Contest: Hunger Games Competition #2

Host: CraZCanuck

"Just don't get killed, okay?" Morgan criticizes as he watches me step into the circular glass prison that will take me to my death. I frown and tilt my head slightly to the side.

"You care? I was given the impression that you're here because it's your job." Morgan raises a curious, yet mocking, eyebrow. I put one hand on my waist and pinch my lips together. "Well you never smile." I comment, Morgan shoves his hands into his pockets and lifts his chin up slightly, the weakest of smiles just briefly touching his lips like a twinkling star in the night sky.

"Hardly a life to smile about, preparing young people to march to their death." He comments, a tone of dry humor leaking into his voice. "I try to remain detached so that when they die, I don't feel so guilty about helping them walk to their demise. I don't care, parse," He pauses and takes a deep breath. "I'm just saying. I hear dying hurts."

"It does." Comes my quiet response, Morgan nods and watches silently as the glass barrier comes down around me and the platform begins to rise. I take a deep steadying breath and close my eyes, refusing to allow Morgan's indifferent gaze to unnerve me. My eyes are still closed when the metallic doors spring open above me, officially branding me as a tribute in the hunger games.

The first thing I notice about the arena is the frigid chill, it touches my face like a gentle carcass but quickly spreads down the length of my body as the platform comes to a halt on the surface. A soft breeze whips at the wispy curly-cues that have jarred free from my ponytail, a light sprinkle of white flurries draw frosty patterns along my face and neck. I suck in a tight breath, feeling the icy air slither down my throat like a viper moving in for the kill.

I was going to freeze to death.

My eyes fly open, the sad realization slamming into me and nearly knocking me off my pretty pedestal. Around me, the twenty-three tributes were in the midst of making their arrivals into the cold nightmarish wonderland. I huff a surprised breath of icy air as a strange, yet fitting, name invades my thoughts.

We, the tributes, were like a ring of deadly angels. All pure in our own way yet also tainted by the horrors forced on us by those who claimed to be our protectors. Each one us had our own story to tell and one way or another, we are going to demand it be told. These games were our last chance to show people who we were before the Capitol chose us to destroy each other. One by one, a beautiful melody would come it its end in this arena. Until only one stood triumphant.

In the center of the ring sat a gleaming silver safe haven, or, for some, a resting place. The Cornucopia reflected the light of the sun, throwing it back in all our faces as if it were mocking us for our stupidity that we would come out of this alive. We wouldn't, not all of us.

The final tribute's pedestal comes to a halt on the snowy surface and a loud, invasive voice begins the countdown from ten. Suddenly, all of my fears about the games come rushing in with full force.

It was all I could do not to fall to my knees in a teary mess like my sister had done just before she'd been murdered. With a grand amount of difficulty, I force myself to focus on my surroundings instead of my own personal demons. I needed a plan, and the seconds were ticking away.

In every direction all I could see was snow, there was snow on the ground and in the air. It was a beautiful blanket of protection to those who knew how to survive in it or a carefully disguised killer lurking in the shadows of its victims. The inadequate black and silver outfit they fitted us all into did little to keep the chill away. My fingers were already going numb, my nose was already tingling, and my confidence was getting smaller and flimsier the longer I stood here.

"No, no, I'm not going to die. I'm strong and determined, that's all I need. Focus." I murmur quietly, trying to futilely rebuild my fragile confidence. I clench my fists as the voice reaches its final few numbers. I couldn't afford to let myself fall apart now. A canon booms through the arena and everyone takes off while I find myself paralyzed, standing in place like the complete idiot that I am.

"Move!" I snap at myself, lunging forward on unsteady, chilled legs. The second my feet sink into the sun melted snow they're instantly cold. Icy tendrils dance along my calves, tickling my nerves mercilessly. I gasp with the wintry cold, feeling it travel up through my spine and into every inch of my body. I'm suddenly shaking uncontrollably, unable to get a grip.

It takes me a little bit to reach the Cornucopia and by then the killing has begun. I step over the dead body of one of the tributes, feeling my stomach roll at the crimson speckled snow. All around me tributes are engaged in fights that could very well end any of their lives. But no one notices me.

I catch my breath, anxiously glancing around at the supplies scattered about the Cornucopia. I needed warmth and a weapon, or I was a dead girl for sure. A hand touches my arm, I jerk, ready to attack whomever it is. But the person stops me, grasping the hand that was about to make contact with their stomach.

"Nyxi, it's Lacey!" The girl snaps, I look into less than thrilled blue eyes, relaxing just a bit. Lacey rolls her eyes and shoves a backpack into my arms and a belt with seven silver knife hilts glimmering in the sun. "Come on! Ariel's waiting!" She growls, grasping my arm as if to pull me along after her.

That's when it really sets in. I was a tribute in the hunger games. My life depended on killing others. For the first time since I'd stepped off that train, I felt completely fine. Not scared or cheated or alone, I was finally starting to accept that this was my life now. And I wanted to keep it. Death be damned, I wasn't giving up that easily.

I pull my wrist from her grasp and put the backpack on, noticing she also has one and a set of knives. I was willing to bet that Ariel had one too, wherever she was. Lacey glances back long enough to watch me situate the new weapons around my waist before beckoning me on. The two of us dodge various encounters, circling the long way around injured or dead tributes just to stay out of harm's way.

My eye catches the glint of a thin, curved blade resting near the center of the mess of the Cornucopia. It was a carving knife, designed to be used when hunting animals. We would need that if we wanted to eat at some point or another, I was willing to bet that the wild animal rate in this arena would be high.

"Hold on!" I yell as Lacey pushes on, she falters and turns back, a wild look in her eyes.

"What? No! It's craziness out there! You'll die!" She hollers after me as I dash into the center of the Cornucopia, risking everything just for that stupid knife.

The second my fingers wrap around the wooden handle a shooting pain erupts through my left calf. Flames of red ignite behind my eyes before white hot pain floods in, paralyzing every inch of my leg. I cry out, collapsing to the ground and digging my nails into my palms in an attempt to keep the black dots at bay.

"Nyxi!" Lacey screams, "Get up!" She growls, her voice picking up a tint of frustration and annoyance. I breathe in deep heavy gasps of air, digging my teeth painfully into my lower lip until I taste blood. With one powerful push, I shove myself to my feet, another yelp of blistering pain slipping off my lips.

Lacey's face suddenly invades my blurry vision, she glances down and then at my face. "You have an arrow in your leg." She deadpans, her voice almost as cold as the snow. She was clearly not happy. I force a wry scowl, my peripheral picking up something behind her.

It was a young girl with brilliant red hair with her bow raised, loaded, and poised to shoot. I tighten my jaw, shoving Lacey out of the way and reaching down to feel the wound in the back of my leg. Shaking fingers wrap around the arrow, gripping it tightly. All the while, I never break eye contact with the red headed sharp shooter.

I knew what I was about to do next was going to hurt, I just didn't know it would send me to my hands and knees. The arrow comes free from my muscle easily enough, but the blood curling scream that leaves my lips is enough to convince me that I was going to pass out again.

A rainbow of colors glitter behind my eyelids, tempting me to them with words of bliss and comfort. I shake my head, dislodging the thoughts and using the agonizing feeling in my leg to pull me back into reality. I wouldn't pass out, not here and not now, not with my life to lose.

My entire body is shaking as I slowly crawl to my feet, favoring my left leg. I grip the bloodied arrow in my fingers, throwing it down on the ground in a fit of fury. My fingers wrap around the hilt of one of my knives in the same moment that Lacey places her hand on my shoulder.

"Stop, we need to go. You're losing blood." I shake her off, too angry to focus on anything else but the girl with fire hair watching me from afar, her weapon pointed at my chest.

"Then go, meet Ariel and stay hidden. I'll find you." I meet her gaze evenly, Lacey's eyes flash with something resembling fear but I can't be sure. She nods, drops her gaze, and dashes off.

I grip the knife tightly, dropping it to my side and taking one step with my injured leg. To my complete surprise it barely hurts, the beautiful effects of an adrenaline rush. I know it will wear off eventually, but for the moment I ignore that fact. My sights set solely on the girl before me.

Within seconds I'm standing but ten feet away from her, the arrow aimed directly at my heart. I tilt my head to the side, eyes blazing. "Well, shoot." I challenge, she clenches her jaw and tightens her hold on the arrow, readjusting the bow.

"What?" She asks, her eyes clouded by confusion. Clearly that wasn't what she was expecting.

"Shoot, you stand there with a clear talent for archery and an obviously trained eye. So why don't you shoot me? It'd be easy, your first kill." She tilts her chin up, a fire igniting in her eyes.

"Maybe I will." She growls, pulling the string back just a bit more. I smile and twirl the knife between my fingers.

"Well, good, you should know though that my name is Nyxi St. Raven and I promise you, if you kill me now and survive the games then I will make your life a living hell. Even from beyond the grave." She falters, gulping down a mouthful of air. Uncertainty flashes in her eyes and that one morsel of doubt is all I need.

I pull my arm back, relinquishing my knife to the forces of the air and ducking down a moment later when her arrow rips free of the bow. It soars over my head, striking another tribute. But her gut wrenching squeal is what really pulls my attention. A satisfied grin spreads across my face at the sight of the silver hilt glowing from her right shoulder.

She bends over, gripping the hilt of the knife and ripping it from her arm with a strangled yelp. The girl throws it at my feet, her blood peppering the ground. And this time the sight of it doesn't make me sick.

Furious glistening green eyes glance up at me, her face having transformed into something monstrous. I smile humorlessly and pluck my knife from the snow, using the white fluff to clean the blade before putting it back in the belt.

"Try and shoot me now, let me know how much it hurts next time we meet." I smile a little wider, giving off the illusion of sweetness. "I'll even let them be your last words." I promise her, my voice coming out dark, something I've never heard from myself before. "Now run, fast. And hope I never catch you."

I turn away from her, stopping short at the sight of yet another girl. This one though, was different. She had scars covering her exposed flesh and a mysteriously observant look in her eyes. She was smart, I could tell just by looking at her.

"Who are you?" I question gruffly, my hand conveniently resting on the hilt of my weapon. She raises one eyebrow and tips her chin down a bit.

"What would possess me to tell you that? You're clearly unhinged." She jerks her head of brown hair in the ginger's direction. I quickly glance over my shoulder, watching her scuttle away fearfully, clutching her shoulder tightly. I shrug and look back, meeting this girl's amber eyes with the same level of indifference that she's giving me.

"Maybe, but if that's what it takes then I'm okay with that." I comment, ignoring that small voice of reason in the back of my head. I've done nothing wrong, just simply defending myself. I had no reason to feel guilty and nothing to explain to this girl. At least that's what I tell myself.

"Losing your humanity is okay?" I frown, her words hitting me harder than either one of us expected. Who was this girl to question my humanity? I was doing just fine without her, I didn't need this right now. I had to find Ariel and Lacey. And stop myself from bleeding out.

"Who said you get to be the voice of reason? It's survival. Now, if you excuse me, I need to go survive."

"What? No knife in the neck for me?" She bites back, advancing at step. I shrug and remove my fingers from the blade.

"Consider it a show of my humanity." I walk around her for a few steps before turning back. "But come after me and you'll find that I've had a change of heart, and not in your favor." The girl narrows her eyes and runs off. I watch her go, a sense of accomplishment spreading through me.

Now I needed to find my allies. But the adrenaline was wearing off and my leg was starting to pulse. I grit my teeth and pull the pink ribbon from my hair, winding it around my leg just above the injury in an attempt to stop the blood loss.

I force in a breath of cold air and break out into a steady jog, painstakingly ignoring the way my leg screams in protests. My eyes scan the clustering of tributes still lurking around in search of my allies. They couldn't have gone far. I start in the direction that Lacey had been leading us in in an attempt to figure out exactly where they went.

But it proves to be harder than I thought. I curse under my breath, mentally beating myself up for not thinking to ask where they'd be. Now I'm injured and separated from my allies. Great.

I'm almost back to the spot where Lacey and I parted ways when I'm tackled to the ground. My left side slams into the bitter cold snow, softening my landing but sending shocks of gelid chill down my side. The only real blow to me is from the body that lands on top of me.

"What the-" My attacker smacks their hand down over my mouth, pulling one of the knives from my belt and pressing it against my neck. They reposition themselves so that they're straddling my waist with their knees pressing my arms into the snow. Shivers wrack my body, but once again that trusty adrenaline kicks in, warming me from the inside out.

A bloodied, contorted face fills my vision, eyes burning with undeterred anger. He smiles slyly and removes his hand from my mouth. "Hello little Raven." I gulp, recognizing that voice instantly. In that moment I understood what it was like to look into someone's eyes and see nothing but darkness. He was truly unhinged, insanity had latched onto his mind like a leech. And the terror I felt surpassed even the unbearable cold threatening to send my body into hypothermic shock.

"Not to be sarcastic or anything, but I'm pretty sure that my parents named me Nyxi. But thanks for your input." I retort light heartedly, my voice quivering with fear. Dimitri smiles humorlessly.

"Don't play games Nyxi, it's not cute." He grows harshly, spitting some blood in the snow beside my head. I cringe and close my eyes, feeling my heart skip a few beats. He was going to kill me.

"Dimitri, let me go." I demand shakily, trying fruitlessly to wiggle myself free from beneath him. My neck prickles with little tendrils of pain from the knife Dimitri has poised at my throat. He laughs harshly and presses the blade a little harder against my flesh. I feel something wet and sticky slide down my neck and into the snow. I cold tremor runs through my body, and it's not from the wet snow soaking through my clothing.

"I can't do that." He smirks, brushing his thumb along my cheek. "You're just too good. I need you dead if I'm going to win this." He smiles sympathetically, faking regret. I frown, stuttering for words.

"But-we're d-district partners! We're home." Dimitri scowls, rolling his eyes as he pushes his elbow into my stomach to keep me from squirming.

"No, you are not home. You are from home. And I intend to get back home. Which means you can't be in my way." Dimitri growls, eyes flashing.

"We could be allies!" I attempt, unwilling to admit that this is my end. Dimitri wrinkles his nose distastefully and smacks my cheek gently as if to say 'you silly girl'.

"Oh little Raven, I'm sorry but I just can't take that risk." He shrugs and raises the knife high above my chest. I close my eyes and bite my lip, praying that my end will be quick. One death is hard to handle, but dying twice is almost unbearable.

Except the inevitable pain of my own blade impaling my chest never comes. Instead, Dimitri's dead body falls on top of me, crushing my lungs and leaving me gasping. I choke, my eyes shooting open as I struggle to free myself from under my district partner.

I breathe out hard at the sight of the arrow protruding from the back of his chest, straight through his heart. My pounding heart jumps into my throat and I whip around in all directions, searching for my mysterious savior. But to no avail, whoever shot that arrow is good at staying out of sight.

I'm wracked with shivers, convulsing violently every few seconds. All I can manage to do is to sit in the frozen snow for a moment, processing what could've just happened.

Dimitri tried to kill me.

I almost died.

But someone saved me. Why?

I glance at the boy in the snow, his empty eyes staring right at me. The sight is nerve shattering, I quickly look away and get to my feet. Putting as much distance as I can between him and me.

It's different when someone I had no direct connection to dies before me as opposed to someone whom I knew. Someone from my home.

I do make sure to pry my knife from his cold, dead fingers before taking off in the direction I think Ariel and Lacey went. But, of course, I can't be sure.

I try fervently to displace the image of Dimitri's empty eyes from my mind as I dash into the snowy trees, shivering immensely. But the horrifying sight brings on one thought that resounds through my skull: from this point forward, it's kill or be killed. Dimitri's death only solidifies that.