Daughter of the Grain

"Success is counted sweeter by those who ne'er succeed" My name is Bette Hops and I am 13 years old. I am one of the two tributes reaped to represent District 9 in the 72nd Annual Hunger Games. I may be young, and I may not be big, but I am clever, and I am willing to do everything possible to find my way back home, no matter how much the odds may not be in my favor. Warning: Mature Content

[from-the-capitol]

THE 72ND HUNGER GAMES FALLEN VIDEO - FROM ALEKS

[from-the-capitol]

Cannon #17 - Bette Hops

Killer: Lena Tatum of District Twelve

Deceased: Bette Hops of District Nine

Once again, us here at the capitol cannot underestimate the outlying districts nor tributes of Calloway Johnson and Eileen Clover. Like last year, the mining section of Panem is proving to have a thirst for winning. Lena, right after Magnus killed Houston Venator of ten, claimed her own life - the small girl from nine, Bette. The murder was quick, a slit to one of the key part of a human vertebrae. But it did the trick, a cannon firing in the distance. Our victor is now a step closer than before.

Para Can Be Found Here

[nymeriawolves-blog]

[thisgirlisaten]

[bittre-restrin-d5-blog]

Fight for Hope | Bette & Saphron

[bittre-restrin-d5-blog]

Shit

How could he possibly lose his grip like that? Was he really becoming that weak. It’s not that she was a girl, but she was even years younger than him! There is no way he should have screwed up like that! Nonetheless, he had and it was now probably going to turn into a mistake for him. All he could do was hope she’d spare him.

Hadn’t she even heard what he’d said? It wasn’t a hard message to understand. You promise not to kill me, I promise not to kill you, simple as that. Why hadn’t she immediately agreed to something so simple. They were clearly the youngest and smallest people in the arena, if they teamed up, people would only laugh. That would provide for an easy way to team up and take em out! Instead, she’d freaked out and was now holding him at large with a dagger.

A dagger? Where had she collected a dagger from? Had her sponsors seriously been that generous?! Now that he thought about it, Saphron hadn’t even received a single thing from any sponsors yet. Was it really that likely for him to lose? It depressed him as he thought about it. Who else had not received sponsor items? He couldn’t possibly be the only one! Could he?

“I told you! I don’t mean you any harm! Just calm down. I don’t even have a damn weapon!” Saphron didn’t like to curse much, but was starting to do a lot of new things since he’d entered the arena. He’d hope to drop the habit when, if, he gets home. “We can solve this please! Besides, why would a pretty girl like yourself want to hurt me?” He half-flirted half-joked. “Don’t you remember me?” Was he even getting through to the girl?

[bette-9-hops-blog]

Bette heard the boy stammering, begging for peace between the two. A truce? On day five of the Hunger Games? Maybe she wasn't the craziest person in this conversation. 

"Stop! Stop talking!" Bette screamed, covering her ears with her hands while squeezing her eyes shut tight. She didn't want to listen to him. She didn't want to see him as the living child he was. He would have to died. He would have to. If she wanted to live the boy would have to die. 

Bette was cracking. Everything was becoming too much. The fire had changed her. She was no longer Bette Hops, a simple farm girl from District Nine. She was an animal now. All that mattered was survival, like the wolves she'd heard about in District Seven or the sharks of Four. The boy was a threat to her very existence.

But could she do it? Could she really kill him?

She never doubted that she would kill someone. She wanted to be the one to leave after all. But now that she was here, facing a weaponless boy she knew she could easily steal the breath from right out of his lungs, she was frozen. 

"Just stay away from me."

Bette stared at him for a few extra seconds, analyzing his reaction, trying to predict his next move. When he didn't move an inch, she took that as her cue. 

As quickly as she could with the bag on her back and her injured shoulder, Bette scrambled to her feet. Still facing the boy, she began to jog backwards. When she finally felt there was a safe enough distance between the two, she turned her back to him, sprinting down a new path, never looking back.

[bittre-restrin-d5-blog]

Fight for Hope | Bette & Saphron

[bittre-restrin-d5-blog]

At that moment, it was as if time itself stood still. Saphron had made the mistake of sticking with the berries, not with his instincts, and now it would prove a wrong move. The girl had stopped and was waiting to see if he noticed, so she didn’t proceed towards him. Saphron could tell because he was still breathing, and he wasn’t frozen in time. Neither person knew what to do, and Saphron still didn’t even know who was behind him. All he knew was that he couldn’t say anything, or let himself be an easy target, otherwise it could easily prove fatal. Instead, he brushed his mouth off with his sleeve, and then followed his instincts.

In no time at all, Saphron had jumped up onto his feet and gotten out of the way of where she had expected to strike. He was tired, in pain, and a little dizzy, not to mention malnourished. However, in this moment, as they both stood still, neither even making the tiniest of a noise, he could see it on her face. She was facing the same pain. She had bags under her eyes, matted hair, and of all things she just looked like she wanted to go home. To be out of this stupid game. Saphron looked into her eyes, and only saw himself. He understood how she felt, but he couldn’t just say that. He had to play her game. He realized that this girl looked familiar, but he couldn’t put a name to the face. Quickly, he moved towards her.

Saphron faked her out by pretending to jump to one side and actually going to the other. An easy trick on someone as tired as she was. He made his way behind her and wrapped his arms around her, but obviously not in a loving way. One arm was around her waist and arms, holding her still, and the other was around her neck. “I don’t want to hurt you. Just give me a reason to trust you.” He whispered into her ear. He was not fit for killing, and he knew she could probably take him anyways, but he had to give her a chance.

[bette-9-hops-blog]

Trapped. 

The boy had bolted behind her and now had her encased by his arms. He began to whisper something into Bette's ear but she couldn't even hear what he was saying. All that registered was the suffocating heat of another body and the moist, unnerving breeze as he spoke. She had not been this close to another living being in 5 days.

Since her name was called, Bette had trained her mind to realize that being near someone else meant death. Someone would have to die. Plus she had never believed in alliances when it came to the Games, only one can leave alive after all. 

And now the boy had her trapped.

Her heart began to race and panic set in. She began to squirm, kicking her legs off the ground. She screamed like a wild woman, yet she was deaf to any sound. 

Bette fell forward as she broke out of the boy's grip. She landed on her injured shoulder  causing a groan to escape the young girl. Quickly, she rolled over, righting herself to a sitting position. 

Pointing her dagger in the boy's direction, with a crazed look in her eyes, Bette seethed,

"Don't come any closer. I'll kill you."

[bioshockinfinites-deactivated20]

[bette-9-hops-blog]

=

[bittre-restrin-d5-blog]

As Saphron searched the new part of the arena he’d stumbled in, he realized there was a lot more vegetation. Some of the leaves on the vines, he remembered from his book, were actually meant for relieving pain and healing minor wounds. All you had to do was rub it on the wound and in less than 24…

[bette-9-hops-blog]

Bette was a mess. In the past five days the young girl had gone from an innocent child with her big brown eyes and blonde curls to a blood and guts covered reminder of what these Games truly mean. Her hair had become matted, remnants of the fated tribute from the Cornucopia still coating the once light colored tresses. Her face, from her flee through the hedges, donned dozens of shallow scratches. The sheer quantity of broken flesh may not be lethal, but the pain was no less excruciating.

Then there was her arm. Her left shoulder was still dislocated. Bette had limited, if no, medical training and had no idea how to relocate her shoulder back into its socket. This was her greatest handicap. Bette had used a rope from her rock climbing cables as a sort of makeshift sling, relieving the pressure slightly from her useless limb. She knew if she didn’t find a way to fix her shoulder she would be at an even greater disadvantage than she already was being the smallest tribute. If she were to cross paths with Topaz or Talon, or even Magnus or Houston or Jemima for that matter, she knew she’d be a goner.

Speaking of the other tributes, since her mad dash to escape the collapsing coliseum Bette had not seen another living soul. Not a person, bird, not even an insect. But with the fire the day before she knew all bets were off. Her luck had to be running out.

Just as that thought crossed her mind, Bette heard movement from around the upcoming bend. Was her mind playing tricks on her? She was malnourished and dehydrated, not to mention losing grasp on reality. She’d held it together for this long, but after the fire yesterday the girl was beginning to feel as if she was reaching the end of her rope. How much more of this could she take?

Pressing herself against the hedge, she crept around the corner, peering to see what awaited her on the other side. Getting a good look, Bette saw the boy from 11, gorging himself on the berries the bushes provided. This was it. She could take him. She remembered him from training. He had been at the boomerang station with her. He had shown her some useful tips that she had even utilized in her private training. In a way he’d helped her get her impressive 8. But now they were in the games. And any feelings of gratitude towards the boy vanished as she knew what she’d have to do next.

As she emerged from the bend, ready to attack, she heard a crack from under her foot. A twig, ill-placed and unfortunate had snapped. Her placement was given away. She waited for the boy to react.

[bioshockinfinites-deactivated20]

[bette-9-hops-blog]

"But I'm only a child..."

[bette-9-hops-blog]

Bette Hops ages 4, 7 and 13

[bette-9-hops-blog]

This is all too real -- The Fire

Day four. Only one cannon had rung out through the arena since the Cornucopia. Bette had learned, when night had fallen, that the lost soul belonged to the boy from District 7. 

The youngest tribute had remained at her hiding space in the wall since she had found it half way through day 2. She now only had half of a roll and half of a canteen left. She knew she would have to move soon; begin her search for more food and water... if there even was any out there. 

The sun had been up for several hours and Bette was contemplating when she would need to leave her safe haven in search of sustenance.  Hopefully there would be some sort of river with fish or berries nearby that would allow Bette to keep her shelter. However, knowing this was the Hunger Games, she knew that was probably wishful thinking. 

Bette was scanning what limited vision she had when she heard the first crackle, quickly followed by the smell of fire. Leaning forward, the girl peered out from her ledge. To her left she saw a wall of fire, burning down the path she had taken to her hideout. Without wasting another second of time, Bette grabbed her bag and threw it on her back. Grasping her dagger in her right hand, she scooted towards the edge of the wall. She had to be over 30 feet in the air. 

Feeling the cringe of panic begin to rise in her stomach, Bette turned herself around before dangling her tiny frame over the ledge. Closing her eyes, she let go from the wall.

As Bette hit the hard ground, she felt her left shoulder pop out of her socket. A scream escaped her throat as she tried to set herself upright. 

The pain was unbearable, but Bette wasn't able to fixate on it as the heat from the approaching fire began to hit her body. She scurried up, heading towards her right. Still holding onto her dagger, she also cradled her useless arm against her body as she began to sprint as fast as she could away from the wall of flames coming towards her. 

No matter how fast she ran, the fire seemed to be moving even faster. How would she be able to out run this Gamemaker trap? Was this how it was going to end for her? Burned to death by the arena.

As she made her way around a bend, she decided this was definitely going to be how she would die. Up ahead was another raging fire barreling straight towards her. Coming to an immediate halt, she spun in circles trying to see  if there was any escape for her at all. Dread and fear began to set in when she noticed the tiniest crack in the hedges. The opening was so small that even at Bette's size she didn't know just how she would be able to pass through it. With both walls of fire closing in on her, Bette decided there was no other option and pummeled straight into the hedges. 

Pushing herself forward, she didn't even register the twigs that were scrapping away at her face and hands. Suddenly, she was hurdled forward out of the hedge when the two flames collided, causing a massive explosion. Bette landed on her already dislocated shoulder, causing the most extreme pain she had ever felt shoot through her left side. Rolling in agony, Bette accepted her fate that this was how she was going to die. 

Squeezing her eyes shut, anticipating the flames that would swallow her, Bette thought about the farm back home. She thought about her fields and Logan. Her mother. Her father. 

But the burning never came. Slowly opening her eyes, she looked around to see debris from the explosion but no more flames. As quickly as the fire had formed, it disappeared. 

Leaning against the hedge furthest from where she was tumbled onto this path, she pulled her legs close to her body. Breathing deeply, the affects of the chase began to hit her. Her left side felt foreign, her arm unable to move and it screamed in agony. Using her right side, she wiped her face. Looking at her hands, she noticed they were covered in blood. The hedges had practically sliced up her face.

Looking up towards the sky, smoke billowing upwards, the last remaining evidence of the fire, Bette's eyes filled with tears. 

She had come so close to death. So close to a painful, terrible demise. Choking on her sobs, the girl who was wise beyond her years broke down, resembling more than ever the terrified 13-year-old she truly was. 

Maybe she really never would see home again. 

[bette-9-hops-blog]

OOC

I FINALLY (and that's a BIG finally) have power back! I will get all the replies I owe up tomorrow. Sorry about being so M.I.A but I'm back now :)

[bioshockinfinites-deactivated20]

[bette-9-hops-blog]

The grave is still the best shelter against the storms of destiny

Bette had walked all night.

She couldn't sleep. Not in the open maze, with nowhere to hide. She hadn't found any suitable shelter. All she had seen were tall hedges and dirt. She hadn't even come across another soul. 

Late the first day Bette had come across a crossroads. The road forked into two directions. She had chosen to stick to her right. After a few hours, she saw that her path seemingly ended. She was now in front of a vast open space. Too open. Bette knew that if someone was as far as a mile away she would be able to spot them, and them her. This was no place for the young girl. 

She kept herself as close as possible to the hedge that outlined the rat maze she had just exited. Bette's breath caught in her throat. She was the smallest living tribute, yet she couldn't find a small enough nook, a rock or a cave or a ditch even, to hide. 

Bette began a quick jog along the bushes, keeping her eyes peeled for any oncoming threat. Things had been too quiet, too easy for the young girl. 

But the threat never came. After a few hours of jogging Bette spotted a small opening within the bushes. Slowing her run, she cautiously approached the entrance. Unlike what she had seen of the arena thus far, this area was completely engulfed by the hedges. The only light was what little could break through the branches. Carefully, Bette further inspected the tiny path. It seemed untouched, as had the rest of the arena. Judging it to be safe, she changed her path and started down the new route. 

Bette had walked the path the whole night, not knowing which ways she had turned and which direction she was heading in. The first night had seemed almost as dark as the tunnel she had escaped through after the Cornucopia. Just as Bette was beginning to lose her mind, she spotted a distant, dim light up ahead. 

Bette exited the canopy to see that the sun was just starting to rise, the sky lightening to a grey. Coming to a complete stop for the first time since she left her starting point in the maze, Bette reached into her bag. She ate half of one of her rolls and had a few sips from a canteen. She leaned against the bushes as the liquid sat in her mouth, momentarily quenching her thirst. However, as quickly as the relief had come, it was gone and Bette begrudgingly put the water away. 

She continued walking forward, still not satisfied with an area for shelter. The sun showed that it was probably about noon when Bette's exhaustion began to become too much. She was just about ready to collapse in the open path when she came across it. Her new shelter, at least for the moment.

The never-ending cage of hedges broke and in front of Bette stood a wall, over fifty feet high. She reached into her bag where she took out her rock climbing cables. She knew these would come in handy. 

Hooking herself up she began to scale the wall. Clumsily, she climbed. About halfway up the wall there was a a ledge, where part of the wall had been broken off, creating a shallow indent. Bette threw her body onto the surface. She laid there for a moment, basking in her first minute of rest in almost two days. The girl quickly gathered her rock climbing cables, putting them safely in her bag again. Putting her only possessions between her and the wall, Bette stretched her body out, resting her head on her hands.

The sun was still high in the sky, but having neglected sleep the night before, Bette's eyes quickly closed and she drifted off into a light, restless sleep. What may very well be the young girl's last bit of sleep. 

[asoftermadisonavenue]

[bette-9-hops-blog]

OOC

Hi! In the aftermath of Sandy I'm still without power :( but my phone has 3G again so I was able to read all your lovely paras and can now be in the loop again. Hopefully my power will be back soon!

[bette-9-hops-blog]

OOC

So as you all know Hurricane Sandy is rolling through the east coast so I might be MIA for the next few days because power is more than likely going to go out. I will get my replies done as soon as I can :) to anyone else being hit by the hurricane, stay safe!!