"It's Heather," says the girl nonchalantly. I turn to the boy walking next to me. "What's yours?" I ask. "Brion," he snaps quickly. Then he speeds up and moves to the front of our group, hacking at branches with his knife. "Don't be bothered by him," says the girl. I turn to look at her. She's tying her hair up into a ponytail, using a small strand of the rope I was tied up with. "He doesn't trust Careers. But I can tell you're different than them." She smiles at me, and then moves forward to catch up with Brion. "Am I different?" I think to myself. I've killed two tributes already. To stay alive of course. But their lives shouldn't have been mine to take. I think about Sydni, and how she changed that day in the lunchroom of the Training Center. Sydni was the only one of us who was truly good, and her kindness got her killed. "Is it possible to win the Games and still be a good person?" I ask myself.
I bump into Heather's back; I hadn't realized that she and Brion had stopped. "Turn off the flashlight," she whispers. "What?" "Turn off the flashlight!" she says in a more intense voice. I obey her, and she pulls Brion and me behind a tree. "Don't make a sound," she whispers. I'm about to ask why when I hear someone approaching. No, not someone, something. The footsteps get closer and closer. Whatever it is, I can tell it has four feet, from the repetition of the steps. Then the smell hits me. I have personally never smelled anything more foul and repulsive in my entire life. Heather has both her hands clamped over her mouth and nose, and Brion is slumped down, hands clenched together tightly in a silent prayer. The beast passes by our tree. All I can see is one giant spiked shadow impressed against the grey-colored trees facing me. The smell is awful; I can hardly breathe. Then the shadow ends in a tail, and the creature is gone.
We wait in silence for a few more minutes until the smell is gone. Then Heather moves away from the tree and I know it's safe. "They brought the basilisk back," she says. "What's a basilisk?" asks Brion. The name rings a bell, and I start to remember small details about the creature as Heather explains it to Brion. "The basilisk is a muttation," says Heather. "It was first introduced in the 88th Games, I think." I shake my head. "It was the 86th Games, remember? The snowy forest?" Heather nods. "Yes, that's right." She turns back to Brion. You're thirteen, right? You would have only been one or two that year. The basilisk has the face and body of a lizard, and the legs and teeth of a lion. Its whole body is covered in sharp scales that change color based on its environment, and the can't be pierced with a spear or a sword." I remember watching a girl try to charge the beast, only to be snapped up into its jaws. "It only has one weak spot, and that's in the eye. The eyes are small and beady, but it stores poison sacs right behind it. Did I mention it spits acid?" Brion shakes his head. The kid looks petrified. "Well," says Heather, "it does, so watch out. Basically, avoid the basilisk at all costs." "Sounds good," says Brion. We stand up and start walking again, away from where the basilisk was headed. "Can you climb trees?" I ask. "Yes," both of them respond quickly. "Then let's walk until dawn and climb a tree. We can hide out until night, and then—" "No," interrupts Heather, "the trees were the first place we looked for you. Isn't there somewhere else we can go in the arena?" And suddenly I know where we must go.
It takes a few hours, but eventually we reach the lake where the tributes from 12 and Marilee died on the first day. I kneel down to scoop up some water in my hands and drink it. "Wait!" screams Heather. She pulls out a canister, scoops up some water, and drops an iodine pill in. "I can't tell you how many tributes I've watched die from drinking bad water." I plop down next to her as she watches the iodine pill fizzle in the water. I would have never even thought of water purification. "I'm such an idiot," I say. "No you're not," says Heather without looking up from the bubbles. "You would have stayed there if you were an idiot." True. About twenty minutes later, Heather declares the water safe. Brion snatches the canister and drinks before I can even reach for it. Then he purposely drops it and spill all the water out. "Oops. Sorry," he says in a mocking tone. I reach reflexively for my knife, but pull my hand away and grab the canister instead. I stand up and walk back to the water's edge, to refill it. I have no tolerance for stupidity, but I've had enough fighting for one day.
Apparently, Heather hasn't. I turn back just in time to see her slap Brion across the face. He goes sprawling onto the ground. "You jerk!" screams Heather. Brion frowns. "I can't believe you're standing up for him! He's a Career!" he shouts, showing no concern that I'm only a few feet away. "He's killed just as many people as you have," says Heather simply. Then she moves next to me and sits down, pulling out another iodine pill. "Sorry about him." I shake my head and reply, "He's already got a preconception of what a Career is from watching years of games. One different Career won't change his mind that easily." Heather and I turn back to look at Brion, who sits on the ground, holding his face in his hands. "We're not gonna make it out of this arena, are we?" he finally gets out. Heather, who usually has an answer to questions, remains silent. As do I.
The sun continues to rise higher into the sky. By now, the other tributes must have realized we've gone. They'll be hunting for us. "I'll take first guard duty. You should get some rest," I say. Heather nods and lies down in the grass. Soon she is asleep. I turn from her to see if Brion is asleep yet. To my surprise, he's sitting up, watching me. "You can get some rest if you want," I say again. "How do I know you won't kill me in my sleep?" Brion asks. I sigh. "If my word isn't enough, then nothing will be." Brion remains silent for a moment, letting my words sink in. Then he lies down and closes his eyes. At last, I have gained his trust.
I watch the two tributes from 10 sleep for around an hour, and then turn to look at the water. The sun reflects off the lake, and gentle gusts of wind stroke the surface of the water, pushing small waves towards the grassy banks. It's peaceful, serene. And like most times of relaxation in the arena, it's fleeting. I hear the boy screaming before I see him, and I've already moved to wake up Heather and Brion before he comes into view across the lake. I don't care who he is; if he's not sleeping next to me, he's an enemy.