Young Writers Society

Rafe Gable:

I didn't see the fist coming until it was too late, to be honest I never thought she'd actually punch me- she didn't seem the type. I could see her smacking me but not punching me- Lord she had one heck of a right hook.

I flailed trying to catch my balance but failed epically and landed on my butt with a muffled "oof!". I glared up at her and glared, she ignored me and taking a strong stance she spoke with WAY more authority than I would have given her credit for having-Chicks got guts.

"Listen up! If you guys think we should get moving, then let's go! Everybody find a backpack you're comfortable with carrying, and fill it with the supplies you think you'll need. Remember what the computer told us while you're deciding. Make sure you get plenty of food, we don't know when we'll find any again. Finally, pick your weapons." She paused then gesturing to the wall covered in the aforementioned things.

"We'll meet back here in ten minutes and finish introductions. Then we'll figure out where to go from there. Got that?" she placed her hands on her hips and stared each and every person there down- me lastly. She gave me and extra hard glare, then turned on her heel with a huff and walked to where the back packs were piled.

I slowly stood up eying the twins.

"Dang you two freak me out." they both roll their eyes at the same time-They really do freak me out with how they move so in sync.

I moved away following the girl- Cinnamon? Saffron?- It was SOME kind of spice I remembered that much. I began to dig through the backpacks trying to find one that wasn't girly. There were a crap-ton pastel yellow backpacks!

I found one that was the right color yellow but too small. Then I found one that was the perfect size but was a buttery yellow, I wouldn't be caught dead wearing that! I swore under my breath and I heard a small gasp, I looked sharply to my left to see the kid Tino watching me with wide eyes-obviously I shocked him for some reason. I rolled my eyes.

"What's the matter Care Bear? Never heard that word before? I can teach you some others if you want." I grinned, again not a friendly one- could I not smile normally?

He moved away from me closer to the spice chick, she did give off that "motherly" vibe. I shrugged and kept looking for a backpack.

"Ohh! this one looks like lemon drops!" The ditz said spinning around with a bag held tightly. She caught her foot in the straps of the others and fell in a heap, I snickered. I found a backpack about a second later. It was a medium sized mountain climbers pack with straps on the bottom for a sleeping bag. I hefted it onto my shoulder and moved on to the walls covered in supplies.

The section of wall had first aid kits on it, I grabbed the first one that came to hand. Next section had military style food rations. I sighed-What I wouldn't give fore a Devil Dog right now! I grabbed a selection of almost everything then moved sourly on. Water bottles and canteens were next to the food. I picked out three of those, you could never have too much water. They were all tall metal things with sports bottle tops and all of them were this really sick black- again with a yellow band running around the middle. Next section had small light sleeping bags these were different colors but all had a yellow fabric band running around the middle. I picked a dark green one them moved on towards the wall of weapons.

I stood facing this for a few seconds just taking in all the different kinds of weaponry hung there- everything that could kill someone was there!

I bypassed everything there except three things: A long bladed hunting knife with belt sheath, a Swiss army jack knife, and guns. I almost cackled in glee when I saw just how many guns I got to pick from. now I'm an old fashioned firearms kind of guy so I picked out ones that would get the job done but not over kill it. a pair pistols with enough clips to last me a good long while-those monster things weren't my grandma's chihuahua. Lastly I picked out a good strong double barreled shotgun with shoulder strap, and I grabbed two boxes of shot for that too.

I zipped up the bag and put in on, placed the pistols in the back of my pants, and slung the shotgun over one shoulder. I strode over to where...The spice chick was sifting through food rations.

"You do know it all tastes the same right? it doesn't matter which one you choose." she turned and gave me a withering look. I grinned at her, she blushed, and I sniffled a snicker.

"Well hurry it up, we're burning daylight Doll-face." I turned on my heel and went to the center of the room to wait.

...

(Hope this was alright, if it wasn't I'll gladly edit)

Artemis "Artie" Faust

I rolled my eyes when our self-made 'team captain' punched the butch guy's jaw, which merely surprised him. I could almost literally see loves patriarchy written on his shirt for a second there. I shrugged. Not my problem. I found a sheath for the hooked knife and then chose a skinning knife, good if we were forced to hunt, and an old-looking pistol, which I shoved in the back of my pants.

I got the rest of my things quickly; checked the food for protein levels, got water and a small boiling pot, sunglasses, some rope, flint, a thick, thermal blanket, etc.--then scattered the bullets I'd collected throughout. I wasn't exactly sure why. Someone could just steal the whole bag still. But whatever. Maybe I was paranoid in another life.

Suitably finished, I walked into the center of the room. I watched the people move about like frantic ants, like when someone had stepped in the middle of their line, and then look towards the muscle-head dude. I take note that he's roughly my height and probably would fall pretty easily if I kicked him in the back of the knees--he doesn't look like the sort to have the best balance. Otherwise, he looks sort of like the sort of dude--and then I blank out, unable to remember what previous experience I could have had.
Bummer?

"So, what's your name?" I ask. I leave out the few curses I somehow wanted to add in there rather colorfully. From what I can recall, which is nothing but vague truths, like the earth goes around the sun, sailor-talk is frowned upon. So is calling people names.
But I'm pretty sure it's enjoyable, nonetheless.

(sorry it took so long! School is...school)
-Tino
The screen went black, and the room was quiet again. I processed the information the woman on the screen had given to us.
Four teams, many dangers, one goal...and one loser. So, that's how it is done around here. You either unite and win, or lose and die.

Just then, a memeber of our team spoke.

"Well I guess we need to work together now huh? Go Team Yellow! My name is Clove, it's nice to meet all of you! What are your names?"

The girl was younger, about 17, but she still cleared my height by a few good inches. Her hair was in a braid, and she had bright happy eyes. I looked past this to her small, but strong-looking muscles. She might be nice, but I could tell that she could kick the snot outta somebody if she wanted to.
Status: Friendly, but be carefull not to anger her.

Next was the...blonde. Nothing much to say there.
Status: ...blonde

Then there was the twins. They looked friendly, but mistivious. Both looked strong enough to beat the living tar outta me, so I shifted my position ever so carefully so that I faced them. Never can be too carefull.
Status: Semi-friendly, but might want to "play" with me some

Then there was an indian/japanese looking girl. She looked a bit of a girly girl, but I could tell she had fight in her.
Status: Fighter, stay on her good side.

I scanned over the others, none all too dangerous, but none too friendly either. This was going to be interesting...
Just then my eyes went to the last guy, and my heart almost stopped. Muscles, tallness, and more muscles. This guy could rip me in half without a sweat. And I could tell from the killer in his eyes, he would not hesitate to do so.
Status: ...Holy crud! DANGER DANGER DANGER!! Stay away from him at all cost!

Just then, a girl walked up to me. I braced myself for danger without showing it, but she only stuck out her hand.

"Hi there! I'm Clove, what's your name?" I shook her hand, a little harder than I meant to. I was still trying to adjust to all this.

"I'm Tino." I tried to remain unthreatening. There was no need to start a fight so early in the race. I think I jinksed it, because suddenly the twins and the hunk looked like they wanted a fight. Clove (I think it was) jumped in between them. I almost jumped in after her, there was no way I was going to see any girl get torn up by that monster. To my shock, she socked him in the face, hard.

"Listen up! If you guys think we should get moving, then let's go! Everybody find a backpack you're comfortable with carrying, and fill it with the supplies you think you'll need. Remember what the computer told us while you're deciding. Make sure you get plenty of food, we don't know when we'll find any again. Finally, pick your weapons. We'll meet back here in ten minutes and finish introductions. Then we'll figure out where to go from there. Got that?"

Wow...she's awesome!
I quickly obeyed her orders, there was no way I was getting on her bad side. She seemed really nice, but only if you weren't going to cause any problems. This I could do. I walked over to the pile of backpacks, careful to keep everyone in sight and not let anyone get behind me. I didn't let any of my careful nature show though. I selected a smaller, light weight pack with a large water feature. Just then, the hulk-man threw a large back pack to the floor from the other side of the pile. My ears stung as he blurted out some very foul language. He noticed me.
Note to self: Fail on avoiding contact.

"What's the matter Care Bear? Never heard that word before? I can teach you some others if you want." He snikered and grinned at me viciously. I stepped back, quick to show submission. There was no way on Earth that I was competing for dominance with that guy. I might as well have committed suicide. I stepped toward Clove, the one person I at least knew wouldn't kill me where I stood.

I waited until the foul-mouthed human tank chose his weapons and left to select any myself. You could tell a lot from the type of weapon someone wielded. He was obviously good with hand-to-hand combat and prefered the cowboy style. Me on the other hand...
I looked up at the many different weapons. Each looked deadly and ready to kill. Though I couldn't remember my past, or anything really, just by looking at these weapons, I somehow knew how to use each one. The bigger guns were too bulky though, and would create unwanted attention. Same with the large swords and knives. Then something caught my eye. I reached toward the package and pulled it carefully off the wall. It unravled to reveal about 50 small, black knives, glistening in the light. They were thin, perfect for throwning. They were evenly balanced and were strong enough to break bones. Easily hidden. Perfect.

(sorry that was so long!!)

Quin

"Listen up! If you guys think we should get moving, then let's go! Everybody find a backpack you're comfortable with carrying, and fill it with the supplies you think you'll need. Remember what the computer told us while you're deciding. Make sure you get plenty of food, we don't know when we'll find any again. Finally, pick your weapons. We'll meet back here in ten minutes and finish introductions. Then we'll figure out where to go from there. Got that?"

I look at the girl in shock. Wow she's hot! I think to myself. I quickly throw a glance towards Ike who looks like he's thinking the same thing... of course.

"Dang you two freak me out," Rafe says to the two of us. We roll our eyes and smile, and by the look on Rafe's face, we did it perfectly in sync. He walks over to the magnificant wall of glorifious weapons and begins to choose his. Ike and I turn and look towards the wall.

For once, my brother and I are thinking differently. He goes straight for the smaller pistols with powerful bullets while I go to the bigger riffles and such. I grab a bag and fill it with as much food and amo that I can fit, completely ignoring the weight. Ike takes a few pistols and knives and begins to try to hide them all over his body. I take a shotgun and sling it over my shoulder. Ike takes a dagger-thingy and straps it to his belt. I chuckle and take a longer, much longer, sword and attach it to my back.

I take a step back and look around at my companions. My eyes rest on a smaller boy that I heard introduce himself as Tino. It would be amusing to call him Dino. Ike steps closer to me and nudges my shoulder.

I look over to him. "What?" I ask.

"Do you think he would hate me if I called him Dino?" he asks.

I raise an eyebrow. "Why in the world would you call him Dino?" I ask, although I was just thinking the same thing.

"Because I overheard that his name is Tino."

I snort. "Like that answers anything." I look back to Tino, and then back to my brother again. "He's anything but a Dino. He's so small."

Ike chuckles. "That's the point."

I roll my eyes. "Trying to make enemies so soon in the race seems pretty stupid to me."

"I wont do it if it annoys him!" Ike protests. "I just want to know if I can." Ike pauses. "And don't try to lie, I know you were just thinking the same thing."

I laugh. "Then let's go ask him."

We walk over to the smaller blonde boy.

"Hey, Tino!" Ike says. "Quin had this brilliant idea to call you Dino!"

Of course. I look over to my brother who sends a smile at me. I have to admit, I would have done the same thing if I were him.

(Tell me if anything's wrong!)

Alicia Oliver

"Listen up! If you guys think we should get moving, then let's go! Everybody find a backpack you're comfortable with carrying, and fill it with the supplies you think you'll need. Remember what the computer told us while you're deciding. Make sure you get plenty of food, we don't know when we'll find any again. Finally, pick your weapons. We'll meet back here in ten minutes and finish introductions. Then we'll figure out where to go from there. Got that?"

I nodded to myself and immediately picked up a yellow backpack. I slinged it around my arm and took a look at everything around me. I frowned. Most of them looked displeasing. I watched as the twins picked up silver looking things. I noticed how there was a hole in the front. A gun! I shuddered, and bit my lip. I just took a water bottle, and a few pieces of food. I sighed and stepped back.

"No weapons?" Clove asked from behind me. I bit my lip, and shook my head.

"I don't like them. I don't like the things that go boom!, the pointy thingies, or guns," I simply answer.

"So how are you going to defend yourself?" she asked. I tilted my head and thought. I could invent things! No, too much work. Thats all I could think of.

"I'll try to find something," I answered, before smiling. Clove nodded and walked away.

(Sorry this is short! School today. -_-)

-Tino

"Hey, Tino!" One of the twins called. "Quin had this brilliant idea to call you Dino!"

...hu?

I tilted my head slightly.

"Uh...how would Dino work? I'm like...at least a foot shorter than you." I said nether irritated or sarcastic. I was just stating a fact. I half way regretted saying what I said. Did that sound at all threatening? As I looked up at those two twins towering over me, I seriously hoped that they weren't the bullying type.

The both laughed, and I had to smile at the almost perfect mirror they looked like.
"Yeah, well you could be a little Dino!" Suggested...Quin? Or maybe that was Ike...not sure.

"Yeah! A mini-raptor!" They both shouted suddenly, then fist pounded eachother at the exact same time. I grinned. They weren't being mean at all. Just teasing, but friendly all the same.

"Haha, can I stop you?" I said jokingly.

The twins looked at eachother, then down at me.
"No!" They laughed. I laughed with them.

"Well then, I guess that's a yes!" I smiled at them.

"Sweet!" They high-fived eachother.

"See? I told you he would be fine with it. I'm always right." Said...Quin.

"You never said that, you just said it would be a good idea to call him Dino." The argument continued as they walked back to their supplies.

"Oh, your just jealous that I was born with the brains!"

"Yeah, well at least I got the looks! Chicks don't go for brains, it is all about the muscles."

"What are you talking about? I'm taller! Therefore, I've more attractive."

"Yeah, well that just means your more likley to get hit by lightening!"

"At least I'm not color blind!"

"Yeah well..."

The rest of the argument was lost when they were too far away to hear anymore. I had a feeling I was really going to like those two.
I went back to putting food and other supplies in my pack, now grinning ear to ear, and I could tell the smile wasn't going to leave anytime soon.
Just the way I like it. This acually might be kinda fun!

(Sorry if I got the twins wrong! Tell me if I need to change anything!)

Ike

"At least I'm not color blind!"

"Yeah well..." I mutter. I glare at him. "I hate you," I say.

Quin glares back. "You're ugly," he says back. We stand our ground for a moment before I feel the corners of my mouth pull up into a smile and I break out laughing. Quin smiles.

"Ha," he laughs. "I win."

"Only because you pulled the, 'you're ugly' line," I argue, still laughing. "That doesn't make sense, you know. It means you're ugly to."

Quin nods. "That's the point."

I glare at him with a smile still on my face. Reaching down, I grab my bag and throw it over my shoulder.

"So when's this game supposed to start?" I ask.