Torn.

You're a little late, I'm already torn.

Dione Martell, District One Female.

Finally, we give up. After much discussion - from Magnus and Genevieve, mainly - Magnus has let us sit down and stop. He's a good enough leader, though I'm glad he has that position and not me. Sometimes, he looks tired or conflicted, but he quickly hides it. He can't hide it from me though. When I killed that girl from District Eight and her district partner kicked him between the legs, I saw him break. I saw him crack open like a shell and reveal something I've never seen before. He hides it, whatever it is.

I sit down and finger the bag open, pulling out the darts. Laise gives me a wary look as she sits down opposite me. She won't understand, none of them will. I pull out the array of darts into my palm and start to push the point through the leather. I glance up, Laise's curious eyes on me.

"Makes it tougher," I say off-handedly. "Also, a lot more sharper."

"This is probably the first time you've ever talked to me," she replies, her voice a mixture of surprise and ice. I shrug my shoulders and continue to pierce them. "Don't you want them poisoned first? They are poisonous darts, after all."

Laise is just like all the other girls in District One that never understood me. Never understood what I did. No, of course not, they just jumped to conclusions - only some were right - and began to spread the rumors like wildfire. Before I knew it, I became the local "bicycle" that anyone could find. It was easy, I admit, just to flirt a little to get what I wanted. If I need some extra food, the butcher down the street was more than welcome to take other payments for a slab of beef. I'm not a prostitute, I don't sell myself, but it's nice to know that people are willing to hand you things for a simple bit of flirting and attention. You'd be amazed at how many people in District One feel... out of place.

I just didn't expect people to find out and then use me as some sort of entertainment.

"I could hit myself with them when I roll the whip up," I reply. "This way, I just get pricked," there's a pause and I look up at Laise's eyes slowly drifting towards Fedora, who looks like he's sniffing the air. "It'll give us a better advantage."

"Or yourself." Laise comes back.

"Only one winner, after all, so it's not like I'm selfish."

Laise doesn't respond. I've watched her enough - Laise is very bittersweet. Her personality varies on who you are or how you react. She was always kind to Genevieve, indifferent to myself and Fedora, and she seemed to have a little bit of banter with Magnus. She's one of the many girls that I dislike. Finally, I lift the weapon up, admiring it. Perfect. This'll make kills so I don't have to strangle each damn tribute.

Fedora cuts across the gap and locks in another arrow. For a moment, everyone turns, expecting to find a tribute there. He raises the bow and the tension is running high. I stand up immediately, locking my eyes in the distance.

"False alarm," he mumbles and I sigh, because really, what was the point in that? "We should get hunting soon though. If things become boring, they'll set up traps and send out Mutts."

"Where do you suggest we go then?" Magnus quips.

"Anywhere but here. This direction, together, maybe split up. I don't really care."

Magnus jerks his head in Genevieve's direction and her eyes snap into a glare. "I disagree. Stay together," she pauses and looks at Laise, eyes cold. "Right, Laise?"

"Right." she replies sullenly.

Everyone stands up on command, and it's only then do I realise that we must resemble some large machine, all working together. Except, we don't, not really. No Career is trustworthy. The sweet ones, the quiet ones, they're the most dangerous and there's no denying it. Fedora once told Aphrodite that we resemble a wolf pack. I had no idea what he meant, but now, now I do. Magnus makes a command and everyone moves, just not out of respect. We move because at the end of the day, our alliance is beneficial to us all to a point. When that ends, they leave or they die. I'll find the right moment and either tear them down from the inside out, or sneak out in the night. Either way, I won't be that one Career who dies at the hands of another Career.

I curl the whip around my hand, avoiding the array of darts. Laise joins me at the side and we begin to motion down the tunnel, all together. No-one would dare come near us. For once, I have a gang, some people who keep others away from me. Back in District One, people avoided me because of the stupid rumours. People would look and stare and whisper and it made my skin crawl. Sometimes, I cried. Just burst into tears because I couldn't handle the attention. That's the one thing I hate about this - the attention. I don't want to become a Victor or famous, it was just an escape. An escape from the judgement. With the money, I'd leave. Just pack up and go to the Capitol. There, no-one judges you.

When we hit a junction, Magnus makes the decision though he listens to both Fedora and Genevieve's advice. Laise stays quiet, her eyebrows constantly knotted. I don't say anything either, but that's cause I don't care for their decisions, not really. We turn left, our feet echoing against the water. I hate water... always have, always will. No matter the quantity, it's something that hides too many mysteries.

Kinda like the Careers.

I glance at Laise and then Genevieve. With them already breaking, they'd be the weak point. Increase it to make a distraction. I smile slightly to myself as the plan forms in my mind. Force the pair into situations that will cause conflict. Magnus done a good job creating it, but I'll finish it.

Harlow Bellamy, District Eleven Female.

Maxim's eyes never leave mine, a distinct bitterness held in those light orbs. I gulp, looking around awkwardly at Nadia and Tambryn. She was kind enough to let me into the alliance, but her allies are less than thrilled. Maxim won't stop staring at me with accusing eyes and Nadia doesn't even acknowledge me.

"So, Harlow," Tambryn turns her head at me, causing me to eye her up, Maxim by her side and his eyes still locked onto me. "What is District Eleven like?"

I gulp, pushing Darren to the back of my thoughts. "It's nice... it's home. I miss the trees and the smell of apples," I admit truthfully, because what little time Darren allowed me outdoors, that's what I did. Just sat underneath the apple tree and admired God's work at hand. "I miss my bed and my friends."

"What about family?"

"Oh," I squeak, trying to hide the obvious quiver of my lip. "Oh, my family, they um, yeah I miss them a lot," I force a smile and Tambryn allows hers to reach underneath her eyes. "What about y-you and District Nine?"

"I've never really liked District Nine that much," she admits. "People in District Nine are rather narrow-minded. They don't open themselves up to the bigger picture most of the time. You can feel the prejudice radiating off of most residents," she adds coolly, before turning to Maxim. "Isn't that right Maxim?"

He glances up at her and nods. When he looks back at me, I don't feel so uncomfortable. His eyes are softer now, like he pities Tambryn. Oh, oh yeah, Maxim might've known Tambryn from their district. I never knew Adra, since I didn't go to school. His name sends a wave of guilt through my body, settling down like a ton of bricks. With his death, that's one more connection to home just gone. I'll miss him despite our friendship never really blossoming like it could of.

"What about District Six, Nadia?" Tambryn asks. Nadia looks up, clueless to what she said. "I said what was District Six like?"

"Peachy." she brushes it off. Tambryn flinches, like Nadia just slapped her in the face.

"Your mood soured quickly," Tambryn mutters, causing Nadia to scoff. "Nadia what is wrong with you?" she sounds desperate and my stomach flips from nerves.

Nadia snaps her head in their direction and from the side, I can see the faintest dull glossing her eyes. My eyebrows knit as I look harder, almost trying to decipher her.

"Nothing," she almost hisses, purple bags underneath her eyes very clear under the light. I can't move my eyes from them, mesmerized. "I said I was peachy, didn't I?" her head suddenly snaps at me and my heart leaps to my throat. "What are you looking at?"

I shake my head, lost for words. I never had to worry about being torn apart by Savannah. For an alliance, Nadia is making it her mission to make me feel small. It's working though. I instantly shrink back at her sight until she finally looks the opposite way, grunting under her breath. I catch Tambryn's wary eyes, and whilst sympathetic, it just reminds me that I'm out of place here.

"So," Tambryn cuts the tension with her words. "Harlow," I look up and she smiles crookedly. "Do you believe in fate?"

My eyes widen again. Darren always told me to keep my religion quiet. He doesn't believe in God at all - and he doesn't allow me to preach, even though I wouldn't - and his harsh whispers were always to never, ever tell anyone about my beliefs. His words echo in my mind once more as I stare at Tambryn harder, searching quickly for an answer.

"I... I don't believe in fate," I admit truthfully. Everything that happens has something to do with God. Predestination. "...not everything happens for a reason."

Tambryn sits forward a little. "You don't think that some higher power pushes and persuades things, making them happen?" she asks.

I bite gently on my bottom lip. There is a higher power, just not fate. "Nope," I reply timidly. "I don't."

"But then what actually makes things happen?" she queries, eyes bright. "Something causes everything to happen. Fate does that. Fate pushes things forward and sets them in motion," she leans closer a little bit more again, Maxim almost sucked into the shadow her body creates. "If there isn't fate, what causes everything to happen? Something does; it just doesn't happen."

I want to shrink back again. Something I remember from my childhood was my religion being the main focus of my family. My parents, they treasured what they had, said that it gave them hope. They wouldn't miss the chance to tell someone about the wonders that God can do. Darren, though, he won't allow that... but at the same time, I feel like it's my duty to continue what my parents had always done. I owe it to them.

Don't tell anyone our secret, got it?

"Come on Harlow," Tambryn smiles. "I don't want to argue, I won't bite either, but I like this discussion. Best one I've had since leaving District Nine."

"I-I dunno."

"Harlow," Tambryn drawls with that lopsided smile of hers, the same one she cracked when she found me. "It won't hurt to say what's on your mind. Go on."

My whole mind is conflicted. My parents, the ones who loved me and raised me well, or Darren, the "brother" who now cares for me? I feel like I'm betraying one or the other by staying silent or speaking out. The only difference is one could get me killed, whilst the other would simply make me feel as useless as I did when I watched Savannah die, eyes pleading for a girl who couldn't save her.

"I-I don't believe in fate," I mutter, swallowing my whole throat, it feels like. "I-I think there's something else, but not fate," I hold my breath as Tambryn's eyes light up with curiosity. "Just not fate."

"Continue," Tambryn encourages but I shake my head. I look at Maxim, but I can't see him, body pressed into Tambryn's. "Harlow, we're your allies, you can trust us."

But I shake my head again. I just can't. I can't betray Darren when I know that speaking out could get me killed. He told me not to speak and I cannot. I owe him that much. This one time, when I spoke about it, he let loose, screaming and shouting and punching himself in the head. I was terrified; my faith could do that to one single person. I promised myself to try not cause that much trouble for Darren, the person who managed to give me a home.

"I see," Tambryn sighs. Maxim leans forward, his eyes not so accusing anyone but rather lost, like he's confused. He glances at me and offers a small smile. It's confusing, considering all the hateful glares he's been sending my way, but any little kid would feel like that when you step into their home. I remember that happening to me as a child. "Well, let's try and lighten the mood, yes?"

Nadia Halifax, District Six Female.

Tambryn is too perky. She's trying way too hard to shield Maxim away from everything. His sparkling blue eyes hold so much innocence that somehow, he's managed to manipulate her into basically wanting to protect him throughout the rest of his life.

I wince, the bright light too much. One moment, Grey's on my mind, his dark hair and pale skin almost glittering underneath the lime light quite literally. Then his death flashes by, the red anger of the killer's face that seems to blend into Grey's blood, mixing into a horrific picture. He falls and I can't do nothing. It's like a black abyss; something I just can't climb out of. After that, the numbness hits. It's dull and heated, a reminder that my last fix was... so long ago. I lean back against the cool cement and turn my head towards the darkness.

Tambryn is too perky. I can still hear her voice no matter how much I try and block it out. I don't hate her, she's been nice, but the mood will continue to sour as long as I don't have morphling. One time, I went so long without it, I almost ripped my house apart in anger. I don't withdraw, not really, I just lash out. It's always been a problem in my household but it's something that I can't help. I'm an addict, the first stage of rehabilitation, but I can't stop it.

I glance up as Tambryn laughs, little Maxim by her side. He smiles sadly, those brightened orbs just beaming through the damp, darkened tunnel. He's like a beacon of hope. A beacon of hope that Tambryn has clutched onto and literally carries around with her. Does it make her feel better, helping someone helpless? My heart stills. Was I doing that with Grey? Using him as some sort of redemption? I can't think. I can't be asked to think. I sigh tiredly and glance over Harlow, before looking back at the darkness.

She's another strange one. I only really listened to clips of their conversation, but Harlow was acting like Tambryn had a knife at her throat and pressuring her for answers. I don't like Harlow. Well, I don't know her, but for now, I don't like her. She's a leech, if anything.

I close my eyes briefly and wish away the dull thudding behind my eyes. It's like someone is dancing on my skull, bright red shoes clipping and digging and cutting into bleach white flooring.

"Ahhh!" I scream, forcing myself up. A bead of sweat slides off my nose, before I realise that all eyes are on me. "W-"

"What was that?" Tambryn almost sounds accusing. "Are you trying to let every other tribute know where we are?"

"I didn't do it on purpose," I bite back. Stupid perky Tambryn. "I-I don't know what happened."

"Well then." she frowns.

I swallow dryly, my throat raw and torn. I gulp down again in an attempt to draw saliva, but it doesn't work either. It's never been this bad before. Then again, I haven't gone this long without a fix. Each time I try to count how many days exactly, I lose track of everything. I can't even really remember what life was like back in District Six, and Tambryn's question over it had rubbed me the wrong way. She makes it sound like she is some victim and whilst she might be - whilst I see like her - I find her words to be... a bit intruding.

The dull thud on my skull keeps me awake when I close my eyes. The others aren't sleeping, Tambryn and Harlow have a small, one-sided conversation whilst Maxim sits idly beside his "master".

Did people see the same for me and Grey? Of course they didn't. I, well he, he wanted to protect me when it should have been the other way round. I couldn't save him, his dark eyes breaking across the green chaos towards me, and I couldn't save him. I don't even know who took me down and I don't want to question Tambryn on it either; it'll only remind me that I needed Tambryn's help more than anything. Where was Max at the time? I try to concentrate, reminding myself where Maxim was when me and Tambryn tried to get to Grey. I can't remember because he wasn't there. He escaped unscathed whilst Grey died, despite Grey being more needy and helpless.

I blame myself. I blame myself for allowing Grey to be alone.

I force my eyes open when I notice the sweat falling down off of my hair. I don't know how much longer I can cope. With each passing second, my stability is decreasing. It's like I can actually feel it. It's like I can feel my mind shattering piece by piece, shards of glass falling from the barrier and exposing me to something that I haven't been able to face for many years.

One more fix, and I'd be fine. Just a little injection and then I'd be perfect, I'd be able to cope, I'd be able to forget.

I'd be able to not feel whatsoever.

"Nadia?" I look up at Maxim's voice this time, so sweet and bright, like music notes streaming from his mouth. My eyelids are heavy, the world blurring at the corners. "Nadia, you don't look so good."

Tambryn and Harlow fall silent. I force myself to stare at Maxim harder, but his face is morphing, shaping, dark hair replacing light, whilst blue eyes dilute to brown. His skin grows pale, freckled, and I want to cry at who he looks like. It's Grey again. The boy who I couldn't save.

"I'm fine Grey," I mumble, but no-one responds. My eyes are slipping shut again, unable to hold open. "I'm fine."

Bliss Promenade, District Three Female.

"Brigan, darling, did you want anything to eat?" I say sweetly. Brigan looks up, eyes hidden beneath his curls. He shakes his head and looks back down at his bag. "Oh, well, we have tons. How about you Lux?"

"I'm fine thank you." Lux replies.

Great. I sigh, zipping the backpack back up. I thought my allies had more flare then this. Lux has done nothing but sulk or stay away, which, I do not understand after everything, whilst Brigan seems to be withdrawn to his backpack. No-one even cares I'm right here! I scrunch my lips up, trying my hardest to will away the frown and increasing anger. No. Each fibre I have of anger, I have to redirect it to Jayden. Jayden and Nadia. My antagonists.

I mean, how could Jayden target Lux, trying to attack him and injure him? If I wasn't there to save Lux, Jayden might've killed him. I tried my hardest to attack back, but Jayden was too fast, too clever, too strong, and I failed. He ran away and now we're safe. He's probably working with Nadia, the pair of them conspiring against us. But no. He attacked Lux and I had to defend him, just like the angry boy from District Seven who charged at me with a knife. I had to kill him, completely self-defence, I didn't have a choice because the boy had already completely lost his mind to the Hunger Games. Dying at my hands was the quickest, most painless way to die.

I've done nothing wrong. I've done nothing another tribute wouldn't do in the same circumstance.

So why do I feel like Brigan and Lux are being distant with me?

Maybe we need to hunt. Running and fighting, that might make the blood boil and get their hearts pumping. Right now, Lux and Brigan aren't going to make my book with this boredom. I can only exaggerate so much without it coming off as suspicious. I stand up abruptly and look at Lux, a smile twisting on my face as an idea forms.

"Lux, sweetie, can you come on a walk with me quickly?" he looks at me with a knotted, tight-lipped smile but stands anyway. "Thank you. Brigan, we'll be back in a moment, I just want to check something out."

"Um... o-okay."

"Great, thank you," I usher for Lux to follow me and he does so, running a hand through his short hair. We walk and walk until Brigan's body has faded into the shadows and I sigh slightly. "I'm sorry for bringing Brigan into the alliance... I just, I missed Jayden and Brigan was on his own. My heart went out to him."

"I understand," he mumbles. "I feel the same."

"Are you sure? I see the way you look at him," he can't see my face, but I try and hide the smile as much as possible, just so it doesn't sound like it in my voice. Lux is perceptive, I know that much. "I think you don't Brigan as much as you liked Jayden. But Lux... h-he attacked me."

Lux's footsteps stop immediately and I grin, twitching my fingers. I spin around and Lux's eyes are wide. I bow my head, hiding my eyes behind my hair.

"J-Jayden attacked you?" Lux stutters, almost sad.

I nod slowly. "Yes," I squeeze my eyes shut, forcing a single tear to slip out. "H-He charged at me with a knife. H-He tried to kill m-me, Lux."

He gulps thickly. "H-He, he tried, Bliss, I mean, he, he was with me and we were looking for you... oh God, he c-could have killed me."

I allow more tears to slide out, Lux's face contorting into a mixture of anger and comfort. He's grown protective of me and whilst that's cute, it's also needed. I always promised to showcase Lux in a positive light in my book, since he is the love interest in my mind. I step forward, forcing my hands to go outwards, shaky. Lux's eyes widen even more and he swoops forward, wrapping his arms around me. I push my head into the nape of his neck and openly cry, his hands roaming my back and soothing me. I continue to cry, sliding my hands down his back and hooking them in the hoops of his tight pants. I hear him gasp but I quickly cry, reminding him of what he needs to do for me.

"It's okay, it's okay," Lux soothes. "Jayden's gone now. He, he's not going to hurt us anymore," his hands brace my shoulders and pushes me back. "We have Brigan now. And we're a duo, like we were before. W-We'll be okay, Bliss."

I nod, swallowing an imaginary thick lump. I lean forward, allowing my eyelashes to flutter away the fake tears. Lux freezes as I gently push my lips against his, closing my eyes. He's hesitant, at first, but soon melts into it. I even allow myself to smile against his lips. It's all perfect. Lux might have been protective before, but now, now I'm gonna make him obsessive. Jayden leaving might have been the perfect thing. I do need a better bad guy since Nadia has avoided me like the little worm that she really is. This has worked out surprisingly well.

I pull back and look at Lux's fluttering eyes, sparkling underneath the light. He smiles softly and I smile too.

"We should get back to Brigan." he suggests.

"Yeah, yeah we should," he turns around, but I quickly clasp his wrist and spin him around. "Let's not tell him. I don't want him to feel left out."

Lux nods. "O-okay."

I gently run my fingers down his sleeve, brushing against his hand, feeling how cold he really is. He shivers underneath my touch and I smile again. This'll be too easy. With Lux now secured as a love interest, Jayden portrayed as a bad guy, Nadia as the snivelling weakling that couldn't handle it, and Brigan as the little child I care for, my story will blow the minds of every person within Panem, Capitol and districts alike.

But as me and Lux walk back to Brigan, it hits me. A plot twist.

I smile. Time to cause some confliction between the allies; Brigan and Lux, get ready for things to blow up.

Piper Oxalis, District Ten Female.

I take a bite from the beef jerky, swallowing down hard, forcing myself to eat. My hand grazes over my stomach and I try to sort my priorities out.

I'm fighting for myself and a child. But, for now, I need to fight for myself. If I lose everything, become clouded by all the chaos, then I'm just letting him or her down. I'm failing at being a parent before it has even happened. A soft ding in the air makes me look upwards, hopeful. From the shadows, a silver parachute and container flutters down to me almost dreamily. A grin breaks out on my face as it lands in the water, tiny splashes landing on my boot. I quickly bend over and fish it up, opening it up and pulling the note out.

Take this. I'm sure everything is going to be fine, Piper -S

Sunny has always been good to me. When I had no-one else, no real friends, I had Sunny. We first met when she came into the tavern, face hollow. Everyone knows Sunny from being a Victor, but from also having the Head Peacekeeper as a brother. Bale and Sunny were close, as close as they could be, but then he got sent away. Being a District Ten native, Sunny told me, he could only stay at his home for so long before he had to go to District Two and retrain.

Problem was, he never did come back. Sunny was told he had been permanently transferred there. We bonded, that night, over drinks and failures. Everyone knew about both my mother and father abandoning me, because well, who doesn't know the con man's daughter? My father was famous for ripping people off. He left me, and I had nowhere to go. Sunny could sympathise after losing her parents at a young age as well.

I open up the canister to reveal some medicine. I frown, pulling out the pills, one green, one blue. I stare harder, trying to work out what Sunny means by it. Then again, she said everything is going to be... I quickly throw the pills into my mouth and swallow, everything suddenly feeling at ease. It's like my brain is knotted and is finally being released. I sigh, resting my head against the cement.

I need to move, I think. Each moment I wait is another moment that I'm in here and not at home. The baby's father... it's not like he cares. I could just shame him right here and right now, let everyone know that someone with authority knocked a girl up then abandoned her.

Would he even care about him or her? He knows I'm pregnant. I scoff, because he couldn't get rid of me quick enough, worried his wife would find out.

Another soft ding fills the air and I'm almost ready to laugh as a second parachute finds me. Who would be sponsoring me? I'm almost sure that there are many other tributes who are more interesting, more stronger, more capable, and yet someone has been spending their money on me. I scoop the parachute off the floor, head feeling light.

You're in luck, you and Finch are bringing in a lot of money -S

My heart sinks. Finch. Is Finch's money buying me the pills and - I open the canister up to reveal a blood red apple - food? I feel bad for him. Me and Finch don't speak, both too occupied in ourselves, but everyone has some distinct connection to their district partner, whether you like them or not. That person was plucked from the poverty alongside you; you can't help but feel a minute connection. I hope Finch goes far but that we never cross paths, particularly with the creepy girl from District Five as his ally. Does he even know that she's not all there between her ears?

I quickly grab my quarterstaff and stand up, blinking back the shadows that build in front of my eyes. Whatever Sunny gave me, it's almost like a sedative, the kind that my baby daddy used to slip me before we done the deed in his wife's bed. Bitterly, I bend and grab the backpack, beginning to walk down the tunnel.

I want to blame my father for everything but I can't. Mother walked away easily - though she wasn't all brought together in the head, so my father says - and father had to run. He had to escape after we tried to steal some meat from an abattoir located down the street. We would both have been punished. I blink back the tears, remembering how I fell over, crying, and how he tried to help but in the end carried on running. I want to hate him for that. I want to spit on his grave, and yet, I can only think of the man that raised me and tried to provide a better life for me. He ran, and then Peacekeeper Vega found me, lecherous smile and snake-like eyes. He promised me a better life alongside as I returned the favour on multiple occasions.

The tears fall freely as I continue to walk further and further, feet aching. Lucky saved me, though, giving me the barmaid job and the room above the tavern. With Lucky's help, I was able to escape.

Lucky's name is another that weighs heavily on my heart. I never got to tell him that I loved him. That the blonde haired, blue-eyed boy was my reason for staying alive, before I found out I was pregnant. Lucky is the only one who knows. He got the local veterinarian - the one who usually told the farmers about pregnant cattle - to test on me after a series of morning sickness and blood.

I finally give up walking, fingers uncurling to drop the backpack and quarterstaff. I was so held together, and now, now I can only think about all the different reasons as to why I need to return home. Each one weighs on my shoulders more and more, yet, they are the only reasons I have left. My daughter or son. Lucky. Sunny's friendship and Macaulay's kind eyes.

That's all I have left.

I have to win for all that. I can't win for myself because I just don't have the motivation to do that. I need a driving force, cause I sure as hell can't fight for my life on my own.

A faint ticking sound beeps in the air and my ears are alert within seconds. Panic sets in and I hastily grab my fallen possessions, the curved wall feeling a lot closer.

And that's when I realise that the tunnel is sucking itself inwards, ready to crush me.

Wisteria Arnette, District Twelve Female.

My mind blurs as I run faster and faster for the exit. The grinding sound fills the air and I can only think of one thing - getting to the end of a long fucking tunnel. My boots hit the ground hard as I run, the curved walls almost moving with grace inwards, taunting me. It's close, the air limited and my breathing hard, bitter tears hanging on my eyelashes. As I slam my boot down again, I don't hit flat ground, but rather the curvature of the wall.

My heart skips a beat and everything goes into slow motion, my body breaking out into the open space of a conjunction. The walls slam shut and I go to move, feeling my arm almost dead. Panic rises in me and I turn, one of my backpacks crushed and trapped between the structure. I pull again, but it's almost like a trap, with each pull actually drawing me in. My shaky fingers reach for the knife - hanging on the other backpack - before I swipe it across the orange handle. I fall free, the wall cementing shut properly.

My breathing is hard and I clutch my heart, a mixture of anger and fear building up inside of me. Twice now! First, they try to take away my oxygen, and now, they're trying to jam me between two walls, crushing me to death. A certain Gamemaker is determined to kill me. My fingers are still jittery as I try and hook the knife back on the hook.

I need to move things along. I've been here for what seems like hours and not a single kill since the bloodbath. Is that why they're doing this? Setting in some twisted sense of paranoia, just to make us think we have to kill in order to finish this sooner? Because, if that's the answer, then it sure as hell is working. I can't keep looking over my shoulders. I can't allow the paranoia to eat away at my sanity, each tunnel just being another trap to try and make my cannon sound a lot quicker than it should. I start to walk in any direction, constantly snapping my eyes around for any tell-tell signs that something might kill me soon.

When I find someone, I'll kill. I have no other choice. They want entertainment, and I'll have to bring it to them. I can't look at the other tributes and see the faces of children. No, I need to see the faces of someone who deserves to die, has to die, because that's the only way I can will my body to drag that knife across their throat.

I hope Iris isn't watching. The thought that she might see me kill someone makes my stomach churn.

"Maxim, did you want something to eat?"

My heart stops as I hit the next conjunction. I quickly throw myself against a wall, gritting my teeth to hold the pain. Whose Maxim? I search through my mind as hastily as possible, putting faces to names. The District Nine boy. My heart sinks a little, but I can't think like that. I'm not here to be nice, I'm here to hold up a gamble that I recklessly took. I kept to my word, and that includes becoming the Victor. On instinct, I fiddle for the knife, hooking back off the backpack. It shakes in my hand and I steady my breath.

I can do this. I mean, being on my own, my only have a minor connection to Jayden, but simply for our district. Besides that, everyone else is definitely a stranger. A stranger I can kill because they are just a face, and I don't need to know their story.

"Nobody wants to eat your food!" my eyes widen. Who is that? It could be one of his allies. A different voice, though. Three voices. An alliance. That's just perfect. I lower my knife, realising that I can't kill any of these tributes; it'd get me killed just as easily. "I can't stand this m-much longer!"

"Nadia, stop it! You'll attract attentio- where are you going?"

The voice travels but the footsteps hit me first. I try to sink myself further into the shadows, the silver of my knife glinting. I hold my breath and the footsteps stop. "I-I need some s-space!"

"Nadia, it's not safe out there on your own!"

Some more footsteps. "Ju-ust leave me alone f-for a moment!"

Whoever Nadia is, she's stuttering. There's a certain pain in her voice that hits home for me. Nadia. Nadia. District Six. Her ally, he's already dead. The other girl must be Tambryn, the District Nine girl. Yeah, it's that alliance. I gulp hoarsely and squeeze my eyes shut. Please don't be watching, Iris, please don't be watching. The footsteps start again, and for a moment, it's two pairs, not one. Then the second stop and I think that the Nadia girl is abandoning the others, her footsteps becoming harder as I guess she runs. I force myself deeper into the shadows, stray stones on the cement wall digging into my back.

A splash of water causes me to look up at the smaller, lithe girl standing in the middle. I can't see her face, but I know she's pained, and the way she's scrubbing her face with the balls of her hands, my point is proven. The knife twitches in my hand, almost in time to her wavering breaths. A tear slips down my cheek, followed by a noise. I bite my lip instantly but it's too late.

Nadia turns around, her eyes wide. I lose all focus and just lunge forward, knife at the ready.

She doesn't have time to move as the blade sinks into her upper body, in the middle, hopefully her heart. My body convulses as I splutter, tears rolling down my face as Nadia stares at me. Her eyes are dark and glassy, colour slipping away as she falls into my arms. My knees buckle and I fall with her, smaller body breathing slow underneath my touch. I gently rest her head back as her cannon sounds, shaking the walls.

"Nadia?!" the Tambryn girl screams.

My heart leaps to my throat and time rushes at me, hitting me full on. I pull the knife up as the footsteps echo throughout the tunnel.

"Nadia!"

Torn by Natalie Imbruglia.

The blog for this story is claustrophobia hunger games . blogspot - all deaths will be notified here!

Nadia Halifax, District Six.

All deaths will be based on realism, story arcs and whether or not the submitter is reading the story. Obviously, reviews let me know this, and if said submitter chooses to not review, I have no idea if they're reading the story, and therefore, am more inclined to keep other tributes over said submitter's tribute. Each decision is painstakingly hard but must be done. Everyone knew the odds when they created a character. I would hope you stick around, but if not, I understand.

To Inverness Umbrella, I apologise for Nadia's demise. I just didn't know how longer she could hold on whilst suffering from withdrawal and Grey's death in her mind.

I would love for you to answer a specific question I have for each chapter!

Stand out tribute in this chapter?

And, of course, a general review on my writing? It's invaluable!

I understand that people might think weirdly of this, what with me showing all these tunnels doing different things... but trust me, it's all needed. Each provides a different sense of claustrophobia. Not all tunnels are dangerous, only certain ones. The storm drain is larger tunnel located in the middle of the arena, it's bigger and wider. Any other tunnel could be oxygen-deprivation or closing in, etc.

There might even be more tricks ;)

So yeah. I'm setting up plots still, it will get more intense and tough.

Oh, on that note, I don't know a lot about withdrawal or drug use or anything. I researched and it can have a variety of effects. I was trying to showcase Nadia's withdrawal, possibly worsened by the situation and Grey and everything.