I think maybe the worst part of it all is that nearly all the tributes in here are famous. Obviously for the Capitol's enjoyment and to torture the districts, so that it still feels like it's they're children being in here. It's makes it even worse for us. Because we're all famous enough that if you really think hard enough you'll come up with a name.

I frowned. Hannah and Sam from District Eight. Children of Cecilia. I can distinctly remember in one interview Hannah crying as a child because the Capitol people looked 'freaky'. Yet, I don't feel anything over what I did. No regrets or sympathy. It's just emptiness.

The same with District Eleven. I can't remember the boy's name but I've heard of Rebecca. The daughter of Chaff. She's labeled as a fashionista which is laughable considering she's from District Eleven. But I guess she's more Liam's guilt than mine. Doesn't matter that they're dead. Well to their districts and families it does. Maybe I'll feel something at the Victory tour if I ever make it out. I nodded to myself. Yep, there'd have to be something seriously wrong with me if I didn't feel anything on one of those tours. I frowned, if I didn't then I'd be no better than Finnick Odair...

I casted my eyes over to Liam. His head had rolled onto his shoulder and he had a small pool of drool on the side of lip. I snorted in amusement. The heartthrob of Panem drooling...I shrugged. A part of me thinks it's more adorable over gross. I shook my head at myself. Damn I've got it bad. A crush on Liam Odair, my ally.

I shouldn't be thinking that way about him. He's a tribute which means under everything he's still competition. I bit my lip, competition that promised never to kill me. I couldn't deny that he is very aesthetically pleasing to the eye. From hair to the six pack under that tight fitting shirt. I guess that's his angle though, the son of two beautiful Victors would himself be beautiful. And he is. Startling so.

And then there was that moment of weakness. Firelight glowing up our faces after being so raw and open for the first times in our lives. I blew out a shaky breath, it was only a moment of weakness. It was bound to happen. We're spending every waking minute together and we're living each day as it comes. Knowing today could be our last.

But I felt more than surface level sexual attraction. I felt a connection. Someone who for the first time, besides Trent. Someone actually understood me and funnily enough could relate in almost every way. From my sickening fame to my perfect lie of a life. With Trent, he's a brother, my family. I could never see him like that. But Liam's different, different in the sense that he's...

Well, that's the thing. I don't know what he is to me. But I've never been so vulnerable around someone. And Liam makes me vulnerable in probably the best way possible. And I know now, especially after last night. I could never raise my axe to him. I could kill anyone in here expect my brother and the boy in-front of me who, for the first time trusts me so completely to allow himself to sleep like a baby.

I'm supposed to wake him up for his watch. But I don't have the heart to do it. For two reasons. The first is that he hasn't been sleeping, not really. He'd never seen me use my axe except for a night ago. He's been staying awake with his eyes closed. So he needs it, more than I do. And then there's reason number two. A purely selfish reason. The fact that I can watch him sleep for days and never get bored of it. Watch his face relax and admire every little detail of him. I nodded, purely selfish.

I hate this arena though. Sure it has a few trees and that's always a plus. But I don't like the way Liam feels in here. Which I think shows I'm getting way too attached to my ally. It's alway too hot or too cold. Never a decent temperature and there's too much going on. Mountains on one side, small woodland and a field of poison ivy?!. Oh, and let's not forget Liam's source of water that's and I quote 'a surprise'. I frowned. I've already forgotten what year this arena is. I wonder who won it, probably someone from One or Two.

I just hope it's calm water and not anything like those waves. I almost chocked on the thought of drowning again. After I blacked out I literally thought that was it. Strangely, I don't think I was too bummed out over the thought of dying. I just didn't like that everything was quiet.

I dug my axe into the dirt in thought. I wonder if that's how Hannah and the boy that I killed felt. Like 'meh it was bound to happen' or if they feared it. I shook my head, I'm just weird most people would fear it. I looked over at Liam again and smiled lightly. I wonder if Mr confident over there fears death.

Probably because despite the fucked up life he's lived, Liam is normal and not unfeeling. Although, he kills in such an unfeeling way that even I doubt that statement. He'd hate me for thinking it but he kills like Finnick. Unable to express even a shred of empathy for anyone on the end of that trident. He even belittles them a little like smirking and shaking his head in mock sympathy. It didn't escape my notice. I exhaled, a part of him enjoys killing.

I guess I'm not one to judge. It's an adrenaline rush. It's...a feeling I don't want to acknowledge. But I know he knows I like it too. We... get off on it. I frowned maybe being similar isn't always a good thing. Maybe we're a toxic pair. Enamoured by eachother and underneath the beautiful facade's...there's something seriously messed up with the both of us.

We still continued to track through this mystery arena. I sighed dejectedly after three hours of non-stop walking. "You're sure there was water in here?".

Liam smirked at me. "Positive. We're probably really close now".

I frowned. "Probably?".

I saw his shoulders shrug in-front of me. "I was five the last time I watched it. But yeah, probably in this general direction we'll find it".

I sighed. "Maybe we just should've stuck to the beach".

He shook his head. "Nah, trust me this place is better for teaching someone to swim".

I bit my lip. "Because it's shallow?". I sounded so hopeful it's sad.

He didn't answer straight away but I heard him mutter. "Guess we'll find out".

Fuck!.

I rubbed my neck as my nerves continued to grow. "Maybe I'll just learn if I ever make it out of here alive. Nobody really drowns in the games anyways. And if I do see a big pool of water I'll just...walk around it".

Liam paused. Like actually stopped and I skidded not to collide into his back. He turned to me and observed every inch of my face but frowned at my obvious confusion. "Victoria...did you ever watch my mother's games?".

I slowly shook my head, my confusion deepening. "Why would I want to watch that? Someone got decapitate that year".

Why would I choose to further traumatise myself?!. Liam's eyes softened and he lightly cupped my cheek before giving me a pointed look. "It's not true. You drowned in the games just the other night. So you're going to learn".

That was it. He said it so strongly that I had to tell myself he didn't say end of discussion. But he more or less did with one look. He turned around and continued walking and I shook my head at the memory of it before following after him.

We continued to walk for another half an hour before we heard a loud rushing sound. Instantly Liam's hand pulled me in the direction of the sound. I followed after him almost at a run until I stopped in awe at the sight before me.

I felt my mouth open and close. "It's beautiful".

I felt Liam's eyes on me before he muttered. "Yeah it is".

Before me stood a giant cave with rocks cascading off its wall. The water pouring down with a rush of power providing the most beautiful water fall. A pool of water underneath it, a body of still, calm water. Perfect for teaching a freaked out girl like me how to swim.

He was right, it was worth the trip. And suddenly I didn't hate this arena anymore. No, it's now my favourite more so then the seventy-fourth ever could be. Nothing compares to this.

I felt Liam gently take my hand and kiss my temple. "You ready?".

Fuck... "Okay".

He gently guided me down the rocks and seemed to inspect the water and shrugged. "It's over head deep so just hold on to me, yeah?".

I nodded. Yeah, that part shouldn't be too hard. As soon as I was in the water I swear I was like a cat crawling over him with my eyes shut tight. "Oh shit!...oh my god!".

Needless to say I full on freaked out. Liam found it hilarious but was good in coaching me off him slightly so that I had only my hands on his shoulders. He was somehow able to keep us both a float and I frowned. Show off...

And then he said some things. Like this is how you 'tread' water. He named differs strokes which annoyed me. Apparently there's many different types of ways to swim. And here I was thinking swimming was simple. I guess, it is for someone like Liam who can't ever remember not knowing how to swim.

The worst was when he'd put his arm underneath me and I'd go for it, only to nearly drown when I noticed his arm wasn't under me. I actually accused him of attempting to kill me. And yeah, he just laughed in my face. Apparently it's a technique they use in Four to teach children how to swim.

Then suddenly, a miracle after two long hours. I floated. Plus, I learned you add some kicks to the float and you can move. I was doing it!. I, Victoria Mason can swim. Granted not like Liam, but I could get from one end of the pool to the other.

Enough that I didn't need Liam directly beside me. For the rest of the evening we swam together. Gliding, racing and splashing. He taught me a game called 'Marco Polo". Weird names but it was fun.

Then we danced together in the water. Slowly clinging to each-other while Liam spun us in a float. Suddenly, in the sun set with the sight of the waterfall behind us...it felt more intimate.

I sighed contently, my body floating on the water like it's the softest cloud. I smiled up at those sparkling sea green eyes. He smirked and rested his forehead on my mine. Softly spreading his fingers across my collarbone and down my arm until his hand held them together. I sighed. "I wish we could stay in here forever".

Liam's eyes softened and the next thing I know those lips are on mine. Kissing me fiercely for what feels like the end of our days.

And for the first time, I felt everything.