Beginning of Part II

The fresh breeze flattened my side pale yellow bangs against my face.

It took me a second to remember I wasn't at home, I was at my grave, or so Stella would say.

The other twenty five tributes seemed to have the same look of confusion on their face... We all were not expecting such beauty.

We were dead center in a beautiful yellow meadow joined in a large circle each of us at least fifteen feet apart, the gleaming golden cornucopia was twenty feet from each of us filled to the brim with weapons of all sorts and a giant neon sign counting down from sixty... only at fifty four.

To the East was what seemed like strong thick woods but to the east was a gleaming sandy beach with large crashing waves... In fact I believe we are on an island. To the north West just a few achers from the woods was a large... Large... Primrose? A Primrose field... Behind that a Large mountain range that seemed to go on for miles. Behind me lay an untouched desert... with rolling sand dunes and what looked like a majestic line fire forming a sort of gate to the other side of the desert.

I directed my attention back to the Cornucopia we were half way to the blood bath... thirty seconds only till death do we part.

I scanned my eyes over it... I can easily make a bow.... or at least a spear... something for food catching needs with out much. But something would help.

There... There it is! Right there! In my easy grip, fifteen feet away is a silver bow leaned against a red hot backpack. Nice job Haymitch... Guess he is a pretty good game maker.

I looked to my right where Max's figure was propped ready to run... His eyes met mine for just a second and seemed to say "Good Luck."

Suddenly a loud female voice came over the arena... It began counting down.

"10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2........1" The loud gong sounded and I darted for the Bow and Backpack grabbing it with no hassle. I swing the Backpack over my shoulder along with the sheath of arrows, and grab the bow with my right hand.

I can see Molly out of the corner of my eye but Max is off to the woods... so I follow.

At full speed I can hear the loud screams of all the kids saying goodbye to their short lives... I turn my head at the wood line and fine Johnny, with a sword at hip and a backpack swung on his left shoulder, behind me along with Finny who was holding a spear in one hand... already blood drenched... He held a satchel in the other and smiled slightly. At that moment something flies past my face.

Stella.

Twenty some feet away Stella stands grimacing... I smirk at her aim.

The knife found a tree as a base... but even with Fin and Johnny, having weapons and the bow in my hand... I take no time to grab it and continue running.

I run for at least three hours not stopping for water... Max's face keeps flashing through my mind and I soon feel a hand on my back.

"He's fine Rose." Fin is standing at my back.

Right after he says that the first cannon roars followed by nine more.

"But he won't be if we don't split up." I kept myself from saying we will have to kill each other if we stay an alliance.

"She's right." Johnny says from behind him.

"I am." I say agreeing.

"He may be older and stronger than a lot of us but he didn't even grab a backpack... Let her find him... We work good together and if we come across him we will give him a home made spear or something and send him in her direction, okay?"

I can tell Fin is having a hard time giving up on me... He is like my brother... more or less. We've looked after each other at school and at the hob since we were children... He isn't ready to give up now.

"I will be fine... Get sponsors... Fin... I promise next time you see me I won't be in a coffin." I hug him and dart in to the thick tree cover without a thought.

The thick tree cover goes on for miles on end... just as I thought.

I fight the signs of dehydration and think back constantly to how long my mother waited for water... But she was older and wiser how am I suppose to find it... It has been at least ten hours of high speed running... But I can't give up now.

I decide to take shelter in a tree and await morning, but I fight the idea to keep running... To make it to Max... and than go back for Molly.

I climb higher and higher in the tall tree... finding it easier in the slick black mants than in my lose brown ones back at home.

Once I reach the branch I let myself relax just a little... and catch sight of something I haven't seen since I was home... a Mockingjay.

"Well Hello there... I would give you a bread crumb but I am sorry I have none." I talk to it like I am talking to a baby.

It's white stripes inch along it's wings as it takes flight through the clear blue sky.

I jam the knife, I still grip in my hand, into the tree and search through my back pack.

A sleeping bag, freeze dried fruit, beef jerky, a large water bottle, wire, night vision glasses, and a flashlight. Than I discover something else buried under everything... It is cold to touch but well made... A locket... A gold on to be exact inside are two pictures one of my Mother and Father, and one of my brother.

"Thank you Haymitch." I mouth and tie the necklace around my neck.

Than I discover something I have never seen in any other arena... A map. An actual Map of the arena... Drawn out and colored and everything... It even has a detailed sketch of water lines... and sewer and pipe lines.

Before I can smile I recognize the shape... A Mockingjay holding and arrow straight through his mouth.

For once in my life a thought rarely thunk comes across my mind... They are mocking us... Just like the other opponents moves in a chess game.

I hear footsteps below and pack the bag swinging it over both shoulders and place the knife in my boot letting the cold blade lay flat against my heel.

The sheath of arrows is underneath the bag so just the back is sticking out so I can easily access a new arrow and ready my bow... which I do.

The person below is definitely limping and I can hear them breath heavily from running.

Than the shadow appears... next the body... Than the face...

It's the boy from nine... And some unexpected guests.

authors note:

So yea... I updated and freaked when I began writing I got so excited! I am finally writing an actual authorse not for once! The next one will take just as long as the first maybe longer.... Sorry I am in a show... and San Fran has been super cold :( and foggy as usual so I have to do a lot of chores such as cleaning and stuff cause we use a lot more in the winter... But aye... at least I have time for this. I love writing nothing will take me from that... Plus I figured out what parts in a play I am destined to play, Beth in Little Women and Leisl in Sound of MUsic... LOL I am super crazy... But love you guys! CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEEEEENNNNNNNNNNNNTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!