Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.
~Mother Teresa

~No Way Out Of Hell~

Annie

I was already sweating, gritting my teeth, and gnawing on my nails, as we were transported into the arena. I imagined Finnick in my head, wondering what he was doing…

The arena was full of grass and tall trees that created grand forests. I could see a lake far off. Somewhere in this place was the Cornucopia. This year, they decided to hide if from us. "Trying something new", they said. I looked around at all the other tributes, as we assembled into a circle. District 1 Boy, whose name was Daniel, cracked his knuckles and glared at Matthew, who was looking down at the grass. Zana looked horribly nervous but confident too. I wondered how I looked. Probably like a small child who missed their mommy.

Claudius Templesmith's voice came on, over our heads. His voice was excited, and I felt my stomach twist in disgust. "…Are you ready? Ladies and Gentlemen…let the 70th Hunger Games begin!" His voice shut off. All I had to do was wait for the trumpets. Then I could get out of there.

The bell rang, and when it did, it was like someone playing a film. Everyone was frozen until that trumpets sounded. Then hell was let off its leash. People were already fighting, deciding to kill of all the weaklings so the Games could really start. I raced out of there, into the forest. But I couldn't help it. I had to turn around and see if Matthew was okay. I remembered what Finnick said: Get out of there. Don't worry about Matthew. But I just had to. He was there, still fighting. He threw a sharp knife right into a girl's throat. Where was Daniel? And Zana? They were gone. But they did kill a few people before they got away. I ran deeper into the forest, the sound of fighting faded away. I found a tall, big tree, and I immediately climbed up into it. I found a few thick branches I could use to set up my bed. I led out the small cloth I had for my bedding, put my backpack to the side and waited. This was what I planned to do until the Games ended.

Finnick

I will try. Her words bounced around in my head, as Mags and I watched the Games begin. Blue came over, and I could tell she had been crying. So I let her sit next to me, and I held her hand. No matter where we were from, we both hoped Annie didn't die. Mags watched Matthew, her eyes full of tears. Annie had raced off into the forest. I watched her fade, hoping she would be alive after the death count.

13 dead. None of them were Annie. Both of the tributes from District 1 were still alive. Matthew was still alive. District 2's male tribute still lived. Both of District 3's tributes. Both tributes from from 8, and one from 5.

Annie

The night came quickly. That was the first time I appreciated night. No one could see me. I sat in the tree the entire day, waiting for a sound. I realized I didn't know what I was going to do if I heard that sound. I also realized that I needed water. And food. I had to find the Cornucopia. I slipped out of the tree and deeper into the forest.

The lake wasn't very far. The arena was as quiet as a mouse. And that was what scared me. Silence was frightening. Noise allowed me to know that someone was there, good or bad. I pulled my canteen from the bag and filled it with the lake water. I ran some water over my skin to cool down. Now the Cornucopia. I went walking, expecting it to not be that far from the lake. But after five minutes of walking, I hadn't found anything. I looked around. I spotted in the distance, a cone. It was the Cornucopia. I didn't let my excitement take me over. I ambled over to the cone. Inside were packs of sharp, silver knives, bundles of bread and fruit, and bows and arrows. I grabbed a pack of food then left. My weapon was hiding. I wasn't planning on killing anyone.

I ate small pieces of the food. I knew I was going to need it more later. When I was really hungry. I climbed into another tree, and waited for sleep to take me over. But when sleep finally came knocking, I didn't want to let it in. I was scared that someone was going to come and murder me. But sleep broke in, not caring if I saw daylight ever again.