Hi guys!

Thank you all for the lovely reviews! I love reading all the comments and the only reason I keep going is because you guys are supporting me! Thank you all so much!

So I know it's not the most interesting part of the story at the moment but I don't want to rush the story and jump to exciting points without developing the story or characters.

It's also my birthday today so it would be lovely to have reviews haha! :D

Please read on and enjoy!

Chapter 20 – Killers

Adam

"Oh Adam," Mum straightens my tie, her face shining with pride. "You look so smart!" she beams. I blush, trying to push her away gently, but I can't help but admit that it feels nice to be fussed over by her. It's nice to finally make her proud, instead of her having to cover for all of my mistakes.

Turns out that I had impressed Claudius Turnus and the other Gamemakers enough to get the job. Apparently my reference from Surveyor Bates wasn't horrendous enough to damage my chances, and paired with my qualifications, and yes, even my past in the Games, I turned out to be an ideal candidate. I'm so used to being seen as a failure by my Father that I forget that I'm considered quite an impressive Mogadorian citizen. Enough to get me a job as a Gamemaker anyway.

"So, remember, you have to be respectful, but show off too, because there's a six week gap where they can fire you without questions asked…" my mother rambles on, as she continues to straighten my tie. I ignore her, trying to suppress the nerves in my stomach; it won't do getting nervous now.

"I better go" I tell her, gently pushing her away. "Otherwise I'll be late" My mother nods at once, a huge grin still on her face.

"Have fun!" she beams. "And show them how clever you are! Make the family proud!" she walks me to the door, still fussing. My father is nowhere to be seen, but since he didn't order Ivan to kill me after finding out about my job, I'm guessing that he's not angry about it. I guess he's not too upset, maybe even happy. He might be glad that I'm doing something useful and am someone to be proud of.

"I'll see you later," I kiss her cheek, heading down the steps. It's only a short walk to the Training Centre where I'll be working now. I wave to my mother once more and then turn the corner, my pretence dropping at once.

I don't want to do this. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but only now is the reality starting to hit me. Why did I ever think this was a good idea? There's no way I'll ever be able to save children, when I'm up against ten other Gamemakers and Claudius Turnus. It was a stupid mistake, and now I'll be directly responsible for kid's deaths. And this year…this year it's the Anniversary Games and I'll be responsible for 29 Loric deaths. And some of them will be Hannah's friends.

I shiver and tug my coat tighter around me. I can't think like this, there must be something that I can do, but I know that deep down it's impossible. All hopes of change and helping the Loric were pointless. Maybe over time I'll start to become like my old self once more: celebrating Loric deaths and wanting the Mogs to win. The thought makes me feel sick, and I'm almost tempted to turn around and head home. I don't think I can do this anymore.

Well, there's nothing we can do about this now, Hannah says weakly, her face reflecting her sick feeling. We might as well just get on with it. It wasn't until I was told that I had got the job that we both realised what a horrible mistake we'd done.

Doesn't change anything though, does it? I reply, stuffing my hands into my pockets.

Hannah doesn't reply. There's nothing she can say.

Xxx

"One of the first things we sort out is the arena," Lavinia, my mentor, informs me. "We're halfway through the process of finalising details for this year's arena"

"Ok" I nod, trying not to look overwhelmed. I'm sat in the large meeting room for Games preparation and I feel completely out of my depth. I have no idea what to do, or what to say, but fortunately I've been assigned a mentor to help me out for the next few weeks. It's both a mixture of fascinating and sickening sitting here as they debate ways for kids to die.

"We all individually draw up some ideas and then debate them. We choose the best one," Lavinia continues, smiling at the look on my face. "Don't worry, you're new and not expected to have done anything. This year will be a learning experience more than a job" she reassures me.

"Right…but that Games are in six months? Can it be built in time?" I ask in confusion. She grins, tossing her hair back.

"Of course!" she trills. "Oh Adam, you have so much to learn!" she laughs.

Claudius clears his throat, and we turn to his attention, watching as he spreads a diagram out on the table. It's rough and messy, with lots of scribbles and notes, but I can make out a circle with some weird lines in the middle. I have a feeling that arena diagrams are just one of many things that I'm going to have to learn.

"I received a special request from Our Beloved Leader last night" Claudius begins, looking proud of himself. I guess speaking to Setrakus Ra is still a huge bonus for him, even as Head Gamemaker.

"His Beloved Leader was interested?" one of the men asks in confusion. It must be odd for him to intervene, but after recent events I'm not surprised. He'll want all of Hannah's fellow Victors to be killed I bet, to stop any chance of an uprising.

"He wants us to go with Melissa's arena instead of with Lukas'" Claudius spreads out what must be Melissa's plans. She practically jumps with joy at her plans being chosen over Lukas, who I'm guessing is the scowling guy in the corner. It's almost comical.

Look at their faces. This is all they care about, getting Setrakus' approval, I tell Hannah. I expect her to laugh along with me in disdain, or at least to get a nod but I get nothing. Oh great, it's like she's in a mood with me.

Are you annoyed with me? I want to sigh, but obviously I can't when I'm in this room full of people. But there's nothing. I look around, expecting Hannah to be nearby, grinning in amusement, but she's nowhere to be found. I try and reach out for her with my mind but I can't feel anything.

Hannah's gone. She's gone.

I try not to panic, but my heart rate accelerates in fear. What's going on? Hannah's never left me before but she's definitely not in my mind right now. It's like she's just disappeared into thin air and never existed, was just a figment of my imagination. I try to search for her desperately but it's like my mind is empty and it's just me.

Hannah! I call out in a panic but there's nothing. My hands are sweating and my breath is almost coming in gasps, but I have to remain calm. I don't want to cause a scene. I wipe my hands against my trousers, feeling dizzy in my panic. She can't leave me; she can't go. She can't leave me alone, not after everything we've been through together.

"And I personally think the theme is very fitting and I love the twist…" Claudius continues. I swallow desperately, trying to control my anxiety. I can't have a meltdown in front of these people otherwise I'll lose my job. I can't because then my father will hear about it and will get suspicious.

"Can I just go to the toilet?" I ask Lavinia, needing an immediate escape. She nods at once, not really interested in me and more intrigued in the conversation. She whispers a few directions and I leave the room, trying to act normal, but inside I'm terrified.

"Hannah?" I whisper, the minute the door shuts behind me. "Hannah? Where are you?"

Nothing.

I stagger to the bathroom, trying not to cry, but tears are burning in my eyes. No, no. I collapse in a stall, tears streaking down my cheeks. She's gone; she's left me. It's like her dying all over again but worse. At least she was in my mind, maybe not alive, but still here. But now…there's nothing. I scream her name in my mind over and over but it's like I can't reach her. She's left me and I'm all alone once more. Maybe she couldn't take the meeting and gave up. Maybe she just didn't care for me that much to stay.

Ad-Adam? What's going on? Why are you sitting on the floor?

"Hannah?!" I sit up at once at the contact. I gasp when I see her form sitting on the floor near to me, like it's back to normal once more. But she's flickering and looks faint, shaken.

"Where the hell did you go?" I laugh, a grin on my face. I feel so relieved, so happy that I could hug her, but obviously I can't. Having her presence in my mind is like having a blanket that I never realised I depended so much on. I never realised how much I loved sharing my mind with her.

I…I don't know, she whispers. One minute I was here and then I was gone. I couldn't find you…she shudders, not sharing my joy. And then I came back. Her eyes are haunted and I can tell she feels shaken. Her sudden disappearance scared me too, but I'm just filled with relief. It seems Hannah doesn't feel the same.

"What counts is that you're back now though," I tell her. She nods, but I can tell she's keeping something from me. I don't even care; I'm so relieved to have her back in my mind that I don't even care why she might be disappearing like that. I know I should but I can't.

Yeah…I suppose, she nods, rubbing her face. Her form is starting to solidify again and soon she looks like she normally does. I relax in relief, but I know I need to head back soon.

"Are you ok if I go back to the meeting?" I ask her. "We can talk about what happened later….when we're both calmer" I reassure her. She nods, and I stand up, my heart still thudding a little, but at least everything is back to normal now.

As we head back to the room, I feel occupied and there's a sick feeling of dread in my stomach. I don't know what the hell just happened, and even though I'm relieved that she's back, I've got this awful feeling that this could just be the beginning. That Hannah's disappearance won't be the last. And that one day it might be permanent.

Xxx

Cody

"Ella?" I hesitantly knock on her door. "Ella? Can I talk to you?"

I don't hear anything for a bit but then there's a shuffling noise and the door opens. Ella peers out, her eyes bloodshot and her face paler than normal. She's in her pyjamas and I can tell from her mussed up hair that she's been in bed all morning. She looks young, but the look in her eyes belongs to someone far older than she is. Well, she has been through a lot for her age.

"Hey" I attempt a smile. "Can I talk?"

She shrugs and moves away from the door, opening it wider, instead of slamming it on me. So, it seems that Marina never told her about my secret. I can't help but be glad. I don't want someone else to hate me. Like Marina, I'm upset by what happened the other day at the Calling; Marina and Ella should have both been kept here, safe in the Capital. But life doesn't always go according to plan and I was hoping that Marina's anger wouldn't cause her to tell anyone the truth about my allegiance. Thankfully, it hasn't.

"What do you want?" Ella breaks my trance as I stand awkwardly in her apartment. She wipes her nose, looking a little lost. I can't help but feel sorry for her; to lose all of your friends, especially when one volunteered for you must be hard. It must be hard to move on.

"I came to see how you were" I reply, smiling at her. "I wanted to make sure that you were all right, after the Calling and everything," Ella winces, wrapping her arms around herself.

"I'm fine" she replies shortly. "Besides, there's nothing that talking can do anyway. There's nothing that I can do. I'm useless," she looks around her living room, looking lost. I bet everything must be so different for her now; there's no Marina, no Stanley. There's nothing for her here now and she must know it. Unless…well, there is something that she could do.

"You can always do something," I reply. Ella looks up at me, her eyes big and almost scared. She's hunched over, as if to protect herself from the world.

"Yeah right," she whispers. "My friends are going to die…Marina" she chokes up, and tears fill her eyes. "I'm going to watch them die and there's nothing I can do about it" she says softly, the pain audible in her voice.

I shrug, crossing my arms over my chest. "Really?" I look at her closely. Setrakus Ra wanted her saved for a reason, but why? What's so special about her? She's nothing compared to me. Yet she must be something special otherwise Setrakus would never have selected her.

"What are you saying?" she straightens up. She still looks scared and lost, but also slightly determined. It's funny, you don't see this side of her when Marina and Stanley are around; being without them is forcing her to grow up, and that can only be a good thing.

"That you join a side," I suggest. "These Games weren't done for a reason. There's trouble going on and you know it" Trouble that will just lead to the Loric's deaths, but I don't mention that. I don't want to scare her unnecessarily. Besides, it will hardly persuade her to join the mogs side, and I have a feeling that's what Setrakus wants.

Ella frowns. "You want me to fight for the Loric?" she asks. I snort, and shake my head at once, trying not to laugh.

"Don't be stupid!" I snort. "They've lost! Their war is over before it's even begun" I stand up, approaching her. "I'm talking about joining the mogs" Ella shakes her head at once; her eyes flashing with something like anger. She stands taller, her tiny hands clenched into fists by her sides.

"No way!" she hisses. "The mogs are the reason Marina and Stanley are going back in the arena to fight! There's no way I'd join them!" Her determination surprises me, but at the same time, it's a good shock. She has guts after all.

"And what if I told you that you and Marina weren't even supposed to be chosen? That the mogs wanted to spare you all from the Games to protect you" I snap. She falters, her face paling slightly. I can tell that my claim has thrown her, but she shakes her head, as if to clear her mind.

"I would say that you're lying," she stammers. "Why would they want to protect me and Marina?" she frowns. I lean forward, knowing that I've got her hooked.

"Why don't you come with me and you can find out?" I offer. She watches me, her eyes wide and curious, as she chews on her lip.

She's intrigued, despite herself, and wants to find out the answers. She's curious as to why she and Marina were chosen to be saved. And maybe, there's a part of her like me, a part of her that wants to be recognised. She's always been in Marina or Stanley's shadow, always one of them looking out for her. Even when she got her legacies, it wasn't publicised nearly as much as Maren's talent at killing or Stanley's aggressive nature. There's a part of her that wants to be seen, to be recognised. What she doesn't realise it that the mogs can do that for her.

"I don't think I should," she finally says. "Sounds dangerous," she whispers. I shrug, moving to the door, but deep down I'm angry. Why is she being so stupid? Can't she see the wonderful opportunity being offered to her?

"So you're a coward," I snort. "Hiding behind people all your life has made you weak," I say derisively. Her face fills with anger at once, and her hands ball up in fists once more.

"I'm not a coward!" she snaps. "Don't you dare call me that! You don't know me!" she snaps, her face turning red. I laugh, amused by her anger; so far, I'm not impressed with her.

"Why don't you come with me and prove me wrong then?" I challenge. Ella's jaw tightens but she nods, crossing her arms.

"Fine, I-" she's interrupted when the door opens behind me. Instinctively I turn around at once, expecting a fight, but it's just her mentor, Crayton. His eyes narrow when he sees me; anger and wariness crossing over his face.

"What's going on?" he asks, his voice controlled. It seems that he knows about my involvement with the mogs, guessing by the looks he's sending me, but doesn't have the courage to push his luck. He must know that one word from me can ruin his career.

"Nothing, I was just leaving," I say. My heart is beating a little faster than normal, and I feel a little panicked as he looms over me. I watch from the corner of my eye as Ella nods, and Crayton relaxes slightly, but he's still tense.

"Well, you know where the door is" he gestures behind him. I scowl at his rudeness, doesn't he know who he's talking to, but head to the door anyway. I turn as I reach the doorway, focusing on Ella. She still looks confused, and upset, and I shoot her a look.

"Don't forget what I said" I tell her, before shutting the door behind me.

Xxx

Maren

It's early when I wake up, the sun barely creeping over the horizon. A cold wind blows in through the barely open window and I shiver, pulling the covers around my chin. Once I would have loved this wind; it meant that I could track the animals, covering my scent with old leaves blowing in the wind. It meant that I could hunt for hours on end, bringing back the kills for my family to enjoy or trade.

How things have changed. It brings a lump to my throat to think of the old days when I would hunt in the woods for hours on ends with the only thing to fear being hungry stomachs back home. I could waste hours in the woods, catching fish, shooting birds, swimming in the lake…it was perfect. It was my haven. But I haven't been hunting in over a year and that's all because of the Games. I wonder if I'll have lost some of my skill with a snare, or a bow and arrow because of everything else I've been doing. I hope not…I'll need all my skills in the arena.

And my family. It's been so long that I've been able to have a normal conversation with them, without the threat of death looming over us all. I smile when I think of the evenings we would spend together, Lilia plaiting my hair, whilst Catia did her homework in the corner. My mother would read us something, sometimes a story or a poem, but they would always be positive, happy things. I think of how happy I used to be, how much I loved being at home with them all.

I think of Lilia, who used to depend so much on me. I wonder if she's grown up, is more independent. A lump rises in my throat when I think of Catia, who was so strong and looked after all of us when father died, who has always been there for me. I have never been there for her, even when their lives depended on it. And now they'll be forced to see me fight and kill and turn into a monster. Tears burn in my eyes and I do what I've always done; I try to forget about them so that the pain disappears. It's easier to cope with loss when you don't think about it.

I roll over in bed, watching as the lights of the house opposite me turn on. Someone's getting up already to train. The thought fills me with fear and I sit up, wrapping the blanket around my shoulders. Whoever is in the house opposite me is ready to fight for their survival, even if it means taking down other Loric. Whoever lives there is ready to be a murderer.

The thought fills me with dread, and I get up, switching the light on with telekinesis. I need to prepare too, instead of lying around and thinking of a past that I can never return to. There's no point in feeling sorry for myself now; what's done is done and I have to cope with that. I have to move on and focus on the present.

I get dressed quickly, padding through the dark house to get to the Training Hall. Kat is still asleep, but I remember enough from our training sessions before the first Games. I know how to operate this room. I unlock it and enter the room, amazed once more by its size and contents. Nothing has changed, yet everything looks different. Maybe because I know that there is no way for there to be more than one survivor this year. Maybe because I know that I won't be facing unnamed and unknown enemies. I'll be against old friends who will be new enemies.

I step into the room, letting the door shut behind me. I approach the weapons stand, picking up the mean looking machete. Not even this year will I use this. If I'm going to kill someone, it might at least be slightly dignified and less painful. I put it back, and look at the other weapons: the bow and arrow, the sword, throwing knives, axes…there are so many weapons to choose from. I have to be good at all of them if I'm to win. Some of the tributes will have favourite weapons: Stanley loves the pipe staff and Marina loves the bow and arrow. I have to be able to master all of them if I'm to fight them off.

I pick up the bow and arrow to start with, admiring the smooth curve of the weapon. It's been made out of metal instead of the usual wood. I wonder if that's to make it harder to break, meaning a better fight. I remember Marina's bow and arrow broke last year, so I wouldn't be surprised if they change weapons to strengthen their weaknesses. Otherwise the fights won't be as fun if one person's defenceless.

"Don't you know what time it is?" Instinct kicks in at once, and loading the arrow before I can think, I spin on my heel and aim at the person in the doorway. Seeing Kat standing there in the doorway stills my hand before I can shoot her. I drop the bow at once, shocked by my own reaction.

"Don't you know better than to startle me when I'm armed?" I ask, my heart beating fast. Recent events have made me paranoid. Kat laughs, shrugging good-naturedly as she enters the room.

"Touché" she grins. "But honestly why are you down here? It's not even six yet and you've got a long day of training ahead. You need to sleep," she asks, standing next to me. I gently place the bow and arrow down on the stand, frowning slightly.

"Because I need to be ready, Kat. There are some real killers going up this year, and I need to be able to beat them. And if that means getting up at six, then so be it" I say fiercely, turning to her. "I'm not going to die, Kat. I refuse to let my sisters and mother see me be killed" Kat nods, her face conflicted.

"Even if that means killing your friends?" she asks softly. I know she doesn't mean to be mean, or cruel, but it hurts all the same. I nod, despite the tight feeling of guilt in my stomach.

"Even if it means killing them," I reply. "I would do anything to live" Kat doesn't look shocked but I can see the concerned look in her eyes. I turn away, hating seeing that look, and I head over to the punching bag. I pull my hair up in a tight ponytail, looking forward to the comforting oblivion that comes with training.

"I know it hurts Maren, but you don't need to pretend with me" she says, her voice filled with sadness. "I know it hurts you to think of killing them. Especially John"

I wince at the mention of his name. Yeah, killing John will hurt the most. He's the only one that stuck by me in the Tour, the only one who really cared about me and what I was going through. His death will be the most despicable and the most painful. Yet, is his life worth more than mine? I don't know. I can't make that decision. All I know is that his life stands in the way of my survival, and I want more than anything to live.

"The thing is," I say slowly, adjusting the punching bag. "It won't be that hard. Not nearly as much as you're saying" I sigh, turning to face her. "They're easy to kill. Stanley is strong, but he gets emotional and cocky, and then he makes bad decisions. Using his own strength against him can easily get him killed" Kat opens her mouth to stop me, but I carry on.

"Marina isn't a great hand to hand fighter. She's good at long range, especially with her bow and arrow, but get within five metres and she's dead. Joseph is so in love with her that he'll do anything to protect her, and I can use that against him" I continue. I don't even feel that bad saying all of this: it is just the truth.

"John is strong and intelligent, but he loves Sarah too much to abandon her. She'll get him killed. She's a good shot, but if there aren't guns, she's deadweight. The two of them will die because of the other" I finish off. Kat watches me, her face sad. Maybe she doesn't like the thought of me being a killer, but that's all I am. Before the Games, I killed animals to survive. In my first Games I killed mogs without a thought to live. And this year, I'll kill Loric to live. It's all about survival of the fittest.

Deep down, my calm and collective attitude about killing terrifies me.

"You don't have to be one of them to win" Kat finally whispers. I laugh, turning away from her and adjusting the punch bag once more. Perfect. I can start training now.

"You of all people know that's not true" I reply coldly. "The only way I can win is to become a killer. And if that's what it takes, then that's what I'll do"

Xxx

John

"Here" Henri passes me a cup of tea, his face filled with sympathy. "It'll make you feel better"

I take the mug, the muscles in my arm complaining with the movement. I've been training all day, and after six months of no combat fighting, it hurts like hell. Working in the Chimaera stables hasn't really helped at all, not like I thought it would, and it feels like I've been beaten up multiple times. But it's still better than the mental and emotional pain; thinking of Sarah, and of the other Tributes hurts far more than I feel.

"I don't think anything will make me feel better" I sigh. "But thanks" Henri sits nearby on the sofa, looking a little lost. It must be hard for him too, seeing me go back into the Games, but I can't find it in me to care. At least he's not going to die. At least the love of his life isn't going to be killed either.

"If there was anything I could do, you know I'd do it" he sighs. I nod, but I just don't care. There's nothing he or anyone else can do about this. This was caused by the other tributes and I; I guess it's only fair that we should be the ones suffering.

"Our deaths might at least inspire some uprisings at the very least I suppose" I sigh. "Hopefully"

Henri scowls. "You know, John, I know you're suffering a lot, and I'm sorry for what you're going through, but you need to snap out of this. You've been like this ever since you and Sarah broke up and you need to stop!"

I stare at him incredulously. "What?" I say stupidly. I'm so dumbfounded by his outburst that I don't know what to say. This is unexpected, to say the least.

"You've been in a weird state. You train, but you're not really with it. And you're just feeling sorry for yourself, and already accepting your death! You need to snap out of it and fight!"

I start getting angry, and fix him with a glare. "How can you say that? You're not even going in there; you don't know what it's like! Besides, I probably will die, and so will the other tributes from my year! That's the reason for these Games! To kill us!"

Henri shakes his head, scowling. "I know what it's like to see the boy I consider to be like a son being forced to fight his friends," he says. "I know what it's like to see the people I love being hurt or killed" he mutters, still angry. I falter a little, but I'm still angry. Henri has no right to say this to me; I'm still in shock from everything, don't I deserve to feel sorry for myself?

"I'm sorry," I say, genuinely. "But it still changes nothing about how I feel. How can I kill my friends? I can't do it, I just can't," I say softly. Henri sighs, running his hand through his hair in agitation.

"You better get over your self-pity and learn" he says harshly. "Because some of your friends have accepted your death and are preparing for it" I stare at him in confusion, dread clenching in my stomach. He can't be talking about Sarah, can he? She can't honestly be planning my death…can she?

"What?" I whisper. Henri laughs bitterly, his hands clenched in his lap.

"Your friend, Maren, has been preparing to win. Which means that you, and the other tributes from your year, will die. So you better start sorting yourself out John, because when Maren is determined to do something, she will do it"

His words hit me hard. Maren has been preparing to kill us? I think of her, of her sharp eyes and determined face. I shouldn't be surprised; she's strong, and deadly, and will do anything for her family. She won't want them to see her die on TV, and she definitely won't want to die herself. I shouldn't be shocked that she's accepted our deaths if she's to survive; I should have anticipated it.

Anger curls in my stomach. So, my friend, who I was there for every step of the way has just abandoned me to my fate. Well, I should follow her lead and do the same. She clearly doesn't care about the rest of us. She just wants to live. I fist my hands up into fists, feeling a cold knot of determination forming in my stomach. Well, I want to live too. And if that means her death, then I'll accept that.

"I won't let her" I finally reply. "I won't let her win. Not if it means that I die" Henri smiles but I can tell he's drained. All of this talk of killing friends and the Games must make him feel sick. I would feel the same, but I just feel so numb, as if this is all a bad dream. Maybe it's better to stay that way.

"Just…don't forget who you are," Henri cautions me, as if he hasn't just lectured me on being a fighter. "I don't want you to be like them"

I laugh bitterly, staring down at my mug. It's already too late; I hurt Sarah, but ending things with her so I could win. I've already been training to kill the others and now I've just promised to live. It's too late, and Henri should know that.

"Can't you see though?" I reply. "The only way to survive is to become a killer. That's the beauty of this Games for the mogs. By killing each other to win, we're like the mogs. And what will the Loric think of us then?"

Hope you enjoyed! Next chapter they're heading to the Capital because I thought that another few chapters on their training is unnecessary. We know they're good fighters and we don't want loads of chapters of their moping haha!

Please review! :D