I looked down at what Varina had put me in. Tight, spandex like shorts that were easy to move in. A t-shirt that wouldn't show sweat (God knows the world doesn't want to see that). Tough boots that were meant for active wear.
"Looks like a hot climate," Varina commented. "Sturdy gear, like you'll be climbing, maybe."
I can do climbing. We were almost to the launch room, but I wanted the wait to take longer. Just like when I left Two, leaving this elevator would lead to a different world. It wouldn't be Varina or Angeline or Sariel anymore. It would be killers and prey, the other twenty three tributes. Surrounded by crude versions of Kane.
"You'll be fine," Varina said. I wanted to argue who was the last person to enter the arena and come out just fine? but I didn't.
"Thanks. I hope you're right." Except, hope was nothing. "You'll be watching, right?"
"Like a hawk," she smiled. It faded quickly. "Don't panic out there. Sariel told you everything you'll need. Now use it and get out of there."
Varina hadn't spoken this much to me the entire week, but I was grateful to have her. All too soon, the elevator stopped and the peacekeepers motioned us out of the elevator after I stayed a second too long.
"You have your token?" Varina asked. I reached for my neck and curled my fingers around the gold ring from my dad. Next to it was a silver ring with a two on it. They clinked together peacefully.
"I've got it," I said after a moment. "I'm good."
"'Course you are. Now the pedestal is going to raise up. After that, you're in the arena." For what could be the rest of my life.
I ignored my doubts, my turning stomach, the adrenaline rushing through me. I stepped onto the pedestal and watched as glass enclosed me in. Varina gave me one last smile, one that I couldn't return, before I was rising above her.
In the loneliness of the chamber, I knew this was it. This was the moment it all felt real. I didn't have any time to lose. This could be my last second of safety for a long time.
After a long ride which I could see almost nothing, I finally was hit my blinding sunlight, and then by the scent of pure water. I breathed it in but didn't smile. There was no time for that.
Take in your surroundings. Make a decision. I had less than one minute before it all began. I took everything in one direction at a time.
In my first look around, I knew I was surrounded by water. Lots and lots of water. It wasn't a far jump into it, really only a step. Underwater, fish swan around without a care in the world. I couldn't see where the water ended, so I ignored it for now. Directly in front of me was the cornucopia. It was packed with bags, weapons, food, stuff in general.
The Careers always take over the cornucopia. I reminded myself. I imagined Kane sitting there smugly, watching me try to swim away from him. I took on the next direction. Next to me are other tributes. They're looking around, too. Make a decision.
Somewhere distantly, a Gamemaker is counting away my seconds. I ignore it as I take a second look. This time, I see more pillars in the distance. They're all smaller than the Cornucopia, and farther away. Still, they seem to be the safest option.
So, I'll be swimming then. I knew how to swim. The Academy taught me that much. The trouble would be anyone coming after me while I was swimming. I knew plenty of competitors were better in the water than me.
I'll have to kill first. But the thought alarmed me. Sweat began to form on my brow. The Gamemaker was still counting. He had gotten down to ten. I took one final glance at the Cornucopia. There were bags right on the edges of it, I could grab one and swim away. Sure, the stuff would be crappy, but it's better than nothing, and better than facing the Careers.
"Four," a voice boomed. I snapped back to attention. "Three. Two. One." A cannon sounded, but I was already diving into the water. I swan forward first, thrashing in the artificial waves. My hand closed around the backpack before I even took a breath, and no one seemed to stop me. I took hold of it and stole a moment to catch me breath. As I turned to swim back, shining metal caught me eyes. Without thinking, I grabbed for the object, shoved it in my bag, and kicked off the island, sending myself towards the safer pillars. Cannons were already sounding. The bloodbath had begun.
Before I left, though, I saw someone in the corner of my eye. With a better look, I would've seen it was a girl maybe twenty feet away. She was struggling in the water, trying to get to the Cornucopia. With a better thought, I would've killed her right there.
But she was defenseless. And it was out of my way. Plus, she didn't need to die. Not right now. I sighed at my own weakness and left the Cornucopia.
I ducked underwater, swimming as fast as possible. I couldn't tell if I was alone or not. The girl certainly didn't follow me. If I wasn't alone, no one attacked me. I kept paddling until I made it to the nearest pillar. I caught my breath before hoisting myself up. I set down my backpack and assessed my new surroundings. Water dripped from my hair and dyed the stone a darker brown.
The pillar I sat on was big enough for maybe three people and had just enough space for hand to hand combat with two people. Not that that's what I wanted.
I can see a few other pillars close by and even more far away. There didn't seem to be a pattern to them at all. It was so unlike any previous Hunger Games. I wondered why we were so special.
The fish in the water kept their distance from me. I watched them, knowing they would be my first meal here if there was nothing in my pack to eat. I couldn't see anything else, except maybe the weeds on the pedestal, but they didn't look like much of a meal.
Our source of water was obvious. The ocean was all they gave us, and that was filled with toxins. Purification sounded painfully long, but I'd do it to stay alive.
After deciding there was nothing else in nature that could help me, I opened up my pack. Inside was a grappling hook, an empty canteen, a tent, a small roll of gauze and a blanket. I understood the first few items, all cheapie gifts for obvious purposes, but the grappling hook puzzled me. If nothing else, I could use the string for something, or maybe fish with it? Maybe there was a mountain range or something farther out. In the side pocket, I discovered what the metal piece I found was: a pack of knives bundled together.
The first knife was the size of my hand, meant for precise cuts. Each one after that got a bit bigger, and the last one was big enough to be considered a sword. At least I had some protection now.
I checked my bag again, making sure I saw absolutely everything. This time I came up with an air tight bag of dried fruit and a tiny flashlight. After the double check, I realized a scary thought: I got absolutely nothing to start a fire with. Maybe some of the others got matches, but there wasn't even anything flammable here. As thirst crept at the back of my throat, I wondered how I would purify any water.
To get my mind of it, I thought about what Sariel would've said right now. You aren't going to meet any allies on this island. Also No kills yet? I expected more from you. Swim back there and knock some Career heads together!
No, he wouldn't say that. But the allies, that he would say. All the while, cannons are going off. The bloodbath must've been slowing down by now, but there were certainly a lot dead. All I needed was to make it through the first night. Also, to not starve. And make some allies.
I decided the best idea was to leave my island after dark. I did better in the dark, even underwater. The sun would set in a few hours. In the mean time, I could fish.
I had never seen an ocean before today. Two only had a few pools at the Academy, but we learned about the sea when they taught us about other districts. I never had any want to see the ocean, though. Sitting with my feet in it now, I thought this would be a decent place to die.
Maybe they could send my body to sea before the Gamemakers took it away.
I was so lost in thought I hardly noticed when a fish came up and swan around my feet. The little guy let his guard down. That's a big mistake.
I took my big knife and quickly speared the fish, killing him instantly and yanking his body out of the fresh water.
I put together a small pile of dead fish before I realized there was no way to cook my meal.
I grudgingly left my pile of smelly fish and opened my dried fruit.
Time passed slowly. I was going to go insane if I spent the rest of the night on that pillar. I didn't care if I had to swim there, I wanted to do something. Sponsors weren't going to like me if I wasn't exciting. And I wanted them to like me.
I was just fixing my hair (Varina managed to teach me how to braid) when I felt something odd. There was a breeze at my feet. I looked down only to see they were no longer in the water but a foot above it.
The water was sinking. The fish disappeared as it got lower and lower. I didn't know what this meant, but I filled my canteen just in case. The water continued to go down. I watched until there was nothing but hard concrete left.
This was beyond strange. We were now left with dunes and our pillars, and it was already dark. As I pondered what to do, pulling myself away from the three story drop, I began to smell smoke. It was the kind of smoke that came from real fuel, not just wood or paper. That meant it was no man made fire.
I looked around for traces of smoke. Instead, I found a small fire starting on one of the distant pillars. In an instant, another one started on a closer pillar. Then another. I was just beginning to see the pattern when I realize the fire was headed here next.
I fumbled through my bag and found the climbing gear tucked in the bottom. I secured my bag, then the belt of the gear, then the grappling hook and soon I was on my way down the pillar. The fires were still headed this way. I had to be as careful as possible. Climbing down a wet pillar with crappy gear and not dying was no easy task. I realized about halfway down that I could use this to boil the chemicals out of my water, but I figured it was too risky until I knew something about the fire.
I was just unlatching everything from the ground below when my pillar caught fire. It made me jump even though I was expecting it. Despite how far up it was, I could still feel the heat from it. I hadn't grabbed my fish, so they were toast now.
Being on the ground left me with two options. Stay here like a sitting duck under the dangerous flames, or go find other tributes who were no doubt down here too.
I carried my flashlight, now that I had some use for it, in one hand and left the other resting on my smaller knife that was tucked into my belt. I couldn't see too far ahead of me and nothing behind me. I could be in a dangerous position.
Just as I thought this, I saw the silhouette of a girl sitting beneath on of the fires. From what I could tell, she looked about my size. I figured I was in enough of a position to run if needed, or I could say hi.
"Hello?" I tried cautiously.
"Hi," the girl replied, standing up. I felt myself let out a breath. In all the time after the reaping, I hadn't had one nice conversation with a fellow tribute. This was somewhat of a relief.
"Are you by yourself?" I asked, fearing she had other, less friendly allies around.
Instead of answer, she took a step towards me. I instinctively took a step away from her, making her laugh.
"What did you think I was going to do? Stab you?" As if as a peace offering, she tossed her knife to the ground.
I forced myself to laugh. "You never know," I said. "After all, that is the point of these Games."
The girl only nodded. She looked awfully serious, as if she missed the joke altogether. I tried to remember her face from the interviews or training, but I was drawing a blank. I thought she was from one of the middle districts, but maybe not.
"You know, there's a group over to the west," she said to me. "You don't want to cross them. I've heard five screams already."
The Careers. It had to be. I was surprised they hadn't taken over the Cornucopia, but that could be on fire too.
"Thanks for the tip."
Without looking at me, the tribute sat down. I wasn't sure if that was my cue to leave or what, so instead I stayed where I was.
"I'm Noah, by the way. District Two." This girl didn't seem like the type to be impressed by district numbers, though.
"Midnight. I'm from Eight," she explained. She seemed to hesitate, then said, "Do you want to stay for dinner?"
I didn't want the girl's pity, but I just kept repeating to myself You need allies. Sariel would be happy to see me trying at least. My stomach grumbled at even the thought of dinner. All I had left was some dried fruit.
"Uh, okay sure," I agreed, fishing my fruit out. I sat next to Midnight and put the fruit between us.
Midnight reaches her hand in the bag, too, and it crashes into mine. This leads her to start laughing nonstop.
"Sorry." She's still giggling like a kid.
Midnight's laughter was contagious, and soon I was cracking up too.
"No, it was," I said in between breaths, "my fault." I finally managed to find the food. "Great minds think alike though," I said after I could breath again.
"That's right." Midnight laughed again, but then her gaze shifted from me to the night sky in an instant. "When I was in my district, I used to look at the sky and think the people in the Games were looking at the same sky," she said thoughtfully. "But now I realize that this isn't even real. This is a fake sky the people created. They could make the sky dark one minute and light the next.
"I used to think I knew how they felt. How it felt to be in a world they couldn't control. A world where they had to kill or be killed."
I sighed to myself. I wasn't usually the deep sort of person, most especially not with a complete stranger. It said something about Midnight that she opened up within minutes of meeting me.
I couldn't disagree what she was saying. No one could really get what it was like to be in here. Not even after you were reaped. It's only when you enter the arena that you understand it. I thought of Sariel for some reason, being in the Games so long ago. I thoughtlessly fingered my necklace as Midnight continued.
"Noah, do you...maybe....wanna be allies? Or whatever?"
I didn't really have to think about the question. I needed allies desperately, and I already liked Midnight. If she wanted to be my ally, I could agree to that.
"Yeah. That'd be great," I agreed. "And I get what you mean about the sky," I added after a moment. "I just wish I had one more chance to see the real one."
I didn't look at Midnight as she nodded. I was too caught up in the sky, which went from the Gamemaker's pretend stars to the Capitol logo.
This was the part where they showed us who died.
We'd have to deal with this every night. Sariel said the first would be the worst since so many would be dead. I doubted it would get easier, though. Thinking of all these people dead made me sick. All those bodies. It was strange to think I had seen these people yesterday, gorgeously dressed. Today, all people saw were their corpses.
The first face to appear made me want to vomit. Instead, I gasped. It was Kane. Under his name it said District Two, as if I could've forgotten.
All of a sudden my time with Kane came in flash backs. All his rude remarks, harsh assumptions. All the times he insisted he would be the one to win. All the times he ignored Sariel, ignored all of us. And he was dead because of it.
Next to me, my new ally stayed quiet. I tried not to think of Kane too much as I took a head count. As I counted who had died- a whopping thirteen total- I did my best to assess who was left. Me and Midnight, clearly. Plus the boy from her district, One, Five, the boy from Four and a few other girls. Not many at all.
Midnight made a small sound as they went through the dead. I watched her at a distance, almost afraid to say anything as the pictures showed up. She wasn't exactly crying, but she refused to glance my way. I suspected she knew someone up there, even if it wasn't her district partner. But if she did, why hadn't she protected them?
"Did you," I asked quietly, "have to kill anyone?" I hoped the question didn't come off as rude, but I knew there was no easy way to ask it.
"Yes and no. I didn't have to, but I did anyway," Midnight began. "There was this one girl. She...she was just trying to get away. I held her down...and stabbed her." The words came out small, and soon Midnight was crying into her knees.
I reached out and grabbed for Midnight's hand as she started to cry.
"Hey, calm down. That's what these games are about," I gently said. "They want us to kill. They're making us do it, and now they're watching the aftermath on their nice Capitol couches. You can't let them get to you," I tried, but even as I said them the words didn't sound like enough.
Of course they wanted us to kill. Kill everyone. No mercy. Unfortunately, saying it didn't make it any less real. I wondered to myself if Midnight would get more gifts for doing that. Instantly, I felt bad for it.
I looked at her again, hoping my only ally was okay.
"You don't understand," she told me like she couldn't even try to make me. "When I was little, I had these thoughts. Thoughts that told me to kill my family. I almost killed me father when I was five.
"I was born a killer and they're bringing it out. They've let out the monster, Noah. And when I go all monstery, I can't go back. I'm going to kill everyone."
I don't say anything for a long minute. I take the bottle of water from Midnight and chug a sip. "We'll keep this monster under control. I'll help you. A killer instinct might not be something to be proud of, but it could save you in here."
I stopped there. I knew if I kept going, I'd realize how much danger this would put me in eventually. I'm going to kill everyone, she said. Me included if I couldn't stop her. That would be the catch to our alliance it seemed. And yet I was agreeing to trust a girl I barely knew. One with emotional baggage much heavier than mine, and one who had an off putting amount of ambition. If I could ask Sariel about this, what would he say?
Better a friend than an enemy.
Midnight didn't say anything after that. She only yawned and lay down. "Good night, Noah," she said to me. "Please don't kill me in my sleep." In that moment, her monster seemed to have disappeared.
"I won't if you won't," I replied with a laugh. However, it sounded foreign and a bit forced after the previous conversation. I stretched out on the ground beside her, closing my eyes and trying to not think.
Thinking leads to worrying, and sooner or later worrying would get me killed.