A/N: Thanks to PrincessLyoka for submitting this chapter!

I hope you all enjoy the chapter :)


"Call my name and save me from the dark

(Wake me up)

Bid my blood to run

(I can't wake up)

Before I come undone

(Save me)

Save me from the nothing I've become."

- Amy Lee and Paul McCoy, 2003.


The 7th Annual Hunger Games

Paylor Christon (14) District 6 Male (placing 8th)

Evanescence feat. Paul McCoy - Bring Me to Life (2003)


I've been stalking this boy from Seven - Dannet, I think his name was - all day. I noticed him when he stepped out of a tunnel, but luckily he didn't notice me. Since morning, I've been waiting for him to sleep, not wanting to lose track of him when night fell, and then strike. I've figured out it was easier to kill someone in their sleep, when they were oblivious to the fact that someone was shoving a spear through their abdomen. They won't even notice someone's behind them when I'm not wearing my shoes. After they're dead, I take their supplies, which has kept me alive for the past five days. I've done this strategy twice with the girl from Eleven and Three, especially the girl from Three. She killed Ruba.

I saw it all. I was running from the cornucopia when suddenly I remembered my district partner. Turning, I just saw a glint of Ruba's bright red hair fall with her body. The girl from Three was above her, a spear in hand with a red spearhead. Ruba's blood.

When she looked up from her kill, our eyes met. She realized what she had done. She saw it in my angry eyes.

She deserved to be punished. So when I found her a couple days ago, I stalked her like I was stalking Dannet now. When she slept, I took my spear and shoved it through her stomach. I said as her eyes popped open in surprise and pain, "That's for Ruba."

Me and Ruba weren't much of friends. We had grown up in the same neighborhood but didn't talk much to one another. But seeing her bleeding out, it threw me over the edge. I had to win for her. And right now, I had the option to get rid of the biggest enemy.

The two from District 12 are probably too worthless to worry about. Then there's the boy from District 5, girl from Nine, the five remaining Careers - both from Districts 1 and 4 plus the boy from Two - and Dannet, who's in my view. That's ten victims to get rid of. Maybe I'll search down and rid the Careers in their sleep. Or I'll let the Careers take care of the rest then finish them off later. Whatever its worth for the Capitol audience, I don't care. I just want to win for Ruba.

But right now I have prey. Like a leopard stalking a gazelle, so the phrase goes, whatever those two things are. Maybe they're mutts. District 10 would know, but they died in the bloodbath.

For a while, I stalked Dannet as we entered a tunnel. I was getting exhausted, hoping he would just lie down and sleep for a while, when I heard it. It sounded like an old wall falling. Turning my head, I saw the tunnel lights flickering as the wall fell and collapsed in on itself.

But not in front of me. Dannet had noticed it, and probably me too, but figured he better run for his light than fight the guy behind him.

We both ran until I was sure was forever. The lights darkened and lightened on and off like a flickering lightbulb, the ceiling of the tunnel caving in on itself.

Finally, Dannet and I stumbled into a clearing. The cornucopia. I back up once I see that the tunnel has stopped turning to rubble but is inescapable.

I'm thinking Dannet is turning to kill me now with his ax, but he seems preoccupied with something else. Someone else must be here. Instead, I peek and see the girl from 12 run into the clearing. Her district partner appears behind her, out of breath. His heavy breathing is the only sound, bouncing off the walls in utter silence.

Without warning, Dannet throws his ax at the girl. She ducked, but it sinks into her District Partner, his cry breaking the silence like a rock to a window. I feel bad for him as I back away, forgetting that there's no way out.

Dannet turns away from the two from Twelve and faces me. I may have the only weapon, but his strength has the upper hand here. I point the spearhead at Dannet, muttering, "Make your move."

He only looks at me. I realize that whoever makes the first move, I'm going to die. I can't fight anyone when they're awake. They're conscious, aware, able to deflect my attack. It only works when they're sleeping. Then I make them sleep forever.

Dannet charges at me just as a cannon fires. I'm thinking its the boy from Twelve just as I throw my spear. Surprisingly, Dannet catches it when he's a few yards away from me, turns the spear point at me, and shoves it through my stomach.

Dannet pulls it out as I crumble to the ground, gripping my stomach, getting my own blood all over my fingers from holding the wound. The pain is so unimaginable. Now I know how the girls from Three and Eleven felt as they died. And I feel guilty for being the cause of it.

I don't cry out. I don't scream in pain. I glare at Dannet as he removes my pack from me and stalks away. Leaving me to die right here. In the arena, of all places.

My face molds to sadness as the tears come from my face. My head becomes woozy from loss of blood. The pain in my stomach gets worse and worse and darkness starts to overcome me. I know I've failed. I won't win for Ruba. District 6 is out the Games. We've never won.

Its as if the pain engulfs me as I watch the last glimpse of life vanish into nothing but black.


A/N: If you enjoyed this chapter, please review! Constructive criticism is welcomed :)