As usual, this is unedited. I was planning to edit it (for once) but then I realized it was nearly a month since I last uploaded and figured I shouldn't waste anymore time. Well, that's my excuse - I'm actually just lazy af.

I'm also struggling with adding some of the horizontal lines? Not sure why they won't show.

District 2

Glorian Stafford

Glorian is wide awake.

I know that much. As I watch the sun peek out from behind the treeline in the distance, I know it's time for me to finally get out of this canyon and this arena once and for all. Dead or alive, I'm leaving this arena today.

It's been more than two weeks since I first entered the arena, about three since the Reaping. It's odd to think that almost everyone I knew is dead now. Glitter, who I didn't know very well or particularly like, is now dead. Lucretius, who I didn't know very well but liked nonetheless is dead. Noelani, who I knew better than most of these tributes and liked, is dead… at my hands.

I did what I had to. I'm aware of that fact. But it doesn't change that I feel guilty about all of it. No gets out of the arena with clean hands - that's what I've learned. And while I've done some things that plague my mind and darken my heart, I'm sure it applies to everyone else as well. I'm not the only one who killed. I'm not the only one who betrayed.

I kept to my morals to the best of my ability - however, in the arena, most deals are off. You do what it takes to survive, even if it hurts someone else. I'm glad I feel guilty about what I've done - I'd be horrible if I didn't - but I wish I could forget it. I wish the blow to my head as I toppled down the side of the canyon knocked the memories of certain things out of my head.

Like killing Noelani. I can still feel the sword plunge into her chest, and I know that if I survive, I'll never be able to forget it. It's going to stand up there with Gonzalo's death, haunting me night and day.

I've been told that no Victors walk away from the Games mentally unscathed. Nearly all have guilt, and the ones that don't usually have some sort of trauma. When I Volunteered, I knew I'd have some guilt, but I didn't anticipate how strong it'd be.

Oh well. The best I can do now is try and complete my purpose, honoring those who've died because of me. I've always had a small part in the back of my mind where I considered perhaps it would be more just if I died as well.

But what good would that do? Then everyone would just forget. They'd forget about me, they'd forget about Noelani, they'd forget about Gonzalo… I need to make sure people remember.

Shakily, I stand up. My jacket is torn to shreds, so I rip it off. It's very hot today so I won't need it. My muscles feel a bit weak after everything, but they support me. Hopefully they'll return back to normal strength after my walk to the Cornucopia. Nervously, I look up the canyon. It's a long climb. It definitely won't be very fun to scramble up the side of a mountain with my weakened body, but I think I can do it. My mind is already mapping out a path.

With clenched teeth, I begin the climb. This won't be fun, but I just have to remember that by the end of the day, this will all be over.

Glorian is determined to make a difference. Dead or alive.

District 6

Axel Woodleigh

Axel is scared.

I'm so close to returning home. I've reached the Final Four and I still have the green jewel clutched in my hand. All I have to do now is get to the Cornucopia, where I'll get out of here. That's all I have to do. I'm so close to seeing Dad… Mom… my sister Alexa. I just have to make it to the Cornucopia.

I've been walking all morning, eager to get home. I'm on edge - the last thing I want is for one of the Careers to pop out and kill me before I can make it to that golden horn.

I didn't think I would make it this far. I always thought that I'd die early; that's what most people assume when it comes to twelve-year-olds. The last twelve-year-old that won was a long time ago - nearly a century. I think it was around the 270th Hunger Games? Anyway, at this point, a twelve-year-old winning is almost unheard of.

The leaves to my left break away as a figure comes running through and I let out a strangled gasp. Before I can see my attacker, they tackle me to the ground.

"P-please don't kill me!" I beg as I try to push them off. "I-I have this gem?"

My attacker immediately freezes.

"You have a gem?" they ask. It's a female voice, so I can deduce that this is the girl from District 1.

"Yeah," I respond, slightly surprised that they're even paying attention to this. "If I get to the Cornucopia, I can go home. As a survivor - not a Victor, so you'd still be able to win. Please, just… let me go. I won't hurt you."

"Okay," she says, looking a bit surprised at yourself. She begins regaining her sense. "Okay; yeah, why wouldn't I let you go?"

"Y-yeah," I agree, getting to my feet. I brush the tears away from my eyes. "S-so you'll let me go?"

"I'll take you to the Cornucopia," she decides.

"Huh?"

"I'll escort you there, so no one else attacks you. I don't think Glorian would, but I wouldn't put it past Trajan."

"Glorian might," I mumble, "I pushed him off a cliff."

The girl stares at me for a second, then a smile breaks across her face.

"Huh. You're tougher than I thought. It's too bad you didn't kill him - that would have made things a lot easier."

"So you're really going to take me to the Cornucopia?" I ask.

"Yep," she says. "If you can survive alongside me, I want that to happen. The more survivors, the better, right?"

"Yeah," I smile, a bit nervously. I think I can trust her - she seems to understand the logic of keeping me alive, and if she wanted to kill me, she would have already done so. I can't help but be a bit wary, though. "Here, the Cornucopia's this way."

She unsheathes her sword and begins walking toward the Cornucopia, looking warily from side to side. I stick close to her - if someone's offering to get me home, I don't want to get lost or separated from them.

Maybe I can do this? It's so close, now - I can taste it. I feel like I'm almost tasting District 6; the smoke from all of the factories and the dark rough District 6 bread; the constant rain and the constant clanging of machinery wherever you go. I used to find it unpleasant, but now it's appealing in a way it's never been to me.

Home. I long to be held in my mother's arms again, safe and free from all of this horror.

Axel is going home. Dead or alive.

District 1

Trajan Seth

Trajan is alert.

I can see the entire Cornucopia laid out below. Perched on the cliff with the wolf next to me, I know the time is coming for me to zipline down. I've already figured out how it works in preparation; I was clever enough to realize I need to be able to swing down the moment I see anyone enter the clearing, so I worked it out in advance. There's a harness made of leather straps and I just need to tighten the buckles to get into them. There's also this lever to stop the zipline, which seems like a pretty important tool for when I reach the bottom.

My sharp eyes stay locked on the clearing in the Cornucopia, waiting for somebody to break through the treeline. I'm hoping they'll enter one by one so I can pick them off. It would suck if Glorian and Cecelia somehow allied; that would make things difficult. However, Glorian killed Noelani, so I believe they hate each other and working together would be out of the question. I can't imagine either being dumb enough to team up with the twelve-year-old, but who knows? Either way, he'll be easy pickings. I don't care if he scored an 8; I've seen him fight before and it's not the most impressive display.

The wolf looks at me with big eyes again, begging. I sigh and scratch its scruff. I know what it wants - the thing's hungry. But I don't have food, and if I did, I would take it for myself. I don't really want the wolf to be taken away from me. I didn't want to get attached to it, which is why I didn't name it. Well, I subconsciously think of it as Trajan Junior, but I'm trying to stop calling it that. I wonder if I would be allowed to take it with me when I win?

Damn it, I'm now attached to an animal. How ironic that it's a wolf. The Gamemakers appreciate irony; maybe they'll let me keep it for humor's sake.

I sigh. I'm being fucking optimistic. What has become of me?

I forget about the whole wolf issue when my eyes pick out two figures entering the clearing down below. A smile creeps across my face when I recognize them as Cecelia and the Six boy.

"Come on, Trajan Junior - it's time for us to make the Final Two," I mutter eagerly, picking up the wolf. I groan under his weight - I think he's a relatively light wolf, but it's still difficult. I clumsily climb into the harness, my stomach suddenly jolting when I realize I'm at the very edge of the cliff. "It's pretty high. Don't move," I tell my canine companion, fully aware he has no idea what I'm saying.

I tighten the straps (not too much, I want to be able to get out easily when I make it to the bottom) and take a deep breath. Mentally ready (kind of) I jump.

For a second, it feels like we're just falling. Trajan Junior howls and I tighten my grip on him, fist digging into his scruff, but then the harness catches us and we go shooting forward.

We're flying toward the ground quickly, the whole arena going by in a blur around us. I underestimated the speed, and it's all I can do to remain calm. I'm fairly certain I left my stomach behind on that cliff.

As we approach the ground, my right hand begins grappling for the brake - unfortunately, my right hand is holding my sword and my left is busy keeping Trajan Junior secure against my chest. I stick the handle of the sword between my teeth, clamping down painfully hard as I yank the brake to a stop just in time.

Cecelia and Axel still haven't noticed me. The zipline comes to a stop just behind the Cornucopia, so I have the element of surprise. I'm sure the screeching of the brake alerted them somewhat, but I doubt they know what it is. The harness swings back and forth when it stops, and I quickly climb out of it. Trajan Junior jumps from my arms and shakes his shaggy coat, looking frazzled.

I pull the sword from my mouth and Junior and I begin sneaking around the horn.

"What was that noise?" I hear the boy ask shrilly.

"Maybe the hovercraft?" Cecelia replies, sounding very unsure.

I step out from behind the Cornucopia, revealing myself.

"The hunter has come for the shepherd," I announce, Trajan Junior snaking around my legs. Cecelia and Six's heads snap toward me. Her expression immediately coldens.

"What is he talking about?" Six whispers, but we ignore him.

"I see you've gotten yourself a pet," Cecelia remarks.

"Yep. And he's going to eat your little ally as I kill you," I say casually. Then, pointing at Six, I say, "Food! Attack!"

Trajan Junior looks at me cluelessly.

"Well, you're an idiot, aren't you?"

He dumbly smiles.

"Go get!" I snarl. This time, he gets the clue and charges at Six. The boy screams and tries to use his arms as a shield but Trajan Junior knocks him down. Cecelia leaps to try and protect Six, but I'm already rushing at her. "Hey Cecelia!" I shout.

As she turns to look, I slam my sword down toward her head. She ducks just in time and the blade whistles over her head. Pumped with adrenaline, I immediately bring it back. Cecelia unsheathes her sword quickly and blocks my attack. Metal grinds until she throws my blade off and jabs her's at mine.

I twist to avoid the blade and send a swift kick to her knee. Her leg buckles and she drops to her knees. I swing my sword at her face, but she manages to avoid it by dropping to her stomach. Even though she's not dead, this gives me the chance to jump on top of her.

Cecelia attempts to swing her sword to hit me, but I hit the blade so hard, it flies from her hands. I can see in her eyes that she knows the battle is lost.

I raise my sword, prepared to bring it down on her.

BANG!

I'm confused. I don't feel the pain in my stomach at first. Then it shoots through me like a lightning bolt and I fall off of Cecelia. I look down at my stomach in shock, where a puddle of red is spreading around a small hole just above my navel.

I whimper in pain as I fall back against the ground. How… how did I not win? I don't understand. My head falls to the side and I see four figures standing at the edge of the clearing. I cry out when they come into view - the girl from District Eight, the boy from District Twelve, the boy from District 9, and Lucretius Marlo. My victims.

"Karma," the girl from Eight says, smirking.

"You deserve to die. You don't deserve to win," says the boy from District Nine.

"Now you have to join us. You have to join your victims," Luc says.

"I-I'm sorry!" I blurt out. I don't know what made me admit my guilt; maybe the pain spreading through my stomach or the dim awareness I won't have any other chance. But I've done what I never thought I'd do - admit my wrongdoings.

"You'd better be," someone says. I look up and see Cecelia standing over me, gun pointed down toward my face.

"Sorry," I whisper again.

BANG!

Trajan is sorry. Trajan is dead, but he will still be haunted - dead or alive.

District 1

Cecelia Hart

Cecelia is surprised.

Moments after firing the gun, a cannon rings through the air, signalling Trajan's death. I'm not as pleased as I thought I'd be. Trajan is so despicable, I thought I'd be rejoicing at his death. But all I feel is a bit of grim satisfaction. And then fear when I remember Axel.

I spin around, terrified that the cannon I initially assumed was Trajan's could actually be for Axel.

But Axel is still thrashing around on the ground, desperately trying to push Trajan's wolf away. I think he's weaponless, because all he seems to have done is keep it from doing any serious damage. Before it gets the chance to, I scoop up the sword and jam it into the wolf's hide. The wolf howls and scampers off of Axel. I threateningly lunge at it and it runs off into the jungle.

"Are you okay?" I ask Axel when I'm satisfied the wolf has left us alone.

"Yeah," he murmurs, still in shock. His right hand clamps his shoulder, where I see blood oozing out. "My shoulder hurts a little bit," he admits, trying to sit up. He falls back, wincing. "Okay, a lot."

I kneel down beside him and gently draw his hand away to inspect the wound. It's deep and bleeding fairly heavily, but it's high enough that it missed the heart. I think he'll be fine, considering he'll get treatment very soon.

"It hurts a lot," he whimpers as I pull him to his feet.

"I know. But you're getting out of here, right? You can see your Mom again."

"Yeah," he nods. Though he's still in pain, he looks considerably brighter at the notion of returning home. He looks up at the sky and I notice tears in his big brown eyes. "There it is," he says, so quietly, I almost don't hear him.

"The hovercraft?" I ask. He leaves my question unanswered as I look up at the sky, seeing the giant contraption hovering above us. A ladder is slowly sliding down for Axel. I feel a lump in my chest as I look up at the machine that will finally take Axel from this horrible place; I can't help but wish it was for me instead. How wonderful would it be if everything ended right now?

The ladder slides down until it's in front of us. Axel glances at me with hopeful eyes.

"I hope you win," he says.

"Me too," I sigh, ruffling his mop of dark hair. He gives me a sorrowful smile that makes him seem way older than twelve year old and grips onto the ladder. His body seizes up as the bolt of electricity shocks through him and he's frozen as the ladder begins to retract, bringing him to safety.

I bite my lip painfully hard as I watch him get whisked into the hovercraft. A moment later, it disappears.

Somebody finally left the arena - alive, for once. I can't help but feel a bit jealous of him. He's finally free of all of this madness, whereas I have one more fight. Against someone who will be difficult to beat.

Looking back on the Hunger Games, I don't think I made the best choices. I antagonized Trajan, leading him to hate me. I grew much too close with Noelani. I ditched the Careers and took their supplies rather than having an amicable split. Despite Noelani's warnings, I took Trajan's gun… which woke him up… and caused him to wake Glorian… who killed Noelani.

It's my fault Noelani's dead. I may not have delivered the final blow, but my stupidity was what led to her death. Glorian was just doing what we've been trained to do - kill. We've all just been manipulated to put on this show for the Capitol. It's just a fucking reality show! A reality show where we slaughter each other and ruin our lives! It's messed up. The Capitol is messed up.

The problem is, I have a lot of hurt and anger. But I can't blame it on others. I'm the only one I can blame. In some way, everything that hurts me is something I did to myself. I killed Noelani. I volunteered to be on this fucking game show. I can never escape all of this guilt - I'll always be guilty. But maybe I can stop blaming other people?

Or maybe I should stop blaming innocent people. Because after all, I didn't purposefully mess everything up. I was just a mindless pawn. But I don't want to be the pawn. I want to be more than that, and get rid of this fucking catastrophe of a world. I don't want to be whatever sick entertainment the Capitol makes me.

Trajan was right. Except there aren't any wolves in this arena - there never were. Trajan wasn't a wolf. The boy from District 5 wasn't a wolf. I sure as hell wasn't a wolf. We're all sheep. The Capitol are the wolves. And they hunt us repeatedly and we're just sheep so we blame each other.

I laugh out loud maniacally - am I seriously believing Trajan's messed up philosophies now? I suppose I should get out of this arena before I grow anymore crazy. I don't want to lose any of the little sense I have remaining.

"Come on, Glorian! Can we just get this over with?" I scream at the top of my lungs. I doubt he can hear me - for all I know, he's on the other side of the arena. Or stuck in the canyon that Axel claims he pushed him into.

I sit down, leaning against the Cornucopia where I spent so much of my time in this arena. This may take a while. But I'll be ready.

Cecelia will not be a sheep. Dead or alive.

The Arena

Glorian is close, now. He can feel it. He has walked all day, and now, as the sun begins to hide behind the treeline in the distance, he can just about see the golden glint of the Cornucopia from between the cracks in the trees.

Cecilia knows Glorian's close. The arena has gone completely silent, all mutts quieted for this final duel. She can hear Glorian stomping through the forest. It looks like it will be a sunset duel.

Glorian is scared. He's strong, but so's Cecelia. She hasn't been walking all day, so she must be more energized for this moment.

Cecelia is excited. Not for the duel, but to get this over with. She thinks she has a chance, but she has no idea what shape Glorian's in. This could be the end for her.

Glorian wants to win. He wants to make sure Gonzalo is remembered. He wants to make sure he isn't forgotten about. So many lives are destroyed because of the Capitol - he wants to do something about it!

Cecelia also wants to win. She wants to get revenge. For Noelani; for anyone who has died at the Capitol hands. She needs to get rid of this injustice once and for all.

Glorian has a sword.

Cecelia has a sword as well. He gun is ridden of bullets, making this a full melee fight.

The only other thing Glorian has is his heart. His love for Gonzalo is what drives him.

The only other thing Cecelia has is her soul. Her burning desire for freedom is what drives her.

Glorian is thinking about the past. He wishes Gonzalo wasn't gone, but now that he is, the best he can do is fight for him. That's all he's ever done. Fight for other people.

Cecelia is thinking about the future. She wishes one day, they wouldn't be controlled like puppets. That's all she's ever done. Fought for the Capitol. She wants to break free from the strings.

Glorian has nothing back in District 2. All he has is the hope he can make a difference.

Cecelia needs to save her family; she has to remember that.

Glorian misses Gonzalo.

Cecelia misses Noelani.

Glorian is ready.

Cecelia is ready.

Glorian enters the clearing, sword in hand.

Cecelia stands up at his approach, already unsheathing her sword.

The two stare at each other for a moment before Glorian begins jogging toward Cecelia.

Cecelia charges at him. The two meet in the center, swords clashing as they slam into each other.

Glorian stands, rooted to the ground.

Cecelia stumbles, but immediately bounces back, slashing her sword at Glorian again.

Glorian blocks with his own sword and knocks hers away.

Cecelia sees Glorian's sword come flying toward her stomach and she leaps back. It only skims along her gut, barely cutting the skin.

Glorian's powerful slice pulls him to the side as Cecelia kicks him in the chest. He stumbles back, barely keeping his balance.

Cecelia jabs her sword toward him and it slides along his bicep, cutting deeply.

Glorian howls at the pain, reciprocating by slamming his sword into Cecelia's calf.

Cecelia's leg buckles and she falls back. Before she can get up, Glorian pounces on her.

Glorian tries to disarm her, but she uses her free hand to clumsily punch his nose.

Cecelia rejoices when the blow knocks Glorian back, allowing her to stand. She's less pleased when he manages to grab her foot and violently twists it, snapping her ankle.

Glorian cries out as Cecelia swipes her blade across his forehead, causing him to release her leg. He now has a stream of blood leaking into his eyes. It hurts, but she didn't cut bone. He's still okay.

Cecelia almost falls again after attempting to put weight on her ankle. She can barely walk, but she's still alive.

Glorian climbs to his feet, wiping blood out of his eyes.

Cecelia uses her sword as a temporary crutch, wincing in pain.

They stand still, watching each other for a moment. Who will strike first?

One of them finally decides to strike, lunging at the other. The other knocks their blade aside and sends a knee into their stomach. The first one stumbles back, wind knocked out of them.

The second takes this time to attempt to decapitate them, sending the sword in a whistling arc toward their neck. However, the first holds up their sword just in time, blocking the blow.

Cecelia's leg buckles again, but she stays upright.

Glorian's arm is hurting a lot.

The first kicks the second in the shin, causing them to release the pressure on the sword.

Cecelia thinks of Noelani. She wants to win for her.

Glorian thinks of Gonzalo. He wants to win for him.

The first strikes back, energy renewed by the memory of their loved one. They want this to end. The jab the sword at the second, who can't sidestep in time. The sword enters their side, probably dodging major organs, but still dangerous.

The second cries out, waving their sword at the first in attempt to hit them. The first dodges, hitting them again, this time on the thigh.

The second falls back, overcome by their injuries. The first looks down at them, hesitant. Do they really want to kill?

No. But they do want to leave so that they can make a difference. With that, they drive the sword down into the second.

A cannon fires.

They're finally going home.

I'll post the Victor announcement soon. It won't be long, so I promise I won't take a long time to write it.

I still don't know who the Victor will be! Please review who you want it to be and who you think it will be. I'll also have one final poll.

DAY 1:

24th: Zaira Quentin (D7F)
23rd: Nikola Allegra (D3M)
22nd: Savanna Davison (D9F)
21st: Kade Anderson (D11M)
20th: Macey Aderyn (D5F)
20th: Tracey Aderyn (D5F)
19th: Quinten Fredericus (D12M)
18th: Felix Camacho (D8M)
17th: Buck Hayford (D10M)

DAY 2:

None.

DAY 3:

16th: Linen Baird (D8F)

DAY 4:

15th: Lucretius Marlo (D4M)
14th: Glitter Monique (D5F)

DAY 5:

None.

DAY 6:

13th: Arabella Cantros (D10F)

DAY 7:

12th: Dennis Fielder (D5M)

DAY 8:

11th: Yael Harident (D11F)
10th: Rachel Ivy (D12F)

DAY 9:

None.

DAY 10:

9th: Noelani King (D4F)

DAY 11:

None.

DAY 12:

None.

DAY 13:

8th: Tristana Rockett (D6F)
7th: Hadley Moreau (D9M)

DAY 14:

None.

DAY 15:

6th: Vincent Elm (D7M)
5th: Lennox Porter (D3F)

DAY 16:

4th: ?
3rd: ?
2nd: ?
1st: ?

SOLO:

Cecelia
Trajan
Glorian
Axel

KILL LIST/REMAINING TRIBUTES:

Cecelia Hart (D1F) - 1
Trajan Seth (D1M) - 3
Glorian Stafford (D2M) - 2
Axel Woodleigh (D6M) - 2

- Lilah