A/N- And here's that second update! I personally really like this chapter, and it offers something different to the story. Please let me know if you like this chapter and whether you want more of the same thing or similar :D Your opinions help a lot so I know what to produce for you guys :)

Thanks for all the support, and smashing 90 reviews and 6500 views! It seriously makes me happy when I know people are reading and (the majority) liking what I do :) It's a real confidence booster and keeps me motivated.

Rye taps his pen nervously on his teeth. The screen in front of him shows how dangerously close Sienna and Milo are to the others. How close they could be to death itself. Rye's forehead slightly creased and his eyebrows furrowed as a frown perched upon his dry lips; they were headed for battle. A battle that would claim more lives; singing more booming canons through the jungle air.

The reflections in his hazel eyes were like a mirror: reflecting the cruel images as they flickered across the luminous screen. Ever since Sienna had refused to kill Gild – a seed of doubt grew in Rye's stomach, bearing itself deep inside the lining. He was now doubting her judgment. Her will to live.

Ever since Siena killed in the bloodbath, something had changed. She's realised now, Rye thought as he watched Sienna tuck one of her glistening knifes into her belt. She now understands truly how unrighteous these Games are.

She could go far, Rye thought again, adding to his previous thoughts about his tribute. If only she could block it all out. But he knows asking her to do such a thing is impossible. How could you not hate yourself after killing a child: even if it was for your own freedom?

Sitting there, Rye knew all too well what the thoughts like Sienna were having could do to you while in the arena. They make you weaker. And Sienna needed to push through them, drown out her rational behavior and kill – survive. He knew the guilt would come later; the guilt from being a murderer. But it was what would have to happen if she wanted to win; wanted to win with Milo.

Speaking of Milo, he seemed to be coping okay, however he hasn't killed yet.

Rye itches at his hands, attempting to scratch away the dried blood, the blood of his deceased adversaries. As if on cue, the faces of the dead flash prominently before his eyes. Each one sending a cold shiver down his spin. Rye trembles at the haunting images, cupping his bloody hands over his eyes, hoping it will make them vanish. The images usually fade, but today they remain. The guilt never goes away, though. It remains forever.

Ray promptly rubs his shoulder, attempting to soothe her lover.

Their pleading eyes glare into his soul. The eyes that pleaded with him before he cruelly killed them; tears pricking their corners as they heard their canons come alive. Their faces so real, it's like he could reach out and touch them.

Each face is someone. First, the little girl form District 3, the one who pleaded with deep brown eyes before he stabbed her in the heart. Next, the two boys from Districts 8 and 11. The two huddling together for the last time. Rye flinches as he remembers driving knives deep into their chest whilst they slept. And Last, the boy from District 4; the charming player who wrapped in all the sponsors with his charismatic personality and gorgeous looks. Rye killed him in the finale; stabbed him in the stomach with a sword. A sword he'd only used once before.

Rye could feel the tears beginning to trickle down his face as all four of them stared at him; their eyes dull and hollow; the weapons still jutting out from the bodies as they lie in pools of sticky, dark blood.

"I'm sorry." He whispers. "I'm so so sorry." The guilt crashes over him like a tidal wave. He drops his head to the desk and holds his head in his hands. His fingertips hold his forehead so tight that indentions begin to form beneath the skin. Rye could smell the blood on his hands, their blood.

"It's going to be okay," Ray says quietly. She knows it never will be; she's killed too.

Rye shakes his head, "Even if they get out, they'll be different…changed." He sniffs as tears threaten to begin falling again. "I promised myself I wouldn't change in the arena. But killing has a way of breaking those promises."

"I know, I know," Ray says soothingly, rubbing his back. "But we need to be grateful we were the ones to get out, and that we can still be with each other even though things change so much afterwards."

"But their faces; they're permanently burned into my mind, etched there until the day I die. It's been exactly ten years to this day since I killed the girl from District 3, and yet the memory is fresh in my mind." Rye shivers, his skin covering in goose bumps.

"I get it, Rye, I do. But we must be strong for Milo and Sienna. They have a huge chance of getting out. We can't let them down. Remember, Milo volunteered so he could go in and make sure Sienna lives," Ray paused, her voicing getting softer. "We need to make sure for him, even if it's his last wish, that we at least save her if we can't save them both."

Wave's mentor, Beck: the victor of the 197th Annual Hunger Games, shuffles in with a sympathetic look on his face. He's young, only eighteen, and not yet infected with the poison that comes with mentoring.

"Hello Rye. Ray." He nods. His voice is quiet and gentle, and he sits gingerly on the edge of the sofa.

"I don't mean to speak out of place," he begins nervously. "But your tributes need you, Rye." The teenager dares to move closer to Rye, who has been friends with the young victor since he arrived for his first year of mentoring. He flicks his bronze locks out of his green eyes as Rye looks up to him. Rye's eyes are puffy from crying, which Beck notes. The two know each other well, despite only knowing each other for three years. They would, if asked who their best friend was, answer with the other's name. They both take frequent trips to the Capitol to meet, since traveling to other districts is not always permitted, even at a victor's request.

"I'm sorry," Beck mutters. "I know it hurts, but you need to be strong for them. I know you would say the same thing to me if our positions were opposite." Beck stops, and the room grows silence, then as if nothing happened, Beck continues. "I can help you, if you'd like. Wave liked your tributes: Milo and Sienna. I kind of owe it to him, so I've checked with the sponsors and they agree that the money for him can be passed on to District Nine."

"That's very generous of them." Ray says.

"It is." Beck nods.

"So you'll mentor them with us?" Rye asks, sounding weak.

"Of course. You helped me my first year when unfortunately you lost your two tributes early. And we're friends, right? That's what friends do." Beck smiles shyly.

"Thank you." Rye murmurs. He extends his hand to Beck, who disregards it and pulls Rye into a hug. Rye hesitates before patting Beck on the back.

The three sit around the District 9 screens, their chairs crowded around the multiple panels for sponsor gifts; medical information on both Milo and Sienna, and the other tributes location in the arena. On the screen currently is Milo and Sienna, sitting low in a tree overhanging the pair from District 7, taking the first watch. They talk quietly, with Sienna resting her head on his shoulder. Everyone knows they adore each other in the Capitol now. Ray stares intently at the screen as the cameras try to pick up the faint sound. She sighs, and wishes Sienna would just come out and kiss Milo already. We've seen from the cameras how much he loves her and what he will do for her, so now we need to see Sienna return this. If she does the sponsors will flood in for her team. It will add a good dynamic to her team, and offer something the other team doesn't. That then offers the possibility of gaining more sponsors. Not that in their current state they need it, but it's comfort for Ray knowing there is options open if they need help.

Her eyes follow Sienna on the screen as she nestles into Milo's chest.

Jeeze, just kiss him already. Ray thinks, smiling slightly. Milo has improved greatly since the sponsor sent in the money for his medicine. Rye, as Milo's mentor, made sure he went and thanked the sponsor himself.

The microphone can pick up their words now. They're talking about home. Ray hears them talking about the time they met and how they became such good friends. Then they talk about working in the fields together. It's sweet, how close they are. The Capitol like that, going by the buzz they create when the show airs. The only problem is, whenever they seem to be about to get slightly intimate, the reluctance is obvious in Sienna's eyes. She told Ray and Rye before she left for the arena that she would try and get them both out alive before going anywhere with Milo. She seems to be struggling with this idea.

Ray pulls a piece a piece of paper out of the cabinet and writes a simple note addressed to Sienna on it.

Trust me:

Follow your heart.

Ray.

She will know that it means the Capitol want to see more of their feelings for each other. Ray selects two apples from the pad and then sends off the order with the note to the moderators. Hopefully it shouldn't take long, and then Sienna should receive it within the next fifteen minutes. Now all there is to do is wait. Ray can hear Rye and Beck quietly discussing something next to her. She is too engrossed in the images on the screens to take notice of them though. Beck helping them sure would take a huge weight off of Rye's shoulders. It may sound heartless, but Ray finds it so easy to block out her games when she has tributes in the arena. It's the times where she's not focused on things that the memories come back and haunt her. For Rye it's the other way around, generally. Ray casts a caring glance at Rye, who gives her a shaky smile. She slips her hand into his whilst she watches the screen. Rye squeezes her hand in his and she returns the favor.

Ray looks around at the rest of the mentors in the room where they spend the majority of the day. They all sit in a circle with divides between each individual desk making the circle. Usually they'd sit in District order, however this year they have rearranged themselves to be in their teams. Opposite Ray is the District 2 mentors. One of them is the inexperienced Pool, who won his games just last year. He's one of the youngest mentors here, along with Beck. The two have never got along, though the reason is unknown to Ray. The other District 2 mentor is the confident, cocky Alexis. She won her games a few years before Ray, and every year she's mentored her district they've had a winner. She was Pool's mentor last year, and the two are really close. Alexis senses Ray's eyes on her and they dart up, the dark eyes piecing Ray's. She glares at Ray, before looking back at her screen. Ray shrugs it off. Alexis has a problem with pretty much everyone, she shouldn't take it personally.

A low beeping noise pulls Ray's attention back to the screen. Sienna is pointing up through the tree and leaning out to catch the parachute. Milo is telling her to get back in the tree, as she's too far out and will fall. She ignores him, and pulls the parachute out of the air. They crack open the pod together, and Sienna reads the note, since it's addressed to her. She frowns slightly but nods.

Good. She understands. Ray thinks.

She passes Milo his apple, brushing his hand as she does so. They make eye contact and smile sweetly before biting into their apples simultaneously.

Oh my gosh. The Capitol will be cooing at their screens if that was shown. Ray smiles slightly. Their odds are decent, considering there are still four careers in the other group. Willow and Aaron's aren't bad either. Ray spoke to some of her Capitol contacts, and her friend told her that there was a flurry of bets placed on Sienna and Milo making it into the top eight, despite her refusing to kill Gild. Ray hopes the betters are right. They deserve to be the winning team.