\\Can't F.I.N.D. a b|r|e|a|k>> [Team SoT v. Hell]

Anani Petros

Anani continued to cringe in pain as the blood flowed freely from his left bicep. The pain initially had been so immense, that it had caught him off guard, but now, he started to think again as just plain numbness settled over his body. He let his left arm fall limp against his body as he gripped the cold metallic dagger with his right hand. One hellhound had fallen and there was only one more left. They could do this, and they would be able to rest again for another short period of time.

But as soon as Anani raised his arm to take another lunge at the hound in front of them, he heard Topaz mutter a statement about leaving. With a foreboding feeling, he quickly turned towards the direction of the voice as he gazed at the elegant District 1 tribute beckon towards Nash. As his initial confusion turned into comprehension, he felt himself become sad and in disbelief. As he shook his head in grief, he backed away from the action. Their alliance had been doing well, great in fact, but why were they leaving? The hellhound was nothing they couldn't handle, but Nash and Topaz were deserting him and Takeba to face the hound by themselves.

Should I run after them? Follow them? Take off to somewhere else with Takeba? Takeba... It'd do us both good to have someone watching each of our backs... but no... No. What have I become? Have I lost all my sense of self-preservation? Trust? In the Games? No... I'm lucky that Topaz and Nash didn't kill me when they could... It's not a surprise they're deserting me. What was I to them anyhow? A worthless D12 tribute that was just dragging them back down... Well, that's what I've become. I might as well just let them slit my own throat at this rate. I need to run off... I need to get away.... I need to live. Just let me learn this lesson now before I'm killed... Trust... doesn't exist in the arena.

With a look of plain disgust on his face, he did all his best not to run after Topaz and Nash. It would be completely stupid to run after them after they had already rejected him once. It would be suicide to attack both of them at the same time. And besides, he had some kind of sentimental feeling towards them. Even though they had betrayed him, they were good alliance members in the past couple of days.

After making sure that he had all of his materials slung upon his back, Anani glanced towards Takeba to see that she was all by herself. It was just her and the hellhound. Did he have the cruel heart to let her just fend for herself?... He knew that nothing would happen between them, but he still cared for her in the sense that they were... friends for a bit. Would she follow him if he beckoned, just as Nash followed Topaz? In the end, he wrenched his heart away from the decision and turned around. He needed to fulfill the commitment he had made to himself. There was no use of trust in the arena... Nash and Topaz had shown him that. He would have to rely on himself and himself only.

Anani whispered his last few words towards his former alliance member. Takeba... you've been good to me... Thank you. I hope you make it through, I truly do. Try for me. With a last gaze towards the comely Takeba, Anani took off and ran from the battle.

---

[Anani eats edible plants that he find around the Lake, applies needle and thread, medicinal herbs, and bandage to his wounds after running away]

Much confusion was in the air, the monstrosity of a creature swiping at all the members of the alliance - except Takeba. Coppery odors, by now, was extremely diluted and faint to the nose. Combat and rush of adrenaline blurred the environment, inattentional blindness prominent. Takeba sensed all the bloodshed, the ribbons of crimson through the air or waterfalls oozing down an alliance member's limbs. Death wafted from the lying muttation. District 4's only living Tribute now imagined the sky black as licorice - or even her past clothing choice - but nothing could be imbued with the sweetness she could hope for.

Her slash connected with the beast, and she took swift looks to the left and right, brows curved upwards. Surprise swarmed in on her face, feeling energy leaving the arm raising the short blade. Words expressed departure, but the choice of diction left Takeba with an empty emotion, a void in her heart. Topaz and Nash rushed out of the scene, fleeing with their set of supplies and wounds, like the eloping. Eyes followed after them. Takeba lowered her weapon slightly, widening the organs of sight and parting the lips a bit. She felt constricted, paralyzed, a myriad of thoughts and questions piercing her persona to crack a little.

They had ditched them. From her peripheral vision, Anani also snatched the chance to leave her behind. He whispered something, but the District 4 girl decided to block each one out. Action had defined enough of their intentions; she was alone, completely isolated between the animal and herself. Though a notion murmured to follow behind like a lamb, Takeba had stood her ground, swallowing and watching the three as a dog does as its owner walks out of the house. Interpretation - rationality - dictated she should stay behind, just watch all of the alliance let her go.

Consequences were always considered; the Hunger Games was full of betrayal and traitors. Pondering to trust fully was out of the question for Careers, she acknowledged long ago. Logic, however, did not stop the tears from spilling out of the eyes. Pain entered the girl's heart in such a rapid pace, emotionally slashing at the veins and forcing air to flow out better than to come in. Salty sadness formed in a few droplets and trailed down the face. Takeba could not breath properly, inhaling short breaths and even smaller air out. She was beginning to loosen the dagger in her hand, twitching, shaking violently.

Takeba had a few moments to sort out emotions and thoughts before enduring against an attack in her arm, blood spurting in a frenzy. Due to the monster, she had to renew strength and hold on tighter to the knife, practically hugging the blade. She stared at the muttation, watching for any other movements. Along with a gulp to recollect plans and formulate an improvisation, the girl held onto her backpack, circuiting energy to the legs. Her earlier tears stained the face - partially washing the sweat and possible dirt - and departed her some time during the strike. Lips were pressed tight together to make manifest a deep frown for the non-human assailant.

Giving a facial twitch to her opponent, Takeba sprinted away from the fight, the last alliance member now strained of bonds, discarding pain to the battlefield temporarily. Pounding lightly against her chest, the locket twirled and punched into the girl rapidly, almost in sync with the frustrated heart.

[Takeba has fled the fight]