(A/N: Well, I know it's been a long time since I have updated on this story, so I decided to write a short chapter for you guys. Yes, it's going to be short because I have several other stories to update too. I feel so bad that I haven't updated, but what can I do? It's my senior year of high school. I'm so busy with college applications and school activities. It's crazy. Anyway, I apologize and I hope you will enjoy this brief chapter. Happy reading!)

Day 10

District 12 – Ryder Hustiths

It's Day 10, and I am still alive. Can you believe it? Little old me from District 12 is still marching around in this arena. I hope I can keep it up until the end. All I know is that I have to win. I've got a lady back at home waiting for me. I've been thinking about her lately. My beautiful Lilia. People don't know about her. The reason why I have support from female sponsors is because they think I'm desirable. They think I'm single. Well, I'm not. I'm in love with Lilia, and I will fight until I get to see her again.

Lately, I've been having flashbacks to the past. I've heard this is common in the Hunger Games. Tributes start thinking about the past and it affects their performance in the arena. So far, it hasn't affected my performance at all. I'm still determined to win. I want to win. Nothing can change that.

Right now, my mind flashes back to our first date. It was amazing. We had a small picnic in her barn. No one knew about us, so we got to enjoy ourselves. She cooked me dinner with the amount of food she had, which consisted of bread and soup. It wasn't much, but it was enough for us. It was perfect.

What I would give to go back to those moments. I'd do anything, that's for sure. I'd do anything for her. That's why I have to win. I'm not going to die and leave her alone. That'd kill her. I can't let that happen.

I'm going to spill a little secret. Lilia and I had a night a couple days before the Reapings. It was special. It was just the two of us. It was meant to happen. I told her I loved her and I would do anything for her.

I'm still going to keep that promise. I just have to keep it up.

"Hey."

I turn around to see a boy standing behind me. He must be the District 9 guy – Alby Blossom. What a guy...

"What do you want?" I ask him.

"You're the only guy left in the Games besides me," he says. I shrug my shoulders. Thank you, Captain Obvious.

"Yes, and your point is?" I ask.

"Well, one of us has to die," he says. I roll my eyes and turn away from him. Yes, I realize that. There can only be one winner. Maybe I should just kill him right now? It wouldn't harm anyone.

"I can fix that with one blow to your head," I say. His eyes widen with worry and he shakes his head.

"Look, I was wondering if you'd like to join my team," he says. I squint my eyes at him with suspicion. What the heck is he talking about? He has a team?

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"Well, we need to gain up on Jolie, the girl from District 2," he says. I roll my eyes. I know who Jolie is. Anyone knows who she is. I'm not stupid.

"Okay...and?" I ask.

"Well, Katia and I teamed up to get rid of her. Personally, I don't like to kill girls. They're God's little Angels, but Katia said she would do it. Now, if you join our team, we have a better chance of getting rid of her. Maybe you can help kill her so Katia doesn't have to do it all on her own," he says.

I stare down at him and nod my head. I guess it makes sense. We have to get rid of her. She's insane. She's a psychopath. A psychopath doesn't deserve to win. It shouldn't work out that way.

"I'll join your team. Don't worry. I won't kill you," I say. He smiles and holds out his hand. I extend my hand and shake his. This is a strange ally system, but it's the only thing we can do right now.

"Thanks," he says. I shove him away from me and smile.

"Yet..."

I turn around and walk out of the forest. I laugh and shake my head. I turn back and see him staring at me with his mouth agape. Oh, that's exactly what I wanted. Yes...it's everything I wanted at this moment.

I walk along the lava river. The grass is crunching underneath my feet. I look up at the sky and sigh. Maybe the Games will end tomorrow. I sure hope so. I want to get home. It's the one thing I want right now. I just want to go home...

A/N: Yeah, there weren't any deaths in this chapter either. I hope you aren't too unhappy with me. There will be a death in the next chapter, but I won't tell you who yet! You know...because I'm evil like that. Anyway, I will try to update as soon as I can!

As always,

Fiddlegirl