A Vivid Note: Sorry for the excruciatingly long wait. I've been quite busy, but I was writing whenever I found the time. I'm not particularly proud of this chapter, but hopefully it will serve as an acceptable apology for my absence.

Since it was requested, I'll verify who the dead tributes are currently- but bear in mind I won't be doing this regularly since doing so is a pet peeve of mine I'm adamantly trying to avoid. Part of my fun is constantly leaving everyone wondering who the dead tributes are- as later I will purposefully be leaving it vague for plot's sake.
As of this moment, the morning of the seventh day, the dead tributes are Liotta, Jason, Galaxy, Britney, Evon, Jasse, Sapphire and Julian; they are hereby confirmed as 'dead'. No more need to wonder.

Now, let's go and make it confusing so you can wonder again.

Capitol Question #026; which of the twenty-four tributes would you have chosen for an alliance?

Kiss-Kiss,
Vivid.

The Capitol Games

Montserrat Saint-Phillipe; 18 years; the Capitol Sector 9.

As I watch the sun rise on our seventh day in the arena, I can't help but look around at our camp and feel my heart swell with a warm happiness. In just one day, our tiny alliance of three took in three more- and rather than strain under the pressure of more mouths to feed, we've flourished.

That pair from three found Koriana deep inside the ice caverns and carried her out together. I'll admit we were a bit wary of them at first, but judging from how far they went to rescue her and how adamantly they refused to leave her alone with us it was impossible to feel distrust towards the young boy and girl.

"S-She was good to me!" The boy was practically in tears as his partner nodded fervently. "I... I want to make sure she gets better!"

It was in that moment that I knew we couldn't send them away. All it took was a smile from Marshall and a nod from Diego to know it was alright to place our trust in them.

"...then how about we stick together from here on out?"

The stunned look on their faces when I said those words was unforgettable. And with that, our three became six- and Marshall, Holland, Francesca and I celebrated with the remaining supply of chocolate milk while Diego continued to cradle Koriana, who was yet to fully wake from her almost comatose state.
Even now, his arms are still wrapped tight around her body. He hasn't let go since she first slumped into his chest, as if he's afraid that by letting go she'll shimmer away into nothing; like a dream. From where I stand watch over them all, I can see his nose is still buried in her hair, finally breathing at ease for the first time since the games began.

"-I AM RIGHT HERE!"

Without even a trace of doubt or fear in his voice- he had shouted that into the cave.

Diego... he's not like anyone I've ever met before. The way he can put his whole self on the line to protect and care for someone else after what I can only assume is a lifetime of having no one do the same for him... it's inspiring, to say the least.

I hope his bites heal quickly; the pain they're giving him must be intense. He's a big guy, but size can only help so much with injuries like that. Some of the stingers were embedded pretty deep in his back and his arms- and it took a bit of prying with the needle intended for stitches just to get all of them out. It was agonizing digging that tiny sliver of metal into his forearm knowing how much it'd hurt to have me fishing around in there for bee stings.

After everything that happened today, I don't have the heart to wake him up for guard duty. Marshall took the first shift, and I'm now taking over for the second half. I know I'll be tired tomorrow- but it should be much easier tomorrow night with Francesca and Holland lending a hand, which they had eagerly offered to do during our conversation.
They're good kids. They're both sixteen- so they're older than Marshall- but they seem to have a different energy to him; a completely different approach to these games. While we talked it seemed that the girl was on a natural high while the boy, Holland, just laughed and twinged nervously. I don't remember too much about them from the days before the games, except that they seemed inseparable from the beginning and that Holland threw up during the party.

It's a little surprising they've lasted so long, but also a little inspiring. When the time came for everyone to settle down for the night, they both curled up- side by side- and went straight to sleep out of exhaustion. As I look over there, at the blanket Marshall offered them to share- I can see that Francesca has wrapped her arms gently around Holland's head and pulled it into the warmth of her chest.

All this time that Diego, Marshall and I have been struggling, so have they. Somehow I forgot about the other tributes lost in this arena with us; thinking only of myself and the others- but right now, the others are out there. Natalia and her group, Ari Saint-Claire and her partner, the black guy from seven- everyone is fighting to survive, just like we are.

'Well,' I think, closing my eyes and smiling. 'Maybe not 'just' like we are.'

In the few Hunger Games that I've watched, I don't quite recall seeing an alliance quite like ours. There was always some sort of betrayal- or some sort of horrible encounter before the bonds could deepen too far. Difficulties would arise and the group would split up before any of its members were met with any real danger.
That's probably what the Panem hive was meant to be- our group's catalyst. No doubt the Gamemakers were tired of our rapport and wished to throw a spanner into the works.

I wonder if they were just as surprised as I was to see Diego throw himself over Marshall and me. I can't help but feel a little proud over how much it must have stunned them. They were obviously hoping for a mad scuffle and for us- split apart by the hive- to be picked off by the arena.

What are they thinking now that we've taken three more tributes into our group? Are they angry at our constant refusal at drama... or are they happy to see this sort of dynamic? It's new after all, and judging from the sponsor gifts, the viewers seem to be enjoying it.
Although, they probably don't see it for what it really is. From what I've heard- Hunger Games fans are notorious for reading into things that aren't there. I probably have some fan club out there rooting for Marshall, Diego or I to 'hook up' with one another.

My lip curls slightly from the image that spawns in my mind.

We're... we're a family. I understand that few people would appreciate that, but family is a different sort of love than... than that love. It would be like if people assumed that I was 'hooking up' with one of my sisters-

"...I love you..."

The memory crashes into my head like an atom bomb- rendering me incapable of breath as I suddenly clutch onto the nearby tree for support. This memory wipes the slate of my mind clean, leaving me incapable of thinking of anything else.

I almost forgot... I almost forgot all about her... about my sister...

Quietly, as the small sounds of crickets and the night creatures mask my footsteps- I creep towards the duffle bag where I hid it. Someone murmurs in their sleep, but nothing interrupts as I unzip the bag and reach inside, feeling around for my treasure.
And there, at the very bottom- my fingers touch it. Locking my hand around its soft fabric, I pull the green scarf from its hiding place and raise it to eye level.

Eresenda... are you sleeping right now? Or are you curled up on the couch, watching this moment with eyes filled with tears that I can't wipe away?

Slowly, gently put the scarf to my lips.

"Regardless of whether it's as a man... or as a brother... just know that..."

I close my eyes and lower the scarf.

"I love you, Eresenda."


Ferroh Axum; 17 years; the Capitol Sector 7.

We aren't going to make it much longer unless things change soon. Faye-Anna is crying on and off every hour, we have nothing to eat or drink- and as the hours clock past I can feel my body giving way to the lack of sleep that's sapping away my stamina.
We found a lake. Apparently we weren't the first, since there were several sets of footsteps set in the banks surrounding its sickly golden waters. I didn't even bother waking up Faye-Anna, who I had carried there on my back. She just would've cried more had she seen it.

This arena just seems like an elaborate ploy to taunt and tease its tributes. The trees that are as tall as skyscrapers prevent us from climbing to safety. The obvious source of water is undrinkable- and the true water springs are set in areas of danger of being flattened by the gargantuan forest giants when they fall. No doubt there are muttations hidden in this god-awful place, just waiting for the unsuspecting tributes to stumble across them and fall prey to their dangers.

Even the creatures that aren't altered are dangerous. I shift Faye-Anna a little as my ribcage aches slightly under her weight. The incident with the deer- in hindsight- bothers me much more than it originally had. I can't believe I was stupid enough to let the thing ram me like it did. What if it had pierced the skin and punctured something? I'd be dead for sure.

I can't keep forgetting what this place is. It should be impossible, but when I'm able to relax and enjoy a leisurely conversation with Faye-Anna- it's incredibly easy to forget where I am; that this is just some school function or a trip. That we're going home.
Every time I remember the truth it feels like my lungs are being gripped by a pair of clawed hands and twisted inwards. This isn't a trip- and no matter how hard we may fight- there is no way for the both of us to go home.

"W-Why on Earth would you want me-?"

But no matter what it takes, I'll do my best to protect this girl I carry. I volunteered to save Galaxy's little brother, and now I fight to save someone's little sister. This is my way to keep from 'losing myself', as Ashen had warned. As long as I struggle on with a purpose like this, I can keep my mind from distorting as it had in the training room.
The way my fingernails had dug into the Avox's throat is still so familiar it's as if his skin is still buried under my nails. I've only felt terror like that once before in my life, and that was as I fought with all my might against those bastards who had attacked Ashen. That fear shut down everything but my need to fight- everything but my anger- just as it had when I clashed lances with the Avox.

If Faye-Anna hadn't been on that night in the training centre with Iilvsea and her goons, I'm sure it would have happened again. The terror from seeing that clotting, pulsating mush of a body still writhing on the floor... I most definitely would have tried to kill the Head Gamemaker.

There is no telling what sort of tragedy that would bring about. Would a tribute get away with killing a person in such a high-authority position? There's no way. I might have stepped off my plate and been swallowed up by the earth in an instant just to make sure I didn't win.

Keeping my temper and fear in check is all that's important now, as well as keeping Faye safe. As long as I can do that, I know we can make it at least close enough to the end that I'll have no regrets.

"...Ferroh...?"

Faye's tiny sleepy voice gives me a mild surprise. Turning my head slightly sideways, I smile at the weary-eyed girl as she rubs away the crust of sleep from her eyes.

"Hey. How are you feeling, Faye?" I ask.

"Okay..." As Faye-Anna begins to wake up her expression becomes sadder while she remembers exactly what she woke up into. "Has... anything happened?"

For a second I consider telling her about the golden lake, when I decide that I was right before in thinking it would only upset her. So I shake my head and just hoist her up a little higher on my shoulders.

"Nothing at all. It's a quiet day." I'm a little surprised by how disappointed I sound. It's a good thing it's quiet. Quiet means no danger after all.

Hearing that nothing has transpired causes Faye-Anna to settle back into a relaxed state. "That's good..."

Just as I'm beginning to accept the fact, in the distance I hear a strange popping noise- like a lid off a container or a cap being flipped open. Tensing, I glance around- trying to comprehend what direction it came from as Faye-Anna continues to cling to me like a baby possum.

"Ferroh? Ferroh- did you hear something just now-?"

I shush her with an inadvertent hissing noise, which just causes Faye to cling tighter. Listening as hard as I can, I find myself holding my breath in the hopes that this time I'll hear exactly where it came from-

An arrow suddenly cuts past my face and thuds into the nearest tree before I even register the high-pitched whistle of its approach.

"AH-!"

Throwing myself backwards- barely staying upright with Faye-Anna screaming in my ears and gripping my neck for dear life- I look up and find our attacker positioning the next arrow with a crazed expression fixed on her face.
There's no time to negotiate. The girl from 4 is taking no prisoners and lets her next arrow fly with a blood curdling shriek. Faye-Anna screeches again as I dive sideways and send us both rolling across the ground behind the safety of the tree roots.

"What do we do!" Flat on our stomachs, I snap my head towards Faye-Anna as she cries this under her breath. "What do we do-!"

Another arrow buries itself in the tree trunk above our heads. Whoever this girl is, she really knows how to handle that bow and arrow. Glancing again at Faye-Anna, sobbing into the dirt with her hands clenched over her head, I quickly decide what it is we need to do.

Slipping my right hand into my belt and wrapping my fingers around the handle of our dagger, I tense my left arm against the ground.

"Stay here until I say to run."

Faye-Anna's tear filled eyes fly open in panic just as I push myself up. There's a curiously familiar flicker of horror within her eyes that I manage to catch just before I grab hold of the tree root and propel my body forwards.

"No- no Ferroh, wait-!"

My feet pound hard against the dirt. Keeping my temper and fear in check comes second to keeping her safe.

So I hurtle towards our attacker, and as she points the next arrow towards my face, I swing my free arm back and bring my fist smashing straight into the deranged woman's face.

"GET AWAY FROM HER!"


Laco Sykora; 17 years; the Capitol Sector 5.

The heat has become unbearable. Without the canister of water to quench our thirsts, Ari and I have gone since yesterday without a drop to drink. But neither of us complains, and it's obvious that we're only struggling on in silence because we both know there's a conversation we want to avoid.

Ari has blamed herself for everything that happened- for our water supply being poisoned... for Vince stabbing me. It was hard to tell her to look on the bright side, because while we may still have the sleeping bag and the bow- we aren't going to get very far without a water source, and without our knowing that little bastard made off with our antiseptic as well.
I told her not to worry about it, but since our 'moment' yesterday, rather than becoming more comfortable about working with me, Ari's made some sort of internal decision that it's up to her to 'make things right'.

"Are you sure you don't want to take a break?" I ask with concern, taking hold of her arm as she slumps slightly sideways in exhaustion. "We've been walking since the sun came up. You've had nothing to eat and nothing to drink- it's dangerous to keep this up-"

"No, no I'm fine," Ari answers breathlessly. She wipes several blonde strands from her forehead, the skin glistening with sweat. "We just need to keep going until... until we find a stream or... or something..."

Without warning, Ari's body suddenly dips from her fatigue and she barely manages to catch herself before completely toppling over. Within seconds I'm holding her by the shoulders as the now startled girl grips her head with both hands, struggling to gain back her focus again.

"I-I just tripped-" She begins weakly, her lips quivering into an uneasy smile.

"I know that's a lie, Ari- just admit that you're tired." I can't hide the frustration in my voice as I interrupt her. Ari's face fills with shame. "I know that resting means putting ourselves at risk of not reaching a water source by nightfall, but if we continue on like this-"

Shaking her head desperately, Ari puts her hands on my shoulders and pushes me away. "No, we can't rest... there's no time... we're a week into the games- if we rest now they're bound to set something on us..."

While I can see the logic behind her reasoning- it's around the week mark that Gamemaker tricks really get kicked up a notch- that's no excuse for Ari to push herself like this. I can't bear to see her struggling, and if we keep forcing onwards like this we're just going to struggle more later.
Knowing there's really only one way to stop this girl from adamantly continuing on regardless of my opinion- I take hold of her hands again and smile as I lead her towards a nearby tree.

"It's pointless to strain ourselves." Not giving her a choice, I suddenly sit down- pulling the startled Ari Saint-Claire down with me. "So let's rest. I promise we'll be up and going again before you know it."

Rather than argue as she might have in the early days of our alliance, an adorable expression of embarrassment tints Ari's cheeks a light pink.

"...o-okay..."

She may still feel guilty about letting down her guard before, but since the 'confession' of hers, she's been a little more susceptible to exposing this cute, shy side I adore. I caught slight glimpses of this vulnerability before the games- while we danced and as she fussed over the cut Natalia's whip inflicted during training- but this is the first time I've seen it on display.

Brushing the hair from her face, I smile as Ari inhales and exhales with obvious exhaustion. "You really push yourself in everything you do, don't you?"

"In... in what I do... it's sort of necessary to push myself this hard..." Sighing, Ari's glance drifts away. "I've never really been one to take things easy."

"Being a singer is really that hard?" My hand lingers a moment beside her cheek. It radiates an alarming heat without my even touching her. She's really burning up. "Why do you keep doing it then? Why don't you give it up?"

An expression of surprise fills Ari's face.

"Retire?" Her surprised eyes turn downwards and turn to sadness. "I... I couldn't do that..."

I lean back against the tree and examine my partner closely. "Why not? When you say that it's necessary to push yourself, you sound sad. So why not quit and live a normal life? It'd definitely be easier on you, and I'm sure all the money you've earned so far is enough for you to get by."

Once again, Ari's face changes to one of shock before twisting into a new emotion entirely. This time she appears conflicted.

"...I... I've thought about it before. Retiring, I mean," she adds, shifting her weight off of her legs. "But... I meant it when I said I couldn't..."

"Can I ask why?"

For a moment it looks as if Ari is going to shake her head and say 'no, you can't ask' but all she does is look up at the forest canopy before taking in one long, deep breath.

"...I... my mom... she sort of... she..."

Her mouth opens and closes as she tries to find the words. After a few false starts, Ari tries again.

"My mom died when I was six years old... and all I can remember about her is how proud she was when I first started getting into all this. It's really the only memory I have of her, sitting me beside her on the piano as she ran through the songs with me. She was so proud of what I could do and when she died... I wanted to keep making her proud..." Swallowing the lump in her throat, Ari's eyes flicker towards mine before turning away completely. "But I... I have no way of knowing if she's proud of me... proud of what I did with my voice... I remember her saying that truly beautiful music has the power to change fate itself but... I... I can't change anything..."

My heart begins to twist as I watch the eyes of the girl I love slowly fill with tears.

"A-All I've done is what my father told me to... I c-couldn't change anything..." Her eyelids trembling, Ari's shoulders rise and her head lowers. "I c-can't bring mom back... I can't save N-N-Namer... I... I can't fight this fate... and I c-can't... I c-can't..!"

Tears sliding down her flushed cheeks, Ari's eyes shudder to stay open as her mouth opens and closes with the tiniest of cries.

"I-I c-can't save us either-!"

Before she can say another word- I throw my arms around the girl. I do it with such force that she lets out a cry of alarm, but I do not relax the embrace. I tighten my arms around her tighter, curling my fingers over her head and tangling them in her hair as if I'm trying to push her right through to my ribcage.

"You're wrong. You're wrong, Ari." Burying my face into her neck, I shut my eyes tightly and murmur. "You've changed so much already. You've saved people already-"

Tightening my grip, I press my forehead against her collarbone.

"You saved me."

Memories of that grey and grey past flicker through my head as Ari stiffens inside my embrace. I remember the pills that rattled as I tried to pour them all into my hand. I remember the skin of my forearm peeling away like the red sea as I dragged the blade hard across the skin. The endless monotony of every day knowing that nothing would ever change- that this dreary world was my fate.

"You changed my life, Ari. You saved me."

And as I watched her ascend those stairs I knew that it was my destiny to keep this beautiful girl who had changed my monotone world alive.

Ari Saint-Claire finally gave me purpose.

With trembling fingers, Ari reaches her arms under my shoulders and holds on tightly, a shaky smile desperately trying not to break into a wail.

"...you... you too..."

Resting her warm forehead against mine, tears continue to spill over her cheeks as she chokes out her words.

"Y-You saved me too...!"


Vinel Greggorus; 17 years; the Capitol Sector 4.

"GET AWAY FROM HER!"

That black guy from 7 was about to kill her. As I ran towards them I had watched as he punched her with one hand and attempted to bring around his knife with the other- but I stopped him before that happened. Miraculously, I had somehow managed to find Minerva just in time to save her life.

"GET THE HELL AWAY FROM HER-!" There was no time to go for my sword at the time. I just threw back my arm and punched that bastard in the jaw as hard as possible while lunging at him with the other arm. "TOUCH HER AGAIN AND I'LL END YOU!"

It wasn't an empty threat. In that moment I was more than willing to stab the shit out of him for daring to punch her- but if a fight with him could be avoided, it should. Grabbing Minerva- who had begun shivering and clutching at her face- I pushed her behind me and stared that idiot down until he finally backed off and disappeared into the forest with one of the younger tributes I didn't recognise.

Now an hour later, Minerva continues to quiver on the ground. Unable to speak or move, she just stares ahead of her where the two tributes had disappeared. No matter what I murmur, no matter how I hold her- she doesn't change. She's like a wind-up toy with a jammed mechanism; refusing to respond to anything I try.
Her hands won't stop shaking. I gingerly reach forwards and touch upon one of her hands- but suddenly she recoils I feel an intense surge of guilt flood my stomach as my eyes fall upon her engagement ring.

...that's how it is, isn't it? I don't know what I was expecting; it isn't like I forgot about Minerva's fiancé. Perhaps I just thought... maybe she'd be happier to see me. It's been a week since we last saw one another after all, and it's not like we left on bad terms.
Of course, things must have been rough for her. The image I have of when I first saw her seems like an entirely different person to the shivering young woman sitting beside me now. Minerva's wavy brown hair is now oily, matted and tangled, and her face is smeared with dirt and grime while her cheek begins to show signs of bruising. That's only to be expected though, since there aren't exactly showers here- but what worries me is how those once strong, piercing blue eyes have become empty and glassy like orbs.

She really does seem... like a broken wind-up doll...

"Hey... Minerva..?" With a twitching grin, I put an arm around her shoulder and shake her gently. "I, uh, don't know what you have been through since the bloodbath, but..."

I stop in the middle of my sentence and slowly let my hand slide off of her shoulder. Something still feels wrong about me doing this, as if I'm attempting something terrible just by touching her. I might have saved her from being killed but... it doesn't seem like she's even alive right now.

Letting my body sink into a relaxed position, I sigh and look up at the softly rippling sky of overlapping tree branches.

"...I just wanted you to know that I did mean it... what I said back then, I mean. I'm gonna protect you. From here on out."

Glancing at Minerva from the corner of my eye, I watch the tremble slowly disappear from her hands.

"You don't need to be scared anymore," my voice is softer than I ever remember it being as I say this. "You don't need to do everything yourself anymore. You can... you can rely on me now, you know?"

With the slowest of movements, Minerva gradually turns to face me. I try not to reciprocate with my gaze too quickly, but I turn and smile at her whilst desperately hoping for her to give me one in return.

"...Vi..."

Timid like a squeaking mouse, Minerva's trembling hand suddenly slides across the dirt towards my leg. I tense slightly as those shaking fingertips of hers with the fingernails bitten raw suddenly clutch against my pant leg.

"V-Vidar..."

My stomach lurches as Minerva's wild, hollow eyes suddenly begin to fill with tears. I try to shuffle backwards, to pull myself out of her reach, but she grabs tightly onto my other leg and starts to lean across and close the space between us.
Peering up at me with that insane stare, I can feel my heart pounding staring into the face of a girl I can't recognise.

"I-I'm so tired, Vidar..." Tears trickle down her cheeks, mixing with the loose dirt that coats her face. "Everything... it hurts... they're all trying to k-kill me... they all want me dead... no one... no one c-can help me..."

Her voice cracks into a strange wailing noise. Something inside me twists with guilt for not reaching her sooner. How long has she been like this; biting her nails out of fear and feeling as if she were completely alone? Everyone here has found someone to fight alongside with... except Minerva. Even though I had offered, she continued to carry her burdens alone, even one as big as this.

"Minerva..." Swallowing, I place my hands atop hers and weakly try to push them away with little success. "I'm not... I'm Vinel. Not Vidar. Vinel."

My words don't seem to reach her. Or, I guess, she doesn't seem to understand them. A smile to mask her fear breaks across her face while her nail-less fingers dig into my legs.

"I'm... I'm so hungry... s-so thirsty..." Her cheeks rise up in a pained smile and she chokes on her words. "I-I've had to... had to drink... h-humiliating... really... really h-humiliating..."

She isn't making sense. Minerva's words vanish into a string of incoherency, and all I catch is the odd word that makes no sense to me. She mumbles about bees, pills, blood and dragonflies. As she does this I see that her hand occasionally twitches as if there is a sudden strong desire to scratch at herself. Maybe she has a rash from constantly being on the move, or something has bitten her.

"You're not making any sense, Minerva..." There's a knot in my throat as I try again to prise her fingers off my pants. "Calm down... you just got to calm down for me..."

But there is no sign of Minerva calming down as she pushes herself up off the ground and leans in closely, those empty eyes quickly becoming manic as her hands reach up off my legs and grab the sides of my head.

"It's all okay now though..." Her breath is rank. I pull back in alarm but she just leans further with me. "It's all okay..."

Minerva suddenly smiles widely, and I can feel the terror hit its peak as I see the insides of her cheeks have been chewed raw.

"-because you're here now, Vidar!"

She has broken.

Minerva has broken.


Holland Wickbird; 16 years; the Capitol Sector 3.

Today went by so quickly, it feels like a dream. Not once since these games began did I believe that Chess and I would come across friendly tributes. We didn't make friends or really reach out to the other tributes during the time we all spent together; Chess and I had banded tightly together.

I didn't expect for us to be let into this alliance. When Montserrat, the guy from 9 who I had previously only identified as 'that guy with the mohawk', suggested that we 'stick around' I couldn't believe what I was hearing. The only thing that allowed me to hope was Chess' hand gripped tightly around mine, reminding me what was real.

As long as we're together, it'll be okay. That's all I was thinking as we accepted the guys' offer. Chess looked happier than I could ever remember seeing her before. And while I was pleased too, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt in my chest.
By myself, I can't provide her with this sense of safety- no matter how much I wanted to. It's depressing, knowing that alone I can do so little for my friend who has already done so much without asking or wanting anything in return, not even provide her with adequate protection. Nothing like the protection these guys can offer, at least.

They're all much stronger than I am, each of them scoring higher than I did. Marshall towers over me in height despite being two years younger. Montserrat's mohawk, piercings and tattoos create a dangerous aura I can't hope to replicate. And Diego... it's almost like he's otherworldly in terms of sheer presence. When I saw him in the mouth of that cave roaring for Koriana... I can't describe how terrifying and awing that sight was.

Together, those three guys make such a strong team that I can't even think of questioning it. Usually alliances in the Hunger Games built between tributes for separate Districts aren't that strong... but these guys, without even knowing each other prior to all this, they trust and support each other with such an intensity that it's almost... well, tangible.

So when I saw the three of them band together around Koriana, even in that temporary state of ease, I couldn't help but feel in my heart that I had stumbled across the strongest contenders for these games. Even though I don't want to think about the odds, if I had to make an honest guess, these three are the best candidates for the victor of the 125th Hunger Games and the fifth Quarter Quell.

'That's right...' My eyes fall to my shoes as a glum smile grows across my lips. 'There can only be one victor in all this... just the one...'

Out of twenty-four, only one can win. No matter how strong we all are, no matter how hard we all fight... just the one is allowed to return home from this place. While it's nice to believe Chess when she says we'll 'convince them' to let us both become victors, I know in my heart that it's impossible. It's as likely as me approaching the strength that these guys hold.

"Oi, what are you looking so down in the mouth about, Wickbird?"

Startled at the sound of a male voice rather than Chess' usual chipper tone my hand slips and I tip backwards as Marshall Matthews' grin disappears into a look of stunned concern.

"H-Hey man, sorry! I didn't mean to scare you-!" Reaching forwards, he helps me back upright and I feel my face burn with embarrassment. "Uh... I didn't... I didn't interrupt some serious meditation or something, did I?"

"N-No..." While I am still embarrassed, I don't want to admit that to Marshall. "It's nothing like that... just thinking. That's all."

"Mind if I think with you then?" Smiling awkwardly, the lanky guy plonks himself down beside me and stretches languidly. "After all that heat we had today, it's nice when things cool down like this, isn't it?"

I don't know if he's being literal or not; he could be referring to the hectic business of our little groups finding one another earlier. I just answer with a weedy smile.

"Yeah... it's nice to be able to cool down..." I murmur, staring at my hands in my lap and wishing I had something more interesting to say.

Watching me carefully, Marshall grins again.

"You can relax around us, you know that right?" I twinge. So my unease was that obvious. "We're all family here."

Gawking, I look at Marshall and wonder if I heard him correctly. "Family?"

"Ah. Oops, forgot," he laughs awkwardly and scratches weakly at the back of his head. "You wouldn't get it... we, uh... see each other as family here. Like brothers and that."

"Family?" That word sounds so foreign to me right now, trapped in an arena filled with strangers out to kill me. "That's... that's uh..."

I don't have any brothers or sisters. The only family I've ever known have been my mother, father, grandparents and a few cousins I don't quite remember meeting. Not once have I had a relationship that was anything like 'brothers' or 'sisters'.
Although, perhaps what Chess and I have is sort of like siblings... except that would make how I feel about her incredibly inappropriate, so I quickly decide that our relationship is something else entirely.

"What I mean is, Holland, you don't have to worry about trusting us," Marshall says while I slowly tune back in. "I understand it must have been a rough week for the two of you, and it's gonna be hard to suddenly believe you're not alone anymore. But I'm being honest here, man- you and Francesca can trust us."

For some reason I realize that he doesn't say 'Koriana' but I suppose that's because it's already a given that she'll trust these guys.

Weakly smiling, I shake my head. "I wasn't worried... not about that, but thank you, Marshall. That means a lot."

Marshall looks at me with a quizzical expression.

"Then what are you looking so worried about?"

'I don't want to tell you.' That's what I want to say. My hands twitch as I begin to fidget again, wondering if it would be rude to say something that blunt. Instead, I swallow my pride and decide to just go ahead and tell the truth. It's not like Chess is going to hear it, sitting over there by Monty and Diego talking animatedly about Kori.

Slowly, I ease the twisting of my hands and stop trying to meet Marshall's eyes and just stare defeated at the ground.

"...I just... I can't stop thinking... about how much better off Chess would be with you guys... and... and without me."

My eyes close tightly as I realize my words while saying them aloud. I'm deadweight, aren't I? Just a chain attached to a heavy ball to weigh Francesca down as she struggles to stay afloat in this nightmare. Without me, she'd have a chance- a real chance. She may not have the strength these three guys do, but she has the energy and the drive. She has the love of the viewers. If I weren't here to hold her back, she could survive all this...

"Are you some kind of idiot or something?"

A jolt of surprise surges through me as my eyes fly open and Marshall looks at me with an incredulous look.

"What do you...?" I can feel my face flaring with embarrassment. "Why am I an idiot?"

"Because you apparently can't tell that that girl over there obviously cares about you!" Marshall's eyes look like they're going to pop out of his skull as he says this. "Dude, were you guys friends before all this?"

Taken aback by his question, I stammer. "No, n-not exactly-"

"She has spent all week supporting and protecting you- do you think she'd do any of that if she didn't give a damn?" Marshall covers his face with his palm for a moment before running it through his messy hair. His expression has become hard and almost angry. "Holland, no one in their right mind is going to spend what could very well be the last days of their life with someone they didn't care about. Francesca clearly cares more about you than anything else in all this. Stop doubting it and quit telling yourself these retarded lies about her being better off without you. Without you, she wouldn't survive..."

He trails off, suddenly overcome with an emotion I don't recognise. I watch as Marshall looks pained and rests his face on his hand again. Slowly, he begins shaking his head back and forth while mumbling.

"...no one... no one can survive in this thing alone..."

I don't know what possesses me to do it. I'm alarmed and stammering in surprise inside of my mind as I reach forwards and lightly touch upon the boy's shoulder.

"...then... I guess it's good..."

In between the gaps of his fingers I can see Marshall's blue eyes peering out at me. With a timid smile, I pull my hand away and scratch the back of my head as he had done before.

"...that we're... family."

As strange as it may feel to say...

...it's a really wonderful word...


Cotton Ferier; 15 years; the Capitol Sector 11.

I don't remember sleeping. My body feels like it hasn't stopped moving since two days ago. The inside of my mouth is dry and my eyes continue to sting from the grit and dirt lodged in their corners. There are great long scrapes up and down my forearms, coated in dried blood. I must have fallen over at some point, but I can't remember. All I can recall is a haze of running, howling and heaving.

All I know is that I'm going to kill him. I'm going to find and kill him. I don't have a lead and I don't have a trail, but I have an anger inside me that fuels me onwards; a hungering fury that has to be satisfied.

With his head.

When I first began running after Vinel, I remember feeling upset. More upset than I've ever felt before. Everything I've ever failed at before in my life felt miniscule compared to being betrayed by that thick-headed jerk. I felt duped.
I've had boyfriends before. I dumped my last boyfriend, Rexon, a month before the reapings. He was the school quarterback and was just starting to get rather popular and I was getting sick of all the comments his friends would hurl my way. I wasn't planning on going out with anyone for a while and just wanted to focus on having fun again.

Then these stupidgames happened, and I met Vinel. And I was swept off my feet like a stupid, idiotic child. I forgot why I came here. I forgot that I was fighting to go back home; fighting to prove that I'm not a bad sister. Instead, everything became about him.

What the hell did I know about him in the first place? That he had purple skin and was as up himself as a guy could possibly be? What did I like about him? It wasn't as if he had said or done anything special like vow to protect me and only me in all this. He was too busy wanting to protect that damn Sector partner to really care about me.

My nails scrape against the hard bark of a neighbouring tree as I hesitate for a moment and breathe through my teeth. Where has he gone? Where has that son of a bitch disappeared to, looking for his already hitched Sector partner?
I will continue to search for him. I will find him. And I will kill him. The humiliation Vinel so happily left me saddled with will be the drive that ultimately sends him straight to hell.

How dare he abandon me with Natalia and her pet dog, Brandit? She's the one tribute in this arena I hated more than any... at least before he decided to ditch me. He knew how I felt- he even promised to run away with me- but he decides to take off without me instead? And he thought I'd just let him get away with that?

All I hear is the sound of my own ragged breath as I hiss into the night air.

"Like hell I'm letting him get away..."

He strung me along like I was a little girl, incapable of taking revenge on him. He probably left with a smirk on his face thinking that there was no way I could ever make it on my own long enough to track his ass down. There's no way he would have guessed just how far my determination reaches.

"-and I'm going to win these games!"

That's right... I said it back then... Cotton Valamine Ferier will be the grand victor of this god awful Quell. I'll stand on that damn stage and stare down at the pathetic faces who watched me fight through this- and I'll laugh. I'll laugh and I'll laugh and I'll laugh.
None of them deserve to win. No one else in this damn thing deserves to win besides me. The guys like Vinel deserve to be killed- and the girls like Natalia deserve to die! I won't let any of them survive this. I won't let any of them return back to that place where my family waits-!

"I'll kill them... I'll make them all die..."

This is the first time I've felt this level of anger. With this fury, were I to be granted a single wish I would ask that the entire world be engulfed with fire and be forced to watch as their skin bubbles and melts off their skeletons, forced to inhale the smoke and the stink of their own fumes.
I hate them. I hate them all. Vinel, Natalia, Brandit, Minerva, Saint-Claire, Vince- all of them! I don't care anymore- I just want them all dead!

"I think... we're going to be good friends."

And this 'good friend' is going to make you eat those words, Vinel Greggorus. I'll turn your skin purple again with my bare hands. Whether I have to choke the color out of you or bruise you until the blood rises up and makes you go dark- I don't give a shit. I'm going to make him, Natalia and Brandit pay for underestimating me.

Something in the forest trills ominously around me, but I pay it no mind. There's nothing in this arena that can stop me now. God is going to have to strike me down himself to stop me from ripping Vinel apart at the seams.
I picture Vinel with his messy, thorny green hair and that foolish grin that I had one adored. I think of the skin that changed from purple to pink and finally to white, the stupid yellow tattoos that snaked up his arms and those violet eyes that masked the selfishness hidden inside.

I'll erase all of that from the face of this arena. And, when I'm done with him, I'll kill his little miss 'fiancée'. Then I'll go back and put a stop to Natalia's make-believe reign over this Quell and put her dog to sleep.

After that... whoever is stupid enough to cross me like they did can go...

Looking skyward, I squint through the darkness at the tiny rays of light penetrating the treetops and heralding the beginning of the eighth day.

"Good morning, everyone."


Capitol Question #026; which of the twenty-four tributes would you have chosen for an alliance?