Again, I'm sorry about the events of the last chapter...they had to happen. Sorry this chapter is quite short, I needed to end at this point. Enjoy... And thank you for getting me to 100 reviews! You're all the best!

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

The sound of a gong wakes me up, from where I lay in my sleeping bag, in a ditch.

"Can I have your attention please." Comes the announcers voice, "We are enforcing a time limit on this year's Games. There must be a victor by the end of the day, or the consequences will be severe. Congratulations on making it this far, enjoy your last day in the arena. Good luck and may the odds be ever in your favour."

His voice disappears with a burst of static. One day left. In the next few hours I will probably be dead. Considering this, I eat all the remaining food in my pack. Unfortunately, this is three strips of beef and half a packet of dried fruit. I let my food go down, then tentatively make sure everything is packed. I decide to use the bow today, my spears are covered with the blood of my kills. I walk as quietly as I can. In my head, I know that I must be stone cold, in my desperate want to see my family again. My heart is a whole other matter. I focus on going with my head, ignoring all of my heart's pleas. I'm unsuccessful. I can't stop humming to myself. I hum the tune of the Hanging Tree. I hum to every song that comes through my brain. I make a mental note to sing more if I get out of the arena. In the distance I hear the sound of twigs snapping, leaves rustling, and faint voices. I quicken my pace to a sprint, still trying to keep my noise to a minimum. I find myself in a clearing. And in front of me, there is Zeph, holding Lewis in a headlock similar to the one he held Lana in yesterday. I remember the outcome, and before my head can overpower my heart, I've strung an arrow into the bow and charged nearer to them. They both notice me then. Lewis shakes his head frantically, but I've already released the arrow. It soars through the air, and buries itself through in Zeph's skull. He howls in a mixture of frustration and pain, releasing Lewis, and crashing to the ground in the process. I stalk over to him and look him in the eyes.

"That was for Lana. Burn in hell, you bastard." I say as coldly as I can. The cannon fires, and I realise that his death is the first one I don't feel remorse for.

"Talia why did you do that?" Lewis asks, having gotten to his feet. "I was letting him kill me, then you'd be free to kill him and then win."

I process our situation. It's just the two of us now. There's no-one to kill either one of us. And I'm not starting another rebellion by going and getting some nightlock, no offense Mum.

"Oh god. What are we going to do?" I start to pace frantically. "I did not think this through."

"Hey, a rule change would be really appreciated right about now!" I yell, throwing my pack and weapons to the ground.

The gong sounds. Did they reply to my request? I'm filled with hope.

"Congratulations on remaining the final two tributes alive. I would like to remind you of the time limit. There must be a victor by the end of the day or there will be severe consequences. Good luck, and may the odds be ever in your favour." The announcer says.

Of course they wouldn't let us both live now. This is golden entertainment. We still have a few hours though. I keep pacing, trying to think of an idea.

"Wait. I think I know what this is for now." Lewis says.

"What?" I turn around, from where I stand on the other side of the clearing. He holds a small bottle.

"I got sent this when we broke the alliance. 'Use when the time is right' it says. There's no time better than now." He uncorks the bottle.

I realise what is most likely within the bottle.

"No!" I sprint towards him, but he already presses the bottle to his lips and drinks. I reach him and bat the bottle out of his hands, but he'd already downed most of the liquid. He falls to the ground, and lies on his back. I practically fall as well. I frantically clasp his face.

"Don't die Lewis, please." I beg.

His eyes find mine. They are still the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen. One lone tear escapes from one of the forest green orbs.

"I love you." He whispers. His eyes are concealed by his eyelids gently closing. He loves me? I suppose the feelings we've both shared are romantic ones, it just shocks me as he says it aloud. I think I love him too.

The cannon fires. No.

"Lewis?" I check his pulse. Nonexistent. I scream. Even though I know there is no point in trying, I give him mouth to mouth and pound on his chest. I feel the tears escaping my eyes. I give up my attempts to revive him. I fall onto the ground beside him, and edge my face next to his. I kiss him, and my eyes well up again when he doesn't respond.

"I love you too." I say. My arms clamp around him then.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the winner of the 105th Hunger Games, Talia Mellark!"

I do not make any effort to wave to the viewers. I stay firmly clamped onto Lewis. I curl up in the foetal position, and my legs rest on Lewis. I hear the hovercraft whirling above me, to take me away. I refuse to get on it, and leave Lewis. I hear people coming towards me. They prise me off of Lewis. But I'm not leaving him. I scream at them, the people wearing almost clinical looking white uniforms. I scream Lewis' name, crying hysterical tears now. I rip my arms from the clinical people's grip, and fall back onto Lewis' body. Voices command me to get up, but I refuse. I'm yanked upwards again, despite my protests.

"I'm not leaving him!" I shriek. I've become delirious. Crazy. The sight of all the bodies, especially the ones that died at my hands have made my mental state deteriorate. I thrash wildly under the grips that hold me. Then I feel a sharp stab in my upper arm. I look to see someone removing a syringe. I see one last glimpse of Lewis' body before the drugs take effect. My eyes glaze over slightly. My legs lose the ability to move. I can't force any of my limbs to move. One of the people pick me up, and carry me to the hovercraft. I watch as more people come over to the clearing. I watch as I blearily see them zip Lewis' body into a black body-bag. I try to scream his name, but nothing more than a strangling noise escapes my mouth because of the tranquiliser. I do the only thing I can do. Cry. Then I notice we've boarded the hovercraft. The metal plate lifts me up, as I watch my last view of the arena disappear. The next few minutes are a blur. Still under the drugs influence, I am a ragdoll, as I am placed in hospital like room, stripped and dressed in a light green hospital gown and am hooked up to various drips, I'm too numb to feel pain. Heads hover above me, covered in surgical masks. I notice one of the doctor's eyes are coloured crimson. I am back in the Capitol. Then something from the drips is rushed into my body. It washes over me, my eyes droop shut and I black out.

There will be more! Probably about two more chapters? I don't know. Review?