And the victor of the 64th annual Hunger Games is....
The fog lifted and the arena shook. The lifeless bodies of the recently killed were lifted into hovercrafts and carried away. The edges of the arena crumbled and the remaining tributes scrambled to keep hold of their plethora of weapons.
Caspian laughed, attempting to carry 2 spears, the electric wire, and now a sword. Elsewhere, Cherry slung her quiver over her shoulder, belted Scar’s axe, and gripped the knife, keeping it at the ready. Nearby, Ash also found a way to keep his sword, 2 knives, and electric wire handy for immediate use. They all stood firmly in their spots until the earth began to splinter around them, forcing them inward and towards each other. Caspian’s heart beat strong, hoping that he’d find Marissa sometime soon. He also thought of Scar and Cherry, frowning when he realized that the number of cannons he heard meant that only 2 other tributes were alive besides him. He’d not get to have all three of them.
Selfishly, he at least wanted one of them to be Marissa. Cherry took a deep breath, also hoping to see Marissa and Caspian again. She pushed her sorrow for Scar back in her mind because she knew that it’d only weaken her at a moment when the slightest mistake would mean her death. She just needed to know who she was going to fight to get to the end. Ash didn’t think of anyone at all in that way, he just knew there were 2 tributes standing between him and a victory.
As the grey haze dissipated, each tribute could make out 2 other figures in front of them. Standing close enough to each other now that their identities were finally revealed, Caspian and Cherry eyed each other then turned their attention to Ash, both gasping in disbelief that Marissa was not among them. Caspian wanted to cry but he channeled it into rage, knowing without a doubt that Ash had been the one that killed his wife. His lip curled in a hateful sneer as he stared Ash down. Cherry appeared next to him, making it clear that this fight was two against one. She already had an arrow loaded into her bow and had it pointed at Ash. Her eyes narrowed as she watched Ash thrust his sword into the ground, allowing it to temporarily hold his weapon while he armed himself with his throwing knives. Ash felt their weight in his hands, ready to throw if Caspian or Cherry advanced on him, glaring at the pair in return with a pretty terrible grimace on his face.
“Cas-” Ash began to say, but Caspian refused to hear him speak. “No, you shut the fuck up. You have no right to say a single word to me. You killed her, I know you did!” Caspian roared at Ash. Caspian’s blood boiled inside of his body despite the fact that Ash maybe looked a little sorry. It could’ve been genuine or it could’ve been a strategy, but either way Caspian didn’t care, he just wanted revenge for his dead wife. “Did you know she was pregnant, too, Ash? Did you? Did you realize when you took her from me that you were also taking another life inside of her?” Caspian’s words were cold and strong. His chest heaved as he screamed at Ash. His knuckles were white as he gripped his sword and spears tightly. Cherry tried hard to fight back the tears, but she let a few slip down her cheek. Ash shook his head nervously but didn’t respond. His thoughts were consumed with the way he’d killed Marissa, so ironic.
The arena continued to collapse around them, pushing the trio even closer together. Ash knew his odds were slim, especially with how visibly angry Caspian had become. Cherry was on his side and he was alone. Yet, he wasn’t going to give up without a fight. There was no time for any more arguments, no matter what Ash said about Marissa, Caspian wasn’t going to forgive him. He grasped a knife in each of his hands and threw them both at the same time, one aimed for Caspian and the other for Cherry. Witnessing his release, Cherry sent an arrow for Ash’s torso. The weapons moved faster than the speed of light to all of Panem, but to the 3 tributes in the arena, time had slowed tremendously. Caspian dodged the knife without trying too hard and Ash’s other knife missed Cherry completely. Fortunately for Ash, the arrow had also fallen short. Ash ripped his sword out of the ground and swung it in front of him, attempting to intimidate the other two.
Cherry eyed Ash, knowing that if she just got a little closer that she’d be able to shoot him. Caspian dropped his spears and nodded to Cherry, letting her know that he’d take Ash on first. If Caspian couldn’t save Marissa from death, he’d sure as hell protect Cherry, after all, he owed this much to her and Scar. He clenched his sword and moved in towards Ash, challenging him to a one on one old fashioned sword fight. Cherry stood her ground, off to the side, and kept her bow steady, aimed at Ash. Caspian kissed 3 fingers, touched his heart, then held them up to the sky. “For Marissa and Scar!” Caspian wailed as he charged towards Ash. Metal clanged against metal and the two were locked in an intense battle. Ash was quick but Caspian was quicker. With each swing that Ash took, Caspian blocked then countered. Caspian came at him filled with anger and rage, constantly grunting and heaving himself towards Ash with wreckless abandon. Blood spilled as Caspian sliced Ash’s shoulder then leg.
The ferocity of Caspian’s attack was nearly too much for Ash to continue to bear after 15 minutes of sword play. They moved across the remaining grass of the arena, inching towards the edge little by little. Ash was beginning to wane, unintentionally letting Caspian slice up his abdomen and upper thigh. He faltered, dropping to the ground on one of his knees. Breathing hard, he tried his best to block Caspian’s onslaught until he found an opening. He took it, managing to cut through Caspian’s coat and leaving a gash in his side. Caspian backed off, having received only his second wound in the arena. He glared at Ash, who was panting and kneeling in the dirt. Removing his hand from his wound, Caspian flew forward, bringing his sword down on Ash, resulting in Ash dropping his sword, leaving him weaponless. Caspian stood in front of him, sword pointed in his throat.
Cherry moved in silently, getting a better angle on Ash. Caspian made eye contact with her only for a moment, letting her know that he knew where she was. Caspian lowered his sword to Ash’s torso. “Don’t think that when I kill you that you’ll be lucky enough to join Bailey up in heaven. They don’t save places there for baby killers,” he said, spitting on Ash. “You disgust me.” Cherry winced a little, still not particularly thrilled with any of Caspian’s actions, even though she understood them. She just wasn’t born and bred like him and Scar, but she stood by him nonetheless. The mention of Bailey’s name stirred something inside of Ash, helping him to regain the will to fight. We wasn’t sure if he wanted to live or die now, but he knew that if he was going to die that he’d take Caspian out with him. Ash pivoted himself on his heel and attempted to back away from the tip of the sword so he might be able to retrieve his sword. Caspian lurched forward after him, stabbing him through the achilles tendon with his sword. Ash cried out in agony but managed to regain control of his weapon. He rolled over on the ground, allowing his ankle to break against the bloodstained metal of Caspian’s sword. Thrown off balance by Ash’s movements, Caspian was caught off guard and felt Ash’s weapon break his skin and rip through his thigh.
Now, both on the ground, the fight became kind of a mess. Using swords was becoming difficult. Caspian released his weapon, hoping to be able to pry Ash’s away and fight him without anything at all. Ash managed to deeply cut through Caspian’s back and shoulder as the two struggled in the dirt. Their blood was mixing together as they wrestled, Caspian finally being able to steal Ash’s weapon and toss it aside. Cherry continued to watch, now worried that maybe she might lose Caspian in this battle. From her point of view, they were both battered and nearly dead already. She felt a pang of guilt for standing by and doing nothing, yet neither Caspian nor Scar, if he was there, would’ve allowed her to switch places with them. Ash and Caspian rolled on the ground, throwing punches and kneeing each other, sinking their fingers into each other’s wounds and ripping them open further. At one point, Ash managed to bite into Caspian’s ear, tearing half of it off.
Now running on pure adrenaline alone, the boys were beating each other with every ounce of strength they had left. Cherry lowered her bow and dropped it on the ground. She started to cry, knowing that they were both past the point of return. She wasn’t going to be able to offer any kind of assistance to Caspian. Suddenly, she got an idea, and if she was going to help at all, now would be the time. She ran to Caspian’s pack and pulled out his electric wire. She recalled Pippa’s death and knew that Caspian would have no problems using this on Ash too. Returning to the site where the boys were still ravaging each other, she tried to think of a way to get Caspian’s attention without distracting him. She called Caspian’s name out loud, hoping that maybe both of them would look over to her. “Caspian! Caspian!” They struggled against each other before jerking their heads over to Cherry. Caspian shook his head, confused by her actions, and Ash took the opportunity to sock Caspian in the nose, breaking it.
Cherry rushed forward as Ash twisted Caspian on the ground, taking the dominant position. Caspian’s back was against the grass, so he could see where Cherry was before Ash did. She held up the wire, showing it to Caspian. He reached out for it but she was too far. She moved in closer, handing him the wire. Ash felt her presence and swung his arm around, backhanding her and knocking her to the ground. Not noticing the exchange between the two, Ash sunk his fist into Caspian’s face until he fell limp. Turning his attention to Cherry, he jumped towards her, noticing too late that she had removed her axe from her belt. Cherry swiped the air in front of her, keeping Ash at bay. She held his attention though, screaming and begging for her life. Caspian was stirring behind Ash and she didn’t want him to see that.
Caspian shook his head, a little rattled, but gripped the wire, unwinding it enough to get it around Ash’s neck. Cherry cried when she realized how close to the edge they’d all gotten. She could hear animal noises below her. Now terrified, she threw the knife at Ash but it missed. Instead, it landed in Caspian’s stomach as he came up behind Ash with the wire. Cherry whimpered and turned away. Caspian ignored the knife that was now protruding from his torso and wrapped the wire around Ash’s neck, surprising him. Caspian pulled back, Ash’s body pushing the knife into his body even further. Caspian groaned but fought it, picking Ash up and letting his legs flail in the air. Ash’s fingers tried to grip the wire around his neck but had no luck. Caspian wrapped the wire around his neck three more times quickly, catching Ash’s fingers against the wire and digging into them. He pulled the wire taut, slicing off a couple digits. Ash cried out, releasing a choking noise and sputtering blood on Caspian’s hands. Soon his body went limp from asphyxiation. Caspian kept one hand on the wire and gripped Ash’s pants, picking him up and holding Ash above his head. It took all his strength, but Caspian limped towards the edge of the arena and heaved Ash’s body over the side and into the fog.
Suddenly, the arena was filled with a bright light and a loud thundering noise followed by the sound of the cannon. Sparks flew, blinding Caspian and Cherry. Caspian collapsed onto his knees, his arms up, shielding himself from the light. Without warning, Ash’s body flew back towards the arena as the force field rejected any object that hit it, landing on Caspian and knocking him off the edge as well. Cherry screamed and ran to the edge, “Caspian, no!” She couldn’t see anything at all, just fog. She listened for a response from him, but there was none. All she could hear was growling, barking, and the eventual tearing of flesh below her. She backed up, letting herself begin to cry. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.
A cannon boomed. Cherry found herself curled into a ball in the dirt, bawling uncontrollably. A voice came over the loudspeaker of the arena announcing that Cherry Carson was the victor of the 64th Annual Hunger Games. The sky opened up above her and a hovercraft appeared to take her away. She let herself be taken, wishing that she’d been able to help Caspian, to say good bye… to be able to have saved Marissa and the baby. She held her hand over her heart, and wiping her tears away, she said, “Everything you promised me, I promise to you. All of you. I love you.”
(Entirely written by Caspian)
