Granja Valdez

We were almost halfway through the Games. It was good we'd made it so far, but each death also made us a bigger target to the Careers. Even if we kept moving, it was almost inevitable that they'd find us eventually. I didn't think I had it in me to kill someone, even if they attacked me. I'd probably freeze up and die. Peach was stronger than I was when it came to that.

The trap was my idea, but it wouldn't have worked without both of us. We climbed up as high as we dared and squished behind a rock teetering on the edge of a cliff. It must have been there for years, but it was close enough to the edge that a good push would topple it over. The plan was to just wait until someone came by, but there was more to it than that. If it was someone nice, like the boy from Five or the two girl allies, I'd never have been able to push it. Maybe for the dangerous girl from Eleven, but probably not then either. Peach would be on her own.

That led me to the next idea. Peach could dislodge the rock on her own. I wasn't ready yet, but if I had to, I could be much more useful as bait. Then I wouldn't be the one springing the trap, and it made me feel a little better even though it was my idea and I was helping. I could say I was just running away, and whoever we got only died because they were trying to kill me. If I kept making the rationalization longer and more complex, it might eventually start making sense.

Titus Gein

That horrible noise was back. One person had already died, and I couldn't imagine that thing wasn't going to add to the toll. The calls were fitting in these surroundings. This was a place of murder and suffering. Maybe the Gamemakers didn't even design the animal. It might have arisen from the evil of the Games. I wanted to run, but it was moving so fast I didn't know which way to go.

The moon was at its back when it appeared, outlining it and illuminating it. The mutt, if that's what it was, was seven feet tall and so thin the light penetrated its grey-yellow skin. Its pelt was stretched so tight all its bones were visible, and some of them poked out of the skin. The bones shifted and clacked as the creature breathed, and the eyes in its head were so sunken only the reflected light told me they were there. Its lips were tattered and bloody, and it nibbled on the dangling strips of flesh as it regarded me. It was covered in sores and blood oozed from two splintered antlers that didn't grow from its head but looked like they'd been shoved in from outside so deeply that they were embedded. It reeked of damp rot and infected wounds.

I heard the creature chasing me as I ran. It looked so gaunt I didn't know how it had the energy. It ran after me like it was dying and I was its last chance at a meal. It barked, an exhaling noise like a hollow cough that ended in a low rumble. I knew I couldn't escape, and the seconds of knowledge were worse than what would happen when it caught me.

A cold hand caught my arm and spun me around. I pulled back and the creature reared over me, bearing me to the ground. It bent closer and tore into my cheek with its teeth. It ripped out a strip of flesh and swallowed it. As it came back for more, it bones fell slack and crumpled. Its skin disintegrated, leaving me alone on the ground covered with bits of bone and a layer of dust.

I didn't move for a long time. My cheek stung and I felt my breath sliding across the hole as I panted. I felt empty, and then I was hungrier than I'd ever been.

Electra Magneta

I ran my fingers over one of the spines as I nibbled on a chunk of cactus. It was like food and drink all at once. Desiree and I would be taken care of for at least a few days, judging by the size of the plant. I couldn't believe how lucky we were. A few more hours and it may have been too late.

It was harder to be optimistic the longer the Games lasted. It seemed inevitable that our luck would run out eventually. Des might win- she was strong and tough- but I couldn't last as long as she could. I'd protect her as well as I could with the few weapons I had, but she'd be better off after I was gone, no matter what she said.

Just being in the Arena was breaking me down. I'd always been frail. I'd noticed my Arena outfit hanging more loosely on my body. My bones hurt like I was an old woman, and I always felt tired. My spells were coming more frequently- hardly a night went by that I didn't wake up in a cold sweat, remembering things that happened years ago. My mouth was sore and my teeth felt wobbly, like they were falling out. I'd already lost one. I buried it in the sand so it wouldn't scare Des.

I focused on all the reasons I had to win. Most of all, there was Synthi. I could make a better life for her and take her away from all the troubles at home. I could leave all that behind and start everything new. But doing that would mean Des would have to die, and she deserved to win more than I did.

It all made me so tired. I didn't want to think or worry. Des and I didn't have to move. We could just stay by the cactus. This was a good place.