Addy Walker, 14, District 10 / Ryder Murphy, 14, District 10

"Ryder no!" I scream.

He lunges forward, knife in hand, ready to get rid of the threat. But she is reacting as fast as he. Her axe preparing to swing for the boy I love. The weapon that will undoubtedly kill him with that blow. That will take him from my life in a blink of the eye. I'll never see him again. I'll never hear his laugh. I'll never feel him again.

I'd die before I let that happen. So I close my eyes, fling myself forward, and feel the pain take me. Feel death come for me instead of Ryder. He has to win.

"Addy?" Ryder says.

My eyes flutter open to find I am in the field above my farm. Tall green grass with pretty white flowers painted around us. The sky a dark blue with oranges and reds splashed in as the sunsets. Happiness. I always wanted to have a picnic here with Ryder but never seemed to find the time. Now I do.

"Yea?" I ask.

"You okay?" He says, "you have been awfully quiet."

"Admiring the view," I say.

He gazes upon the setting sun. His eyes dancing between the colours. He is feeling the same as I. I can see it. The weightless feeling. Everything that hurts, everything that sucked the joy from our lives now gone. Left to float off in the air, never to be seen again.

"It's pretty," he smiles. "Almost as pretty as you."

I have to lower my face to hide the smile. I can't stop it from coming. But then Ryder lifts my head up and kisses my lips. The feeling, it takes me. I am engulfed with warmness, happiness, joy. I don't want it to stop. I want it to last forever. For us to live on this hill, with this picnic, and this sunset forever. I don't want us to separate.

"Addy," Ryder says.

I run my fingers through his blonde hair. His stunning blue eyes gazing into my own. This boy. This boy that I would give anything for. That I would give my own life for. That I want to spend my entire existence with, not letting a moment pass where we won't be together. I can see it now.

A house on this hill so we can go to sleep every night with the view of the sunset at our window. Our children, Helen and Drayton, playing in the meadow. Picking flowers that I'd keep in a vase. Showing me ladybugs. We'd walk down to the farm and they'd get to see the cows and the ducks and the chickens. Maybe we would get a pet of our own. Maybe a goat or a bunny. Every night I'd tuck my children in and hug Ryder till we both fell asleep. Every morning I'd wake up to enjoy tea. I'd watch as our children went to school. They'd return giggling and telling me about what they learned. Their father, Ryder, teaching them how to build or care for animals.

"Addy," Ryder says lower.

I love this boy. I love the thought of spending my life with him. Waking up to those blue eyes that gaze at me every morning. I love this boy...I loved this boy...

"Addy."

I draw in air but it almost seems impossible. As if someone has piled a hundred pounds on my chest. Coughing is what follows. Then more gasping for air. I can't feel anything but I know something is wrong. My side is soaked in something warm and it is difficult to move. What is this? I tap my fingers against my side and they come back red...Blood.

"Addy." The voice struggles to speak. Yet, it is so comforting.

"Ryder?" I gasp.

"Addy," he says again. I can hear him struggling to hold back tears. The whimpering that follows.

I roll onto my side and suddenly everything goes dark. Not from the pain, not from the bleeding, not from anything but what my eyes gaze upon. Ryder. He lays in a large pool of blood. His chest having a deep gash in it. He's dying.

"Ryder!" I scream. I go to reach him but then the pain comes back full force and I drop to the ground with tears in my eyes. What happened? I thought I saved him? What happened!? I dig my fingers into the soft dirt and drag myself forward. Already I can feel the tears in my eyes. They stream down my face mixing with the blood and soil. "Ryder!"

I only have one goal and it is to reach him. To help him. He can't die! I pull myself towards him and push myself onto my knees. "No, no, no, no," I cry out. "You're-you're going to be fine."

"No," he mumbles.

"Yes," I say, "I'm going to save you! I can help you."

"You can't." He struggles to breathe.

"I can help you, I can help you." I have to help him! I move for the bag but he stops me. His hands clasp onto my arms.

"I don't want to die like this..."

"You aren't dying! I can-"

"Addy," he says firmer, "Please..."

"Someone," I scream into the air, hoping for a sponsor. "Send something. Please! Save him! You can save him!"

"Addy," Ryder repeats.

I finally listen and glance down at the boy. "I was supposed to die. You were the one. You were the victor."

"No," Ryder forces a smile, "you are the victor...You are going to win this...You are going to live."

"Not without you!" I cry.

"I'm not going anywhere," Ryder says, "remember? I might not be with you like you are used to but I'll always be there. Through every step of your life. Side by side." He holds my hand tighter. "Always."

He lets out a wheezing breath and then his eyes seem to turn off. The grip on my hand loosens.

Boom!

"Ryder?" I shake him but the boy doesn't move. He doesn't breath. "Ryder, wake up...Wake up! Please! Come back...Please..."

I run my fingers through his blonde hair. His blue eyes gazing at me. I slowly lower his eyelids.

"Always..."


Shaun Amaranth, 15, District 9

The sound of the cannon breathes panic into me. I grab the knife, looking side to side but no one is around. Another person dead. Only four of us left now. That wasn't a lot left.

I stretch my legs out and go to lay back down but then I can feel it...No pain! I rip up my pant leg to see the bruises are all gone. I check and yes! All over my body, there is not a single bruise left. I can move too! I can stand and walk around with ease. Whatever was in that vial helped me. I'm not sure if it cured my disease but it fixed my body so I can actually move around and be a contender in this game once more.

And there is only four of us now. Three people need to die and I get to go home. Why should I count myself out when I am a contender again. I could win...I could actually win this game now! I could go back home and see my family! I could have my disease cured and live a normal life again.

The excitement fills me so much that I can't get back to sleep. I eat nearby berries and rest against a tree until the sun has risen. Being able to see everything again now I can move around the arena. With so few of us left, I know the gamemakers won't allow me to stray too far from the cornucopia but I could return to the river up north. I know it wraps around the cornucopia, I could hear it when I was fleeing on the first day. I sling my bag over my shoulder and start heading north.


She sat back, grinning at the tear felt goodbyes of two lovers forced to part. This would have the audience captivated. She could hear the headlines now. The praise of the games ringing through her ears. So much gory deaths, so much emotion and struggles. They earned the day off. A day to be free from threats and let the audiences mourn a favourite. But tomorrow, she grinned, tomorrow is a big day. Tomorrow, the finale starts.


*Plays sad music*

So what do you think of the death?

Only four players left with the hint of a finale, who are you all cheering for?

Does Shaun have a chance at winning?