Day One:


Every night before I fall asleep, I think of where my sanity went.
How something so real could just disappear, I must be way too fucking dense.


Condor Teal, District Seven


Distance is all that matters. I'm not stopping for anything, and I'm sure as hell not taking my foot off the pedal because it seems safe. At my side, Helena sprints with me, panting and sweating.

The world rushes by in a blur, everything looking distorted and weird, and I know that the pain's coming. My small cramp goes by fast, yet slow, almost suspended. Then, out of nowhere, Helena hisses and makes direct impact with me. I feel my bones move in a way that they shouldn't, and I can only pray that they're not jangled.

Instead of jumping back up to see what just happened, I remain motionless – so much for not stopping for anything, am I right?

Above me, a butterfly beats its wings up and down so sharply that I'm almost afraid that it's a mutt. Almost. With legs that somehow stick, it holds the stem of a flower that's already past its peak – dying – petals blackening at the edges and curling.

That really opens up my eyes a bit more. Everything around here is beautiful, but also destructive and vulnerable at the same time; fragile... Like me.

Sighing, I place both of my hands behind my head and breathe outward deeply. ''What's up, Helena? I know that you didn't bump into me on accident. Got something to say?''

''Well, I...'' she hesitates, holding something crucial back.

Putting on a reassuring smile, I look up towards the sky and chuckle. ''Look, I trust you. Just spit it out and talk to me.''

Even though I do feel like I can place my life in her hands, I can't afford to not be weary of someone without a visible weakness like her. Sometimes I wonder if her personality is actually something less than what she's shown me.

A scowl flashes across her face as her stomach grumbles. ''I think we should go back to the cornucopia.''

''Why?'' I quickly ask. ''I mean, I know that we need food and equipment, but is it really worth it if the Careers are still there? And we don't even know what the cornucopia is. That huge manor, maybe? Even if I'm correct with that prediction, the place is too big for things to just be lying around. It's risky.''

''You just answered your own question but added so much more thinking than necessary.'' Putting her hand up to her mouth as she yawns, she adds, ''We need weapons, too. Besides, I doubt that the Careers are lingering around that area. C'mon, after the bloodbath the cannons sound. Have you heard anything yet? It's been at least an hour since what went down, so I wouldn't put it past them to be hunting right now. This is our chance!''

''But I'm not good with weapons. I'm not proficient enough to help us out with anything other than the surrounding environment! You are, though. I've seen what you can do with darts.''

And maybe I'm afraid that you might shoot me in the neck. How far does my trust really go?

''That might be true, but if something bad happens, how are we gonna protect ourselves? What do we do if we have no form of defense?''

''Yeah, you're right,'' I admit. ''Listen, I'm just a bit cautious... and scared, too. Just because I'm afraid for my life doesn't mean that I should hold us back. It sucks that we can't simply be—''

''—free? I was thinking the same exact thing.'' Picking herself up, she approaches me and grabs one of my hands. Hers are baby soft and smooth, like an infant. Maybe that's only because of the Capitol – because of her stylists – or possibly because we managed to escape without injuries.

People usually have callouses, scars, red welts from fighting for their lives and barely holding on by a thready needle, but she's different. She helps me feel more confident that we'll be able to survive this thing. My mind relaxes, changing the posture of my body from anxious to calm. With her help, I hoist myself up to my feet, smiling.

''Talk about an abstract idea. Unfortunately, neither of us will ever be free until we get out of here.''

Rolling her eyes, she lightly pats me on my shoulder and giggles. ''You're a good-natured guy, Condor, but sometimes you're too philosophical for your own good. We're free to roam around and go back for what we need, aren't we? Don't use that word in such a way. It comes in many forms, my friend.''

''It really does, huh.''

Don't be so paranoid. At the end of the day, you've got more to offer than you actually know. Learn to believe.


Cherokee Franklin, District Nine


Am I nasty person?

I didn't help anyone out during the bloodbath, and, because of me, a few of those teenagers could be dead. Me. I didn't do anything to stop it, but I'm alive because of my selfishness. This... isn't me.

What happened to the girl who was never discouraged to lend a helping hand, no matter how much of a mistake she made or what she went through?

This is the ''hidden evil'' that my parents believed in, isn't it? If I were to die back there, they'd be satisfied. If I'm to die any time soon, they'll be satisfied. But right now, being alive, living, breathing... they hate it, don't they? They think I'll become some murderous girl who feels no remorse. My one and only wish is that they understand how I feel someday.

Lavina can't say or do anything about it. While she was showered with affection, I was forced to go out there and work – I was disciplined, I was punished. Truthfully, even if I wasn't the biggest fan of my living standards, I did love my sister. She was what kept me going, and she still is. To see her face one more time... that would make all of this worth it.

For a nuclear family, we sure failed at the treat everyone equally standard. The grief of thinking about my life before the Games surges with every one of my expelled breaths, continuing to reach higher peaks, never sufficiently soothing by my long intakes of the damp air.

Tears begin to spill from my helpless eyes onto the newly growing grass. My gaze falls from bloom-to-bloom, forcing me to realize in this moment that nothing's gonna stop for me. All pretense of quiet coping is lost, and I sink deeper into the drenched boulder, not caring about the water that soaks my skin.

My fingers clasp the grass while I use my left hand to furiously scratch at my legs. ''This irritating—!''

Yikes! I almost scream.

Furiously, I close my eyes in a grimace and lie on the ground, slowly hovering my hand over the nasty gash in my leg. While sprinting away, I tripped over myself and skid across a path of nothing but dirt, twigs, and rocks. Somehow, it wouldn't surprise me if the Gamemakers 'enhanced' the sharpness of those materials for nothing more than giggles.

Wincing in pain, I stare up at my shaky hand, observing the blood that oozes between the space of my fingers. The dark crimson liquid flows from my calf and splatters onto the floor. It seems as if that every corner of this beautiful environment is ruined by my flowing blood.

All of a sudden, a brief noise catches my attention – the sound of footfalls... The approaching footsteps have the wet sound of someone stepping on grass, indicating that they're near; like someone who hasn't learned to walk quietly and instead relies on the merges to muffle their steps.

Each one is chaotically spaced from the last with no rhythm at all. Whoever it is – or better yet, whoever they are – don't care about being stealthy. They just want something, someone. Someone like me.

Back in training, one of the trainers told me that not stressing a deep scratch was the best possible solution for aiding it in its recovery, but in a situation like this, it's not worth it. I want to live, I deserve to live!

That's why, in a heartbeat, I disappear from the view and get a head start.


Sota Shirai, District Four


This countryside stretches before us like a great quilt of golden, brown and green squares held together by the thick green stitching of hedgerows. They rise and fall like giant waves on a gentle ocean, dotted with grass, but barely any animals. Occasionally there'll be a wood that separates the fields, or a farmhouse barn, but not now.

''Thought you said you knew exactly where the tributes would be?'' Aurora says, placing her pack down on the wet green and sighing. ''Well, that's okay, I guess. A break wouldn't be bad after traveling such a distance.''

I'm about to respond, but there's no doubt or surprise that hits me when Odessa begins to unpack beside Aurora and urges, ''You don't have to be so kind to him, you know. We all make mistakes, but criticizing each other is the best thing we can do right now.''

''Ain't that the truth?'' Camille chimes in. ''Charging in here like this was pretty stupid, Sota, but I can commend you for trying. It'd be better if we let the Gamemakers guide us, honestly.''

''No, it wasn't stupid at all. Just because you think something's stupid doesn't mean it actually is. Besides, my idea wasn't anywhere close to being a flaw,'' I speak up, verbally holding my own against them. ''Any ideas that come from Panem's brightest star are perfection, nothing le—''

The casualty of our conversation dies down as soon as I lose my balance and nearly do a split, guillotined from our mouths. Creases tug at everyone else's lips in a mock gesture, but I smile to myself because I'm brilliant. The liquid that I stepped on wasn't water, but instead blood... a trail of blood.

''Looks like it really wasn't so stupid after all.'' Pointing down at my legs, Aether continues by giving me a quick nod. ''Whoever we're hunting, they've just led us straight to them.''

Cassian looks shook. ''No way. Is this a dream? Sota Shirai actually had a bright idea for once? Shoot me.''

I reach into my lower pocket and grab a hold of one of the pistols that I acquired in a playful way. ''You bet your fucking ass I did.''

''Maybe we should wait before criticizing our allies this early on, don't you two think?'' Aurora gazes towards Camille and Odessa, who share a glance and then both look away. ''Come on, girls, it's all jokes!''

''Whatever,'' I groan. ''You guys can all joke around, but I'm here to show Panem who's the best once and for all.''

I begin to venture forward and follow the blood, the rest of my alliance right behind me. Sooner than I expect, I begin to hear a silent cry of pain that fills my ears. In the distance – not too far away, yet not too close, either – I spot a small girl, hunched over and distraught. For some odd reason, she perks up, probably sensing our presence, and before anyone can do anything about it she takes off in a sprint.

''She's running for it!'' Cassian announces, reaching for his machete and preparing to take off after her.

''No, you don't!'' I shout.

Surprisingly, everyone else stands still, waiting for me to carry out my actions. Other than Cassian, of course, who's completely oblivious to the fact that this chick is my kill. As he takes a few steps forward, I kick out my leg, trip him, draw the crossbow from my hunting pack, and place a bolt in the barrel, nocking it into place.

Leveling the weapon at an angle that will send the bolt into the girls lower area, I aim just under her thigh and pull back on the tight string. For a brief moment, Ursula's proud and hoping face pops into my mind, and I nearly choke.

The bolt soars through the air at high speeds, circling around as it picks up wind, and then finally embeds itself into the young girl's popliteal artery. Nothing comes out of the girl's mouth this time, not even a tiny squeal. Instead, she heavily tumbles to the ground, her skin clammy and glistening with cold sweat.

Narrowing my eyes, I almost shake my head at the blood blasting from the back of her knee, kinda like a fountain or something. Her eyes grow wide, as if someone – yes, me – is going to deliver the fatal blow. Grabbing a hold of the bolt, I rip it out of her, excusing myself by saying, ''This can be reused, as you can tell.''

Forcefully kicking her shoulder back and pressuring her against the ground, I swiftly remove a sharp, deadly knife from my belt and twirl it in my hand, arching it up in the air. As soon as I lower my arm, a scream erupts from her throat – there it is! Fortunately for her, it dies down quickly, as my knife buries itself into her suprasternal notch, hilt deep between her neck and collar bone with such ease.

Her shaking eyes meet mine, pleading, but her cannon sounds soon after they gloss over. Yanking out the second blade, I place both blood-covered weapons back into my inventory and try to convince myself that this was worth it.

''First blood for Fizzy Pop, bitches!'' I claim. ''This just proves that I'm better than the rest of you! Where are your kills? How many of you can actually say that you've taken a life? Fizzy Pop can! Yeah, that's right. I—''

''Stop listening to what the Capitol wants and become your own man... be who you want to be, okay?''

Ursula's words flutter in my mind, causing me to grow unsteady. My head begins to spin, and all of a sudden I start to feel nauseous. Staring down at the girl's body, I notice the giant Nine on her back. Funny... I killed a girl and I didn't even know her name.

I've done something clearly awful, all because I wanna justify my previous actions and become famous again. Not only does the guilt sit on my chest, but it's in my brain, not allowing me to get over this.

''So... How does it feel?'' Cassian asks, breaking the awkward silence.

As I'm about to answer, Camille slowly approaches the girl and slashes an axe across her back, making sure that she's dead. You could have just checked her pulse, asshole!

She looks up at me, waiting for my answer just like the rest of the alliance. Cassian's serious for once, Aurora looks scared, Aether and Odessa seem worried but keep a blank face, and Camille appears fascinated. No matter what I think, there's only one answer that satisfies everyone.

''...It feels great, duh! I'm one step closer thanks to her.''


Millet Arrowroot, District Nine


They took her away as if she were a prize that they won. The only thing that I imagined as she died was her dangling from a high-rise tower, and the one thing between her and certain death was my outstretched hand.

I didn't reach her in time...

Her life was miserable – she was cast off like a worn sock, she wasn't cared for as much as she should have been. I always cared for her, but it's too late to admit that. I should've soothed her in the bad times that were there before we entered this cursed arena, but there's not a single ounce of forgiveness in my soul.

I knew what I was doing when I ran away from Cherokee. I knew how selfish I was being when I decided to be sensible and get out of there before they found me. Seeing that axe slash across her back made me remember.

The sound of her cannon blasting repeats over and over again in my head. Running my hand through my smooth hair in a quick succession, I sit down in the center of the cornucopia and fix my gaze on one spot that I believe a camera is in with a stare that could freeze anyone in sight.

It's just like Mom, Dad, and Ryess. I wanted to protect all three of them, and in her final moments, I suddenly wanted to protect Cherokee, too. Now I can barely hold my emotions in place like I always have, barely keep my eyes from welling up – each tear a fine work of art that I couldn't ever create in a thousand lifetimes.

''Millet?!''

As I wipe my eyes with the back of my hand, I spin around and find Natalie sprinting towards me. ''Natalie!''

Before I know it, my ally is five feet away from me, her expression mixed with happiness and surprise. ''I thought you left me! Seriously, where did you go? I've been lingering around here for hours after they took me.''

''I didn't know that you got captured.'' Pressing both of my hands against my face, I let out a shallow gasp and take in this sweet moment. ''Like everyone else, I ran as fast as I could and thought I'd find you somewhere out in the open. Thankfully I came back. How'd you escape, and where'd they take you?''

''Just beyond those fences beside the manor,'' she answers truthfully. ''Malik and his alliance helped me climb over them, then we went our separate ways. I was scared that... Millet? What's wrong?''

''We need to go inside that mansion and collect some supplies.'' Natalie's face contorts into a look that screams 'No way'. A silence creeps over us, and she steps back. ''You've got nothing to fear, I swear.''

''The Careers could be in there, Millet! I don't think that taking the risk is worth it.''

''They're not!'' I spit in utter frustration.

''How would you know?'' She peers down at me in a more strict manner, face resolutely unsatisfied.

I stand up without a word, collecting myself and taking responsibility of both our lives. ''Because I saw them kill Cherokee. Her back was slashed, and she...'' After a few seconds, I speak up again. ''She died, okay? I don't know how much time we have left, but the Careers, for a fact, were definitely in there. They had bags and weapons and belts... there's no way that they got sponsors this early on, so heading in there is our only option.''

Natalie puts her head down, almost as if she's searching for the right words to say so that she doesn't get some sort of backlash, and then finally responds with, ''I'm sorry for your loss. What are your plans?''

''Well, I figure that one kill isn't going to please them, the audience, or the Gamemakers, so we have quite some time to gather equipment. Since all of them are out hunting, we should be meticulous and look for the best and most important stockpiles.''

Behind Natalie, the sun casts its golden rays down upon the clouds of billowing smoke, turning them bright red. Not too long now before they begin to head back. ''I'm going in there whether you follow me or not. I'd rather take the chance and be able to defend myself instead of being out here without a source of protection. I care for you, but if you're not willing to co-operate, then I won't force you.''

I take a step forward and walk beside Natalie, away from our vulnerable position. Before I can get too far from her, though, she reaches out and grabs my wrist. Her eyes sparkle in the comforting light, showing the determination that she carries. ''Lead the way.''

In this moment, it's really hard not to smile.


Gideon Alvaro, District Three


I feel a raindrop fall against my skin, followed by several others, but I currently have no form of shelter. Continuing to move, I find myself eventually settling on a thick tree and leaning back on my palms to observe the remaining constellations uncovered from the clouds.

The moon hangs full and hazy beneath an eclipse of blazing stars, allowing me to see much clearer at this time of day. My body feels like a fountain for the incoming rain, the water making my eyelids heavy.

I close my dull eyes, a rattled sigh passing through my parted lips, causing my breath to fog up in front of me, obscuring my vision. Just as I feel myself beginning to relax, the Capitol anthem begins to play, followed by the precious seal, and then the smiling face of the District Nine girl appears.

Despite hearing her cannon sound, I still can't believe that only one person died today. Wow, only twenty-four others to get through.

But... I can do it. I can get back to Eren as long as I stick to my plans. Don't forget, you've got Aether to thank. He took a bullet for you.

I wish I could repay him in some way, but what's there to do? Honestly, he's the only person here that I'd be okay with having as an ally. Maybe that would have been the better plan, but I don't know how the Careers would've acted. If he left them like he told me he would, then would they make it a goal to hunt us? Put a target on our heads?

Fixing my posture and cracking my back, I brush my hand through my wet, soaked hair and bite my lips. It's good that I remained guarded and took my own path, I suppose. There are too many things that could happen, and the majority of those that are surging in my mind are bad.

Somewhere off in the close distance, I notice that the usual blackness of this night is replaced with brilliant colors of red, orange and yellow. Maybe it's a festival, maybe it's a fire. There's absolutely no way to find out unless...

Come on, stop being so scared of the unknown. There was only one death for a reason. If the Gamemakers wanted more, there'd be more. Step out of your comfort zone for once and go check it out.

With clenched fists, I swallow down my pride and take multiple steps forward until I find myself standing in front of some sort of blacksmith's shop, located in an extremely isolated area. The building is of a usual drab, unpainted, flat lumber, and the roof's covered with cedar shingles. A few horses sleep in one big room on the dirty floor where equipment is kept.

''Who goes there?!'' I flinch as soon as I hear a man's voice and throw myself onto the ground. The grinding of iron stops sounding, and his footsteps resonate in my ears. ''If you be come in peace, I receive you in peace. Heroism ins the dignity of my ancestors, and, in their name, I welcome you.''

Slowly rising to my feet, I come into view of the heavily-armored, fully grown man. ''Uh... Hey, I was—''

''No need to be scared, Sonny.'' Ironically enough, the man's holding a dagger in his padded gloves. Once he catches me eyeing it, he lets out a hearty laugh and places it to the side. ''Sorry about that, chile. What's yer name?''

I shake my head, blinking repeatedly in order to get this water out of my vision. ''Gideon... sir?'' Grabbing the bottom of my shirt, I bring it up to my face and cover myself from the freezing temperature. The man – mutt? – notices my trembling body and invites me inside, into the warmth of his little shop. ''Thank you. If it isn't a problem, may I ask why you're located so far from everything else?''

He stretches his arm around his chest and gives me a toothy grin. ''Guess ya didn't herr 'bout the Civil War, eh? Ya see, since we's in the South, this place here be very private. Our noble soldiers gots to get they weapons from someone, and that be me. If I was in some city area where them Northerners could find me, that'd be my life. I be the one to put the blade in they rifle muzzles.''

I've got no idea as to what this ''Civil War'' is, or what's goin' on between the ''North'' and ''South'', but I nod my head anyway. ''Wha 'bout yerself, boy?''

To be honest, I don't even know what to say, and for all I know, he could be one of those horsemen who were intent on kidnapping everyone at the start. But after about twenty minutes of explaining what the hell I just went through, he gives me a shocked look.

''Ya need to leave immediately.'' My heart drops when he says this. Careful not to make any sudden movements, I slowly move back, but then he stops me in my tracks and says, ''Take this dagga here. You slaves ain't meant to be free, but lucky for ya, I ain't a crooked human m'self. Once ya leave this place, head East until ya arrive in a town called Beaufort. The people there ain't cruel, but be careful. It'll take ya a day at least to gets there, but if you see any soldiers, I say—''

''No need for heading to Beaufort.'' Completely dismissing the idea, I gratefully take the four inch dagger. It lies in my cold hands, so sharp that even the most gentle of touches to flesh would result in a free bleeding cut. ''Do you have some string by any chance? I intend on crafting a spear as a means of safety with this dagger. Maybe combine it with a fallen tree branch, you get me?''

''You's an innovative one, ain't ya? I do, actually.'' His boots slap hard against the concrete floor as he retreats to his closet of inventory. Once he comes back to me, he hands me two ripped-up, plastic strings that look more like fringes. ''Why ain't ya wanna go to Beaufort?''

''Because there's someone I gotta find,'' I concede. And because Beaufort might be a trap. The soldiers could be heading through there from what you said earlier. Your idea isn't the same as mine, old man; and mine doesn't end up in me regretting my choices.

''A special lady, lad?''

''Not quite.''

Springing up with a shrug, I cross my arms together after securing the dagger in my pockets, confirming that it won't cut me by any means. ''Well, I gotta go. Thanks for everything, sir.''

The man holds out his hand at the last minute, grabbing my shoulder before I can enter the rainy night once more. ''Just know this. Awkward ties only confuse us poor humans. We forget each other as soon as the sun sets. Trust me.''


26th - Cherokee Franklin, District Nine


Red, sorry 'bout Cherokee. She was a really different type of tribute that I'd never actually received before. The whole bad luck and superstitious thing was a lot, but I liked it. It was fun, and even if other people thought it was too much or just uninteresting, I still thought it was a cool thing to write. Cherokee was the pity tribute in this story, I'd say. Terrible life, terrible family, terrible luck. Really, nothing was looking up for her. Honestly, I thought about the idea of getting her somewhere but nothing big came up. I don't think it would've worked out, but I wanted to give her that bit of a boost to stop helping everyone else out and to not feel bad about it. Be more determined for her own life and end up saying screw the rest, giving into who her parents thought she'd be. I figured that it'd tear her up, and it did, in the end. But, she doesn't have to worry about all that anymore. R.I.P.


A/N: Ayeee! Bet y'all thought I gave up on this shit/and or was dead. Anyway, nah, both of those are wrong. Tbh, I know it's been almost two months, and there's really no excuse for not updating. Yeah, life gets in the way, but make some time, right? Shit's been busy, but at least I could get this up to you guys. I wanted to update this way back, but I was unmotivated and that went on for a good three weeks. I got a summer job sometime around middle June, and as soon as I got it everyone quit because they were tired of the management there. So there's this manager lady who's not in a lot, but I love her, she's adorable and the nicest person ever, and then there's like her supervisor boss dude who's always in the building and it's annoying af. Only like three of us work there, and he's on my ass like 75% of the time and works me from 1:30-11:30 6 out of 7 days a week and I'm not really down with all that. Got to talk with like everyone who used to work there and they all hate him. Anyway, yeah, bad hours, limited time with friends, family, updating, basketball, everything, basically. Whenever I have my off days, I choose to sleep and be a sloth, but hey, whatever, right?

Anyway, I'm quitting in like three days when I get my next paycheck. Should've gave them a notice, but I'm kinda done with filling up everyone's spots for more money. And fr, the money got to my head but I'm out after this week, so more updating and relaxing time, ig. Also, sorry to anyone I reply to late. Kinda lazy, kinda tired, mix of both. This is like my break time rn, still on clock, but I'ma update this because you guys deserve an update and there are no customers and I'm bored. Tomorrow's an off day but I probably won't answer PMs or anything either b/c I'ma just sleep all day. This chapter was fast-paced and bit rushed, as you can tell. Kinda rusty, but whatever, this is satisfactory enough for me, at least. Hope y'all are good with it, too. That's all I gotta say, unless I remember something else and just update it in real quick. Currently 9:18 here, so yeah. Hope y'all are enjoying your nights or whatever time of day it is for you wherever you live. See y'all next chapter ^