Watching

[TheFoxFacedOne Profile]

Yes finally, poor Cole . Do you still think it was his fault she died since he's the one who led her onto the ice?
Next chapter will hopefully be up on Tuesday or Wednesday, when we'll finally get to the Games !

[HungerCatchJay Profile]

Nice! And i don't know.

Anyway I thought it was very clever with the knife thing.

[TheFoxFacedOne Profile]

Thanks , my mum actually came up with the knife thing. I was telling her about it when I first came up with the idea and she said that him letting go because she told him to still makes him look bad so she should stab his hand.
But everything else is mine.

[Aira548784 Profile]

This is really good.

[ilovepeeta Profile]

Amazing wow great chapter

[TheFoxFacedOne Profile]

Thanks so much guys . This was a really important chapter so it's good to know it went well.
Is Cole's explanation what you expected?

[ilovepeeta Profile]

Not at all i didnt know what to expect but i loved it

[TheFoxFacedOne Profile]

Chapter 28: Jed

I lie face down on the ice cold ground, my blood seeping out around me, dying it red. I try to move, but I'm completely frozen. I'm too numb to feel any pain, but I can feel my life slowing slipping away. I try to scream for help but I can’t even open my mouth. My attacker’s footsteps make a crunching noise in the snow as they walk towards me. When they stop the sound is replaced by their evil laughter. I can feel is mounting fear as I wonder what they’re going to do to me now.
"Not so noble now, eh, District 7?" I hear Kayden ask mockingly as he presses his boot into my back. This action is followed the sound of a sword being drawn.
"Aw, poor Jeddie." Fuchsia's voice purrs. "You never stood a chance against us, did you?" She cackles as a pair of strong hands roll me over.
The two of them look at me with menacing gazes, sadistic smiles on their faces. I don’t know why but I cannot help but feel betrayed when I stare back at Fuchsia, her beautiful light blue gleaming with sinister glee.
“Oh, what’s wrong, Jeddie? Did you really think a little dual in training would change anything? I’m a Career, a predator and you weak Districts are my pray." She rests the tip of her sword on my throat as she says this.
"Care to do the honours?” Kayden asks, his foot now pressing down on my chest.
“With pleasure. It’s too bad your Daddy can’t be here, Jeddie, but we’ll give him a good show.” They laugh hysterically as she holds up the sword before stabbing it into my neck.

My eyes snap open as it hits me. I release a scream that pierces my ears, seeming to rattle the room. Cold sweat drips from my nose. I’m not in the Arena anymore; I’m back in my Capital room. Dad bursts through the door. He sees my confused and shocked face and hugs me.

“It’s alright, Jed, it's just a nightmare." Dad tries to sooth me but his words tremble.
“Yeah but it could soon be real.” I answer, voicing what we both know but don’t want to say.
"I know. But you're not alone; I'll be watching over you, and I'll do everything I can to bring you home, I swear." His chokes on the last words as he struggles to hold back the tears. I'm relieved he's here and not hundreds of miles away at home. I need him now more than I ever have.


Over what could be our last meal, we all go over our strategy for today.
"So to recap. Grab a backpack, run and find water. Nothing else there is worth risking your life for, not even a sword." Dad looks at me sternly. Stella and I nod. Usually she eats as if she's never seen food before but today she eats slowly, savouring what could be her last taste of Capital food. Despite claiming not have an appetite, she goes through three pancakes, a bowl of strawberries and cream and two oranges. My nerves have tied my stomach into knots, I can only mange an apple and half a bowl of porridge before I feel full.

After breakfast we're taken onto the roof, waiting for the hovercraft. We all look up at the sky dreading its arrival. Cassia tries to be positive.
"Well this is it. Good luck Stella and Jed and as they always say may the odds be ever in your-your favour." She sniffs before rushing back to the elevator, not wanting anyone to see her make up smudge.
"Remember everything you've done, those training scores you got. Neither of you are helpless, you can make it. We all know you'll make it." Torey attempts to assure us, but even she sounds sad. "The best of luck to both you." She shakes our hands firmly, the closest thing you'll ever get to a hug from her.

Tears well in Dad's eyes as we release this could be the last time we ever see each other.
"I love you, son! I always will no matter what." He tells me softly as he pulls me into a tight embrace. "You’re the best to ever happen to me, if you don’t make it. . . " He trails off not even wanting to consider it.
"I love you too, Dad. Thank you for everything you’ve ever done for me. If I don't come back look after Mum and tell her I love her. It's not your fault this happened, please remember that." I say, my voice wobbling. He turns to Stella who stands awkwardly beside me.
"I'll do everything in my power to help you. To help you both, I promise." He says, barly able to speak as he uses all his power to hold back the tears.
"I know you will." She says, not sounding entirely sure.
He doesn’t pull away until the hovercraft lands silently. We all say our last hurried goodbyes as the ladder goes down. The last thing I remember before being frozen into place on it is my father's hazel eyes looking into mine with so much love and sadness it feels like I've been stabbed through the heart.

When we're safely inside I allow myself to release one single tear.

*****

"How are you feeling? Oh, right, stupid question." Marvin says awkwardly as we enter the Launch Room.

"Nervous." I answer quietly.

"Of course you are, you’d be mad not to.” he says giving me a little smile, although I'm not sure if he means it or is just being nice.

I put on the clothes we'll all be wearing in the Arena which lies just above our heads, waiting to kill us. Olive green combat pants, black boots, a grey sleeveless t-shirt and a black jacket with a hood.
"The jacket has special holes in it which let out heat, so it's going to be hot," Marvin states. My stomach turns at the thought of going into a desert waste land. "Oh, here's your District token." He hands me the bracelet Mum made out of tree fibre. I stare at it sadly before putting it on, remembering when she gave it to at the Justice Building. It already feels like a lifetime ago.

"I know a Capital person is probably the last person you want to see before going into the Games and we've only known each other a few days, but you're the best tribute I've ever met. I'll be routing for you." He pats me on the back.
"Thanks." I smile despite everything.

"Launch in 60 seconds. Launch in 60 seconds!" A voice booms. Suddenly I'm shaking, my breathing quickens and adrenaline builds in my veins as pure fear takes over my body.

"Breath, Jed. Just focus on breathing." Marvin says firmly as he gently nudges me towards the pod that'll take me up in a few seconds. Once I’m in that's all I do. I close my eyes and take one long, shaky breath after another. In, out, in, out, in . . .

The metal disk slides up taking me with it. My eyes fly open, though I'm surrounded my darkness. Soon enough, I'm greeted by blinding sunlight as I'm pushed through the ground and into hell.

The first thing I see the golden Cornucopia, glinting in the sunlight, packed with everything you'll ever need to survive here, wherever here is. Various items are scattered around it, including six backpacks. It looks like it's in the middle of a giant muddy puddle, trees with half their roots above ground corner us on all sides. The humidity and stench confirm we're in a swamp. But the trees are bigger further away, towering many meters above the earth. The distant bird calls promise us these are part of a different environment beyond.

Claudius Templesmith's booming voice almost makes me jump of the pad as he announces:

"Ladies and Gentleman! Let the 68th Annual Hunger Games begin!"

[HungerCatchJay Profile]

GAHHHH!!!! Awesome chapter, can't wait for the next, but on the same time so sad.

[TheFoxFacedOne Profile]

Thanks , this is the most emotional chapter I've done so it's good to know all the crying wasn't to over the top. Next chapter will be up between Friday and Sunday.