Rolling the Dice {Ali}

Nothing. That's what greeted me. No tunnel, no light- just empty blackness and Nothing. I felt nothing, saw nothing, heard nothing. The warmth and cold was gone- but as quickly as Nothing wrapped me in its blanket, it was gone. Nothing was gone in a blink of an eye. I could feel; I could feel something rough yet soft and gentle beneath my skin- I could feel clothes around me, I could feel the warmth of the sun against my face. I could hear- I could hear the songs of the birds singing melodically, I could hear the rustling of the breeze, I could hear my breathing. Then, with one flutter of my eyes- I could see. The sky above me was notoriously baby blue, with the odd floating fluffy cloud. Framing my perpetual vision fanned beautifully golden grass- no- corn. I blinked again sitting. My hair fell across my shoulders; neat, brilliant blonde and best of all- clean. I looked down and realized I wasn’t wearing the bloodstained shirt anymore. The golden and ruby red shirt along with the ¾ lengthed trousers had all been replaced with a short white flowing dress. It was beautiful. I couldn’t help but noticed that my feet were bare and I smiled when I wriggled my toes. And of course, sitting on my collar bone was my mothers necklace.

A short happy giggle erupted from my mouth. I felt more alive than ever- I may be dead but I had never felt this my life course through my body like electricity. It felt all too good. I got up and span round in a circle, brushing my fingers against the tips of the wheat. The soil was warm beneath my bare feet, it tickled as they turned and turned and turned. I came to a stop with a burst of ecstatic laughter, I was free. I looked round, finally getting a good look at my surroundings. Beautiful naval blue mountains sat on the horizon, with their ice white snow topped tips glistening all too bright in the sunlight. Around me lay a field of wheat that seemed to stretch on forever and ever. Ahead of me sat a woods; glorious luscious green leaves and soft brown branches danced lightly in the breeze. My smile grew- where ever I was it was breath taking beautiful. Sadly- the gleefulness of the situation soon faded along with my smile as a figure walked from the woods. A little girl with brilliant brown hair and blue eyes. Katie.

I took a step forward my jaw falling open “Katie...”

Katie didn’t hear me. She just turned and looked back at the woods as a second tall elegant figure exited the woods- her long golden hair blowing in the wind. Mum.

“Mum....”

They still didn’t notice they danced and played in the sunlight, the wheat whistling round and round their dresses. I took a tentative step closer. I could hear their laughter- how happy they were. They seemed oblivious that I was here. Another step and I could see their faces in more finer detail; my mothers perfect smile, my sisters button nose. I took another step closer as tears choked me from the inside out, tears threatening to break through my eyes. Another step later and the two had begun to dance back towards the woods. A frown formed on my face as the laughter gradually grew quieter and quieter. Suddenly I found myself in full sprint towards them, my feet drumming against the warm soil. My hear rippled behind me as I ran, their figures getting closer yet further away. I pushed myself onwards as they disappeared into the woods.

“MUM! KATIE!” I shouted.

I took a step into the forest and the mood suddenly changed. I didn’t feel safe. The trees were no longer luscious green- they’re leaves had turned to a dark muddy olive colour- the barks of the trees almost as dark as nothing itself. I caught my breath. Had I fallen into Hell? Was this what Hell was? It couldn’t be, Hell was a fiery pit. This was just a tiny bit of heaven that turned dark when the candles were gone. That candle being my happiness. I took a step forward, deeper into the woods. My mothers and sisters laughter echoing in every direction possible. It was impossible to tell which way they went. I took a tiny step forward, deeper into the forest. I continued on, deeper and deeper I went. Light continually fading. It was somewhere near the centre- or atleast what I thought was the centre when I trod on something cold and smooth. I jumped back. I looked down and saw it. A Dicentra flower trapped in glass.

Dicentra Gambler...Dice. Dice was gone. Back in the world of the living back where there was everything- except me. I wished I hadn’t died. Died so soon. I couldn't go back- my death wasn’t my choice. I just wished I could be with Dicentra Gambler for longer- watch him with the Games. I honestly wished that I had died at his hands- it would have been an honour.I looked at the flower and bent down and picked it up. A sudden sense of worry and almost heart break washed over me like a cold mountain breeze. It was at this point I knew Dicentra Gambler was dead. There was no way it could be here without him. Could it? Maybe he’d given it to me....maybe he wasn’t dead after all. I took a few more steps, feeling pretty pleased with the thought that he could be alive. Then I saw the whole bracelet, sitting on the branch of a meesly looking sappling. I moaned in horror. He was dead. His bracelet was here, which almost certainly meant he was here. I closed my eyes fighting back the tears. Quickly I snatched the bracelet and held onto it tightly.

I continued walking towards an area of glistening light ahead- hearing someones footfall. Could it be Dice’s? I wasn’t sure. After a few more steps I found myself in a clearing. Light fell through the open canopy, allowing flowers too bloom and flourish in the suns rays. The grass was brilliant lime green. Despite the cool and tranquility of it all I still couldn’t think about anything else but Dice. I looked up and saw someone walking into the clearing. For a moment my heart soared above its maximum capacity then fell suddenly at the realization of who it was. A brilliant- fire red haired girl stood a few meters away. She had tree green eyes and freckled skin. I knew immediately that she was from District 7. Noelle Pines. That was her name. I frowned for a second wondering what she was doing her. Without a moment to even ask such a question, she strides over- her gait is both demanding and terriying.

“Alikia. What are you doing here? Where’s Dice.” Noelle said sharply

I floundered for my words for a second. I had no idea where Dice was. I had only found- well his bracelet but then again, that could be here for a number of reasons. I swallowed before speaking.

“I don’t know.....I don’t know” I said gripping the Dicentra bracelet tightly in my hand.

I watched the red haired girl as she continued to stare at me. I wondered why she wouldn’t stop- she was scaring me. In this garden of Eden where everything was supposed to be bitter sweet perfection, I found myself recoiling from her glare.Noelles eyes were angry- jelous filled. I couldn’t quite understand what I had done wrong to make her feel this way, had it been something I said? Surely it couldn’t have because I had spoken a matter of vowels to her. I wondered if it was the fact I held Dice’s token in my hand- but why would she care. None of the feelings of terror were helped much by the long blood encrusted sword she held in her grip- one I vaguely recognized.

All of a sudden the girl began to cry. I was shocked by this sudden out burst of emotion. Guilt washed over me and I wanted to comfort Noelle, even though I barely knew her. I wanted to apologize as well- but both actions were crippled by my shyness. I had had very little friends back in District 6- but now I htink about it I don;t think I had any friends. I think the girl named Pam and Elliot the one I thought I loved; friendships were false. I also thought I fancied Elliot- but for some reason I knew I was wrong. That my crush on him had also been false as much as his friendship towards me. I was bought back to reality only to find Noelle shouting.

“Get out of here! Get away! Go find Dice! I know you love him! I know he’s looking for you!”

Love. I felt my heart almost skip a beat at that moment- the sudden crecendo in my musical body. Love- I loved Dice? My mind began denying the fact over and over again but my heart, on the other hand, was saying something much different. It kept saying that the boy named Dicentra was the one I had to fall in love with. I felt the blood rush to my ears, again. I was embaressed to admit it, especially to Noelle who still stood there in front of me bawling her eyes out. I still felt the urge to hug the girl but for some reason she kept shouting- some lines barely understandable.


“Go! "This place isn't real....none of this is real! You're not real!”

What happened next happened very fast, yet very slowly indeed. Noelle had thrown a large rock in my direction. I felt like the world around me was crumbling as I feared the thing I had just escaped from. The rock flew towards me and I cringed away from the rock holding up a hand to protect my face. THere was- well what I’d call a tingling- pain in my hand. Peering out from behind my eyes, I could see my hand start to swell. Meanwhile Noelle looked at the ground muttering to herself. Suddenly I knew why she had looked angry- Jealous. She had liked Dice.

I felt betrayed almost hurt- I also wanted to laugh at her. I felt like she was no match for me, she was just the girl who jumped at her chance before my body had even hit the floor. Noelle’s actions- even though they were estimated by the way she was reacting- disgusted me. She loved Dice- even if he didn’t love her back- and she had thrown a stone at me because I felt for Dice just as much as she did. I felt a rare pit of anger bubble inside me and I had lashed out at Noelle; which I wouldn’t have usually one but I had just fallen out the games, some of that instinct was still there. I didn’t have anything on had so had to use my bare palms to do damage.

[Attacks Noelle, Unarmed]
[dice=200+5000]
[Gash Wrist, 3 damage]

My nails dug deep into Noelle's wrist, drawing a few drops of blood. As I pulled back, the blood ran over her wrist freely from the gash I had just carved. I breathed heavily as a slight wash of regret washed over me. Then I remembered why I had done it and the feeling was gone. I scowled lowly at her..


“Don’t throw stones Noelle! Haven’t you heard they break bones” I said sarcastically before pausing and saying flatly. "Why Would You Care Where Dice Is"