Rhoena Lyter, 18, First Female (District 6)

"I'm kind of bored, Tiara," I sigh. I've been wanting to get up and go hunting all day, because, at this point, I honestly think it'd be for the best for every tribute remaining if a victor was crowed sooner rather than later, but my ally is insistent that one day to regain our energy is 'not going to kill us'.

I'm not joking, those were her exact words: "A little bit of rest is not going to kill us, Rhoena". When she said them to me this morning, a frustrated sigh accompanying them, I couldn't help but think about how ironic it was that she was promising me that we wouldn't die in the middle of an arena full of bloodthirsty tributes who are out to get us. Not exactly the kind of situations I'd be tempted to make promises in, but it's each to their own, I guess.

Tiara turns her head to face me and rolls her eyes a little. "Rho, it's been less than a day. Not even twenty-four measly little hours, okay? Stop getting so damn worked up about me needing some proper rest, it's just getting annoying." I open my mouth, all ready to say something that I know would piss her off greatly, but then I bite my tongue and reconsider. Purposely irritating a trained Career girl when she's already not in a great mood would be akin to signing my own death warrant.

In the end, I decide it's probably for the best if I don't go down that path, and end up simply saying, "Fine. I'll try to shut up for a bit then." It makes Tiara smile a little, though I can't be certain whether it's supposed to be a friendly smile or if she's intending it to be slightly threatening. Maybe she was aiming for both simultaneously. All I can say is that if that's her aim, she's doing a good job of it.

Silently, I set about doing nothing... but it really doesn't last all that long before I proceed to start poking a hole in my cardigan with my little finger. Is it a wise idea? Probably not. Will it save me from extreme boredom? Quite possibly, though it's a rather dull task in itself.

Eventually, I can't take how mind-numbingly boring the whole thing is, and I sigh. This whole 'getting rest' thing isn't something I can say I'm keen on, because if I did say that, it would be one major lie.

"Rhoena, shut the heck up," Tiara groans. "I'm trying to sleep."

Blinking, I turn to face her again. "What is it that I've done now?" I ask in utter exasperation.

Rolling her eyes, my ally says, "You sighed, it was loud. I'm trying to sleep, so please kindly go and shut up."

My jaw drops, though Tiara doesn't see it since her eyes were closed again the moment she finished talking. Sighing is a crime now? I mean, I'm willing to put up with some nonsense in the arena, because everybody's going to be acting a little weird when they're here, but that's just plain ridiculous, and surely she knows that.

That girl had better watch out, because she's really beginning to get on my nerves.


Invictus Nero, 14, Second Male (District 2)

As strange as it sounds, coming from a Career boy and all, I'm actually beginning to get slightly bored of the arena. The Hunger Games were made out to be some magnificent thing back home, and the tales of past years made me actually feel rather pleased to be reaped - I certainly wouldn't have been happy should somebody have decided to try and take such a 'golden' opportunity away from me through them volunteering. Now I've been in here for a while though, I'm beginning to realise that doing very little all day aside from looking out for potential future victims is actually rather tedious at times.

It's certainly nowhere near as exciting as I was hoping it would be, and I haven't felt many crazy adrenaline rushes yet, which is just plain disappointing, I'll be totally honest. I mean, the gamemakers could have at least tried to make the arena interesting. But, no - all I've really noticed in here thus far has been a load of trees and a few distant mountains. Nothing particularly notable, to say the least, which is unusual, given that it's a Quarter Quell, and usually, they mean that there are a lot more twists and such. This year though? No such luck for me, it seems.

I sigh and tuck my knees a little closer to my chest. It's not as though it's unreasonably cold in here, because it really isn't. Right now, I'd say that the temperature in here is about the same as it tends to be in early spring in District 2, which I normally cope in perfectly fine. The only real difference between those months and now, I suppose, is the fact that usually I'd be wearing at least a couple of layers of clothing, yet right now, I'm still stuck in the stupid outfit that I was sent into the arena in, and it's hardly appropriate for these weather conditions. Nobody back home would have been wearing tiny shorts and cotton shoes in March, and yet that's what I'm stuck in on a day which mimics said month's typical weather almost perfectly.

Sometimes I just really don't understand the people of the Capitol.

Unfortunately for me, they just so happen to be the very ones in charge of my fate right now, so that really sucks. There's nothing I can do about it though, so I may as well just deal with it.

With a groan, I grab what little supplies I have and stand up. If I want to stay alive, I'm going to have to grab the Capitol's attention, and the best way to do that is make a kill.

It's time for me to go hunting.


Mason Slate, 18, First Male (District 2)

Beside me, Monique groans, throwing her head into her hands in a manner that seems so overdramatic it becomes comical. It takes a lot of effort to not laugh or grin or even simply roll my eyes, but I manage to keep myself from showing any kind of real emotion. Right now isn't the time to seem like some kind of relatable human being - I need to show them either my monstrous side or feign indifference in all situations. I want to- no, I need to win this thing, and if seeming slightly apathetic is the way to get me there, then it's what I'll do.

Unfortunately for me, my sole remaining ally seems to have a different plan to mine altogether. Whereas I am attempting to show a total lack of feelings, Monique's just becoming exasperated to the point where she's not even bothering to attempt to seem impassive. "You okay, Monique?" I ask.

"Peachy," she says, her voice bitter.

"So... I'll take that as a 'no' then," I chuckle, making my companion roll her eyes.

"Take it how you like, I don't care," she retorts, and I have to remind myself to not begin grinning, because I'm really tempted to at least smile right now. Sure, I wouldn't go so far as to ever class myself as having friends in here, because that's quite simply just not how the Hunger Games work, but Monique's good enough company. You know, until she dies. Which will probably be fairly soon, based upon the average length of a Hunger Games, but then again, this is a Quarter Quell, so who knows? Maybe she'll be around for a while yet.

I can't exactly say that her presence would be unappreciated, because without her, the loneliness would probably drive me insane. The longer she's around, the better - so long as she doesn't end up outliving me, that is. I may as well make the most of having an ally while I'm still fortunate enough to have one.

The Capitol anthem begins to play, and we both turn to look at the sky. Arminta's face is the only one that comes up, and then it's over. I look over at Monique and nod, which merits a small nod from her in response. Though the girl was from my district, I can hardly claim to be upset or distressed by her death. I barely knew her - to me, all she was was an annoying little girl.

That's all she'll ever be to me.

NO DEATHS THIS CHAPTER

KILL COUNT:

Mason: 4 (Vernon, Scoria, Eucalyptus, Scintillaea)

Tiara: 3 (Platinum, Giana, Charming)

Petra: 3 (Charity, Pepper, Troye)

Monique: 3 (Fiyero, Taylor, Kiora)

Rhoena: 3 (Thomas, Brietta, Risetto)

Invictus: 2 (Natalie, Glair)

Lyndon: 1 (Malachi)

Ally: 1 (Centra)

Sebastian: 1 (Ellia)

Darryn: 1 (Bug)

Lennon: 1 (Radia)

Rowan: 1 (Kozuki)

Questions:

1. How was the chapter overall?

2. Which POV did you prefer?

3. And your least favourite one?

4. Who do you think is going to die next?