Broken and Destroyed (Dicentra Vs Hawthorn)

Sylvania was dead. She was dead, and there was nothing I could do about it. My thoughts were swarming around my head. I should have gone after her. I should have protected her. If I had she would still be alive. But now there was nothing I could do to save her from the untimely fate that had befallen her. There was nothing I could do to save any of the 15 other children and teens that had died. But I could save myself. I would save myself, even if it meant killing the others. Because that's what the Capitol wanted us to do, wasn't it. As much as I told myself I wouldn't become a pawn of the Capitol, it was happening. I was a part of their demented little game now, whether I liked it or not.

The mosquitoes came almost immediately after the anthem. They swarmed our camp, biting us and driving us apart. Soyala and Gage fled to the north. I used what time I had to grab my things and run. I ran through the swamp, water splashing onto me, soaking me to the bone in the chill of the night. I began to dry out a bit when the ground got less soggier, and I was able to see my feet. The bites that I received every few minutes made me keep running. After I passed the cornucopia, I found myself struggling to keep my foothold in the shifting sands. Those mosquitoes followed me until I saw what looked to be buildings in the distance. It was probably a mirage, something I had heard a previous victor talk about. But it was still worth checking out, judging by the fact the mosquitoes stopped when I got closer.

I walked toward the buildings, and saw another tribute sitting near the ruined buildings. Before I could do anything, a piece of the building fell down on top of him. Before I could stop myself, I laughed a bit, which apparently he didn't hear over the sound of the rubble crashing down. I crept forward, hoping that I could get in a hit before he noticed I was here. I stepped on a piece of wood, and the crack resonated. I froze, hoping he didn't hear me, but I was already too late. He spun around, sword out. “Well hello there!” I yelled to him, all pretense of stealth gone. “Look's like we're going to fight each other, and I'm gonna win. You might as well just kill yourself now.” I pulled out my cleaver, just in case he didn't follow my directions, and he did decide to attack me.

The boy raises his sword to his neck, and for a second I think he's actually about to kill himself. Before he actually touches himself, he lowers the sword, and laughs at me. “Like I'd give up that easily,” he begins, cracking his neck to accentuate what he must believe to be many toughness. “ boy from District Nine.” He finishes his sentence, and runs at me. It's a simple maneuver to bring my knife up and block the sword. I'm actually surprised at the force of the hit, and I bring a second hand up to help stop the blade.
I laugh, “That was a good swing,” I begin, and with a flick of my wrist swing his sword down. “Now watch this, Boy from district six.” I back up and swing, trying to lodge the knife in his neck. Unfortunately, I trip in the middle of my swing, and I fall.
[dice=200+2000]
(shallow cut on right calf=3.5 damage)
The knife slices into his calf, and my knees hit dirt. I spring back up, hopefully in time to block his next attack.

His swing sinks into my arm, and I let out a small hiss of pain. That was my strong arm, but I can deal with it. It wasn't like he had managed to chop it off, like had happened to Soyala and Ludwig. I would be fine. I would live through this fight, and I would win. I swing for his neck again, but he moved out of the way slightly.
[dice=200+2000]
(shallow cut on left shoulder= 3.5 damage)
It hits his shoulder, and I draw blood once again. I need to make my next few attacks count for more than that, or I'm screwed.

He missed me. He swung the sword and missed me. I guess it helped that I dodged a bit. I was getting pretty good at dodging and blocking attacks. I laughed again, and swung my cleaver at him. Again I tripped and fell, but recovered before I hit the ground.
[dice=200+2000]
(shallow cut on right thigh=3.5 damage)
The knife hit his thigh, and more blood flowed out. It wasn't a deep hit, but it was working towards what I wanted to do. I stood and shouted, "Come at me, I'll just block it!"

He cut me again, and I was starting to get angry. Every time he landed a hit, it was a strong one. Which was surprising, considering he was at least a year younger than me. But this was what I had volunteered for. I had expected to die. If I ended up dying, so be it. But I wouldn't go down without a fight.
[dice=200+2000]
(shallow cut on right forearm=3.5 damage)

Another deep gash, and I cringed. The pain was almost unbearable. I was on the verge of death, I could feel it. "I'm Hawthorn Fray," I said in response to his inquiry. I tore the rabbit's foot off my neck and tossed it to the boy. "If I die, keep this. Can you make sure it gets back to my family? I want it handed to them, not on my body in a pine box" I summoned up my strength, and attacked again.
[dice=200+2000]
(Stabbed in Thigh=8.5 damage+blades=9.5)
I stabbed him in the thigh, purposefully aiming low this time. It didn't hit the target, but it was a good hit nonetheless.