Arena 15: In The Eye Of The Capitol

[etcircenses]

For the majority of you, this has become a familiar morning routine. Escorts come to pick up their Tributes and Stylists quickly see to setting them up with the bland and thin grey suits, much to most of their dismay. You'll not hear a word said in complaint though. The staff has gotten the threat to them loud and clear. Only the daring will be willing to offer even a mere "good luck". Peacekeepers quickly collect Tributes to send them off into the launch tubes. If you're from the Districts, it may be one of the last things you ever see.

20

19

18

What everyone rises up to is not much better a sight. It's a war zone out here in every sense. Those native to Panem will recognize the sight before them, having seen it every year in a propaganda tape. The wreckage of District thirteen. The Cornucopia sits at the very center. Offworlders might recognize some of the weapons there, and if not, then they'll certainly be able to spot some familiar scenes far on the outer edges of the arena, perhaps even a beast or two they know well from their worlds.

8

7

6

It's muddy and damp and there's plenty of wreckage to cut one's self upon no matter where it is Tributes run. The Cornucopia tempts the Tributes in for its bloodbath. Districter and Offworlder alike, there will only be one winner.

3

2

1

The gong rings out and a voice announces; “The Arena is now open”. The Tributes are free to make their choice; to run or to fight. The Games have begun.

~~~

By the end of the night, one child from each District will have their face shone up into the sky, the first twelve killed at the Cornucopia. Only twelve to go...

Comments

Smart girl

[foundafamily]

Firo waited until she looked stable to let go. He turned in a circle looking for a ladder or a way out, trying to make the most of what light reached them.

Die? That snapped his attention back to her. "You wha--? Probably just tryin' to freak you out. What the hell do they know about the future?"

But it made him uneasy to hear. After all, Phil supposedly also was already dead back home...

[justoutrunyou]

"I hope you're right." Because thumbing through those books, most of her closest friends and relations had some very unhappy endings in store for them.

"Hardly matters either way. If I stay here I keep fighting. If I get sent home who knows if I'll even remember any of this. So worrying about it is...pointless I guess." She heaved her way out of the trash she had been sinking into and clutched at the lip of the dumpster trembling as a fresh wave of pain made her almost lose control. It was like a sharp impact to her spine that made her legs not want to work, made her insides quake.

[foundafamily]

Firo wished he could promise, but that would just be a lie. So he nodded without saying anything further on it.

When in doubt, just don't think about it. Firo was relieved to hear her say something so akin to his usual reaction to any sort of emotional concern--if she could just brush her worries aside, she would be fine, right?

Firo stood nearby, primed to spring to her aid if she needed it. "...Be honest, how far are you gonna be able to go? Maybe we should just stay here for shelter."

They made it away this time, but what about the next? What would happen to her?