I jolted myself awake from my deep sleep. Today was the day. The day i had been looking forward to my entire life, the day that would change my life forever. My first hunt. I excitedly jumped out of bed and reached for my bow and arrow which was balanced precariously against my bedside table. It was a beauty, carved with meticulous care, a testament to both creativity and flare as well as functionality. It was carved out of oak wood and polished to a deep chesnut hue and almost glistened in the early hours of the morning. Intricate patterns coated its exterior mapping out the stories of the village. Tucked inside this piece of art was a long thin steel string which stretched from one end to the other, vibrating excitedly at the thought of prey. I beamed down at it, excited to test out its potential.

As i stepped outside of camp, I could almost feel the crisp autumn morning. Auburn leaves were scattered against the beige canvas below providing it with a well needed colour. I breathed it all in and started to march towards the forest, my heavy leather boots meeting the ground with great force as I moved through the rocky terrain. And then I entered, and it felt like I had been placed in some fantasy. Songbirds whistled sweet sing sing melodies as they flew from one branch to the other, tucked their satin soft wings away and nestled into the mess of branches and twigs. Brooks jumped excitedly over rocks and splashed into little pools of water in a mesmerising fashion. It felt like heaven.

As I ventured further into the forest, I sensed another presence, a fleeting shadow in the shrubs and trees adjacent to where I was walking. I abruptly stopped, squinting into the the green panorama of shrubs. And then I saw it, its baby blue eyes staring right at me, half of its head tucked behind the safe confines of a large oak. I beamed at it and beckoned it towards me. It cautiously began to creep towards me and sat right in front of me. It was absolutely beautiful, it’s fur was as white as freshly fallen snow and blended beautifully into our moonlight surroundings. This day had certainly changed my life forever.

Can you see them up there? Shining ever so bright Are you enchanted by that golden glare? That effervesces at night

Shining so spectacularly Among that painfully dark and motionless canvas Yet they also convey a sadness

Twinkling there lone A pale white body held helpless Among the great unknown Who knows where it’ll take us?

No longer a magical sight But a few helpless bodies floating unknowingly Their lights dimming by the second As the darkness there feels threatened

Darkness takes what isn’t his He takes and takes till light disappears Now the sky full of stars seemed dead and cold A place once so magical now hurt to behold

I want to see the world The green wading grass Time doth pass But I want to see her

I want to see the world Communities of happy friends I wanna see it end to end I want to see her

I want to see the world Each royal blue ocean I wanna leave this commotion I wanna know what it feels like To never come back again

A gasp escapes from my mouth. My breathing gets heavier and heavier, as I gasp for oxygen my face turning a deep crimson. I knew something was wrong. I could feel something creeping up my forearm scratching each inch of my skin, winding it’s way up to my fingertips. I look down my arm and my expression is quickly changed from confusion to such abject terror and despair. A branch, chestnut in colour, weaving itself tightly around my arm, cutting out the circulation of blood in my arm. I gently glided my index finger along it and realised the pain was gone but the confusion was still there. What is going on, I wonder. I turned my arm in a 360 motion, examining each section carefully. It was very odd. I turned on my heel and crept down the stairs trying not to wake anyone, to the kitchen. I started searching the drawers for anything that could help me. I found some scissors and began to cut the branch in a diagonal motion. I sighed in relief as it cut easily. However, to my disgust, it regenerated in seconds. What the hell was going on?!

“Ladies first of course” Effie reached into the rounded glass bowl, swirling her hands gently scraping the contents. Her hand hovered for a second and plunged straight inside pulling out a small folded piece of torn parchment. She unfolded it and read “Sadie Ackhurst!” What how could it be me. Out of the 565 people who stood crowded in the town square I had been chosen. How is this possible? I started to breathe heavily my heart rate inconsistent and hasty. My feet seemed frozen to the spot. Everyone turned to look at me and parted like the Red Sea. I allowed one more shaky breath to escape my system and let my body lead me towards my death. I took deathly slow, suspenseful steps towards the stage. Effie stood there, glamorous as always, an almost too friendly smile engraved on her face. It felt like two washing pegs were holding it in place. Her gloved hands reached out towards me, beckoning me towards her. I took it and shakily stepped up each step to join her. “And now for the boys” Effie squeaked in excitement and plunged her hand once more into a second glass bowl. She took another piece of parchment, unfolded it slowly and screeched “Oliver Archer!” The crowd parted once more, some cheering excitedly as they had escaped death once again. A tall handsome boy was revealed. He excluded an effortless charm, captivating all who beheld him. He stood as a testament to symmetrical perfection, a sculpture carved by the hands of divinity itself. A pair of deep soulful eyes, glistening like pools of amber, peering out from a pair of thick expressive eyebrows. They possessed an undeniable magnetism. His hair fell either in a cascade of curls or fell in meticulous layers. Whether dark and tousled, catching the light in a playful dance, or golden and sun-kissed, they were perfect. “Join us up here Oliver!” Cried Effie Oliver strolled towards the stage and took his place next to me. “Now here’s the exciting bit! This year is a quarter quell. I have been asked to ask each of you to name a non-lethal object which you shall be able to take into the games! Sadie first please” I opened my mouth, but words failed me. I closed it again in embarrassment, thinking hard. And then it hit me “A yo-yo” I whispered into the microphone. The cloud erupted into laughter, jeering, smirking, giggling. I let my head hang facing the floor to avoid embarrassment and hide my hit red cheeks. “I honestly think that is quite smart” said Ollie, offering a little smile in my direction “Imagine the limitless opportunities” he continued “Okay enough chit chatter, time for you Oli” “Hmmm he said” thoughtfully, “I choose a compass” A sensible suggestion I thought.

(Sadie went on to win the games. She used the yo yo in many different ways. As a weapon, a support whilst sleeping, a distraction. She felt very grieved by the death of Oli, they fell in love during the Games and he had sacrificed his life taking an arrow for her. RIP. ) (💋 ✌️)

The music rings softly through my eardrums I feel numb No longer anxious but calm Beethovens ninth symphony A musical brilliancy

The symphony unfolds with celestial might, Strings and brass unite, shimmering in light, An ode to joy, to love, and to embrace, A content look crept onto my face

It opened my eyes Set my troubles aside My refuge away from the world Helps me to fantasise and romanticise My favourite piece of music

“I’m trying okay!” I shouted The principals eagle like eyes stared down at my tiny structure a look of disgust and disappointment on her face. “Try harder then” she snapped “you’re just a janitor, it can’t be that hard” A tear swelled at the inner corner of my eye. Just a janitor? I worked day and night to be exploited by her, a few pennies in my pocket. It felt horrible, to be constantly undermined. I resisted the urge to fight her as an ape like fury coursed through my veins. My fists were clenched in a tight ball and my face was a scarlet red. A slight smile emerged on the Principals face. “You’re fired, and don’t pull anything because I can make your life a living hell”

I’m hot and sweaty, boiling to death Sighing a frustrated breath Can’t wait till it’s done In this uncomfortable classroom It won’t be over soon This is not fun The scratching of pencils against paper The frustration becoming greater

Symbols, I don’t know what they mean An alkene? Geography? History? A mystery

I can’t wait to pass through those doors Leave to the great outdoors But first I must finish this exam Well, that’s if I can

Shit. My car had come to a halt. The tires screeched against the material that consists of crushed stone rolled and bound with a mixture of tar and bitumen. What great rotten luck. I groaned and slammed my head down onto the steering wheel. It was going to be a long night, luckily I had a few old rags and blankets in the boot. I looked out of the window to my side and saw an old run down garage, a few solemn cars parked there. And too my left a Co op, with a refurbishment towed to the door, one corner flapping in the wind. I sighed and looked down at my watch. 1am. This was gonna be a long night

It snarled at me. Its eyes round, long ovals, a tiny pupil in the centre, bloodshot red. It let out a long groan and stood against the moon, its milky, pearly skin gleaming in the moonlight. I could smell the toxic pong from its body odours. A bead of sweat trickled off my face as I stared at the beast before me, my eyes fearful. I tried to turn to run but my feet seemed glued to the floor, forbidding me to move. Instead, I attempted to raise my arm which held a pistol, to no avail. It seemed to be more frustrated now. I breathed in, and with human instinct, as one must, turned on heel and sprinted against my body as fast as possible.