Soon after we got back, the anthem played. I slumped against the metal wall of the cornucopia alone, watching for the faces in the sky. First is the girl from Three, followed by the boy from Five. Both of the tributes from Six, Seven, Eight and Nine went down as well. I swallow a lump in my throat at the faces of my three victims. The girl from Ten appears last and the sky is dark again.

Alright, who's left? Six careers and Peeta. That's seven. Katniss and Thresh, the two biggest threats left in the games, make it nine. Surprisingly, little Rue is still out there, bringing the total to ten. The sly ginger girl from Five must still be out there, along with the nervous boy from Three and the crippled boy from Ten. Thirteen tributes left, almost half the gone on the first day. I suppose I should feel some joy at my odds improving, after all every death gets me closer to home, but I don't. All I see is Ava and the boy from Seven and the girl from Nine. I think back to the academy and how they spoke of the glory of the kill, the ultimate triumph over your enemy and the validation of your skill as a warrior. It's nothing like that. There's no pride or glory in this. In all their preaching, my trainers left out the part where you kill unprepared kids who never could've fought you in the first place. What the hell did they know anyway? None of them were victors. They'd never been in the arena and faced the awful reality of taking a life. They never knew what it was like to be a tribute. Turns out all they knew was how to destroy dummies and talk about things they didn't understand.

I was a damn fool for ever listening to them.

I can hear the others rustling around near the mouth of the cornucopia, eating and laughing about the day's events like a pack of hyenas. Our nighttime hunt wasn't very successful, Ava being our only kill. Still, it wasn't a total loss for me. I have a general idea of where some of the tributes went. Maybe I can slip out early tomorrow morning and try to find Katniss. I'll need an excuse. Exploring maybe or perhaps hunting. Something to get away from the others.

I return to the mouth later to see the others already sprawled out among the supplies, ready for bed. Cato already looks asleep, with Glimmer snuggling up to him. Lewis and Peeta sleep alone next to some crates while Clove dozes against the cold metal wall, clutching a knife, ready for battle even in her sleep. Only Brooke is still up, watching the darkness with her trident in hand.

"You're back," she comments as I walk by.

"I never left. I just wanted to be alone for a little while," I say. Brooke nods in understanding. From what I can tell, she's not too proud about her actions either. At least she isn't in second place on the kill count right now.

"How'd you get stuck on guard duty?" I ask as I roll my sleeping bag out as far away from Clove and Cato as possible.

"Kill count," Brooke answers, "Lewis already guarded today, Peeta can't be trusted and, minus the princess over there, I had the fewest kills."

I smirk, the annoyance obvious in Brooke's voice. "Oh of course. Can't expect her to miss her beauty sleep, even in the Hunger Games," I say, shaking my head.

"Get some rest. I'll be waking Clove's ass up in few hours for guard duty," says Brooke.

I crawl into my soft, warm sleeping bag and exhale, my breath visible in the frosty air. "Can't say I envy you," I say, glancing at the tiny package of ferocity that is Clove. Not only does she hold a knife in her sleep, she even scowls in her sleep, her dark eyebrows knitted together and her mouth drawn into a tight expression.

Brooke doesn't answer and I lie down. It's only been one day and I'm already weary of death, as if I've never seen anything else in my eighteen years. It's crazy how all the good times I've had, all the years of joy I've had with Striker and my dad and my mom, all get swallowed by the bad moments. Finding out Striker was a cripple, my dad losing his hand, me participating in the Bloodbath and me killing Ava dominate everything, making everything good that happened to me seem like an unimportant footnote.

Hopefully it won't stay that way.

I wake up without an alarm, my body honed by years of early morning training. Sitting up in my sleeping bag, I can see the approach of dawn, the first rays of light spreading over the clearing. Clove is on guard, her dark eyes never leaving the field and her hand never leaving the handle of her knife. Oh course she wouldn't fall asleep. Why can't I just be lucky? Why couldn't someone lazy be on guard instead of one of the District Two Hunger Games-robots? Oh well. I'll have to make the lie good.

I get up and start rummaging through the food crates, avoiding Clove's pointed gaze and trying not to wake the others. Lewis stirs a bit as I crack open a package of dried fruit, but doesn't wake. Good. The last thing I need is more people noticing me going off on my own and wondering what I'm up to.

"You're up early. Relieving me of guard duty?" Clove asks.

"No," I say through a mouthful of the surprisingly good dried fruit, "I'm heading out."

"Why?" Clove asks, arching a dark eyebrow as I grab my pack and spear.

"I'm want to explore the area a bit, see if I can pick up any sign of the other tributes," I say, my tone all-business.

A bit of Clove's suspicion seems to abate and she grins. "Good. If you find one, you know what to do."

I nod, but have no intention of killing anyone who doesn't attack me.

"Good job last night," calls Clove. That freezes me.

"What?" I ask, spinning around to face her.

"Last night, when you finished that little dumbass that made the fire," Clove says callously, "You did a good job. I wasn't sure you had what it took to be a Career, but you've proved yourself."

I feel my anger rising. I'm tempted to go over there and show her just how much of a Career I can be, but manage to hold it in. Peeta's already suspicious. I can't take any further risks.

I don't answer Clove's comment and begin jogging across the grass, still hidden by the shadows of the immense pines trees lining the clearing. It's still fairly dark inside the forest, shadows covering a soft forest floor of dirt, shrubs and pine needles. Still, everything looks a lot friendlier in the morning light, certainly less menacing than last night.

I hike back the we came last night, following what looks like a game trail. There's no sign of the other tributes, but I keep my spear ready just in case Thresh or even the boy from Ten try to take me on. Actually, I haven't seen Thresh since he disappeared over that rise after the bloodbath. In all that excitement, I forgot to see what's over there. I wonder if Thresh is going to move around or camp out once he finds cover. Big as he is, we still have the numbers and staying out of sight is his best move right now.

I keep walking, hoping to locate the remnants of Ava's campfire. If I can find that, I might be able to pick up some signs of other tributes. Maybe even Katniss. Unfortunately, many of these trees look alike and the game trail isn't as straightforward as I thought. It veers off in numerous different directions, all the routes lined by the limitless masses of pine trees that all look the same. The sun rises in the sky, the heat intensifying as I pick a path to follow, not having the slightest idea where it goes.

Okay, I'm lost. The game trail I took completely turned me around and left me alone in this endless maze of trees. Not only that, it's getting hotter. Much, much hotter. I wipe the stinging beads of sweat off my forehead and step into the shade beneath a tree, desperate to get out of the sun for even a moment. I take a long, gratuitous drink from my water bottle. I'm so glad I left it in my pack last night. If I hadn't, I'm sure I'd be dying of thirst by now. I guess the gamemakers are hoping water will force us together. On a day like this, everyone needs it and where there's desperate tributes, there's ratings.

I've given up hope of finding Ava's campsite. Any tributes that were in the area have probably started moving by now anyway. And if Katniss was anywhere nearby, I doubt she would've stuck around with Careers on the hunt. Then, as the sun's scorching rays roast my entire body, it hits me. She's probably looking for water too. She can't go to the lake so she's probably frequenting a water source somewhere on this side of the arena. Unless she's planning to shoot off a flare, it's my best shot at finding her…assuming I can find one of the water sources.

Okay, what do I know about water? It flows downhill, usually has mud nearby and makes the ground plants greener. There's absolutely none of that around me. I'm on some rise, standing on a bed of brown, bone-dry pine needles. Shit.

I look around, hoping to spot a river or a pond or something through the gaps in the trees, but see nothing. I pick a direction and walk, my eyes peeled for any sign of water. I wonder what the viewers are thinking right now, a career tribute wandering around the forest examining the dirt and the color of the plants. I'm sure I look completely insane, but at least I'm not doing anything that would horrify my family.

If it weren't for the damn heat and the constant threat of death, this actually wouldn't be too bad a place. District One is pretty sparse when it comes to natural beauty, all of that long since paved over for our sleek, modern buildings, but I'm savoring it now. I never knew trees grew so tall. I wonder what else I don't know. There's probably incredible things in all the other districts that I have no idea about thanks to Snow and his complete suppression of information. All we know about the other districts is their general industry, like District Twelve's being coal or ours being luxury items.

I wonder how Katniss is faring in here. I wonder if she's seen a forest before? She must've. If I remember correctly from the maps of Panem that hung on the walls of my old classrooms, District Twelve is pretty remote, located all the way across the country in the northeastern part of the continent. In the footage I've seen, it didn't look exceptionally developed, certainly not like the Capitol or District One. It makes me wonder what stuff Katniss picked up there other than archery. It also makes me wonder what else I don't know about her. Everyone has their secrets after all.

I keep walking, covering more expanses of dry ground and pine needles. There aren't even many edible plants around this area, making me wonder what the tributes not lucky enough to enjoy a bounty of cornucopia food are eating. I suppose they could be hunting, but, minus Thresh, I didn't see anyone other than us snag any weapons to hunt with, including Katniss, who I am still no closer to finding than when I woke up this morning. I suppose I shouldn't have expected it to be easy. For god's sake, I'm in the Hunger Games, where everything from fighting tributes to going for a walk is difficult.

Frustrated, I flop down on the ground. The sun's directly overhead, indicating it's about noon…at least in the arena. Who knows what time it is in the real world. I wonder how Striker feels after watching me in the games yesterday. He probably saw my "highlights" in the recaps after school, including the one with Ava. I hope he didn't get a bunch of shit for it. Me showing her some mercy doesn't exactly mesh with Career-protocol. I'm sure at this point it's fairly obvious to the audience that I'm not completely with the Careers, especially after my conversations with Brooke. I can't even imagine how Gloss reacted to my small act of mercy. It wasn't exactly befitting of a District One tribute.

I take another drink from my water bottle and sigh. I know I've got to find my way back soon but I still haven't found my secret ally and without her, I've got no plan to get rid of my fellow Careers. I pick up my backpack and notice mud on the bottom. Wonderful.

Wait, mud? Mud is just dirt with…water! I jump to my feet and look around, half expecting to find a lake surrounding me. I don't see much but trees. Confused, I rub the ground again. No, that's definitely mud and the mud will lead me to the water and the water just might lead me to Katniss.

I follow it like a pathway, jabbing my boots into the ground to make sure I'm still on muddy ground, heading towards the water. It isn't long before I hear it, that unmistakable sound of torrents of water flowing over smooth stones. I break into a run, dodging the trees and jumping over roots like an obstacle course, my jacket flailing behind me and my spear loosely held in my hand.

In a moment, I see it. A slight slope down from the trees and just off a rocky bank, is a blue-green river, shimmering in the midday sun and stretching out of sight in both directions behind pine-studded bends. Without another thought, I drop my pack and my spear and run towards the water, dropping to my knees and splashing the icy water on my heated face. I feel and savor the sensation of the cool beads of water running down my sun-burned cheeks. Hopefully there's something for them back at the cornucopia.

I look in both directions, but see no sign of another tribute, a bit disappointing but not the end of the world. I suppose the best way to try and find Katniss would be to walk the river and hope she's nearby. She's got to have water, especially on a day like this.

I suppose I should head upstream, which'll probably take me back to the lake and the cornucopia. Maybe I'll get lucky and find Katniss along the way. If not, I can try to sneak off again after we go tribute hunting. One thing I know I can count on is that the gamemakers won't let Katniss and our little posse stay separate for long. A meeting between the two promises way too much entertainment for them to hold off forever. Hopefully I can find her before then.

I'm so lost in my thoughts that I don't see it until it's within ten feet of me. I freeze, but my eyes drift out to the water, where some predatory yellow eyes lined by green scales are inching toward me, whatever they're attached to concealed by the water. I try not to panic, knowing that if I bolt this…creature, or mutt or whatever it is, will probably attack. I've got to stay calm and prepare to defend myself. I remember leaving my spear up by the trees and curse myself for my stupidity. What the hell was I thinking?! Dropping my weapon in the arena and leaving myself vulnerable?! This is the kind of stupidity that makes people shake their heads while they're watching the games.

The eyes get closer but I keep my gaze fixed ahead, pretending to just be watching the water. I've got to let this thing think it's got the element of surprise. Otherwise, it may rush me and I doubt I can hold it off. The eyes are now about eight feet away, watching me as my hand slithers down into my boot where my knife waits. I feel a small wave of relief wash over me as I grip its sturdy handle, almost like I've got a friend on my side.

The creature gets closer, the dark outline of its form slowly getting clearer in the water, a lanky body and a set of powerful jaws becoming obvious. I have to time this right.

The creature lunges, huge jaws rising out of the water eager to snap me in half. I roll out of the way as I yank the knife out of my boot, slashing the creature across its cream-colored side. I don't even try stabbing the armored green skin on its back, scampering up the bank with the speed only those running for their lives possess.

I look back at the creature, which makes a bizarre hissing-type sound but stays at the water's edge. It looks sort of like a giant lizard, with its scales and long tail, but what lizard has jaws and teeth like that? And lives in the water? Must be some type of Capitol-mutt.

The mutt disappears back into the river, evidently not keen on pursing me on land and already sporting a knife wound. I pick of my spear, reminding myself to never be that vulnerable again. In here, the stakes are way too high for negligence.

I get up and head upstream, keeping a healthy distance from the water's edge. Hopefully, Katniss will do the same.

I walk for about an hour, not seeing any sign of life, much less Katniss. I haven't heard a cannon all day and I can only imagine how bored the Capitol audience must be getting. Me hiking and everyone else sitting around don't make for a very exciting games. They were probably hoping that mutt would rip me apart and provide a little entertainment back at the river. Bastards.

It isn't long before the lake comes into view and the cornucopia just beyond it, gleaming like some golden palace on a hill. I trudge over, knowing I wasted the entire day and that we're going hunting in only a few hours judging by the late-afternoon sun. I can see Brooke and Lewis fishing near the lake's edge while Peeta reads something he probably dug out of the supply boxes. Clove is right where I left her, playing with her knives near the mouth of the cornucopia. Cato and Glimmer are nowhere to be seen, the first welcome sight of the day.

"How'd it go?" Clove asks without looking up as I flop down on my sleeping bag.

"Lousy. It's hot as shit out there," I grumble, rubbing my sweaty face and tossing back some water.

"Any sign of the girl on fire?" Clove asks, her voice cold.

"Unfortunately, no," I answer, "No sign of Thresh either."

"Oh we know where he is," Clove says.

I sit up. "What?"

"Yeah. We're pretty sure he's in that big wheat field behind the cornucopia," she says.

I'd seen that wheat field yesterday. It's huge and the grass reached all the way up to my shoulders, which, given my height, is nothing to scoff at. It's the perfect hiding place for someone as big as Thresh. Now I know why he hauled ass over that rise not long after the Bloodbath started.

"I'm surprised Cato hasn't gone in after him," I say.

"He's actually the one who decided to hold off," Clove says.

"That's…unexpected," I manage.

Clove just shrugs. "It makes sense. In there, he'd be at a huge advantage. Better to wait for him to come fight us on our terms."

It makes perfect sense and I'm glad we're not going after Thresh yet. Not only would it be dangerous as hell, the longer he's alive, the longer I can count on the alliance not collapsing. To face Thresh, even Cato will want backup.

Clove is quiet for a moment, her nimble fingers still flipping a small knife with impressive dexterity. "See anything interesting about the arena out there?" she asks.

"There isn't much water, except for the river that flows off the lake. I'm not sure how far back it goes, but there's probably tributes nearby," I say, omitting the part about the lizard mutts swimming around in the river. One of my fellow careers just might figure that out firsthand.

"I suppose it wasn't a total loss then," says Clove.

"Where are Cato and Glimmer?" I ask.

"According to Cato, hunting," says Clove dryly, "Which is probably code for fucking."

I can't help but laugh at that and Clove's reaction. She just looks annoyed beyond belief.

"Perhaps you should neuter him," I suggest, lying back and closing my eyes.

"He'd certainly waste less time," mutters Clove as her gaze drifts back out to the forest, almost like her glare could level it and expose Cato and Glimmer's…relations to all of Panem. Actually, with the cameras, that's already happening. I hope Striker isn't watching that shit. God knows the Capitol is probably lapping it up, though.

"Wake me up when it's time to hunt," I say before rolling over.

Clove just grunts in affirmation, her cold eyes still watching the trees as I fall asleep.

A/N: The response to the last chapter was tremendous and I couldn't wait to get this out. It's a bit slower of a chapter than the last one, but it I think it serves its purpose. As always, all reviews, favorites and follows are greatly appreciated.