Out of the [Mines] / Soft Bois Day 2

I had finished tying the rope around each of our waists and couldn’t help but think about how we came across to the Capital audience. Three boys, calling ourselves the Soft Bois, tied together to not lose each other in the labyrinth of onyx and coal. I hate that my life had become temporary entertainment for the Capital, but this is a reality show where most of us didn’t make it back. I remember looking out of the carriage to see the stars rearrange themselves to create a constellation of Azure last night. I wondered if she got what she sought in those last moments. I don’t even remember hearing her canon in yesterday's chaos.

We went through the mines until we noticed rows of lockers and cupboards in a large, cavernous room. The Gamemakers have done an excellent job of making the Arena appear more human and lived in as if it was erected for only our merry band of prisoners. All of us were waiting to see who would sign our death warrant while trying to survive. To see the pantomime of everyday life, as if this land was reclaimed after being long forgotten, only raised my ire even more than before. I decided right then and there that if I was to die, it would be making sure Garnet or Rhys made it home.

After taking a few deep, calming breaths, I saw my little buddy climbing out from under my shirt, chirping while looking up. I followed its gaze to see daylight and a metal cage housing a lift to bring us up and down into the mines.

“Finally, fresh air.” I sighed as I sighed, trying to take in the cold and bitter air. “Come on, let’s see if we can find anything useful here. Afterwards, we can get out of here.” I started pillaging the lockers, trying to find something to keep the cold from seeping into my soul.