A/N: Sorry again for the long wait, but I've finally managed to finish the next chapter in between all my school work. Again, there's no promises on when the next chapter will be out, just that it will be written at some point! Anyway, hope you enjoy!

As Benedict and I wander into the Training Room for the last time, we're met with the familiar sight of the girl from District 1 practising with her katana in the corner, beads of sweat pouring down her face as she fights the pixelated figure in front of her. She's always the first one down in the morning after the fight she had with the District 4 girl. The bruise on her left cheek is still there; no doubt the stylists would cover it before we went out into the arena.

Benedict and I exchange a glance before heading over to the knot tying table. We have been working our way through each section with knot tying, climbing and disguise as the ones we have left. This is mainly due to the fact they're the ones that are always empty with everyone more concerned about their combat skills instead.

"Have you ever tied knots before?" my partner asks me as I reach for a rope.

"Nope, you?" I look at the monitor in front of me at the displays of different knot types. None of them look easy.

"I've done a few. I wouldn't say I'm an expert though."

I hold out the rope to him. "You first then?"

He rolls his eyes, but takes it anyway. "Fine."

Moving over to the monitors, he looks at them closely for a moment before choosing one and pressing on it. The whole screen shifts in a mass of pixelated squares before settling into a clear set of instructions. Benedict studies them before creating a loop and setting it down on the table in front of him. After a series of complicated steps, he came out with his noose knot.

"I mean, it's not perfect, but it would hold, right?"

I test it by pulling on the end. "It seems so. Probably better than I could do anyway."

Benedict laughs. "Well, we'll see then, shall we?" he says, handing me a new piece of rope and stepping away from the table. "Your turn."

Hesitantly, I step forward and look at the instructions on screen. I have no idea how I'm going to remember all these instructions in the actual arena. Not with all I've tried to learn already.

At that point a lump forms in my throat. I can't do this. I'm going to fail. I haven't even got a skill for the tests tomorrow, how am I going to survive when the Games actually start? I'm not. I'm going to die in that arena like 99 per cent of the people before me. Who do I think I'm kidding by giving myself hope that I'll ever see my family again? I'll probably be one of the 'bloodbath victims' on the first day – the weak little girl from District 12, no surprises there.

Dropping the rope I stumble backwards, covering my face with my hands. What am I thinking? I'll never stand a chance! Suddenly, a pair of sturdy arms encircle me, spinning me round before pulling me against a firm chest.

"Hey, what happened? Willow? Willow, answer me."

"I can't do this," I sob quietly. "I'm going to die, Ben, I'm going to die in that arena."

He sighs and pulls me away from his chest, catching my gaze. "I'm not going to say that we won't die, but I can say that we'll do this together. I won't leave you, and that's a promise I can keep."

"But I haven't even got a skill that I can show the Gamemakers tomorrow!"

"Hey, we'll find something, we've still got climbing and disguise to go today. Even so, you're pretty good with the combat fighting. Don't worry about it."

"Thank you," I whisper. "I know I was horrible to you when we met, and I just want to say I'm sorry. We're both in the same boat, but I was just scared and–"

"No, no, don't apologise," he says sternly, placing a finger on my lips when I try to speak again. "You don't need to say sorry for being scared. You're thirteen, you're way too young to even be in this position and fear is natural. I'm scared too, we all are."

"But it's no excuse–" I try again, but he gives me a warning glare and I shut up.

"Look, let's move on to the climbing corner whilst it's free. We can come back to knots later, okay?"

Nodding, I look towards the corner full of rigging and poles shaped into tree like structures, complete with fake leaves and bird nests. Could this be the thing I'm actually good at? Despite the fact Distrct 12 isn't the most wooded area of Panem, the amount of times I've climbed over the school fence and buildings to visit my sister during the lunch hour is ridiculous, pretty much every day in fact.

"Could I go first?" I ask as we stand at the bottom of the first pole. It doesn't look too high, but from judging Benedict's expression, he doesn't look too convinced. In fact, when he hears my question, he actually looks relieved.

Stepping forward, I take a moment to plan where I'm going to go before reaching for the first branch. Pulling myself up, I reach for the next one up, pausing to regain my balance after the 'branch' wobbles. It isn't long before I've reached the top and, looking down, I see the room has begun to get a lot busier. I spot the girl from District 8 looking up at me with a scowl on her face and it suddenly clicks that she's the one I've seen really struggling with the trees on previous days.

"I think we've found your skill, Willow! How the hell did you get up there so quickly?" Benedict shouts out from below, breaking my gaze from the scowling tribute.

I shrug and look down, secretly proud of myself. "Um… practice?"

"I'm definitely going to need your help on this; the only things I've ever climbed are ladders!"

I laugh and start making my way down. When I get to the bottom branch, I jump, landing gracefully next to my partner before motioning him forward.

Benedict eyes the pole cautiously before turning to me. "So, where should I go from?"

"Well, I wouldn't recommend being scared of it to start with!" I joke. He turns to me briefly, looking unimpressed. "Sorry. Um, maybe start with that branch?" I point to one slightly higher up than the one I started on, thinking that because he's quite a bit taller than me, he'll be able to reach it.

"Right, let's give it a go then." Reaching up, he grabs the branch I pointed out and swings himself up. "Where should I go now? I can't reach the one above me!"

"There's one round the side that's not as far up. Can you reach that?"

"I can try…" he has doubt in his voice as he reaches up and I know before I can stop him what is going to happen.

It almost occurs in slow motion. Benedict doesn't quite grasp the branch firmly enough, but before he can realise it, he shifts his weight across. His grip slips. There's a loud thud as he hits the floor mats and there's a moment of stillness before I can process what's happened.

"Ben? Ben!" I call frantically, running towards him.

When the body on the floor stirs, relief floods through me and I drop to my knees beside him. Slowly, he sits up, rubbing his head.

"Well, one thing's for sure, you're going to be the one doing the climbing in this arena," he says, cracking a weak smile.