11.06.26 14.00

I’m still alive. I still have all my limbs and there is no dangerous animal, about to eat me. Just a verry sleepy Nora. “Sorry but can I sleep the rest of the night? I don’t think I’m going to stay awake much longer.” So she didn’t try to kill me? Why? I was so weak. She could have used it so easily. “Sure.” I whisper and give her the blanket she had found in her supply bag. sometime later I can see her sleeping. My siblings and me had one bed together. It was so cramped, so one of us always was awake. Seeing her sleep calms me. I move the blanket over her head, so she won’t wake up from the light. The sun is rising. (set: $popularity to it + 5) (if: $trustnora > 0)[ [[Next|Trust]] ] (else:)[ [[Next|No Trust]] ]

Now that our home looks good, I ask her: “Can you make something out of the leftover sticks?” “I could make a spear, but you saw how good I can use one. What about a trap?” I nod at her and she grabs her rope. She cuts off a fourth, ties it to the sticks, wraps it around her arm twice, twists and somehow the leftover sticks are now a little trap. I laugh “If my sister could have done that, I would be round and fat” “Do you have a sister?” My smile lowers and my tone shifts “I had one. She was really kind and … well she passed away early” Her hand touches my knee “I’m sorry for you. It’s fine now.” “Yes” I say, “No” I think. (set: $inventory to it + (a: "Trap")) [[next|End day 4]]

“What happened?” Nora asks. “I touched the wrong plant. It's ok I’ll wash it of” She looks at me sceptical. “If something happens tell me, ok?” (if: $inventory contains "Fox Corpse")[[Skin the Fox]](set: $inventory to it - (a: "Fox Corpse"))(set: $sanity to $sanity +1) [[End Day 4 branches]]

“Let’s Build a hut!” I decide. “Maybe there are no caves in the arena, and I think, even if you don’t want to talk about it, you don’t like caves, don’t you?” Nora gives out a relaxed sigh. “Yes, I think a hut is much nicer” We decide to find a better spot for our temporary home. Nora knows in which direction the nearest river is and since water is survival, we decide to get closer to it. We stop at a small rocky hill with an opening in the woods. the earth is green and lush, full of moss, fallen leaves and twigs. On the steep end of the hill, there are lots of dense bushes, perfect for a little hut to blend in. You can hear the river flowing in the distance. “Ok! Now we just need to build a shelter. Can you do that?” As I say that the girl looks at me happily “Of course I can, as long as you bring me some Materials.” (if: $inventory contains "Axe")[ [[Gather Wood with axe]]] [[Gather wood without Axe]]

“How can I be sure that you won’t kill me?” “I… I guess you can’t, but I promise I won’t.” “Oh really? You promise?” “I’m sorry I don’t know what to say. But you you would win anyway. Look at me.” I look at her. It's always hard to see such a young tribute in the games. She starts to talk again this time in a much, much calmer voice. “You spared me so take whatever you need. I’ll give you everything. Why don’t we both just sit down for now.” [[Leave the place]] [[Rest at the Campfire]]

“You can build things?” “Y-yes. Do you want me to make you a weapon or a trap or…?” “You made the spear yourself?” “Yes! Back in my village I used to make things out of scraps from the factories. Mostly toys or little tools for my mother.” I’m quite impressed she can do all that at her age. My memories shift to my sister again, but this time I can see her helping mom to patch holes in the clothes of my older brothers. The way mom was proud of her. She starts to talk again this time in a much, much calmer voice. “You spared me so take whatever you need. I’ll give you everything. Why don’t we both just sit down for now.” [[Leave the place]] [[Rest at the Campfire]]

“Do you have water” “Y-es, over there in the bottle. Or did you mean where the water is? If you let me leave this place I will tell you were.” “How did you get those supplies? You would have died in the bloodbath.” “I-I got really lucky because another girl died on her way to safety so I could grab her bag.” I can see her eyes flicker as she thought of the bloodbath. She seems so scared, that I almost forget we tried to kill us a minute ago. She starts to talk again this time in a much, much calmer voice. “You spared me so take whatever you need. I’ll give you everything. Why don’t we both just sit down for now.” [[Leave the place]] [[Rest at the Campfire]]

The cannon fires. A tribute has fallen. Your choices led you here. In the sky above the arena, your face appears among the fallen. The Games continue - without you.

After a while, she finished the wooden plate that she covered in leaves and moss. She places it on the top of the entrance. From the rest of the tree and the rope she made a trap for small animals. “Is it ok if I take the blanket and you the fur? It’s to small for me.” I ask. We snuggle in two different corners. I almost fall asleep but then Nora screams. I get up quickly and grab the knife. “What happened?” her eyes look terrified and she panics. I look at the hole in the wall. On it there is a black garden spider. Quickly I step on the spider and look back at the now crying Nora. “I knew we shouldn’t stay in a cave.” That’s why she didn’t want to go to the cave. She has arachnophobia. “Look she’s dead.” I say in a calming tone and grab her by her arm. She gets quiet again “Sorry but can we go to sleep now? And can you hold me a bit?” She puts the fur on the ground, gets under the blanket and cuddles against my chest. “What’s your name?” she asks, “You never Told me.” “Ethan” “You’re from 7, right?” “Yes. I’m from 7” “Nice to meet you Ethan from 7” “Nice to meet you Nora from 3” (set: $inventory to it + (a: "trap")) [[go to day five|day 5 cave]]

After a while, she finished the woven cover and fixed it on some roots over the opening. then we realize a small breeze goes through our cave. “I guess it will get cold tonight.” Nora grabs some dirt “don’t worry I can plug the hole” she fills the small window with a few scoops of dirt. Suddenly she screams and hops backwards. I get up quickly and grab the knife. “What happened?” her eyes look terrified and she panics. I look at the hole in the wall. On it there is a black garden spider. Quickly I step on the spider and look back at the now crying Nora. “I knew we shouldn’t stay in a cave.” That’s why she didn’t want to go to the cave. She has arachnophobia. “Look she’s dead.” I say in a calming tone and grab her by her arm. She gets quiet again “Sorry but can you hold me when I fall asleep?” She gets under the blanket and cuddles against my chest. “What’s your name?” she asks, “You never Told me.” “Ethan” “You’re from 7, right?” “Yes. I’m from 7” “Nice to meet you Ethan from 7” “Nice to meet you Nora from 3” [[go to day five|day 5 cave]]

After a while, she finished the woven cover and fixed it on some roots over the opening. “Is it ok if I take the blanket and you the fur? It’s to small for me.” I ask. We snuggle in two different corners. I almost fall asleep but then Nora screams. I get up quickly and grab the knife. “What happened?” her eyes look terrified and she panics. I look at the hole in the wall. On it there is a black garden spider. Quickly I step on the spider and look back at the now crying Nora. “I knew we shouldn’t stay in a cave.” That’s why she didn’t want to go to the cave. She has arachnophobia. “Look she’s dead.” I say in a calming tone and grab her by her arm. She gets quiet again “Sorry but can we go to sleep now? And can you hold me a bit?” She puts the fur on the ground, gets under the blanket and cuddles against my chest. “What’s your name?” she asks, “You never Told me.” “Ethan” “You’re from 7, right?” “Yes. I’m from 7” “Nice to meet you Ethan from 7” “Nice to meet you Nora from 3” [[go to day five|day 5 cave]]

After a while, she finished the wooden plate that she covered in leaves and moss. She places it on the top of the entrance. From the rest of the tree and the rope she made a trap for small animals. then we realize a small breeze goes through our cave. “I guess it will get cold tonight.” Nora grabs some dirt “don’t worry I can plug the hole” she fills the small window with a few scoops of dirt. Suddenly she screams and hops backwards. I get up quickly and grab the knife. “What happened?” her eyes look terrified and she panics. I look at the hole in the wall. On it there is a black garden spider. Quickly I step on the spider and look back at the now crying Nora. “I knew we shouldn’t stay in a cave.” That’s why she didn’t want to go to the cave. She has arachnophobia. “Look she’s dead.” I say in a calming tone and grab her by her arm. She gets quiet again “Sorry but can we go to sleep now? And can you hold me a bit?” She gets under the blanket and cuddles against my chest. “What’s your name?” she asks, “You never Told me.” “Ethan” “You’re from 5, right?” “Yes. I’m from 5” “Nice to meet you Ethan from 5” “Nice to meet you Nora from 3” (set: $inventory to it + (a: "Trap")) [[go to day five|day 5 cave]]

The day was really exhausting. We gather up our last food supplies and Nora even found berries while she was gathering moss. “You know what you haven’t told me?” the girl says with berries in her mouth. “Your name!” “Oh right.” I swallow the protein bar with some water “it’s Ethan.” “So Ethan. I was guessing you are a Tom.” I smile “Nora, I know what you haven’t told me: why are you scared of caves?” “I I I’m not scared” she says in her bravest voice. I poke her “come on!” “Ok ok! I am really really scared of spiders.” I didn’t expect that. “You know there are spiders in the forest too?” “WHAT!” She jumps up “WHERE?” I shush her and gently pull her down. “Not here but there are some” I can’t believe that they don’t even have forests in the fifth. We sit there a bit, till we finally go to sleep in our new home. [[go to day five|day 5 hut]]

After crossing the small clearing I finally reach the forest. The shadows of the trees fall over me and I feel branches and leaves gazing my face, some even leaving smaller cuts. Yet, I didn’t notice it at all. I can’t. My mind blocks every feeling, every thought, just everything except from my survival instincts. My heart is still racing because of my sprinting but I had to keep going – until I was safe. I hear noises of fighting tributes behind me but I ignore it. I’m not used to running this much. A few more minutes of straight up running – fleeing – passed before I allow myself to slow down. My breathing is still heavy. The rush of adrenaline slowly fades and lifts the fog enclosing my brain. I need nutrition – quick, I think. I try to focus my senses on my surroundings. There it is, the sound of water flowing. I wanted to follow the din, but then suddenly a rustle behind me. My head turns so fast that my vision blurs. Nothing. Then there it was again – this time closer. Shit. With tensed muscles I sneak backward. One foot after the other. All of a sudden a creature appears. It’s something that looks like a little fox. [[Keep looking for Water]] (if: $inventory contains "Axe")[ [[Go Hunting with your Weapon|Hunt with Weapon]] ] (else:)[ [[Go Hunting without a Weapon|Hunt without Weapon]] ]

On top of the hill, I find some old trees with green vines. With a strong pull, I get them off almost completely. I want to grab some branches, but my hands hurt and feel warm. Shit! The last vine was poison ivy. At least I have enough material to build a cover. (set: $health to $health -1) (if: $popularity > 2)[ [[Get Healed]] ] [[Bring Nora the Vines and Branches]] (set: $inventory to it + (a: "Fox Corpse"))

I look around for a bit to see if another tribute is around. Once I feel safe enough, I swing my axe through a young pine. The smell of the juice is amazing. With a few precise hits I remove the green branches. This will make a perfect cover. I also take the stem with me. Maybe Nora can do something with it. (if: $inventory contains "Fox Corpse")[ [[Skin the Fox|Skin the FoxWood]] (set: $inventory to it - (a: "Fox Corpse")) (set: $sanity to it +1) ] [[End of Day 4|End Day 4 wood]]

I start by getting some wood so Nora can build a frame. First, I walk a bit further into the forest to be sure that no one finds our location easily. I lift the axe and swing it right in the stem of a young tree, then another and another. I cleanly chop off the branches and twigs. you can smell the scent of freshly cut oak and the Odor of sweat on my skin. After five little trees I have enough wood, so I return to the hill. [[Go back to Nora]]

I look around to find strong, stable Branches that I can break off or pick up from the ground. When I break them off, some shatter and splinter and all the ones on the floor are wet and muddy. The sun moves fast across the sky but finally, I found enough good ones for our shelter. [[go to Nora]]

My hands ache as I grab the bundle. I guess I must endure the rash for now. The birds whistle in the far but somethings of. There it is again. That’s not a whistle from a bird. That’s a supply box! The small silver crate lands softly on top of a bush. In it there is a thick, sticky liquid that smells fresh. I rub it on my hands, and I can feel how the itching stops immediately. Not only that, but I think I feel much more energetic than before. (set: $popularity to $popularity -3) (set: $health to $health +2) [[Go to Nora]]

Nora is amazed of how I chopped down the tree so fast. She was gathering moss and twigs. “You can do something else now. It won’t take long and our hut is finished.” (if: $inventory contains "Fox Corpse")[ [[skin the Fox]] (set: $inventory to it - (a: "Fox Corpse")) (set: $sanity to$sanity +1) ] [[Help Nora]]

“I can work with that!” the girl gets to work right away. “get some water or something please.” (if: $inventory contains "Fox Corpse")[ [[Skin the Fox]] (set: $inventory to it - (a: "Fox Corpse")) (set: $sanity to$sanity +1) ] [[End of Day 4|End Day 4 branches]]

(if: $inventory is 0)[(set: $health to 10)(set: $popularity to 0)(set: $psyche to 10)(set: $sanity to 0)(set: $trustnora to 0)(set: $trapset to 0)(set: $inventory to (a: "Tribute Clothing"))(set: $introStep to 0)] (if: (passage:)'s tags contains "1" or (passage:)'s tags contains "2" or (passage:)'s tags contains "3" or (passage:)'s tags contains "4" or (passage:)'s tags contains "5" or (passage:)'s tags contains "cover")[ ](else:)[ <div style="font-size: 0.7em; line-height: 1.5; display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 10px; max-width: 170px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"> <div>❤️Health:$health</div> <div>😵‍💫Psyche:$psyche</div> <div>🌹Popularity:$popularity</div> <div>🎒 Inventory: (if: $inventory's length is 0)[empty] (else:)[(print:$inventory)] </div> </div> ]

Headpeckers. Capitol mutations, designed to hunt. They look almost like normal birds, but nothing about them is normal. Their beaks are hard as iron, fast as a knife. They attack the head. That's what they were made for. One clean hit and you don't get up again. The fire drove them out of the deep forest. Now they are scattered through the trees, angry and disoriented and dangerous. I count three of them nearby. Maybe more in the shadows. I move slowly. Step by step. Don't startle them. Don't make noise. Then my foot snaps a branch. One of them turns its head. Those small, black eyes find me. I move slowly. Step by step. Don't startle them. Don't make noise. Then my foot snaps a branch. One of them turns its head. Those small, black eyes find me. It tilts its head once a cold, calculating movement - and then it charges It comes straight at me, fast and low. I have one second. I grab a rock from the ground and bring it down hard. The bird goes still. My hands are shaking. My whole body is shaking. But I'm standing. My head is still on my shoulders. That's what matters. I don't stop to breathe. There are more of them in these trees. I move through the forest low and fast, ducking under branches, pressing against trunks when I hear that clicking sound nearby. Left when they come from the right. Right when they come from the left. I learn their pattern. They always charge in a straight line. They are fast but they can't turn. Left when they come from the right. Right when they come from the left. I learn their pattern. They always charge in a straight line. They are fast but they can't turn. One by one, I pass through the Headpecker zone. It takes everything I have every bit of focus, every reflex. But I make it through. On the other side of the forest, the air is cleaner. The smoke is thinner. I find a hollow between two large roots and collapse into it.It’s already getting dark and I should probably find a safer space for my sleep, but the tireness washes over me while the sky potraits the face of two fallen tributes. [[Next Day|Day 7 beginning alleine]]

Headpeckers. Capitol mutations, designed to hunt. They look almost like normal birds, but nothing about them is normal. Their beaks are hard as iron, fast as a knife. They attack the head. That's what they were made for. One clean hit and you don't get up again. The fire drove them out of the deep forest. Now they are scattered through the trees, angry and disoriented and dangerous. I count three of them nearby. Maybe more in the shadows. I move slowly. Step by step. Don't startle them. Don't make noise. Then Noras foot snaps a branch. One of them turns its head. Those small, black eyes find me then her. I move slowly. Step by step. Don't startle them. Don't make noise. Then my foot snaps a branch. One of them turns its head. Those small, black eyes find me. It tilts its head once. A cold, calculating movement and then it charges It comes straight at me, fast and low. I have one second. I grab a rock from the ground and bring it down hard. The bird goes still. My hands are shaking. My whole body is shaking. But I'm standing. My head is still on my shoulders. That's what matters. I don't stop to breathe. There are more of them in these trees. We move through the forest low and fast, ducking under branches, pressing against trunks when I hear that clicking sound nearby. Left when they come from the right. Right when they come from the left. I learn their pattern. They always charge in a straight line. They are fast but they can't turn. I push her behind me. She is much smaller than me and would die instantly. The thought of her open head on the ground makes my skin crawl One by one, we pass through the Headpecker zone. It takes everything I have every bit of focus, every reflex. But we make it through. On the other side of the forest, the air is cleaner. The smoke is thinner. We find a hollow between two large roots and collapse into it. It’s already getting dark and we should probably find a safer space for our sleep, but the tireness washes over us while the sky potraits the face of two fallen tributes. [[Next Day|Final Day With Nora]]

Since I don’t know what to do I decide to help the girl. I’m amazed how fast and with precision she organized and connected the branches to a small hut. We fill in the gaps with twigs, moss and mud until you can’t recognize it in all the bushes. “If you were just making toys and tools than why are you so good at this?” “Mom always wanted me to hide all my stuff when the peacekeepers walked around the village. I never really understood why but I think she was scared, that I would have to work in the factories.” [[Ask her to build a trap]]

(set: $health to $health +1 ) (set: $psyche to $psyche + 1) (set: $inventory to it + (a: "Fox Corpse")) I try not to move. Every motion might scare it away. The foxlike creature is staring at me with its gigantic eyes. A shiver runs down my spine as I think about what’s going to happen—what I have to do. I need food. The small animal doesn’t seem like it’s going to move anytime soon. I hesitate. However, I have to do it to survive. I suddenly charge forward and grab the fox with my bare hand. It squeaks loudly, struggling and wriggling in my grip. I remember the axe I gathered at the cornucopia - now laying in my hand. While still holding the animal with one hand I rase the axe with the other. I wind up and.. hesitate. It looks so defenseless in my grip. So vulnerable. I have to do it, I tell myself. I exhale slowly. Then, I let my axe swing down. Blood splashes. With a last squeak it dies in my hands. I release the axe out of my hand. It is still lodged in the foxes body. Suffering from shock I stare at the lifeless corpse. My whole body is shaking. Tears roll down my face uncontrollably. I just ended a life. I try to calm down. Inhale. Exhale. I finally managed to think clearly again, when I realize that it is getting dark. I didn’t think I would take this long. I pick up the foxes cadaver and stand up to look for a sleeping accommodation. By midnight, I finally locate a fitting tree and settle down and lean against the stem – the dead animal now lying beside me. Completely exhausted and tired I want to close my eyes to get some sleep. But then I hear footsteps approaching behind me. [[Next|Other tribute fight with weapon, hunt]]

(set: $health to it - 2) I try not to move. Every motion might scare it away. The foxlike creature is staring at me with its gigantic eyes. A shiver runs down my spine as I think about what’s going to happen—what I have to do. I need food. The small animal doesn’t seem like it’s going to move anytime soon. I hesitate. However, I have to do it to survive. Without warning I charge forward and grab the fox with my bare hands. It squeaks loudly, struggling and wriggling in my grip. So, I’m trying to tighten my grasp, which only leads to the creature moving more rapidly. Suddenly, it opens its jaw. My eyes widen. I wanted to let go of the fox, but it was faster. I cry out in pain as the creature closes it’s mouth around my forearm. My loud scream must have triggered something within the creature cause it quickly loosens the firm bite and flees away, revealing a red-tainted arm with deep bitemarks. It would have been easier with a weapon, I think, while I try to stop the blood flow with my bare hand. Tears running down my eyes, but I can’t stop them. The agony is just too strong. What now? I sit there for what feels like forever. When I finally come to my senses it was already getting dark. The bleeding has largely stopped due to my hand pressing on the wound. I stand up to go find a sleeping spot. But then I hear footsteps approaching behind me. [[Next|Other tribute fight without weapon, hunt]]

I laugh out loud when I realize what it is and scare it away. I guess I’ll keep looking for water then. So I turn around and resume following the sound. I find a little trickle of water near my previous position, but it isn’t clear enough to drink from it without getting an infection. Therefore, I decide following the flow. It was getting dark when I finally reach a clean brook. The reflection of a light source, I could not identify, on the water surface was the only thing to be seen. Already completely exhausted, I collapse to the ground. Unfortunately, I don’t have any container to store the water, so I bend down to drink straight from the source. As I open my mouth to let the water flow in, I hear footsteps approaching behind me. (if: $inventory contains "Axe")[ [[Next|Other tribute fight with weapon, water]] ] (else:)[ [[Next|Other tribute fight without weapon, water]] ]

Water. Water means safety. It won't burn, it will cool me down, and it will cover my tracks. We follow the sound downstream, running low, moving fast through the smoke. For a moment just a moment. I almost feel safe and I smile at the little girl next to me. Then a burning tree comes down. It falls across the river like a wall, throwing up a cloud of ash and steam. I jump back. Nora goes the other way. When the smoke clears, she is gone. I call out once, quietly. No answer. The current is fast here. She could have gone anywhere. I don't know if she ran, if she fell, if someone took her. The not-knowing is the worst part. I drag myself out of the water. The forest ahead is dark under the smoke. And somewhere in those trees, something is moving. Fast. Mechanical. I hear a sharp clicking beak before I see anything. [[Next|Headpeckers (alleine)]]

“We have to leave right now.” I demand in a strong tone. “If I saw your fire, then others will have seen it too.” Nora gets nervous: “Of course! What was I thinking. I-I will leave you now” Just as she turned around, I remember the way my dad punched me the day she died “You were supposed to protect her!”. “Wait.” I can’t believe I’m doing this. “You don’t have a chance alone without your stuff, and I could use a helping hand.” Nora looked around speechless. “As long as I keep all weapons.” “Ok” Is all she mumbles and three minutes later, we both sneak of into the dark woods. Once we have set up a small camp, she asks me to let her stay up to look out for threats. The red hair and her big greenish eyes, as well as her head not even reaching my chest makes her look so harmless but should I really trust her? [[Stay awake and don't trust her]] [[Trust her and go to sleep]]

Once I’m close enough, I crouch and try to be as silent as possible. A young girl is sitting on the side, holding a piece of dried meat on it. She must have found a supplybag. I can see a small bottle next to her. My saviour. I take a small step to the side and hear a stick cracking between my toes. The girl flinches once she spots me in the bushes and quickly grabs a wooden spear. I also flinch and duck for cover as the spear flies in my direction. [[Throw yourself to the ground]]

The mountains rise in front of me, silent and cold, cutting the sky into sharp grey lines. The ground beneath my feet is rough and uneven, every step reminding me how small I am up here. There is no place to hide, no trees, no colours. The air feels thinner, colder, as if the mountains are trying to push me away. Still, I keep walking, because turning back would mean facing what I ran from. [[Next|Steinschlag]]

After quite some time Nora starts to stretch and yawn. Full of energy she smiles at me, the tall guy with an empty stomach and an even emptier stare. Why was I afraid of a girl half my size? Anyway, we eat some supplies, some crackers that feel like a rock of wheat and a protein bar. It’s even harder. “What should we do now?” She asks. “I think we need some place to stay. Somewhere we can rest without freezing or getting spotted from all sides. “Hm… I could build a small hut if you can find supplies.” “Yeah… Or we could look for a cave and cover it up.” “Erm yes but do we need to? I know its easier but maybe we can’t even find one or worse someone has found it before us.” My groggy brain tries to think, very slowly. after a minute I finally have an answer. [[Search for a Cave]] [[Build a hut]]

(set: $psyche to $psyche - 2) I spin around in a quick motion only to lock eyes with another tribute. Shit. I rise abruptly. I can only make out his outlines. The other tribute was a little smaller then me, but his trained muscles and his enhanced combat position reveal years of training and gaining experience. He has to be from one of the first two districts. For a moment both of us just stand there facing each other before he draws a small but sharp knife. I wanted to grab the axe that slipped out of my hands before, but he pushed forward before I could reach it. My eyes widen and I stand there a second too long. In the last moment I try dodging the weapon. I whimper, trying not to scream as the knife gazes my upper limb. The male stumbles past me, unable to react fast enough to my evasive maneuver to maintain balance. That gives me the opportunity to reach my axe. The other tribute recovered fast and now both of us repositioned ourselves – facing each other again. Now with my axe hanging between me and my opponent, my chances of winning are a lot better than they were a minute ago. But I still don’t stand a chance against him. Not if I play fair, at least. We start circling each other – both waiting for the other one to make a move. I scan my surroundings. Yet, my eyes never leave the smaller. His breathing is heavy and his steps are steadfast, I notice as my gaze trails down. Then I notice the low branch hanging behind me. He rushes again, aiming straight for my side. At the last second, I step aside instead of back. He doesn’t see the branch in the dark. It hits him across the face as he runs straight into it. He stumbles, losing balance for just a second. That’s enough. I swing my axe with everything I have. The blade connects with his side. He cries out and collapses to the ground, clutching the wound. My hands are shaking as I pull the axe free. He tries to crawl away, but he’s too weak now. “Please,” he whispers, looking up at me. For a moment, I just stand there, staring down at him in the darkness. Then I turn around and run away. Away from my actions. He’s probably going to die. And if he hadn’t been faster than me, he would still be standing. Still running I want to find a sleeping place. I’m just trying to stay awake, but I can’t really concentrate. My exhaustion wins in the end and I just pass out mid step. My eyes fall shut and the last thing I notice is my body hitting the ground. Then blackness. [[Next|Third Day]]

(set: $psyche to $psyche - 2) I spin around in a quick motion only to lock eyes with another tribute. Shit. I rise abruptly. I can only make out his outlines. The other tribute was a little smaller then me, but his trained muscles and his enhanced combat position reveal years of training and gaining experience. He has to be from one of the first two districts. For a moment both of us just stand there facing each other before he draws a small but sharp knife. I wanted to grab the axe I placed next to me near the water, but he pushed forward before I could reach it. My eyes widen and I stand there a second too long. In the last moment I try dodging the weapon. I whimper, trying not to scream as the knife gazes my upper limb. The male stumbles past me, unable to react fast enough to my evasive maneuver to maintain balance. That gives me the opportunity to reach my axe. The other tribute recovered fast and now both of us repositioned ourselves – facing each other again. Now with my axe hanging between me and my opponent my chances of winning are a lot better than they were a minute ago. But I still don’t stand a chance against him. Not if I play fair, at least. We start circling each other – both waiting for the other one to make a move. I scan my surroundings. Yet, my eyes never leave the smaller. His breathing is heavy and his steps are steadfast, I notice as my gaze trails down. This was when detect the brook right next to him. Only a few more steps and.. The other tribute flinches at the sudden dip in the ground. His concentration flickers just long enough for me to attack. I rush forward – raising my axe. Before I even realize it the edge cuts through soft skin. Luckly the other player tried dogging, so I didn’t kill him. But I still hit him pretty badly. He cried out lonely, pressing his hand to his side. My whole body was shaking and I was struggling to pull my weapon free. I finally manage wrench it out. By now, the other tribute has sunken to the ground by now still clutching his side. “please”, he sobs, looking up to me. I don’t know what to do. For a moment, I just stand there staring down at him – our eyes locked the entire time. Then I just turn around an run away. Away from my actions. I try not to think about the bleeding tribute. He’s probably going to die, and it was my fault. Still running I want to find a sleeping place. I’m just trying to stay awake, but I can’t really concentrate. My exhaustion wins in the end and I just pass out mid step. My eyes fall shut and the last thing I notice is my body hitting the ground. Then blackness. [[Next|Third Day]]

I spin around in a quick motion only to lock eyes with another tribute. Shit. I rise abruptly. I can only make out his outlines. The other tribute was a little smaller then me, but his trained muscles and his enhanced combat position reveal years of training and gaining experience. He has to be from one of the first two districts. For a moment both of us just stand there facing each other before he draws a small but sharp knife. I have no weapon. My fingers twitch uselessly at my sides as he lunges forward. My eyes widen, and I freeze for half a second too long. At the last moment, I twist my body away. I gasp as the blade grazes my side, slicing through fabric and skin. Not deep – but enough to burn. He moves fast. Too fast. I can’t outrun him. And I can’t fight him barehanded, not with that knife. Plus I’m wounded, so the chances are definitely on his side. I scan my surroundings – trying to find a way I might win, but there is none. At least none I can think of before my opponent charges in my direction again – the knife pointing directly at my chest. I try dogging the weapon once more but this time my strength was missing due to my high blood loss. I’m not fast enough. The edge hits me right in my stomach. In shock I stare down where the knife is in my body. Blood was already soaking my clothing. My hands reach the spot only to be stained red. My entire body feels weak all of a sudden. I collapse to the ground. Yet I hardly notice it. Not when the agony coming from where I was stabbed overwhelms everything else. When I try breathing the air doesn’t reach my lungs. After minutes of suffering, the pain fades slowly – being replaced with a soft cloudness. Then nothing. [[This is the End|End]]

(set: $psyche to $psyche - 1) (set: $health to $health - 2) I spin around in a quick motion only to lock eyes with another tribute. Shit. I rise abruptly. I can only make out his outlines The other tribute was a little smaller then me, but his trained muscles and his enhanced combat position reveal years of training and gaining experience. He has to be from one of the first two districts. For a moment both of us just stand there facing each other before he draws a small but sharp knife. I have no weapon. My fingers twitch uselessly at my sides as he lunges forward. My eyes widen, and I freeze for half a second too long. At the last moment, I twist my body away. I gasp as the blade grazes my side, slicing through fabric and skin. Not deep – but enough to burn. He moves fast. Too fast. I can’t outrun him. And I can’t fight him barehanded, not with that knife. I step back, forcing him to come to me instead of chasing him. I’m stronger. If he gets too close, I might have a chance. He circles me, light on his feet. I keep turning with him, not letting him reach my back. My breathing grows heavier, but I stay focused. I scan my surroundings without looking away from him. Trees. Low branches. Uneven ground. He rushes again. This time I don’t dodge completely. I grab his wrist with both hands before the knife can reach me. The impact sends pain through my arms, but I hold on. He struggles, trying to pull free, but I’m stronger. I slam him sideways into a tree trunk. He grunts, losing his grip for just a second. The knife drops. I shove him away with all my strength. He stumbles, but not for long. He’s quick. He’ll recover any second. I don’t wait. I turn and run. My side burns with every step, and I know I’m not fast. I hear him behind me at first – footsteps crashing through leaves. But I push forward, forcing my way through thicker brush where speed matters less. Branches scratch my arms. My wound stings. After a while, the footsteps fade. I don’t stop running until my legs nearly give out. When I finally slow down, my whole body is shaking. Blood soaks into my shirt, but it’s not pouring. I’ll live. He’s still out there. And next time, I need a weapon. My exhaustion wins in the end and I just pass out mid step. My eyes fall shut and the last thing I notice is my body hitting the ground. Then blackness. [[Next|Third Day]]

“Sounds good” I say in a calm voice. Nora helps me to gather my things and then I can finally sit down. As I bite into one of her apples, I notice something bright in the shrubs. I turn around quickly, but I already see a blade piercing my new ally. I can feel something sharp at my throat and you die [[This is the End ->End]]

(set: $health to $health - 3) (set: $inventory to it + (a: "Axe")) I bite my teeth together. Without a weapon and supplies, I won't last a day. I feel like falling, when I hop down the pedestal. I run and run and try to spot something useful in sight. First a weapon, then a bag. It’s more important to have tools, but in a massacre? On the left wall of the cornucopia, I can see an axe. Its shiny, the head is thin and the handle is made from a black material, that I can’t recognize. I slip on the grass, falling down close to my life saver. As soon as I grab it, a knife flies by and cuts my triceps. The stinging pain almost lets me drop my axe. I let out a short moan and hold the bleeding wound, then I start running again. The field has become a mess. There is blood everywhere, the sounds of fighting and begging are too. I see the girl from 1. She has the same throwing-knifes that hit me before. Now she looks at me while pulling a knife out of a dead kid's body. I take a sharp turn, so she can’t kill me next. Thank god there is a bag, but as soon as I want to grab it, a girl snatches it in front of me. She looks at me in shock and runs off, out of the cover. I get scared too. I can’t see a bag anywhere and the sounds have gone silent. Still undercover, I run towards the trees and can feel my body aching. A scream behind me. The time freezes. I get goosebumps and my hot sweat turns cold instantly. Behind me, there is the biggest tribute of the games. With a spear. I can’t even think as fast as I’m jumping to the left. The spear right behind me. The ground rips my pants and my skin underneath, but I don’t even notice till I’m 200 meters deep in the forest. [[Next|Forest]]

(set: $health to $health - 4) The fire is loud behind us. A roaring, crackling wall of orange and red that eats through the trees like they are made of paper. Burning branches fall around me.Together we jump over one, then another. The heat on my back is unbearable. My lungs are burning. Not just from running but from the smoke. Every breath feels like swallowing hot sand. My vision starts to blur at the edges but I don't stop. Stopping means dying. I run until the roaring behind me becomes distant. Noras tiny hand grabs mine and with all my power I push her forwards. Until the air turns grey instead of black. Until my legs give out and I crash to my knees on cold dirt. We made it out. But the fire took something from me. My arms are burned in two places. Not deep, but painful. I hit a tree branch in the dark and my ribs are screaming. I'm dehydrated, dizzy, and bleeding from my knees. I force myself to stand. I have to keep moving. Somewhere ahead, I can hear something. A sharp, clicking sound. Like a beak hitting wood. She turns hear head and starts to scream loudly. [[Next|Headpeckers (zusammen)]]

“A cave is much more comfortable and easier to cover up, I guess. Let’s not use all our energy to build a small, easy to spot hut.” “Erm. Yes. ok. I think that’s smart. And if there are other tributes, we can surprise them together.” The girl looks around, like she wants to change the topic. “Everything alright Nora? Do you want to tell me something?” with a nervous tone, she looks into my eyes. “No. everything is great!” she forces a very bright smile onto her face. I raise my eyebrow but decide it’s not worth the question now. I grab the backpack and we both walk downhill toward a river. We are walking upstream for quite a while now. Bad thing is, she doesn’t walk as quiet as I thought but since the water is louder, no one will notice. We reach a rocky, steep part of the riverbed. The sun reflects of the blue-grey rock. A dead pine tree hangs across the two sides and casts a mild shadow over our heads. I feel the warmth of the ground, while the girl walks past me. “Can you see that up there?” She points a across to the hill on the other side. A dark hole, not bigger than a small bush, hides on the side of it. She looks for a way to cross the river and waits for me to go first. The cave is not very large and full of dirt but dry. A second little opening, not bigger than the width of my arm lets the warm light of the riverbed in. “This one’s perfect” with a smile I turn around. She has the same forced smile again while she looks around the floor and walls. “Y-eah ok. I think it’s ok.” she relaxes a bit. “Are you scared of caves?” I ask. “No. nonono caves are my favourite” again with that forced smile. I change the topic. “Can you make a cover for the entrance?” “I’ll build one if you bring me some stuff” I nod. “Stay here and look out”. (if: $inventory contains "Axe")[ [[Gather Wood]] ] (else:)[ [[Gather Branches and Vines]] ]

Don‘t run, I tell myself. Running into smoke is how you die. I've seen it. I take a sharp left and squeeze ourselves through a gap in the rocks. Just big enough for two small persons . I press myself against the cold stone and cover my face with my sleeve. The fire passes. Not quickly but every minute feels like an hour. I hear it crackling just outside, eating through the dry grass, moving on. But we don't move. We wait and her tiny hand gribs my shirt. When the worst is over, Nora crawls out first. The air is grey and thick, but breathable. The ground around us is black and smoking. I found a small spring of water pooling near the rocks. I drink deeply and splash it over the burns on my arm. It helps. The rest helped too. My head is clearer. My body feels steadier. Waiting was the right choice. But now the forest ahead is strange. Quiet in the wrong way. And then we hear it. A fast, hard tapping, like something hitting wood over and over.. [[Next|Headpeckers (zusammen)]]

I look at the dead fox. I took out its guts long ago, but I think the m eat is rotten by now. At least the fur could make a good pillow. I use the knife to separate the fur from the bones. I’ve only looked at it before when one of the hunters in my village got one. They made it seem easy. It’s not. Once I finished my work, I rinse the fur in the river to wash out all the dirt and blood and bugs that settled on it. Finaly, it doesn’t smell bad anymore. The girl is really happy when I show it to her. “It’s so soft! Thank you.” I drift of in some memories of my sister again. If she would be alive, she would be as old as Nora. She liked rabbits, so she was so sad once a fox ate the neighbours bunnies. Would she like the fur too? [[End Day 4|End Day 4 branchfox]]

(set: $health to 10) (set: $popularity to 10) (set: $psyche to 0) (set: $sanity to 0) (set: $trustnora to 0) (set: $inventory to (a: "Tribute Clothing") ) (set: $introStep to 0) (set: $trapset to 0) (enchant:?page,(text-colour:black)) |p0>[(enchant:?p0,(transition:"dissolve")+(transition-time:300ms)) One last time I look at myself in the reflection of the glass tube. In a few seconds I could be a dead man. Me, a seventeen-year-old tribute, very tall but not as strong as some of the others. Thankfully I gained some weight during training but growing up in a poor family doesn’t help with getting muscles. I don’t even know how I should feel. Scared? Determined? Full of hate? Hate against the Capitol? ] |p1>[(enchant:?p1,(transition:"dissolve")+(transition-time:300ms)) Against the ones that make me do all this? Should I feel sorry for the fellow tributes? There are so many things in my head right now and not enough time. I look into my glowing green eyes. My mom called me her little cat because of them. That and maybe because I can be really silent sometimes. ] |p2>[(enchant:?p2,(transition:"dissolve")+(transition-time:300ms)) The tube starts to rise, and a hole opens over my head. Bright light that blinds me, shines on my face. I think I can hear birds singing even though my heart pounds so loud in my chest that I can’t hear anything else. Finally, I rise to the top. I’m right next to the girl tribute. You can see how she desperately holds her tears. ] |p3>[(enchant:?p3,(transition:"dissolve")+(transition-time:100ms)) The place looks peaceful, except it isn’t. The cornucopia is right in front of me, spilling out steal blades, a shield, tools and even fresh fruits. ] |p4>[(enchant:?p4,(transition:"dissolve")+(transition-time:100ms)) The mountains on my left have snow peaks, seamlessly blending into the rocky fields that spread around it. A girl steps of the platform to early and gets blown into bits. Her blood hits my face as I flinch. ] |p5>[(enchant:?p5,(transition:"dissolve")+(transition-time:200ms)) Behind the explosion emerges a giant forest in a dark, rich green. The sound of the explosion scares the birds away. Think! Think! This decision decides my faith. Do I run for safety, or do I fight like an animal? I need to choose right now. Every decision matters. I can’t lose. maybe I can do this. ] |p6>[(enchant:?p6,(transition:"dissolve")+(transition-time:100ms)) I CAN WIN THIS! ] |p7>[ (enchant:?p7,(transition:"dissolve")+(transition-time:100ms)) [[My legs decide before my brain does.]]] (hide: ?p1,?p2,?p3,?p4,?p5,?p6,?p7) (live: 5s)[ (if: $introStep is 0)[ (show: ?p1) (set: $introStep to 1) ](else-if: $introStep is 1)[ (show: ?p2) (set: $introStep to 2) ](else-if: $introStep is 2)[ (show: ?p3) (set: $introStep to 3) ](else-if: $introStep is 3)[ (show: ?p4) (set: $introStep to 4) ](else-if: $introStep is 4)[ (show: ?p5) (set: $introStep to 5) ](else-if: $introStep is 5)[ (show: ?p6) (set: $introStep to 6) ](else-if: $introStep is 6)[ (show: ?p7) (stop:) ] ]

I lay down with a knife in my hand. If I hear one suspicious sound I will stab her faster than she can react. My body begs for sleep but I won’t let that happen. I will not die in my sleep. my thoughts keep me awake anyways. If I can’t finish her of, then what will happen when I need to kill someone else? What happens if we both are the only ones alive. But then… a sound. “Psst! Wake up!” (set: $trustnora to 0) (set: $psyche to it -1) [[Next|Night End]]

The silence in the mountains feels wrong. I have been walking around for hours trying to find a spot for tonight. Luckily, I didn’t meet any other tribute and my soul is still as clean as fresh snow. Too heavy, as if the world is holding its breath. Then I hear it. A sharp crack, dry and violent, cutting through the air. I stop walking, every muscle in my body tensing, my eyes searching the rocks above me. Another crack follows. Louder. Closer. Before I can think, the ground begins to tremble beneath my feet. Stones break loose from the mountain, rolling at first, then falling, faster and faster. The sound grows into a roar, echoing between the cliffs, drowning out my thoughts. Rocks crash down around me, smashing into the ground, shattering into smaller pieces that fly in every direction. Dust explodes into the air, burning my lungs and blinding my eyes. I stumble backwards, my heart hammering so loudly I can barely hear anything else. If one of those rocks hits me, I know it’s over. I look around desperately. To my left, I see a narrow hollow in the rock, dark and tight, barely big enough to crawl into. It might protect me. Or trap me. To my right, the path slopes downward, open but dangerous, with rocks still falling from above. If I run, I might get out in time. Or I might be hit before I take ten steps. The mountain doesn’t wait. Another wave of stones comes crashing down, closer than before. I have seconds. My lungs burn, my hands shake, and my mind races. Do I hide and hope the mountain spares me or do I run and trust my body to be faster than death? [[run away]] [[hide]]

Its already afternoon when I wake up. After everything that happened, I’d say my sleep was ok. I’m so thirsty right now I could drink the entire lake at home. God, what would I do to go swimming with my friends now? To lay on the grass right next to it, feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin. But now, I will probably die because of dehydration. I look up and try to imagine lying next to the lake. The bright light. The puffy clouds. The Smoke. Wait, Smoke? Smoke! Another tribute is close by! Maybe I can steal the water I so desperately need. I grab all of my stuff and head towards the origin of the smoke. I start to sweat a little, which makes me really dizzy. I need water. Fast. [[Next|Meat]]

(set: $psyche to $psyche -2) My stuff scrambles over the ground. I try to reach something useful. Too late. The girl jumps towards me with a knife. I can barely escape the blade. Just a small cut on my shoulder. With all the force I still have in this dehydrated state I hit the knife out of her hand and wrestle the girl to the ground. Her red hair is tangled up in all kinds of leaves and dirt. I remember her from the training. She looked so empty every time I saw her before. Maybe that was her strategy to not look weak to us. Now she is sobbing, begging for help, screaming. I grab her by the throat to end it. Not that I want to do it. But I just need her supplies. She would do the same I try to tell myself, but I can’t help it. “Please, please I can help you. Please take everything you want I beg you! Let me go” My emotions scramble. In my mind I can hear my sister screaming the way she did in the fire. I still push her to the ground but instead of grabbing her throat, I put my hand on her mouth. I lose a tear. “I’m so sorry, I I… I want to live.” Just as I reach down once more, she begs again: “I am good at crafting! But please let me live! You don’t have to do this.” I let go. With tears down my face, I look at her. She looks at me, trying to catch her breath. I take her knife, so she doesn't try to kill me anyway. Thoughts of my sister rush through my head. I can hear her agony again while I lose my focus a bit. Still out of breath the girl says “I’m Nora from 3.” [[“How can I be sure that you won’t kill me?|Dialog 1]] [[“You can build things?”|Dialog 2]] [[“Do you have water?”|Dialog 3]]

After quite some time Nora starts to stretch and yawn. “Look who’s finally awake!” I feel a bit tired and hungry but otherwise I feel amazing. Well rested we try out some of the girls supplies. Some crackers that feel like a rock of wheat and a protein bar. It’s even harder. “What should we do now?” She asks. “I think we need some place to stay. Somewhere we can rest without freezing or getting spotted from all sides. “Hm… I could build a small hut if you can find supplies.” “Yeah… Or we could look for a cave and cover it up.” “Erm yes but do we need to? I know it’s easier but maybe we can’t even find one or worse someone has found it before us.” I think for a second. Then I answer. [[Search for a Cave]] [[Build a hut]]

As soon as I lay down my whole body relaxes. In seconds I start dreaming about my home. I can smell the forest, feel the ground, hear my sister. Her blond hair looks exactly like mom’s, and her grey-green eyes match the ones of my two brothers. My eyes are much darker and more colourful. But then… a sound. “Psst! Wake up!” (set: $trustnora to 0) (set:$trustnora to $trustnora +1) (set: $psyche to $psyche +1) [[Next|Night End]]

I rub my eyes. A dim light shines through the sticks on our entrance. The air in our cave is warm and used, so I decide to open our small, dirt filled window in the cave and fresh air fills my lungs. Nora also starts to move. “Is there something left to eat?” I shake my head “No. all gone.” I hear the river flowing. Once I feel fully awake, I go to the door. “Let’s find something edible” (if: $inventory contains "trap")[ [[set up trap]] (set: $inventory to it - (a: "trap")) ] [[Next|next 13]]

I try to stretch but hit the wall with my elbow. A few sunbeams shine through the branches, but the rest is sealed tight. With my leg I push Nora softly till she turns around and opens her eyes. I smile “You are blocking the exit.” She rubs her eyes. “I’m hungry” I answer “Me too. You … want to find something to eat?” The girl nods and jups out of the hut. (if: $inventory contains "trap") [[[set up trap|set up trap 1]] (set: $inventory to it - (a: "trap"))] [[go deeper into the forest]]

I try to move, but the crevice is blocked by dust and stones. I’m trapped. I press against the rock, holding my breath. Silence surrounds me, thick and heavy. I tap the walls. Nothing moves. The mountain has closed in. I hug my knees, trying to stay calm, hoping it will loosen, but for now, I’m stuck. [[go to day three|Third Day]]

The girl tries to make room when I arrive. “Perfect! Can you help me build now?” I’m amazed how fast and with precision she organized and connected the branches to a small hut. We fill in the gaps with twigs, moss and mud until you can’t recognize it in all the bushes. “If you were just making toys and tools than why are you so good at this?” “Mom always wanted me to hide all my stuff when the peacekeepers walked around the village. I never really understood why but I think she was scared, that I would have to work in the factories.” [[next|hut built]]

I crawl into the narrow crevice, feeling the rough rock against my hands and knees. Dust fills the air, scratching my throat, and the roar of falling stones echoes around me. I press myself as flat as possible, trying to make myself smaller, invisible. The first chunks of rock crash near me, bouncing and breaking apart, sending shards flying. My heart races, every breath feels sharp in my chest. I hold still, listening to the chaos, counting each crash. A huge boulder thuds past the entrance, sending a cloud of dust swirling into my hiding spot. I push myself deeper, covering my head with my arms, eyes squeezed shut. Seconds stretch endlessly. Finally, the sound of falling stones begins to fade. The mountain settles. I lie there, trembling, barely daring to breathe, alive for now. [[Next|eingeschlossen]]

(set: $health to $health + 2) My leg throbs with every step, sharp pain radiating through my body as I stumble toward the cabin. Rocks still fall around me, but I force myself forward, knowing I can’t survive with this injury alone. Finally, the whirring sound reaches me. A drone hovers over me, small but precise, lowering a crate of medical supplies. Inside, I find bandages, antiseptic, and even a basic splint. Relief washes over me, though I know I still have work to do and to prove to my mentor that he won‘t regret helping me I set the supplies down and carefully treat my leg, cleaning the wound, wrapping it tightly, and fastening the splint. The pain is still there, but now there is hope. I take a deep breath. The drone disappears, leaving only the echoes of whirring blades behind, and I feel a small, fragile victory: I’m still alive, and I can move again. As I take a deep breath, the sleep takes over me and I fall into a dreamless sleep. [[go to day three|Third Day]]

We walk down the river to search for food. Nora points to my left: “Look! There are some berries.” Those berries look verry delicious, but hard to reach and the biggest problem: I’m hungry and don’t want a small healthy snack. I look around to cross the river but then I see something else: “Nora stop! Don’t touch the water” I can see a swarm of tiny fish nearly invisible in the currant. [[try to catch fish]] [[grab berries]]

Pain explodes through my leg with every step, sharp and hot, making me stumble on the uneven tracks. My breath comes in ragged gasps, dust stinging my eyes, but I force myself to keep moving. Every falling stone behind me is a cruel reminder: I can’t stop now. Finally, I spot a hollow beside the tracks, partially shielded by jagged rocks. I collapse, sliding against the rough surface, heart hammering, sweat mixing with dust and blood. My leg throbs unbearably, and I know I can’t run until it’s stabilized. I dig through my bag, hands trembling, and pull out a sturdy stick. It’s just long enough to support my injured leg. Cloth strips from my backpack become my lifeline; carefully, I wrap and tie them, making a crude splint. The stick presses into the dirt, the cloth frays under the tension, but it holds. My leg is painful, but at least it’s immobilized enough to move. The mountains loom silent around me, a vast cage of stone. I glance at the tracks—I could continue moving along them, risking further injury, or try to find a hidden spot to tend the wound. I decide on the latter. Every step is agony, each movement a challenge, but I force myself to hobble forward, scanning the cliffs and rocks for shelter. After what feels like endless minutes, I find a small overhang, just enough for me to crouch beneath. It’s dark, cramped, and the air smells of dust and wet stone. I settle down carefully, feeling the makeshift splint hold my leg in place. My hands shake as I press the wound, trying to clean the blood with the last of my water as I see a dim light through the bushes. [[go to day three|Third Day]]

(set: $health to $health - 3) I take a deep, sharp breath and sprint down the slope. Rocks slam into the ground around me, bouncing and shattering, but I push forward, legs pumping, heart pounding so hard I can feel it in my throat. The dust stings my eyes, the sound of crashing stones deafening, but I don’t look back. One misstep could be the last but I can’t stop. The mountain doesn’t wait, and neither do I. I zigzag, dodging larger rocks, feeling the vibrations through the ground, my hands brushing against smaller stones that threaten to trip me. My lungs burn, my muscles scream, but adrenaline drives me faster than fear. A huge boulder crashes behind me, throwing dust into the air, and I barely make it past it. My legs are on fire, but finally, the slope levels out, and the rain of stones seems to thin. I glance up, chest heaving, realizing I’ve escaped the worst. For a moment, I collapse, shaking, covered in dust, but alive. The mountain has let me go or better the gamemakers this time. [[rails]] [[medicine]]

Not far away from the camp we set up the little trap. I look at her “you know where to find it?” Nora nods. “Perfect” I say. “let’s” find some other stuff. [[Next|next 13]] (set:$trapset to 1)

Since I don’t have anything to do, I look around I look at the dead fox. I took out its guts long ago, but I think the meat is rotten by now. At least the fur could make a good pillow. I use the knife to separate the fur from the bones. I’ve only looked at it before when one of the hunters in my village got one. They make it seem easy. It’s not. Once I finished my work, I rinse the fur in the river to wash out all the dirt and blood and bugs that settled on it. Finaly, it doesn’t smell bad anymore. The girl is really happy when I show it to her. “It’s so soft! Thank you.” I drift of in some memories of my sister again. If she would be alive, she would be as old as Nora. She liked rabbits, so she was so sad once a fox ate the neighbours bunnies. Would she like the fur too? [[next|End day 4]]

“What is it? “Nora looks around anxious. With out looking away I answer: “there is a swarm of fish over here.” “Yeah and?” “Food!” She likes the idea and looks for small sticks to spear them up. we sharpen them a bit and then…. Jump straight in the water. I hit the first one right as I land and grab after another, but he slips through my fingers. The girl doesn’t hit her target right away, but she can grab another with her hand. we gut them after we leave the water. So sad we can’t eat them right away. They need to be cooked. Soaking wet we turn around and walk back to the cave while puffy clouds block out the sun. (set: $inventory to it + (a: "fish")) (if: $trapset is 1)[[collect the trap]] (if: $trapset is 0)[[Next|night 5]]

“What is it?” Nora looks around anxious. “Nothing I was just thinking.” I look back towards the berries. To get them we not only have to cross the river, but also the bushes in front of them and without a machete, that’s easier said than done. Nora tries her best, but after three meters she calls for help. “I’m stuck!” I fight myself through to her, free her and she goes off to grab them. After what feels like an eternity in the thorns we get out of them and enjoy our rich, juicy berries. My stomach feels empty, but they helped a lot. completely scratched and wet from the river water, we decide to get back to our cave. (set: $health to $health -1) (set: $inventory to it + (a: "berries")) (if: $trapset is 1)[[collect the trap]] (if: $trapset is 0)[[go home|Night 5 1]]

We go deeper into the forest. The air feels cooler than yesterday. I spot something up on a tree: “Look! A nest” Nora looks sceptical “And?” “There could be eggs in there!” I can feel that she thinks this is a dumb idea. “Do you have a better idea?” I ask. She looks around for a second and then points behind me. “we could eat those mushrooms” there are plenty of white mushrooms with a brown cap on the bottom of a tree. I’ve never seen those before. Or did I? [[steal the eggs]] [[eat the mushrooms]]

I start to climb the tree. “Be careful!” the girl shouts. I finally reach the nest. Jackpot! 6 eggs. Not that much but better than starving. I put them all into my pockets. Carefully I reach the ground. But now my hands and arms are scratched. “Now we have to cook some omelettes!” Nora says happily and we walk back home. (set: $health to $health -1) (set: $inventory to it + (a: "eggs")) (if: $trapset is 1)[[collect the trap]] (if: $trapset is 0)[[Next|night 5]]

“Ok.” I decide “You win!” The kid eats one right away while I smell them first. Seems ok, so I dig in too. “Ethan?” her mouth drops. “Is it getting hotter?” I feel it too. I think about where I saw this fungus before. And then it hits me. “Stop! those are…. Those are… magical or something” I look at Nora. Her horse looks funny. It has glasses. I can smell the colour of the ground. I like beavers. They’re just like me. cutting wood all day. completely full of sweat I wake up. I look around “Nora? NORA?” thank God she’s all right. Thank God we are near our shelter. (set: $psyche to $psyche -3) [[go to night five|Night 5 1]]

On our way back, we look in our trap and thank goodness! A small bunny hopped right into our trap. I think of my sister again. She loved bunnies to much. I look at the girl. Her eyes start to water when she sees it and how much it struggles. [[let it go]] [[kill it]]

I hear my stomach rumble but then I look back at her. She doesn’t look away; she can’t even blink. I take the bunnies leg and free him from our trap. I take it and let it hop into the woods. Nora is shocked for a moment but then she starts to cry so I hug her. “It’s all right. We can find something else to eat tomorrow.” “You shouldn’t have done this just for me.” “Trust me. It wasn’t just for you.” [[go to night five|Night 5 1]]

I grab Her and push her gently towards our hideout. “It’s better that you leave now.” I can hear her cry quiet. I can hear my sister crying loud in my head as I do what I must. I sit there for a moment and look at what I did. A silver sponsor drop lands next to me. It’s a small bag. I take the rabbit and put it in there. “Nora shouldn’t see it now.” I guess. Now I just need a fire to cook it up. (set: $inventory to it + (a: "rabbit")) [[go to night five|night 5]]

The wind moves through the trees in long, cold breaths. It is not loud or violent, just constant, slipping through the small gaps in our shelter and settling deep in my bones. Our hut barely stands, built from woven branches and covered with leaves and dirt. It hides us well enough, but it does not keep the cold out. Nora pulls the blanket tighter around her shoulders and looks at me. “I thought this would be warmer…” she says quietly. I look around the small space. The ground is dry, the entrance covered, everything we built is still holding. But it is not enough. “We need to decide,” I say. (if: $inventory contains "fish")[[cook fish]] (if: $inventory contains "rabbit")[[cook rabbit]] (if: $inventory contains "eggs")[[cook eggs]]

(set: $inventory to it - (a: "fish")) I look at the fish lying next to us - our precious last hope. “We should eat,” I say. “We need the energy.” Nora nods, a little too quickly. I take what is left of the wood we gathered and build a small fire near the entrance so the smoke can escape. My hands are stiff and slow, but after a while a small flame appears and begins to grow. The warmth spreads almost immediately, painful at first and then comforting. Nora moves closer, watching carefully. “It smells better already,” she says. I place the fish over the fire and for a moment everything feels almost normal. The fire crackles softly and the shelter holds while the wind stays outside. Then a spark jumps from the fire and lands near the wall. I move to crush it, but the ground there is too dry. The flame spreads faster than it should. Another spark follows, then another, and suddenly the woven branches catch. “Nora-” I start, but it is already too late. I try to throw dirt on it, but the fire climbs upward, feeding on everything we built. The roof catches next and the heat rises instantly. “Get out!” I shout. We scramble outside just as the shelter begins to collapse, burning from the inside out.. [[Next|transition fire 1]]

(set: $inventory to it - (a: "eggs")) I look at the eggs lying next to us - our precious last hope. “We should eat,” I say. “We need the energy.” Nora nods, a little too quickly. I take what is left of the wood we gathered and build a small fire near the entrance so the smoke can escape. My hands are stiff and slow, but after a while a small flame appears and begins to grow. The warmth spreads almost immediately, painful at first and then comforting. Nora moves closer, watching carefully. “It smells better already,” she says. I place the eggs over the fire and for a moment everything feels almost normal. The fire crackles softly and the shelter holds while the wind stays outside. Then a spark jumps from the fire and lands near the wall. I move to crush it, but the ground there is too dry. The flame spreads faster than it should. Another spark follows, then another, and suddenly the woven branches catch. “Nora-” I start, but it is already too late. I try to throw dirt on it, but the fire climbs upward, feeding on everything we built. The roof catches next and the heat rises instantly. “Get out!” I shout. We scramble outside just as the shelter begins to collapse, burning from the inside out. [[Next|transition fire 1]]

(set: $inventory to it - (a: "rabbit")) I look at the rabbit lying next to us - our precious last hope.“We should eat,” I say. “We need the energy.” Nora nods, a little too quickly. I take what is left of the wood we gathered and build a small fire near the entrance so the smoke can escape. My hands are stiff and slow, but after a while a small flame appears and begins to grow. The warmth spreads almost immediately, painful at first and then comforting. Nora moves closer, watching carefully. “It smells better already,” she says. I place the meat over the fire and for a moment everything feels almost normal. The fire crackles softly and the shelter holds while the wind stays outside. Then a spark jumps from the fire and lands near the wall. I move to crush it, but the ground there is too dry. The flame spreads faster than it should. Another spark follows, then another, and suddenly the woven branches catch. “Nora-” I start, but it is already too late. I try to throw dirt on it, but the fire climbs upward, feeding on everything we built. The roof catches next and the heat rises instantly. “Get out!” I shout. We scramble outside just as the shelter begins to collapse, burning from the inside out. [[Next|transition fire 1]]

What kept us alive is gone in seconds, and the fire does not stop there. It spreads beyond the shelter, moving into the forest. [[Next|fire]]

The forest is no longer quiet. The fire moves through the trees quickly, feeding on the wind and spreading in every direction. Branches crack and fall, leaves ignite, and the ground glows in places where the flames have already passed. “Stay close!” I shout, grabbing Nora’s hand as we run. The air is thick and every breath burns in my chest. Behind us, what is left of our shelter disappears completely. There is nothing left to go back to. [[Next|trapped]]

“We do not have a choice,” I say. “We need heat.” Nora hesitates for a second, then nods. I use the small amount of dry material we kept inside, pieces of bark and branches we saved for later. It takes longer this time, and my hands shake from the cold, but eventually a small flame appears. We both move closer immediately. The warmth feels almost painful at first, then good. Nora closes her eyes for a moment. “This is better…” she says softly. I nod, watching the fire. Outside, the wind shifts and a cold gust pushes through the entrance. The fire flickers and leans to one side. A piece of burning wood rolls off and lands on the woven floor. It catches instantly. I try to stamp it out, but the fire spreads too fast. The dry vines and leaves we used to build the shelter burn like they were waiting for this. “Nora, move!” I shout. The flames climb the walls and reach the roof within seconds. Smoke fills the space and we stumble outside just before the shelter collapses behind us. [[Next|transition fire 2]]

We wanted warmth, but instead we lost everything, and now the fire is out of control. [[Next|fire]]

We slow down and then stop because there is nowhere else to go. Flames are ahead of us and flames are behind us. The wind shifts again and pushes the smoke directly toward us, heavy and suffocating. I turn in circles, searching for any way out, but there is nothing. Everything looks the same, fire, smoke, and heat closing in. Nora’s voice is quiet but clear. “We’re trapped…” she says. I do not answer because she is right. My chest burns with every breath and my head feels slow as I try to think. (set: $health to $health -4) [[go to day six|transition day 6]]

“We move,” I say finally, even though I have no plan and no idea where to go. Standing still means dying, so forward is the only option left. We step into the smoke together while the fire closes in around us. “Oh no, oh no, oh no...” I hear Nora whispering to herself. [[go to the lake|Lake/water]] [[run away|Running away]] [[Seek shelter]]

(set: $health to $health - 2) I wake up before the sky is even light. My back aches and my shoulders were the Headpecker caught me, is stiff and slightly swollen. I unwap the cloth and check the wound. Still closed. Godd enough. My stomach knows I haven’t eaten something since yesterday morning with Nora. Nora … I don’t know if I should go seek her. The chances of her survival was low and is even lower now to find her alive. I look at the forest around me. First of all, I need to eat something. I can set a trap and wait. Or I can move and look for berries, roots or anything I can find fast. [[Set a trap and wait]] [[Search the forest for food]]

(set: $health to $health + 3) I find a small animal path between two bushes. Around twenty minutes it takes me to build a simple snare from a strip of rope. Then I back away and wait. It takes almost two hours. I sit completely still against a tree, watching. My eyes close dangerously and the sleep deprivation hits me. Then the branch snaps. A small rabbit, struggling. I move fast and it is over quickly. I don’t make a fire anymore. Nora told me the last time she saw smoke, another cannon sound hit through the air. As I pack up with my meal to go to a safer space, I look down at the mud near the stream. Two sets of footprints, side by side, heading east. One is small. Very small. Child-like. [[Next|Day 7 Night]]

(set: $health to $health + 1) I move through the burnt-edged forest. Nora showed me some eatable(edible?) berries. Dark blue ones with thin stems, avoid the red ones completely. I find a handful and eat them while I walk. Under a collapsed tree I find something better. Wild roots, pale and thick. I pull three of them out and wrap them in a leaf. My body almost sighs with relief. I am about to turn back when I notice the mud near the stream bank. Two sets of footprints. One small and one one large and deep. They are not old. Maybe a few hours. [[Next|Day 7 Night]]

Two cannons today. Six tributes left, including me. Somewhere out threre, Nora is sleeping next to someone else. I try to think about it practically. She is twelve and scared. Hopefully, I wish, she survives. I close my eyes and fall into a short sleep. [[Day 8|Day 8 (without Nora]]

[[▶ Tutorial|Tutorial]] [[▶ Lesen|Start]]

When I open my eyes it’s nearly noon. The sun is standing high and only a swift wind is blowing. It seems almost peaceful. I turn around on the ground as if I was expecting Nora to lie next to me – she is not here. Reality hits. I lost her. “mission: finding Nora”, I sigh anxiously as I pull my from exhaustion shaking body up. The moment I stand I check my surroundings, just to make sure there’s no other tribute waiting in the bushes beside me. I start walking. Wandering back to the place where I have lost her. It feels like forever till I finally reach the spot. Everything is charred. I could only make out some burned stems. But there was no trace of Nora – at least not at first glance. So I kept searching the bare place. There, under some of the ash a piece of clothing is sticking out. I sprint there immediately to lift it up. It looks exactly like the material of Nora’s pants. Just a little burned on the edges. There has to be some more leading the way to her, I think. So I glance around, only to find nothing. “this can’t be it..”, I cry out silently, “..there has to be more” But there isn’t. Suddenly my stomach is growling – reporting the hunger. I notice my dry throat and my headache as well. Maybe finding something to eat and drink can help me to think straight again. When my body finally forces me to move again, I turn away from the ashes. The trees grow thicker the further I walk, their leaves blocking most of the sunlight. It gets cooler. Quieter. Only the sound of the wind remains, whispering through the branches. And then – water. I hear it before I see it. A soft, steady sound. Not loud, but enough. I follow it. A small stream appears between the roots and stones, clear enough to see the ground beneath it. I drop to my knees without thinking and scoop the water into my hands. It spills through my fingers, but I manage to drink enough to ease the burning in my throat. For a moment, I just stay there, breathing. Then the hunger comes back. Stronger this time. I stare into the water. Small fish flicker through the current, quick and almost invisible if you don’t focus. I don’t have a fishing rod with me, but still I try. I roll up my sleeves and push my hands into the cold stream. The fish dart away instantly. Too fast. I try again. And again. Nothing. “Come on” I mutter under my breath. Hours seem to pass like this. My hands numb from the cold, my movements slower each time. Eventually, I get lucky. One of them hesitates just long enough. I grab. “finally”, I shout out. I pull it out of the water, holding it tight before it can escape again. It’s small. Barely worth the effort. But it’s something. A fire would be too dangerous, especially after what happened. So I just eat fish as it is. Its not good. You could barely call it food, but it stills the hunger for now. As I wanted to continue my search for Nora, I realized that it was getting too dark to recognize any details. I guess there’s no reason to continue the search today, I conclude. I walk up to a tree nearby to settle down. Somehow I was already too tired to stay awake any longer. After closing my eyes my mind drifts away immediately. [[Next Day|Final Day Without Nora]]

Not far away from the camp we set up the little trap. I look at her “you know where to find it?” Nora nods. “Perfect” I say. “let’s” find some other stuff. [[Go deeper into the forest|go deeper into the forest]] (set:$trapset to 1)

The cannon fires. A tribute has fallen. Your choices led you here. In the sky above the arena, your face appears among the fallen. The Games continue - without you. --- (link: "→ Start from the beginning")[(set: $health to 10)(set: $popularity to 0)(set: $psyche to 10)(set: $sanity to 0)(set: $trustnora to 0)(set: $trapset to 0)(set: $inventory to (a: "Tribute Clothing"))(set: $introStep to 0)(go-to: "Start")] (link: "→ back to last scene (with 5 health)")[(set: $health to 5)(go-to: $deathPassage)]

The cannon fires somewhere and my eyes snap open before the echo dies. I lie still for a moment and count. Three left, maybe also just us two. The math feels different this close to the end. Nora is sitting a few metres away with her back against a tree, knee pulled to her chest. Her hair is a mess. She looks up when I move. "You snore, by the way." [[Go on with your day|With Nora Sponsor]]

(set: $health to $health + 5) We don't talk much at first. I check my wounds and Nora checks hers and we sit in the kind of silence that has become comfortable over the past days. Then we both hear it at the same time. A soft mechanical whistle, high and brief. The parachute drifts down between the branches like it has all the time in the world. Inside the silver canister are two portions of a warm soup. I eat mine too fast and feel it all the way down. Nora instead eats slowly and stares at the trees while she chews. Somehting is different about her this morning. "You okay?" I ask. "Fine," she doesn't look at me. "I am just tired." I let it go. [[Go hunting|With Nora Hunting]]

(set: $health to $health + 2) After we eat I decided to get some snares along the river. The forest is peaceful in the early morning, but Nora said her ankle hurted a little bit, so I believed her. I have been tracking some animal paths since yesterday. While I clean them by the water I let myself think for the first time after days of being on autopilote. How are we going to make it out of here? Together? I head back after staring into the clear water for a while letting my thoughts drift. [[Return|With Nora Return]]

When I get back the camp looks the same but feels differnet. Nora is standing instead of sitting and nervously looks around. "I found something earlier while you were gone. A supply cache, I think, hidden in a part where the river ends." Something moves in my stomach. Hunger. Again. "Show me," I say. The trees get younger and closer together the further we go as Nora leads me to the supply cache. We stop at the edge of a bush so dense it's almost a wall. "In there," her voice is flat. "The cache is at the back. You have to crawl there. My ankle..." "It's alright. I'll do it," I say and smile at here while I kneel down to crawl into the small hole. Inside it's dark and close. I stumble upon a knife on the ground as I am a few meters in. And next to it, scratched in uneven letters: sorry. I grab the knife and turn around to crawl back out into the light. But he's already there. Tall, heavy shoulders and a long machete hanging at his side like it weights nothing. This must be the other tribute. Now it's just us three. He has Nora by the wrist. "Finally. It's game over for you. Drop the knife." I don't move. All I can see is Nora. He yanks her wrist and she makes a small sound and I drop the knife. He laughs once, short and satisfied. His blade is close enough that I can see my own reflection in it. Then Nora moves. Nora kicks him hard between his legs. He flinches. While he raises the machete to cut her down I don't think. I just move my body forwards. The blade hits me across the chest. The pain is enormous and immediate as my lung fills with blood. I hear Nora scream. I feel the hard ground and even smell the fresh grass but not the strong impact. Somewhere above me the Career stumbles back, my knife buried in his stomach from the last thing my hands managed to do right. The cannon fires. Then silence. Nora is on her knees next to me before I can call her name. "Ethan... no," her hands press down but we both know it won't safe me. "Hey," it comes out more steady than I thought. "Stop. Look at me." She does. Her green eyes are completely wrecked. "Youre going home," I mean it as a statement, not as comfort. "You walk out of here and you go home." "Not without-..." "Nora," I squeeze her hand once. "It is okay. I chose this." She doesn't argue. She just holds on. The forest goes quiet. A breeze moves through the trees. Somewhere a bird calls once. The light is warm and gold just as at home when I used to lay in the grass with my sister. I hope they feel something in the capitol. I hope it stays with them. I hope when they look at their little brothers and sisters tonight they think of us. My chest doesn't hurt anymore. That's probably bad, but it is almost a relief. I have been fighting for so long. Since before the area. But Nora's going home. That is real. That's something I did. They can't take that. I want to stay here forever. Nora is saying my name but it sounds very far away now. The light through the trees shines golden and takes up my entire field of vision as I fell the ground under me open up and I fall into big hole that swollows me whole. The last thing I hear is the faint sound of a cannon (set: $health to $health - 20)

The canon fires again. I wake up. Was that Nora? Is it to late? Why can't I keep anyone safe. My dad shouts at me but then I wake up. The canon was real. It fired twice. Does this mean I'm in the top 3 now. I start of the day by looking at my destroyed skin. After so long out here in the arena it has bruises, scratches and so many different problems. It feels like sandpaper and is really dry. I probably should tend my wounds. But how? (if: $popularity >= 5)[ [[Get a sponsor |Without Nora Sponsor]] ] (else:)[ The sponsors stay silent. I don't have enough popularity left for help. ] [[Find herbs|Without Nora Herbs]]

(set: $popularity to $popularity - 6) (set: $health to $health + 5) Just as is get up the birds stop to sing. The only sound I can hear now is a little melody as a parachute with a silver package glides to the ground. Inside there is a cream with an herby fresh scent. I rub it all over my body as fast as I can. On every scratch, every dry patch, every broken-up piece of skin. My skin feels hot the second it touches the cream. A few minutes later, I feel like a new man. [[Next|Without Nora Search]]

(set: $health to $health + 2) I stand up and walk towards the river to at least wash myself. On the way I try to remember some useful plants. I pass some bright flowers and once I look closely, I remember. Tose Orange-red flowers are called Rep... Rel... I don't care but they are useful against infections. I take them with me and after a small bath in the river I rub them on my scratches and wounds. It burns a bit but after a while I feel good. [[Next|Without Nora Search]]

After I'm back at my stuff I start looking around again. Maybe I can find her today I think to myself and then I see it: a perfectly woven trap-basket. The fine twigs were assembled in a perfect order. Nora. I investigate further and find a bush that got smashed by something large. The broken branches feel wet. So, whatever broke them was here not long before me. I'm scared that something hurt Nora but since the canon didn't fire, she is probably fine. I still have to look for her. I look around if there is something else, something that could lead me to her. and then I can hear something in the distance. I sprint towards the sound. It's squeaky and as I come closer, I can hear a little girl talking to herself. I don't understand what she says but I don't care I run to her and hug her. She gets even more nervous, I think. So, I let go and ask: "Is everything alright? I didn't want to scare you." She starts to smile but it seems a bit off "Yes I'm all right. I just missed you and I was scared." I ask again: "Nora, we are so close to winning. This is it!" she tries to smile again but I think she is really scared. She nods hectic. "C-an you please walk with me to my supplies?" I nod hectic aswell. While we walk, I tell her what happened. That i ate raw fish and I also try to ask her what happened to her but she stays silent. She also doesn't want to show me her face to much. we reach a dense field of young trees. "My stuff is in there. Can you please grab it and I wait out here?". Her face turns away from me even more and her voice crackes. [[Go in|Without Nora Go In]]

I look at her worried, but I decide to go in. I even have to crawl. I reach Nora's stuff and see her knife right in front of me with a word in the dirt. "Sorry." I hear a scream. Shit! Adrenaline shoots into my veins. My blood pumps. My breath gets focused. A deep voice shouts: "Come on out! Let's talk!" I tug the knife in my belt. Did she really betray me? I rob outside of the shrubs. And put my hands slightly above my head. The guy holds Nora's mouth shut. He looks strong and fit even after a week in the woods. His short dark hair is messy, and he has a fresh scar on his arm with which he holds a giant machete. The girl's tears run down the palm of his hand. "I can't believe how naive you are. I mean wow! The brat is the worst actor I've ever seen." He squeezes her jaw and speaks in a mocking voice "Yes you! You betrayed him so easy cause you just want to go home and cry. Aww" Nora tries to free herself and screams into his hand. "Come on. get over here." He hisses. I walk slowly towards him. Every step makes my heart pump harder. My mouth is dry like tree bark. "Get down" I kneel. His blade could cut my throat at any second. My stare is full of rage and pure will to live. Harsh I speak: "Nora." Our eyes meet. We speak nothing. We understand everything. I look back at the Career. Nora kicks him between his legs and bites him in the hand. He flinches and while he prepares to strike her down, I grab the knife. The sharp metal penetrates his stomach and I push it even further up. His mouth drops. He makes gargling sounds. He stares at me. I do the same till we both sink to the ground and finally hear the sound of a cannon behind us. I look around for Nora. What now? I see her now. The little girl is sitting on the ground with her red hair behind her back. A different shade of red fills her hands. Her breathing is slow and her gaze is empty. No! No this can't be no. I drop beside her and look at her wound. The machete hit her guts. "No No No Shit! It's gonna be fine! Evering is going to be fine I swear!" "Ethan!" She lets out. No I can't loose her! I won't loose her! Not like this. I wanted to protect her just like my sister. I was supposed to. "Ethan, it's all right. Just one can be the Victor. You spared me before. I wasn't supposed to last this." She tries to calm me but I can't. I sob tears and spit. "hold my hand please. I'm scared" Also cries a bit. I get myself together and hold her tight. My tears burn. Wind blows through the forest. A squirrel hops threw the air. The sun is nice and warm. Nora seems so peaceful till she gasps for air one last time and falls down on my legs. I scream and punch my fists bloody on the ground. I lay down and cry. (if: $psyche < 4)[ [[End it|Dead Victor Ending]] ] (else:)[ [[End it|Dead Victor Ending]] [[Survive|Victor Ending Without Nora]] ]

No! I won't let those pigs get their winner. Not because of 23 dead kids. Not because of her death. I grab the knife and drop dead. Not tragic or impressive. Not full of pain or luck. But full of grief and hate against those that made me like this. My sisters laugh is the last thing I see before my eyes. There is no Hero this time. Just a dead boy. The dead Victor. (set: $health to $health - 20)

I get lifted into a hovercraft by a claw. I struggle I want to stay there. On the ground with her. She shouldn't be alone. The camera Light flashes in my face. My skin is smooth. My outfit is perfectly fitted right on my body. I smile as I great the audience. Roses land next to my feet as I sit down on my throne. Ethan, The Victor of the 62nd Hunger games

(event: when $health is a num and $health <= 0 and (passage:)'s name is not "Death Screen")[ (set: $deathPassage to (passage:)'s name) <span class="death-link-footer">(link: "go to death screen")[(go-to: "Death Screen")]</span> ]

==> (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[''Welcome to our interactive story: The Hunger Games flames of fate'' ] <== As part of our English project seminar, we worked on the topic of interactive fiction and created our own interactive game based on the world of The Hunger Games, the dystopian novel by Suzanne Collins. The story takes place in a future society where young people are forced to participate in a deadly competition as a form of control and entertainment. This setting provided the foundation for our own interactive narrative.  ''To read this book you must make some choices, that can change the actions and events that happen to Ethan, our protagonist. Simply click on the blue words. '' [[ What is our goal]] [[How we worked on our Story]]

The aim of our project was to design and create a story in which readers can influence the course of events through their own decisions. At the center of our story is the main character, Ethan, who takes part in the 62nd Hunger Games and whose fate is shaped by the choices of the reader.  ''Great! If you want to go back one slide, you can click the icon in the top-right corner. try it and choose another option. If you want to continue, click [[here|tut last page]]''

How we worked on our Story Our group was divided into two main areas: one part focused on the technical implementation and programming using an app called Twine, while the other part of the group was responsible for planning and writing the story. In this way, we were able to turn our ideas into an interactive experience to share and present to others.  ''Great! If you want to go back one slide, you can click the icon in the top-right corner. try it and choose another option. If you want to continue, click [[here|tut last page]]''

In our story, you may find useful objects, get hurt or gain the attention of sponsors. You can see all of this on the left side of the screen. ❤️Health: This is your physical wellbeing. If it drops to 0, you die and need to choose another path. 😵‍💫Psyche: This shows your mental state. It can affect your final ending. 🌹Popularity: This shows how many viewers like you. You can trade it to get useful things like a heal. Now you are ready to go on your adventure. Have fun and ''may the odds be ever in your favour! '' [[Back to the Start|Cover]]