In Your Hands: The Thirtieth Hunger Games SYOT

Chapter 23

Shogo POV

When I got back to my room after the interviews, Kanu's picture wasn't on my bed where I left it. I ran over and tore the bedding apart, flinging sheets and blankets across the room looking for the precious paper. This couldn't be happening.

"Shogo! What are you doing?" Gaudius said. He was holding something.

"I can't find Kanu's picture!" I blurted. "Have you seen it?"

"Don't worry," he said. He held up the thin square he was carrying. It was Kanu's drawing, all shiny and stiff. I snatched it and clutched it to my chest.

"I had it laminated so it wouldn't get dirty in the Games," Gaudius said. He looked so pleased with himself that I couldn't even be mad at him.

"You should get some rest. You have a big day tomorror," Gaudius said.

"How can I sleep when I'm worried about my son?" I said. My eyes filled. And about what he's going to see.

"Don't think about that. Think about all the happy memories," Gaudius said, helpful as ever. He really did want me to be happy. He couldn't help it he was dumb. I snuggled with the stiff picture as best as I could and managed to get to sleep.

Lyte POV

It was our last time to meet before the Games. We did some talking and set a loose plan for the Bloodbath. Shogo, Hunter, and Reiner were the strongest, so they were going to take care of the supplies in the Corncuopia. Tillo was going to watch their backs and make sure I got out safe. My job was just to live, since I was the medic and I was very important.

"No matter what, we'll protect each other," Felix said. I knew he could protect me. He was so big and strong.

"We're an alliance. That's what alliances do," Shogo agreed. I looked around at them, Hunter, Tillo, and Reiner, and for the first time I felt safe.

"To the Dream Team," Tillo said. She put her arm in the center of the table. The rest of us reached in and we flung our hands up. It was a silly name and a silly motion, but it felt like a family.

Hunter POV

Before I went to bed, I gave my diary to Azure. I hadn't missed a day since I was a little kid. That book was the latest in a chronicle of my whole life.

"Give it to Mike and Gemm if I can't," I said. "You can read it too, I guess." Azure flipped to the last page.

"This is the really important one," he said. His eyes fell on my last testament.

Hey Mike. Hey Gemma. Guess I didn't make it. Let me tell you one thing. Don't end up like me. Here's all the reasons you shouldn't volunteer.

No matter how good you are, you still have a 23 out of 24 chance of dying.

Mom and Dad will worry. They're already sad enough about me.

It's not right to kill, no matter what they tell you.

Even if you win, you'll never like yourself again.

I forgot the last reason. There are a million more. Please listen to me. I love you. Sorry I wasn't a better brother.

I was afraid Azure would laugh. He blazed through his Games. I must seem terribly cowardly. He closed the book and looked at me.

"I was scared too. It's okay," he said.

"I stole my own future away," I said. How could I be so foolish?

"You have one chance. Go steal it back."

Felix POV

The sunrises aren't as pretty here as they are in Ten. Here, there are buildings to block the rays and roads filled with noise. Maybe they'll be prettier in the Arena. I heard a knock at my door. When I answered it, it was Tillo. Somehow, I didn't have the energy to be shy. I'd take any companion I could get.

"Reiner managed to get himself into the kitchen," she said as she handed me a jam tart. "These are for the alliance. Better eat them before we get into the tubes, or they'll take them away."

"How is everyone?" I asked. I knew she'd been checking up on our allies all day.

"Shogo was real cheery. Probably just a brave face for his son. Reiner looked worried but he wished me good luck. Maybe it was because I woke him up. Lyte was happy to see me and happier to see the tart. Hunter was asleep. I was so surprised the others were awake I wasn't even bothered," she said. "You watching the sunrise?" I nodded.

"The birds seem happier in the morning," I said. "I feel as free as they are awake so early. It's like I'm not about to die." Tillo looked shocked when I smiled. She looked down at her lap.

"What's wrong?" I asked. Dumb question.

"I feel like a million butterflies are about to burst in my stomach," she said. I wanted to wipe her tears away, but I didn't want to be forward. Then she removed the problem by crying so hard I couldn't.

"We're all going to be dead in a few hours. Lyte doesn't even know. He's just a kid. No one's going to care. No one will even remember us," she said.

"I'll remember you," Cornflower's voice came. I looked over and she was peeking inside the door with her fingers on the frame. I didn't even hear her come.

"Why are you here?" I asked.

"If someone cries in your room, an alarm goes off in mine," she said. She remained in her perch.

"Does death hurt much?" Tillo asked. Cornflower slunk out of sight, leaving me to answer.

"I don't know. You volunteered so you could be free, remember? Even death is better than being a slave," I said. Tillo turned pale and started to fold over.

"You're going to throw up!" I warned. I patted her back as she started breathing deeply. Her eyes were still full of tears, but I didn't know what else to do. Soon we'll both be dead. I never had another chance. I leaned in and kissed her. For a second we embraced, and then she turned her face into my shoulder and held me. I did my best to hold her back.

Ava POV

The table in front of me held a basket of bread, pats of butter, mashed potatoes, beef stew, a bowl of fruit, a chocolate cake, and a roasted chicken. I looked from one to another, trying to make one look appetizing.

You have to eat. Pray told you to. But I was supposed to be strong. I needed to discipline myself and have control over my body. They wanted me to be weak, like the others. They couldn't control their appetites. I'd worked years to master mine.

Pray says you need energy. She knows what she's talking about. She's a Victor. Then why did she want me to falter? All I needed was a few crackers and an apple. That's all I usually ate, and I got this far.

Just this once. When you're in the Arena, you can go back. That's what quitters say. "Just once" they say, and then they never stop cheating.

Stop it. Just eat. I grabbed a bun. I didn't need butter. That was too rich. It was such a large bun, too. I tore it in half. Carbs are good for energy. They're just so fattening. I ate two bites and set it down.

Not cake. Not potatoes, too starchy. I guess a little soup is okay. I fished the potatoes and beef out and nibbled on the vegetables and sipped the broth.

Probably 500 calories, I told myself. My stomach felt stretched to the limit. Even if I wanted, I just couldn't eat any more. Already I felt the urge to vomit. I'd done all I could. I hoped it was enough.

Caleb POV

There were so many things I'd never done. I hadn't graduated. I hadn't told Shaw I wanted to marry him. I'd never gotten into trouble with a best friend or heard my parents say they were proud of me. There wasn't enough time for anything. In a few hours I'd start running for my life. I didn't even have an alliance. They'd all be looking for the loners, and that was me. I was the fox the hounds were after. I didn't know if I even had a chance.

Willow POV

Willow Trill's Last Will and Testament

Mom and Dad, sorry I died. I love you and I did my best. I don't have much stuff, so this won't take long. Please don't bury me in my charm bracelet. I really love it, but I want you guys to use it. Unless one of you wants to keep it, please sell it and use the money for family needs. To my brother Barley I leave the blackberry bush I never told you guys about because I was selfish. It's by the dead oak tree. To Harvey I leave my favorite spot in the climbing tree, the one he always tried to steal when I got out. Everything else you can just sell or whatever. I love you all. Hope I see you again.

Willow Trill, witnessed by Orchard Jones

Peppermint refused to sign, saying it would stop me from fighting my hardest. Orchard didn't say a word. She knew what I meant. I didn't intend to die, but none of us did. It wasn't up to me.

I just remembered I'm leaving for two days tomorrow. Instead of making you wait, I'll just do the Bloodbath tonight. Sorry to the people who didn't get a chance to vote. The Bloodbaths usually aren't much of a surprise anyway. I tallied the votes and took into account popularity and skill. No one you guys all loved will die, and no one you all hate will live. For Tributes that weren't mentioned at all, I considered them neutral and judged them by aptitude.