Nicolette "Nikki" Anderson (18)- D4F

I run as fast as I can for as long as possible, escaping that terrifying creature the only goal in mind. I don't even think about the possibility of Tiffany following me until I reach the caves from which I came this morning, when I realize this would be exactly where she would look for me. Instead, I follow along the mountain, keeping a good distance between myself and river and keeping an eye out for anything suspicious. A cannon echoes into the night right before the names of the fallen show in the sky, revealing that it was the girl from Ten. I keep walking, the light of the moon guiding my path and sometimes disappearing as the clouds cover it every now and then. I eventually realize how exhausted I am and settle down for the night, laying in the reeds near the bank of the river.

I listen carefully to the sounds of canines howling in the distance, closing my eyes and trying to shut out the horrifying image of that creature flying past us. I can only hope that it won't return for me, because I won't stand a chance against it. Rationally, I know that the Gamemakers won't kill anyone outright with such a powerful mutt; such a death would be too uneventful and anticlimactic. But I still can't help but wonder why the Gamemakers set it on us without having it attack us in any way. It looked like it was headed somewhere else, which apparently was more important than the two of us. I can't help but wonder if it was the girl who died; if it was responsible in some way. The thought fills me with terror and keeps me awake most of the night.

The next morning, I wake to the sounds of birds chirping and the sun shining on my face. I quickly sit up and take in my surroundings. My spear is still beside me, and so is the food that I retrieved from the Cornucopia. It doesn't appear that the creature visited me in the night, or anyone else. I eat a small breakfast, still hiding in the reeds just in case, before packing my things and getting ready. From all the time I've spent reading about and watching Hunger Games, I know that the victor will be crowned in the next few days. Our sphere of movement is restricted due to the sea monster, and there are only four of us left.

It's not until I stand that I remember my wound from my fight with Tiffany. It stings as my body stretches upward. It's not deep, but long, extending all around the left side of my waist. It will leave a scar for sure. I can't help but think of all the training sessions my parents put me through to avoid this far thing from happening. I can only imagine them watching at home, surrounded by the medals and pictures of victors that they've trained, shaking their heads as they watch a pretty girl from One get the best of me. They had never liked One, even before one of their tributes stabbed my brother in the thigh in his own Games, an injury that would eventually lead to his demise at the hands of the victor. District One was too flashy for my parents, and according to them always delivered the weakest tributes. They are probably embarrassed about me right now, fuming in disappointment. I should have killed Tiffany then and there, remembered the lessons my parents taught me and kept my cool instead of getting fired up about Jason and Eryn. I could have had my revenge and made my parents proud, which will ultimately lead to a easier life for me after I win, but I let her injure me and then ran away. I grit my teeth together thinking about it.

At least I was able to tackle her and show her I mean business. It won't happen again the next time we meet, if the guy from Seven doesn't pick her off first. If it wasn't the demon that killed the girl from Ten, I imagine it was him.

I finally stand all the way upright and realize what I need to do. The Cornucopia is the best center of action, easily defendable and attractive to other tributes as well. Surely I'll come across someone I can kill there.

Spool Nylon (12)- D8M

After killing the girl from Ten, Seb and I retreated to the Cornucopia, hoping against hope that no one would be there to fight us. We were lucky; the golden horn was empty of anything but supplies, which we now had in abundance. But I know that that won't last for long.

Seb makes noise all throughout the night, and I know his pain must be immeasurable. I've been able to keep him alive for much longer than he would have on his own, but his black veins have been redrawn all over his body pulsing with his heartbeat, his eyes fluttering open and shut again with each breath.

When our next encounter happens, I'll have to defend myself. But I'm weirdly not afraid. I've killed someone, and I felt nothing. I was just saving Seb's life, doing what had to be done, just like when I had to catch one of those poisonous cats to eat. Doing it again won't be as difficult as Seb thinks.

"Tag," he calls weakly from his sleeping bag at the mouth of the horn. "Come here."

I hesitate to leave the horn unguarded, but I should do as he asks. I keep my eyes peeled as I head back to where he's laying, his head covered with sweat. I help him sit up slightly and hand him my bottle of water.

"You should save it," he gasps after taking a reluctant drink.

"You need water too."

"Not for long."

"Don't say that," I say sharply, snatching the bottle away and screwing the lid back on. I don't want to think about Seb dying. I knew that we would make it this far; how couldn't we, with Seb's training score and my smarts? But I never thought that it would happen like this. Maybe one of us would die in the final battle and leave the other as a victor, or even that we would end up against each other, as much as I would have hated that. I didn't think it would be like this, slow and drawn out over days and days, until Seb finally leaves me alone in the arena. I feel my eyes fill with tears at the thought and I angrily wipe them away.

"What did you want?" I ask harshly. I sit down next to him, taking a drink of water. The fire on the mountains has completely burned out, leaving behind charred ashes of the once lush life on the cliffside, a blackened version of what it used to be. Seb's chest heaves with each breath, his veins pulsing with the black poison.

"Remember when we had that stupid argument?" I ask suddenly, laughing. "About going out to hunt or something?"

"I remember," he says, smiling weakly. "If I had listened to you, I wouldn't be like this

"I just wanted to tell you to take care of my family when you win," he says, his breath ragged. "My girlfriend Alexa, and Benji… he's so sweet. I couldn't just let him die here."

"I understand," I say. "More than you know."

right now."

"Well, if I had listened to you and not set any traps, then the mutts wouldn't have come for us, and you would be okay."

"You were just trying to feed us."

"I was trying to prove that I was right."

He coughs, and it sounds painful. I feel the pain through my own chest. I help him take another drink, and he gasps when he's finished. "When I asked you and Sock to be my allies, I told you that I would protect you because I didn't want either of you to have to kill. And instead I've left all the killing to you, and I haven't made a single kill. Sock is dead. I couldn't protect you I couldn't even protect myself."

I lower my head. "You protected me when the Careers almost had us on that cliff. And you protected me during the bloodbath."

"I couldn't even protect my own mother," he says sadly, like he didn't even hear me.

"You protected Benji," I say sharply. "And Sock's death was her own fault, you know that. Do you think I don't miss her? Do you think I don't miss my family? You don't know what I could have done to protect them, and didn't do?"

I feel the tears start to run down my face now. If I win, then Tag and I will have to switch lives forever, hoping against hope that we're never found out. I could have just volunteered in his place, but because of my own shock at his Reaping, I missed my chance.

Seb thinks that he's the incompetent one here, but looking at everything I've done, this is all my fault. All of my clever tricks are just ways to try to resolve my own mistakes.

Tiffany Silk (18)- D1F

I returned to the cave after fleeing from the demonic creature at the Cornucopia. I thought that I had been following Nikki, determined to slice her neck open and watch her blood cascade down her body and soak her tribute outfit, but I apparently lost track of her in the darkness. I settled down in the caves for the night anyway, trying to seem calm and collected for the cameras, just upset that my victim has gotten away.

I don't show that I'm secretly trying not to throw up at the thought of the demon that almost ripped me to shreds. That's surely what it was doing there, and it might even have followed me back here. I keep my sword in hand as I try to sleep, but not very successfully. I wake up the next morning feeling like I haven't slept at all, the rays of sun shining in my face startling me. I sit up quickly, checking with my heart racing to make sure that the demon isn't anywhere in the vicinity. I don't see it anywhere, so hopefully I'm safe. Maybe it only comes out at night. This wouldn't be the first time the Gamemakers have set vicious mutts on tributes multiple times, just to torment them until it all ends in a bloody climax.

I had dreamed of Price. I had thought about him for the first time in a long time yesterday, when I was fighting Nikki. I almost feel bad that he had completely left my mind for almost two weeks, even though I know he would understand. He knows that the Games are most important to me than anything. He even agreed not to do an interview for the Capitol, so as to keep up the appearance that I was available to the sponsors. Attractive tributes who are known to already be in relationships don't receive as many patrons from the Capitol. Apparently people are delusional enough to think they might have a chance with me if I win, but not if I have a boyfriend.

What sorts of thoughts am I thinking? Treason against the Capitol? Sponsors are an important part of the Hunger Games, practically sacred. I owe my life to the people of the Capitol who have given their money to help me win. Except… I don't, do I? I haven't received a single sponsorship these whole Games. Not that that isn't unusual for Careers who have the supplies they need, but why did I think I needed them in the first place? What has the Capitol ever done for me? It was the Academy that trained me, my parents that fed me. They worked hard for their money and for their family.

I stand, angrily packing away all of my food and water. I came here with one goal in mind, and it wasn't just to kill mindlessly or to impress some tattooed Capitol sitting in his perfumed living room, eating candied grapes and wondering if I'll get my head chopped off today. I came here so that I could achieve something; really achieve something, to impress my District and honor everyone that's believed in me for so long.

The demon can come if it wants. I'm not afraid of it.

Sebastian "Seb" Cassara (18)- D7M

Every breath I take is agony, but I know it won't last for much longer. I've never been afraid of death, but now I feel the instinctual fear of the unknown, the thought of ceasing to exist, clog up my throat with terror. The thought of never seeing Alexis again, or holding her hand and sleeping beside her, makes me more sad than anything. It makes me want to jump to my feet and pick out a weapon, and go stalking for the remaining tributes. If I was at my best, I could surely take them on. Just a pair of pretty girls with blood in their hair, is all they are. And yet…

"Take another drink of water, Seb." Tag lifts the bottle to my mouth. I gently take a sip, trying not to waste too much. He wants me to be comfortable, but I have to think about what will happen to him after I'm gone.

I knew that I likely wouldn't be the one taking him the victor's crown, but I at least hoped that my death would be less painful.

How will Tag be able to take out two trained Careers, even if they are also pitted against each other? He took out Filly, but that was because he caught her by surprise and she was a lunatic. He wouldn't stand a chance in a battle against the wicked girl from Four, who wields a trident like an extension of her arm.

"Tag," I croak out, and he leans in closer to hear me. "You have to let one of the Careers kill the other one. Then try to pick her off from far away. Don't try hand-to-hand combat."

"Do you think I'm an idiot?" he scoffs. "I wouldn't take them on if I wasn't forced to."

"Don't even if they try to force you," I continue insistently. "Run if you have to. Run for hours. You're small and quick, and they're carrying heavy weapons. Outrun them until you can get a clear shot. PLay to your strengths."

"I'm not sure being small helps with running faster," he says doubtfully, but nods anyway when he sees the expression on my face. "Fine. I won't get into any fights."

"You're going to be the youngest victor of the Hunger Games, you hear me?"
Tag grins. It's been rare to see him smile in all the time that I've known him. It seems like years, but it's only been a few weeks. "That does have a nice ring to it."

I muster all of my strength to reach into my pocket and take out the locket Alexis' mother gave to me before I left for the Capitol. I remember the desperation in Alexis' eyes in our last goodbye; the confusion that she was experiencing; the gratitude that I had saved her brother, the horror as she realizes that means I will be dropped into the arena myself. I rub my thumb over the grooves of the golden heart.

"Tag, help me stand up."

"I'm not sure if that's a good idea," he says, unsure. "You need to save your strength."
"I've been laying here for hours," I sigh. "Please."

He hesitates for a second, then leans down to grab my arm and gently pull me up. I grab his shoulder and shakily straighten out my body. My vision whites out for a second, but then stabilizes. I actually feel better than I have in days. I can hear the birds chirping above us as they migrate back to the shore.

"Thank you." I breathe in deeply. I can feel the fresh air filling my lungs. I peer up at the mountain above us, wondering if any tributes could be hiding up there after the fire burned out. Amidst the burnt trees and blackened rocks, the ashes of life scattered over the mountainside, I suddenly see something else black and odd, like a figure standing there watching us. I feel my stomach instantly drop, eyes zipping back to where it was standing, but it's gone.

"Something wrong?" I hear Tag ask.

"No," I say. "I'm fine."

And I am. I feel the blood- or is it the poison?- rushing through my veins. I feel stronger that I've felt since the hovercraft dropped us off under the arena. I curl my hands into fists, scanning the horizon.

"We need to stay alert, okay? Give me your knife."

"Are you sure?" Tag asks, sounding uncomfortable. "I have my crossbow."

"Good. Don't use it until I tell you to."

Tiffany Silk (18)- D1F

I began my search of the caves with a hopeful heart, but now it's heavy again. I thought for sure that Nikki would be hiding somewhere in here, afraid to come out and face me after almost being bested at the Cornucopia, or maybe that the pair of boys would be here since this is where Hadrian and I found them last time. But I've been searching for what feels like hours- though who can tell; I can't see the sun in here- and haven't seen another living being.

I hear the sounds of insects every once and awhile, only for them to stop as soon as I enter each cave. There are animal bones scattered here and there, sometimes bits of fur that show either an animal fight happened here or something else; but no tributes. I don't even find any lost supplies. Wherever my enemies are, they're holed up somewhere good. I feel my ears pulse with ager as I keep pushing onward, eventually realizing there's no point in trying to find someone in this maze of caves. I'll have better luck elsewhere.

As I find my way out, I pass by the cave with the rippling black liquid. It moves gently, despite there being no wind inside the caves. It's too black for me to peer inside, but it gives me the chills. I shiver as I walk past it and try to ignore the sensation of being followed. I've been alone for too long, even though Hadrian only died a few days ago. It will be a relief to see my family again, to get back to laughing at the dinner table with Price and our friends and trying to cook fancy Capitol recipes that one of our parents ate while they were there a few summers ago.

I reach up to the necklace around my neck as I finally step out into the bright sunlight. The sapphire glints beautifully in the light, the carving of the family crest illuminated. I trace it absently with my fingers as I take in my surroundings. The river is flowing gently as ever, the fires on the mountains long burned away. The arena is almost too quiet.

No one would dare head back to the beach after what happened during the storm. Even glancing over at it, I feel like I can see a shadow of the sea monster, rippling underneath the surface.

The Cornucopia is an obvious landmark for any tributes seeking shelter, but the idea of returning there as well makes my skin crawl. What is the demon is waiting for us there, waiting for anyone that crosses its path?

What if it's waiting for me? I shake the thought away. The Gamemakers don't sen mutts after specific tributes very often, only if the audience hates them and they wouldn't make a good victor. But that wouldn't happen to me… would it?

You did kill a pregnant girl, I remind myself. I have no control over that, though. I argue back and forth with myself. I tried to save her baby the best I could. If it didn't survive, that's not my fault. She was Reaped. She was going to die anyway.

I realize I've been standing here for far too long. The audience is probably watching me from their homes and parties, wondering what I'm going to do. The only true Career left, alone and scared by a simple muttation. I start to walk along the river, just for something to do. It seems like a likely place for a tribute to hide, anyway. I might come across someone. And even if I don't, it gives me a nice view in all directions to anticipate attacks. From tributes, mutts, and everything in between...

Nicolette "Nikki" Anderson (17)- D4F

My journey to the Cornucopia is long. Not necessarily because of the distance, but because of my reluctance. I walk slowly, uncaring of the red hot sun that beats down on me from above. I take another swig of water, watching as the sand before me ripples like a mirage. Something will be waiting for me at the golden horn, I'm sure of it. The question is just what.

I hold my spear low to the ground as the Cornucopia comes into view, but tighten my grip on it. As I draw closer, it takes on more of a shape, the mouth revealing the colors of the supplies hidden inside. I see a human figure standing beside the edge and stop in my tracks for a second, wondering if I made the wrong call and the terrible mutt from last night is here to rip me apart. But I realize it's actually another person, just as I hoped. I wearily raise my spear, approaching with caution.

The figure isn't Tiffany, or the little kid. It must then be the guy from Seven, the one who killed his own father. I snort to myself as I approach. It seems I'll be doing the world a favor by getting rid of him.

He stares at me as I come closer, unmoving. He appears to be unarmed, standing with arms at his sides. His gaze is a little unsettling as I get closer, but I imagine I don't look my best either. However, as he comes more into focus, I realize he's covered in black lines that extend all over his body, his face, arms, neck, even his hands. And then I see that he's actually not unarmed, but carrying a small knife.

"Had a bad couple of weeks, I see," I call over to him, just to see how he would react. He frowns at me, but doesn't say a word. The expression doesn't quite reach his eyes, either.

"Not much of a talker? You weren't in training either. The only people you ever talked to were those little kids from Eight." I glance around again, trying not to seem too nervous. He is the only ten-scorer left aside from me, after all. "Is that one here with you today? I know the girl died in the bloodbath."

He doesn't answer, but I see his eyes harden.

"I didn't kill her," I say defensively, gripping my spear tighter and bringing it up over my shoulder. I should be ready if he lunges at me suddenly. "I don't know who did. Do you?'

"It was the boy from Two," he says lowly. His voice is deep and loud. I can see his veins pulsing with the black liquid. It makes my stomach twist and turn at the sight.

"Ah, Hadrian. I didn't like him much, either. Don't worry. Did your other little friend leave you after that? Or is he waiting to ambush me in the Cornucopia?"

More silence. I creep forward more, wondering why he doesn't raise his knife or advance toward me at all. Maybe the arena has messed with his head so much that he isn't worried about dying. Or maybe he doesn't care if he does. Either way, tributes who act strangely never bear well for their opponents. If he isn't in his right mind, who knows what he could do.

"Did you catch a bad cold or something?" I ask in reference to his blackened blood.

His lips curl into a smirk that chills my blood. The liquid pulses one last time before he suddenly lunges forward, knife in hand. I easily sidestep him, but terror fills me. The look in his eyes wasn't human; it was something that I've never seen in a person's eyes before.

I realize the real fight for my life has begun. I don't know what this guy did in his training session to earn a ten, but he's survived so far, and he killed someone before he volunteered.

I block another one of his blows with my spearpoint, parrying his own blade away. Surely he doesn't mean to best me with a knife while I have a long-range, far-reaching weapon. But he advances so quickly that he doesn't give me any time to recover, constantly having to dodge his slashes.

I remember what my parents taught me; how to win against these kinds of opponents.

"I never believed that story about your father," I pant heavily as I avoid yet another stab. "You didn't kill him because he hurt your mother, you just did it because you hated him. And you volunteered because you realized you loved killing."

I can see the rage in his eyes at these words, and I feel guilty for a second, wondering if they're even true. But there's no way of knowing why he did what he did, and I have to win this fight.

"I bet you enjoyed every kill you made in this arena. You didn't do it because you had to, but because you like it."

He roars ferociously, lunging forward with all his might, and I thrust my spear from my body, piercing into his hip as he tries to get to me. He screams in pain as black liquid flows from the wound, and his eyes turn dark as he focuses in on me.

I feel my breath start to come quickly. He shrieks as he slashes at me, seemingly unperturbed by the gash in his hip. I parry his knife away each time, the metal clanging sounds filling my ears until I can't hear anything else. I"m tiring myself out. I can't let this happen, not like it did with Tiffany. I need to save my strength.

As he slashes forward again, I duck his blade and roll away, bringing my spear back and letting it fly. It lands dead in his knee, making him fall to the ground. He yelps in pain again as I slowly, with hair in my eyes and heaving breath, walk over to him and pull it out. The spearpoint catches in his leg before it' agonizingly pulled out completely. He screams and tries to thrash away, apparently still human after all, underneath all of that bravado.

Black liquid soaks the ground, eagerly absorbed by the dry earth. I walk over him as he tries to crawl away. I grab the back of his jacket and pull him back around. "Just loving killing won't get you a victor's crown," I say quietly, raising my spear.

"You're right," he gasps, choking up more liquid. It flows down his face in rivulets. "But I'm not trying to get it for myself."

I feel a sudden pin prick of pain in my shoulder that turns into full blown agony in seconds. I wrench away from him, turning to see the little boy from Eight standing atop the Cornucopia, tears tracking down his face.

"You little-"

I kick the guy from Seven away from me, making sure to get him in the stomach, before advancing on my new opponent. It's only when I start to move that I realize there's a tiny arrow fitted in my shoulder. It strains when I move, making me grit my teeth. Another arrow flies past me, nearly hitting my face.

I hear a cannon resound throughout the arena, and I look back to see the murderer sprawled lifelessly on the ground. I can hear the little one howling with grief and anger.

"You bitch!" he hurls down at me, along with another rain of arrows. I barely avoid them, another one embedding itself in my hair. I turn tail and run, listening to his insults all the while as they slowly fade away. He won't be hard to kill the next time I come upon him, if I will at all.

The boy's last words play over and over in my mind. He really had played me. He planned to die all along to save his little companion, who then in turn would kill or injure me… at the cost of his own life. I feel my heart start to sink. I remember Jason and Eryn and feel like collapsing onto the sand.

So I do, my shoulder aching. I feel the sticky blood staining my clothes, and I reach up with a shaky hand to pull out the weapon, unable to keep from screaming .I quickly take off my jacket and tie it around the wound, but it's in such a strange spot that I don't know if I'll be able to apply enough pressure. After laying on the ground for a few minutes, I pick myself back up and begin running again. I don't even know where I'm going, the setting sun not helping with figuring out where I am. I float somewhere between the realm of the living and unconsciousness until I finally collapse onto the ground again, my blood slowly seeping into the sand.

Hello everyone! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Sadly, we lost Seb.

4th: Sebastian "Seb" Cassara (18)- D7M. Created by MaxMan667. Killed by Nikki. Seb was one of the most interesting tributes in the Games, and I hope his arc was enough to satisfy his creator and the readers. He didn't necessarily have a happy ending, but he succeeded in doing the one thing he's always wanted to do, which is protect his loved ones. I'm definitely going to miss him.

I was also informed that I was nominated for the 2018 SYOT Awards! I think I'm in the categories Best New Author and Best SYOT, and Spool Nylon is also in the running for Best Male Tribute. I can't explain how much this means to me, especially since this is my first Hunger Games fanfiction. I also hope Spool's creator, CragmiteBlaster, is equally as proud. If any of you want to check it out, you can find the page pretty easily by googling SYOT Awards 2018.

Until next time~ Our victor will be crowned next chapter, so bare with me!