Katniss was shocked. Before she could stop herself, she called Peeta's name.

She clamped her mouth shut, still thinking about the new rule. Apparently, two tributes from the same district could win.

The only other people who could benefit from the new change were District 2 and 7. She wished she could find Peeta now, but she climbed into the tree to sleep.

The next morning, she greeted the others. "I'm going to find Peeta," she said as she ate some breakfast.

"You can go, we'll follow after we hunt."

Katniss retraced her steps back to the stream. She was beginning to doubt that Peeta had been there until she saw streaks of blood on a boulder. She walked along, seeing more stains. She sighed. He must have left, down the stream. She was turning back when a voice said, "Come to finish me off, sweetheart?"

Katniss turned around. Only Peeta would call her sweetheart in the arena. She looked around. There was no sign of him anywhere.

"Peeta?" she whispered. There was no reply. She creeped around the bank.

"Well, don't step on me."

Katniss jumped. There was no one in sight. She looked down as Peeta's eyes opened. She gasped.

"I guess the cake decorating paid off."

"Yes. My final defense of the death."

"You won't die. I forbid it. We're on the same team now." Katniss pulled out her water bottle. "Did Cato cut you?"

"Up high on my left leg."

"Let's get you in the stream and wash you-" A snapping twig interrupted Katniss. She whipped around, bow in hand, but sighed. It was only Triple 1.

Peeta frowned. "Why are they here?"

Katniss shifted. "When Rue died, I formed an alliance with them."

Peeta still didn't look reassured. "It's kinda late in the Games. I don't want to have to kill them... There are only, like, 9 tributes."

Nico didn't look that disappointed. "Well, I guess. If you want to break the alliance, I'm fine. But," he said, eyes narrowing. "You'll see us again."

Percy nodded as he turned around to leave. "We'll definitely meet again."

Thalia walked off with them. Just as she was nearly out of sight, she called, "May the odds be with you, Katniss."


Of course, the demigods didn't actually leave. They did a loop around as not to be seen and followed them into a cave.

They hunted around around for a few days, sheltering in a tree near Katniss and Peeta's cave. They were hunting and cooking while watching for Katniss when they heard the horn.

It was Claudius Templesmith calling everyone to the feast.

"Tributes, I know you may be declining, but please reconsider. Each of you, need something desperately. You will find that something in a pack with your District Number."

Percy tilted his head. "Do you think we should go?"

"Eh, we'll live without it. We don't really need anything, not really." pointed out Thalia.

"We should still go." Nico argued. His eyes said what was unsaid: If Katniss goes, we need to protect her.

"Okay, we'll go." Percy agreed.

The sounds of arguing came from the cave. There was no doubt that Peeta was telling Katniss not to go.

The demigods were ready to leave. They went down the stream and back to the Cornucopia.

They hid behind a bush and got ready to retrieve their packs.


The next morning, Percy spied the table snapping into place. Just as it snapped together, Foxface ran and grabbed her pack.

Percy knew it was clever. No one wanted to chase her without their own pack.

Katniss ran out, deflecting a knife from Clove and sending an arrow at her. She ran, but a knife struck her in the head. Clove gripped Katniss and began to pick out a knife.

Percy's eyes widened. Packs. He mouthed.

Nico nodded. He and Thalia ran to Clove while Percy dashed to the table and scooped up the packs that said 7 and 9. He slammed his sword into the District 2 and 11 packs, cutting a hole in both of them. Nico was attacking Clove, who was hissing at Thalia. Thalia was firing madly, each arrow hitting with dead accuracy. Thresh came out of nowhere and began yelling at Clove about Rue.

Percy spilled the District 2 body armor everywhere. He bolted as Cato came running.

Percy waved to Thalia and Nico, and they ran away. The last thing Percy saw of the feast was Thresh bashing in Clove's skull and Katniss running for her life.


A/N: Okay, that was kinda short, but I just felt like it should end there. Forth and final chapter of today. This one is an APOLLOgy (sorry, bad pun) for skipping the two weeks. I made it up though. I really should write chapters in advance so I can just post them...

Anyways, review!