Move Along pt. 2 {Liliana}

[Ray]

Day Two

Last night, looking up at the seal, Liliana finally realized that the games had begun. She stared up as the faces of the dead tributes flashed by, and she couldn’t help picturing her own face along with them. What if she was next? She had begun to understand that this was more than a game. If she lost, there would not be a second chance, no extra life. It would be the end. She sat quietly through the anthem, noting that the pictures of her district partner, along with Baylee and Lightning, the girls she had spoken to at the training center, joined the other miscellaneous casualties. She tried to feel something for them, to know that their losses had not been in vain, but she couldn’t. She was just glad that they were gone so she wouldn’t have to kill them herself.

Lili had decided not to stop in a tower for the night. She had walked through the open sand for a long time, but hadn’t come across another tribute. It must mean they were all in the towers, so it had seemed only logical that she stay away from the towers. She would eventually have to fight if she wanted to win, but the more she left the others alone to kill each other off, the better. It was safer to let the other tributes do the work for her. Yes, she didn’t stop in a tower last night, and now she would never hear the end of it.

Every man has a place,
In his heart there's a space,
And the world can't erase his fantasies.

The voice had grown steadily stronger as time passed until it was as clear as if it came from a person standing next to her. Ana (as Lili had christened the voice), who had been helping her and guiding her whenever she was at a loss for what to do, was now thoroughly pissed off. Why didn’t you at least look inside the tower? Clearly there’s nothing out here! There was probably food and water and everything else we needed in one of those towers! We wasted all that time walking just to turn around without even checking. I can’t believe I’m stuck with an idiot like you! Ana had been going on like this for a while, and Lili had tried to tune her out as best as she could, while simultaneously trying to ignore the dry, scratchy feeling in her throat and the emptiness of her stomach. Ana was right, she should have at least checked for food and water. Now you realize that I’m right? Why couldn’t you have decided that yesterday? “I know, I know. I’m sorry, I should have listened to you.” Lili was no longer self-conscious about talking to Ana anymore. She had been at first, but she was luckier than most. Due to the twist, the other tributes were completely alone. At least Lili had someone to talk to, even if it was, in essence, herself.

Every thought is a dream,
Rushing by in a stream,
Bringing life to the kingdom of doing.

You’re supposed to be winning these games, remember? Anyone else from district ten could’ve done better. You’re unworthy to be in these games. Lili had stopped walking by now. She was somewhere right smack in the middle of the towers, nowhere near one of them. You need to learn to listen to me. You need some negative reinforcement. Lili nodded slowly, not understanding what she was talking about at first. She followed along Ana’s train of thought as she showed her what to do, finally grasping exactly what it was Ana was asking of her. “Do I have to?” Yes. Do it now. Maybe then you’ll learn to listen when I’m talking.

As you stay for the play,
Fantasy has in store for you,
A glowing light will see you through.

Lili sighed and looked around, making sure no other tributes were near. Then she slowly peeled off she jumpsuit, yanked off she shoes, and took off her one good sock. She stood completely naked for a second before slowly lowering herself to the ground. The sand scratched at her skin and stuck to her uncomfortably. She stretched out until she was laying down on her back in the sand. She rolled over slowly, cringing as the sand itched over her entire body. She began to roll faster, back and forth, until she was covered head to toe in the blood-red sand. It burned as it moved over she wounds, and clung to her legs and arms, stuck in her hair, until it seemed like she was dripping in blood. “I’m not worthy,” she mumbled as she continued to writhe in the sand. Louder. So all of Panem can hear you. “I’m unworthy!” She screamed over and over again, praying that no other tributes would hear her and come looking. Finally Ana gave her permission to stop, and Lili stood, wriggling uncomfortably, trying to get the sand off of her. She knew what everyone at home must be thinking. They were probably mortified, but at this point, she didn’t care. She just needed to get this stuff off of her. She brushed desperately at her arms, trying to get the sand off. She scratched and pulled at her hair, knowing that she’d probably never get all of it out.

Finally, she gave up trying to get the sand off and walked back over to where she had dropped her clothes. She hurriedly pulled her jumpsuit, sock, and shoes on, pulling at the material angrily as sand was trapped against her skin. She would be covered in sand for the rest of her stay in the arena because of this!

Oh, quit complaining. The sand will be a constant reminder not to ignore me, unless you want something like this to happen again. Now get a move on, we need to find some food.

Come to see victory,
In a land called fantasy.

{Liliana leaves the Sand}