Kyra Valente

I don't have time to think about what I am doing, so instead I move pulling Dorien behind me as fast as I can. I know my efforts are futile, but I try anyways.

"We aren't both going to make it," she croaks.

"I can't leave you here!" I yell.

"You don't have to," she says. I don't have time to think as I watch as Dorien pulls a knife from her side pocket and thrusts it into my side. I immediately let go of Dorien who falls to the ground. She grabs my ankle in attempt to drag me down. I try to hold my insides in and turn to stomp on her hand. She releases my ankle, and I try to run.

Next thing I know there's an sharp pain in the back of my leg and I stumble. She catches up to me and pulls at my leg again.

"Sorry," she apologizes as she slices across the back of my ankle with her knife.

I immediately lose all mobility in my foot with the rupture of my tendon and fall down. Dorien gets up and hobbles towards the exit. I crawl using my one good leg, but I'm aware that I will get no where. Before I know it the mutts are upon me, and biting at me with their blunt teeth.

My hands are red with my blood, and I feel my body convulse and throb with each wave of pain. My lungs are made of lead, and the sun is slowly sucking me dry. I am too weak to even think.

The pain doesn't even compare with the feelings of betrayal. I shouldn't have been nice enough to try and help Dorien. Dorien knows what she's doing; leaving me here bleeding will attract the mutts and distract them from her so she can escape on her wobbling leg. She knows how to play these games. Only the most despicable could possibly leave the arena alive. Isn't that the Capitol's intentions?

I feel the scream building back into my throat. Please let this end. Teeth gnaw at my flesh and I can't believe that this is how I will die. This is final, and my parents never got to know the truth. Colton will live in the Capitol forever. His voice will be unheard and soon so will mine. Maybe there are reasons why things have to be this way. Even if I had lived would I even had been able to do anything. I wish that my brother is not watching me now.

"Colton!" I scream the only name that feels right to me. I hold out the last syllable in agony until it is over.

Dorien Oakfree

Am I sorry?

No, I did what I had to do. This is the Hunger Games and we must fight and sometimes that means we must kill those who trust us. Kyra and I could not both good home. I admit that I'm selfish, but I need to win, and my drive to be victor was obviously greater than Kyra's.

I am aware that the cannon has not fired yet, and I find Scout cowering near the entrance. I could say good-bye to her now or I could stick with her.

Scout runs over to me and glances around. She's looking for Kyra. The cannon has not sounded her death. I shake the image of Kyra being tortured alive by the mutts, and Scout stares me down waiting for an explanation.

I swallow nothingness and try to clear my throat. Deep breath Dorien.

"Kyra tried to save me."

I watch Scout's face fall. She dips her face into her hands. Kyra had almost died trying to save her once. I imagine she's sorry she never got to repay her.

The burn of a lie stings the back of my throat and I am unable to continue.

"But the cannon…" Scout's voice trails off and she stares longingly at the entrance. For a second I wonder if she's going to make a dash to try and save her. It would be useless and would only result in another death. Scout seems to realize this and turns back to face me.

I am suddenly aware of the stinging pain in my ankle. I hobble forward trying to toughen it out, but I end up swaying on my feet and falling into the grass. Scout comes over to me and kneels down so we're eye-level. I look her in the eyes and her gaze pierces down on me like predator to prey. Can she see through my lies? My hand automatically finds my knife. The tension is so strong that I'm sure one of us is about to make a move to kill the other, yet our bodies stay motionless.

Boom.

The sound of the cannon breaks Scout's gaze and she rises up to look back towards the entrance. Darkness fills the arena and Scout hangs her hand down to me. I grasp it and she lifts me up to my feet. I can't leave this alliance now. I need Scout to help me. She owes me anyways.

She wraps my arm around her shoulders and together we trek through the maze. I have no idea where we are going, but I don't think she does either.

Athea DiMae

When I wake up I immediately check on the boy from District 11. His skin is still warm, and his heart is still beating. I let out a sigh of relief and start to examine his skin. The bite wounds look a little better though they are still oozing and look inflamed.

Lucian is still curled up on his tarp fast asleep. He looks even younger in sleep, and I don't bother rising him just yet. Let the boy sleep while he can. Our supply of water is almost gone, and now with this extra body we need even more. I want to wash out these bites and maybe apply some first-aid; in order to do that I must leave our safe house again. It was difficult enough to convince Lucian we needed to leave to find a water source, then we ran into the boy and Lucian begged me to help him get him back. Now here we are with little water and an injured tribute. I never understood Lucian's logic. When we stumbled across his body he was unconscious and being eaten alive by giant locust muttations. I'm quite knowledgeable on Capitol muttations, in fact the ideas for many are often thought up in District 3, so I've gotten my hands on many books about them.

I hear a soft moan and the boy's eyes flutter open. I can't quite place his name at the moment; I can only remember that he is from District 11.

"Where… where am…" his sentence drifts off and he tries to focus on my figure.

"Shh, you're safe. At least you are for now. I am Athea and Lucian is over there. We are the District 3 tributes."

"Locusts…"

"We chased them off though you suffered quite a few wounds. You're lucky we stumbled across you, we hardly ever leave this area. Now what is your name? I'm sorry I've forgotten."

"Faunas…"

Ah yes that's right. Faunas Dunois.

"Water… please?"

Yeah, me too Faunas. I would love some water. Instead of answering I place my palm on his cheek. He is warm, but in this weather I can see why. He leans into the coolness of my hand and loses consciousness soon after.

Lucian awakes a few minutes. He stretches his pale, freckled arms above his head.

"Lucian, we need water."

He doesn't answer me. He knows I'm right, but he doesn't want to acknowledge the fact.

"I can go by myself today, but we need it and I want to clean Faunas' wounds."

Lucian shakes his head.

"What?"

"I don't want you to go alone. You at least need some help."

"No Lucian. Stay here with Faunas. I don't know what you needed him for, so if you die it'll be a waste."

Lucian gives me a look of indignation.

"Don't you know who this is?" He motions towards the unconscious District 11 boy.

"Yes, Faunas Dunois."

"No you don't know who he is. Allow me to elaborate Athea. Faunas' family was a major contribution to the rebellion. The Capitol made sure they got rid of them right away."

"Yeah, same with our parents."

"Yes and consider for a second how much information we have stored."

"You think he knows something helpful?"

"I don't think Athea, I know for sure. Tell me Athea, have you ever been to District 13?"

"Of course, but district 13 is gone now."

Lucian chuckles. "Athea with a brain like yours I never expect you to be so naïve."

"What?"

"What did District 13 manufacture, Athea?"

Is this some kind of test? Why can't he just spill his information? I've been to District 13 with my mother. I know quite a bit about it.

"Graphite."

"And?"

I blink a few times. I search my brain for the answer Lucian wants.

"Well I know they developed nuclear weapons."

"Mmhmm." Lucian raises his eyebrows. He's waiting for me to put the pieces together. I don't quite understand though. District 13 was bombed, probably by their own nuclear weapons. Then again if they had owned their own nuclear weapons wouldn't they have fired back? Unless maybe the Capitol caught them off guard.

"Athea," Lucian finally calls me back to our conversation. "I don't think District 13 is gone.

Shoal Creek

My arms pulse against the force of the water. I pull myself to shore and collapse in the sand. I've been swimming most of the day and my muscles are aching. I was hoping the water would lead somewhere but all I hit was a length of hedges and then I was forced to turn around and come back to shore. I take the chance that the District 2 tributes have moved on. After killing their ally I'm sure they are out for my head. I grip the only weapon I have in my hand and feel a smile creep across my lips. I am alive.

Now I must find David and extract my revenge before I can be satisfied. I've been wondering around this beach too long and it's time to move on. I drag myself to my feet. The sun is so intense my skin is almost dried and I am covered in a film of salt. I almost feel as though I am in District 4 right now.

I gulp down some of my water before taking off towards the exit.

Exiting the beach doesn't provide any relief from the heat. It's just as hot, and I can feel the temperature rising as the day passes. This is the kind of heat you get in District 4 maybe once a year. It's impossible to live in anything quite hotter. I want to sit down and rest, but I need to find shade first. The last thing I need is heat stroke to kill me, not when I'm so close.

The images of Mika dying keep me moving. I remind myself that in District 4, this weather happens all the time and I'm more equipped to handle it than most. However, after a few minutes, I'm crouching above the ground and guzzling my water bottle. I swear I have never tasted anything sweeter. I scold myself for drinking so much of a supply, but make a compromise by walking and drinking at the same time.

Just when I think I am completely lost I see an entrance. I walk slowly through it and examine the area before exposing myself to the new territory. The entire section is full of trees; wonderful trees that will shade me, and a flowing creek of fresh water. I can't help myself and I rest beneath the trees and drink water until my belly is full.

My intuition tells me that many other tributes are probably here, hiding from the beating sun. This place is like paradise and I decide I deserve a break. I can't look for David later, or maybe I'll be lucky and he'll find me instead. I pick up a rock not too far away and set to work on sharpening my knife. I hope that David is ready because I sure am.

A/N: Hi lovelies! It's been a while, so that's why I'm releasing such a short chapter. Also the next few chapters are going to be a little more intense. There will be about 2-5 deaths coming up in the next chapter(s). I know it's been a while since we've seen anything from Ashley, and Audrey but they will be in the next chapter. Anyways I hope you have a wonderful week. Leave me a review please! :D