Skylar Glass (16)
District Nine

As soon as we heard the roar across the arena, Dylan and I bolted towards the forest. We ran until we were completely concealed and found a tree at least twenty meters tall. Dylan looked at me once and bolted up the tree. I never knew he could climb! But I follow him upwards anyway, using the little holes and branches to hoist myself up. Within a few minutes, I decide to pass Dylan and head to the tops of the tree so I could get a view of the arena.

I go past him and I can see everything, but mostly I can see the Cornucopia and the river. Another roar is heard but then I see them. Maybe ten of them? I don't know but they're huge and white! I clutch the trunk of the tree as I watch them bound closer towards us. And then they stop and seem to make some kind of conversation. Four of them stay back and the other six spread out. Four to the Cornucopia and two over to us.

A wave of fear oases through me and I head back down to Dylan. He must see that I'm scared because he asks what I saw.

"We're going to die." is all I respond back with.

For who knows how long we stay in the tree but we just sit there in the tree, hearing our death coming closer.

And closer.

And closer.

I shut my eyes tight and try to forget what's happening. Theres a whimper and a squeal and the two mutts bolt back to the rest of the pack that stayed behind.


Matty Walsh (14)
District Twelve

I stand around in the trees, looking all around for somewhere to see what is happening. We heard the roar of the beast and we saw the birds take flight. Winter climbed a tree fifteen minutes ago and saw something that freaked him out. He can't tell me what he saw.

I look at him, curled in a ball leaning back on a tree. His eyes wide and fear very clearly displayed on his face.

"RAAAWWWRRR!"

I flinch. As if I saw something dangerous. I can't tell where it's coming from, it sounds as if it's coming from all around.

"RAAAWWWRRR!" I hear again and I know where it's coming from.

And then Winter begins screaming! Great! Just what we need. Not!

"AGGHHH!" Winter screams, his arms flapping around as trying to fly, head shaking and eyes tight shut.

"RAAAWWWRRR!"

"AGGGHHHH!"

I look around, desperate for anything! I don't want to die!

"Winter shut-up!" I shout at him but it does nothing to squelch his screams.

"AGGHHH!"

"WINTER! SHUT THE HELL UP OR WE ARE GOING TO-" I scream but I'm cut off by another loud roar.

I hold the Winter's whip in hand, waiting for the beast. Trees fall and break and I know which direction it's coming from.

"AGGGHH!"

I turn around and scream at Winter. But I'm thrown forwards by an unknown force. Pain explodes in my lower back and then it just suddenly stops. But I see them. Hundreds of branches crush the bottom half of my body. I can't feel my legs, let alone move them.

But I can move my top half.

"WINTER! HELP!" I scream in a desperate urge.

I look around for Winter. I can't turn around and look at him for I'm on the ground on my belly. Rocks push against my stomach. Out of the corner of my eye I can see Winter. He's standing, his whip in hand and he's facing the horrible beast. At least eight feet tall it towers him by at least two and a half. I can feel its hot breath playing over my body and its growls vibrate my chest. It's pure white I can see and I can just see its teeth. Dangerously long and could puncture anything!

Winter slowly steps backward, arms slightly outward. The whip curls in his hand. And then quick as a snake, Winter cracks the whip and I hear the monster squeal and whimper in pain.

"ARGGH!" I hear Winter grunt out. I think the monster must have lashed out.

Using expert strength, I use my arms to flip my body around. I look down and see branches cover my legs. And I can see that a tree trunk must have hit my back and pushed me forward, and rolled off. The monster must be squashing these trees! I look up at Winter, his right arm stretched out and eyes closed. His hand touches the mutts face and then the mutt recoils backwards and bounds away, squealing in fear.

Winter must have done something dangerously powerful. Something similar to what he showed me.

"Winter! What did you do?!" I yell.

"I made her see what I can do." he says calmly. Her? Oh right, it must have been a female.

"Well, can you help me get out from underneath this? I'm kinda stuck." I plead.

I shut my eyes and open them again. What I see before me is Winter lifting this massive tree right off me! It's not possible! I pull myself away from the tree and gasp at Winter.

"They say mother have been known to lift cars off their trapped babies when they've been scared enough. I guess I did something similar." Winter breathes before dropping the tree and passing out near me.

And then I pass out too from the stress of what can only be the beginning of the day.


The Careers
Nalin Shyr (16)
District Four

I see the first one bound across towards us. Pure white fur, at lest eight feel tall and giant teeth and nails. I take my sword from its sheath and hold it in front of me. Breathing in and out deeply calms me a little, even though my heart is beating a million times an hour. I'm literally shaking and I can barely hold my sword.

"RAAAWWRR!"

I feel as if a bucket of lead was just poured through my stomach when it roars again. I'm hiding behind the Cornucopia but who am I kidding? It's made of diamond! Completely see through! Mars is just inside the Cornucopia. Kaleb is leaning against the Medical Supplies. Draco and Havoc stand side by side closer to the Food Supplies. Morpheus is bracing for impact between Mars and Havoc.

Helix is closest to the beast with a fierce expression on his face, something closer to anger.

"RAAWWWRR!"

And as I watch the hill, waiting for the beast I become incredibly fearful for his life.

"Helix!" I shout.

He turns around with a smile on his face.

"Yeah?" he shouts back.

"Be careful!" I yell.

He grins like it's OK. I laugh but my laugh stops dead when eight slivers of steel protrude from his chest. Blood spurts from the holes in his dying body.

His once gleeful expression is now one of shock and horror.

"HELIX!" I scream. No, no, no, this can't be happening! This can't be real! I, I, I can't believe this is happening! I just killed Helix! Not really but I'm responsible for it!

I feel as if my stomach is one massive rock and I drop to my knees.

"HELIX!" I cry out again, tears forming in my eyes.

"HELIX IM SORRY! HELIX I DIDN'T MEAN TO KILL YOU! IN SORRY! Oh god!" I shout out to him though I know he is dead by now.

I drop my sword and put my hands to my eyes as big racking sobs consume me. No I can't believe it. He isn't dead! No!

"OI! NALIN! GET UP WE HAS A MONSTER TO FIGHT!" I hear Kaleb shout to me.

Right! I have to avenge him! And soon what was once depression becomes anger. A cannon fires, signifying Helix's death. Kaleb stands out from the medical supplies as Helix falls to the ground. The slivers of steel come out of his bleeding dead body and the monster stands tall. A name comes to mind and I don't know why I think of it.
Jabbersnatch.

I rush to Kaleb's aid and give him a short nod.

"Ready?" he asks me while pushing back his long black hair. His brown eyes show no emotion.

"Ready."

I rush forward to the Jabbersnatch and step backward to avoid a killing swipe. I move forward again and place my sword into the belly. Dark pink blood stains its white fur. Although I punctured it, it's not enough. The monster howls in pain and kneels down on all fours. Kaleb rushes forward and thrusts his sword into the eye. Then Mars attacks the neck. The Jabbersnatch squeals and steps backward before jumping over us to reach Morpheus.

"No!" I shout and chase after the Jabbersnatch.

Morpheus takes a swing at the monster with a spear and it embeds itself into the heart of the monster. I run forward and climb onto the back of the Jabbersnatch so that I am at its neck. I take my sword and plunge it all the way to the hilt in the brain of the monster. It gives a final grunt and drops to the ground.

I laugh. I killed it. Taking my sword out, I climb down to embrace the congratulating people below me.


The Careers
Morpheus Harveys (18)
District Ten

The celebration stops dead when two more of the monsters appear out of the shadows.

Great.

Everyone stops congratulating Nalin and focuses on the mutts.

"OK. What do you bitches want!" I shout to the mutts.

A roar is answered in response and one of the mutts drops down the ground. I'm confused as to why but the answer becomes clear when I see a lethal injection from a needle in its shoulder. The tribute responsible steps forward.

Weak tributes. It's Toxic Lyse and Emarta. But where'd they get the poison? Oh right. They must have taken it from the Weapons pile. Thieves.

"Look. We're not here for-" Emarta begins but he's silenced when the second mutt kicks him backwards and a terrible crunch is heard.

It steps over Toxic and moves to Emarta.

"NO! DON'T TOUCH HIM!" Toxic yells.

"EMARTA STAY WITH ME DON'T DIE!" He yells as he moves toward Emarta but a sickening thwap is heard and Toxic goes flying backwards and hits a tree behind him.

A disturbing crunch is heard as Toxic lands on neck. He rolls over and you can clearly see a dark split in his neck and a white circle in the centre. Which must be his spine, blood pulses from his broken neck like a tap full of water. I feel sick. I knew that guy and know his neck is broken and completely snapped. A cannon fires to signify his official death. Even from here I can see his blood spreading over the grass. A white flower pops up, stained red. Another cannon fires, Emarta's I think.

Looking back at the mutt, it turns back and its mouth is red. It opens its mouth and I see a head inside.
Emarta's head.
The mouth closes and opens multiple times and I can see his head crushed by the monstrous teeth, I can even see his brain explode out from the immense pressure. That does it for me and I feel really sick.

I step backward, knowing the real power of this beast. In fact I run backwards to join Mars. Kaleb steps forward and throws a spear at the mutt. It lands in his massive paw. A cry is heard out and it turns its attention to Kaleb. Havoc runs up swings at the mutt with his poleax, the blade makes a nice deep cut in the neck of the mutt.

"AWWWWGGHRR!"

The mutt cries out and whacks Havoc in the stomach with his other paw. He goes flying and hits his gut on the edge of the Cornucopia. Havoc falls down and hits his head on the ground.

"HAVOC! HAVOC HAVOC ARE YOU OKAY" cries the immediate response from Draco.

Draco rushes to Havoc's aid and sits there, stroking his hair with his hand. Mars runs forward but stays hidden, I run after him because I think he's on the something.

"What are you doing?" I ask.

"Doing a Nalin. Climbing the back and stabbing it's head."

"Together?" I ask.

"Together." Mars responds.

The mutt bursts forward and attacks Nalin with its paw. Nalin grabs his ribs and cries out in pain. The mutt sits and both Mars and I take that as an opportunity. We rush forward and prepare to jump on. Ten seconds later, Mars and I are at the base of the neck of the mutt. The mutt advances on Nalin who is on his back, desperately crawling to the Food Supply pile.

I look at Mars and he's dangling his sword above the neck. He's just about to make a move when we hear a shout.

"HEY! PEA-BRAIN!"

I look around to see who shouted but no one said it.

"OI! WHITE STENCH! OVER HERE!"

I look up and see someone waving their arms above their head. They're trying to distract the mutt!

"COME ON! FRESH MEAT OVER HERE!"

I can't tell who it is because they're too far away. Suddenly the mutt moves and both Mars and I fall off. As I hit the ground, my ankle and wrist explode in pain and I pass out.


The Careers
Kaleb Tides (17)
District Two

I was watching Mars and Morpheus kill the mutt when I heard a sound. Too human to be another mutt. Turning around, I see three tributes. I'm so shocked from today's events I don't bother killing them; instead I go up to them and make conversation.

It's Skylar, Dylan and Winter.

"Whadda you three want?" I ask.

"Dylan and I are allies. We found Winter trying to find you as well. Look, we need food and weapons and medicine. Think you could spare us some?" Skylar pipes up.

"Take anything you need. Be careful though. The others may not be so... understanding." I say with a sneer.

They all nod and go off to collect supplies. Except Winter. I guess he needs help.

"You need help buddy?" I ask him. He looks nervous and troubled.

"Matty trapped. Can't move legs. Paraplegic." he gets out.

I drop my mouth open. "Mutt?" I ask, motioning to the beast heading up to the mountain to go attack the tribute who foolishly got the attention of it.

He nods. A few minutes later I've gotten Winter a spear, a sword. A box of medical supplies including a stretcher and a crate of food. He gives his thanks, as well as a hug and runs off.
I smile, who knows what that boy gets up to. Then Skylar and Dylan rush past; give me a thankful nod and continue running.

I laugh. Perfect timing to get supplies. I head back to the others and act as if nothing has happened.


Jaden Reeds (14)
District Right

I distracted the mutt from killing Nalin. I saw the whole thing and thought that he did not need to die after he yelled so agonisingly when Helix died. Now I'm resting in the tree again and calling to the mutt. I'm giving my life for Nalin and those who died. Such as Helix, Toxic and Emarta. And me too.

I'm not sure if Havoc is dead, I hope he's dead.

"COME ON YOU FILTHY MANGY ANIMAL! COME AND GET ME!" I shout to the mutt.

Within two minutes it has climbed the mountain and is facing me.

"Come on and get me. Fresh meat right here!" I say.

"I'm sorry." I add silently and look up to the sky.

The rest happens in slow motion. I close my eyes and when I open them the mutt has put over the tree from the roots. Wood snaps and crackles. Leaves blow in my face. Breathing out I stare at the sky, putting as much love to my family in my expression as possible. Then a huge movement as the mutt jumps from the cliff and tackles the tree and me.

The tree completely falls away from the cliff and begins to fall. The mutt gives me a hug; it's nails digging into my back. And as I hit the ground, a branch stabs the mutt through the head, out it's neck and into my heart.

There's an explosion of sound as the tree cracked onto the ground and then everything is a paradise in hell.


Six Hours Later

Marty Walsh (14)
District Twelve

It's official. I'm a paraplegic. I can no longer move the bottom half of my body. Winter went and got a stretcher for me and now he drags me to a concealed place to stay. I hold our new weapons, medicine and food. Winter told me how he saw one of the tributes fall to his death but in the process he killed one of the mutts. After that, it was like they were called back home to wherever they lived.

The sky is going dark now. And I'm waiting for the faces of the dead by shown into the sky. As if in tune with my thoughts, the anthem begins to play.

The first to be shown is Helix Van from District Four. Not expected a Career to die today. Then again it was unexpected for the mutts to appear. Next is Jaden Reeds from District Eight. He was the one who fell to his death. Then Toxic Lyse from 10. Wow! Really? I expected him to live at least a week! Then Emarta Lundasmith from 11. I think they were allies. It saddens me to see so many dead once again since the bloodbath.


The Careers
Kaleb Tides (17)
District Two

We got a lot of wounds today. Nalin survived with only bruised ribs, they'll heal but he's very lucky. Morpheus got off with a sprained ankle and wrist.

Mars, Draco and I were lucky. We got no wounds.

Havoc though, he's going to die. Even though it hasn't been said we all know he will. He's got internal bleeding. It's as big as my fist and he'll be lucky to survive tomorrow! If not to tonight. Nalin feels as if he's responsible for Helix's death. In a way he is but it's the GameMakers fault. They killed him. And Matty Walsh is now a paraplegic. A broken bone is a death sentence in here but to be paraplegic? There is NO way you're going to survive. Only time will tell his death...


Skorpii Redparth

Head GameMaker

Today was very entertaining and no doubt the rest of the Capitol is in shock. I'm not happy that three of my babies are dead. Then again, they were ganged up on. On the Tribute Health screen, Matty Walsh should be fine if he wins. Just needs a bit of surgery and he'll walk again. Havoc Stark however, his health is deteriorating rapidly and he'll last only two days at this point. They have medicine in the arena but it's internal bleeding. Without proper treatment he will not last.

Calling back the mutts to their home, I close the gate on them and drop a meal of mixed meat inside their cage and like a pack of wolves they destroy the meal within minutes. Today has indeed been intense for the tributes. It has indeed been a hell inside paradise for them.


The Dead:

Helix Van
District Four
Killed by Nalin Shyr
Killed Hunter Viral
Arena time of death: 06:09:32:38 (6th day. 9:32am)

Jaden Reeds
District Eight
Killed by muttation
Killed 0
Arena time of death: 06:10:13:46 (6th day. 10:13am)

Toxic Lyse
District Ten
Killed by muttation
Killed 0
Arena time of death: 06:09:56:12 (6th day. 9:56am)

Emarta Lundasmith
District Eleven
Killed by muttation

Killed 0
Arena time of death: 06:09:59:27 (6th day. 9:59am)

Words for tributes. Helix Van, though I did not write in his point of view very often I quite liked his character, he will be missed. Toxic and Emarta, wow, what can I say? These were such amazing tributes and I put them together thinking they would work well neither did i intend for them to share a strong bond and eventually get themselves killed. They were hardest to write off so far in this story. Thanks for submitting them! Jaden Reeds, well he wasn't much of a "strong" character and practically became useless to me. He was a nice tribute to write about and I had fun writing about his time when spying on the careers.

Wow. What a chapter. Even I'm pretty impressed with myself. I know I've kinda killed off 6 tributes this chapter with Matty and Havoc but they didnt die. See? Only four :)

SO! New arena, new mutts, less tributes. Thats 10 left now? am i right? yeah 10. 9 days left guys! 9 chapters (or more because this chapter intended to be one chapter but it became over 6,600 words! i know holy cow!)

Anyway, I'm excited to write about next chapter with the healing of new wounds. Draco and Havoc strengthening their relationship and more tnesion due to less tributes. Anyway VERY long authors note im going to finish up.

Review down below and please tell me what you thought of it! (theres a lot to write about i expect long reviews ;) )

~CJ