slice the girl from 7's head off, but managed to be killed by toxic mushrooms. But it doesn't matter; we only accepted him after Annemarie's unfortunate early end. The sponsors must have had an aneurysm watching the attractive, lovestruck beach babe from 4 get blown up in a matter of seconds. I let out a laugh as I imagine one of the oddly coloured Capitol citizens having a temper tantrum.

"Hi!" I whip around as a figure emerges from the greenery. It's a small boy, with sweeping brown hair and bright green eyes. "You're a Career, right?"

"Yeah," I reply, pointing my spear at him, "And what's it to you?"

"Oh, well, you're like a club, right? And back home, I was in all the clubs! The morphing medicine, bus builders, even the rock painters!"

"Nice story, kid, but what exactly do you want from me besides a trip to the afterlife?" I'm growing impatient now, and my hands are twitching in anticipation of killing this boy.

"Oh, that's right! I want to join the Career club! I've seen them every year on television, and they are so cool! The way they kick butt, and all those presents they get every day; I want to join the fun!" How amusing. This kid thinks that he has any chance of getting in with us. How delusional. After all, he only got a four in training, for crying out loud. 

"Tell you what, kid." I flash him a dark grin, "If you can defeat me in a fight, you can join us." His eyes widen, and he breaks into a massive smile.

"I knew you'd let me in!" He pulls out a small slingshot, and loads it with a stone. "Let's go!"

I rush at him with my spear, and gash his arm. His smile fades, and a scream flies out of his mouth. I stab again, this time getting his other arm, and he turns and runs.

"Don't kill me!"

I dart into the bushes, following my prey like the true predator I have to be to win. The kid leaps over the leaves and insects with surprising agility, but I'm faster. I pull a knife from my belt, and throw it at him. It clips his shoulder, and he screams. Suddenly, he darts left, and throws a branch in my face. I hear a thud, and when I remove the plant, he's gone. Brilliant. Not only did I fail to take him down, but I lost a knife as well. At least the others weren't around to see my failure.

"Hey, Emerald!" The sudden sound of Ebony's voice catches me off guard. I turn to find my dark haired district partner cutting through the forest with his sword, sweat glistening off his face.

"What is it, Ebony?" I ask, glancing around. No sign of the kid, and it appears Ebony didn't see my failure. "Well?" Ebony's face suddenly darkens, and his charming charismatic expression vanishes, his face paling.

"Mutts." His voice is barely a whisper, but less than a second later, the bushes explode with life.

Pigs. That's what now surrounds us. Countless pink fleshy creatures, each eyeing us up. But what sets them apart from other swines is on their faces. They have long tusks, made of solid diamond. Beautiful to look at, but deadly. Highly deadly. I raise my spear, and Ebony draws his sword, and we dart towards the intruders. The pigs instantly rush at us, letting out an unearthly squeal as our weapons drive into their stomachs. I thrust my spear into one of them, impaling the creature, whilst Ebony neatly decapitates one, the pink head rolling to the floor, staining the shining weapon a deep crimson, the fluid dripping onto the grass. I hit the floor as one leaps at me, the Mutt missing me entirely, and slamming into Ebony. He flies into a tree, and collapses to the floor, unconscious.