and we will strike them {d o w n} // musketeers vs 3 mormo

You never realize how real it all is until you feel the hot spatter of blood on your face, taste the coppery tang on youe tongue, and hear the dying screams of children trying to survive but failing. The screams of Hannah bounce around on the inside of my head like a bouncy ball, tormenting me till I just want them to stop. (you helped kill her) shut up voices in my head. I can't handle you, just shut up. "I'm friends with the Monster that's under my bed, get along with the voices inside of my head. You're trying to save me, stop holding your breath, oh you think I'm crazy, yeah you think I'm crazy" the song bursts from my lips, the truth flowing through my veins and my body like the blood that, for the moment, is still inside me. I am a monster, as much as I hate it, I am. (you helped kill her) I had no choice. It was her or me. (There is always a choice) Not here there isn't. (It's your fault.) You think I asked for this? The voice that won't shut up inside my head is silent for a moment, as if it were calculating a response, as if it could think for itself. (You have no idea Moss) I cover my ears, willing the voice to just leave me alone. (You can't get rid of me) The taunting laughs echo inside my head, mocking me. (I am always here) please just go away (I don't want to) am I going crazy? Is this what it's like to be pushed to the edge if sanity?

An indigo sky greets me as I gaze upwards, searching for some sort of sign that I am not alone. How is it, when you are stuck inside an arena with 23, wait make that 17 other people, you can feel so utterly alone. (because you are alone Moss) stupid voice but it's right of course. I am on my own for now, unless I can find Aurora or Luke. The chance of finding them though seems impossible as my feet give out from under me and I collapse onto the hard ground. I hate it here. This place is a freaking hell (I refuse to swear, I will not let this sick game of the Capitols reduce me to a swearing baffoon.) My hands close around my necklace from home, a gift from my twin and I feel a single tear escape my tight control. I brush it furiously away, refusing to cry for these selfish arse holes(Yes I said arse.) And curl into a ball, feeling so utterly alone.

Before I am even aware of it, my mind slips into unconsciousness and I am tormented by images of Hannahs death. "Go boys go, they'll time your every breath, and everyday you're in this place is two days nearer death" the song like an omen, plays throufh my mind behind the images of dying children.

The boom of the anthem startles me awake and I sit up, blinking blearyness from my eyes. Was I really asleep that long? Faces flit across the sky like birds, the dead tributes of today, they are free from this damn place. The first face comes as no surprise, I watched her die right in front of me. The next face is obviously from the bloodbath, the boy from three. I saw the next girl lying dead on the ground when I attacked but I can't remember her name. The next one, I am not prepared for. It is a face I have grown to love and cherish, I knew he would die but I didn't think he would die so soon. (He's gone and you left him to die) the voice sneers. I cringe at the sound. I thought he was right behind me, I didn't think he was fighting for his life. The next two faces don't even register. The boy from ten and Mary Ellen. Sorrow and regret go hand in hand as I bring my knees to my chest ."I'm sorry" I whisper to the once again dark arena. (You abandoned him) the words play through my head as I fall into the welcome arms of unconsciousness.

Starlight glows above my head as I blink back into consciousness. Judging by the inky blackness of the sky, it is no where near dawn but I can't sleep any longer, my mind will not allow it. Groaning from soreness, I get to my feet, blocking out the voice that won't stop repeating inside my head. My fingers reach for the knife in my bag and I feel the cool handle rest against my skin. Would physical pain take my mind off the mental war going on? (I wouldn't advise it). Without thinking, I wrap my hand around the blade, squeezing until a sharp pain invades my thoughts and I inhale sharply, feeling blood well on my palm. (Why the hell would you do that?) To make you shut the hell up. (You should deal with that injury. I'll help you okay, just don't kill yourself okay?) And why should I trust you? (Because I am all you have left. I'm Iris by the way. I'm your response to that girls death. Don't worry, I'm not gonna take over your body, I'm just you.) I mull this over in my head for a few moments. I finally have a name for the voice.

Back at home, there are a few people who say they hear voices in their head but I never really believed them. Now, though, I think I do, and I can understand the incredible annoyance that can come from another voice in my head. I look down at my palm, blood still welling up in , and wince at the pain from it. Physical pain to make rhe mental pain go away. I wonder what the game makers think. To be honest, I really don't care. My eyes flit to the sky and I notice that it is just beginning to lighten in the distance, it will be dawn in a few hours, I should probably start going.

Picking up my rucksack, I begin walking, my bare feet (Why bare feet?) hurting as I walk along the earthy ground. I follow what appears to be a dark shape on the horizon, hoping that whatever it is, I can find shelrer there.

As the sky lightens it becomes apparent that my destination is the cornucopia, the ground upon which Luke lay dying. What were his last words? The last thing he saw? I wish I could have been there when he died but I cannot undo the past. I can only look to the future. The golden horn shines dully in the predawn light, making it easier to follow. I hope no one else is there. I can feel the effects of the short sleep beginning to wear on me, I'm so tired I can't even describe it. My feet drag painfully as I push myself towards the horn, determined to make it before resting again.

As soon as my legs carry me to the horn, I collapse against the side, leaning against it for support. I just want to sleep forever, let the darkness and bliss unconsciousness will bring my exhausted mind. I cannot do that though, I am vulnerable right now, exposed to ripred knows what. I carefully stand, being careful not to harm my hand and look around. It could be a trick of the early dawn light but I swear there is a figure approaching me. I blink a few times and rub my eyes before it sinks in that it is another tribute and not just any tribute but my ally, Aurora. Joy swells in my chest before a hiss makes me turn in time to see three small creatures fly at us. My knife is out and I lash out.