Name: Flora Reese Age: 17 How did I get here: I volunteered. I want to be here. I need it. It's not just to win, but to prove myself. Show them they were wrong.
Kalla was out of breath, not from the physical exertion, but from the intensity both of them fought. She stood, her weapons ready and ready to strike when necessary, but it was Flora who raised her weapon first. Kalla cowered. For once she felt useless. She didn’t have a shield to protect herself, nor any quick reflexes to get her away from the strange weapon, so how could she win? She squeezed her eyes shut, just as Morgan had, and waited to die.
Her weapon was raised, she was ready to end this. But she stopped unable to move. Blinded by light, she felt herself shake, stumble. Each part of her felt alive. No. Not alive. Alight. It burnt. Every inch of her, inside and out felt like it was on fire. She could hear the blood pumping through her veins, she could feel it. Everything was suddenly so intense, and then the pain came. It was so sudden she couldn't even catch her breath. Flora fell, her grip loosening on the handle and her legs buckling beneath her. It was like the sand rose up to meet her and she felt herself crash against it. But she kept falling, knocked aside by the ground that had risen up. She couldn't move, couldn't scream at the pain. It hurt, more than anything else had ever hurt her before. And she couldn't understand why. Why now? She was so close. Her vision blurred, the edges fading into black, the tree's blending into nothing. Struggling for breath she could only think that this was some cruel joke. All of it. It was for nothing. It was over. Her head was spinning, the fiery pain was overwhelming. Tears welling up she gasped for air, but it didn't matter. Nothing helped. All Flora wanted was to die. She was a disgrace, having gotten this far and taken too long killing the girl. Her life had been for nothing, her suffering, her endurance. All of it was as worthless as she was. Closing her eyes, the only thought she had left was one that had come far too late, there was nothing she could change now. They were right. It was as this finally dawned on her that she knew she couldn't do it anymore. Couldn't bring herself to gasp for the much needed air. To even try and breathe at all. She was done fighting.
When Flora’s frozen hands wrapped around her wrist, Kalla’s eyes narrowed. Rather than fear, she felt anger. Kalla despised this girl and she didn’t even know her name. She wanted her dead and gone but she didn’t even know why. The strange weapon she wielded wrapped around her knee and dug into her skin. Clenching her jaw, she thought back to every fight she had with Morgan. Spitting into her face she grunted and pulled her leg against the weapon until it was free. The claws still in the tribute’s leg twisted before Kalla brought them out again. “You shouldn’t have done that,” she said, almost mimicking her before shoving against the girl’s chest with her shoulder. Both of them fell, but Kalla was the one the scramble to her feet first.
The way the girls weapon twisted was sudden and sharp enough to let a small cry of pain escape Flora's lips. Annoyed and momentarily distracted by the pain, the girls attempt at freeing herself proved fruitful, both were on the floor in seconds. Having been knocked of her feet, her instincts screamed for her to stay down. That it would only be worse if she got up. But she wasn't home anymore. Staying down wouldn't keep her alive, it would get her killed. With the other girl scrambling to her feet, and Flora biting her lip against the pain, she pushed herself up and away from the girl. "Do me and everyone else a favor and die already." The way her words sounded, with nothing but anger and hatred in her tone. She sounded like her sister. No, she wasn't like that. She was better. The thunder crashed once more, the sound was deafening and she couldn't help but think it was fitting. The canon would soon roar much like that, marking the girls death. Narrowing her eyes she raised her hand up high, ready to hit the girl with one last blow. Flora was done fighting.
When the girl’s fist connected with her stomach, Kalla’s initial reaction was to step back but she refused. Instead she dug her heal deeper into it, but she didn’t anticipate another punch in the head. Stumbling backward, she watched as the girl raised her weapon once more. Kalla was tired of this constant waning and waxing of who had the upper hand. She grunted and jumped across to Flora, even though her head throbbed and her hip stung, she didn’t care. She aimed for her leg, digging her left claw into Flora’s left thigh. And it didn’t stop there, she brought her other hand up, using the claw to stab the girl in the stomach. It seemed that even that, would not be enough to stop her because she still stood against all of the pain.
Surprised by the girls quick actions, she didn't realise the extent of the girls skills until she felt the blade sink into her stomach. Uncurling her clenched fist, Flora wrapped her hand around the girls wrist, the one that held the claws. Her leg was screaming, the pain only making her grip tighten on the girl. It hurt. But this was nothing, nothing compared to what her siblings had put her through. Two quick blows only caused so much damage and pain. But grueling hours of repetitive kicks and punches, with their taunts and laughter echoing in her ears would always hurt more. Drawing the girls hand back, pulling the claws out from her skin she met her eyes and laughed. "Try again." Flora would take each ounce of pain and give it back tot he girl ten fold. Flicking her wrist, she let her blade wrap around the girls knee, ignoring the small scratch gained in the process. Twisting the girls wrist she held her arm out at and smiled. Once more. Like you mean to kill me."
It took Kalla a second to realize that her plan had worked! She didn’t expect it to, not even in the slightest. So when the girl reached for her… weapon again, Kalla was behind. Her hand was on the handle by the time she moved. Stomping her foot clear on the tip of her strange weapon, she trapped it between the sand and the sole of her shoe. She stared at the tribute wide eyed afraid of what may come next.
As her hand wrapped around the end of her Urumi she saw the girls foot stomp down on the blades. Looking up, pushing herself onto her hands and knees, she took in the girls frightened expression. It made Flora want to laugh. This girl had no idea what she was doing. It didn't matter. Her weapon wasn't necessary for her to kill, it just made it a lot more fun. "Back off little girl." Smirking she stood quickly and punched the girl hard in the stomach. Hesitating a moment, she the gave time to let the girls initial shock go, before bringing her elbow up and hitting the side of her head. Her intention was to knock her back, away from the whip. And when the girls balanced slipped, Flora dipped, grabbing the handle and pulling the blades free and stepping back.
Her sword, no— whip… no sword?— Her weapon quick cut through the fabric at her hip and made a thin, but deep, cut along her skin. This tribute moved quickly and Kalla had only seconds to learn her every move. Rather than small talk with the stranger, she ignored her comment and tried to keep up pace with her. The coconut she had thrown was only inches from Kalla’s foot. Using it to her advantage, she kicked it up and tossed it by her face. It was by no means meant to harm, but rather distract the girl. She hoped that maybe by chance she would drop her weapon and be forced to grab the coconut before hitting her in the face.
Instinct told her to catch it, and it took less than a second after she had left go, and her hands came into contact with the coconut to realise her mistake. With her only weapon now being nothing but the equivalent of a downgraded rock, and her Urumi cast off a few feet away, Flora was no longer in an ideal situation. Her blades had caused the injury to the girls hip and it was easy to see the bloodied material from where she stood. Her only option would be to move. Dropping the stupid coconut and diving for her discarded whip, hoping that her hand would find the handle before the girls Claws found her.
She kept her senses heightened. Though the thunder was unbearably loud, Kalla could hear grainy movement in the sand. Rather than act immediately, she waited until the perfect moment. The tribute was just behind her, waiting themselves. If Kalla waited too long then she would obviously be dead meat. She took a deep break, chest heaving, then quick turned and swiped her claws across the girl’s collar bones. Next, she didn’t hesitate in backing away now and examining the tribute. She had never seen this girl before, but she could tell from her physique and stance that she was a career. And an older one at that. Kalla didn’t have a chance.
Flora hadn't counted on the girl hearing her, it was a surprise when, before she had even begun to raise her arm, the girl turned, the strike coming hard and fast to her chest. Hissing in pain, she stumbled back a step and looked down, seeing the deep scarlet gashes left by the claw like weapon. "You shouldn't have done that." Flora had planned on going easy, making ti quick and relatively painless for the girl. But that had been before she'd had the never to strike first. Ignoring the pain, not phased by the stead flow of blood Flora glared at the girl. Raising her whip, she lashed out at the girls side, turning away from her as she pulled back, causing as much damage as she could.
The next thing she knew, Kalla was thrown to the ground with a searing pain in her temple. She quickly shot up and looked around frantically. All she could see was a coconut. Did it fall on her? No. If it had fallen, the pain would be against the top of her head, not her temple. This was thrown on an angle. Pushing herself to a stance, she waited for the tribute now. She knew they were here.
Flora watched as the figure fell, and then got up, seeming much more frantic than before. It would have been entertaining has she the suspicion that this person would be her final opponent. When the person, who she could now tell was a girl took a defensive stance Flora dropped her pack, only bothering to keep her Urumi at hand. Stepping back and moving to be just behind the girl, she waited a moment before taking a step out from behind the tree's.
The rain that poured actually cleansed her dirty claws slightly which made her feel a little better. She slipped them back onto her hands and waited. Slowly she wandered away from the position she stood and moved to the center of the small island. Lightning came down and split the tree next to her in half. Kalla jumped back. That was so close… It could have been her. The air smelled metallic now but she knew better than to fall off guard. Her back facing the opposite side of the island she watched the two boats, unsure of what to do or where to go next.
Walking for now was enough to ease her frustration. She was at least moving closer to her target. The rain had yet to stop, if anything it seemed to fall more heavily, each drop feeling like a small pellet hitting her skin. A little water never hurt. At least, it had never hurt her anyway. She had bigger things to worry about. It was the sudden garish light and sickening crack that made Flora turn her attention from the shore to somewhere deeper in the tree's. Moving towards it, she soon found the cause of the sound. A tree had fallen, or rather snapped not too far from the its base. Looking at the scorched stump she followed the thin trail of smoke that wafted towards the figure, half hidden by the trees. Their back was to her and not wanting to waster her advantage she had, Flora took one of the coconuts from her pack, holding it for a moment before tossing it at the tribute.
Am I Already Gone? || Flora and Kalla || The final Two
Hearing Morgan’s final cannon actually made Kalla jump. It frightened her how quick she had lost to death. Maybe she was ready to go. She lie therewith both of her eyes wide open. Morgan stared at the rain above and tears sat in her dead eyes. They’d be dry by the time they sent her dead body back to her District, but her eyes would still remain open. Kalla didn’t want that, Morgan, the bitch that she was, never deserved to die in such an unfashionable way. Lightly, Kalla closed her eyelids with the tips of her fingers, and wiped away some of the extra sand and muck that had made it’s way to her face. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. But now was not the time for a sappy goodbye. Now was the time to fight.
The storm above had progressively gotten worse. The wind picked up a large pace and the loud cracks of thunder stung her ears. She stood trying to look across the bay now to see where the other tribute may be. IT was then that she realized there were only two of five possible boats over there. One Kira had taken and never returned with, another Morgan took, and the third was quite obviously the last tribute’s. But the pounding rain made it hard to see across the bay at all, so Kalla could only hope that whoever the last tribute was would be here.
The waiting game was evidently not Flora's forte. Sitting in the boat was becoming tedious. Rain continued to pour, she continued to wait and no one came. She was so close and yet it seemed that despite the island being small, no one was around. With her hair now plastered to her forehead by the rain she sighed, pushing the strands back out of her eyes. Sitting up she rolled her eyes at just how alone she seemed to be. For once she was craving interaction and no one was there to satisfy her need. Of course the interaction would end in death but, that was unavoidable. The thunder was oddly calming, the sounds making it easy to imagine the canons that had been firings for the last few days. It was the similarity that led to her confusion. Had a canon just fired? Or was this just a figment of her imagination? Kneeling in the boat she looked around once more seeing no one. God, she hoped this would be worth it. Getting up and stepping out of the boat, she pulled the coconut filled pack up higher on her shoulder. Walking slowly and carefully, keeping to the edge of the tree's she walked towards the other end of the beach hoping, that someone, anyone would be there. This needed to be over, she had a train to catch.
With Dawn quickly approaching, and wanting the cover of darkness while inspect the surrounding area, Flora stood, brushing the sand from her arms and legs. It was now that she was glad she had directed her boat to the further side of the Island. It would give her time. To do what? The thought struck her and she was momentarily confused as to just what the answer was. Prepare? For what? She already knew she was going to kill who ever came her way. It was only a matter of hours, maybe less. It was then that her thoughts turned to him. Would Elliot be proud? Or would he hate her for everything she had done. He understood, that killing was necessary, part of the games. But he also had the respect for the Fallen she never did. All it took was one thought of Pate and her snide remark to tell her that she had been cruel. The boy had been shown no mercy. And it was her ability to still have any compassion that had made Elliot believe in her. For lack of a better girl, would he hate her? "What would you think of me now?"
"Shut up!" the angry shout was directed to no one but herself. For now she was alone, and it was in these moments when victory was tantalizingly close that she found her ability to ignore the boy who had kept her strong slipping. Grabbing the pack, she looked at the sand around her. It had little in terms of supplies but there were at least no vines weaving across the floor. As she scanned the near by area she saw the collection of stones by a tree. Curious, Flora stepped closer realising that the 'stones' she had seen were in fact coconuts. Picking a few up she smiled. Weapon, food and drink all in one. Tucking a few into her pack, Flora was careful to save them for a time when she would need them more. So far the island seemed small, but she had no doubt that if someone could get here, then they could also go back and then it would be back to hunting once more.
Now with the light returning, and the earlier drizzle of rain getting heavier, Flora realised that soon she night not be alone. Walking back to the water, where her boat sat on the sand she cast a careful glance around before climbing in. Keeping the pack on one shoulder, her Urumi still in her hand, Flora ducked as far down as she could. Staying out of sight took priority now. Getting the upper hand on anyone who came past would mean that killing them would be that much easier. All it would take was one hit, well timed and precise and her fellow tribute would be down, dead or dying in less than a minute. This time she didn't smile at the thought, instead she laughed. She was so close. By the time the day was over she would be going home, as a victor. Finally, she'd be worth something to her family.
Her old life had gotten better when she met Elliot.
But her new life would begin the moment that final canon fired.
She heard the canons. Each one making her stop and smile for a moment. Most would see it as twisted. But she could only see it as the end to a part of her life that she was all to ready and willing to put behind her. Victory was close, practically guaranteed and she was already thinking of the journey home. What she would say, how it would be to finally see a look of pride in her parents faces. A look of respect that was for her. She could and would have the affection of a District, and the respect of her tormentors. Years of pain, of endurance. All of it would be worth while when she won. It had to be worth it. That was why she had done this. Why she never let herself care. Having a conscience is what got people killed. Guilt is what left room for hesitation and heartache. It seemed only fitting that the phrase "Tis better to have loved and loss" came to mind at that moment. It was apt. But it made her stumble, not taking in the multitude of criss-crossing vines as much as she should.
Walking amongst the tree's, the cyclical nature of her surroundings began to irk her. Row after row of tree's that did nothing but make her feel like she was walking in circles. Her frustration building, the lack of sleep making her head ache from the repetitive sights she screamed, lashing out at the nearest trunk with her whip. Breathing hard, she looked at the chipped and slashed bark, seeing nothing but her own lack of control. Her brother wouldn't have done that. He would have stayed calm, carried on. Now she looked at the tree's, her eyes darting from each one, the resemblance doing nothing but making her anxious. She had to get out of there. Away from the forest, the vines. That same floor where she had so mercilessly spilled Pate's blood. In the place where she had seen Elliot die. It was all too much. It all reminded her of things she wanted to forget.
Turning away from the sound of the trembling, she walked with purpose. The water. There had been boats. She could get away from the Island. Away from the tree's that did nothing but bring her painful memories. Victory was so close, she couldn't stop now. Not when it all mattered most. Dying second was worse than dying 7th or 8th. It meant everyone would see. Everyone would remember. That no one would forget how she failed. No one remembered the early deaths, or the ones that nearly made it to the end. No. She had to win. There was no other way, dying wasn't an option, not for her. Her sister, her brothers, all of them had told her she would choke. That dying would be their victory. "At least you won't be around to drag the family name through the mud anymore."
The memory of her siblings words was enough to make her pace quicken. Now, running through the tree's she used what little light she had to navigate the uneven floor. In her haste, Flora took little care to keep her balance and upon seeing the tree's thinning up ahead tripped, falling to her knees on the floor.Stunned and momentarily confused, it took her a fee seconds to recognise the pain in her knees. Angry at her own clumsiness, she pushed herself up, not brother to brush the mud from her grazed shins. It was her thoughts of Elliot, of her own weakness and her emotions that had caused her to get distracted. That was why she had fallen. She couldn't let herself think of that. Elliot was dead, and her ability to love and hopes of being better had died with him.
Moving to the clearing up ahead, she realised where she was. The water that separated the two islands reflecting the low light of the moon. It was late. The heat from the sun having vanished along with the brilliant sunlight. It was cold and she found herself wishing she had found her way to shelter sooner. Looking along the shore and spotting the boats, Flora walked over, dumping her pack in the nearest and pushing it into the water. After seeing Tia, savaged and devoured, she would take no chances with the water. Turning, to look back at the tree's she watched as the tree's got further from her. It was then that she saw the billowing smoke and glowing red top of the volcano. Smiling despite her situation,she thought of the canons she had heard. Three more dead. That left her and two others? three? It didn't matter. Not really. She would kill them all if she had too. Killing seemed to be all she was good at after all.
When the boat came to a stop, hitting the sand, she grabbed her pack and jumped out. Crouching on the sand. It made sense to be cautious. She had seen more boats and there was no telling who else might be with her. When no immediate attack came, she stood, walking up from the shoreline to the thin cover up off of the sands. Now sat, out of view from approaching boats she let herself rest. It was a risk but it her exhaustion was too strong to deny. It wasn't until the nightmares came that she woke trembling. Taking deep breaths, pushing her hair away from her eyes she forced herself to sit up, whip at the ready. It had been a dream. Like always. But this time she had seen Elliot and it had terrified her more than any of her past nightmares. Sighing, she let herself relax. Sleep was no longer an option. All she had to do was wait. Soon enough they'd all be dead and she could go home. One night, one more time she would go through the tree's, hunting, tracking down whoever was left.
The laughter Flora offered Pate gave him chills. He ignored her annoying chatter and continued to slip off the leg. He hadn’t done so in over 2 days. The sweat and grime had definitely built up. “Mom and Dad, wouldn’t want to see you suffer after all.” He froze there, finally having his leg off, and he stared up at her. His anger had reached it’s boiling point, yet he could not boil over. Pate watched her with sadness in his eyes. “My father,” he repeated uselessly. Clearing his throat, he shook his head. He did not need to be reminded of the other great loss in his life now. Slowly, Pate pushed himself to a standing position using his staff and his good leg. “He’s dead, you asshole. It was because of your fucking district that he died!”
Pate’s father was a rebel, that much was clear. But the type of operations he had completed relied on District Two, and The Nut’s destruction. Here they made weapons used specifically for the Games, it was there that his reputation grew. By the time he had returned home, the Peacekeepers followed him, and killed him. They had not been the Peacekeepers of their district, but of District Two. Pate growled at the memory and balanced on his one leg, swiping his staff across her torso. His attempt to knock her down was useless, Flora had the upper hand now. With one last push for an attempt to hurt her, Pate kicked his leg up and hit her in the stomach. Useless. Now, he laid on the ground, trapped and his staff knocked feet away. He was completely and utterly useless. His disability had put him at the largest disadvantage of all; his life.
She watched, in slight disbelief at his leg. This was definitely not what she was used to. Shaking it off, she stood, bemused as he repeated her and pushed himself up. What was the point in all his fighting. Did he not see just how pathetic this all was. He had beaten her once, when she had doubted her own strength, when she had been exhausted and wrung out, lacking the love of the fight that burned so strongly within her now. She needed this. Another kill. If she eliminated her biggest threats then what room was there for her siblings to mock her. His next line surprised her, and she found herself angry at his statement. He held her District responsible for his fathers death, and now dared to insult her by using it as an accusation.
His strike was poorly aimed and it was easy to dodge, grabbing the weapon out of his hands and tossing it away from him. Disarmed and unsteady on his foot she watched as he threw the detached part of his leg at her. Stepping aside, having it hit her stomach with practically no force at all, she shook her head. "You had promise, and you let yourself get distracted. Do you know what you are? A disgrace. You barely tried. And to think i considered you a threat." Now expressionless, feeling nothing but anger towards the boy who laid at her feet she rose her whip and looked him in the eyes. "Tell mommy and daddy Hi for me." with that said, she wasted no time in lashing out at his neck, watching as the blade hit its side, the blood hitting her. Wiping her cheek, she stepped back, picking up her pack from where it sat on the ground.
Leaving him there, she began walking towards the volcano when the canon sounded. She hadn't needed to stay. The hit to his neck was enough that he would die. It only took a matter of minutes to bleed out. And from the gash she had created any attempt at speech would have been useless. Pate, Tia, Elliot. Who else would die? It was as this question crossed her mind that she felt the ground shake and heard the splitting and falling of rock. Stumbling on the shaking ground she looked up too see the rising cloud of smoke. The volcano was active. It as obvious that the games were not enough on their own and the game makers wanted to play a part in the deaths. Smiling she straightened and carried on walking, making steady progress towards the volcano. It only made her job easier. Who ever they killed was another tribute out of the way. It wouldn't be long. Soon the games would be over and she would take home the title of Victor.
“Did no one teach you how to talk girls. For one you don’t call them anything like that. It can be offensive.” Flora’s words felt like a hard slap in the face. “Not if they truly are one,” Pate spat the words back in response, but she kept speaking. Everything she said knocked his confidence down another level. Back in the training center, Pate had beaten her. She would have died on his account had they been in the arena. Distracted in his thoughts, her weapon leaving a trail along his face brought him back to reality. He gasped just as his foot fell from under him. Crashing against the ground, Pate’s fake leg had been wedged under another large fine. He propped himself up on his elbows to respond to her. “Shut up.” Pate narrowed his eyes at her, and swiped his staff under her legs. It was obviously predictable, because Flora jumped over it with ease. He tried to pull himself to a standing position, but his prosthetic was clearly stuck under the vine. He growled at her from the floor as he began to remove his leg. Pate knew how to fight without it, but it would put him at a large disadvantage, and throw him off balance.
She couldn't help the small note of sardonic laughter in response to his pitiful attempt at a retort. Shut up? The amount of times she had cried that to her siblings to only get the same results she gave now. It never worked, all it did was prove you were affected by the words. The way he laid against the ground, his leg stuck she didn't quite understand what he was doing. "You're stuck? This is just too easy." Her amusement at his situation was cut short when he swiped at her with his staff. Jumping over it easily, she glared at him. Watching as she fiddled with something on his leg she hesitated in getting much closer. "What are you doing?!" More annoyed and curious she groaned at the idiocy Pate seemed to display. Considering it a small attempt at a distraction she smirked and shook her head, her tone mocking his weak display. "How about you hold still and let me make it quick. Mom and Dad, wouldn't want to see you suffer after all."
One moment she was on the ground, the next her urnanus was wrapped around his arm. Blood poured out around the blades and he hissed, sticking his jaw out to keep from actually crying out. He stared at her, lips pursed against the other, and listened to her words spoken in monotone. Pate grimaced. “Oh, and you career bitches think you’ve got it all.” Anger consumed him and captured him. He wanted to kill Flora then and there but he needed to wait. A gentleman would kill a lady with grace. And if that lady is a career, then of course you wait. He narrowed his eyes and shook her weapon off of his arm. Taking his staff, he pushed himself back from her and spun his staff, ready to strike.
Watching with twisted pleasure are the whip fell from his arm and the blood began to flow much more steadily. Between his reaction to the pain it had caused and the rude retort Flora could just feel his anger in the air. When he was stood still, backed away she stood up straight and looked at the blood soaked blades of her urumi, admiring its affect on his arm. Shaking her head she walked in a slow circle around him, closing the distance subtly, keeping her eyes locked with his. "Did no one teach you how to talk girls. For one you don't call them anything like that. It can be offensive." Stepping closer, coming to a stop she smiled tilting her head. "I would say that you should wash your mouth with soap, but I'd rather not waste my time. Killing you is already taking too much time as it is." Feigning to the left she pulled her whip up and around him, the edge just missing his shoulder as she stopped, twisting round and bringing it hard across his cheek. Stopping in a crouch as her urumi fell to the ground by her feet, the handle still gripped tightly, she kicked out at his ankle quickly before pushing herself back away from him, looking at him with a amused expression "Now, what was it you were saying?"
Her words were dry and painful against him. Pate swallowed the lump in his throat, and then cleared it. First speaking with a higher pitched voice, he cleared his throat once more and aimed his staff toward her. “She would— She would have beaten you too.” Taking a large step closer to her, the end of his staff pressed against her windpipe, Pate looked at her as if she had been the one to kill Tia. “Just like I am now.” Kicking his feet up, Pate slammed his fake leg into her rib, shoving her to the side and making her stumble over.
It was evident that her choice of words and characteristically disapproving tone had been a poor choice when approaching Pate. With his staff placing pressure against he throat it was easy to tell any further retort, at least for the time being was not welcome. The change in his expression, from haunted to murderous made her grip tighten on her urumi. But she had no time to strike when, instead of using his staff, he brought his leg against her side. Surprised by the force of the blow, Flora stumbled sideways, falling to her knees. Turning round, biting her lip against the stab of pain in her side she brought her arm forward, lashing out at his arm.
The second it made contact she pulled, pushing herself up as she did so. It would have to be enough to make him hesitate, giving her enough time to right herself. Looking at him with nothing but pity, to see a boy,who for a non career had shown promise, left to emotion driven aggression. That could have been her. But she knew better. Her siblings had taught her better. Narrowing her eyes as she looked at him, waiting for the next move the words seemed to slip out, her inner thoughts spoken aloud by mistake. "You outer Districts are always so confident. I really Don't know where you get it."
Life is a puzzle. You can’t see the whole picture yet, but as you grow older and older, the pieces become clear as day. Pate had just lost a large piece to his puzzle. Everything he once knew had completely turned into confusion. He felt lost and as if something so dear to him had been ripped from his cold hands. It was unjust to have lost someone so soon after finally fixing their bond between them. Of course he wanted revenge, but for the time being he needed to grieve alone. Suggesting that the alliance split for the night was more than healthy, but little did he knew the chaos that would soon erupt upon him and his life long puzzle.
Stumbling through the rough brush, Pate allowed the tears to fall down his cheeks. He felt the heat of the sun quickly depleting behind his back. Soon it would be dark. With no supplies, he had wished that he thought of this sooner. Soon he would need to stop and rely on the night to cover him from other wandering tributes looking for another kill. His staff dragged behind him, leaving a trail he wasn’t aware of until now. Pausing to swipe the dirt from the rod, he heard her. Head snapping up, slowly bringing his staff into a defensive mode, he shook. Pate wasn’t ready for this now, but he would have to be. Raising his eyebrows in a false sense of confidence, he spoke. “It was you wasn’t it.”
By the time Flora found herself anywhere familiar the sun was low in the sky and the shadows on the ground long and eery. The dying light was enough to encourage a swift pace. It was this new pace and direction that had lead her to the disturbed forest floor. Seeing the long line that had brushed leaves and other pieces of debris from the tree's away she smiled. Someone had walked through here, and judging by the still damp leaves it had not been long ago. From the direction of parted leaves, it was easy to follow the groove on the floor long enough to hear the soft footsteps ahead. Taking her urumi from her side and holding it, still coiled, she was careful as Pate stopped noticing the path her had left.
The scene was so pointless she had the though to laugh. Deciding against such an immature action she pushed through the small group of bushes between them. Allowing her urumi to uncoil, the tip just brushing the floor she let the smile fade as her eyes locked on Pate's back. When he looked up, his eyes meeting hers she saw a flash of something in her expression. Fear? Possibly. Confidence? The boy was definitely overly optimistic. Pain? Despite her confusion, her focused stayed with his words. Nodding she took her stance opposite him. "I was the one across the river. I saw what happened to the girl. It was a shame. I was so looking forward to fighting her. We had discussed it. She had been so confident about beating me." Her words were meant to entice a calm response, but the lack of emotion in her voice made her sound far more insulting and amused than she had intended.
As Sas As I Used To Be |Team Awesome & Flora |Selfpost
Each step forward was a step away from him. A means of distancing herself from it all. She had been wrong to get involved. It was the second day and all too soon she found herself wandering just how it could be more painful to realise that her capacity to care for another, to trust was still existent. Only to have that one person taken from her, leaving her feeling empty and bruised. At the time it was like someone had reached into her chest ripping her heart from her with a vicious hand, no care or warning. Her mind traveled back to that moment, despite her own reluctance to allow herself anymore upset, the images stayed with her. That first sight of him, on the ground eyes closed had created the panic. Next came the denial, telling him despite his lack of response that he was fine. Flora had known the truth, that he wasn't okay, that each word she found herself mumbling was a lie. It didn't take long for it to turn to anger, frustrated that he was being taken from her, that she was losing Elliot far too soon.
Hands balled into fists uselessly around his shirt, cheeks damp with silent tears she'd knelt and watched as his breathing slowed. Unsure if he could hear her, or even register her words at all, she'd mumbled petty attempts of reassurance until her frustration got the better of her. Wiping the tears away angrily, annoyed at herself for letting such a strong reaction show, she leant back, letting her hands fall into her lap. Elliot had warned her, told her he would leave her and she had deluded herself with the idea that it wouldn't happen. That she wouldn't have to face it. Idiot. They were right. Everyone is better off dead. It had taken Elliot dying to remind her just why she was there. That her reason for being there had always been to win. Deep down she had known that if he hadn't died she would have had to kill him. It was that thought, spurred by the deafening roar of the canon that had made her stand, taking the packs, his swords fastened to the front and her urumi coiled at her side and walk away.
The night had been long, the hours passing slowly as she walked, no real direction in mind. As she went the itching sensation was easy to block out. Slowly she allowed herself to ignore the upset, pushing and burying it down deep in her mind, along with her memories of her siblings. Locking it away where she hoped it wouldn't hurt her. Sleep was not an option, time had been lost getting the pack from the other boy and waiting for Elliot, to only find him dead. She was here to win, it was time she acted like it. On few occasions the snap of a branch or the rustle of leaves had been enough for her to uncoil her whip, the prospect of taking out another being tantalizingly close. But her excitement had been short lived when nothing, and more to the point, no one was there. By the time morning came, Flora found herself tired, but she had no choice to stop, carrying on was the only option Or at least that's what she told herself. Her own fear of nightmares now tainted with the images of Elliot terrifying her enough to make her boycott rest.
It was the breaking up and thinning out of the tree's that caught her attention, drawing her from her own thoughts and recollections of the nights events. It was then that the river came into view. Standing at the water edge she eyed it carefully remembering her run in with Morgan at the pool. Shaking her head and deciding against going across, Flora began to walk along the side, following the flow of water. It couldn't have been more than half an hour since she had found the river that she heard voices. Moving to walk amongst the vegetation keeping as close to the river as she could, it was easy to spot the group of tributes on the opposite side. Moving closer to get a better look, she flinched as the sound of rustling leaves caught one of the girls attention. The moment her face came into view, it was easy to recognise her. Tia Monday. Stepping out, letting her whip uncoil she watched as Tia moved away from the group, straight for the water.
What happened next was something Flora had not once seen before. It took her by surprise and she backed away as the girl began splashing through the water. Standing ready to use her weapon the moment Tia was close enough, she noticed the dark cloud in the water moving towards the girl. It was only when Tia seemed to slow and stop, the water being moved by something other than her. Staring in disbelief as the water turned red and the girls cries filled the air. Now she was glad that the water had seemed like a bad idea. That would have been her. Looking from Tia to the shore, she saw Pate, Ryan and that Morgan girl stood staring with a mixture of horror and disgust on their faces. They were as shocked as Tia. By now the girl was already in the water, there was nothing they could do. Not wanting to waster her opportunity to leave unnoticed, Flora turned running back into the tree's leaving a screaming Tia behind her.
When the sound of the yelling died down and the river was far behind her, she slowed her pace. So Tia Monday would be amongst the fallen who would show in the sky. One more threat had been eliminated. A part of her wondered whether her civil conversation with the girl should make her feel some kind of remorse, but the idea was easily discarded Emotion was the enemy. It wad what got Elliot killed and if she wasn't careful she'd meet a similar fate. As the canon roared, cracking the delicate silence of the forest Flora resolved that she would find another way across the river. Pate, Morgan and Ryan all still lived unless they risked crossing. But she assumed that none would be as foolish as to risk that after that display. Looking back over her shoulder she waited to listen if anymore canons would sound. But when no second crash of sound came she brought her attention back to her task. Get out of the forest, and across the river. Then, well, then it would be her turn to kill and not the mutts. By her count that made nine dead and six left to kill. Smiling to herself at the odds she picked a direction and began walking. This could all be over by tomorrow. Only Six and her biggest threats were Pate, or Ava. It didn't matter, they would all be dead soon. The capitol would have its victor and she could go home. "Just like I always wanted."
