Hey everyone! I hope you're all having a good week. This chapter is spawned from my writing kick recently and my avoidance of schoolwork. I hope you enjoy it! Special thanks to MaxMan667 for proofreading this chapter and the previous one.

Logan Wheeler (18)- D6M

Pagani and Volt come back from the Cornucopia in the early morning with happy faces and hands full of food and water. When I see the canteens and baggies of food, I cross my arms and give them my best disappointed glare.

"The plan was to just watch the Careers," I chastise Pagani.

Pagani snorts and jabbed a finger toward Volt with a smirk. "He's the one that found it. At least now we have water to get us through the day."

"The boy from Two dropped it during his rounds," Volt says cheerfully, handing me the canteen of water. I sigh and hesitate to drink for a moment, but my thirst overcomes me. I take a swig and exhale at the relief after days without water. Our supply of dried jerky only served to make my throat more dry since we ran out of water. Logan silently gives me dried cranberries from his new stash, and I take them gratefully.

"Did anyone see you?" I ask.

"No one," Volt confirms. "The only one I could see was the boy from Two. He made a few patrols around the perimeter, but spent most of his time guarding the supplies. The others must have been sleeping inside the Cornucopia."

I hum thoughtfully, staring up at the rising sun. The grasses of the rolling hills blow in the gentle breeze. A few butterflies flutter nearby. The peaceful surroundings contrast with our macabre conversation. "If they only leave one person on guard duty, then Pagani's plan might work. We sneak up on them together; kill them quickly and silently. Then we'll need to take on the remaining three."

"It will be easy," Pagani says easily. "We can kill them in their sleep."

"We need to plan for the worst, though," I emphasize. "What if the guard yells that someone is there before we kill them? Then we'll have to fight all three of them together."

"That won't happen," Volt says confidently. He sits on the ground beside me and sighs, reclining back. "Relax, Logan. The best way to prepare for something like this is to stay calm."

Volt never seems concerned about anything, and I'm not sure if it's because he's delusional or level headed. I haven't forgotten the times when my own unstable emotions got the better of me back in Six. I take a deep breath and push away my anxieties. "You're right. Maybe we should spend some time practicing our fighting skills."

"I'll do that with you," Pagani says immediately. I look up at her and smile, standing again and grabbing my sword. Volt is the one that really needs to practice, but he once again doesn't seem worried. Pagani takes out her knife and raises an eyebrow playfully. I raise my sword and grin back.

Leto Larston (18)- D2F

The hunt is unsuccessful this time. I try not to let it get to my head. Not every hunt will be like our previous one, where we killed Jeremy and his little friend. That was a triumph for us, but we have to have failures in order to know when we've won. Marlowe doesn't seem to think the same way. After covering her face in the blood of the creature she caught, she had gone quiet and stalked through the woods carefully, like a predator hunting its prey, and grew more frustrated by the hour. Passion, on the other hand, seems preoccupied. Her eyes are unfocused even now as we head back toward the Cornucopia, our hands clean of blood. Except for Marlowe, who is still slathered with it.

Cyprian is waiting for us back at the mouth of the horn, his eyes alert as ever. He welcomes us back with a stern nod of the head. He doesn't ask if we saw anyone; if we did, we wouldn't be here, we would be chasing them with weapons in our hands. The night empty of cannon shots still feels like a failure, but I console myself with the fact that we're only five days into this game. There are still plenty of chances left for bloodshed.

"Anything interesting happen while we were gone?" I ask him as I sit on a trunk and take a drink of water.

"Nothing," he says, staring off into the distance.

"Give me some water," Passion snaps suddenly, a hand on her hip. Cyprian wordlessly reaches into a trunk beside him and hands her a canteen. Passion snatches it from his hand and drinks with gusto.

Marlowe comes over to our trunk of water and peers inside. "We're low," she says with distaste. "We had more bottles than this before we left. What happened?" She looks to Cyprian.

Cyprian doesn't say anything for a moment, perhaps rendered speechless by her mask of blood. "I drank some while you were gone," he says finally.

"A whole bottle or two?" she says incredulously. "You didn't do anything but sit here."

"Marlowe, stop," I say tiredly. The bickering is starting to get on my nerves. Why did Cyprian and I have to be put in the arena with a bunch of mindless chatterboxes?

She glances at me with an eyebrow raised, but just stands back up and sighs. Some of the blood has seeped into the golden roots of her hair. It's a strangely cathartic sight, seeing her beauty marred by the gore. "Whatever. Can I have some cranberries then?"

"I ate all of the cranberries," Cyprian says without missing a beat.

Marlowe throws her hands up in the air with a laugh. "What the hell is wrong with you? Do you want us to run out of food within a week?"

I stand, fixing Marlowe with my best glare. "Speak nicely," I tell her sharply. "If you wanted him to save you some cranberries, you should have told him."

"There's no way he could have eaten that many in one night," Marlowe says dismissively. "This guy is trying to cheat us by hiding our food! Is that what you're doing? Trying to stock up for later after we're all dead?"

"Stop it-"

"The fish bitch is right," Passion interrupts casually, jabbing a finger at Cyprian. "He's too calm. And you're the only one who is defending him."

"I'm defending him because he didn't do anything wrong!" I explode, my fists curling. "We're supposed to be a team, and you two keep tearing us all apart!"
"Leto," Cyprian says softly. His face is soft, almost guilty. I quiet down immediately.

"I'm sorry I ate all the cranberries," he says in a measured voice. "I'll try not t o eat so much from now on."

Marloew just huffs and walks away, hopefully to clean off her face. Passion shrugs and sits in the grass, chugging her water. I turn to Cyprian and give him a small smile. "You had nothing to apologize for."

He looks down and grunts, not saying another word.

Thimble Brier (16)- D8M

The worst part of being stuck down here in the loneliness. While Raven and Flux are preparing for Flux's journey to the island, I'm all alone on my precipice, shivering and trying not to let the hunger or the thirst get to me. Already I can feel something that must be severe dehydration overcoming me. I've gone this long without food before, but not without water. My throat is past dry, and my eyes are blurring every now and then. It's hard to see Flux when she leans over the cliff to talk to me.

"How're you doing down there?" she yells down.

"Don't be so loud," I say weakly. "Someone could hear."

"Then I'll kill them!" Flux says with a smile. I huff and don't answer. I need to save my strength.

"Hold on down there, alright?" Flux says. I can make out the worried tone in her voice even in my delirious state.

"I'm doing my best," I say in amusement. I lay back on the ground so I can see her better without straining my neck. It's strange to think that I probably will never touch her or anyone else again. The last time I laid down beside my friends at night to sleep will likely be the last time I will feel anything but harsh rock and the steel of my machete, whose sharp gleam and edge seems more and more inviting as time passes.

"Listen, Flux," I say, my throat sore and scratchy. I try to swallow and continue. "If I die, I want you to win. We have to do it for District Eight pride. We won last year, and we can do it again."

Flux's face is blank, but I know she understands the essence of my words. I don't care about honor or our district's reputation, but I do care about my old coworkers back home. Flux's family. Rita's face swims in my vision, her concerned expression as she handed me the locket with my parents' picture inside. I clutch the locket around my neck. If I don't survive, I want everyone in Eight to have the benefits of a victor for another year. The extra food from this past year had taken some stress off of many families back home.

Not only that, but Flux is my friend. The closest friend I've had in years. I didn't expect to develop a bond with anyone in this godforsaken place… but maybe it's exactly what I needed. To be stuck with someone with no choice but to rely on each other.

"Do you remember when we first met?" I ask her with a weak smile.

She smiles back with a laugh. "Yeah, I remember. I thought you were homeless."

"You didn't ask to be allies; you told me," I chuckle. I think about some of our less funny conversations, such as when I said I worked at the Red. Flux must know what that means, what I am, but she's never judged me for it.

I can hear Raven dragging around driftwood in the background, drawing me back to reality. "Thimble, don't give up," Flux says suddenly, her voice fierce. "How about you get up out of there and win yourself, huh?"

I smirk up at her, sighing. "I wish I was as strong as you, Flux."

Her own grin falters, but just for a moment. She leaves abruptly, but I'm grateful. I hate goodbyes, and I have a feeling we might be saying our last one soon.

Luna Everett (12)- D11F

Thorn and I rested on the beach last night, but in the morning our heads were clearer than they've been in a long time. We ate the last of our food, then caught some more fish using our spears. We decide to keep moving instead of staying in one place any longer. We never know when the Careers or any other tributes will come along.

I take a swig of water as we walk along the sealine. My shoes are filled with sand, my hair crusty. When I pull it up to my nose, it stinks. Thorn sees my grimace and laughs open-mouthed at me, running a hand through his own dirty locks.

Not long after, we stop for lunch. I gather some water to boil while Thorn fishes with his spear. The sun is hot on our backs but the water is pleasantly cool. I use our fire-making kit to create a fire without Thorn's help, much to my pleasure. Thorn comes onto the beach with two wriggling fish and a grin. He throws one of them at me and it flops onto the ground. I frown as I watch the fish gasp for water, its tail flapping wildly. The eyes become glassy not long after, the body stilling.

"What is it?' Thorn asks, already skinning his own fish.

I wince as I pick up the fish and gingerly begin to skin it. "Sorry… I just don't like to see them in pain."

Thorn snorts. "We're in the Hunger Games, Luna. We're surrounded by death."

For a moment, it seems like we're returning back to our petty arguments about death, but then he glances over at me and sighs. "Sorry," he says, like the words physically hurt to say. "I'll shut up."

I give him a small smile. "Don't shut up. I just want to know… do you really think death is that funny?"

Thorn looks up from his fish in surprise. He shifts uncomfortably, clearing his throat. "Uh… I guess… not." He looks like he's in pain. "I just like to write stories about it."

"Stories?" I ask with interest.

He laughs. "Yeah… some would call me a compulsive writer."
I lean forward. "What kinds of stories? I love to read."

"Oh…" Thorn is taken aback. I've never seen him flustered before. His perfect confidence and practiced disinterest is broken for just a moment, before he gathers it back up with a charismatic grin. "You're not mature enough to understand them."

I raise an eyebrow at him with a glare, and he throws his head back with a laugh. "You wouldn't be interested in them," he says, sounding genuine for once. "I just write about my life. My thoughts." He spears his fish onto a stick, placing it over the fire. He grabs his spear and begins drawing shapes into the sand. His eyes are hooded, gazing into the fire. I watch as the smoke rises above us. We're going to need to put it out soon, even if our fish aren't finished cooking. Soon, we'll be back in the forest, where Thorn thinks we'll be safest.

"The fish might have lived a long, happy fish life with his family," Thorn says abruptly. "Until some god came along. The shadow loomed above him, a terrible weapon in its hand and the fish wondered what he had done to deserve such a horrible fate… He was speared through. His blood stained the water, his family, his little fish children, and they wondered why he was the one to be taken. But it didn't matter to the gods which fish was taken. It was just random."

I don't realize there are tears in my eyes until Thorn finishes. I manage to hold them back, and we both stare into the fire in silence.

Blossom Urakaka (15)- D9F

I decide I should make some extra staffs for emergencies, so I spend some time gathering fallen sticks and sharpening them. I keep an eye on the Snow statue at the front of the building as I work. I munch on an apple at noon, as the sun blazes down on me from above. The marble ceiling is mostly collapsed, leaving it open to the sky. I lay back and stare up at the sun, trying not to look at it directly. The cult always said that if you stared right at the sun, you would see his true form and he would blind you for your insolence. The tattoo on my back itches. I'm glad the arena outfit covers my back completely. I don't want the Capitol to constantly see my branding.

After midday, I decide to head outside of the chamber onto the mountainside. I stand in the grass, the wind blowing my red hair past my shoulders, trying to see past the clouds that block my view. The Gamemakers' clouds that surround the peak of the mountain keep me hidden from other tributes down below, which I'm grateful for. But the mountain's mystery might mean that other tributes will be curious enough to climb it, just like I did. I can't let my guard down.

I reenter the marble architecture and gather some more fruits and water. The streams of crystal clear water are delicious and smooth, better than any water I've ever had, even back home in Nine. Capitol water might be a close second.

I gaze around my paradise. How am I going to protect it from invading Careers? Even another outer district tribute will be difficult to fight if they have a real weapon. I'm confident in my skills with a staff, but I need a backup plan in case I'm ambushed.

"I know how to keep people out," I say to myself quietly. I haven't spoken in so long that my voice is hoarse and croaky. I lean down and pull my rope from the ground, and I peer around at all of the sharp sticks I've made. I can do something with this. I can survive. Even if this is a Gamemaker trick, I will survive. I glance over at the Snow statue, the riddle echoing in my head. I still don't know what it means, but maybe if I avoid the statue, I won't set off any traps. Instead, I'll set my own.

Pagani Chevy (16)- D6F

I crouch down to avoid Logan's sword, lunging at his knees with my knife. He jumps back and swings down onto my back. I roll away and bounce back to my feet, a grin on my face. Logan stares at me a few feet away, tightening his fingers around his sword hilt. I advance forward suddenly, taking him off guard and making him dodge to the side with a surprised expression. I jab forward with my knife, the blade slicing through the air with whistling noises. Logan continues to step back until I finally let up, letting him get a sword swing in before rolling away.

"We should stop for now," Logan says, panting. He lets the tip of his blade fall to press into the grass. "We don't want to get hurt while training."

"Alright," I say with a grin. The adrenaline in my veins from the fight and from the anticipation of the real battle tonight. I can feel it in the tips of my fingers, the soles of my feet, the blush on my cheeks from exertion. I'm ready to show those Careers that they aren't the only ones who can win the Games. Six is coming for them.

Volt is sitting in the grass, chowing down on some cranberries and scanning the horizon for any danger. I sit down beside him, trying to catch my breath, and take a swig of water. Even though Logan didn't approve, I'm glad Volt managed to steal some food and water last night. We'll need our strength for the fight tonight.

"Maybe you could practice a little bit with Logan's sword," I tell him. "Once we get there, you can pick up a weapon and help us fight."

"I won't need to help you," Volt says, sounding unconcerned. His icy blue eyes turn to me with a small assertive nod. "You and Logan are plenty skilled enough to defeat our enemies. I have other callings."

I shrug. "Suit yourself, I guess. But if one of us gets in trouble, you better grab a blade and help." Volt's confidence and easy aura is infectious, not to mention a nice reprieve from our situation, but I don't doubt he would run if he saw the tables turning against us.

"Of course," Volt says cheerfully. He offers me the bag of cranberries, and I take a handful gratefully. I grab a piece of jerky from our other baggie, and settle in for a nice lunch. Logan sits down on Volt's other side with a chunk of bread, accepting some cranberries from Volt. His eyebrows are drawn together, his eyes unfocused and worried. I resist the urge to sigh in exasperation. Logan is too dramatic. Tonight will be a difficult battle, but we'll be victorious. There's no reason to worry.

As Volt stares in the direction of the Cornucopia, I scan the forest to the west. The leaves of the trees gently blow in the breeze. I see no visible tributes, but who knows who could be watching, planning their own attack. After today, we'll be the ones at the Cornucopia, and all the other tributes will cower beneath us.

"We have to do this for Dylan. And Terra, and Rylex." Logan speaks suddenly, his words sounding too loud in the quietness of the prairie. He lowers his head, falling silent again. I remember Terra that day in the bloodbath. She died to save me, letting the girl from Four slice open her throat and kill her on that bloody battlefield. The same battlefield on which we'll get our revenge.

"You're right," I say bitterly. "Let me have the girl from Four if you can, okay?"
Logan looks up to nod solemnly, then looks up to stare at the sky.

My thoughts stray from Terra, back to District Six, like a track leading me back in time. Back to the real world. My brother Wench's face swims in my vision. My mother, Mary, all the other street rats that I've met in my time living on the streets. My father, who will never get to live an easy life if I win the Games. I have to do it for all of them, departed or not. Those Careers are fighting for themselves, but we're doing it for our families, our districts. We will win.

Caillou Wight (17)- D3F

After leaving my tree last night, I traveled for a few hours before making a camp for the night. I found a tall tree and laid out my sleeping bag on a stable branch, tying parts of it to the trunk with wire. Then I ate some of my berries and fell asleep. This morning, I woke to sounds of rustling below me, and held my breath until I realized it was just a fox. I waited until the creature left, then carefully climbed down and continued on my way. I don't exactly know why I'm headed toward the Cornucopia, but I just want to see if there are any supplies left. And maybe to see what the Careers are doing. I try not to think too hard about what I might do if I find a Career alone, guarding the golden horn. If I start planning a trap to set for them, then I'll be admitting to myself that I have to kill people to get out of this place.

I keep my steps soft and slow as I wander through the forest, keeping my eyes on the sun to walk in the right direction. I twirl my mirror in my hand, watching as the sunlight reflects off of it onto the ground and the underside of the forest canopy. It's starting to get dark, and I won't be able to use the mirror soon for any tricks or traps. I'll have to wait until tomorrow. If I decide to do anything, I quickly add on inside my head.

By the time I can see the forest's edge, the sun is setting and the forest is nearly completely dark under the foliage. I try to breath quietly and evenly, carefully planning out each footstep. I crack a stick under my foot and wince, waiting a minute before continuing. I keep listening for any sounds of Careers, but there's only the sounds of the insects and the breeze blowing through the leaves. I silently walk up to the edge of the trees, peering around. The Cornucopia is visible, not as magnificent after the sun has set. There's only a light glint from the fake moonlight reflecting off its surface. I stay in place for several minutes, waiting for any signs of danger. My stomach rumbles loudly, and I place a hand over it with a sigh.

Suddenly, I see movement in the distance. It looks like a figure, walking toward me along the edge of the forest. I quickly fade back into the trees, breathing heavily. I glance around to try and find a stick that I could use as a weapon, but it's too dark to see the ground under the trees.

"Volt?" A hissing voice reaches my ears.

I freeze, trying to calm my breath.

A moment passes, and I hear someone rustling in the grass. "Volt? Is that you?"

I remember Volt. His voice is easy to imitate. His cadence, his tone, his vocabulary is all typical of an arrogant, intelligent young man. I clear my throat and respond in his voice, "Yes."

The boy, shrouded in darkness, sighs in relief. "I thought I heard you. Why are you here?"

I don't answer, heart beating fast. I don't know how to respond, but it seems he's waiting patiently for an answer. I recognize his voice: it's Cyprian, the only remaining male Career. If he and Volt are allies, then I can easily escape if I say the right thing.

"Volt?" Cyprian sounds pitiful. "Should I come to you?"

"No!" I hiss quickly, Volt's voice slipping off my tongue in my panic.

Cyprian doesn't notice. "You're right. They could see," he says with a heavy sigh. "I'm just glad to talk to you."

"Me too," I say, Volt's voice issues from my mouth again.

"Is there a reason that you're here?" Cyprian asks, sounding hopeful.

I struggle to find words, then answer, "Yes…"

"Is the plan off?" Cyprian eagerly cuts me off.

I should just say whatever he wants, so he'll let me go. "Yes."

Cyprian sighs in relief. "Thank god. I couldn't kill my allies, Volt. Even if they come after us, I'll protect you." He stops for a moment, then earnestly asks, "Can I come with you now?"

"No," I say firmly.

"Alright," he says, sounding disappointed. "Will you still come here tomorrow? I want to leave with you, Volt."

"We'll leave together tomorrow," I say, keeping my voice low and measured, reassuring.

I can sense Cyprian's joy through the foliage. "Thank you. I can't wait. I can't wait to be with you."

"Me too," I say.

"Do you need more supplies?" Cyprian asks innocently.

"Yes," I say, perhaps too quickly. "Just leave them on the ground and I'll get them when you leave."

"Okay," Cyprian whispers. I hear him placing something on the ground, then he says, "I love you, Volt."

"I love you too," I say. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Cyprian slowly walks away. I wait until his footsteps in the grass recede completely, then I quickly step forward just enough to retrieve the backpack placed on the ground. I swing it over my back and turn back to the trees.

I walk quickly, staying as silent as possible. I find a high tree to climb and scale its trunk as fast as I can, finding a secure branch to sit on and opening my new pack. I can't see my new supplies very well in the dark, but I can easily feel a canteen filled with precious water. I carefully place it back inside, resolving not to drink any of it until I'm finished with my berries. They hydrate me well enough, and they won't last like this water will. I also find a bag filled with crackers in the bag, along with a warm coat that I definitely don't need in this warm climate. The air is a little chilly at night though, so I use it. I put it on over my arena uniform and lean back against the tree trunk, feeling warmth soak into my limbs. I shake my pack once more and hear other goodies inside. I reach into it again and find a small first aid kit, just a package with some bandages and gauze, along with some basic medicinal cream.

It seems my directionless plan worked out after all. The only problem is that I'm now near the Cornucopia, where the Careers will easily be able to see me in the morning. I need to move; to get away from this place. I slowly climb out of my tree and start a new voyage through the trees.

Raven Lavalée (17)- D7M

After seeing smoke at the other end of the coast, Flux and I have been on edge. We didn't tell Thimble about it. He doesn't need more stress. Still, I know Flux is having second thoughts about whether she should leave.

"Maybe I should stay, just for another day or two," Flux says as we stand on the beach, looking out over the water. It's strange to see her so unsure. Usually she's the one telling me to go with the flow.

"Thimble might not survive another couple days," I tell her knowingly.

"Thimble isn't going to survive anyway," she says, sounding hopeless. She stares out over the sea, past the raft we built, in the direction of the island. It's lit orange by the setting sun "What does it matter if I find water? We can't give him any."

"You have to keep moving forward," I say firmly. "For herself. Think about Flux, not two dead kids you spent a few days with."

Flux glances over at me with dismay. "Is that really what you think you and Thimble are to me?"

I swallow, directing my eyes to the sand. "Let's not make this emotional, alright? Let's just get on with it. No goodbyes."

Flux shifts beside me. "Sounds good to me."

Her supplies are already strapped to her raft with some net. The two of us spent all day building it with driftwood and netting, large enough to hold one young girl as she floats out to sea. Her backpack holds her hatchet, our flashlight, and the thin clear sheet that she received from the Cornucopia, as well as several fish. Thimble and I will be left with our sausages and Thimble's machete, which is down on his cliff with him.

Not that I need any weapons for myself. I have several sticks that I've used to kill fish, and I imagine killing a tribute with one would be mostly the same. Maybe even easier. Those fish can be fast.

Flux climbs onto the raft, pulling her pack close to her side and crossing her legs. I hand her two rowing sticks, and she gives me a small smile.

"Take care of yourself, Raven," she says, sounding sad.

I nod once, then gently push the raft off of the beach. It takes some effort, but eventually the tide catches her and draws her out to sea. She floats away faster than I thought she would. I watch her row until the sun slowly disappears and the moon rises. She disappears. The island is still visible by the moon, which we determined last night, and she has the flashlight for emergencies. She'll be fine. I listen to the gentle waves, wondering if she's having success in rowing.

After sitting on the beach for a few minutes, I'm suddenly overcome with a coughing fit. I'm getting tired of them at this point, especially with the feelings of faintness and weakness that come afterward. I lean over with my hands on my knees to gasp for air, wondering if this will be my poetic end, right after saying goodbye to a friend.

Then it passes as quickly as it came, leaving me wheezing and staggering on the beach. I should make my way back to Thimble. He doesn't like being alone; but I can barely walk. I slowly sink onto the sand, trembling from the violent coughs. I don't know how much time has passed before I start to hear a faint tinkling noise above me. I must be hallucinating. There's no way a sponsor would send me a gift in this state.

Then a small silver box drops onto my stomach. The parachute covers my face, and I spit it out and toss it away, eagerly opening the box. The gift is so small I almost don't notice it at first, but then I see a glint of silver in the corner. I pick it up and examine it. A small silver charm in the shape of a tree. A small note accompanies it, and I feel my heart jump into my throat when I see what's written.

Look kid, I am not good with words. But I want you to survive. I mean really want you to survive. And if you actually do survive, then maybe, just maybe, you and I can make something work together. Don't make me spell it out for you. I'll be seeing you, J.

Johanna shouldn't have spent sponsor money to send me this. But despite myself, I feel my despair melting away. I can make it through this. I did it for Sparrow for many weeks… and I can do it for Thimble. For Johanna.

I curl up the note in my fist and reach out to the sky with my other hand, hoping the message gets across. At least I know there is someone waiting for me back home. If I survive, I won't be alone and miserable in Seven. I'll have Johanna. I'll have a real life. I'll be able to keep Sparrow's memory alive.

Passion Mavros (18)- D1F

It's nice to have an opportunity to sleep. After spending nights and days hunting, I've been looking forward to curling up in a sleeping bag in the Cornucopia. I absent-mindedly brush through my hair with my fingers, staring at the dark ceiling. I can hear Leto's even breathing not far away. Marlowe is unable to sleep, or is just unwilling. Who knows what goes on inside her fake, vapid head. Cyprian is keeping watch again, letting us sleep after a night of hunting. We'll be heading out again tomorrow, according to Leto.

Could it really hurt the Gamemakers to give us some hairbrushes? Maybe some dry shampoo? I know they have the technology to keep my flawless beauty alive without the extra steps of showers. My appearance is a big part of my image. Of course, my green eyes will still be gorgeous when they replay clips of my kills after I win, I tell myself. The best tributes are the ones who are still pretty when covered in blood and dirt. After I win, people will-

"What the hell?!"

Marlowe's voice jolts me back to alertness. Leto sits up immediately beside me, grabbing for her whip. "Let's go," she says sharply. I close my fingers around my mace hilt, just above my head. I also quickly grab two throwing axes and stick them into my belt. Then I stand and hurry out after Leto.

The scene is like a gift given unto us. Three tributes stand just a few meters away from the Cornucopia. Cyprian is standing beside them, looking nervous. "I told you not to come closer!" he says woefully. I've never heard Cyprian talk like that, or look anything other than completely confident. Marlowe is standing across from them, her baton drawn and held taut.

"What's going on here?" one of the tributes says, who I recognize as Logan from Six. His district partner, Pagani, stands beside him with a knife in hand, giving us a deadly glare. "Volt, why didn't you kill this guy?

Another tribute, Volt, steps forward. "Cyprian," he hisses. "Why aren't they dead!"

"You told me not to go through with it!" Cyprian says, sounding shocked.

"What are you talking about?" Leto demands, stepping forward with her whip in hand. "Cyprian, answer me!"

Cyprian wrings his hands, eyes darting back and forth from Volt to Leto. "I-I-"

"I told you he was betraying us!" I yelled, letting my mace hang heavy in my hand as I came up to stand beside Marlowe.

Leto shakes her head, as if she can't believe her eyes. "Cyprian… why?"

"Volt, let's go!" Cyprian shouts, grabbing Volt's hand and pulling him away.

Then everything happens in a flash. Marlowe snarls, "Not so fast!" and chases after them with her bladed baton twirling. Leto cracks her whip once, Pagani lunges to Marlowe with her knife, and Logan yells, "We have to get out of here!"

I raise my mace and thrust myself toward him. I swing the heavy metal weapon at his face, and he lurches backward in surprise, his eyes wide with confusion and fear. He raises the sword in his hand to block my advances. I hurl my mace toward him with a roar, feeling the jolt of our weapons colliding in my shoulder. Logan parries the mace away, and attempts to swing his sword at me, but I twirl around to dodge it and come back around with my mace head smashing into his blade.

"Stop!" I hear Cyprian's voice cry. I glance over to see Leto's whip around Volt's ankles, and Volt tumbles to the ground with a grunt. Logan's sword clangs into my mace hilt, bringing me back to our battle. I smirk at him over our crossed weapons, then push him away. I stalk over to see him. His blue eyes are filled with determination. He won't go down without a fight. For a moment, they remind me of Callum.

I stop midaction. Callum… Callum who this bastard and his district partner killed.

Wait, where is Pagani?

I intuitively doge to the side just in time as Pagani's knife tries to stab into my back. I glance over to where Leto is standing over Volt, and Marlowe running after Cyprian. I'll have to deal with these two myself.

Logan's sword comes down to my head, and I roll aside. I jump to my feet, swinging my mace toward his stomach. He jumps back and trips, falling onto the ground. I turn just as Pagani lunges at me with her knife again. I can tell she's used one before. I remember her sticking her knife into Callum's side, and I'm filled with rage like I've never felt. I deliver a carefully timed blow with my mace as she lunges, hitting her hand and throwing her knife away. She screams in pain and drops to the ground, cradling her bloody hand close to her stomach.

"Pagani!" Logan yells. He's back on his feet, holding his sword tightly in his hand.

I hear a yell and look over to see that Volt has squirmed away from Leto's whip and is on his feet. Cyprian and Marlowe are fighting not too far away. Leto steps up to Volt and ignores his hands lifted in surrender, punching him straight in the face. He tumbles to the ground with a splatter of blood.

Logan yells as he charges at me. I swing my mace over my head, realizing that Pagani has gotten to her feet beside me, knife retrieved in her other hand. I crouch to avoid Logan's sword, putting him off balance, and swing my mace in Pagani's direction. It smashes into her head this time, sending her back to the grass.

"No!" Logan cries out. He staggers, trying to stay standing. I swing my mace with a smirk on my face, and he dodges the spiked ball with a grunt. He stares over at Pagani on the ground, then glances back at me as I approach him with a smile.

I hear Pagani moving behind me again. I roll my eyes, annoyed with her determination.

"Go, Logan!' she gurgles out, struggling to lift her head. I bring my mace down onto her head, feeling the satisfactory crunch of bone and brain.

"That's for Callum," I whisper to her. Her cannon still hasn't went off, so I raise my mace again and again until she's nothing but pulp in a uniform. Her cannon finally resounds around the arena, and I stand tall with pride. That is, until I look down and realize her blood is splattered onto my shoes and pants. Ugh.

I turn around to see that Logan has disappeared, perhaps taking his district partner's advice. Leto is still hunched over Volt, punching him repeatedly. Her face is drawn into a snarl, her eyes filled with rage. I saunter over to her with a grin, my mace dripping in gore.

"Volt!" Cyprian yells. Marlowe is still holding him off with her baton. The blade is too thin to withstand Cyprian's sword, but she's agile enough to dance around his swings.

Leto glances over to me as I approach. Volt is gasping for air, his face bloodied and eyes swollen shut. Leto gestures for a weapon, and I gladly toss her one of my axes from my belt. She holds it in hand and brings it down to his throat in a precise blow.

"No!" Cyprian screams. Volt's blood sprays into the air, covering Leto's face and chest, even reaching my own feet. Volt twitches pathetically for a moment before his cannon echoes Pagani's.

"Where's the guy," Leto says vehemently, standing with my axe tightly in hand.

I shrug. "He got away."

Leto huffs, and we both glance over to where Cyprian has managed to push Marlowe to the ground. He staggers toward Volt, tears running down his face. Volt is covered in blood, and Cyprian collapses beside him with a sob. "Volt…"

Leto snaps her whip, and it curls around Cyprian's neck. He grabs it with both hands, hsi eyes wide and terrified as he gapes up at his district partner.

"You dare betray District Two?" Leto hisses, her eyes wild. "Betray me? After all we've been through?"

Cyprian tries to shake his head, gasping as the whip tightens around his throat. "I… wasn't…"

"Shut up, traitor," Marlowe says, appearing behind Cyprian. She pierces through his throat with her baton, and I watch with equal disgust and thrill as he chokes on his own blood. His eyes slowly become unfocused, and he collapses onto Volt's body.

Leto uncurls her whips around him as he convulses, looking up at Marlowe sharply. "You should have let me finish him," she said darkly.

Marlowe huffs. "You got the other one," she gestures toward Volt's bruised body. Cyprian eventually stops moving, his hand reaching out for Volt's, fingers curling around his palm, just as his cannon resounds through the forest.

I glance around the clearing with a pleased smile. The grass is littered with bodies and blood. Marlowe whoops triumphantly, twirling around with joy. "We need to move the bodies away from the Cornucopia," Leto says. She's still staring at Cyprian. I can't make out what she's feeling, but she'll get over it. Just like Marlowe and I, she's left without her partner.

"Now it's just us girls," I chirp, swinging my mace around cheerfully.

"Help me move them," Leto says suddenly, standing and pulling Cyprian over to the edge of the forest. Marlowe and I grab the others and follow suit. The scent of iron permeates the air. I grimace at the blood on my hands after we're finished, leaning down to wipe them on the grass.

The three of us head back to the Cornucopia. None of us decide to sleep, instead staying awake at the mouth of the horn, sparring and eating and laughing. Leto doesn't do much of the latter, but her whip cracks through the air with ferocity.

Obituaries:

14th) Pagani Chevy (16)- D6F- Killed by Passion. Pagani was one of the tributes who had the most reasons to win. Her mother and brother will miss her immensely, as will her friend Mary. Pagani's unique and simple way of seeing things were always fun to write, and I'll miss her quite a lot.

13th) Volt Halvorrsson (18)- D5M- Killed by Leto. Volt was incredibly smart and charismatic, and definitely a victor that the Capitol would have loved. His manipulations of everyone in the arena eventually came back to bite him, and he paid the price, as did Cyprian and Pagani. Having a cunning villain in the arena was so much fun, especially his interactions with Cyprian.

12th) Cyprian Clay (18)- D2M- Killed by Marlowe. This was the hardest kill to go through with this chapter. I love Cyprian and his sweet but guarded nature, but unfortunately his lack of love in his life ended up killing him. At least he was able to experience love, even if it wasn't real on Volt's part. I'll really miss Cyprian. Writing his perspective on things was always fun, and his relationship with Leto was especially sweet.

Kill Stats:

Most Kills:

Passion Mavros (17)- D1F- three kills: Sparrow, Alder, and Pagani

Tied for Second-Most Kills:

Leto Larston (18)- D2F- two kills: Rai and Volt

Marlowe Bahari (18)- D4F- two kills: Terra and Cyprian

Cyprian Clay (18)- D2M (dead)- two kills: Caiden and Jeremy

Faroud Pistris (18)- D4M (dead)- two kills: Dylan and Rylex

Third-Most Kills:

Pagani Chevy (16) (dead)- D6F- one kill: Callum.