The Games come on this afternoon. I'll watch what I can bear. I doubt it will be much but I need to see Elena's face. I'm now busying myself with as many chores as possible to pass the hours leading up to sitting in front of the televsion, when I know I'll cry. Aurelia hasn't produced much milk lately, so meals have been pretty dry. That's okay though, because everything has turned dry. And cold. And bare. Because Elena isn't around. I piled the last chunk of wood onto the stack behind the house and sharply turned the corner. My mom was standing there and when I walked into her, she dropped the bucket of milk she had just filled. There was nothing I could do to save the luke warm liquid running through the dry soil, so I just apologized and ran into my room. My bed has never felt so warm. I wish I could just lay there forever and forget anything had ever happened. That the Games weren't real.

This fantasy was quickly interrupted when I heard the announcement on the television. I slowly got up and wandered into the living room. I sat at the end of the sofa and propped my feet on my mother's lap. I guess she didn't mind, she didn't knock them off. President Snow came on the TV first and explained the reason for these stupid Games. It took a while. I'm not sure why he takes the time each year to explain something that every citizen of Panem understands and hates. Anyway, he walked away from the podium and the country seal aired while cheesy music played for a while. Finally, the camera shot widened and showed 24 circular platforms. The platforms the tributes will soon be standing on. If only I could know what Elena was thinking. My advice? Run. And don't stop until you're out of the country. If only that were possible.

The first platform produced a small boy from District 1. He looked terrified. Next the girl, then 20 other teenagers horrified of what is about to happen. Jonathon rose, then, seconds later, Elena. The 24 tributes stood on their platforms completely still for a few moments. Then boom. The gong sounded and blurs of nylon jackets filled the screen. A few screams were heard and blood could be seen from any shot. I just quietly sat on the sofa, in complete safety, motionless, looking for a glimpse of Elena. I knew she wouldn't be standing too still to see. I just hope she's in the woods already, in a tree. Away from the other tributes, and mostly, I hope she's safe. I can now only wait until the end of the day when the tributes who have passed are shown in the dark sky. Hopefully, I'll never see Elena there.