"Out with the reason

In with the season

Taking down names

In my book of jealousy…

We were never welcome here."

-Imagine Dragons

Katniss & co. start heading out to the Cornucopia once that big revelation is made. Just as we'd hoped. What better place to visualize this "clock" that we're stuck in? So we follow them as closely as we dare.

The four of us peer through giant palm leaves, observing our prey.

"I'll go first," Gloss whispers.

Cashmere puts a hand on his shoulder. "But they might hurt you. Let me lead instead…please?"

"Aw, don't give me those doe eyes, sis. I'm not changing my mind. It… it has to happen sometime. You know that."

My ears barely register Cashmere's voice as she mutters, "Screw the Hunger Games." Actually, in place of 'screw', she says a very un-Cashmere-like word. She speaks so quietly that the cameras probably don't pick it up.

"I love you, Cassie," Gloss tells her.

"Love you, Gloss. Be safe."

"I'll try."

She grabs her brother for a hug; and he kisses her cheek before departing. My stomach churns with the thought of their deaths approaching. Nothing could be more inevitable, in this deranged arena.

We're a sneaky bunch, treading up to the Cornucopia undetected. The nearest tribute is Wiress, and- someone shoot me, please- she's singing a ridiculous nursery rhyme. Forever stuck in childhood. Maybe that's how she copes, I suppose. But a little too weird for me.

Gloss cuts her neck, wrapping her in a chokehold so she can die painlessly. I doubt he expected to live through this… and he doesn't. Katniss shoots him right through his vocal cords.

"Gloss!" Cashmere exclaims.

No, I wanna say, don't-

She sprints for Katniss, too angry to think straight; and as a reward, Johanna's axe knocks her backwards. She's dead on impact.

Now they finally see me and Brutus.

Ready for action!

I throw a knife at Peeta, but Finnick jumps in his way, and it pierces Finnick's leg.

Damn you, I try to tell him with my facial expression. I don't wanna be responsible for his death. It would be like killing Lily herself. And- aw, do I feel a teardrop coming on? I did just watch two good friends perish. They could've had wonderful lives.

Suddenly, I'm thrown off my feet, like somebody's thrown a rug out from under me. My attempts at regaining balance are derailed by the incessant spinning. All courtesy of the Gamemakers, I realize. I go rolling down the Cornucopia's edges, and the water drags me in fast. Kicking and pushing launches me back up for air. I see Brutus as he pops his head out, swimming to the beachside. Smart idea. I don't feel much like going to the Cornucopia now. We managed to salvage our weapons during the ride. But on land, we've got another problem.

"They flipped the clock around," I mutter.

Brutus punches his fist into a tree. "Stupid Gamemakers separated us! And we were so close to finishing them…"

Were we, really? Because they outnumber us.

Other victors, I don't mind killing. But if I'm forced into battling my ex… I know neither of us would ever forgive ourselves. We should totally pull a 'star-crossed lovers' double suicide in that case. Even I must admit, Katniss was onto something when she placed the nightlock in Peeta's hands.

What if I want to live, though? A long, dark sigh escapes me. I despise tough choices.

"They can't hide forever," I tell him. "It's just us now, Brutus. Seven tributes."

"That's not including District Eleven, which makes eight, actually."

"Right." Chaff made a name for himself by remaining unnoticed during his Games until only three tributes were alive; and he came out of hiding to dominate his competition. Though he won, they took his left hand with them. I might not be physically able to end him- he'd almost certainly kill me. But Brutus is more than qualified for the job.

We take it easy after our roller-coaster of a morning. Walk around the jungle's edge, where beach in plain view. Tributes are harder to find at this point; Chaff being alone and Katniss running with the others. Once we do find Team Mockingjay, oh, it's on. We'll give the Capitol a bloodbath like they've never seen.

To my right, Brutus and I suddenly hear screams. Not exactly shocking. But they don't sound anything like the other victors here. This is confirmed by their words. They scream for Katniss. Finnick.

"That's Annie's voice," I realize aloud.

"And I think I hear the little sister of District Twelve," Brutus says. "The one she volunteered for."

Leading me to a simple conclusion: "Jabberjays. The Gamemakers recorded our family and friends…"

"So they could mess with our heads," my district partner finishes. I don't wanna know whose voices I'd be listening to. But I feel really bad for Katniss and Finnick. No lie. Because, most likely, the people behind the words are no longer breathing.

Brutus and I don't need to speak. We know that our section is next. There's no more hesitation; we simply begin running. The beach lingers so close that I can briefly observe each rock pathway. Our speed decreases after we pass one trail. Stops after the second.

That was a close one.

It's been over twenty-four hours without rest; which inspires a nap on smooth, gentle sand. Unconsciousness, oh how I missed you.

Night sweeps in while we alternate between sleep and guard duty. My whole being feels rejuvenated upon waking. I get a fancy alarm, too. "Horn of Plenty" booms through the jungle, prompting us to look up.

Our District 1 allies appear first. Gloss and Cashmere… they were so young still. At least they got to die together. Wiress looks determined in her portrait. She really had been a fighter, if not in the way that I am. I chose to fight physically; and she fought mentally. I remember watching her Games and (though I hate to admit it) admiring how fast, crafty, and stealthy she was.

There's… Mags. Aw. I should've realized she had passed when I saw Finnick without her earlier. He'd never abandon her. I hope she died peacefully. That woman was peaceful. Kind. Even though she murdered six tributes, she never screamed 'serial killer' to me. As an unspoken rule, we victors don't talk about our body counts. That's not what's important.

Of course, I think about my growing body count every day. I'm up to… seven? Yeah. Seven. Wow. I'm a terrible human being.

Hey now, Enobaria. Don't go there.

The next fallen victor is District 5's female; she's followed by the District 6 female. I think I remember her real name: Megan. Everybody just called her Morphling. She was quiet. Reserved. Too consumed by morphling for real conversations.

Well, District 5, Cashmere, Gloss, Mags, Wiress, Megan… Maybe I'll see you soon.