Day One

Arnold was woken up early the next morning by the Avox guy who must have been assigned to him. Arnold showered, dressed, and tried to eat some breakfast. But he couldn't. Finnick gave him a pep talk all the way to the prep team, but he couldn't pay attention.

Lorna wasn't there. But in some ways, he was happy she wasn't, seeing as it would have made life considerably harder for him.

Sulla gave him some lightweight trousers, sturdy shoes and a breathable t-shirt with a fleecy sweater over the top, before ushering him into the elevator. His stomach was bouncing, and Sulla bid him goodbye as the glass tube lowered over him. Arnold was jumping on the spot, trying to fight the nerves. But he couldn't.

He was then being moved upwards. Towards the shaft of light above. And he was very nearly sick.

Blinking his eyes, adjusting to the light, he realised he was in the arena – and all the Tributes were dressed similarly.

A grassy valley, half encircled to the left by a rushing river, with full woods across the river. He spotted a small fjord farther down. Hills to the right. A small thicket. And in front of him, the Cornucopia.

Halfway in he saw a javelin, attached to a backpack, with a few knives hanging from a belt. He needed those.

It was eerily silent, the other tributes planning out their moves. He could see Maggie, to the left of him. They made eye contact, and he slyly gestured to the river. She nodded very slightly. It could have been a twitch, to the less well informed. An axe and a backpack were embedded in the ground not too far in front of her, and Maggie had casually spotted the fjord. It wouldn't take her long to make it to the crossing, but it would be quicker for him to swim.

Then the countdown began.

Ten.

Nine.

He spotted Lorna, locking eyes with Raul. Arnold kissed his fingers, and extended them towards Lorna.

Eight.

Seven.

Maggie was counting with the voice.

Six.

Five.

Lorna's gaze met Arnold's and she kissed her fingers back at him, biting her lip.

"I love you," she formed with her lips. Arnold formed them, too.

Then she looked to the front.

Raul was tense. Scared.

Four.

Three.

Two.

Lorna closed her eyes.

One.

And she ran.