The four remaining members of the alliance spent the next few hours discussing an action plan. They eventually agreed until there were only three of them left. "I'm going to get us some dinner," Abby announced as she stood up from her spot.

"I'm going with you," Nick said, also standing up. "Will you guys stay back and hold down the fort?"

Bram and Simon nod as Abby and Nick exit the cave. "I was wondering if it comes down to us and one of them if you'd like to stay together," Bram said. "Maybe try to win the games together. I think we have a fair shot of winning."

"I agree," Simon said. They were silent for a moment before hearing the sound of a cannon going off. They watched as the helicopter came and picked up the body. They were shocked at how near the body was to the cave. They couldn't see who they were picking up.

"Should we check on Abby and Nick?" Bram asked.

"We probably should," Simon said. They got up and started to walk down the mountain. Simon stood by Bram's side since his hearing was still off from the explosion. They started to walk threw the woods. As they continued on their path, they heard a loud sob. They turned to their left and saw Abby was leaning against a tree.

"Abby," Bram said, catching her attention.

"He's dead," Abby sobbed. "We were ambushed by some careers. They killed him."

Simon tried to comfort her, but she quickly pushed him away. "The alliance is over," she shouted. Before anyone could say anything else, she ran off. The two boys looked at each other and tried to process everything that just happened. They had a moment of silence for Nick. The moment was ruined when Simon saw the girl from district eleven.

She had her bow and arrow pointed at Bram. Before she could land the killing shout, he threw one of his knives at her. It landed in her forehead, causing her to drop to the floor dead. Bram turned around as he heard the sound of cannon fire.

That's when it hit Simon. He had just killed someone. Granted he had technically killed Taylor when he dropped the tracker jackers on her, but this felt different. Simon's stomach twisted as he turned around to throw up. Bram rubbed his back. "Let it all out," Bram said.

"Oh gosh," Simon said. "I killed her."

"We're in a killed or be killed situation," Bram said, in a soothing voice. "It was bound to happen at one point are another."

Simon turned back around, and Bram gave him the flask of water. Simon took a large gulp of it. "Drink as much of it as you need," Bram instructed. "I'll make another run to the lake soon."

He handed Bram the flask. "Thank you," Simon said.

"Any time," Bram said. "We should head back to the cave."

Simon nods and he stands up. They slowly made their way back to the cave. They were both trying to process the events the day. They started the day off as a five-person alliance, but now it was just them.

Once they were at the cave, Bram gestured towards the sleeping bag. "I think you should lay down for a while," Bram suggested. "I'll hold down fort until you wake up."

Simon nods before climbing into the bag. He laid there and tried to sleep, but the image of the girl's body hitting the floor replayed in his mind. He tossed and turned in the sleeping bag. It took him about an hour to fall asleep.

Simon had a nightmare about his kill during his nap. Instead of the girl from district eleven, it was his sister, Nora. His parents and Alice watched from the sidelines, unable to do anything but look at him with anger and sadness. Simon knew he hadn't just killed another tribute. He had killed someone's daughter.

He woke up and saw that it was dark out. Bram had started a fire and was roasting some sort of meat. "How did you sleep?" Bram asked.

"I slept fine," Simon said. He scouted over to where Bram was sitting. "What do we have here?"

"A wild pig that I found near the cave," Bram answered. They were then silent for another moment.

"How was life back in district seven?" Simon asked.

"It was nice," Bram said. "I worked with my dad at the docks after school. My parents divorced when I was young, but I've managed to keep some sort of peace between them. My mom remarried and is actually pregnant with my half-brother."

"Congrats," Simon said.

"Thanks," Bram said. "I heard in your interviews that you did theater. Were you ever in a musical?"

"I was in a few," Simon said.

"Can you sing something?" Bram asked. Simon looked him in the eyes. He wondered if this was just an act for the capital or if this was for real. Simon started singing a song called "Hanging Tree" that his dad always sang to him and his sisters. His dad had learned it from his mother.

He didn't finish the song because Bram cupped his chin, and kissed him.