Back to the arena, Day Five right where we left off! XD


DISTRICT NINE FEMALE: RHAIN MILLER

The tears are drying on my cheeks and I don't even have the energy to cry anymore. I don't have it in me to mourn the death of the girl who stuck with me for so long. Aside from Robin at home, she was the only person who was truly kind to me in over a year. And now, she's dead. Alyx is dead, I can't force myself into disbelief anymore. She's gone, her body lying in front of me, a shell of the girl I knew.

There's a faint, content smile on her cold lips, the kind that says 'it's all okay now'.

I take one deep, shuddering breath and slowly shift Alyx's head from my lap onto the cold stone floor. She never deserved this, she deserved a long life with her parents and her friends reconciled.

They need to collect her body soon, and however much I don't want to go, it won't stop them from chasing me away. Maybe sending the hooded figures after me again. I sit back on my heels, stroke Alyx's tangled brown hair one last time, and step away. All the way back to the far table, I never take my eyes off her.

It's almost like she's watching me as well, willing me to go on. I shiver and duck behind the table to collect our remaining food, water, and other supplies. I need to get away from here, and soon. Everything's catching up with me already, and I can't have that happen again. I can only keep one step ahead of that breakdown, but that has to be good enough. But If I don't leave everything's going to come crashing down. Just in this room, I've seen someone become a murderer, I've seen Alyx die, and the monsters have forced me into flashbacks of Drusus two times.

I sling one very full backpack over my shoulder and begin to exit the huge dining hall. I don't want to see them take Alyx's body, I don't want to see her treated like a broken toy. I want to- no, I need to- remember her as she was. Remember her as the girl who didn't force me into telling her everything, the girl who was strong despite her own problems.

As much as I've suppressed memories in the past, that has to end right here, right now. But there are some things that are just too hard to do.

Like remember her as the person who didn't blame Shiloh Tyne for her own death. I wish I could feel the same, but that boy killed a friend. I can't simply give that blame to the hooded figures, or the Games, or even the Capitol. Shiloh was still the one to actually murder Alyx. Whether I want it to or not, my hate goes to the boy from Eight.

I don't want to see anyone else die, I know that, but a different part of me wants to know that he won't be going home. For what he did to Alyx, and by extension me, is too terrible to immediately forgive. I can't just forget what people have done to me!

Alyx doesn't blame him- she didn't blame him, anyway. If she died by his hand and she had it in her to forgive, I have to have that same power. Right? Maybe I can just hope that our paths don't cross again.

I kneel down by Alyx, arranging her hands to cover the gaping gash in her stomach. Half-dried blood cracks and oozes onto my hands, and I smear it off onto a table. I have to go now. I brush my hand over her eyelids, closing them forever.

"Goodbye," I whisper, fighting the urge to turn and run out of the room. I still feel odd leaving… it's the only area of the arena I know, and even if it's planning to kill me, the other parts are totally new and different for me.

It's not like it matters- new or old- since everything is trying to kill me now. I'll be fighting wherever I go, and I'll have to steel myself to the thought. Better to fight than to lie down and wait for someone or something to kill you. So I push through the doors and into the little dark connecting tunnel.

Robin told me, right before I left, that I needed to stay myself more than I needed to come home, because Hope needed her mother, not a broken survivor of the Games. It's too late for that now. Just look at the way I'm thinking- desperate to live another day. At least I'm not hunting people down. At this point that has to be good enough. A little change was necessary to get home, but I'm still me, right?

I step up to the red curtain and immediately my knees start trembling. Another fear to deal with now. And I have to face everything on my own.

It's all so surreal.

I peek around the edge of the heavy red cloth. Just like I did in the bloodbath, looking for Alyx. At first, the Cornucopia area appears empty, but then I see a lone figure pacing along the side of the black horn. Another tribute- tall, long dark hair. The list I have to run through to figure out who it might be is short now, and the name Sawyer comes to my mind readily.

She's not facing me. Might as well get this over with. I have plenty to lose but the longer I sit here the less courage I will have for later. I slip along the wall to the next curtain to my left, where I am effectively hidden from view. Further away, I want to be further away from the great hall I left behind. There's no way Sawyer can see me now. I dash to the next curtain and slip inside, breathing heavily. I can hide here for now- wherever 'here' is.

I tiptoe down the hallway and move as stealthily as possible into the new section of the arena. It's a shock from the daylight and warm colors of the hall. Everything is dim, the shadows are pitch black.

Dripping water echoes around me and a chill runs up my spine. Everything's cold and dark and damp. This has to be some sort of cave.

No exploration, I tell myself. I've made it this far and done enough stupid things today to last a lifetime- however long that is now. Alyx is gone- the thought tugs at my heart and I press my hands to my eyes in a futile attempt to block some of the pain- and I'm left. I'm left to survive for her and for Hope.

How can I survive when I'm scared out of my mind?

DISTRICT ONE MALE: AINSLEY JETT

"Desire, we don't have any food or water. Look, girl, we have to retake the Cornucopia. There are two of us and one of her, stop being so afraid."

She shoots me yet another angry glance. "I'm not afraid, I just don't think-"

I step closer to my district partner, and she steps back but doesn't give in. "How don't you think this is the best plan of action? We need to survive, and since you've shot down any plans of actually attacking to kill, this is the last course. Do you have any better ideas?"

"I'm just-"

"Desire, this is the top eight. If you think they will let us sit around in this tunnel for much longer, you are stupid. We both need food to keep up our strength and don't you DARE try to protest that. I want to fight on my own terms, not the Gamemakers. And we'd be on the offense here, that would give us the upper hand. I can fight Sawyer, we're evenly matched. Just a little help from you, thanks, and we'd have the Cornucopia easily."

"We'd let her live?"

"Maybe." I shift uncomfortably. Desire won't like that, either way. There's never getting a completely positive reaction. If we do kill her, Desire will freak out. If we don't, Sawyer will still be a major threat. Phi and Andras are going to be out there as well, and they're dangerous too.

The girl pouts, tossing her now-unkempt blonde hair over her shoulder. "Fine, if we need to fight we need to fight."

"You can't use your bow. This is going to be a close-range battle."

Even in the dim light I can see Desire's eyes widen and her jaw drop. "You expect me to fight competently with blades?" she wails.

"You trained, didn't you? We have to do this, come on."

I turn to leave the tunnel. I am ready to end this alliance, but I don't want it to be me that breaks it off. Honor goes hand in hand with power, and I will not kill or disgrace Desire. Bad form. I'll leave it to Desire or even Sawyer if she kills my ally in the upcoming fight.

"You coming?" Desire follows unhappily behind me. She's wary now, of everything. I wonder if she's gotten the idea to break our alliance as well. This fight could easily become a three-way battle.

I push past the red curtain and straightaway Sawyer approaches, holding her spear tightly. Good thing I'd already unsheathed my swords. "Nice of you to drop by," she sneers.

"We want you to leave the Cornucopia, Sawyer," Desire pipes up from behind me. Good, she's not so afraid after all. At least, not scared enough to be speechless.

"Leave? And let you get all the remaining supplies?" the girl from Four laughs like we've tried to tell her that the ocean is yellow.

"Come on then," I sigh, "We're going to fight you for it then."

She raises an eyebrow. "To the death?"

I shrug in response. "Or until you decide to go." She nods almost conspiratorially before lunging at me with the ferocity of a starving, rabid feral dog. I parry her blow easily enough, the spear sliding off my blades with a ringing noise, but the sheer force unbalances me for a few seconds.

Desire doesn't step up to join the fight, but I expected that. If we're going to defeat Sawyer easily I'm going to have to force her to get involved. A cornered cat will always fight back.

I step back so that I stand side by side with my district partner. "Ainsley!" she hisses, "What are you doing?" Sawyer flicks her gaze between us and makes a face. I smirk, but when Sawyer charges us again, everything falls to pieces.

I step closer to Desire, bringing Sawyer's focus onto her as well as me. I expect her to come up with her saber and finally join in, but she shrinks back. I block the strike, but I'm alone and poorly defended now. And distracted by Desire's unanticipated actions.

Everything slows down as Sawyer spins the tip of her spear in a feint, drawing it across my chest and collarbone before I can raise my sword. I gasp, tightening the muscles in my torso and spraying blood across both of the girls.

"No!" my voice cracks as I stumble forward, lashing out wildly at the girl from Four. She's staring at my wounds- half surprised and half pleased- and I land a deep cut on her upper arm. She howls as she clutches the jagged gash, turns, and flees, taking one pack with her from the Cornucopia.

"We got the Cornucopia, Ainsley," Desire shouts angrily, "And what for? Nice wound you've got there!"

"Thanks for the help you offered," I groan, trying to examine the wound. It's not disgustingly deep but it's wide, and bleeding profusely.

"Can you walk?" she's more worried now. I take a few staggering steps, trying not to move too quickly.

I'm losing too much blood. The thought makes everything else in my mind shut down for a moment. I'm losing too much blood. I'm going to die. It doesn't seem real. Everything's fuzzy around the edges. It's slow, everything's going so slow. I don't even care. There's no more power or honor, nothing to be gained or lost. It's just the end.

My parents sure are going to be proud of this.

I'm aware of falling to my knees, and Desire hurrying over to me. She touches my shoulder and the pain flares up bright and hot, enough to bring everything back into focus.

"Desire, here's your chance. I don't want to die like this. This sucks. It hurts and it's going to take ages."

"Ainsley don't even-"

"Shut up and do it, okay? Someone in District One has to have the guts to continue and I'm sort of dying. Get over yourself. Get some blood on your hands. Keep eating."

"Ainsley!" She takes one step closer to me and I grab her hand, still holding the sword.

"One movement. Remember, I said it's worse beforehand. Get it over with, I'm tired of everything." She hesitates. I scream at her. "DESIRE!"

She flinches and the sword jabs out. Agony. I'm grateful for how quickly it's over.

DISTRICT TEN FEMALE: INEZ CARMEN

Why did they leave me alone? Why didn't they kill me too? I was just sitting there, an easy target, and they just disappeared, leaving me alone with my guilt and Knox's body.

And no one has shown up since then. I haven't eaten, haven't gotten any water, in twenty-four hours. My mouth is dry and my stomach is growling almost constantly. I don't even know where I am in this forest. The trees and vines here are so thick.

I killed a thirteen year old. When I was thirteen, all I did was study, play, and help my parents. I wasn't subject to imminent fear of death- there were the Games but it was one day a year, it wasn't the horror I was living in.

It wasn't in self-defense, Knox could hardly have hurt me. It wasn't an accident, I struck out with the wooden spear on purpose. I murdered Knox. I was afraid, yes, but that's not an excuse. You can't excuse murder like that. There is no way to justify killing another human like that- and a child.

I stand on shaky legs, bracing myself against a tree trunk. I just want to keep moving. The chant isn't as strong anymore but it's still there.

Although that might just be in my head.

I aimlessly make my way through the jungle, passing by trees filled with ripe fruits in a stupor. I know I should eat but I just don't have the motivation to do so at the moment.

There's a rustle in some undergrowth nearby. At first I ignore it, brushing it off as one of the pigs that inhabits this arena area, but soon I realize the noises are much too large and it's moving far to quickly to be an animal. And the savage boys travel in packs. It has to be another tribute. I crouch down at the base of a huge tree, trying my best to stay silent. There are seven of us remaining, and if I'm discovered, mercy is a faraway possibility.

They're just a few yards away judging by their sounds in the brush. I peer around the trunk of my tree, trying to catch a glimpse. I can run if I have to.

It's the boy from Three. He's instantly recognizable, even more so with his face twisted in a grimace of utter hate. My throat constricts in fear and my heart pounds out a frantic beat. No more, not him, I have to get away!

I wait until he's turned the other way, and then I flee. I have no idea which way I'm headed until I reach a place where the trees thin out. I'm almost at the beach. I glance behind me once, to make sure Phi hasn't followed, but there's no signs of him.

Nothing here is worth more than my life. I have no supplies, gathering food again is pointless. Phi is here, and that's it for me. I'm out.

I run along the beach as fast as my tired legs can carry me, not even caring about the red curtain barrier and what may be beyond it.

I tear through the Cornucopia area, not even caring if anyone is there. My feet carry me back to the same tunnel I fled to during the bloodbath, and when I hit the small wooden door I finally stop. I'm out, I'm out, I ran.

It occurs to me that I wasn't just running from Phi.

I slump down against the door and take a deep breath. It's getting close to the end of the day. Tomorrow will start day six of the Games, and my second day as a murderer.

That thought makes me feel horrible and causes my hands to begin itching like they're still coated in blood. "I'm a mess," I sigh to myself.

"Who's there?" someone whispers. I squawk and jump backwards. "Who's there? Who is that?" The noise of someone scrambling up from the floor reaches my ears. The voice is male, and shaky like it's not been used properly, or the owner has been crying.

"It's Inez, from Ten," I managed to say. The boy sighs. Who could this be? Not a Career, not Phi. Who's even left? Shiloh from Eight, formerly Aedan's ally. "Is that you, Shiloh?"

"Ye-es?" he draws the word out into a wary question. "What are you doing here?"

"Running," I sigh, leaning against the wall of the dark hallway. My eyes start adjusting to the darkness and I can sort of see Shiloh's silhouette now.

He sniffs. "From what?"

"I don't even know," I half-sob. "I thought I was running from Phi, but I might be running from myself!" Everything comes crashing down in a mess of emotions and broken promises. "I'm a murderer, how can I even try to get away from that?" I slide down the wall to a sitting position.

Shiloh creeps over to me, sitting at my side. "You too?" he whispers.

I nod, forgetting for a second that he can barely see me. "Yes. Mutts made me fight, but it's my fault that I killed Knox."

Shiloh toys with the edge of his sleeve. "I got scared. I attacked Alyx." His voice goes up on the last syllable; he wasn't prepared to admit it. "I didn't mean to, there were these monsters… they scared all of us… I couldn't… I didn't mean to-"

My heart breaks just a little bit more and the sadness convinces me that I still might be human. I put my arm around Shiloh, like he's my brother or something. "I understand."

We sit in silence for a few minutes- or an hour, I don't even know- when the anthem plays. Neither of us move to go see who died, but Shiloh speaks up. "It was Ainsley. The Careers fought out there, he died. I saw the body." Then we're silent again.

Shiloh might be the only person left in the Games who can understand what's happened to me, and I won't abandon another kid like I did with Knox.

I don't think either of us are planning to leave, though. Being alone right now, despite having a loner for the entire Games so far, terrifies me.


Ainsley Jett, District One


Immy, I had a lot of fun with Ainsley. I had several submissions for this slot, but he was my favorite, and in the end I'm really glad I chose him. He was a unique character for this story and despite not being a fan favorite he was still cool. :) The Jett will be missed!

Okay, we're down to seven, everyone! There are only going to be four more Games chapters, and then two post-Games. This is crazy, how close to finished we are!

Any predictions on where the story is going next chapter? (We will be finding out Top Five!)

Tell me what you thought!