guiding me higher [critical hit, day 2]

With a breath of fresh air, Derecho follows a bit closely behind Quinn, but soon he moves away on his own searching through the area on his own. Sometimes it's easier to simply follow behind, but right now the only thing weighing on his mind is survival. Being alone has its definite advantages, yet it also puts him at a hard disadvantage because there's nobody else around ot help defend when those mutts come crawling.

Right now, though, he doesn't need any friends as he relishes in the fact that he landed the final blow, that he did the most damage to the mutts while the other two swung their weapons almost hopelessly.

They aren't trained in this though.

It's hard for him to believe that someone wouldn't feel prepared, but not every tribute has the ability to train in the training academy. Quinn being related to a victor should offer her some strengths, yet Derecho doesn't think she's very capable of succeeding. Maybe later when they're fighting other tributes.

I don't need extra baggage hanging around.

But for now, he thinks nothing of it and instead will help her in whatever way he can until the right moment comes.

Looking back, Derecho tries figuring out where they are, but his allies aren't anywhere to be found. Instead, he finds himself staring at a bunch of statues of victors. A grin spreads wide, and all the pain slowly slips away. At the end of this game, he wants to be the one who wears the crown. Going home with the victory is important, yet it seems so far away. These are some of the most memorable names, the ones he compares himself to. Katelyn Persimmons, Kirito Miristioma, Harbinger Rhodes, Atticus Manor, all the victors from all the hunger games with the most recent one Talon Grey.

I want to be just like them.

Every hair stands on end, and every direction he turns, it feels as though these statues are watching him. Part of him wants to run away without searching anymore, yet he decides against it and keeps looking through the statues wondering why they're even here.

That's when he sees it.

A black crown with a note attached to it reading -

Heavy is the head that wears the crown.
Can you bear the weight?
-S.B

Lifting the crown, Derecho tries figuring out the meaning of the note. The crown doesn't seem heavy, yet thinking of the consequences of murdering innocent teens -

We're not innocent. Our innocence was stolen the moment names were called or we volunteered.

The crown at the end of the game may be heavy, but it's one that he's willing to bear, and without thinking, Derecho places the crown on top his head. Victory belongs to him, and he will do whatever it takes to go home alive.

Then he moves away trying to find his way back to Quinn and Kaius. Surely, they're missing him by now if they even noticed he was gone.

When he returns, he sees Quinn starting to sit down, and Derecho breathes a sigh of relief. It's beyond him how much time has passed, yet right now isn't the moment to think about time. Time means nothing in a place like this when each breath is so precious because another breath isn't promised.

"Thank you both."

It's hard not to roll his eyes, yet the mask from the outfit is hiding his face and the hood drapes over his eyes.

"You're very welcome." It takes every ounce of strength to sound even remotely excited, but deep down he truly is. Someone is there to help him. Someone cares.

For now.

Then he starts moving around again. Sitting down will only bring pain but searching through the meadows may bring more gifts and surprises.