Mist Hastings

When I heard the door open, I hid in the compartment under the upstairs sink. I heard someone moving around downstairs and rummage through the kitchen. I was afraid the were looking for me, but the door closed and it was quiet again.

I searched the house for evidence that someone had entered. I smiled with relief when I saw one of the kitchen cupboards was open. It wasn't a hallucination, like before. I was still okay.

It was getting dark. There weren't many people left. It was surprising I'd lasted so long. All the trained fighters knew I wasn't a threat. They probably thought I would sort myself out.

I was still in the kitchen, and I poured myself a glass of water. I smelled it before I drank. After what happened, I would never trust water again. I sensed something behind me and turned to look.

There was a girl in the doorway. I hadn't heard anything, and I thought she must be imaginary. But before, everything seemed unreal, and the vision blended in. The girl looked entirely real, and there were details I never imagined before. Her hair was matted, and blood caked a huge bruise all across what I could see of her neck. It was worse when I knew she was real, because that meant I was going to die.

I couldn't see the girl's face, because she was wearing a mask. I still knew what she looked like, though, because the mask was thin and it formed to the shape of her face. The eye holes cast shadows on her eyes, but I knew she was looking at me, because she was about to throw a knife at me.

The air was still and silent as she threw. I stumbled when the first knife hit my stomach. The next hit my chest as I lay gasping for breath. The girl's expressionless face bent over me as she watched me die. Despite it all, there was something good for me to hold on to. This was like a nightmare, but it was real. It wasn't like before, when I couldn't depend on anything. I'd felt the madness creeping back in the longer I was in the Arena. Eventually it would have swallowed me up. This way I was still part of the real world. I never went back to what I was. The Games healed me, and dying here was better than going back to my life before. Soon I'd see Troy again. This time he'd be real, too. I'm going to tell him I'm sorry.

Akari Igneous POV

It was a wonder we were still alive. Sponsors sent us loads of supplies right away, but we barely had the strength to use them. Arielle was doing most of the work. She had a bandage all around her lacerated arm and was dabbing at me with creams and strips of cloth.

I almost wished I was dead. Breathing felt like I was sucking a straw. My filling lungs pressed against my bruised flesh agonizingly. My stomach felt like a deflated balloon and my leg felt like raw meat. All I could do was lay there and feel the medications slowly numbing my pain. My thoughts slipped back to before, before even my first Games. It was the day of my Reaping, and my sisters were saying goodbye.

"This is yours and yours only to give, we have always cherished what you gave us." Fyre says. "But now it's time for us to give you something back." Ender says. Both holding out their hands in front twined together to hold a gleaming black dagger. "Remember your heart."

My heart. That's what it was: as black as a dagger. Not many of us were left. I wanted to kill them all and feel the rush only death brought. I felt my mind slipping into animalistic rage and pulled myself back. I couldn't go insane now. I had to win.

The door to our building burst open. Arielle screamed as Lotti burst in, followed by Marley and Ava. I'd known they would come. This was the perfect time to attack. Our only hope was that they would stay with Olivine long enough, but we'd heard her cannon. It was the perfect time to let my rage out.

I hauled myself to a sitting position and threw a knife at Lottie. It hit her square in the throat, but she didn't even flinch. She kept running at me as I threw three more in quick succession. Each hit, but none even drew blood. I couldn't understand it. Then she was on me. She picked me up by my throat and twisted my around so my back was to her.

"You killed my friend, you bitch," she said. Her arms jerked, and I felt like I was broken in half. My arms jerked as I tried to grip another knife. There were more to kill. I had to win.

I was still reaching when I died.

Arielle Ermin POV

I'd known this would happen. If I'd left Akari, I probably could have gotten away. But as violent as she was, she was my ally. I had to stay with her.

It was useless, of course. She was dead as soon as Lottie got to her. I heard the awful snap and then the cannon. Marley and Ava were right behind Lottie, and they came straight for me. I took up my trident and tried to stay away from them without backing myself against the wall.

"Two against one?" I asked. My wounded arm was stiff as it gripped the trident, and I felt the cut reopening even though I barely moved it. The bandage would keep the blood in. I could fight. Ava hesitated, but Marley spurred her on.

"You don't deserve a fair fight. And it doesn't matter. You're gonna die either way," she said. They flanked me and I waved my trident in an arc around me to keep them off. I knew from my last Games that one fighter could keep back two opponents, and even kill them if he knew what he was doing. I swung my trident like a bat at Ava's knife hand and she yelped as it sent her knife flying. Marley charged in and I whirled to face her. She jumped back and barely missed impaling herself. They continued sniping at me and it was all I could do to keep them off.

"Room for one more?" Lottie said, and my heart sank. When I turned to fight off Marley, who was coming at me from the left, Lottie pile drived into me from the right and pinned me to the ground. Ava, who was in front of me, ran up and stabbed me in the ribs. I cried out and she looked up at me.

"Sorry," she said, and she stabbed again quickly. It was nice of her to make it so quick. I didn't have a chance against three people, but I made it longer than anyone could have expected. I did good. Some battles just can't be won.

8th place: Mist Hastings- Knifed by Venus

We all knew Venus would start racking up kills sooner or later. No one else was looking for Mist because she was a total outlier, but Venus just likes killing. I always liked Mist, even back in her first Games, because I understood none of this was her fault. She couldn't help being insane and her life was hell. Since her creator didn't object, I extended her lucidity and she stayed sane until her death. This time, she wasn't a villain, because there were already plenty of those. It was great to see who she really was. Thanks to Ultimatemaxmericashipper for letting us use Mist again. I hope this isn't the last of her.

7th place: Akari Igneous- Neck broken by Lottie

Usually I avoid broken necks because it's harder than it looks, but Lottie is especially strong. I could tell from Akari's form that she was a strong contender. There were so many details I wasn't able to get them all in, but I did what I could. It's impressive she lived through Lottie's first attack and there wasn't much she could do in her state against so many opponents. Thanks Tinks for Akari. She was one of the more fierce and dangerous Tributes I've ever gotten. She was a good match for Venus.

6th place: Arielle Ermin- Stabbed by Ava

Arielle really stepped up her game this time. She outlasted a lot of fearsome opponents and could have lasted longer if she'd abandoned her principles. Like Akari, she was up against three people who were pretty riled up after Olivine. She gave them a great fight before she went. Thanks ItsaCatsworld for Arielle. You weren't complaining or anything, but I just wanted to tell you that I do note how long you've been around and how many Tributes you've had. You've been here from the start and your day will come.