I am BEYOND sorry for the lack of updates. I guess you can blame it on having a guy in my life, or having a job for a bit, and school, but honestly I don't know why this chapter took me so long to write. I promise the next one will follow close behinf this one, and will be full of action. 3

Alive: Pauper, Nowl, Flynn, Artemis, Electra, Thailia, Remus, Hannah, Favian.

Flynn left later the next morning. I can't say that I'm sorry he did. No one from our alliance seemed to have it in it to kill him, even me. We probably all looked so weak for the audience but after so long in the arena a lot of us have just stopped caring.

Once Flynn had been gone for a while Artemis unlocked the doors, and we then had an early breakfast of granola bars and beef jerky. No one wanted to go back to sleep. Electra spent all of this time just staring out the window, and so when she stood up all the muscles in my body tensed defensively.

She didn't reach for a pack or anything, but instead the door handle, "where are you going?" Artemis questioned in a mock light voice.

Electra stopped, look everyone of us in the eyes, then said, "to see Libby."

It was so awkward. I mean, it was obvious that Electra had gone mad, not to the level Vail was, but something snapped, which after being in the Hunger Games most people did, but she had seen Libby die. It was either she was saying she'd go to see whom she still thought was living, or she was going to kill herself. I didn't want to ask.

And apparently no one else did. Artemis got off the bed and hugged Electra's waist, then Electra simply left.

"This way we won't have too," Artemis said sadly, "kill her, I mean. I didn't want to have to do it, but she looked like she'd snap on us any second..."

"It's okay, Artemis, even if we tried to stop her she wouldn't let us," Nowl stated grimly. I nodded in agreement.

By late afternoon we decided that there's no use in staying in this house. Two of our now possible enemies, Flynn and Electra knew it's location, and we now lack the defenses we had when our alliance had been whole. The 'career' alliance had the same amount as us, Thailia, Remus, and Favian. We repacked our packs, refilled our water canteens, and set off again in the woods.

We made it about five miles when we heard a cannon. My legs locked, and I met eyes with Nowl, who's expression matched mine. Who could it have been this time?

"We have to keep moving," Artemis said, eyes watering a bit, and we started up again. There was something about Artemis that I respected more than I respected anyone. She was a lot more skilled than most of the tributes, not physically, but mentally she had a good brain. Logical, exspecially for her age. I didn't want her to die.

Part of me knew that I was getting too far in this game. We're down to nine out of twentyfour tributes, and that number is only decreasing. I should have saved someone's life with my own by now. I should be dead.

It was a beautiful sunset by the time we made it to a rock cave on top of a hill that fit two bodies comfortably, but the three of us fit tightly. The scenery looked so peaceful it mocked us. The orange color of the sky, and way the sun kissed the top of the trees. It was almost erry.

I was stupid to take first watch.

It fell dark real quick after soon arriving. Artemis and Nowl feel asleep fast, a long day of walking clearly exhausted them. I was feeling tired too, but my mind wouldn't let me think of anything other than last night.

I tried to see it in Flynn's shoes; he was a nice guy afterall. I furrowed my brows and realized something new, he was obsessed with getting back at the Capitol, why? I don't understand why I didn't pick up on it sooner, he made it obivous: his interview was a big smack in the face for the gamemakers. Our whole relationship was forbidden in here. What made him so harsh to the Capitol?

The Hunger Games should be the obivous answer, and even I know that life in district twleve where he's from is ten times poorer than the poorest part of district two. But there's something more.

I'm trying to stay mad at him for murdering Vail, but I closed my eyes and sighed, but this is the Hunger Games. Murdering someone, no matter how innocent, is nessassry.

Thump, thump, thump. Footsteps! How long do I have before they reach me? My mind went into panic mode, blocking out any normal thought. I have to get them away from the cave, finally a logical thought passed my mind, and I started walking heavily to the left of the cave.

They footsteps stopped, then speed up in my direction. I made it as far as a rocky clearing, then I shed my sword from my belt and planted my boots firmly on the ground. The Capitol audience, and the rest of Panem would be in for a show tonight.

The footsteps belonged to a girl, and I tensed, figuring it was Thailia, who was probably leading her career alliance on an ambush.

But then the figured of the girl stepped out into clear view. It was Electra. I smiled at her, which she didn't return. Stupidly, I put down my sword, and went over to talk to her.

I guess I wanted to help her out. She looked at me with insane eyes. Her short pixie hair was in a mess. She was covered in mud. Electra screamed loudly in the night air, and held out her arm. I didn't check her hand before, and in it was something only peacekeepers possesed. A gun. It was tiny, but it would still do the job.

"Electra..." I started, she just screamed again, piercing the night air. Then she loaded the gun, and held her finger on the trigger.

I stood motionless. I wasn't trainned in this combat. I could sword fight, I could even win against an archerer while they were reloading their bow, but I could not tackle a bullet.

I closed my eyes to prepare for death. I wouldn't die saving someone, I would never get that chance. I couldn't tell Nowl that I loved him. I couldn't tell Flynn that I'm sorry for punching him in the nose. I knew Calif and my mother were eagerly watching the television, smiling at this moment, and sqirming in the anticipation of it. The trigger went off.

But I wasn't hurt. Ow, fuck! Scrath that. I was. I was shot, but only a flesh wound, which means that the bullet just skimmed the side of my left arm. I opened my eyes, how could she have missed such an easy target?

Oh. That's why. Because someone had beheaded her before she could. I blinked. There stood Favian, the black hair violet eyed tribute from district four, wish a long sword in his hands. Shock on his face at what he just did.

Then blood poored from his mouth and he collasped beside the two pieces of Electra.

Thailia stood behind the pile of body, smiling, with a blow gun to her lips, taking a nice deep breath.