Hetalia Hunger Games - Part 11

--Part Eleven – Secret--
    
    "It easily could have been an animal." Gilbert explained to Ludwig, who the group had met on the way back. "It was horrible what happened to…Kiku. That's his name right?" Ludwig nodded. "Well, it was bad, but for some reason the hovercraft took longer than usual to show. I guess the gamemakers are just getting lazy." Gilbert commented with a smirk.
  "It's unfortunate that two tributes have died already. At this rate we're going to end up with a winner. If we're going to give a message to the Capitol, we have to stay alive. The rest of us. We have to show them that they can't always control us." Ludwig explained calmly, trying to lower his voice.
     "I like your thinking." Gilbert paused and sighed. "I think food might be a problem though. Do we have any back at camp?"
  Ludwig shook his head. "Francis should be looking for some berries at this moment, but other than that, nothing. Ivan and Alfred's traps take time and now we only have Yao to fish. He's also injured."
   
   "We have some bread left." Arthur reminded them. "It will have to be heavily rationed though."
  "That's true." Ludwig replied. "We should replace some jobs, like yours." He gestured towards Antonio and Gilbert, "You would team up with Francis, Yao, or Ivan. For now, Lovino and I could also help."
    "Good idea." Canada commented. "I don't know why I didn't think of that in the first place. Food is the first priority here, besides keeping the peace."
  
--

   After hearing the cannon, Lovino decided on going back to camp. He was exploring, hoping to find something of use. The game makers had already placed a few surprises in the arena, so what would keep them from adding more?
     He was wandering through a grove of trees when an idea came to him. "Why should I go back to camp?" He asked himself, stopping underneath a blossoming cherry tree. "I can just go off on my own; since everyone's together no one will bother to chase me. The food around there has been lacking and they're just going to kill each other anyway."
  Lovino smiled and walked out from under the cover of the trees. "I just need to get around the lake without them seeing me."

   The sun was still in the sky, though it was evident that dusk would be setting in soon. Everyone seemed to be at the camp, or elsewhere. The death of whatever tribute would be enough of a distraction, especially if no one saw who it was. Now was the best time for him to leave, conveniently enough.
     He started his trek around the lake; trying to keep to the looming shadows of the forest. Beyond the body of water was another hill, keeping what laid ahead of him a secret. Whatever it was, he figured it would be better than what the group had found. With the two deaths so far, they were just going to die anyway.

    Lovino turned his head to the forest after hearing a branch snap. After a few seconds, whatever had broken the stick had moved on quietly. He continued to stare cautiously at the forest before moving on.
   Behind him, someone fell, shouting weakly. Lovino turned and stared at the forest, crouching behind tangled bushes. "Damn…" He heard a voice mutter. He wasn't certain on the voice, but it sounded like Alfred.
   
    "Oh, the lake's right there," the tribute said to himself, emerging from the forest. Lovino moved into the wooded area, hoping Alfred would ignore him. The other tribute looked towards his direction. "Hello?"
  Lovino stayed silent, wincing from the various thorns pricking his skin. Alfred gave him a curious look before turning and walking away; singing to himself.
    After a minute of waiting, Lovino carefully stood up from his hiding place. Alfred was further away and hopefully wasn't going to come back. Lovino continued walking, but not before a few cautious glances behind his shoulder.
   
   The last of the sunset was illuminating the sky when Lovino finally reached the top of the hill. Before him, was a sprawling meadow and a glimmering stream splitting the field. A forest bordered both sides of the pasture and towering oak trees were scattered in the grass. A herd of deer grazed quietly on one side of the meadow and they kept near a forest.
  "Perfect." He whispered to himself, looking over the new territory. "I should be able to sleep in one of those trees. It will keep me safe from most predators…I think. As for food, there is a possibility of edible plants in the area. I could also try to hunt…though I can imagine that failing already."
      Lovino stood and admired the sunset, which was beginning to fade away and submit to the night sky. Stars were starting to gleam weakly in the darkest points of the sky and the moon was barely visible against the light backdrop.

--

    By the time night had fallen, most of the tributes had gathered back at their camp. All present already knew about the death of Kiku. The story behind the killing was an animal, despite the doubts of some. Matthew had already distributed the last of their food, but it was hardly enough. Thoughts on how to get more food were circulating the diminishing group of tributes.
   "Hey, has anyone seen Lovino?" Matthew asked suddenly, looking around the area for the missing tribute.
  A few members shook their heads. "I haven't seen him since Denmark died." Ludwig announced.

    "Lovino isn't dead yet. Maybe he just got lost." Francis said, dismissing the problem.
   "Well he should look out for that animal that killed Kiku, if it's still out there." Yao replied, carefully running his fingers over the palm of his hand.
     The group returned to silence until the national anthem of Panem began playing. They all recognized the tune and looked up expectantly at the sky. The picture of Denmark flashed briefly before switching to Kiku's photo. Very few of the tributes actually felt remorse for the dead. Had they known each other better, they may have mourned.

    "Maybe we should have someone on watch for the night…" Alfred suggested with a hint of fear in his voice. "If that animal comes here it would kill us."
  "Obviously," scoffed England. "But I think we're safe enough."
     "Putting someone on guard is a good idea…" Matthew noted, looking inquisitively at Gilbert.
  He noticed and answered, "I'm not doing it."
    "I think you should, for various reasons." Matthew advised with a grin.
  Gilbert narrowed his eyes at Matthew. "Fine. Only for today. Tomorrow, I believe Arthur would make a great watchman."

    Arthur sighed. "This should be a unanimous decision instead of someone just randomly deciding."
  "That's not fair for me." Gilbert argued.
     "I'm sure Matthew has his reasons."

  The rest of the tributes at the camp were watching with bemused looks, not entirely understanding the situation.
    "Well we should be heading to sleep," Ludwig announced to the disputing tributes. "I suppose we can keep Gilbert on guard."     

--

  Through the loosely weaved branches of the tree, Lovino could see the face of Kiku, the other tribute who had died. "I wonder how he was killed…" he wondered, resting precariously on a branch. Night had darkened the field and brought a calming silence with it. He still had no intentions of going back to the camp.
   He did, however, have a fleeting thought of attacking them later. But that was just an idea. An idea he liked and a plot he had been planning for the past hour.