One of the coolest and most interesting parts of Catching Fire is the geography of the arena. However, not all of the zones are created equal. Some zones are definitely more terrifying than others.
While we’re unsure of what terrors four of the time zones (5-6, 7-8, 8-9, and 9-10) had in store for the Quarter Quell tributes, we can easily say that we would be scared out of our minds in each and every one of the arena clock zones. They are designed to push the tributes to their limits or just all-out torture them. We have to admit that, even though we just read about the zones and are not actually experiencing them first hand like Katniss and Peeta, they are definitely worthy of a few nightmares.
However, as we mentioned above, we feel that some of the zones in the Catching Fire tropical arena aren’t as threatening as the others. Yes, they would all scare us and make us go into shock, but only some of them are life-threatening enough to be considered terrifying.
Here’s a quick break down of our perception of the arena zones, from the most “tame” to the most horrifying.
Note: We wrote this list before seeing the movie, so these opinions are based solely on the book. After seeing the movie, we think it’s fair to keep it that way considering only a handful of the zones are actually featured in the film (even though the ones that did make the cut were stunning on screen).
9. Lightning Storm (hour 12-1)
Though it may be intense and the sound of its thunder may resound loudly over the entire arena, we can’t help but think that the lightning isn’t something that would necessarily frighten the tributes. They’re from North America. Thunder and lightning storms are common occurrences and so we feel like it wouldn’t be more life threatening than usual. After all, it only hits one tree over and over again. All the tributes would have to do to be safe would be to steer clear of the tree and find shelter. Easy.
8. Jabberjays (hour 4-5)
On one hand, we can’t help but fear the thought of hearing the voices of our own loved ones in such a horrible place. From the way the Catching Fire describes the zone with the jabberjays, it sounds as if the tributes cannot resist the voices of the birds. They can’t resist running after the tortured voices of their loved ones. We can only imagine how horrible that would be. On the other hand, this zone just doesn’t seem all that terrifying to us. The tributes aren’t in any physical danger and, since all of them are affected and caged in at once, they aren’t really a threat to each other because they’re all being mentally tortured in the same way.
7. Blood rain (hour 1-2)
Yes, just the thought of blood pouring from the sky sends a chill down our spine. Nobody should ever have to encounter anything that creepy. Furthermore, the blood rain makes it impossible for tributes to see or speak. So, even though it’s super unnerving, the blood rain is really only dangerous to those who attempt to escape the zone or amble through it while blinded and disoriented. Again, the best way to survive the rain would be to find shelter. Because the rain blinds and chokes everyone, it’s not like any one tribute would be vulnerable to another during that hour.
6. The unknown time zones (hours 5-6, 7-8, 8-9, and 9-10)
The fact that these four zones were unknown to a large number of the tributes during their time in the Catching Fire arena is a bit disconcerting, if not ominous. After all, how could none of them hear or notice anything going on in one third of the zones? While some may consider it a good sign that there weren’t any dangerous animals or mutations hiding in those zones, we think that the silence and mysterious nature of those zones is terrifying. After all, paralyzing fog is a pretty silent and dangerous killer. We may never know what went on in those zones but, at this point, we’re pretty okay with that.
5. Giant wave (hour 10-11)
We don’t even know where to begin describing how scary these giant waves in the 10:00 section of the arena are. First of all, the tidal wave starts at the back of the forest and works its way toward the beach, meaning that if you are unable to run to another sector, you’re definitely going to drown. The wave is just too wide and too powerful to survive. Even if you happen to outrun it, you wind up running into more water. Plus, because the giant wave moves through the forest, as the tributes run away from it, they’re most likely running into stumps and plants along the forest floor. We don’t know about you, but we’d most likely be goners in that zone because we’d easily trip.
4. Insects (hour 11-12)
Have you ever seen that episode of Supernatural called “Bugs”? Well, in our minds, those pests definitely have nothing on the insects in the arena. Imagine a hoard of large insects buzzing in your ear and getting all over you. Since this is the Hunger Games, we’re assuming that these insects do more than just fly around. We can’t even begin to imagine what kind of pain they could inflict upon the tributes, especially if Finnick believes that they have pincers.
3. Monkey muttations (hour 3-4)
While it’s apparently possible to not get mauled by the bright orange monkeys in this zone by avoiding making eye contact with them, we still would not want to be stuck in the jungle with them. According to the book, these monkeys have razor-sharp teeth and are pretty crazed. If you would even turn to see what’s going on, it would be near impossible to avoid eye contact with them. There are few things more terrifying than rabid animals, but these monkeys might be one of them. After all, they’re rabid animals created by the Capitol. There’s no way they’d ever get tired or calm down.
2. Beast (hour 6-7)
This section is definitely one of the most terrifying for the simple fact that not much is known about the Beast, including how many there are. In Catching Fire, Katniss and her group see a hovercraft retrieving a body that has been cut into five separate pieces. That is definitely not a creature we’d want to be messing with. Like the monkeys, we assume that the Beast(s?) are genetic mutations created by the Capitol to terrorize the tributes. Even though we never find out what the Beast looks like or how it acts, in our mind we’ve always kind of pictured the Beast as the wolf mutts from the first book but with more ferocity. We would never want to come across this Beast. No sir.
1. Paralyzing fog (hour 2-3)
No, fog does not have the terrifying brute strength of a beast or the monkey muttations. However, fog can cover more ground more quickly and easily. Plus, it can be hard to see and even more difficult to get away from because it flows freely through the air. Furthermore, this particular fog chemically burns victims and targets their nervous systems, making the tributes unable to control their own bodies. Those who are exposed to the fog for a prolonged period of time are assured a swift death. There is absolutely nothing about this paralyzing poisonous fog that is not completely and utterly terrifying. Nothing. Give us the monkey muttations and the beasts any day. We would not want to go anywhere near that fog.
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