The Spark of District 13

I awaken this morning due to the sharp searing pain in my leg. Even without looking, I can tell that it's infected. My leg's so swollen, it feels like a balloon! I think it may even be ripping the rest of my pant leg. The material is so tight that I think it's cutting off my circulation.

"Oh no....." I mutter as I try to sit up to look at it. Instantly, my head catches the branches of the bush above, & I find my hair tangled in it. Oh yeah, I forgot about this.

"Shit," I mutter as I try to untangle my hair from the branches. I then begin to drag myself out from under the bush. When I move my bad leg, a terrorizing shot of pain shoots through it, & I collapse letting out a scream. I instantly cover my mouth in horror. Crap, I bet I just gave away my position! I grab my knife bag & lay there waiting for someone to come get me. To my relief, no one does. I let out a deep sigh as I recollect myself & try to get me & my stuff out from under the bush.

My leg is literally killing me by the time I'm out. I sit up with much difficulty & cut open my pant leg to get a good look. Just as I suspected: infected. I can see blood poisoning taking affect & begin to seriously doubt my survival. I was worried last night, but I didn't know for sure; now, I do. How can this be? I did everything I could to clean it last night! I guess the iodine isn't strong enough for my gaping wound. I slump against the tree I'm next to in exasperation & fatigue.

"Come on Bruce," I groan to the nearest camera, "please, help me! Get me at least something! Even just water would be appreciated! Come on! Please..... I know you hate me, but please have mercy on me for once!"

There is no reply. I lay there against the tree feeling my sweat drip down my face & my leg throb. My mouth is so dry. I would give anything for some water right now. I'm literally choking on heat & dryness. It's like a desert in there. I'm beginning to wish death will take me at this point. Between my leg & thirst, I think that would be a better alternative. It's not like I can fight for my life or even move for that matter anymore. All I can do is lay hear baking in the sun. I'm being tortured by Mother Nature.

I lay there in the sun for what seems like hours just hoping some lucky tribute will come along & kill me. At least then I wouldn't be in this much pain. Why couldn't some lucky tribute find me this morning when I screamed? I wish they killed me then. Now, no one is coming, & I'm stuck here. I'm praying for something to show up. Whether it death or help, I'll take it! Just something! I'm about to give up hope on everything when I hear it. The beeping sound of a parachute. Instantly, I'm dragged out of my stupor & am shooting my eyes around looking for the darn thing. So Bruce did come through for me!

My eyes dart around until I notice the parachute hanging over the bushes I slept in last night. Instinctively, without thinking, I begin to drag myself over to the bush. My leg is burning, but I don't care. I ignore the pain as I make it over to the bush. I find myself reaching for the parachute like a little kid who wants a cookie from the cookie jar. I snatch the parachute out of the bush & bust it open greedily. Inside, I find two silver containers & a note from Bruce that says,

"Here you go squirrel. Don't think I'm doing this because I like you or anything. I just don't want to be killed by your sponsors if you die. Anyway, don't think this will come so easy next time. I'm being nice. Don't mess up! -B"

"Gee thanks," I think & almost say out loud, but I hold my tongue. No need to make Bruce mad at me. He's bad enough when he's in a good mood. Besides, I need the sponsors. I look down at my containers & begin to open the first one. When I get it open, I almost shriek with relief. The container is filled to the brim with water. It takes every fiber of my being not to gulp it down all at once. I restrain myself as I pour the water into my water bottle. Then, I take slow small sips in order to conserve it. Oh it feels so good! The sweet cool liquid flows down my throat with such ease & relief. Finally, the thing I've been craving. At last I'm finally freed. I can feel myself growing stronger by the second & soon, I get my old self back. I feel nice & energized. Ready to go.

"Thank you...." I whisper but say so I know Bruce & my sponsors can see. I'm truly thankful for what they have done; however, this isn't the only package they've sent me. I look down at the other one & open it. Inside this one there is medicine & proper stitches! They even have a needle! If I could jump for joy I would for this one! I actually might live! I feel my spirits skyrocketing at this realization. Who would have thought that some Capitol folk & Bruce of all people would save my life? I still hate them, but I'm happy with what they have done for me. (This is mainly toward Bruce. I know the Capitol people are only helping me because they're betting on me to win.)

I immediately get to work on my leg. I cut out my twine stitches, & put some of the disinfectant cream in there. It burns like the dickens, but I honestly could care less. Even when I put in the stitches I find myself smiling through the pain. Before I know it, my leg is patched up, & I have a really good feeling on my recovery. This expensive Capitol stuff is top notch. With this stuff, I'm pretty sure I'll be able to stand up in a matter of days. Oh the thrills!

I spend the rest of the day resting my leg. I pass the time by playing with my hair or the knives next to me by throwing them into this log in front of me, then pulling them out & doing it again. It's about the time the sun's going down that I realize I haven't eaten in over two days. I didn't eat very much the interview day (I truly didn't. I wasn't very hungry.) &, I didn't eat anything yesterday. I pull out my saltines & eat a few in order to calm my now roaring stomach. I don't eat much though because I don't know how long it'll take my leg to heal, & I need to conserve. I eat about four of the ten in the bag. I want more though. I decide eating one piece of jerky won't hurt, so I take it out & quickly put away my food before I eat anymore. I need no temptations.

I'm gnawing on my overly chewy jerky stick as the Capitol seal appears in the sky, & the anthem begins to play. I don't look up though because I know no one else died today. I would've heard a canon. I however really want to know who's all left. I fell asleep before the parade last night, so I don't know who's left. I bet the Careers are left except for the District 4 girl who I killed. I don't know about anybody else. I hope Rose is dead. I'm freaken tired of her. She's caused Luke & I so much trouble already. I hope she died a painful death if she's out. My menacing smile on the matter scares me a bit. I'm not one to love killing. In fact, I'm quite against the bloodthirsty. I can understand fighting for your life, but wanting someone to die painfully is different. Already the Games are changing me. I'm scared to see who I'll be if I ever get out of this hellhole in the end. I could already see Luke changing. He became bloodthirsty ever since he met Rose. At least toward her. What will he be like if he get out of here in the end?

Suddenly, I'm snapped back to reality when I notice who I'm thinking about: Luke. Is he okay? Is he still alive? Ah man, if only I didn't pass out before the Anthem last night! I would know who I'm up against & if Luke was alive! I hope he's okay. I really don't want to believe he's dead until I hear a canon.

The Anthem ends, & I'm left in complete darkness. It quickly occurs to me that I'm exposed, so I end dragging myself & my bags back under the bush again. Huh, this has become my new hideout. I snuggle myself deep in the branches & pray that I won't be visible to a hunter with a torch or a flashlight. I close my eyes & relax my leg as I await sleep. The sound of the crickets & frogs around me begin to sing a lullaby as I feel myself begin to drift off. The sleep slides over me like a blanket as I stare through the branches up into the star filled sky. If only my visions of beauty were real.

A/N Hey guys!!! YAY!!! I actually updated!!!! I'm sorry if this was a boring chapter, but I had to have something to move it along & besides, at least I got something out!!! I hope that you guys liked this chapter though, & I'll try to update as soon as I can. I still have to go to Oregon to visit family, & I'm still not entirely sure how I want all of this to go so yeah. But, on a happier note, I've passed 200 reads!!! Thank you guys so much for your reads & votes!!! I'm really glad y'all appreciate my work. I just write stories on here for fun, & y'all enjoying them makes it even more worth while. I hope y'all enjoy the rest of this book, & don't forget to check out my other stories like The Untimely Murder or My Last Day!!!

-Love y'all

-Allison