Hello (: Now, this is official chapter 10 but according to this site, it's chapter 11. So let's just call it Chapter 11. Now, I'd love to thank EVERYONE who has read this story! And most of you have reviewed which has made me VERY happy! Now, some of you have been confused on how I kept saying I have over 2,000 reviews? I answered this in the bottom AN of last chapter and it's not reviews, it's VIEWS. On how many (correct me if I'm wrong) people have read this story. Now, not all have most likely added me to their favorites or followers but everyone who has made my day! Love you guys! Now, in this chapter, the Games are starting. It might not be as long as my bonus (that was longer that the first chapter! My next record for almost 2,000 words! xP) nor' any other chapters but it will be a little long. Now, I hope this keeps you on the edge of your seats!


Keep your feet ready, heartbeat steady

Keep your eyes open

Keep your aim locked, the night goes dark.

Keep your eyes open

Taylor Swift, "Eyes Open."


Katniss POV

Last night, I wasn't as stressed as I am now. Knowing I might die today scares me more thn everything. But I'm not giving up before the Games even start! I'm Katniss Everdeen, the Seam Girl who kept her family alive and she's not letting them lose her now.

I'm not going to let the Capitol win. Ever.

After everything, I need to stay strong. Now for myself, though.

For Prim.

As soon as I get in a regular black V-neck t-shirt, I make my way out before Effie can knock on my door. Haymitch looks at me and smirks.

"Show them what you got Sweetheart," he surmised.

Effie looks shocked I'm up. "Well, I better go wake Peeta up!"

Cinna and Portia come though the door and after Effie brings back a tired but fully dressed Peeta, we all make our way to the District 12 exit towards the hovercraft. As everyone goes, Haymitch pulls me back with a concerned and stern look on his face.

"Look, Katniss, you have to be on your guard during the Games. Since you've out-shined everyone, you need to be not just watchful of the Careers but of every tribute there. They want to go home and if you defeat their chances, they'll want to get rid of you. And keep an eye out for your surroundings. The Gamemakers were impressed by your confidence and they want to crush it." He pauses. "You get what I'm saying, don't you?"

I nod. "Of course I do. But I don't care if I defeat their chances. If they come after me, I'll do whatever it takes to stay alive."

He grins. "Now, let's go. I think they're waiting for us."

Haymitch walks out to the hovercrafts all the tributes are in and I take my seat next to Clove and the girl from District 5, whom I've nicknamed Foxface.

Clove looks excited and sadistic as always. Foxface is stoic, holding in her emotions but I can tell she's screaming inside. I know I am.

Thresh is blatant, no emotion whatsoever. Rue looks slightly frightened and I really hope she makes it out of the bloodbath.

Marvel and Glimmer, such disgusting names, are smirking and Glimmer is leaning on him while flirting.

And Cato? He's staring at me. No smiling, no grinning, not even a smirk shows on his face. But his eyes say everything between, 'I hope to get in the arena soon just to get out even faster' and 'get the hell out of the bloodbath.'

Knowing Cato before the rooftop, I would've taken that as an act of sabotage. But now… What do I take it for? He said he doesn't want to become a monster… But what if he's lying to me? There's no harm in putting up my defenses, I mean, you better be safe than sorry.

I had just realized how much that small saying really means.

One small act could ruin my chances of surviving. I better be safe than sorry.

After 15 minutes, a lady comes to me, asking to hold out my arm. In her hand is a needle with a small square device. I hold my arm out and she shoves it into my skin, while I hiss silently in pain.

"That is your tracker. It's how we'll know how to track you and determine if you're still dead or alive." I nod while she moves on to Foxface, who had finally let out her emotions and her fear is evident.

I rub my arm until the hovercraft lands and we're all escorted to the launch rooms.

Peacekeepers escort me to my room and to be sure I won't try to escape, they pin guns to my back.

When I arrive, Haymitch is there, giving me tips on what to do to "stay alive". After he leaves, Cinna comes in and I take a shower.

Getting into my Arena outfit, I realize all we're in is black cargo pants, a black slight v-neck shirt, a black coat that must deflect wind and radiate heat, and a simple Dutch braid. Looking at my coat, I notice the seams have small fire patterns only the person wearing it would see.

But something is missing and Cinna nods. Holding out his hand, he holds my precious Mockingjay Pin, my token from Madge. He brings a finger to his lips as if saying, "don't say this to anyone."

"Thank you," I whisper. As we bring our foreheads together in silent grieving, a female robot voice signals I have 30 seconds before I need to be in the launch pad. Cinna hugs me one last time as I walk slowly to the glass tube. Ten seconds remain and as I get on the plate, the door closes from behind, startling me more than ever. I'm trapped.

Looking back at Cinna, he nods, his face void of emotion. He points to his chin and I hold my head up.

As the tube lifts me up, blinding light clouds my vision. Getting used to the bright light, I look at my surroundings and give a silent thanks, seeing this year arena is a forest, so similar to my forest yet so different, so sinister.

The clock counts down from 60 and once it gets to 20, I look aound to find Peeta's worried yet warm eyes. Then my mind shoots to a bow and arrow and my eyes catch on a gleaming sliver bow, five feet over is my quiver and set of arrows.

After relishing my moment of seeing them, I glance at Cato who is staring intently at the Cornucopia. Feeling my gaze, he looks into my eyes as the clock counts down from 10.

9…

Cato, stop staring at me and focus.

8…

Peeta, get out of there.

7…

Rue, please, survive.

6…

Those bow and arrows are mine.

5…

Peeta what are you saying?

4…

Prim, I love you.

3…

Keep your feet ready, heartbeat steady, Katniss.

2…

Get into position.

1…

The chime goes off.

Let the 74th Hunger Games begin.


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