A/N- So, two big 'benchmarks' in the same chapter! I just found out that I broke 800 views, and this is the tenth chapter! Thanks a ton for everything for everything you've done for this story and for me, whether that be a review, a follow, or even just reading. Thank you, you're all seriously the best!

Also, to make a long story short, there was some lab confusion, and it turns out that I did not break my wrist. Chapters will be faster now that they've unsplinted me. So if you have any suggestions, I will write pretty much anything you ask for. A very helpful reviewer who goes by Radio Free Death on this site asked for more explanation on how Cato was still alive. I will write that, but that chapter may be rated M, because I can't write that realistically without fairly graphic gore. Just so that everyone is forwarned, I wanted to mention that.

Okay, enough of that. Let's get to the real story now.

Chapter Ten

Rue's point of view

Right in front of me stands a room filled with them. All of them. Nearly everyone who was in the arena with me is in that room. Some I got along with in training. Some were pleasant enough on interview night. But the rest are the ones I just want to forget.

After we were deemed physically stable enough to not be under constant observation, we are given pretty much free movement around the district. When I was filled in on everything, it seemed like everyone spent the most time in a conference room set up for us to watch the remainder of the Games in. Other than that, we were all split into pairs of two based on age and gender for rooming assignments. Francesca said that I'll meet my roommate today, so I guess that's what I'm most excited about so far.

But it's not until I get in that it hits me. They're here. They're all here. Francesca said everyone except Katniss and Peeta, and then two tributes from five and two are here. And other than Thresh, I'll see them all today.

Inside of the room that I was directed to, the Games are projected onto the back wall. Everyone is moving around as wanted, or chatting at the tables set up along the walls. As usual, it's the ones from the most powerful districts dominating the environment.

Both of the District Ones are conversing in the center of the room. Nothing is happening on screen other than the four remaining tributes sleeping through a rainstorm, so their presence is what the rest of us are focusing on.

I last saw the girl from a distance, through tree branches. But she never scared me much. As naive as it probably was, I considered myself to be more likely to win than her.

He, on the other hand... Our eyes connect, and a burning and sting intensifies through my midsection. Pressing both hands to the spot, I feel rough, jagged scar lines through my T-shirt, and tears prick the backs of my eyes.

'Run,' I tell myself, though I'm frozen. 'Run. Before it happens again. Just go.'

But I'm still frozen. He is walking towards me now, and I can't react. In fact, I find myself unable to do anything. But I have to think, and quick; he's closer now.

Its a strange feeling when you allow instinct to take over for the first time. My whole life, I've been told how to act, who to listen to, and to think before every little thing. But now, something completely different happens.

Several screams rip through the room. Mine, his, everyone else's. I can't control myself. My whole body starts flying, out of control and wild. The sound of impact from my body against his fills me with a sickening sweet sense of satisfaction.

"I understand you now," I shriek as my fist once again pounds into his chest. "I understand why you like this."

Everyone in the room stares, shocked. Finally, quiet. No one tries to subdue me. It's not necessary now. Everything is out. I'm okay. I don't need to be here anymore, and no one is going to fight me back. I'm free to go.

Maybe I'm even free to go back home...