[25] - August

Calder, Pollux, and I sit in a small circle as if we're sitting around an imaginary campfire. Pollux seems to be getting better, at least compared to the last few nights - he's finally looking at us and has even spoken a few times since we camped out for the night.

I glance at Calder - he looks exhausted. We walked for almost the entire day, and it definitely took a toll on him. I know he's too afraid to say anything to Pollux, and I'm definitely not putting myself in the line of fire for him, so who knows how long it'll be until he reaches his limit.

The three of us snack on food from our bags as the sun disappears from sight. We sit in silence, but it's not an awkward silence. Nothing needs to be said anymore between us.

The silence is broken by the Panem anthem, and the three of us look up in synchrony to see the Capitol seal shining brightly in the sky.

I'm eager to see which tributes were the next to go - obviously, since Calder, Pollux, and I are still alive, there are only a few options left to choose from. Secretly, I'm hoping that I'll see Zinnia and Jasper in the sky, but I know that's not going to happen.

The Capitol seal disappears and is replaced with the boy from Five. He's a scrawny one; it's likely that dehydration got him in this heat. I already know who's next before she appears in the sky - the boy's partner was the girl from Eleven. Sure enough, the small girl appears soon after, and the Panem anthem ends.

"Not bad," I mutter, and the other boys nod, but a crackling noise catches our attention.

"Hello, tributes!" A booming voice calls, and the sudden noise makes Calder drop his crackers onto the sand. "This is Valentina!"

"And Venia, of course," another woman's voice booms. "Your hosts of this year's Games. We have an important announcement to make, and it involves the rules of this year's Games."

Pollux glances at me, his eyes wide. I can already tell what he's thinking - the Gamemakers have decided to end the pairs and set us free. That would be amazing news for me, too. Somehow, I feel like it would be too early to do that, though.

"This year, you all entered the Arena in randomly assigned pairs," Valentina says. "Twelve pairs began the Games, and only six remain tonight."

Venia picks up where Valentina left off. "Head Gamemaker Sylverthorn has announced that when four pairs are left in the Arena, the remaining pairs will be released from their fatal connection. The final eight tributes will participate in the Games as individuals."

Calder gasps next to me; Pollux is frozen in shock. Finally, the news we've all been waiting for has arrived. In a matter of days, we'll finally be fighting in here for ourselves.

"That will mean that there will only be one Victor," Valentina says very deliberately. "So may the odds be ever in your favor."

The ladies' microphone crackles, leaving us in silence once again. We're all stunned.

"So, when there are four pairs left, we'll be free," Calder says, repeating the announcement to himself.

"How many pairs are still in here?" Pollux asks quietly, his eyes still trained on the sky.

"Six," I sigh. "Half of us."

"So only two more pairs need to go before the twist is released," Calder says.

I can see the gears turning in Pollux's head. I think I figure it out at the exact same time as he does, because I see him glance between Calder and me. I know exactly what he's thinking: how easy would it be to knock out two pairs right now and finally be free?

Even though I know what's coming, I'm still not prepared for it. Pollux launches himself at me, blade in hand, and my quick reflexes are the only thing that save my skin from his blade. I roll to the side as Pollux lands on the spot where I was sitting.

Suddenly, my blood is pumping; I feel like I've just been snapped out of a trance. I've been training for a moment like this my whole life; now's the time to make it count.

Calder yelps, scrambling away from Pollux. Pollux rises to his feet, frantically looking around and locking his gaze on Calder.

"Come on and fight me like a man, Pollux," I call, turning Pollux's attention back to me. Grateful for the distraction, Calder grabs his bag and sprints away.

Pollux stands, giving me no time to react before locking our blades together.

"That was a cowardly move, Pollux," I mutter through gritted teeth. "Turning on your friends like that. We had your back."

"I'm going to die, August!" Pollux screams, his eyes wide. He's practically foaming at the mouth now. "If this twist doesn't end now, I'm going to be the one that dies!"

"Well, it doesn't matter anyway," I say, using my blade to push Pollux away. "Calder's gone now. The twist is going to continue no matter what. I know you're paranoid, Pollux. You haven't been sleeping. You know I can beat you in a fight."

Pollux just stares at me with his sunken eyes. Finally, he takes a small step back, and then he's gone; he barely stops to grab his bag from the ground before sprinting away in the opposite direction of Calder.

I sit back on the ground, my face in my hands. This was the last thing I needed right now; now, I don't even have the protection of my two allies. It's every man - or every pair - for themselves now. Without my allies behind me, the only person who can ensure my survival is me.