I want to say a huge thankyou to C.T Macabre for the favourite and follow, and the many kind words! I am so very very grateful!

So, here we are, the games are beginning! That means violence, adult themes, etc, so if any of you aren't okay with that, please don't read on!

Enjoy you guys, thank you for reading once again! 3

THE GAMES

The clock was on 48 when my eyes finally adjusted to the brightness. I glanced around quickly, to see all the other tributes with a good few meters distance from each other, everyone on podiums, in a semi-circle, facing the giant gleaming cone that was in front of us. This must be the Cornucopia. I saw bags scattered everywhere, and weapons positioned right in the mouth of the huge metal horn. Do not go for them, take a bag and run…

My eyes scanned the ground for the closest bag, and I saw it, halfway between the Cornucopia and what seemed to be leading into a forest. The trees around the area where not very tall, but might provide good cover if I take off quickly. We were all in a field of long grass, with small purple and red flowers jutting up in patches. Definitely much prettier than last year.

30. The tributes all had their eyes forward, in position to bolt as soon as the count hit zero. I made brief eye contact with Thread, but he broke it quickly. I wonder if he was still considering protecting me. My body was tense, staring at the clock, sweating out of nerves and the heat from the sun that beat down on me. 20. I started taking deep breaths to calm myself. Don't panic, it's going to be alright… I wondered if Barney and Isaac were watching right now. I wonder if Barney could see how scared I was.

10. I heard a girl start crying, it was the girl from 7 that threw up on stage at the Reaping's. I didn't dare glance at her. Her wails nearly drowned out the ticking as the clock numbered down. 5. Oh my god, it's going to be okay, just take the pack and run… 3. I tried to swallow my fears, preparing my legs to run as fast as I humanly could. 2.

1.

0.

I almost fell of my podium, dashing out quickly, my breath catching in my throat, reaching that backpack, before I was pushed sharply. It was Thread. "RUN!" He screamed. I caught the look in his eye, and I took off between the trees, stumbling and tripping, the cold rush of air burning my face as tears leaked from my eyes. I slowed down, trying to catch my breath. The echoes of screaming filled the air. I heard no one nearby. I had to go back; I had to see if Thread was okay. I silently circled around, creeping up at the edge of the trees, hoping to be able to see the Cornucopia, and still not be spotted. Crouched down in a clump of thick long grass, I saw.

The Careers group had formed, and they were merciless. Shine, the pretty girl from District 1, was laughing as she took a knife to the throat of the girl from 5, the girl screaming and struggling before her blood spilled all over the grass. Silver quickly sent an arrow through the boy from 11 as he tried to make an escape, his body falling limply on the ground, the silver arrow gleaming from his head. The girl from 12 was running, her brother falling behind her, his wails sending chills down my spine as a sword skewered him from the back to the front. Jedrek wiped his hands on his jacket, not even bothering to follow the screaming blonde girl.

I couldn't keep count of the people falling and dying, the looks on the faces of the Careers with each kill. I saw out of the corner of my eye someone darting towards the trees, his dark curls streaming in the wind. Thread! He was being chased by someone, I felt sure it was the boy from 4, who was brandishing a giant knife. The boy lodged his knife in Thread's bag, and they both went down. My heart stopped, hearing yelling, before someone stood up. It was Thread, his hands and face bloody, his jacket wet with dark stains. His first kill. He wasted no time, darting off between the trees, in the opposite direction of me. I saw the Careers finish up, and I didn't stick around.

It was after about 15 minutes of running that the cannons started going off. There were 8 large bangs. Only 16 of us left. I kept trudging on, my legs eventually burning, starting to shake and give out. Even with all the training, I was still weak. I kept going until the forest came to an end, and then I saw what else the arena had in store for me. I thought the arena might just be one huge forest, but meadows and fields stretched as far as my eye could see, everywhere dancing with wildflowers, garden flowers, willow trees and shrubs. It was the most beautiful place I had ever seen. I quickly made my way to a willow tree, pushing aside the strings of green leaves that brushed against the grass. I mustered all of my effort to climb to the top, hoping that I was hidden enough. It wasn't a very tall tree, but the leaves at the top were thick, and if someone came inside, I was sure they wouldn't see me.

I pulled the pack off my back, examining the contents. There was an empty water bottle, some rope, some elastic bands, and some nails. I had no idea what I was going to do with all of these, but it didn't matter right now. I could feel the air growing cooler, knowing that night time was approaching. Gathering my courage, I stuck my head out the top of the tree a little, trying to take in my surroundings. In the distance, between a few more willow trees, the setting sun glimmered on the surface of a small lake. Hope and relief flooded my body. That is where I would head first thing. Then I saw a moving object, heading towards the lake.

Her red hair looked like gold in the evening light, and she looked very much worn down. It was the girl from 3. I saw on the television that her name was Asey. She slowed her running, probably thinking she was in the clear, and that no one was around. So far, she was the only person I saw in this area, and I wasn't about to go and attack her. She seemed to be taking her time to examine the flowers, giving a joyful little skip. Maybe they didn't have flowers in District 3 either, I wondered to myself. Then she screamed.

I saw her scratching at her skin, her moans and wails floating through the air. Pieces of fabric fell from her body, and her hair fell out in chunks. Then she was still, falling to the floor with a thump. A cannon sounded, making me jump. It wasn't until a hovercraft came for her body that I could see what had happened. Some kind of acid must have been sprayed from somewhere. Her face illuminated by the light from the hovercraft, looking melted and holey, and her cheeks were covered with blisters. It's not uncommon for people at home to die from an accident with acid.

I was on edge for the next hour or so, wondering if the tree I was in would unleash its fury, or if acid would spray me in the face as well. At this point though, my body felt so weak, I wasn't even sure if I minded dying. I lay in the crook between two branches, hoping morning would come soon. I wasn't sure what I would do, come morning, but I knew running around panicked during the day would be a lot easier than doing it at night. I sighed and my stomach growled quietly. I figure I should have tried to acquire food before hiding away, but I was too panicked to even think about it. I could always venture out now but…

I must have been up in this tree for at least a couple of hours now, because the sun was gone, and a full moon hung in the air. The cold breeze nipped at my skin and I shuddered, realizing how thirsty I was becoming. My mouth was dry, my lips cracking. My legs still ached, but I decided now was the best time to sneak over to that lake. It wasn't too far away; all I had to do was run over and avoid the area where Asey was sprayed.

The trip down the tree was not as graceful as the trip up the tree. I managed to smack my face on some branches on the way down, grazing my cheeks and hands on the bark. It was a little painful, but nothing compared to the strain I felt in my legs when I started to walk. It was very obvious that my muscles had never endured anything like this before. I pushed through the trees leaves, my water bottle in my hand, limping as fast as I could towards the water source, keeping my eyes peeled for any sounds or movements. The moonlight made it easy to see where I was going, but if anyone was around, it would also make it easy for me to be spotted.

I swerved the bush Asey had been near, seeing hair and cloth on the grass about a meter away from me. I took in the appearance of the flowers, and they were like none I'd ever seen in a book. They had giant purple petals and a small green flap on the stem. I made a mental note to avoid purple flowers for now on. Kneeling by the edge of the lake, I slipped my water bottle into the cool clear water, sighing at the feeling of the water against the scrapes on my hand. I quickly did the lid on my bottle and splashed some water on my face.

It was so soothing, so cool against my small injuries, but it made me feel completely refreshed. I had a small sip of water, making sure it was safe to drink, and then I sat for about five minutes, waiting for any after effects. There was none. I finished the entire bottle, refilled, and then relaxed, taking in the beauty around me. All my life I had dreamed of seeing such a stunning place filled with sweet flowers and grass. The only view at home was giant factories and grey skies from pollution, as far as you could see. Metal fences charged with electricity kept us locked in, and even if you ventured near them, the distance only contained ruins of what once was. The only green I ever saw was the fabric I worked with.

I almost cried out in shock as the Capitol symbol appeared in the sky above me, the Capitol anthem, Horn of Plenty, playing loudly. This is where they would flash images of the tributes that have died tonight. They started with Asey, and as her face appeared in the sky, all I could see was her red hair scattered on the grass a few meters away. The boy from District 4 appeared as well, the boy that Thread had killed. It made me shudder, to know that he died because of Thread, but that feeling fled quickly. I'm glad Thread was still alive. Both the tributes from 5 were dead, the girl from 6, the two from 7, the boy from 11, and last of all, the boy from 12. His twin was still alive.

It was as his face shone in the sky that a strangled scream pierced the air. It wasn't far from me either. I stumbled to my feet and took off back towards my willow tree, my fear and adrenaline helping me scale the branches easier than before. Hiding back up in the top of the brush, I tucked my water bottle into my bag, and stuck my head out. I saw a girl jot out from the trees on the other side of the lake, her blonde hair dancing behind her as she fell into the grass in a sobbing heap. It was the twin girl. I thought the scream was of pain, but she didn't look injured at all. She was just mourning for her brother. My heart tore as she screamed what I assumed was his name at the sky.

But she was too loud, and this was very dangerous, for the both of us. My tree was a good hiding spot, and if she didn't try to calm down, I might be discovered. I watched her as she completely gave up, her entire body on the ground, her weeping never ending. I can't imagine the pain she was feeling. If I had seen Isaac die, I knew I'd be doing the same. But my suspicions were right. She had given herself away.

The Careers burst through the trees on her side of the lake, shouting and laughing, her terrified yelps cutting through the sounds of the night as she attempted to get away. She was halfway through the lake by the time Shine had caught up, her white ringlets appearing to be tinged with dark red. The girl from 12 wailed like a dying animal as Shine held her arms back. Shine pulled out a large knife, laughing. I heard her say something loudly, but I couldn't make out what it was from this distance. Within seconds, the small girl from 12 slumped to the floor, and the cannon fired.

That poor girl. Her family must be absolutely broken. I saw the Careers strip her of her bag, taking all the useful items they could. That's when they headed in my direction. My heart pounded rapidly as they waded through the lake quickly, reaching my side of the meadow with ease. I tucked my head back into the tree and tried to still my shaking body. My bottom lip trembled; I had to bite it just to keep it still.

I heard them walk past where Asey died, gaining distance towards my tree. I gripped my bag tightly, and commanded my body to be still. I can't die at the hands of these monsters. I heard them talking within themselves as they walked past my tree, slowing about a meter away. "I think she went mad," I heard a high pitched giggle, obviously Shine. "She screamed as soon as his face showed, what an idiot!" Rage flared inside of me at this horrible girl making fun of the pain of losing a brother. Her laughter made me clench my fists angrily.

"We need to find the boy from 8," That was Jedrek's voice. They were hunting Thread. Thread did score a high number after all, and he was probably one of the biggest threats to them. But Thread couldn't fight the three of them alone. I hoped he was hiding somewhere safe. "What about the girl from 8?" Silver. My entire body tingled. I heard Shine laugh. "She's not even that pretty, why do you want her?" I should have been insulted, even though I knew I wasn't very outstanding, but I was curious about his interest in me as well.

"It's none of your business," he spat back at her. The tone he held in his voice was incredibly cold. I could hear Shine backing off. "Let's go," Jedrek was obviously the leader. He didn't seem to want to stand around wasting time talking about a useless girl from District 8. He wanted to find Thread. I couldn't see the look on his face, but I'm sure it was terrible. I heard them start to walk away, and I popped my head out the top of the tree again, making sure they were truly gone. The hovercraft came for the girl from 12, and then my thoughts went back to what Jedrek had said. I prayed they wouldn't find Thread, and I told myself I'd look for him first thing tomorrow.