Originally Posted by EastonionNW

Matthias sighed a little when Pax ran up the wall again, ending up looking oblivious to the peacekeeper that was imposing his presence before the boy. Even within just a few minutes of meeting Pax, Matthias felt like he knew him well enough to assume that he did that type of thing all the time. The cruiciatus curse seemed like a bit much, though. Matthias ran over and knelt beside Pax's curled form, gently shaking his shoulder. "Hey, you alright? They can't kill you before the Games, I'm pretty sure it's illegal to. Come on, try to get up?" he said rather quietly, his voice steady and not showing any worry. Positivity always helped someone who was hurt feel better. Looking up for a moment, Matthias gestured to Celeste and Jason to come over to where they were. It took all his willpower not to glare back at the laughing peacekeeper, though.

Originally Posted by keepmeclose22

Jason shook the boys hand, and nodded at the others. "It's nice to meet you." he was still unsure of what the other boys name was, but he wasn't quite sure he wanted to know. Climbing a wall? He knew everyone wanted to get out, but this was a bit extreme. Jason wasn't really sure he wanted to be allies with this strange boy. But he was willing to do anything to win.

"Is he really supposed to be doing that?" he whispered to Celeste. And are you sure you can trust him? Jason thought to himself. Then again, who could you trust in a game like this?

Originally Posted by Jezabel Black

Pax really wanted to agree with Celeste and say 'yep, Hekili was no match for me!' but he couldn't lie like that. "Most, not all of them," he admitted, pulling up his sleeve to reveal an angry red scar on his left arm, running from his shoulder to his elbow.
He nodded at Matthias' suggestion to be allies. "Sure," he said, with an almost imperceptible glance at Celeste. Could he kill her if he needed to? Probably not. As long as he didn't get too friendly with Matthias or Jason, he was find with them. But Celeste? He hoped that if she died in the arena, it would be by accident, natural disaster or hand of another opponent - not him.
The thing was, Pax was just naturally friendly. He knew and liked some of the more relaxed Peacekeepers in his district, and they in return offered him favours - like not killing him for hunting in the woods. If he could make friends with Peacekeepers, then would be be able to resist liking these people? These people he might have to murder?
As though trying to distract himself from these uncomfortable thoughts, Pax's mind turned back to the wall. He casually stepped to the side, getting Matthias, Celeste and Jason out of his way, then ran up and climbed again. It wasn't until he was at the top that his brain registered the pain in his left shoulder. He balanced on the top, holding his shoulder, trying to stop the pain showing. The Peacekeeper wasn't as happy to see him this time. He hit Pax across the face, sending him flying back down onto the ground near the others' feet. The Peacekeeper then turned his wand on him, and Pax screamed as pain hit him from every side. He'd been tortured once by the Head Peacekeeper for the time they caught him hunting, but this was worse.
The Peacekeeper stopped after a minute - he was laughing too hard to continue. But Pax didn't move. He curled up on the stone, feeling utterly helpless. Escape seemed impossible; winning, even more so. How was he going to get out of here?