Christina's (Number Ten) POV

I feel like I'm going to vomit. My head is throbbing and my knees feel like jelly. I don't know if I'll be able to stand up on my platform. It takes all my strength to stay standing.

Blake and Sarah are injured and Ella was kidnapped by the Mogs!

I can feel tears rolling down my face as the clock counts down from sixty. I really just want to run now, far away and vomit up everything I just ate. I can't see any of the others around me. I feel so helpless and lost.

I can't help, but cry out in my head. I reach out to John with telepathy.

The others were attacked and they... They got Ella.

The gong goes off and we're free to run towards the Cornucopia .

I stand on my platform, unsure of what to do now with this new development. I'm worried sick for my boyfriend, the other Garde and my little sister. That's at least how I see her and I know the others do too.

Annie's voice comes into my head for the first time in a long time.

My advice would be to grab and go, instead of making yourself an easy target. You can't die here!

I jump off my platform and run for the nearest pile of supplies. I grab a bag and run for the woods. I guess the Careers are too busy attacking the others to notice me make my escape. I hike up the nearest hill and put as much distance between me and the Cornucopia that I can. I only stop once to rest a bit before moving on.

While walking, my head is a whirlwind of emotion and desperation. The Mogs have made their move and now Ella is paying for it. The others couldn't protect her and neither can we. Who knows what he'll do to her? If she is his heir, at least she won't be killed.

Again my stomach twists when I remember the vision Ella was having.

I walk until I come to the a large lake that sits between me and the Careers. I realize that I wasn't putting much distance between myself and the others after all. I basically walked the circumference of the lake. I can see the shine from the horn from where I'm standing. I guess it's better to be closer in case something else happens. I fill my bottle with water and shift around the lake quietly towards a large cliff side that towers over the lake. There is a small waterfall that trickles from what I suspect is the river. I briefly stop to admire its beauty before I notice a large darkened area behind it.

I carefully maneuver behind the falling water and the slippery rocks. I don't care if I get soaked right now, I may have just found shelter. I climb over a small area and I find myself in a shallow cave, carved in the side of this cliff. It is damp and small, but it just might help. Plus it's close to water so it's an added bonus.

I shift through some of the rocks to make a more room. I place my pack down and go through the contents. To my great joy, I have a flashlight! I turn it on and face if upward to give me some overhead light. I sort through everything else.

Some food, a tarp, rope, my bottle, compass and a small dagger.

I guess it's good enough for now, that is until I can get to the others.

I start thinking about if this could be a good base camp for us. Six could make it bigger and it is hard to trace. This could be perfect for us.

I lay out the tarp and lug a rock over to prop up myself up. I eat a tiny bit of food as I am still sick about Ella.

I try closing my eyes and concentrating on my breathing. I'm hoping that I can contact Ella or someone on the outside. I know the vision came from Ra just as I was about to enter the games to scare me out of my wits and make me an easy target for the others. Ra knew that I would tell the others, when and if we meet up. He also knew that there was no way that we could save her, most likely what he had planned all along.

I relax and shut my eyes, pulling myself into the lotus position. I enter a similar blackness that is all too familiar.

"Ella!" I call into the darkness. "Ella!"

My voice seems to echo into nothing.

Ella please talk to me! I beg using my telepathy.

I want to see the light again. I want to find her and tell her that we're coming to get her...

"ELLA!"

Nothing at all.

I spend what feels like hours meditating, trying to talk to someone, anyone at all. Find Ella or the others, make sure they are okay...But nothing.

I re-awaken my mind I wipe the sweat from my brow. I'm dizzy and sick now. I go out to the waterfall and scoop some water in my mouth. I slowly slide out from behind the wall of water and take in my surroundings. It's almost nightfall, with the sun fading on the tree line. I can't help but feel slightly at peace, gazing at this sight. I pull my boots off and stick my feet in the cool water. I start to wish that I could just get in and swim, like I used to do when I was young. Annie would watch me for hours on the beach, jumping into the waves and bobbing up and down. Even at swimming pools, I'd be the water bug and play games with anyone I could. I start to long for those times again.

I start kicking the water gently, wading and looking at my reflection. I look so different, my forehead creased with worried lines and my face hasn't lit up with a smile in a long time. Why should it? I've seen too much darkness and misery. I have no reason to think of anything bright or happy. I do try and smile, lifting the corners of my face up to create a grin, but it looks so fake that I stop.

I watch the moon rise slowly over the trees, illuminating the water beneath my feet. I wonder if the others can see this moon too? Would they know that I was thinking about them? that I want to find them?

I suddenly have the feeling that someone is watching me.

I look up and see a girl with long fiery red hair leaning over the lake, cupping water in her hands into her mouth. She looks real nervous and rather twitchy in her movements. Her hair is pulled into a double bun and she carries a small backpack with her.

She continues to sip water until she sees the sun is starting to set. She stands up to leave and that is when she catches my stare.

I can't help but feel nervous for her and I worry that she might run away or come over to kill me. I re-think the last part and decide that she's not the killing type. Plus if she's is alone, her key goal is to survive, not fight.

Our eyes meet for a few moments, her bright blue eyes staring in at me, as if she can read my thoughts.

I lift my hand up in subtle waving motion. She flinches and looks ready to leave, but she doesn't. Our eyes remain locked as we stand on opposite sides of this vast lake, literally a world away. She can see that I'm unarmed and simply sitting by the lake.

I take a simple risk, using my mind to reach out to her.

Are you as scared as I am? I ask her.

I can see that she's surprised and she flinches slightly at hearing my voice in her head. I'm afraid that this might scare her off, but our eyes remain locked together.

It's okay... I think calmly. I don't want to hurt you either.

The girl's head turns to the side as if curious and yet confused. Her thoughts are muddled and quiet, matching her disposition. Her name is Finch and she's my brother's district partner. She prefers to be alone and she hates the Games as much as anyone does.

These games are messed up aren't they? I ask her.

Again her head tilts, but then she nods slightly.

We know what we're up against. I tell her. But I still plan to walk out of here alive.

I can see her eyes roll, breaking our line of vision. She's sure that everyone says that to help them sleep at night.

The only difference is... I say to her. We're stronger than you think

I grab the small blade from my belt and become shiny. The moon's rays reflect off of me and I look like a piece of a trophy or even a disco ball.

The girl stumbles back a bit, understandably surprised, but at the same time fascinated.

What are you?! she asks me, her shadowed face in awe. What can you do?

I look at her and smile, steel lips coming together.

We're here to help you and the others get out. You're not alone in hating the Capitol

We suddenly hear a blood curdling scream that interrupts the connection. We both flinch and look towards where the sound was heard. A canon blast is heard.

I look back at Finch and I can see the terror in her eyes.

Go! I say anxiously. Hide! We'll find you when the time comes to escape

But How will I know? she asks.

You'll know. I nod with confidence. Just remember you're not alone in this...

Finch stares at me for a long moment before she waves a little bit and then vanishes into the thicket. I also make myself scarce in case the hunters who killed the girl are looking for more victims.

I go back in and turn my flashlight off. I curl up under the tarp and try to think peaceful thoughts. I have a small comfort to know that I know we may have some allies in the future. Finch is stealthy and smart, we could use a girl like her on our team.

The next day passes without incident. I find some berries not to far from the lake to eat that fill me and I eat some of the food I was given. I decide for now that I'll take a day off to prepare for the next day...Track the Garde.

I hear a scream that awakens me from my sleep the next morning and I realize that it's coming from the forest. I slip out from behind the curtains of the water fall and go towards the berry bush. I can feel the heat of the sun baking down on me as I gather some more berries to eat.

Suddenly I smell smoke from a campfire and it's awfully close. I start to think some other tribute must be really close by. I look up at me and I see a wall of fire coming towards me!