Part 4

74th Hunger Games, day 13

Surprisingly nothing has happened for a few days other then a ton of rain. I'm soaked and miserable sitting in a copse of trees. What's up with all this? I thought they were going to end it with the Feast. I guess not. Maybe they're letting some who are wounded recover for the grand finale.

This whole thing's demented. I'm sick of it, playing the Capital's stupid game. I want out but I need to wait for the moment. Still, something tells me it's coming soon.

Then, a respite from the rain. Doesn't matter. Everything's soaked in the wheat field. But then I don't need to worry about that. In my duffle bag are food supplements which have kept my strength up. I guess the Gamesmakers knew what was coming so wanted to make sure I'm prepared for it. Likely they're hoping for an epic showdown between Cato and me. Well, they'll get a showdown of sorts. I wonder again what was in his bag. Too bad I couldn't have hung on to it.

A cannon goes off and suddenly I hope it's not the girl from Twelve…Katniss.

Then it starts to rain again. Our keepers must have gotten what they wanted. Rain? Monsoon would be a better way to describe it. The rain comes down in sheets, wind howls and thunder begins to rumble. It's altogether miserable but has also presented me with an opportunity. Lightning begins to rip the sky apart. It's an altogether impressive spectacle which I'd enjoy if I wasn't trying to stay alive.

It's time.

It's taken a while but I've located the cameras in my 'kill zone' plus I think I have an understanding of their pattern leading away from the center of the Arena. For this to work I have to draw Cato in, take the cameras out, beat him off, then try to make my escape from the Arena. Seems impossible, no improbable. But not for me.

The times now. This storm's the perfect mask for my plan. The Gamesmaster is bringing this to a conclusion. No more waiting, it has to be today.

Yes, Cato's going to be the one. After the scene at the Cornucopia I don't want to see the girl from Twelve again. If I have to kill someone for this to work it'll be that arrogant jerk Cato. But how to draw him in? Someone's going to have to make a move.

Okay, so how do I make this happen? Cato's not likely to come here to me. I need to go out, let him think he has the edge and draw him back to where I can do what I need to do. I feel my forearm where the transponder is under my skin to ensure its still there. As if it wouldn't be. Suddenly I feel nervous, like I did the night I went to see the official in my village. I have to shake this off, it's game time. Taking several deep breaths I feel my heart beat slow down.

"All right, let's go," I whisper to myself to bolster confidence.

Moving stealthily from my refuge I begin to seek out my quarry. The rain's brutal, stinging my face when it hits, causing me to wince involuntarily. Rain brutally pelts me, obscuring my vision then a thought hits me like a hammer.

Thresh, the storm! They'd never come in here to get me because I'd hear them coming. I can't see or hear a thing!

Suddenly I'm twirling around crazily, sword thrusting wildly, expecting Cato behind me, fearing him leaping out of every shadow. They want me dead! They know about my plan! He's coming to kill me, any second it's going to happen.

But how can that be? They may know where I am but they don't know my thoughts. And if I can't see in this storm Cato can't either so he'll be moving cautiously also, though he will be moving. This is too good an opportunity for him not to be. So I need to move too. Lightning flashes again, lighting up the area and I reorient myself after my spastic dance with the shadows. Taking a couple of deep breaths to calm down I prepare to move towards what hopefully is my destiny.

Coming to a edge of the wheat field I move carefully out from my defensive position and into the open, wind and rain whipping me in the face, deafening thunder booming. I realize I can see very little and hear nothing but I trust my instincts. I know the cameras are following me so I need to make it look legit. It doesn't take long and I'm in No Man's Land. Wait a second, the storm's letting up a bit. No, it's letting up a lot and it's even getting lighter somehow. Something's definitely going on here. They're playing with the rules. I curse their manipulation but won't let this cause me to fall apart. Probably they need this so the audience can watch what's happening.

Wait a second…that must mean…

Too late I hear a sound behind me as my eyes try to adjust to the changing climate then I feel searing white hot pain. Cato has leapt from cover to successfully stab me with his spear.

"Just you and me big guy," he howls, with a crazed sound to his voice. The strong boy advances with his spear ready to strike.

I need to put some space between us or he's going to skewer me like a fish.

"Come on, fight," Cato screams at me, simultaneously thrusting forward.

Got to slow him down.

So pivoting quickly to catch the thrust with my curved sword, I deftly knock it aside then counter with a slash across the chest designed to open him up a bit and allow me to break away. Except the sword slides across Cato's chest like it's encased in steel.

Or armor.

Despite the low light I can see Cato's white teeth gleam in delight. "Like what I got at the Feast?" he gloats then slashes diagonally. "Too bad you dropped it. This would have made you pretty hard to kill. But not now!"

Too late I move, still surprised by this development, and feel the razor sharp blade rip along my chest.

I turn and run, I have no choice, trusting Cato will want to kill me face-to-face to prove he's better than me rather then take the easy kill by harpooning me in the back.

"Stay and fight you coward!" he yells, running after me. "Look at the mighty Thresh run!"

Whatever. At least now we're heading back to where I can do this. I might have to kill him but that's fine. The rain's steadily picking up again as the light drops anew but I can see pretty well. Lighting though flashes with increased regularity which is screwing with my night vision. Doing a quick shoulder check I can still see Cato lumbering behind me unable to match my pace. I can't let him lose sight of me.

My shoulder's getting numb from its wound and my chest is on fire. I don't want to die here, not like this. Resolve begins to course through my veins giving me renewed strength and energy.

I'm able to increase the gap on Cato but not get too far ahead that I lose him. It only takes a few minutes to travel to where I need to be.

The first camera is easy to deal with. I crash into it like I'm having trouble stopping to make my stand. The other two will be trickier.

"Finally…you're going to stop and fight like a man," Cato wheezes, his chest heaving up and down from the run as he catches up.

I catch him off guard by going on the offensive. I hammer him in the chest with the pommel of my sword to knock him off balance then slash across his shins, finding an opening. Cato howls in pain and reflexively counters hitting me in the side of the head with the butt end of his spear. I'm sent reeling and smash into the position of camera two.

One more to go.

Cato's got his bearing and now he methodically moves back and forth using short thrusts to keep me off balance. I parry and thrust myself but neither of us can get an advantage. I'm trying to maneuver to where the last camera is so take my eyes off him for a moment. I pay by missing a savage attack that connects with my thigh. Yelping in pain I pull the spear forward and punch Cato square on the jaw with my free hand sending him reeling. He staggers over to where the last camera is and I pounce, punching him again in the face so he falls back into it.

The audience can't see anything, they're blind. The Gamesmakers will have a contingency plan I'm sure but I've bought myself the window of opportunity. Time to do it. I have to move fast before our puppet masters in the Capital readjust.

With the last bit of energy I have I batter Cato mercilessly, hitting him with my fist, the pommel of the sword, kicking, kneeing. The boy's totally defenseless; I could kill him right now. Instead I let him slump to the ground.

"I give you a chance. Run!"

Cato doesn't think twice but sprints away, looking to regroup, giving me the opportunity I need. In one swift motion I take the sharp edge of my sword and split open my forearm where the tracker was injected. Be quick Thresh or this won't work! Digging around I have trouble grabbing hold of it. My mind doesn't register any pain or revulsion, but instead is conscious of the time this is taking while another part prays Cato doesn't come back. Then I have the cursed device. I put it down and smash it with the end of my sword. A few seconds later I think I hear a cannon go off between booms of thunder. It has to be a cannon, I'm trusting it has been anyway.

Good though, in this weather it'll be hard for a hovercraft to come in and retrieve my body if they believe I'm dead. Plus Cato is going for the others so the cameras will be following him. It doesn't matter. Without the tracker they won't be able to find me in this storm even with their other cameras. Now all I need to do is discover the edge of the Arena and a way to get over the force field. The hard part is done.

Maybe not.

The realization I have no clue where to go chills me to the bone more then the deluge of rain has done. I realize in all my planning I'd not thought that far ahead. I don't have long to decide which way to go. The hovercraft is coming; I can hear it through the slackening storm. When they find out I'm alive…well, I don't want to think about that.

Which way? My mind screams, a hint of panic starting to set in.

Trust your instincts, you were destined for this Nguvu, I hear the voice of Staarabu in my mind.

Taking a deep breath, with eyes closed I turn until I feel the smallest of twinge inside of me. This way.

I take off at the run, dodging and weaving in what I hope is a pattern that'll keep me off the camera. Hopefully the people in the control room aren't monitoring this area, focusing instead on the 'triumphant' Cato and his search for the remaining two Tributes. The storm is definitely letting up. It had to have been made to even the playing field and get rid of me. They wanted me gone. So much for my high rating and popularity with the viewers.

As I pick up my pace, desperate to see the shimmer of the force field wall it dawns on me. The announcement. The one about two Tributes from the same district being able to win this time. The pain of knowing Rue could have survived dulled my mind to what this manipulation was about. But no, they're playing the star-crossed lovers from District Twelve story. That's the finale they want. A thought causes me to stop dead in my tracks. I could help them win, help them beat Cato. Should I? What about the plan? But what about avenging Rue and helping one who showed her kindness. Conflict wracks me and I almost turn back.

Then I hear the hovercraft.

What's done is done. I begin to recklessly sprint since in less then five minutes they'll know I'm alive and every camera in the Arena is going to be looking for me.

And every Peacekeeper in the area.

Wounds forgotten I run as fast as my legs will take me to a place I'm not even sure I can find. I'm reminded that the force field is quite strong so if I run into it headlong it'll likely knock me out. Regardless, it's now freedom or death. They've recorded my death for the viewing audience so I no longer exist. It's getting darker; they'll be getting ready to flash my picture up soon.

No, it's getting lighter. They know I'm alive. They're looking for me.

Now my Hunger Games really begins for real, the competition between the Capital and me starts. I'm going to win, I am Thresh, I am a survivor.

Stay in the thick woods, stay hidden. I have an advantage. The Capital can't track me anymore. This gives me an edge since they can't function without their technology and toys. Sure, the cameras will be going and they'll likely be slowing down the Games to deal with me but still, I have an edge.

My lungs burn from exertion, the wounds from my encounter with Cato throb but it's all been put aside. Years of waiting, of wanting to break out, make my mark, are channeling into this moment so I actually become faster, stronger.

Is that a hovercraft I see through the foliage of the trees I run under? Is it another? Then a realization hits me. They're likely not blind despite the lack of a tracker in my arm. They'll have thermal imaging or infra red. The hovercraft above seems to be tracking with me.

They've found me.

I can hear voices on the slight breeze. Okay, they're not that close. Good. Press on. Strangely though, the voices don't seem to be closing though the hovercraft still seems to be overhead. Why is that? Then I hear a fearsome howl on the wind, something that scares me like nothing has since entering the Arena.

Mutts.

Or more accurately, Muttations. Evil spawn of twisted minds used to suppress the people like the Tracker Jackers I saw early on in the Games. How twisted is that that these kinds of things could be used for entertainment? But mine are not to entertain. They're to punish. I've broken the rules and a price has to be paid. Instead of merely shooting me, they want to rip me to shreds. I don't exist anymore so they can do whatever they want. The cannon has already fired, Thresh is dead. But I'm not yet. I am Thresh, I am a survivor.

The howls are getting closer. If they catch me I'm finished. From the sound of it there are lots of them. There's no way I can stand and fight though my blood's starting to boil with rage. Every fiber in me wants to throw down with them, to win. But it's not a fair fight. The Capital has made sure of that. No, the moment I stop, I lose. The only way I can win is by running and it makes me madder. Adrenaline surges through my body giving me a burst of speed. I win now by running. But where do I run too? A twinge of panic begins to set in. How close am I to the fence? Can they move it? No, the boundaries have to be static. I just need to find them.

"Run Thresh!" I yell to motivate myself.

I see a flash of grey-black fur in the distance to the right that chills my bones. These things are huge! The gap's closing. I'm not going to make it. The Mutts are going to literally eat me alive. Veering left I try to put some space between us, dodging into thicker foliage. It also slows me down too but I have no choice. They're now hot on my heels behind me and to my right. I'm not going to make it! Another minute or so and they'll be on me.

Something screams at me to stop. Right now!

I dig in my feet sliding to a halt only a few feet from the force field. Something inside had warned me. I've found it. Though I can see through to the other side there's a shimmer that distorts the view and a slight hum emanating from it. My elation is short lived, the Mutts are on me.

Desperately looking around, for what I don't know, the fearsome howling fills the air so I do the only thing I can-I climb a tree. I remember Rue telling me that was the only thing she was good at. Me, I never did it for pleasure and I never ran from a fight in my life. Still, when you have likely a dozen plus crazed creatures hungry for your blood you adapt quickly. The irony escapes me in my desperate attempt to stay alive. I'm up a good ten feet when searing white pain lances through my leg. One of the Mutts has jumped up and bit me on the leg, tearing a large chunk out of my calf muscle. The scream ripping through the air is mine but there's no one around to hear it, no one to see this drama except maybe for some Peacekeepers but they're keeping their distance. The Capital is using these foul beasts to do their dirty work.

Some frenzied Mutts are battering the tree with their heads in an attempt to knock it over while the others take turns jumping up to try to reach me. It'll be over soon. I close my eyes in resignation as the tree shakes. I've done everything I can…

Not everything.

A fresh spark turns into fire. I'm not going to let the Capital kill me this way. I can still win. Looking around I see what I need to do first. Climbing up a few more feet I move out onto a thick limb balancing precariously then without giving the risk a second thought I jump. Grabbing the large branch on the tree beside me I haul myself up, lifting my dangling legs before the Mutts can latch onto the tempting morsel.

Doing a quick scan I'm satisfied this tree is much more solid then the one I was just on. The Mutts howl in outrage at my tactic and move over to the one I'm at now but already I've climbed out of their reach.

Though I can feel the blows of the Mutts renewed attempt to batter the tree down it'll be a while before they can make that kind of impact. I've bought myself a breather. Breather? I realize I'm hardly breathing at all since my heart's beating so hard. Forcing myself to calm down I grab some of the poultice I'd made previously plus some antiseptic ointment dabbing it on my shredded calf muscle then wrapping it tightly with a bandage. I'm glad again I took the First Aid kit at the Cornucopia the first day of the games. It seems like a lifetime ago.

Getting my breathing under control I finally get a chance to look around at where I'm trapped. The force field hums angrily and seems to have intensified. I'm not sure if the Capital has figured out what I'm up to but they seem to be taking precautions. My heart sinks as I see the barrier to freedom goes up as far as the eye can see.

Higher, I need to go higher.

Hand over hand, branch by branch, I climb, reaching as high as I can. Still it's not enough. Looking around I see a taller tree several over and prepare to jump. At least from this height if I fall hopefully I'll die or at least not be conscious when I'm torn to shreds by the Mutts. They seem irrelevant now. In a way I've beaten them, this is now a new game. I've bought some time but I'm not sure how much. This is not a game though for the audience back in the Capital, this is extermination. Will they let the Mutts finish me or call them off and use one of the Hovercrafts or maybe a Peacekeeper sniper? Ah the options. It must be causing the Gamesmakers such distress. Snorting at the macabre thought I'm strangely invigorated by the exercise. Despite the risks and my likely death, despite the manipulation of everything since I've been here, the Capital can't control my thoughts. I'm free to choose how I face this. Hope courses through my veins. I'm not beaten, not yet.

I can hear a hovercraft nearby but can't see it with the tree cover overhead. That's good but instinctively I know I don't have a lot of time. Looking around there seems to be no avenue of escape. The force field shimmers, mocking me. Beyond I can see a forest on the other side. But how to get there?

Think Thresh think, I admonish myself, trying to force my beating heart to slow down. Anxiety still swirls inside me but I'm starting to calm myself, looking for options.

Then I see it.

To my right, several trees over, is one that's even bigger and higher then the one I'm in. Better yet, it's closer to the barrier, a mighty oak tree that looks like some of it's branches may be above the top of the force field. This is it, I have to try.

Timing my jump since the howling Mutts continue to batter savagely away at the tree, I wait for the rhythm of their shaking. In between concussions I jump to the first tree, easily making it. Climbing a bit higher to get ready for my next leap I spot a Hovercraft through the trees seemingly monitoring the situation. This brings a fresh realization. Looking at the next tree I need to go to in order to make my jump I figure I'll be totally exposed to the Peacekeepers in a way I haven't been yet. When I make my next move I'll have to make the jump to the other side fast with no time for calculating. I try to see if the limb I've picked out really is above the force field but I'm not sure from my angle. I'm below it so the perspective could be wrong. Plus I realize the tree I'm jumping from is above the ones on the other side so I'll be in a bit of a free fall. Doubt begins to crowd into my mind.

The Mutts seem to be confused about what to do, or maybe they're pulling back. Something's up with them. They're not battering at this tree anymore. Voices carry in the breeze coming closer. Harsh voices, shouting things I can't quite make out. I hear the turbine engines of the nearby hovercraft whine into action. They're coming for me. It has to be now.

I can see on the other side dusk is coming while on my side it's still light. Good, they can't manipulate things over there. It's now or never.

Closing my eyes and taking three deep breaths I concentrate, focusing on what's to come. In my mind I picture the sequence so it'll flow smoothly. I rotate my neck back and forth, cracking it slightly, gripping the branch I'm standing on, preparing myself.

I am Thresh, I am a survivor, I whisper to myself.

Scrambling as quickly as I can up another fifteen feet I then turn and run off the branch, praying it'll hold my weight. The leap takes less then a second when I crash into the bigger tree, clutching it in a bear hug. Hand over hand I move further up this taller tree, eyes fixed on the thick branch on the other side. It seems like it's above the force field, it has to be. No turning back now.

I break through the cover of the forest and hear the hovercraft nearby surge into action. No matter, I'm at the spot I need to be, shimmying over to the branch where I'm going to make my jump. A machine gun on the hovercraft opens fire, bullets hit the tree trunk chewing up bark at the spot I was seconds earlier. But already I'm running on branch on the other side getting ready to make my jump as they readjust their position for another shot.

Then I'm free falling.

The sensation is exhilarating. I'm unhindered and floating in the air. The hovercraft opens fire again, trying to find its mark as I crash into the top of the forest on the other side. I'm out of the Arena! The thought registers in my mind like a flash. I'm free, free of the Hunger Games and free of the Capital. I bounce off the first tree and madly claw in every direction for something to hold on to. Mind focused I don't hear the bullets buzzing all around me. Fortunately I fall into the canopy of the forest which swallows me up. Then I grab hold of a branch. Luckily my shoulder doesn't dislocate from the sudden jerk as I stop and bang face first into the rough bark.

I take just a moment to soak in the reality of the situation. I've made it across the force field; I'm out of the Arena. Bullets from the hovercraft's machine gun continue to hiss all around. I'm not out of danger yet.

Jumping to another tree, then another, I try to move away from their cone of fire scrambling to the ground as quick as I can. Before I know it I'm standing on spongy loam in a thick forest. Here the Hovercraft is shrouded again and their bullets can't reach the ground. Though they may still have infrared or other sensors I wonder how effective all that will be outside the arena. As soon as I find some mud I'll cover myself to make me harder to track. I've learned my survival tactics well. A smile breaks out on my face as I begin to jog through the forest away from the Arena. Though it could change any minute I've won, I've beaten the Capital and won my Hunger Games. Though the Peacekeepers may catch me, or more Mutts, or I could trip and fall and break my neck, I've gained my freedom. I will die eventually here or of old age, that's an inevitability, but today I've cheated death and the odds makers. Stopping for a moment, throwing caution to the wind, I grin wider, throw my head back and yell in victory, "I am Thresh, I am a survivor!"

-The end –

Author's Note: Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed my short take on what 'really' happened to Thresh. The Hunger Games is such a deep tale and so pertinent to our times today. There are so many stories that could come out of this world and its characters. I trust my contribution added to the rich tapestry. May the hope that Thresh took into the arena be something that encourages you to look at whatever 'arena' you are facing in your life so you too might win.

Best wishes,

Chris

March 4, 2013