#ftributes

[griffclarke-blog]

Forgotten Tributes: Trust Is No Friend - The Story of Gracie Morello, Tribute from District 7

Remember how I said I'd try to do those little one shot fics of past/dead tributes? Well here's the first one. Please check it out, and like if you did. It would mean a lot!

                I heaved my arms up and grasped the wooden handle tighter. The blade of the axe came out swiftly, no squirting guts and bones. Janelle’s blood pooled down to my feet and her body fell as the axe came out of her back. She let out a huffed, final breath as she collapsed onto the ground, lifeless. The cannon fired and I dropped my axe into the thick oozing blood at my feet. I didn’t dare look down at the mess I’d made, at the life I’d taken. I only raised my eyes, looking up at the azure blue sky. It was cloudless and perfect; it looked so precious and fragile. My fingers trembled by my sides as a gust of wind blew past. I could smell the saltiness of the sea to my right, the same salty smell of my tears. I shivered violently, shifting my shoulders, craning my neck slightly.

Finally I found the courage to look down at the small 13 year old dead girl at my feet. The gash I’d made in her back was revolting and too horrible to look at for those with a weak stomach. But I couldn’t bring myself to avert my eyes from it. Janelle’s spiky, straight brown hair was now lying sprawled on her back in clumps made of blood and dirt. Her clothes were all tattered and in rags from the hikes. She was in no shape or form for this place, right from the beginning. I slowly and cautiously scanned my eyes over her body. I let out a sigh. There’s nothing left here for me.

It took time and lots of throbs in my chest, but I managed to retrieve my red stained axe. It was a small thing, just enough for one and a half fists on its handle. But the blade was deadly sharp. It was black and red, radiating a death signal. My deadly weapon. I hastily turned to grab my brown pack that was lying safe from the bloody mess. The bag was light and almost empty. I cursed but then brushed off the thought. I swung it over my shoulder, where it had been for the past week. Taking one last glance at Janelle, I strode off into the rainforest with her blood intertwined with my fingers.

The walk to the beach isn’t far from my current position. I had mapped out the route in my head and memorized it quite well. Almost a week of scurrying in the treetops and spying on tribute camps had definitely paid off. I’d decided to take a walk today though instead of swinging from tree to tree. With an axe dripping with blood and a dirty, grime stained face like mine, not many tributes would consider approaching me. But then again, half the Careers were still out there. Only 7 tributes remain and it’s day 12. If anyone did decide to come up to me, I would throw my axe. I would kill them. No more running and hiding. I am agile but I won’t run this time. That won’t guarantee me the win. And I want to win, so I can go home and scale up tall, branchless trees.

I reached the clearing where the rainforest connected to the beach. I knew better to head on straight down to the water. The first time I’d found the beach, the ruthless girl from District 2 found me and almost killed me. That wasn’t going to happen again. I stooped behind a big tree that had shady low branches and scanned the white sand. There were no rocks to hide me and the stretch of beach was long. Where the beach met the rocks on my left created a towering cliff. Under the cliff was a cave and who knows who is in there. I decided to sit and wait, just to make sure there was no one around. I desperately needed to clean myself though. Rubbing my fingers together, I could feel the sick stickiness of Janelle’s blood. Poor District 5, their last hope gone because of me. A chill ran down my spine. If Mino ever heard me say that, he would probably slap me hard. I’d never thought of things that way! Cruel, bloodthirsty thoughts. I was never vicious; I don’t know what’s happening to me… I dropped my axe immediately. It hit the dirt with a thud.

Not good.

Seizing the weapon, I shoved it straight into my belt before climbing up the tree at top speed. Strands of my dirty blonde hair fluttered into my face as I climbed but I pushed them away. Close call, someone could have heard me. I finally decided to rest on a branch near the middle and put my axe away in my bag. There was a clear view of the pristine waters and sand. The rainforest loomed behind me and it was dark and shady. However, it really wasn’t that deep. I’d explored most of it, by myself and with Janelle. Thinking of her made me thinking of home again. Her soft, innocent chocolate brown eyes, the same colour as Mino’s. I clawed the branch I was sitting on. Don’t think of Mino. Don’t drag him into this place. He deserves better.

I settled myself into the arms of the tree and slowly got my pack laid out under my feet, careful that it doesn’t fall off. I leaned my head back and sighed deeply thinking of home again. It was so far away and so different. I felt like I didn’t even know what home is anymore, only that I wanted to go back. My eyes fluttered to a close as I dreamed about the deep forests of lumber trees. The trees that were naked and branchless, racing each other to touch the sky. The ones that I weaved in and out of, pretending they were strong forts, guarding me. If only they were. Mino was always with me, playing with me and laughing with me. He was usually very clumsy and tripped over almost nothing at all. But he was my cousin and only family, so I would never leave him behind. I’d promised him that much. “Gracie, wait for me!” he’d yell. His voice would float among the breeze and brush on my shoulders. I’d turn straight back and find him immediately. I’d never once thought about parting from him and losing him.

BOOM! I jolted awake, almost falling out of my branch. I let out a ragged breath. Another tribute dead, which meant six remain. The end was drawing near and I was afraid. I reached down and grabbed my bag. The weight of the axe felt unfamiliar. I threw it onto my back and ran my fingers hastily through my hair. Clumps of hair and dirt came out, reminding me of the time when my hair was once gold and shiny, the colour of my mother’s beautiful waves. I swung my legs over the branch and decided to leap down onto the ground. It wasn’t too far up. I got ready and pushed myself off. I landed with the thud on my hands and knees. Pain shot up from my wrists but I ignored it because the second cannon went off. BOOM!

That was two dead in matter of 2 minutes. Without thinking clearly, I headed straightforward for the beach. Stepping out of the shady trees, the sunlight made my eyesight hazy and it was hard to concentrate. The sand was soft and filled up the holes in my boots. I trudged along, swaying my arms as I walked. When I reached the shoreline I was careful to not go in too deep. I wanted to take my boots off too but I couldn’t risk it. Stepping into the water, I counted three paces. No more. Last time I was here, I’d seen the tribute from District 12 drown by walking out five paces into the water. I bent down cautiously, scooping water up into my palms. I knew it wasn’t toxic, just salty. I splashed the warm water onto my face and scrubbed the dirt off. Then I dipped my hair in and tried to remove as much grease as possible. I didn’t care if this was the Hunger Games, I liked hygiene. Even back at home, I would go out of my way just to keep myself clean. And that was hard, considering I didn’t have a home.

After I’d final semi-cleansed myself, I spun around and headed back to the trees. But before I could step out of the water, a boy a few years older than me was standing in front of me with a shiny silver knife in his hands.

“Dangerous for you to be out here in the open,” he said. When he spoke, the lines on his face revealed a small scar or scratch. “But you’re lucky I’m here.” He grinned at me and winked. Dane Kutch, my district partner.

“Where have you been, Dane?” I asked, rising out of the water. I gripped my bag tightly, wary. But he wouldn’t hurt me, would he?

“In and out that cave over there. Saw you in the water and thought I might pop over. Should be a lot more careful, Gracie. The Careers are still out there,” he replied. Dane flipped back his dark hair and his olive skin seemed to glow in the setting sun.

“I’m not afraid of any Career,” I answered, holding up my pack to let him know I had a weapon. His expression changed to a sterner look. My heart began pounding.

“I see.” He lowered his knife and tucked it into his belt. If he isn’t going to kill me, what is he going to do…? He pouted his lips, thinking. “Want to be allies?”

I was taken aback. I didn’t expect him to ask. After all, Dane was a favourite in the bets. He was big, strong and fast. He’d scored a 9 in training and aced the interviews. Why would he want me? “Sure.” I answered quickly, in case he wanted to change his mind and stab me. I’d know Dane for a large amount of my life.

“Want a tour of my cave then?” he asked, gesturing towards the cave I’d been eyeing suspiciously. I nodded and he led the way. When he’d turned around I quickly grabbed my axe out of my bag and shoved it into the back of my pants and pulled my jacket over the top. I hoped he didn’t see.

I’d been fascinated about Dane ever since I’d met him personally after the reaping. I’d always seen him from afar back in the district. He wasn’t the usual woodcutter like most of the citizens in 7. He was the son of a merchant, the butcher’s kid. He was always well fed, and tough, like the meat his father sold. Many admired him at school and honestly, there was a time when I did too. Actually, that was pretty recent. But it’s hard to get into the ‘in’ crowd when you’re an orphan, living in the forests with your cousin and a group of woodcutters. I’d often see Dane at the centre of attention with all his friends and all the girls huddling around him. He would be about seventeen, maybe eighteen years old this year. Of course I would never have a chance with him. I was 15, orphaned and if I did want to go home, I’d have to kill him. So the odds of my fantasy becoming reality were not in my favour.

As we approached the cave, I felt a wave of uncertainty rush over me. The place was dark and cold, very lonely and creepy. I hesitated at the sight of the opening. It looked like the mouth of a giant bear, waiting for its dinner. And I’ve had enough encounters with bears. Dane noticed my tentativeness and looked at me questionably.

“You’re not as strong as I imagined. You live in the forest with a pack of woodcutters and play in the shadows of trees. You scavenge off the townspeople when desperate but you’re scared of a little dark cave?” he said, staring me down. The shadows made his eyes a lot darker than usual.

“You’ve noticed,” I muttered. I didn’t have a good reply.

“Of course. You stole from my father.” I glanced up at him and then looked at my feet. My cheeks burned.

“I-I-I’m sorry,” I murmured. It was desperate times and I needed to feed Mino. Either that or die, I chose the first.

“Eh, don’t worry about it…” Dane said, but his tone was harsh. I can’t trust this guy. I felt my fingers creep back to my axe. But in a fight with someone double my size, would I come out alive?

“How about that tour, then?” I asked, slowly. He shrugged and looked like he was deep in thought.

“I don’t think… that’s going to be necessary,” he answered. I looked up at Dane, my eyes wide. He’d pulled out his knife again, so quick that I hadn’t seen it. My chest began to throb. No.

“Wh-what are you doing?” I stammered.

“You’re too naïve and gullible, Gracie. It’s your undoing. I really didn’t want it to come down to this so soon but I’m going to have to,” he said. I felt like my mind was shattering. I’d trusted someone too soon. I should have known better, especially since I’d taken advantage of Janelle’s trust.

“Please, Dane,” I whispered. My voice was barely audible. I wanted to run.                 “It’s either me or you. So run,” he said. “Run.” I did. I turned on the spot and took off back to where I’d begun, in the tree, in the rainforest. If I could get to a tree, I’d be safe.

I was wrong. I had made about five paces across the sand when I felt a sharp, heavy tug on my right arm. Dane squeezed on my arm and flung my down onto the sand. The white grains melted into my mouth. Before I knew it, he was on top of me. He seized me down and grabbed my jaw, raising his knife high. The silver metal glistened. The sun was going down. What an eventful day. Three deaths, a fourth to come. I tried to struggle out but it was no use. Dane tightened his grip and plunged the blade into my forehead. My eyes widened bigger than the moon.

“Sorry, Gracie. It’s either me or-,” I heard before I sank into darkness.

Dane Kutch continued waiting for the Careers to kill each other. It came down to him and the female tribute from District 2. She was armed with lots of daggers and a thick sword. Dane had only Gracie’s axe and a knife. He was beheaded outside the cave.

[griffclarke-blog]

Forgotten Tributes: Gracie Morello, District 7