Gemma Reed, District 4

With most of my allies gone, I take the time to fill up a back pack with food, water, rope, and two knives. I move quietly, trying not to disturb Dylan. He sits against the tree with his eyes shut, but I don't think he's asleep. Cleo is out walking, Phoenix and Crystal are going up the mountain, and Jagger is sitting at the lake. I decide tonight would be a good time to leave, I refuse to be caught in the disbandment of the Careers.

I hide my bag behind some foliage, hoping no body sees me. I quickly finish before either boy gets suspicious

What do you think of the others?" Jagger asks. I give him a confused look.

"Why?" I ask, unsure of his motives. He shakes his head.

"I can tell you're getting more distant. What's going on?" He asks, turning to look at me. I turn away and don't asnwer.

That's when we see Crystal and Phoenix running down the mountain.

Where's Cleo?" Crystal notices her allies absence immediately.

"She went hunting." Jagger replies. Crystal looks slightly irritated. Suddenly, we hear rustling in the distance. We all get in an attack stance as Cleo enters. We all relax.

"Shall we continue our hunt?" Crystal says. We all nod, with Cleo staying with Dylan to keep watch. I take my knives and join my friends as we venture off into the forest, hunting the remaining tributes.


Lilac Suede, District 8

The rustling of leaves near me tells me I'm too close to the others. The girl from Two just passed me, but thankfully didn't spot me. I've stayed near the lake since the beginning, but now I know I need to move.

I take my knife and move slowly away from the recent kill. I soon realize the only route is up the mountain, and decide to take the risk. It slowly starts to make sense to me, the lake is the only water source, so the Careers must be camped down here permamently.

I slowly climb up the mountain, not wanting to take any risks. I poke my head up at the top, ensuring it's safe. I see a single body in the mouth of the cornucopia, laying down. I get closer, trying to determine who the body belongs to. That's when I see the familiar face of my ally, and I cannot contain my smile.

I get closer and say his name, waking him up. His face lights up and we hug tight, so relieved to see each other.

"I'm so happy to see you." I say, so thankful none of the past cannons were his. He stutters his excitement to me and I can't help but smile like an idiot. We sit together and talk about all that's happened since we've separated. He tells me about his close call with the Careers, and I am so grateful nothing happened to him.

As we are talking, I hear something fall in front of us. I get up to investigate, and realize it's a sponsored item. I examine it and realize it's a sleeping bag.

"Look what we got." I turn to Treuse, smiling. I read the note from our mentor. "No more sleeping on the floor." it reads. I rejoin Treuse in the cornucopia and hug him tight.

It feels good to finally be with him again. For a moment, I believe in us. I believe we will be successful in these Games. And it's a nice thought.


Lucia Starlet, District 9

I see the two from Eight below me, staying near the cornucopia. I wish I had a blowdart and some poison. It'd be so easy to take them out from this distance. But alas, I only have a knife.

The Careers were up here early this morning, but they didn't stay long. That's when I made the daring trek down to the lake to get some water and managed to kill a rabbit with my knife. I left quickly though, knowing they were still around. I've rested the rabbit on the rocks, hoping the heat will cook it. I'm still thirsty and still hungry, but at least I'm not dead yet.

Only one cannon has fired today and I can only wonder who they belong to. All I hope is that it belongs to the Careers. While I know its wishful thinking, it's a nice thought. Maybe they're turning on each other already, they seem extremely unsteady. I'll find out soon enough.


Telle Zaavan, District 3

I've been living off the sponsored backpack since this morning. I ate half a loaf of bread and finished up most of the water bottle. As I rip off pieces of bread, I think about my next course of action. The lake seems to be the only water source, but what is in this field that lies ahead of me? Could there be a pond, maybe?

The anthem plays in the sky and I look up. I can barely make out Lumen's face shining brightly in the sky, no family behind him. Tears form again as the anthem ends. He was the only causality to today I wipe my tears away and begin to pack up my bag. It's hard to see at night, but it's always been hard for me to see, so I'll manage. With everything packed, I start the trek into the field, hoping I find something good.


Chalice Durham, District 7

I sneak towards the lake, listening for any threats. I've seen the Careers walking around, making my heart race fast. Should I risk getting closer to get some water? The dryness in my throat says yes, but all my survival instincts are screaming no.

That's when I hear the sponsored item drop behind me. Or should I say, items. A bag as big as me sits in front of me. I stare at it in disbelief. I start to unzip it, examining the contents. The first thing I pull out is a sleeping bag. Three loaves of bread are next, filled with enough supplies for me to live off of for a while. I smile, almost in tears. Thank you, I think to my sponsors. This saved me.

I zip everything back up, put the bag over my shoulder, and leave the danger area. I find my tree by the field and climb to the top, enjoying the water and food I have received, thankful for everything.


Deaths

Lumen Maahes, District 3

I phase in and out of consciousness as I try to get some rest. I'd rather not leave Telle as guard, but I'm useless to both of us tired. So I sleep, hoping for our safety.

Telle shakes me awake and I jump up immediately, hoping there's no threat. That's when I see them, two male tributes coming at us. I grip my knife tightly and grab Telle by the arm, running as fast as I can. It's not fast enough, the enemies are gaining on us. I push Tele ahead, shoving my bag into her hands as well.

"Run!" I scream at her before turning to face my enemies. One of them tackles me, knocking the knife out of my hand. Before I can even react, I feel his blade across my throat and fade away from this world, my last thought of Telle.


I know this chapter was short and lackluster, someone was going to die but they got sponsored which saved their life...for now. But you're not going to want to miss the next one, lots of shit goes down.

Would anyone be interested in co-writing my next SYOT with me? I don't know if I have the willpower to write another one alone, haha. Let me know!