Culling

Part I • Chapter X

There was another strangled sound and a thump, and I opened my eyes. It seemed as though North had punched Greg and Greg was now on the floor. I couldn't focus though. I was still reeling from the knowledge that my new friends had taken the time to care about my whereabouts, and from the horror from Greg's touch on my body.

The noise had attracted the attention of the men in the bathroom, and they were now peering out of the door. 

The largest one, a brunette with an uninterested look on his face, looked back and forth between North and Greg. "What the fuck man? That's not cool. There's no fighting until the games start." 

They didn't appear to be too concerned about Greg.

North growled and made to move forward towards them, but Kota stopped him with a hand to his arm. Kota looked furious. 

The two of them moved in front of me, blocking me from view. "What is 'not cool' is that someone in your group was sexually assaulting a woman. That right there is violence against another tribute and grounds for investigation!"

"Although we shouldn't be surprised, they already like to toe that line between acceptable behavior and not." Victor added in, his voice pure venom. "First at the opening feast, then now with this."

"North's response was justified, I think." Kota ground out, finishing his speech.

The same brunette responded in a bored tone. "I don't know what you are talking about, we didn't see anything. Besides, she's walking around in a towel, and Greg says she is his girlfriend anyway. How do you know she was assaulted? You just met her."

"What the fuck does that mean?" North thundered.

I heard the sound of more quick footsteps - multiple ones this time - and the hallway suddenly seemed to be a lot more crowded. 

Victor picked me up as we were pulled back, and I could sense that the rest of the boys were standing around us. Apparently the noises had drawn the attention of the other group as well, and they had gathered on the other side near the bathroom.

A familiar chiding voice spoke first, breaking the silence that had descended. "Owen. Give me one good reason why I shouldn't report your man for intentionally injuring one of mine?"

I ignored the fact that apparently we were floor-mates with Chet and his friends, and focused on his words. North could get in trouble for hurting Greg? 

I knew fighting wasn't allowed but I did not know that there were serious repercussions. I didn't want North to get into trouble. 

Between Greg and myself, there were more witnesses to North's response to him than to what Greg had done to me. Even if they believed me, would they have considered it justified?

"You are treading on thin ice, Mr Adair." Mr Blackbourne responded, his tone like ice. "Do not test me right now, I have half a mind to report your man for instigation and assault. No one would dare argue that Mr Taylor's response was out of bounds, he was defending a fellow tribute. I don't even have all the details and I can tell that just by first glance. There's no way your man would get away with it."

"They don't give a shit about that. Do you really think they are going to launch an investigation into who started what?" Chet sneered back. "It'll be more worth their while to just get rid of them both, no one has time for politics during the Culling. The results are the same anyway. They die, either here or in the arena. It would be a pain in the ass, but I don't care if I lose one of mine. The question is, are you ok with losing one of yours?"

Is that what happened if someone got caught fighting - they were killed? 

How did I not know this? Although, that probably should have not been all that surprising.

"They'd be idiots to not do something about it, I am willing to take that risk! That fucker doesn't deserve to live!" North gritted out, he was standing next to Mr Blackbourne. Mr Blackbourne put his hand up to silence him.

"You seem awfully nonchalant about throwing away your people." Mr Blackbourne continued, as he looked at Chet with distaste. "However, do you really think you'd come out looking gold in this case. The public would surely question why a full investigation isn't launched for the sole female tribute, the games hadn't started yet. All of the media attention is currently centered on her."

"That's a big risk you are going to take, Owen." Chet sounded confident that he had won already.

Something was off.

"No." My voice shook but the weighted silence indicated that everyone was listening. "I... I just want to forget about it for now. I don't want North to get in trouble." 

I could feel Victor's arms tighten around me, but he didn't say anything. I was only looking at North.