…..I have a lovely story for you guys. I was SO excited because I had literally just gotten my 125th review as I was checking my computer before bed and I FLIPPED out! I was so excited! So I sat down right there to write you guys a lovely chapter to wake up to. So after 4 and a half hours of half writing half eating and half watching gossip girl, I finished! I was so excited to put my chapter up for you! But then, I went to the website and it was all like error. You have no story. So I was like…..okayy….the site is obviously just having a problem so I was like, I'll come back tomorrow. So I wake up the next morning go to check my email and BAM! "Your story has been deleted blah blah blah." Cool bro. 125 reviews….gone. Just ugh words cannot even describe my inner rage. But anyways, let's hope this one doesn't get deleted too! As promised, two people got to pick sponsor gifts which will make their appearance in this chapter! Yay! And also….YOU GUYS ARE AMAZING! I challenged you guys to see if we could get 10 reviews and you totally over achieved. You guys rock! And um one last thing PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE READ! So obviously, this story is nearing its end (insert sad face here) and I was wondering if anyone would be interested in reading another story like this if I wrote one! So um yaaaa! Thanks for reading!

Ruby Jenkins

The once welcomed cool breeze that brushes across my face only reminds me of how thirsty I am. I lick my lips desperately hoping for some relief but so moisture comes. It's only been about 9 hours since the pond dried but I'm starting to go crazy from dehydration. The illusion of water that the heat causes only makes me want it more. I poke a finger into the dry earth thinking that maybe it will be damp the farther down I go but no such luck. I press my back against the warm bark of the dark wooded tree and sigh. A person can only live so long without water… I begin to let my eyes drift closed when a sound startles me

A slight chiming noise grabs my attention and forces me awake. I turn my head quickly from side to side for a few moments before discovering the source of the noise. I burst into action and sprint towards the newly arrived parachute and rip the silver sail off with ease. My heart soars when I see the contents of the container. Water. 5 mini water bottles are arranged neatly inside the metal bin just begging to be drunk. I down one and a half bottles before I can even stop myself. The pure liquid slides down my throat unlike any water I've ever had before. I sigh in satisfaction as I drag the metal container to my shady tree hideout. I try forcing myself to stop drinking water because I know that I will definitely need it later but it almost kills me. Just one more sip turns into the other half of the second bottle before I have time to blink. Terrified that if I don't stop soon, my entire water supply will be depleted, I move to the other side of the tree where I can't see the fresh water.

I turn my attention to my dry and flaking nails and try to make them look a bit more presentable. It's not like I think it's important, it's just what I'm used to. My mind wanders to the events of the past couple of days and what might be to come. I'm not entirely sure what the whole meeting at the cornucopia thing will be about tomorrow but I know it can't be anything good. I mean, think about it. How on EARTH are they going to make sure everyone attends? It can only mean that they will unleash some horror in the outer circle forcing everyone into the maze and cornucopia. At the thought of meeting up with tributes again I absent mindedly pull my dagger from my waistband and examine it. Miraculously, it's almost as sharp as the very first day. It must be some sort of capitol technology because we don't even have anything like it in district 1.

I am suddenly aware of the long red hair that is in my face. When I move to brush it away, an impulse overtakes me. Without hesitation, I raise crisp blade and take a deep breath before slicing off about 4 inches of my hair. It's not anything huge considering my hair is way below my shoulders, but inexplicably, I feel different. I stare at the severed ends of my hair for a few moments before tossing them to the side and sweeping my hair back into its usual pony tail and continuing to mess with my nails. Maybe, I decide, different is better.

Haden Saen

"I spy something…green."

"Tree."

"Okaayyy….I spy something….brown."

"Tree trunk."

"uh…I spy something….light green."

"TREE!"

"Stop!" I shout through my laughter, "You're too good at this!" Whitley smiles modestly as though it were a very flattering compliment and laughs.

"What can I say…I just really know my surroundings?" She says while gesturing to the rather green and brown forest. I chuckle to myself as we walk across the dry ground. The conversation goes silent for a few moments before Whitley begins to say something again. "What do you think they mean by surprise?" She asks referring to the surprise announcements last night.

"Dunno. Maybe we'll get lucky. Maybe there will be cake." She laughs quietly as the stone walls of the maze finally come into view. It's been a while since either of us has been in the maze and quite frankly I'm worried about finding out how to get through. We both pause in front of immense walls and silently watch for any signs of movement. When nothing reveals itself I decide it's safe to set up camp so I roll out our blankets and dig a piece of dried banana out for each of us. Whitley accepts the fruit piece and nibbles on it silently while continuing to observe our new location. I sink to the ground and gesture for her to do the same. Still eating, she slides to the ground across from me and watches as I pick a leaf off our blanket as though it was the most interesting thing she'd seen all week.

"Do you think it's going to be like…. A second bloodbath?" She asks me with a twinge of both curiosity and fear in her voice.

"I'm not sure, it's likely though. This has got to be getting pretty long now and they'll be looking to wrap everything up pretty soon." Her eyes travel back to the discarded leaf and she purses her lips nervously for a few moments before opening them again.

"Do you think we'll make it?" She asks this time with more fear in her tone. I reach a hand out to hers and lean in to whisper something to her.

"I think we'll be just fine." Whitley turns to look at me and our eyes meet briefly before we are interrupted. I don't even have to pause between the chimes to know what is coming. I spring to my feet and twirl around awkwardly until I spot the silver parachute. I sprint towards the gift and rip open the rather large metal box quickly. I tilt my head to the side thinking there must've been a mistake, surely this cruel looking knife wasn't meant for Whitley or I. Before I can even ask Whitley what's going on, her slender hands slides over the hilt of the knife and curls naturally around it. I watch as she gets a feel for the blade and lets it rest nicely in the palm of her hand. I realize this must be her weapon of choice and that it's a gift for her. Whitley turns to me with a renewed sparkle in her eye as she opens her mouth to speak.

"Yeah, you're right."

"About what?"

"We're going to be just fine."

Dorn Till

"See that one?" I say pointing to an interestingly shaped cloud. "It looks like a turtle." Hailey snorts loudly as she closes one eye to get a better look at the cloud floating above us.

"I think it looks more like broccoli." She says matter of factly. I roll my eyes playfully and look back at the cloud.

"That looks NOTHING like broccoli, but maybe you could argue that it was a finely pruned shrub." Hailey howls with laughter and gives me a look.

"Because you have surely seen an abundance of finely pruned shrubs in your lifetime." I raise an eyebrow at her before I reply.

"Yes. I have. Are you….jealous of my many shrub sightings?" Hailey, still chuckling, rolls onto her stomach rests her chin on top of her hands. We sit in a strange silence for a few moments before Hailey says something.

"If we get out of here, what's the first thing you're going to do when you get home?." I pause thoughtfully for a moments before replying.

"Go for a walk. I think I'll thoroughly enjoy it once I no longer have to check for murderous tributes around every corner. Hailey smiles when I ask her the same question and replies without hesitation.

"Get a cat."

"A cat?"

"Yes. A cat. I figure if I'm a victor they can't refuse. She will be an orange tabby with white paws and I will name her oatmeal."

"Oatmeal…is a ridiculous name." Hailey's nose reflexively crinkles as she replies.

"Yes well arguably so is Dorn."

"Hey!" I cry pretending to be hurt. "That wasn't very nice."

"Hey, you insulted my cat name so obviously you started it." Hailey says while giggling. I softly punch the side of her arm and she quickly returns the assault only harder. At precisely the same time we both lunge towards each other and end up wrestling around on the ground. We fight for top position for a few minutes before I grow exhausted and accept defeat. Hailey plops on my chest triumphantly and leans down close to my face.

"Just kidding." I frown in confusion as her gleeful smile only grows larger. "I like the name Dorn." She says, smirking. I laugh loudly and press my head deeper into the ground.

"Fine you win. Can you please get off now?" I ask jokingly. Hailey smiles again before beginning to speak.

"Please say that again."

"um…..get off!"

"no the other part."

"Fine. You win."

"I usually do." This time its Hailey who kisses me, gently as always. We stay longer this time, not breaking apart for at least five minutes. Just enjoying the moment and being together. Just like every time, when she pulls away it leaves me wanting more but I don't initiate another. I'll admit it though, I desperately want to.

Ok um hi again, sorry for another note I just forgot to mention, I'm going to visit my grandparents and I won't be back until like the 12th….awkward. Sorry guys! But you should definitely leave a lot of reviews (hint hint wink wink shove shove)