Hey uhhh guys... if you're still there... So uh yeah been a while. Like ummm *cough* more than six months *cough*. Well anyways here I am. I'm in college now (woo) and I'm back to writing! Hopefully! I'm kinda out of sync with the story as of now but I plan on rereading everything I've written to see where I stand. I made do with this chapter so hopefully it's not too out of sorts. Anyways I hope you enjoy and I hope someone out there is still reading!

Day 2: Closer and Closer

Forest Island

Kirstin Abbot POV

I wake up with a start. The sun is barely shining through the thick foliage of the trees. I pear over the edge of a particularly large tree branch that I slept on last night to find the source of whatever woke me up. The source is a very loud girl and her friend.

"So you're saying Helena just left in the middle of the night? Why do you think so?" a pretty blonde girl that I recognize from District 8 says.

The boy responds, "I don't know Ken, maybe she just knew how much we liked each other and wanted to give us time alone together."

The girl, Ken I suppose, cocks her head in a confused way. "I hope we didn't make her feel that way. I'm scared for her West."

"Oh Kennedy don't worry. She was just trying to be considerate. And besides now we have some alone time together," West says to her. Kennedy turns around to face him and then hugs him with a smile on her face.

I scoff at them from my position in the tree. You'd think they were back at home in school the way they were talking. Looking down at their tender embrace I feel a slight pinch of anger in my stomach. It frustrates me how little respect these two have for the Games. These two and so many others come to these games with nothing, they don't prepare and during training they stumble around like lost children whereas I have trained my whole life for this moment. People think us careers are cruel for the way we come into these games and kill but they don't understand that we're simply the better prepared ones…

I take out a spear that I took from the cornucopia and prepare to throw. The girl and boy break their embrace and walk again, the girl in front with the guy behind. I take aim when the boy moves. He pulls something from his pack, it's an axe. I lower the aim of my spear. This boy is not like the others…

I watch with bated breath as he raises the axe to the back of the girl who he so lovingly held in his arms a moment before. He takes a breath and prepares to bring the axe down…

"West," the girls says and the boy quickly lowers the axe and places it back in his pack. Not a moment too soon either as the girl turns around to face him.

"Yeah hun?" he asks innocently.

"Can you walk in front of me? I'm afraid something might jump out," she asks with a slight frown. The guy forces a smile on his face and nods.

I watch as the two of them walk away, a look of frustration on the boy's face. I, meanwhile, make a mental note to watch out for the boy in the future.

Tundra Island

Lakota Bartlett POV

When I open my eyes I'm shocked by heavy glare of the bright white snow. I quickly pull on my goggles to cut the glare. I raise myself from my bed in the snow to see Finch looking out of the vast tundra from atop a small snow dune. I grab my bow and arrows and go up to see him.

"Hey, have there been any more deaths?" I ask him.

"Nope, not since last night. It happened after the projections so we don't know who it is either," he replies telling me information I already know.

"Any sign of the other two since you've been on watch?" I ask. He shakes his head.

We sit there in silence for a few moments, staring out at the pure white tundra. After a few minutes he turns to face me. "So what's the plan now boss?"

I look at his friendly face. It makes me sad, the way he looks at me. He doesn't understand. I can never return whatever it is he has for me. I gave up on all connection that day at the mine. It has been and always will be Tyme and me. And to keep it that way I'm going to be the one getting out of here. Not him.

"I say we scout the island," I reply. He nods in response and stands up.

"Lead the way!" he says again with his friendly smile. I manage to force a smile onto my own face before getting up and walking towards the ocean in the distance.

Desert Island

Quinlan Darrow POV

I pause in the drifting sand to set down my pack and readjust the bandages on my arm. The spot where the girl grazed me with her arrow the other day won't stop bleeding. Now more than ever I wish I had paid more attention to the medical station in the training center but those damn careers didn't find it to be important enough for them. And now I'm not even with them anymore. I spent all that time sucking up to them just to be left on my own.

After un-wrapping the bandages I look at the cut. She just grazed me but the arrow tore up the skin pretty well and the wound hasn't been healing very easily. To make matters worse the only pack I managed to grab from the cornucopia before running was a little one armed sling pack that keeps sliding off my should and scraping my arm. I would switch it to my right arm but I'm using that one to hold a sword for protection.

The only good thing about the sling pack is that it had plenty of water and some fruit. The fruit is almost gone but I still have two big jugs of water that will probably last the day.

After tightening the bandages on my arm I set off through the dunes again. The heat beats down on my face, through my bandana. I try to keep my mind occupied to distract myself from the glaring heat. First, I think of Evlin and how I promised her I would make it back. Thinking about Evlin brings my thoughts to Dahlia but I find her face too distracting so I try and wipe it from my mind. Instead, I think about how I almost killed that girl yesterday. I can still feel the bite mark on my hand. I frown to myself, upset over the lost opportunity. I'll make sure to make the next one a real kill…

Jungle Island

Lexi Davenport POV

My mind races as I walk through the dense jungle. I hold one of the odd jungle rocks in my hand licking the moisture that it produces. My eyes dart around defensively though I know if anyone were to find me I would be an easy kill. I have no weapons and no supplies. I had to get away from the cornucopia as quickly as possible.

I think about the deaths that occurred the past day and who is left. There was Jage, that small red-head from District 9, Helena, my heart dropped when I saw her face, and the boy from District 10. Another cannon sounded off late last night but it was after the projection had occurred so I'm not sure who it is yet. My thoughts race between grief for Jage and relief that Lightning is still out there somewhere. Where he is I don't know but I have a feeling it's not very close to me. To make matters worse, the only people who I know are within my area are all careers. Yep, right now I'm completely alone.

As I see it I have two options. I can return to the cornucopia and grab a knife and some supplies. Or I can keep walking and try and learn more about my surroundings. Eventually my fear of the cornucopia wins out and I continue to walk through the thick foliage of the jungle.

Desert Island

Skylar Ross POV

Day 2 and still no sign of anyone else. I've been living off of a steady supply of the desert bugs that flock to me whenever I place some of the bait out. They give me energy and a little sustenance but I know what I really need is water. Unfortunately the desert is lacking in that. I managed to cover most of the island yesterday. I saw the other islands and concluded that the other competitors are there. I also crossed the entirety of our island. As far as I can tell there is nothing on it except for a few odd trees, a lot of sand dunes and one flattened out rocky area where the cornucopia stands. Unfortunately most of the good supplies had already been scavenged from there.

I continue to walk through the desert, my hood blocking the glare of the sun and keep the sand from my face. As I walk I pick up the small things I find, a rock here, a twig there. I'm really sure why, except that I don't have a weapon and picking these thing sup makes me feel slightly less vulnerable though really a rock isn't going to save me from a sword wielding career. It's odd, how silent these two days have been. But the silence doesn't comfort me, it only unnerves me. With each second that passes I feel the tension rising, so that when something does happen to me it will be loud and explosive.

My anxious thoughts are interrupted when I see a large brown object submerged in the sand. I begin to walk towards the object and see that it is a tree log. How a tree log wound up in the desert I haven't a clue but I suppose the Gamemakers could have just placed it there for fun. Regardless, my recently acquired scavenger personality delights at the new object. I begin to examine the log when I find that it still has a large 5 foot branch still stuck to it. With the discovery of the branch a brilliant idea pops into my head.

From my pack I pull out a particularly sharp rock I managed to find a few hours ago. With the rock I break off the branch from the tree. It's a relatively narrow branch and so doesn't take too long to break off. It takes a few hours but eventually I manage to shape the branch and use some stingy palm tree fronds to tie the sharp rock creating a spear like implement.

I sit there admiring the spear when suddenly I'm knocked to the ground. Two knees pin my back to the ground. I feel rough hands try to grab the spear in my hand but I swing it back knocking him off guard. I continue to swing the spear back until I manage to catch my attacker. He cries out in pain and the pressure in my back momentarily leaves allowing me to crawl away.

I stumble through the sand trying to right myself and put up some sort of attack but a my attacker knocks the side of my face sending me crashing down into the sand again. I manage to turn myself onto my back and hold up my spear in some sort of defense. The bright glare of the sun shades the assailants face from me. I swing the spear up but he's prepared this time and knocks it away with his arm. I see my hard work fling across the desert and be buried in the sand a few yards away.

He pulls a dagger out of his pants and bring himself closer to me. He has my arms pinned in one of his large hands and with his legs he keeps my feet from kicking. As he leans closer I manage to see his face. It's the boy from District 6, the large guy who had paired with the careers. On his face I see the shallow cut that I managed to make with my spear. A drop of blood drips down the side of his face.

His face is emotionless and his eyes are empty. Slowly he brings the knife closer and closer to my throat. As I feel the cold metal brush up against my skin the drop of blood falls from his face and onto my cheek. I break down.

Tears begin to pour out of my eyes. I can't believe it; I have only a few seconds left to live and all I can do is cry. I can't put on a brave face. I can't muster one last word. I just don't have any strength left to fight. So I let the tears fall. I manage to gasp out a few gentle sobs as I wait for my death.

Seconds pass and the cold blade stays pressed against my neck. My eyes are closed, anticipating my fate. Eventually I begin to recognize that I should've been dead 10 seconds ago. With hesitation I open my eyes. My attackers lips are tense and his eyes seem a little crazed.

"Damnit," he says as he withdraws the knife and stands up. I sit there in the sand dumbfounded. The tall District 6 boy places the knife back in his pants and then looks back at me. "Well what are you waiting for? Run! Before I change my mind."

I quickly rush to my feet and go to where my spear is buried in the sand. I pick up the spear and prepare to take off but something stops me and I look back at the boy. "Why?" I ask knowing I'm pushing my luck with this situation.

He looks up at me. "Evlin, my little sister, just thank my little sister." With a nod I run away and disappear into the sand.

Forest Island

Kennedy White POV

West and I keep traveling through the forest. He walks in front of me, strong and imposing while I bring up the rear. After we found Helena had run away this morning West and I went back to the cornucopia to find supplies. After his brief confrontation with the District 2 girl he didn't want to hang around the cornucopia too long.

Most of the supplies had been scavenged or taken away by forest creatures but we did manage to find a couple of axes and a small dagger. West gave me the dagger. Now we're traveling through the forest. West seems determined to find the District 2 girl who almost killed him. I just wish he would slow down and take his time. Why go chasing after danger? Especially seeing as we're always in danger here…

Eventually we come to a small stream. West bends down and splashes some water on his face. I sit down next to him. "About time we stopped moving! My feet are starting to kiiilll me," I say trying to lighten the dark mood of the Arena.

West continues to splash water on his face. I dip my fingers in and swirl them around in the cool creek. West looks up from his hands and stares into the forest. His face is so distant and empty, for a moment I can't recognize him as the guy I've fallen so hard for these past few days. Then he looks over at me.

His fingers point towards the water. "Fish," he says with a simple smile. I look down into the creek and find that there are a few small fish swimming. "How bout we make a fire and cook some food for dinner?"

My mind races at the danger of starting a fire but the thought of grilled fish and sitting here with West pushes it from my mind. I nod my head with a smile.

It takes about two hours but we manage to get a few of the small fish onto the banks of the creek. West laughed at me as I struggled to stab my dagger at the fish. Eventually he taught me how the water obscures the position of the fish and I actually have to stab elsewhere if I want to hit them.

As the sun starts to set we have a bright fire going and a couple of fish grilling. As we wait for the fish to cook I notice West keeps sneaking looks at me. At one point I manage to catch his eyes and I smile back. As we eat our fish the sun begins to dip down the horizon. West gets up suddenly and rushes into the forest. I sit there slightly dumfounded but eventually he comes back with light pick flowers in his hand. He hands them to me.

"They're wild roses, I know they aren't the prettiest but I noticed them on the path and wanted to give them to you. This may be a sick game but I thought there's always a little room for romance."

I'm speechless for a moment and I react the only way I know how to react when I'm truly touched. I reach out and wrap my arms around him. He wraps his around me. "This may be the kindest most touching thing anyone has ever done for me." I pull away from the hug but West holds me closer. I look up at his handsome face. Our faces are so close I can see even the faintest of freckles across his nose. Slowly he dips his head down to mine and kisses me.

His kiss is warm and fills me with a fluttery feeling from head to toe. His arm slowly slides up the side of my body. I think he's going to grab my face but his hand falters at my neck and suddenly I feel a slight pinch. West breaks the kiss and steps away from me.

I go to the point on my neck where I felt the pinch and pull out a small dart. I can just make out the faintest purplish hue on the tip. My body starts to shiver and I fall to my knees. "West… I… I don't understand," I manage to say. He kneels down next to me and grabs my hands in his.

"Oh sweet Kennedy it's nightlock, a little gift from a sponsor. Be grateful, I asked for it just for you," he says as he kisses my numbing hands.

"But I thought… I thought we had something," I say.

A small handsome smile plays on his lips. "You're too trusting Kennedy, too sweet and too naïve. These are the games. Love doesn't exist here. All that matters is who can win. But, I was swayed by your unwavering loyalty to me so I chose to kill you painless as opposed to your friend Helena last night. Soon the poison will reach you heart and you'll pass away."

All the pieces fall into place as I realize how I've been played. West releases my hands and I fall to the ground curled up in a ball. "Goodbye sweet Kennedy," he says as he stands up and walks away.

In my final moments my mind races from my family, to my friends and to my final days. West was right about me. I was too trusting, too willing to love and ultimately that was my downfall. But my ability to love is what made my life so filled with joy. So as I lay there, my vision darkening I'm comforted by that thought, that I lived my life surrounded with love and all West has ever known is deception.

Bane Manders POV

A cannon sounds. The sixth death. I wonder who it is as I stare out at the sea and towards the other islands. Finch or maybe Lakota? Or maybe one of those damned careers has found an end.

My thoughts are jolted as the land begins to rumble. The steep rocky cliff that leads to the sea begins to crumble. I take a few steps back as our island continues to shake. An earthquake? Is this some kind of Gamemaker ploy? I stare around anxiously, waiting for something to happen. Another jolt and I'm thrown from my feet. I continue to stumble up from the shaking ground, trying to get my footing. I grab a nearby tree to steady myself. It takes me a moment but I begin to realize that the island is moving. I hold onto the tree as the island moves. While the dense jungle island and frozen island seem not to be getting closer the yellowish island does appear to be getting closer.

The sun dips below the horizon as the islands get closer and closer. Looks like it's time to meet the other tributes…

So thanks for reading! If you're an old reader I'd love if you'd review so I could see how many out there are still reading! And let me know what you think! I'll try and update again and have it not take multiple months. Thanks all!