"Hurry up!" He calls again. The voice is William, who has only moved to turn and urge us forward.

By now we're all running over. I've done a lot more running today than I have in a long time, but for some reason I don't feel it in my legs at all. I don't feel worried either. Jason looks worried, William definitely looks worried, but I can't seem to catch into the trend.

The worry starts flowing when I see the slice through Trawl's stomach. A flashback to before, Trawl desperately running through the forest and Jarratt crashing behind him.

Oh no.

It's not worry, but guilt that gets me this time. I didn't stop Jarratt, I didn't hurt Jarratt. Sure, Trawl didn't ask me to, but I should have just done it.

You were too jealous to save his life. The monster in my head nags. There never used to be a monster in my head, at least not until I killed someone.

It might not have even been Jarratt, I affirm.

"Who was it?" Preston asks the fading Trawl.

"Jarratt."

It was Jarratt.

For a moment, I think I should apologize, but Trawl won't look at me and the thought evaporates. I watch as William, the out of place farm boy, tries to comfort what's left of the slain sword master.

Trawl tires to speak again, but it's too late. "I'm sorry I'm… gonna miss thi… -this… I- was looking forwuh-"

The sword master is gone, so the farm boy stands, his face looks scorn.

I watch while Preston takes the sword from the sword master's hand. He died by the sword, but he would not die with it, this quiet one affirms.

It still feels like my fault. But it wasn't even Marie Lynn; I didn't know, I couldn't know.

As I glance around the boys, everyone suddenly seems so unique, so vibrant. They're all so different and I laugh at how strange it was that we all came together. I retract my smile as soon as it rips open my face; now is not the time to smile. Jason still looks handsome, but sad, Preston is quiet, but sad. Even Ayler, who always seemed so confident manages a downward twitch of the lips.

Maybe I'm not sad because I never even wanted him here, or maybe it's because I'm angry. Even though he wasn't originally in my plan, the fact that someone killed one of my allies can still make me angry, can't it?

Everything's happening too quickly to sort my emotions out. Is this why there are so many betrayals in the Games? I didn't plan to have to work on my emotions before I came here, they don't train you in that at the Capitol.

For now, I can pretend that my anger is sadness. Yes, that works.

Wow, I'm a monster.

The circle of boys closes, with everyone wanting something different. The handsome one wants to leave, and the quiet one wants to cry, the confident one is scared, the farm boy prays.

No one notices the sixth until he joins the group. Another smile threatens my cheeks, no one notices Dai Lao a lot of the time. He becomes the final petal on the sword master's flower.

The sixth wants to say something, but a part of him says he shouldn't. This part doesn't speak often, it throws him off guard. It's something that he's never learned to control.

"Who would have thought that he would be the one to go?"

The words ripple around the circle like the shock of a bomb. The handsome one fumes, the quiet one closes his eyes, the confident one looks at his feet, the farm boy says amen, and the sword master drifts away from the world. I still don't know how I feel.


Krikanalo, thank you so much for sticking with me ^_^ I forgot to answer your question regarding Dredd last chapter, but no, I didn't model him after anyone. That's an interesting coincidence though!

Watch for the eagle!