harenosum infernus [Fish & Fuses | Day 2]

harenosum infernus - I

As we continue to march our way between the shifting dunes of dark sand, I start to feel a bit of worry. It feels like hours now have passed since our ordeal with the undead came to an end. Night was out in full, the rolling horizon lit up in the faint light of the brilliant stars scattered throughout the sky. All in all, however, I can't help but feel the day has been too quiet.

Sure, there had been some action with the monstrosities we encountered, but it hadn't escaped my notice that there had been a lack of cannons. Nothing that I'd heard since the first day's chaos. I'm sure the remaining tributes had been facing their own hardships - I remember my brief interaction with Artemis in her tent - but a lack of our blood being spilled could only serve to build the bloodlust of our Capitol captors.

Tomorrow was sure to bring another challenge. The Gamemakers will be wanting to see some blood. I needed to be ready to face that new side of myself again if I wanted to stay alive.

The unknown of tomorrow wasn't the only thing on my mind, though. This desert seems to have no end to it, sprawling endlessly into light or dark sand on either side of that stage. So far that has meant no source of water, and thirst was starting to creep into the routine thoughts rotating their way through my mind. I had been careful to hold onto the canteen of the pure stuff, the sponsored gift to help keep me alive. I wanted to be certain I could find somewhere to replenish it before I drank the liquid gold within. Each hour that passed, however, made holding onto that mindset tougher to bear. I was getting sick of feeling my lips all chapped, my mouth bone dry. Even just a sip…

I snap myself out of it. I need to hold on, just a bit longer. I look over at Tide and Sera, both showing the same signs of thirst as myself. I can see the toll it's taken on us all in the subtle things. Compared to yesterday our pace is a lot slower, we take more frequent breaks to catch our breath, our feet drag a bit heavier in the sand. I know the heat has been more than anything Sera and I have had to deal with in Three, and I'm sure that compared to the waters of district Four this is the dryest Tide has ever been. None of us are built for this dry hell.

My eyes turn back to the front and catch glimpse of something on the horizon, shimmering in its opacity. I remember the glass structure I had seen floating hazily on the horizon when the games started. Could this be that very same structure?

"Hey, look!" I call out to the others, finger pointing towards the mysterious structure. "What do you guys think is over there?" The optimistic part of me imagines treasures may be lying in wait to help make me a winner. The thirst is wishing fountains of pure water are flowing. The realist in me warns that in the Games, it can be nothing good.

Then again, what in here is good?