I'm so sorry for not updating Wednesday. I feel horrible about it. I'm promise an update today and will try my hardest to get a chapter out Wednesday, the 30th. This chapter came out extremely long, so I hope it makes up for it.

Lauryn Rivera, District 6

The cry of a siren travelled down the streets, echoing off the vacant homes. I stumbled up to fountain sitting in the midst of a park, only stopping to pull of my socks and shoes and ploughed right through the water. It felt wonderful on my aching feet, as it should if I've been running from practically nothing all day. Still, every scuffle, every shake of the leaves on the trees got me jumping to my feet and had me sprinting away aimlessly. I've stabbed several of those poor mannequin things already.

It would be so much easier to relax in the fountain if it wasn't for this stupid siren going off. Not caring quite how clean the water was I slurped it down. It tasted awful, like dirt and I'm pretty sure I swallowed a bug. But my sore throat was soothed and my mind cleared a little.

Maybe I should pay attention to this siren.

From speakers at the tops of poles, a voice spoke over the screech piercing my eardrums. "Tributes and citizens, this is not a drill. I repeat, this is not a drill. Please be present at your assigned bunker and wait there for further instructions. You'll find required items at your disposal there, including water," my ears perked up at that word, "food, spare clothes, blankets, and other objects you may require." This announcement was repeated several times, heavy emphasis on "This is not a drill." Obviously, it wasn't a drill. But if this bunker had water, that means, well, I could get water.

And so can everyone else. All the other tributes with their sharp weapons. Great.

I itemized my small amount of items. I had cut a small, makeshift pocket into my dress, and as I inch out the blade tucked into the slit, I run my hand along my stomach. There are subtle pangs of hunger, light enough to ignore, but it was only the beginning, a warning sign. I had to get food into my system. The side effects would make my mind fuzzy and I couldn't risk anything like that.

So which risk to take; go to the bunkers or stay hungry? Go for food and end up dead any way or die from starvation and dehydration? The final decision became clear after a moment of thought; risking the bunkers would be a lot faster and, depending on whom I run into, less painful.

Drying my feet on the grass and yanking back on my socks and shoes, I realized that I had no idea where these bunkers were. Weren't they, like, underground, or something? Like District Thirteen? Practically all of District Thirteen is just one giant bunker, if you think about it. Don't they have literal bunkers beneath the living quarters? I need to find some Thirteen person because these questions are going to be bothering me up to the moment I die. That could be…any moment from now.

So, yeah, there I was standing in soggy socks and with no sense of where I was to go. The sun was up, providing enough warmth for the short sleeves to be comfortable and the breeze that followed kept me cool. Everything here was so…perfect. And life was so imperfect.

This was not right. I was normal. Could my DNA or whatever have gotten confused with my sister's somehow? I couldn't help but ponder this. What if my sister had been reaped and I had known I was, I mean, if I was a freak? Would I have taken her spot? My sister was only a year younger than me but she was a young twelve. She wouldn't last a second.

Although, it's not like she volunteered for me. It's not like any of my mutant friends volunteered for me. I was on my own. The situation never happened and will never occur.

"This is not a drill," echoes down the sidewalks one last time. "Don't say we didn't warn you." I shook the thoughts, a nervous shiver running down my spine.

Those words can never mean anything good.

Timidly, I glanced about, swivelling my head to the right, and then whipping around to look over my shoulder to my left. I slid my knife from its slit and held it at the ready. What are they coming at us with?

A high-pitched scream carried faintly through the air. Something was obviously going on over there. I run my finger along the sharpened edge, a paper thin cut bleeding out on my finger. This was completely stupid. But better I have the choice of going into trouble instead of being forced there. I'm sorry; even I couldn't find conviction in that statement. The pep talk wasn't helping. Gripping the handle tight, I spun on my heel and ran in the opposite direction of the scream.

From the park, I sprinted towards a town area. There was a pharmacy at the corner with plenty of attractions for entertainment around. I passed both a bowling alley and a roller rink, with big, shiny signs proudly showing the joint's name. They weren't on, since it was still say time, but they must be blinding during the night. Across the street, the doors of a diner were wide open. Slowing until I came to a complete stop, I peeked about to look inside. Those creepy mannequin things were inside, but other than that, it was void of anyone.

My steps echoed off the cold black and white tiles. A jukebox was placed a little off from where I first walked in with open space for hormone ridden teens to probably dance. Oh, how times have changed, I thought with a smirk.

"Psst!"

I spun, slashing my blade through the air. Nothing moved and I held the knife tight. My knuckles were turning white. "Who's there?" I called. I jabbed my knife in the air. "I'll kill you, I swear."

From behind one of the vinyl booths, two hands rose. If I was within a foot of them, I probably would have stabbed aimlessly and hoped I could at least injure the bastard. A face appeared, an actually good-looking boy face, not much older than me, pressing a finger to his lips. I scrunched my face up confusedly. He shook his head, his longish hair sweeping before his face.

"What?" I said. He cringed at the volume of my voice, gesturing for me to quiet down. Without making my voice any lower, I shouted, "Tell me what's going on!"

The boy, Alix, I remembered, clenched his teeth, glancing nervously to the mannequins. His blue eyes widened and a speckling of freckles flashed across his cheeks as he disappeared behind the booth again. He wasn't just going to hide to lamely like that!

My fist tightened and as I prepared to march forward, a hand snatched my wrist. It wasn't warm and too smooth to be organic. Looking up, I found the mannequin to be staring blankly from its eyes. Its mouth twisted up to expose a toothless gaping hole, a loud siren blasting from a speaker peeking at me from that back of the throat.

It yanked my arm, bending it painfully into my back. Okay, so maybe I should have listened to Pretty Boy. I lost the strength to hold my weapon and I was forced to release it. The metal tip clattered against the floor by my feet. Screeching, I kicked and bucked wildly, trying to squirm free from the mannequin's grip. Its movements were robotic and slightly slow and smashing it into the counter, I broke free.

It was already moving towards me again. I blindly swung my foot up and nailed it square in the chest. How can something so hollow sounding be so freakin' lethal? It took hold of my ankle, twisting me about to where I was forced to shuffle on the balls of my left foot to retain balance. My back was to it now and I strived to jerk my leg free. My leg was yanked back and center was thrown forward. My body toppled, sharp pain shooting through my skull. Air fought to reach my lungs, somehow unable to. What was going on? It was like steel bars were enclosing my chest, compressing my insides. The mannequin was crushing me!

Warmth trickled down the side of my head, dripping down to my neck. I was bleeding, dammit, I was bleeding! I couldn't breathe and I was bleeding!

The sticky red liquid lay visible on the tiles before me, smeared into the white squares. Right beside it-my knife!

Working my arms from where they were pinned, I wriggled beneath the downwards hold of the being. Its plastic fingers drove into my throat. At the back of my throat came a guttural gurgle, darkness fraying the edges in my vision. It was like a picture being lit, flames eating away the corners. Jerking my limbs about, my left arm jolted free. The dress' sleeve brushed my face as I reached across the floor for it. Just another inch, it was so close to my fingers…just out of reach….

My heart skipped a beat as it was scooped up by another hand. Shoes with untied laces stepped towards me in my fading vision and they thrust a hand down over me.

The weight was released from me and I gulped a full breath into my lungs. The mannequin fell to the floor beside me. I sat up, only to dip over in the opposite direction, sticking my head between my knees as oxygen worked through my brain. A face popped in front of mine, scaring me from its suddenness. I slapped him away, skittering back a few feet on my bum.

He cried out in pain, more pain than he should from a mere slap from a thirteen year old. Alix pressed his palm to his cheek and through the gaps of his fingers I glimpsed those freckles again. It was only on the side I touched.

Our breathing finally calmed. I held my hand up towards Alix. He stared at it for a moment before realizing what I wanted. He dropped my knife into my palm and I positioned it to slide it back to its original spot in my dress.

"Not yet," Alix breathed. "You may still need that." He reached out towards my bleeding head but withdrew as I recoiled. "You hit your head hard on that count-"

He was cut short as I slammed the knife into the mannequin's back. The way he threw his arms up protectively over his face…was actually a little humorous.

"Sorry," I said, smothering the smirk. "Double-tap, you know?" Alix gazed at me like he was certain I was crazy. I sighed. "But thanks for, uh, saving my life."

I offered my hand to him. After a second of hesitation, Alix relaxed, glancing over both his shoulders. "You're welcome." His hand wrapped around mine and suddenly, he erupted with a roar of pain. It shot up two octaves to a high-pitched shriek. Those freckles became bold and hair grew to below his shoulder blades, a dirty blonde color now.

I dropped his hand and he, now a she, panted, running a hand through her hair. Alix gasped as her fingers traced through the longer, blonder strands. She flushed red, frantically feeling her face and rest of her.

"Uh, um…" I stammered. "Why are you a girl?"

Alix's green eyes bored into me. "What did you do to me?" She grabbed my collar, the calm façade broken. "You're ruining everything! He's going to die because of this!"

"Who?" I asked. "Girl, what are you ranting about?"

"You canceled out my powers!" she screeched. "Stop this!" I raised a speculative eyebrow.

"Are you sure you're not the one who bashed their head into a counter?" My words slurred slightly. My vision still spun. "Wait, you mean you actually look like this? I thought you were a guy."

Alix winced, hissing, "Shut up!" Despite my head moving at half its normal speed, the information processed. Alix was from District Nine. The boy tribute was a shape shifter there.

He helped me to my feet and we hobbled to the doors. The mannequins' heads began to turn to us.

Lupe slammed into me during training and kept getting annoyed for some reason, looked absolutely confused.

Alix paused, attempting to morph, I guess. Seeing it not working, she grunted, hauling me along. My feet dragged along the sidewalk. "Looks like we're teaming up."

Cameron couldn't freeze the table while we were waiting for our private sessions. "Are you sure you're a mutant? I mean, the machine in Six could have been having an off day."

The crazy District Four chick can make people do things against their will. She was trying to do something to me during the bloodbath, the way her eyes flashed so menacingly….

And now Alix couldn't morph. Alix wasn't a guy. Alix actually looked like this. Alix was a girl.

"You're ruining everything! He's going to die because of this!"

This "Alix" was protecting someone back home. She was protecting the real Alix. And I was stopping her from pretending to be Alix.

I was canceling her powers. I had canceled everyone's powers.

Boom!

I'm a freak.

Brandy Harris, District 5

"Don't say we didn't warn you." Annabelle wrapped her thick arms around me, shrinking away from the sound. Her face was stock still, though, void of expression. She was actually humming to herself. You need her, Brandy, I chided myself. Don't snap on her quite yet. You still need the girl.

"We'll be fine, Ann," I said softly. It took every ounce of energy for me not to spit the words at her. The girl lives in a bubble. And, frankly, she can be a teeny bit creepy. Her head is like a potato chip bag; over half of it was filled with air. "They just want to get us to fight."

"Are you going to use my lights again?" she asked. Her dark, hooded eyes somehow managed to catch a twinkle of light behind those thick brows.

"Not quite yet, kid," I said. I began to pry her fingers off my body, putting an arm's length of distance between us. She cocked her head curiously at me. The girl was like a dog. Eager to please with no goals herself, with all the stupid in a dog too. "But I'm just so excited to see what the Gamemakers have in store for us."

"Isn't that a bad thing though?" Annabelle winced. "Your nails are hurting me."

I released the hold I had on the girl's arm, forcing myself to calm down. Annabelle ran her hands over her forearm, little dribbles of blood dripping along her dusky brown skin. She wiped it off on her skirt-yes, because it is entirely hygienic to clean your bloody arm on your clothes-and blinked blankly, waiting for me to do something.

"Sorry," I mumbled. We needed a better hiding spot, soon. Annabelle was stealthy if I put extra emphasis on the skill when explaining it to her. She didn't even realize where we've been moving for the past two days. The girl was a good, I don't know what to call her, minion? Huh, alright, let's go with that. She was an excellent minion. She stayed in her little bubble and didn't poke around mine. There's no reason for her to suddenly go off the deep end. No second-in-command, but nice enough. She doesn't even realize she killed a good portion of the tributes. If it wasn't for me, we'd be that much farther from getting home. I'd be that much farther from winning.

The shed we slept in last night, though, had an assortment of makeshift weapons. The shovel was too much for me to lug around but Annabelle could carry it no problem. I also got my hands on this rusty hammer. It still held together, though, and was useful enough.

The siren blasted against my eardrums. "Get inside." Without another word, Annabelle walked to our shed. She cocked her head curiously as I stayed still.

"Where are you going?" she asked. Her voice always sounds soft, like she was off in her own little world. Almost a little loopy, but she wasn't high. I sort of wish she was. There'd be a better reason for her to be so…like this.

"I'm scouting out whatever the hell this is. Don't move." I rethought the statement. I could actually use her. But she may be caught in what I'm planning…"Actually, Ann, I have a plan for you. Listen carefully, okay?"

She nodded, hefting her shovel up over her shoulder and leaning in close to hear. I ensured to cup my hands around her ears. She kept her mouth shut as I spoke, not speaking up once. "Yes, Brandy." Doesn't question, just doesn't. Yes, she was an excellent minion.

I moved ahead, not stopping to watch her move her own way.

I was alone. Not much different from before.

Swinging my hammer to regain a feel on it, I kept out of sight. The Careers had to be close by. We've been following them for the last couple of hours; about the time the girl, Foe, was burned. Proves playing with fire can only lead to bad things. The weird District Twelve boy was gone, for now, and out of sight. The sky proved he hadn't died. He was still out there somewhere.

A scream jolted me from my musings and I launched myself out of sight. I feared for a moment the Careers had captured Annabelle but the scream just didn't seem to fit. She wouldn't scream like that. She doesn't have the vocals for it.

I crept up, peering around a tree to where the sound originated from.

"Stop fighting!" the young twelve year old from District One commanded. She must have screamed. Her face was a bright red. "We need to make nice to each other. Sandy wouldn't want us fighting like this."

"Oh, shut up, Alice," Bree rolled her eyes.

Alice Lynn planted her hands on her hips. "Shut up is not a nice word," she accused, pointing a small finger at the older girl. The ram dude stood by, glancing between the two with a quizzical look on his face. He was as interested by this as I was. A smirk crossed my features. I didn't even have to try to tear these dumbasses apart. They did a pretty good job of it themselves. A gentle nudge would get them in motion.

Foe snorted angrily, a puff of smoking streaming up from her nostrils. "I'm done with this crap. There are tributes that need to be killed and I'm sure as hell won't be one of them."

She stormed off, a funny looking stride as the burn still probably hurt like hell, and I was barely able to press myself to the house's wall in time to evade being seen. The steam practically rolled off her and I was hit by a wave of warmth.

"I'll get her." Gee, great.

I shrank down, dirt wedging into my ass, and the Sandy dude sprinted past. His mutation was hard to explain. Sometimes, when I looked at him, I found I was so stupidly swooning. He's like a snake charmer. The dude was either A) probably a good guy and just way over his head with this Career shit or B) one maniacal bastard. Hard to tell.

I watched the duo disappear, walking off to a nearby park. Perfect. This is where careful planning and estimations become important. Come in too soon, the other tributes get suspicious. Wait too long and the other two show up again and blow my cover. I counted to one hundred at an even pace, silently imagining each number in my head.

"Bree, calm down already," the District Two guy snapped. His name, dammit, what was it? Slate…Drale…no, wait, Shale. Shale flicked at pebbles on the ground, fed up hearing the arguing. "Or I will personally take the stick from your ass."

"Oh, District Two with your Mommy issues," Bree mumbled. "Makes you guys so insecure."

The fifteen year old shot up to his feet, rockified and dangling Bree by the throat. "Don't you dare mention that, bitch!"

Alice Lynn covered her ears. "Bad word, Shaley!" She strode to Ram Dude, whose name I'm certain I will never learn to say, and plopped down onto his lap. He seemed startled by this bug shrugged, patting her shoulder with one of his four hands. His messy hair was slicked up in this odd looking topknot; one Alice Lynn found joy in poking at.

I kept myself from bursting out laughing at the sight. Come on, this shit was hilarious! It made awesome television. There are these two going at each other's throats and the other two were so lamely watching. Anyone willing to share the popcorn? Possibly some gummy bears?

"Sorry," Bree choked. "Dude, don't fight me, I'm sorry! Just put me down." Conviction pushed through her last line. Shale stood stock still, Bree's legs swinging freely in place for a moment. He lost all stone to him, shrinking down to the short, stocky kid from before. Miss Bitch herself landed gracefully on her feet and curled her lip in contempt. She moved away as Shale realized what she had forced him to do.

"Hey!" he shouted angrily.

Bree raised her hands in surrender. "Sorry, seriously. You're a good guy. Foe, on the other hand, does have some sister issues."

Wow. I wonder what Foe would say if she heard that.

The smirk broadened on my face as I stood.

Showtime.

Balthizar Demarkos, District 1

"What did you say about me?"

Alice Lynn's hold on my hair tightened and it was a painful yank on my hairline. She was a sweet girl. Not too bright, but that was alright. Foe blundered back up, pointing a finger towards Bree. The District Four girl smirked, bending to pick up her trident. Foe's dark eyes trailed over the movement, a lob bobbing in her throat.

"Oh, me?" Bree said sarcastically, glancing about as if it possibly could have been someone else. She's enjoying this more than any average person should. Bree wasn't average, though. But Foe was feeding too much into it…too much….

"Yes, you," Foe snarled. "Who are you talking about sister issues?"

"Just, Y-O-U, little girl," Bree cackled. She lightly tapped Foe's nose. I pressed my lips together.

"Alice," I whispered to the young girl. "Stand up, please."

Alice Lynn opened her mouth to argue but shrugged indifferently. "Only since you said please." She lifted her dress' skirt daintily to rise. She ducked behind me as Foe raised her knuckle threateningly to Bree's neck. Foe's eyes swerved nervously over to me and Alice for a second. Alice Lynn pressed her face closer into my side.

"Don't touch me," Foe snapped. Bree waved her trident teasingly in front of the girl's face, making a shallow cut in her cheek. Foe growled, hand falling to her hip. I blinked curiously.

"Guys, stop fighting," Shale said. Huh, strange, how he so easily switches from the offense to the defense. He was seconds away from strangling Bree and now acting as Peacekeeper. The Games provided so much more knowledge than I thought was possible. It brings out the nitty-gritty of people, of teenagers. You never really fully comprehend what goes on in the arena until you are actually there watching everyone and everything unravel before you.

"Yes," Alice Lynn stomped her foot stubbornly. "Please. I don't like everyone fighting." She tugged my sleeve. "Balthy, make them stop."

"Shh," I whispered. "I'm observing."

"But, Balthy…."

Foe shook her head. "I know you plan on killing all of us once you get the major competitors out of the way. Everyone, including little Alice Lynn!" Alice gasped, covering her mouth. Little tears sparkled in her sea-green eyes.

"Is that true, Bree?"

The girl snorted. "Of course not. I mean, yeah, we're all going to end up killing each other eventually, but not quite yet."

Alice shook her head. Her tiny fists tightened and she erupted. "THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE FUN!" she exclaimed. "THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A NICE BIG GAME! AND YOU'RE BEING A BIG CHEATER, BREE!"

"Cheater?" Bree couldn't help herself to add. "Darling, you should know fair fights are for suckers."

My suspicions about this Foe person were confirmed as I watched a grin light up her face.

"Stop her!" I shouted, pointing to the imposter. Shale peered closely, too closely. Tucked into the pocket of her skirt, she whipped out a hammer, slamming the pointed side into the side of Shale's head. Blood splattered and Alice screamed as it covered her. The other Foe sprinted away while Shale pressed his hand to his temple. His steel colored eyes twirled about frantically, unable to focus on one specific place. He collapsed to his knees. The hammer had struck a tender area on the boy.

It looked like erupted hadn't been the proper word to use earlier. If that was erupted, then this was full blown mass destruction. She threw herself onto the ground and I swear all gates of hell blew open.

My vision was covered black. Dark tentacles were wrapping around each of my limbs and heaved me in different directions. Alice's screams were in my ears, the only thing I could possibly hear. Her tantrum was deadly. Nightmares I never would have ever been able to imagine tore my brain to shreds, crawling into the smallest of crevices. My hands scrabbled about, only able to grabbing my own head and scream myself. Bree pleaded for Alice Lynn to stop, that she was just being silly.

There was nothing from Shale.

In a second, it ended, but with a series of bright blue explosions. More screams and the ground beneath me shook.

Alice Lynn was in a heap, sobbing. The dark shadows, cast across the grass like shadow puppets, drew their crippled selves back into her. I dragged myself to her, examining her small body. Burns, here and there, from whatever those explosions were. The girl from Ten. She had teamed up with that girl from District Five….

Of course, the shape shifter.

Bree moaned, in pain, but fine. Shale didn't move.

I needed to move Alice somewhere safe. The siren was still there, I realized, only background noise. Climbing to full height, I tossed the younger girl over my shoulder. We couldn't be around Bree any longer, not after this.

Bree glared at me. She didn't have the strength to move though. Not after this attack.

"This was supposed to be fun," Alice whimpered. I jogged through a backyard. "It's just a game."

Foe Sterling, District 2

"I'm guessing that's not good," I pointed out. A dark shadow hung in the air, unearthly shapes forming within it. For a moment, blue orbs like those in the bloodbath floated about to provide an ounce of light.

A cannon fired.

The darkness was obliterated, only replaced by a painfully bright sight. Imagine staring at the sun while it spins in a microwave. This all happened to be where we left our allies.

"Neither is that," Sandy murmured. We had stopped before a large map of the town in the park. The bunkers were not too far from where we were now. I followed the trail of Santiago's pointing finger to the mannequins sprinting our way. We exchanged a look.

"Now we run."

So…what's going on in those noggins of yours?

Alice Lynn Wonderland, District One –(Balthy)
Balthizar Demarkos, District One
–(Alice)
Foe Sterling, District Two
–(Bree, Sandy)
Shale Van Newhouse, District Two(hammer to the temple from Brandy)
Neve Hadron, District Three
–(Leon)
Leon Cabler, District Three
(Neve)
Bree Maysee, District Four
–(Foe, Sandy)
Santiago "Sandy" Aquitaine, District Four
–(Foe, Bree)
Brandy Harris, District Five
–(Annabelle)
Zander De La Fuente, District Five -
(Chrys)
Lauryn Rivera, District Six
–(Alix)
Cameron Wynn, District Six (Blown up by Annabelle's lights)
Silvia Arbres, District Seven
Cede Demeter, District Seven
Heather Aurum, District Eight (Stabbed with trident by Bree)
Brodric "Bro" Loveless, District Eight(stabbed by Xavier's ninja star and Lupe's blade)
Poise Adriona, District Nine (Blown up by Annabelle's lights)
Alix Estelle, District Nine
–(Lauryn)
Annabelle Hallestar, District Ten
–(Brandy)
Hydran Ash, District Ten (killed by Santiago)
Chrysanthemum "Chrys" Gord, District Eleven
–(Zander)
Lupe Ismene, District Eleven
Avara Zenia, District Twelve
Robin/Damion Garven, District Twelve
Chelsey Skyeren, District Thirteen (Burned and stabbed by Foe)
Xavier Drascal, District Thirteen