If any of you knew me in real life, I'd give you permission to slap me for not updating this story in a while :p

I was originally supposed to post another interviews chapter, but that kind of reached a dead end. So I abandoned it and wrote this instead. Here is a little post-interviews thing I've come up with. There was originally supposed to be three other POVs, but those kind of reached a dead end too.

This is also the first time I've written a POV on a bloodbath tribute, but I did so for a good reason.

Anyway, enjoy! :)


Serenitee Seeker, District 4

The city is sprawling beneath me as I watch from the window of the Training Centre. Each movement, each flashing light adds to my unease. All I'll be able to think of tomorrow is the fact that most of these people can't wait to watch me die. The thought makes me sick.

I hear the quiet footsteps of an Avox pacing around behind me. Or at least I thought it was an Avox. I pull my attention away from the window to see Hunter sit down opposite me.

He's a pretty boy. I never really thought much about it, though. I've been thinking too much of my death. But each of his features look so perfect they're almost godly. Which is why I couldn't trust him at first. I never trust people who look as attractive as Hunter. But when I saw how kind and considerate he was, I opened up to him and trusted him. You could even say we became friends.

But nothing more will happen. I don't feel that way about him. And his heart already belongs to Emilie.

"Couldn't sleep?" I ask him.

He smiles. "Sleep never even crossed my mind."

We sit in silence for a few moments. He watches the city move beneath him as I try to calm my mind. But I can't. It's futile. So I force myself to look at him again.

"I think you deserve an explanation," I say.

He immediately grasps my meaning and shakes his head. "You don't have to explain if you don't want to."

I ignore him and start. "Volunteering for your sister was something I was definitely sure of doing. I didn't just step up on stage in the heat of the moment. Your sister is a lovely girl, and District 4 would be a worse place without her there."

Pulling in a deep breath, I continue. "Two years back, I was on the street and starving. Almost close to death. I went to sleep expecting to be dead my morning. Unfortunately I was still alive. But at my feet, I found a burlap sack."

"What was inside it?" he asks.

"Enough food to last me a month. A bar of soap. Hair conditioner. A sizable bag of coins. And a note. I read it and it said "Thought you might need this. My family already has enough to live off anyway, might as well share it around." It was signed with your sister's name."

Lapsing back into silence, I bury my head in my hands and exhale like I've been holding my breath for so long. It felt good to finally talk to someone about all this madness.

"But that one care package," says Hunter. "That was enough for you to volunteer for my sister?"

I laugh. "Oh, it was the first of many! I got one from your sister every month. And I knew when I was volunteering for her that I'd be saving the life of one very lovely and honest girl. Like, I wasn't saving someone that might have been a total ass. I knew the person I was saving was a good person, which made it worthwhile."

I don't really expect what happens next. Hunter reaches out and wraps me in a strong hug. His arms feel nice and welcoming, and his warmth radiates through me.

I haven't been hugged like that in a long time.

"I promise to protect you tomorrow," Hunter says, "No matter what the Careers say, I want you with us. It's the least I could do after what you've done for me and my family."

I don't say anything. Because I've seen the way the other Careers look at me. They think I'm weak. They think I'll die tomorrow.

Who knows, maybe one of them will be the one to commit the act.

But I don't let any of this out to Hunter. I don't want to ruin this moment, where I feel safe and warm and wanted. It feels good to feel this way.

"Thank you for saving my sister," he whispers.


Kitty Feldspare, District 9

I sneak a glance at Bonus sleeping peacefully next to me. He lies on his back, one hand on his stomach. Even when I can't see his green eyes, he's still the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.

I knew I felt this way about him ever since I saw him in that field on Reaping Day. He took me by surprise the way he stared at me. He looked like he wanted to say hello. And I would've wanted him to. But when I ended up on that stage with him, forced to play this stupid game with him, I tried to bury my feelings so that they may become dormant.

I'd actually hoped for them to disappear, but that was too much to ask for.

But unfortunately, my feelings only escalated. Once I got to know him, I only kept falling deeper and deeper into this hole I've dug for myself. I knew loving him would be a horrible idea, but I did it anyway. And I couldn't help it. He was so sweet and kind, it was a wonder he didn't have a girlfriend back home.

I know he doesn't like me back. Why would he, anyway? I'm just a simple-minded girl with thick red hair. There's really nothing to me.

As I look at him, utterly at peace, I can't help but lean down and plant a kiss on his cheek. It's not a light kiss, either. It holds all my thoughts and feelings I've been keeping from this beautiful boy in front of me.

As I open my eyes from the kiss, I see his eyelids flutter as he starts to stir. I'm not prepared for him to know what I did, so I lay myself down on the bed next to him just as I feel the bed shift from him getting up.

I'm not prepared for him to react to my feelings. Not now.

Probably never.


Hope you liked it! Sorry it's a little short...

Anyway, I still haven't released all the tribute songs yet, so here are the songs I chose for the District 9, 10, 11 and 12 tributes.

Kitty - 'Tomorrow Will Be Kinder' by The Secret Sisters: I reckon this song represents Kitty's purity and her outlook on life. She's never really had much, so I feel this song really fits her.

Bonus - 'Awake My Soul' by Mumford and Sons: I thought this song was perfect for Bonus because of his messy situation with his family and also his feelings for Kitty as seen in his reaping POV. It's also a very uncomplicated song, but also very poetic. Sad, but sweet and beautiful.

Bryn - 'One Heart/Million Voices' by New Empire: I feel this song has a bit of a farewell tone to it. I reckon this song and Bryn's goodbyes to her family match up very well. It's a sad song without meaning to be, but it's very moving.

Katana - 'Tiptoe' by Imagine Dragons: I feel as if Katana is the dark horse of this story. I reckon this song really fits her because she's the strong but quiet one. But the arena will be good for her, if not interesting.

Lily - 'Paradise' by Coldplay: It may sound cliche, but when I listen to this song I kind of feel like Lily is the girl that these lyrics are about (you know, if that makes any sense). That's basically the reason why I chose this song for her.

Chase - 'Politik' by Coldplay: Another Coldplay song for another District 12 tribute. But interestingly, this song serves two purposes with Chase's character. Firstly, it compliments his character so incredibly well: the broken boy who's in need of guidance and just a little bit of understanding. But also, by choosing two Coldplay songs for both of these tributes, the contrast in these songs sort of match up with the contrast between Lily and Chase. Lily's the innocent, slightly naive girl, whilst Chase is broken and lost. Light and dark.

I have got some good news for you all: just one more chapter and WE WILL BE IN THE ARENA! Oh my goodness, I have been waiting so long to write the arena. I have the arena all planned out and I reckon you are all going to love it!

If you are wondering what will be in the next chapter, I am doing a pre-bloodbath chapter just to make a smooth transition into the arena. It won't be too long, and I've started writing it now. But this also means that there isn't much time left to vote for your favourite tributes (yes, that poll is still there). So if your favourite tribute has shifted, let me know in the polls.

OH, and I am most likely going to work out a new sponsor system, since the current one has kinda lost control. So stay tuned for that.

To everyone reading, SORRY for not updating in ages, and for this super long author's note. I also want to thank you so much for keeping track of this story, even though I am such a terrible updater. You guys are the best! :D