Just so everybody knows, I'm taking away the Saratoga and Aspen alliance at the moment. I think it's best because it was so much like Rue's and Katniss's alliance. I'm going to leave the fact that Aspen was surprised at how Saratoga was good at certain things like the climbing, agility, fire making, and the plant station. I might make another fanfic about her in District 12 to explain those things. I'm changing the arena, too.

Chapter 10:

The Clock Ticked Down and Chaos Broke Loose

The interviews went well. Johanna and Marcus were proud of me. Johanna of all people was proud, but she did add a sarcastic remark, "Please suck up to me some more."

Now I walk with Johanna to the hovercrafts that will take me to the launch room. Right now I'm wearing a black v-neck, black leggings, and black leather boots. My hair is down for now.

I walk silently while Johanna gives me instructions, "First thing you do is get the hell away from the cornucopia. It's not your fight and it will be a bloodbath. The careers will be sniffing you out and maybe some other tributes. Second thing, find water. Food doesn't matter until you start to starve. Tips to finding it is maybe climb a tree, going downhill, and following animals. No animals means no water nearby."

"Okay, but what if I'm freezing and have nothing to keep me warm?" I ask.

She looked at me and frowned a bit, "I had problems with that in my games since the arena were snow capped mountains. It was freezing, but thank goodness Titus was killed. He would have been a cannibal. When I watched the recaps, Titus found the freezing tributes because they lit a fire at night. Never do that. Light a fire during the day, but make sure it doesn't cause smoke. Secondly, try to stay in the sun or find a place that cuts off the wind. Also, sponsors can help."

"Okay," I nod. She smiles at me and I notice that we are at the end of the hallway. I hug her. She's taken aback, but does a quick pat and lets go. I start towards the hovercraft, but Johanna stops me and whispers so low that not even the capitol could have heard, "Do not do anything stupid. It could get you killed in there, or, if you win, it could get your family killed."

She hugs me very quickly and adds with a serious tone, "Be careful."

I nod, "I will."

The hovercraft ride was nerve racking. They injected the tracker and no one said a word. I got stares from people, but I kept Johanna's words in my head, "Do not do anything stupid. It could get you killed in there, or, if you win, it could get your family killed."

I know Johanna didn't do anything stupid, but her whole family was killed in a fire. Her parents and younger brother were killed. Even her boyfriend was killed. I think that and her games made her so strong, but vile to people. I think the same would happen to me, or I would turn out like poor Annie, the girl from 4 who won the 70th games. I would try to not turn out like a nut case.

I walk into a room that sits my clothes, the tube that sends me up to the platform and arena, and Basil. I hug her immediately. She asks, "Hey, are you nervous?'

I reply with a shake in my voice, "More than you can imagine."

I step back and try to smile. My nerves are making my stomach cramp and my anxiety is to the roof. She looks at me and gives advice, "Sip the water that I already order. You could dehydrate in that arena and water is valuable."

I was taken aback by Basil's sudden alertness and mentoring. I nod and sip the water that was on the table. She looks at me again and orders me to get dressed. The outfit consists of what I was wearing earlier, a black v-neck, black leggings, and black leather boots, and a pair of tan cargo pants over the leggings, thick black socks that come up to my knees which are under the boots, a black sweater, and a thick white camouflage winter coat. I also get a grey wool scarf, a grey wool hat, and grey wool gloves.

I expect the exact same arena as what Basil says, "It's going to be either a snowy mountain arena or a tundra arena. Either way this is just bearable to withstand the cold. That means it's going to be colder than what you expect. There will be deaths of hypothermia. Also, I would expect freezing or below zero nights. They will most likely have supplies in the cornucopia, but I would stay away from there. They are trying to pull you in, but wait out and you can probably get the stuff you need. That means when the cannons go off, run out of there, wait in a tree, wait for the other tributes to stray away, make sure the coast is clear, and get what you need. That means double the hat, gloves, scarf, and socks. Even get an extra coat or leggings. Make sure to get a sleeping bag, because that will reflect the body heat that you will need at night. But just be careful."

I nod and my nerves go crazy. My hands and legs shake as I sit down. I sip as much water as I can, but I know that melting the snow into water is probably the safest best at getting water. Then an automated voice says, "30 seconds.

I get into the tube and give a weak smile to Basil. The tube closes around me and my plan forms. I'll do as Basil and Johanna says, but I have to get my axes and throwing knives. The tube ascends as my plan is complete. I'm at first blinded by the sun, and I'm still blinded at the ground. The snow is reflecting the bright sun at me and there is a snow falling to the ground. I look around at the other tributes. They are all wearing similar outfits, except that the boys are wearing green camouflage winter coats. I can't distinguished who is who, because every one is bundled up.

I then notice the cornucopia and the time ticking down. It's at 20 seconds. I look at the weapons and the supplies. A nearby medium sized backpack sits to my right. I know that I should grab it and get out of there. As the clock ticks down, I prepare myself. Then the clock ticks zero and chaos broke loose. Tributes ran to get supplies and others ran for their lives. The careers make it to the cornucopia first and try to take down tributes that they know are not careers.

While the chaos happens, I grab the backpack and start running for the tree line. I get to the tree line, but I feel a blow to my back. I look around for a millisecond and see that Gliss has hit me with one of her knives. I see that she retreats as soon as I'm pass the tree line, but that doesn't stop her from trying to murder other tributes who are trying to get past the tree line.

I climb a tree that can hide me, but I can also scope out the cornucopia. I send a silent prayer to God, "Thank you for keeping me alive and getting me safely out of the cornucopia area. Just help me through the games and please forgive me if I have to kill any tribute."

I know he got my message, and I think the District 2 mentors get the message that I thank them for their tributes being on my side. Karah was ten feet away from me, but decided to go after other tributes. Cinn was farther away and closer to the cornucopia, but noticed me the second that Gliss hit me with the knife. Good thing the knife only hit the backpack and not my head.

I pull it out and see that the knife's blade is rough on the one side and sharp on the other. I can tell that this will benefit me later on. I look at the cornucopia and see that there are about eight fallen tributes, but I see that the careers are picking through what they want. Cinn takes two spears and a backpack. Bruno takes a deadly looking sword and throwing knives along with a backpack. I don't think that they realize that they will need more clothes to survive in this arena. Karah takes a sheath of arrows and a bow along a with a backpack and extra pair of socks, hat, and gloves. Maybe she is the only smart one. I then notice that all the trees are Pine Trees. Hopefully there are animals.

My guess is confirmed when I see a snowy owl in a nearby tree sleeping. I then notice a giant mountain to the left. It stands above everything else. I'm high enough to see that there is a frozen lake about ten miles away. I can ice fish like I used to with my father. Then I realize that we are in a huge snowy forest arena with a mountain, but it's freezing outside. I definitely need extra clothing and a sleeping bag or I might not survive in this arena.