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_≡≡≡/Chapter 17: The danger/≡≡=_
I turn to face the traitor as a canon for Gaius goes off.
“Well he went down even easier than Ivara did,” she says, a cruel smirk playing on her face. “Atleast she put up a fight,”
“Why- you killed her too?” I ask quietly, in disbelief at what just happened.
“Of course.. she wasn’t winning anyways. I just.. took matters into my own hands. And now; you.”
She grabs my arm roughly, yanking me towards her until we’re face to face. From there, she uses her other hand to tilt my chin up to look at her.
“You’re going to die, and I’m going to take pleasure in being your cause of death.” She whispers in my face.
“Then I’m going to win this game,”
Then, she delivers a harsh punch right to the center of my face. It makes me stumble back, but i manage to stay on my feet, readying myself for the fight about to take place. The rain pounds on, unknowing of the battle taking place under it.
“Bring it on, bitch.” I say, and deliver my own lunch.
From then, we trade blows to eachothers faces and guts. But I can’t do this forever. She’s stronger than I could ever be, her frame never wavering.
Soon I realise fighting like this is useless, and I swiftly grab the crossbow at my side and try to load a bolt into it.
My hands shake and I fumble with the miniature arrow, and she takes the chance to knock me to the ground.
The crossbow gets knocked from my hand as I tense from the impact, and suddenly a sharp, ringing pain calls out as her trident is pushed into the ground, with my neck in between two prongs, the sharp edges grazing it deeply.
Im pinned there.
I attempt to lift it up, but its no use. She’s got her foot atop where the prongs fork off, holding it in the ground.
“You’re nothing!” She shouts, looming over me.
“You never had a chance! You lost it the day you let me in!” She laughs, a sharp, manic laugh that sends waves of dread through my whole body.
Then, she produces what, at first, look like thick white and red rods, but upon further inspection, was the claws from the jaguar. The ones she had taken when we went to cook it. And they’re covered in blood.
“Ivara loved these,” she says with another cruel chuckle. “She really screamed for them. You could say she was just a bit… unlucky,”
“Your a monster!” I hiss at her. And she nods.
“That I am, Emeric,” she agrees. “That i am,”
I try to grab her band with mine as I notice what she’s doing; but it’s too late, and she digs two of the claws into my side.
I let out a hurt screech, my back arching as the white hot pain shoots though me. She laughs even more, enjoying herself thoroughly.
“I’m going to prolong this. I’m going to torture you,” she says. “Just like the poor child,”
I fumble, trying to grasp onto her hands still, to make her stop. But it seems useless.
Useless.
Then I remember.
“Do not drink; use in emergency,”
I grab the small vial around my neck and tear it off, using my shaky hands to snap it open.
Some of the liquid trickles down onto my hands, making them burn like hell, but i pay it no mind as I chuck the remaining liquid into her face.
She immediately drops the claws and stands up to her full height, blinking rapidly, and wiping desperately at her face, needing to get the stuff off.
It’s her turn to let out a cry of pain, and I use the opportunity to pull the trident away, and climb back to my feet. I chuck the trident far into the cavern known as Gaius’ resting place.
Her face is quite literally melting off in some places, covered in blood, rain and other substances. It makes me look to my hands. The spots where the liquid had trickled are too stinging, skin peeling off to reveal the angry red mixture of blood and muscle underneath.
Unlike the district 2 girl, I don’t feel an ounce of sorrow or guilt as a raise the crossbow to her now kneeled form, loading the bolt from before. But I never get past that, as she’s struck down with a shovel.
My vision blurs now, a mix of exhaustion and extreme pain I’m feeling in my hands, side, face, gut and neck. I look up from Erida’s now crumpled form, and I can see a figure through the rain and my own haze. A girl.
The cannon signifying Erida’s end rings out as i flop simply beside her, closing my eyes in unconsciousness.
The weather’s warm as I stroll down to the lake, the twins at my side. They learn how to fish today on my dad’s request. I asked Theseus to come too, but he didn’t want to come.
We make it to the lake, and I pull my fishing rod from the side of my bag, and then two spare ones i had brought; just for them.
I open the bag to pull a jar of bait out now. Worms. Both of their faces convulse at the sight, but i tell them that that’s what the fish like, and not to worry, because the fish are yummy. It’s all worth it in the end.
I take the usual rock, whilst the two girls sit closer to the bank, trying to catch a sight of a fish with their eyes.
They’re fascinated, though I don’t think its by any of our catches; I think its because now they can do what their big sister loves..
I wake up to a harsh cold, disoriented and confused.
I’m wrapped up tight in a blanket, my, no, Ivara’s bag sitting not far from me with my crossbow leaning against it. Everywhere I look is covered in a thick layer of snow.
The smell of food cooking wafts through the air, and I spot a pot of some sort of stew or soup cooking over a fire; and behind it, a girl stirring the mixture, a shovel leaning against a boulder behind her.
I dont think she notices I’m awake.
“Uh..” the noise alerts her, and she lifts her head to look at me. Her eyes are beady, and her hair shaggy, even in the soft-falling snow.
“Are you.. the rat?” I ask. She matches Gaius’ description pretty well, from what i can remember.
She doesn’t verbally answer, but she does give me a slight nod.
“so.. you knew Gaius?” I ask next.
She nods again.
I notice that the pain i felt originally is muted, and all of my major injuries have been crudely patched up, including my hand.
“Where are we?” I ask next.
“Mountain,” she says, quietly, walking towards me now with a bag of stew.
“For you,” she says, in that same, quiet tone.
I take the bowl substitute from her hands and into my own, and instantly they feel warmer even in the harsh weather. We don’t have a spoon it seems, so i just drink it. Its the first proper food I’ve had in days.
It tastes nice, and warms me from the inside out.
“Did you make this?” I ask, curious as to if the girl had such skill. She shakes her head.
“You.. gift,” she responds, pointing at an empty container, brown parachute still attached. I know what she means; a sponsor gift must’ve came for me whilst I was out.
“How long was I out for?” I question, and she responds this time by holding up 3 fingers.
“3 days?” I ask, just to confirm what she means. She nods again.
3 whole days.
“Did.. did anything happen when I was out?” I ask.
“Girl.. 8, die,” the girl from district 8 was dead now.
“4 too. I.. kill,” she says, gesturing to her shovel.
“I know you did, well done.” I say. If not for her, I might not have been here.
“For Gaius,”
“Yeah. For Gaius. He deserved better.”
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_≡≡≡/Chapter 16: I Told You So/≡≡-_
“Gaius!” I shout. Clearly he’s seen us too, as he’s racing towards us. “Gaius!”
I meet him halfway, still on the empty cracked ground. He opens his arms as I reach him.
I run straight into his embrace and my arms wrap around him tight. We stay like that for a moment.
Together.
I pull back slightly to look at him.
He’s paler, hair smoothed out by the rain, and small cuts litter his arms, legs, and face. He’s holding a spear. Other than that; he’s the same boy from before.
“I’m so glad your here!” He says.
Water droplets slide from his hair to his face; from his face to his clothes.
Erida is still there, still behind me.
“What happened to you? Where did you go from the start?” I ask, as we separate from eachother.
“I went to the mine. Alot of us did, actually. 8 of us, I think.” He responds.
“I made a friend there. She didn’t speak much, and she insisted on calling herself ‘the rat’. She had a shovel, too,” he said.
What an odd description.
“Is she.. did she die?” I ask.
“I’m not sure.. I didn’t get to see who got out. I hope it was her.”
Just then, another Boom rings out. My guess says its probably the district 11 girl.
“Are you hungry?” I ask him. He’s bound to be.
“Yeah, I am. Do you have food?” He asks.
“We have a bit,” I respond.
I sit on the now wet ground, gesturing for the other two to do the same. They do, and I take the open package of jerkey out of the bag.
The three of us share out the rest of the packet over general conversation. Right now, the games feel as normal as they can.
Suddenly, a sponsor gift, this time with a brown parachute, comes falling in the rain. It lands just behind the empty packet.
“Ooh!” Gaius exclaims excitedly. “Who’s it for!?”
Upon further inspection of the silver container, an 'f’ is clearly engraved on the top. Female.
“Its for me,” i say, studying the container curiously.
“Go on then, open it,” Erida says, nudging me lightly, her trident laying at her side on the ground, the three, sharp, metal tips glistening in the rain.
I open it, and inside is two things.
A bunch of seven bread rolls, and a small, glass vial on a string, with a note attached to it. It read:
“Do not drink. Only use in emergency,”
Strange.
I hang the vial around my neck like a necklace, and then we each have a bread roll.
“Mmm… its the same as the ones from the apartment,” Gaius says, his eyes closing in contentment. Erida takes a bite and melts, her expression dripping with pleasure.
We haven’t had food this good since our breakfast before the games with Beetee.
Beetee.
Is he happy with how we’re doing? I’ve killed two people, two of which were careers, and we found good water. He should be happy, right?
“So..” Gaius says, his voice suddenly solemn. “What.. happened to Ivara?”
The memories of the deep gashes and words cut back into my mind like they had her skin.
Not that they were forgotten.
I look to Erida, who’s looking right back at me.
“Well.. we.. we think the careers got to her. And.. and something else,” I say hesitantly.
“What do you mean, 'something else’?” He asks, though I don’t know if he wants the real answer.
“Something big. Like a jaguar we had killed before she..” my words fade out before finishing, but he knows.
“Goddamnit..” he mutters under his breath. I knew it’d hit him hard.
“Yeah. I know,” I say.
The three of us finish up our food in silence. He’s clearly taking this all in.
“We should probably get on our feet again,” Erida says trying to break the silence.
Once again, she’s right. We can’t stay here forever. Someone will spot us; and if it’s Alaric and Thaddea, it’s game over.
“It’s good we found you, Gaius,” she says, and I nod, showing i agree with her. I am so glad we found him.
“Why don’t we go over to those houses?” I suggest. “could offer some cover,”
“That’s not a bad idea,” Gaius responds, and Erida nods.
She’s been very.. quiet as of recent.
Once again we pack up our things, and get ready to carry on.
Suddenly, the floor starts to rumble again, and instinctively, i look to the mountains after what had happened last time.
But not this time.
The rumbling grows to full on shaking, then the ground starts to break below our very feet.
This was intended, I realise. The random nothingness wasn’t to be a late-game battlefield, no. They were waiting to catch tributes. And now they’ve caught us in an earthquake.
The ground continues to split as we all try to move onto solid land.
Then, I’m met with a bolt of fear as Gaius stumbles forward and falls in the chasm. My throat goes dry; words stolen from me.
Luckily, he manages to cling on to the edge, on the brink of death.
“Uh- pull me up, please!!” He shouts, voice drenched in fear. And i do. I try.
The ground has stopped shaking now, but the chasm is wide and deep, some sort of molten rock at the bottom.
I grip his hands, using all of my strength to pull. I sink to one knee, stabilising my weight as I tug and tug and pull and tug and-
It works!
He gets one knee back on solid ground, then another, then he’s standing up, shaking slightly after the scare. Relief fills my body.
A relief that is replaced with horror as I watch him get impaled in the chest with a three-pronged weapon.
He goes limp, and falls into the gaping pit, leaving his only his blood on the trident.
Leaving me alone.
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_≡≡≡/Chapter 15: the rain/≡≡_
“Can I have a minute with her?” Erida asks me. “Alone?”
It hurts me to leave the small girl, but i nod, and leave to cave, giving the career the time she needs.
Minutes later she joins me again outside. She doesn’t look so upset, her eyes weren’t red-rimmed like mine. But I suppose she’s probably more upset on the inside.
“We.. should fill up the canteen again,” she says to me, and I nod. Then, suddenly, she stops, and turns to face me.
“Hey. I’m sorry, okay?” She says, though its easy to tell its semi forced, as one can’t properly be sorry for something that wasn’t their fault.
“Yeah.. it’s.. it’s alright. She’s in a better place now.” I say, and starts walking again.
We’re both on high alert still, fully aware that something had got to Ivara, whether before or after the careers had is uncertain, but it could still be out there. Waiting.
We return to the lake by nightfall, the chill already picking up.
We repeat our actions from the night before; fill, drink, refill.
Sleep won’t come easily for me tonight. Not after that.
“Do you think you could sleep?” I ask Erida.
“Yeah. Sleep would be good.” She responds.
“I’ll keep watch then, if you want to try,” I continue. “I think we should stay here for the night.” She nods, agreeing with the idea.
Then, she settles down on the ground, and gets ready to sleep. It seems to come easy for her. Lucky.
The cold really starts biting as I keep a look out, but i can’t think about it as the capitol emblem lights up the sky. The anthem blares, and im surprised it doesn’t wake up Erida with how loud it is. Soon enough, the fallen of the day start to appear.
The first is the district 2 girl I killed. I still feel bad about that, even if she tried to kill me first.
The next is the girl from district 5, meaning Gaius is still out there somewhere, and hadn’t got caught in the mines. Good.
Then the male from district 6, then Ivara. The sight of her there almost brings me to tears again.
The next is the boy from 8, the boy from 10, and finally the boy from 11.
That makes my earlier guess correct. 9 of us remain. Alaric, Thaddea, the district 2 boy, Gaius, Myself, Erida, The girl from 6, the girl from 8, and lastly the girl from 11.
I’m surprised the girl from 11 is still here, actually. Usually both district 11 and 12 are one of the first out. They’re poorer districts, and the kids there are normally scrawny and small- not built for the games in the slightest.
Whilst district 11 has a few victors, District 12 never win.
With the exception of 2.
A girl named Lucy Gray Baird won for district 12 in the 10th hunger games, though her name is a disgrace in the capitol now. We’ve only ever been told that she cheated. Never how.
The other was a boy called Haymitch Abernathy. He won the 50th hunger games, only 6 years ago. Those games were different. As a quarter quell, the games were changed to be harder. That year, there were double the amount of tributes. Still, he had a great alliance, and had outsmarted everyone.
In the end, he won. But now, he’s miserable.
In the silence of the night, I cant help but wonder what the twins are doing right now. If Theseus is watching. If dad can see me.
I cant help but give a wave into the night, hoping that maybe, just maybe, a camera picks it up, and that they can see it. See me. Alive.
The rest of the night passes by peacefully, and the hot sun rises once more.
Then, to my pleasure, a rain starts. A heavy rain.
Erida wakes up to the rain hitting her face, and as she realises what’s happening, she grows an expression of pure happiness neither us nor Ivara had felt since the games had started.
We aren’t trapped in the heat any longer. For as long as the rain remained. And it felt good. So good.
“It feels so nice..” Erida mutters, and I nod my head along to what she’s saying. It does feel so nice.
“Do you want some jerkey?” I suddenly ask her. “We need to eat something.”
“Yeah. You’re right. Let’s eat some then.”
I produce one packet of jerkey, opening it, and taking a few straps for myself, before handing the packet to Erida, who does the same.
We make sure to close the packet so the rainwater wouldn’t get in. Though it doesn’t burn us like the river had, it still might not be good to consume.
Once again, we drink from the canteen, then refill it, and starts considering our plans.
“District 11 won’t last much longer, I think,” I say to the career. “The boy is already gone, and the girl is probably near dead.”
Erida agrees with me.
“Our only real problems are Thaddea and Alaric.” She says. “We could take down the district 2 career together, but the other two might be some trouble,”
Shes right. Together, they’re strong.
But a different problem arises in my head.
“We need to leave the forest, though.” I say. “Something like the jaguar got to Ivara. You saw the claw marks on her body. The danger is probably still out there.”
The danger probably being another capitol mutt.
We pack up our stuff again, the axe never leaving my back. Once we’re ready, we begin our journey out of the forest. We travel away from the lake, assuming that’s the center of the foliage.
We stay aware of the environment, keeping our eyes peeled as the rain cuts out most other noise.
Though nothing comes.
Eventually, we make it to the edge of the forest, trees clearing to show the mountains and the cornucopia. The center mountain now is shorter than the outer two after the crumble.
Even in the rain, the cornucopia still shines.
The river around it still flows, though it seems faster now than it had before.
The small group of houses still stand as well, though one of them is missing, as if it had caught fire, and the attacker let it burn.
We walk on the side of land opposite the houses. It’s empty land. Maybe the gamemakers had left it like that for a battle.
But as we walk, we see something.
Through the rain’s haze, we can see a pone figure at the cornucopia.
I know that figure.
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About My OCs 51- Ignatius Noble
Learn more about this teenage vampire wannabe in my video!
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About My OCs 49 - Rezi Chamomile
Learn more about this forever 16 year-old vampire in this video!
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About My OCs 47 - Autumn Thurston
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Kümmere dich um deine Toten, sonst kümmern sie sich um dich.
Thomas Pynchon: “Vineland”, S.462
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About My OCs 45 - Galia Thurston
Learn more about this teenager in hiding from my original comic There On Twilight’s Edge
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Which Women’s Office Bag Is Best for Work and Laptop Carrying?
Choosing the right office bag when you carry a laptop every day is more than a style decision — it’s about comfort, protection, and functionality. A great work bag keeps your laptop safe, organizes essentials, and still looks professional. Here’s a practical guide to help you pick the best women’s office bag for work and laptop carrying.
Size & laptop protection
First, match the bag to your laptop size. Most bags list the maximum laptop size they fit (13", 14", 15", 16" etc.). Pick one with a padded, dedicated laptop compartment — preferably lined with soft fabric and with a secure strap or zipper. That compartment should sit close to your back when worn or carried; this stabilizes the laptop and reduces strain. If you carry a heavier machine (gaming/workstation), favor a bag with thicker padding and a reinforced base.
Bag types that work best
Structured laptop tote: The classic choice for many professionals. Tote bags with a flat base and internal laptop sleeve look polished and slide easily under a desk. They mix style with functionality and are great for formal or client-facing roles.
Slim briefcase/satchel: Offers a professional silhouette with organized compartments. Great if you prefer a more tailored look and often includes a detachable shoulder strap.
Backpack (business style): Best for commuters or anyone walking or cycling to work. Modern business backpacks are sleek, laptop-friendly, and distribute weight evenly — reducing shoulder pain.
Convertible bag: Tote to backpack converts give you both style and hands-free convenience. Ideal if you switch between meetings and commuting.
Messenger bag: Good for cyclists or those who need quick access. Look for one with a padded laptop sleeve and a secure closure.
Material & durability
Choose materials based on your routine. Full-grain or top-grain leather is durable, ages well, and looks professional — but it’s heavier and needs care. Vegan leather bags or high-quality PU offers a similar aesthetic with less maintenance. For a casual or travel-heavy commute, water-resistant nylon or ballistic fabrics are practical, lightweight, and easy to clean. Check hardware quality (zippers, buckles) — metal zippers and reinforced stitching last longer.
Comfort & carrying options
Consider how you commute. Short distances might favor handheld totes; long walks or public transit usually call for a backpack or crossbody option. Wide, padded straps reduce pressure; adjustable straps help get the bag comfortable. If you use a luggage handle often, a rear trolley sleeve is a small feature that makes a big difference on business trips.
Organization & daily practicality
A good work bag will include:
- A padded laptop compartment
- A tablet or document sleeve
- Multiple interior pockets for chargers, power banks, pens, and phone
- A zippered exterior pocket for quick access to ID or transit cards
- A secure closure (zipper or flap with magnetic snap) to protect belongings
Think about cable management — elastic loops or a small zip pouch make it easier to carry chargers and avoid tangles.
Weight & balance
A lighter bag is better when you carry both a laptop and daily essentials. But don’t sacrifice padding for weight; instead, choose lighter materials with protective features. Keep heavy items close to your back (or low in the tote) to maintain balance and posture.
Style & professionalism
Finally, pick a look that matches your workplace. Minimalist neutrals (black, navy, tan) are versatile, while textured leathers or subtle hardware give personality without being loud. If you want a statement piece, reserve it for accessories rather than the whole bag — a colorful scarf or key charm.
Bottom line — my top pick
For most professionals, a structured laptop tote with a padded internal sleeve and an optional shoulder strap hits the sweet spot: professional, organized, and comfortable for daily office life. If your commute involves long walks or public transit, prioritize a business backpack for ergonomic benefits. Choose materials and features that match your lifestyle, and you’ll have a bag that protects your laptop and makes your workday easier — and more stylish.