As we get set up and start being lifted into the arena I take those few moments to close my eyes and center myself. The stylus said we may either be in a desert or tropical place.
I remember my time back in Iraq and Afghanistan. The desert and the heat. I hope it's tropical and not desert. But life like always ends up kicking me in the nuts. It was a desert plain.
"Well fuck." I murmured to myself. Looking around and trying to spot the girl. The area looked to be a sandy area with little to no rock formations.
The gong sounded everyone ran to the center I jogged grabbed a bag put it on and ran to the girl I pointed my finger out to tell her to run away.
As I was jogging in that direction because of the rock formations, someone ran straight at me with a bunch of knives. 'Perfect.' I thought to myself as he came barreling towards me I pretended not to notice as I quickly prepared myself to dodge a tackle because I wasn't sure if he was going to stab me with that speed.
And my guess was right he tried to take me but since I wasn't tall enough for him to do it right he ended up using more force and ducking a bit lower than he had planed. So I was able to quickly duck under neath quickly picking him over my shoulder using his momentum and flipped him over me as I was getting ready to stomp on his face as soon as he landed I noticed a girl use a bow and arrow and had taken aim at me. But didn't bother with her because they're equipment was off by a little as she loosed an arrow it lodged into my bag as my foot came down on the guys face. I turned around grabbed the arrow put it into the guys chest as I lifted his body and used him as a shield. This was the right call because
Thunk
I heard two arrows hit the guy. One on his head where mine was protected by his. And the other on his left thigh where I would have been screwed.
As I was running away dangling my meat shield I heard the cannon blasts go off six times. As this was happening I took all the blades hid them on my body took his gear and clothes. Left him in the sun nearly naked.
I found the girl at the rocks she had hid just as planned. Told her not to come out to stay rest clear her head as I was going through everything the dead guy had generously provided me with.
As the day went to night we were conserving our energy. Trying not to get dehydrated during the day. I made a few traps with the clothes and thread I had harvested from the dead guy. I told her she could come out now.
We had to do recon back at the Weapons cache. She said she had practiced with the bow and arrows this whole time so she was decent not great but could provide distractions for me. I agreed.
Haymitch or Effie did something right because later on at around 2am we both ended up getting packages with sun protection lotion and we ended up using it on each other. I had ordered water filled in camelbacks, a bow and arrows, with a tent and land mines. Some kunais. When they got to us the girl was surprised.
Everyone was. Even the audience. Proving to them I was the crowd favorite. Because the items came down as sponsor gifts. We set up the tent. Then I planted three mines inside it.
The girl and everyone was puzzled by this. I told her we needed to make traps not be trapped. The realization hit them. I wasn't trying to make a refuge I was making a kill box.
After everything was said and done I told her to run quickly but not hard fast to the rock formation to hide and not come out no matter what. That even the deadliest poison from a snake bite is painless compared to being eaten or killed by a tribute. I gave her an antidote shot just in case.
She takes off I set a fire and about 300 meters away I start hiding in the sand. About an hour before dusk I hear the explosions. I don't move not yet. I heard another four blasts that's 10 in total. Only 12 more to go not including the girl and I.
And other 39 minutes and I heard a pair of voices. Wondering why the tent blew up. One was badly wounded and the other trying their damndest to help. They were exhausted pissed and lagging in everything but weapons. One had a bow and arrow combo and the other a curved sword with a spear he was holding for stability.
The girl on the guys back both career tributes from D1. I waited and kept silent as she dies slowly as they approached. Talking about killing me and the other girl that was with me.
As they got into range he had collapsed on to the floor with her but she was already dead. The blast went off he started crying for her as I got up and started throwing all my knives and kunais at him he died in grief just as quick as tears fall. I collected everything. Put there bodies to rest with each other paying my respects to the dead.
Everyone watching respected my actions. And I gave off the meaning of sportsmanship and honor to the high districts. And sympathy for the lower ones. Either way I've earned the respect and admiration of all districts. I made make shift crowns made of wood that were scattered around. Made it look as best as I could and placing them on the two tributes heads. As I finished cleaning their bodies ready for pick ups. So their families can hold a funeral.
The people of the capital loved my actions. With things going around like. "He has honor. He kills but pays respect." Or "he isn't blood thirsty but takes care of for and friends a like." Sometimes they'll say I was an angel of death. Or the Prince of games and that's when it struck them. This is the true meaning of the moniker "Prince of Games." And the audience loved it!
Back home they just saw that I had to do what I had to in order to survive but at the same time didn't desecrate the bodies and held no ill will towards them.
Three blasts went off but I didn't panic. Two were from the ones I put to rest and cleaned myself. The other unknown but I stealthily crawled to the rock formation where the girl should be. That's 12 down and 10 to go.
We met back up I gave her food and a bit of water told her to conserve it, because not much water was left. And that we still need to do recon. That I'd rest. She'd take the first watch. And I slept lightly not heavy.
After a few hours the sun was at its peak I woke up and saw the girl laying down on the rocks with a jacket over her body trying to keep out of the suns rays as much as possible. I told her to get some rest because I was awake.
I gave her more water form the canteens we had found off the people choosing not to use ours yet. They were colder and if drank wrong could send our bodies into shock. Best time to drink them would be at night or when about to go dizzy. But short light sips.
She thanked me I kissed her head told her to rest and dream of her going home to the arms of her mommy and daddy. She slept soundly inside the rock formation that had just enough space for her to get into and blend in with its dark texture.
The audience just couldn't get enough of the protective big brother type of feel a gave off. A mix of ruthless killer and loving big brother. A true competitor. That night another 3 blasts went off and the mug shots of the tributes that died showed up on the screen. A total of 15 people were killed. D1 completely gone along with 11, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and one from 8.
That leaves one from 8, a duo from us 12, 5, 9, and 10.
We talked and agreed that they maybe stationed where we started. Asked her what she wanted to do.
"I know it's almost my time." She says with a defeated smile.
"Nothing is ever set in stone little one. The only thing that is promised to us without lies, without questions is death. But how you reach it is up to us and our situations." I said hugging her. She starts to cry but I just shush her and tell her to lie down.
The audience is watching us intently with baited breath. So were the people in the districts and our homes.
"You know I never got to go out on dates or fall in love with a boy I liked. His name is Gale. Do you think he noticed how pretty I looked at the parade? Do you think he'll remember me?" Asks nearly defeatedly.
"I won't ever let anyone forget their first and last "Princess of the Mines." That's something I can and will hold on to. Because you're with me. And I'm with you. Hell who knows maybe by some twist of fate you'll be the one to go home. Like I said the only thing that is true no mater what is death. It comes without question and without lies. So choose how you welcome it. That's the only thing you can do." I tried to console her.
"You know. These games are no different than going into the mines." I stated causing her to quickly look at me.
"What do you mean?" She asks curiously.
"Well think about little one. Our families do dangerous work. They make it look easy. But it's not. They can die by lack of oxygen, heat stroke, poison air, or even a mine collapse. So tell me how is our situation any different from theirs?" I asked her. She thinks for a moment.
"Everyday they play a game for their lives to come out quick and safely. Just like we try to survive everyday we're playing here. They are all also playing back home but with work." She answered just as she finished her thought. Then after she finished she looked at me and I smiled back. I nodded in confirmation.
"So does this mean that I'm strong like my daddy?" She asks hopeful.
"Yes little one of course you are. Look at everything we did until now. You are a true princess. And we have to show them how strong you truly are. We have to protect our people. Our home. Remember when death comes we welcome it with a smile. We show our people that even in death they can't take our smiles. And wait for our loved ones to share their stories and adventures while we wait for them on the other side. I have many adventures and stories I'm going to tell my parents when I see them again. How about you." I smile at her as I finished.
She smiles back at me. "I have a grandma and grandpa waiting for me and now I can't wait to see them and tell them about the beautiful capital and our adventures!" She says with a smile.
"Well let's leave that for later ok. Don't wanna take off too soon to see them ok. We gotta finish tonight's work first. And as for a first kiss…looks like I'll have to piss off my future wife because I can at least help you with that.." I finish that sentence while holding her chin up as our faces gets closer. But she turns away as I already knew her personality I was making a show for the audience.
"No kisses are special and you should only kiss the ones you love. Like my mommy and daddy do." She says scolding me.
"Ok ok I'm sorry." I say as I chuckle out an apology. "I'm sure my wife would thank you for not taking her husband away." I state as she hugs me again. And I rub her back.
"Do you think she'll get mad because I keep hugging you like this? She asks a bit saddened.
I hug her tighter. "No I think she'll understand. Because I'm the only one from home that is here with you now. I'm sure she'll be happy that I'm doing everything I can to protect you little one." I stated as I held her a bit tighter in my embrace.