Pray POV

That girl. That girl had the fire. She had the skills. She had the drive. Why couldn't she see any of that? I gave her everything I could. She could have won if she'd ever reached for it. She was so sure she'd fail she never tried. Ava was unfathomable. Was she ever happy? I hoped that in the end she found peace.

District Two POV

It was a shameful year for Two. First Career District out of the Game. Mase was a jock and Avariella was a freak. They were never going to let us hear the end of this next year. Avariella's parents continued supporting the Academy, looking to sponsor a future Victor. It was like they didn't even remember their daughter, and the rest of us would like to forget this year's Tributes as well.

Skyler POV

In the last twenty-four hours, I'd eaten more types of chocolate than I'd eaten types of food in my life. If all Panem got to eat this, no one would ever be sad again. My very favorites were the white ones with crunchy chocolate bits. It wasn't the healthiest, but we wouldn't be here long enough for that to matter.

"How much longer do you think the Game will be?" I asked Hadley. She was getting tired of our supplies a little quicker than I was, and she was sitting down with a hand on her stomach.

"It's half over now. There are only twelve left. It will probably take longer to get down much farther, since the stronger Tributes are left," she said. I gathered some fallen wrappers and sat by a case of green-wrapped chocolates.

"What are you going to do if you win?" I asked.

"First thing I'll do is see my dad and Olivan," she said.

"Yeah. I hope you can," I said.

"I hope you get to go home too," she said. Even though I knew only one of us could go home, I knew we were both sincere. We both wanted to go home together, even if it wasn't possible.

"Do you think we could really win?" I asked. Hadley looked out the door.

"I shouldn't have volunteered. If I win, it will be a fluke. It was a stupid mistake."

Hadley was stronger than I was. If she was scared for herself, I should be terrified. It didn't seem possible to imagine I could die. It was so far off. All we had was the present, and all I could do was enjoy however much time I had left.

A parachute floated down outside the shop door. I leaped up with a squeal and nabbed it, bringing it back next to Hadley.

"I hope it's chocolate," Hadley said, and we both burst out laughing. It had a five on it, so I opened it. Inside was a short sword with a chain on the end, just like the one I trained with. I didn't think I could ever bring myself to use it on a person, but Soleil obviously wanted me to try. I took it out to test its weight and saw something rolling around on the bottom of the box. When Hadley and I realized what it was, we had to laugh again. It was a pair of toothbrushes.

Demetria POV

I might as well stay put and die. Ashlyn was gone. I saw the shark tear her apart. If she could go that easily, there was no hope for me. The next person I ran across would kill me, and there was nothing I could do. I was going to die.

"Mom? Dad? I love you. I love you, Mayzie. Don't let her watch," I said to the cameras I couldn't see. I wanted to run across the Arena from the horrible aquarium, but to run away I'd have to run in front of it. Then I'd be able to see it. The entire basement wasn't flooded, so the Gamemakers must have repaired the glass. I couldn't get within sight of it. I would see that shark smiling at me.

My stomach ached and my throat was sore with thirst. Without Ashlyn, I didn't know how I was going to find supplies. Maybe that was for the best. If I died of thirst, it wouldn't hurt like if one of the others found me. I didn't have to move at all. I could just stay here and fade away. Mom and Dad wouldn't understand at first. Then they'd see I was doing the best thing I could.

"It's best this way," I said. I curled up on the thin carpet and watched the tiles on the ceiling above me. Then a chime interrupted me. It was coming from under the counter. I sat up and pulled at the cupboard underneath where the cash register would be. Inside the cupboard was a safe. The chime was coming from inside, so I pulled at the door. It was unlocked, and inside the safe there was a chocolate cupcake with pink frosting and blue and green flower-shaped sprinkles. Beside it was a glass of milk, and under the cupcake was a note.

You must be really hungry! Ta-da!- Chimera

It must be so simple to be a Capitolite. Chimera couldn't understand that for me, the best option might be the least painful death. He was just worried that I might get hungry. It was all so absurd I burst out crying. I didn't want a cupcake. I wanted to live. It was all Chimera could do for me, and I loved him for trying. I didn't think anyone would want to sponsor me. Something sparked inside me, and I felt a bit of hope again. I took the cupcake and bit into it. The frosting was airy and wonderfully pillowy, and the cake was moist and squishy. It was so good I was happy I hadn't starved to death.

Calvary POV

The Games were progressing. Only half of us were left. I was roaming the second floor, looking for either a fight or something useful, when I saw a smear of blood all along the wall of a store filled with makeup. It led to a hole that could only have been made by claws. That was enough for me. I turned around to leave and heard the scrambling that told me I was too late.

A grotesquely huge mouse thing was charging up the aisle at me, its claws clicking on the tile floor. Whatever it was, it had already killed one Tribute. I was its next meal.

"Oh, no, no no!" I yelled as I ran the other way. I knocked everything off the shelves as I went, hoping to slow it down. It ran over the lipsticks and blushes and continued its advance. I saw I couldn't outrun it and turned to give it the fight it wanted. When it was just feet away I kicked my foot into its eye, using its speed as well as mine to strengthen the blow. It squealed and reared back, snapping at my leg. I hopped onto the counter and struck downward with my sickle, puncturing its back. The mouse tried to haul itself after me, but it couldn't get itself up on the counter. I hit it again and again with the sickle, opening huge slashes and hitting bone at least once. Finally the mutt fell flat and started to limp away.

"No you don't!" I yelled after it. I hopped off the counter and slashed at its head with my sickle. It snapped weakly at me and tried to slash me, but I cut at its legs and didn't stop striking until it was completely still. I was covered in blood when it was done, but none of it was mine. I exulted in the victory, thinking back to all the times Dustin and I had done the same back home. In another Arena, I'd have food now, but there was enough here to go without mouse meat. I kicked its carcass and left the store. There was nothing left for me there.

I have someone set to die next chapter, so be sure to vote in case I have to switch victims. I also have Cordin set to have a POV, since he hasn't for a while. That may or may not be related...