cameras in the sky [riptide | day one]

[kap]

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When I ran away from the Cornucopia, I wasn't really thinking. The fact that I was leaving Six and Evan behind hadn't really even crossed my mind. Now, after running away unscathed and the two of them catching up with me quite damaged, Evan helping Six move along, I felt that pang of guilt in my chest.

"I'm sorry," was the very first thing out of my mouth when I saw them. "I shouldn't have just left you guys. I just- I kinda freaked out when I saw people rushing in at each other like that and I just didn't think it was a good idea for me to try to fight them off to get stuff..."

I looked at the two of them apologetically. Then, I realized that Evan was still holding up Six. I should help them, I told myself.

"Here, I'll help," I said as I took Six from Evan's side and put the small boy's arm around me instead so that I could help hold him up. I thought of that time when Larry got hurt while we were playing football with out friends. He'd shattered his knee, and I'd had to help him up and off of the field, and I helped guide him back home, holding him up like I was doing for Six right now.

I could see how busted up Six's shin was. It didn't look good. I wanted to help him out, but in all honesty, I wasn't sure what to do quite yet. I didn't see any plants around that we could use for healing, or even eating for that matter. At least not yet. I truly hoped we'd find some of those later on.

I looked to Evan while I helped hold up Six.

"We should get moving," I said. "Staying here for too long probably isn't the best idea. I can hear other people around."

I hoped that he and Six would agree with what I said and that we would get out of there soon. I might not have always had the most common sense, but I was street smart, and my instincts told me we needed to get going before too many people migrated in our direction. I was sure that the cameras in the sky wanted to see how well we'd survive when we did have to fight all together, but I'd rather save that for another day.

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table by Pogue
[Thad receives items from sponsorship]
[Thad picks up 3 iodine tablets and trail mix]

[Deleted]

" 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒐𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒘 𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒅𝒔 𝒏𝒐 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒆 𝒏𝒐 𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒅𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒕. "

As Six and Evan made it to Thad, he heard it. The sound was one that shook Six to his core, making every muscle in his body tense - a cannon. The deafening boom of a single cannon filled the arena. Someone was dead. Death was an inevitability no matter where you go, but it was especially so in a place like this. There would be twenty-two more times that the deafening sound would shake the arena. Six could not be comforted by the fact it wasn't him or his allies. Maybe it wasn't him, but it could be someone he had grown to somewhat like. Or even if it was someone like Mauve, she still had people who cared about her. Death wasn't a comfort for him - even if it meant he was one step closer to home.

Before Thad had spoken, Six was fairly certain he immediately ran from the Bloodbath. The whole thing seemed like a blur to him so part of him thought maybe he had just lost sight of Thad in the confusion and that Thad left before them or didn't see how hurt Six got. With every step him and Evan took a wave of pain went through his entire body, though by now he stopped whimpering every time his leg moved. He definitely couldn't blame Thad for leaving, especially with what a mess the whole thing was. It was hard for him to speak through the pain, but he said what he could.

"It's... it's fine, Thad. You did what you need... needed to do. What would we do if you got hurt too?"

There was more he wanted to say. He wanted to say that at least he managed to break someone's nose - maybe to show his use to his allies, to show his sponsors he got a good hit in, or possibly to remind himself he was strong. He wanted to say that Evan saved him and to thank him. He wanted to talk about the boom of the cannon. But he was in too much pain, and some things were better left unsaid for now. 

When Thad went to support him, Six had clung onto him, much like he had clung onto his older brother Lock in the justice building. Before, he was clinging onto him for fear of losing his family, scared of stepping on that train and leaving behind the life he knew. Now? Now he was clinging onto Thad due to the fear of losing his life, scared of stepping into that great void known as death, losing his life altogether. He knew he wouldn't die from some bruises and a broken shin, but it would make any fights that much harder on him. And Evan wasn't in the best shape in the world either.

Right now Six wanted to just sit in the grass filled with the little flowers and breathe. He wanted to pretend everything was alright. But, he couldn't do that. The longer the they stood in the peaceful meadow the more likely it became that it would soon be filled with blood and carnage. He nodded to Thad at the suggestion of moving to a different location further from the Bloodbath. His throat felt dry and his voice was screaming at him, but the words couldn't come out at this point. The Games had just started and Six was already exhausted. But he couldn't give up yet.

He loosened his grip on Thad and positioned himself so when they moved it would cause the least amount of pain possible, though his leg was already throbbing. He wasn't sure where they should go at this point, he just wanted to get away from where they were now. Someone was already ready to kill day one. And whoever that person was wasn't too far away yet. He had no clue who had taken the life of the dead tribute, and frankly he didn't want to find out today.

[ six o'malley collects his sponsored items ]
[ six o'malley collected trail mix (food) and iodine tablets (3) from the cornucopia ]
[ quote by shane koyczan ]

[mat]

[googlefont="Big Shoulders Stencil Display:400;"]

Evan MacMillan

His back curls as little Half-Dozen is getting heavier and heavier with every step. Evan's pace drags out. Why, again, did he decide to pick the kid up instead of leaving him for dead, he can't be too sure. Bait is perhaps his best excuse, or maybe just an easier kill later down the line. Neither of them speaks as they search for Thad. One of the other tributes smashed their elbow into Evan's mouth at the Cornucopia, and since then he's felt a shift in his jaw. Grunts come and go as they see a taller figure in the distance. Thad. He hurries with a limp, ready to dump Half-Dozen out and leave Thad to make the decision on what to do with him.

Thad's apology as they reach speaking distance falls upon Evan's displeased ears. Maggots, he thinks, always running away instead of facing challenges head-on.

"Here. I'll help." Thad takes a hold of Forty-Two, catching him and taking the boy by his side just moments before Evan planned to throw him down on the ground and make him walk on his own for once. Thad and Seven have a better bond and care for each other than Evan does for either, maybe even for both of them combined. He suspects they would die for each other, willing to take the knockout if it means keeping the other alive. They speak to each other as if in a dramatic play. Evan lives in an action movie, where everyone should, at the very least, know that each step might just be their last. Evan sits on the ground for a moment to catch his breath, careful not to breathe in too heavily to disturb his jaw. The grunts of pain have done enough of this.

Thad recommends that they keep moving. Evan nods along, pulling his empty bag down low with him on the ground. He's unhappy with himself. Nothing to show for the bloodbath other than a bruised knuckle, bruised jaw, and a sack with nothing inside. He hopes his old man isn't displeased so far. Archie MacMillan trained his kid to be brutal, ruthless, merciless, not a disappointment.

They trek on towards the outer areas of the arena. Evan massages his fists again, readying himself to use them if he sees a tribute or two nearby.

{"You want to be a MacMillan man, Evan? Prove it. Do whatever you need to. Lie. Cheat. Steal. Kill."}

His father's words ring in his head as he tries to drown out Half Dozen's whimpers.

{"Be a MacMillan man."}


[picks up some trail mix!]




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