The first thing I notice as I rise is the blinding sunlight. It's bright, brighter than any sunlight back home and obviously unnatural. It could just be coincidence, but this is the Hunger Games and the gamemakers will make us suffer in every possible way.

My eyes gradually adjust and I see the tributes around me, spread in a semi-circle around the cornucopia, which looks like some gleaming golden mirage in the haze of the afternoon. Beautiful, life-sustaining goodies are spread on the ground in front of us, increasing in value the closer you get to the horn. I look to my left and right, fortunately finding myself between the small boy from Eight and the ginger girl from Five. Across the semi-circle, I can see Cato and Clove. Lewis is just a few tributes down from me, while Brooke and Glimmer are near the middle.

60. 59. 58…

The countdown starts. Sixty seconds. In sixty seconds, who knows how many of these living, breathing kids will be dead and already on the train home to their distraught families. All I know is I can't be one of them.

50. 49. 48…

The careers all exchange nods. We know what to do. I smirk as I notice Thresh is only one tribute away from Glimmer. Maybe I'll get lucky and he'll do some of my work for me.

40. 39. 38…

I survey my surroundings more, noticing the thick woods surrounding most of the area, minus the lake behind us and whatever lies behind the rise on the other side of the horn. To my right, beyond the woods, I notice what looks like a small mountain rising above the canopy, probably at least half a day's hike away. I notice many of the smaller tributes already eyeing the woods, ready to make a break for the relative security the cover of the trees will afford them.

30. 29. 28…

The bigger tributes look ready to go. I can tell by the look in Thresh's dark eyes that he's not missing this fight. I notice Cato grinning savagely at the boy from six, who tries to focus on the cornucopia and avoid shaking.

20. 19. 18…

I spot Peeta, who surprisingly looks poised to run and is shaking his head at someone. My eyes widen when I see that he's shaking his head at Katniss, who looks ready to launch herself towards the cornucopia like a missile. Goddamn it, what is she doing? If she runs in there, it's going to ruin everything. My pals will all be after her and there won't be a thing I can do if I want to maintain my cover.

10. 9. 8…

With no time left, Katniss meets my eye and I give the biggest glare I possess. To the others, it looks normal. To her, it says Don't even think about it.

7. 6. 5…

I face forward, my eyes locking onto a rack of deadly looking spears behind some crates. I can't afford any more distractions. All I can do is hope Katniss knows what she's doing.

4. 3. 2…

I hope my family isn't watching. I don't want them to see what I'm about to do.

1.

I guess the gong rings, but I don't hear it. I hear nothing but the wind going by as I launch myself off the pedestal and sprint towards the cornucopia. Thanks to my long legs, I'm one of the first to reach the bounty of the golden horn. Cato is right beside me and quickly yanks a sword out of the pile and drives it into the chest of the boy from Six.

Blood spurts out as the poor kid crumples to the ground. I shake it off and grab the first spear I see. Reinforcements are pouring in and my fellow careers quickly arm themselves and spread out. The boy from Seven rushes toward me and I drive my spear into his chest without a second thought.

I spot Clove hurling a knife into the boy from Nine's back, but I freeze when I see Katniss beside the dead body, clutching a backpack. Oh shit. Clove doesn't miss and she's acquired her next target.

Her grey eyes widen and she breaks into a sprint. I see Clove windup, a wickedly sharp blade perched between her nimble fingers, and let go.

No.

I manage not to exhale in relief when I see Katniss block the knife with the backpack and disappear into the woods. Clove looks pissed, but quickly goes back to the slaughter, reminding me of where I am. There's still some dirty work to do.

I notice Thresh slit some poor kid's throat before disappearing over that rise behind the horn. A lot of tributes are dead or have taken off by now, but I spot the girl from Nine desperately running toward the woods, clutching a loaf of bread and a backpack. My body knows the movements without me. I give a bit of lead and hurl my spear, which finds its mark in the girl's chest.

By now, the battle is about over and unfortunately all my allies made it. Cato and Clove look feral, panting and covered in blood I'm pretty sure isn't theirs. Glimmer is busy pouting about her stained clothing while Brooke and Lewis just hang off to the side looking shaken.

I understand why. All around us, it looks like a butcher shop. Bloodied weapons and brutalized corpses are strewn around the once-green field.

Cato wipes his face off and quickly takes charge. "All right. Start sorting the supplies and stay away from the bodies. I want them to get picked up before they start stinkin' up the place," he says coldly.

The others follow the orders without question. I end up digging through crates of food, sorting the dried fruit from the packages of beef strips, trying to keep my mind off the girl from Nine and the boy from Seven, who are now lying cold out on the grass. I wonder what my family thinks of me now? I'm a killer and there's no going back. I can never be the boy they hugged in the District One Justice Building again.

"Hold on," says Cato, prompting everyone to look up from their sorting, "Someone's coming."

I see it. Just emerging from the tree-line, I see the idiot, waling calmly towards us. It looks like a boy, but at this distance I can't be sure. Whoever they are, they're profoundly stupid.

We all arm ourselves without another word and jog towards our visitor, who surprisingly doesn't run. As I get closer, I see that it's Peeta.

What the hell?

"You lost, Loverboy?" chuckles Cato as our posse descends on the boy from Twelve, quickly circling him like a pack of wolves.

I guess Peeta didn't run into the woods immediately. He's got a backpack, a few bruises on his face and appears to be limping a bit. Evidently, he also sustained a serious head injury. It's the only way to explain why he'd do something as crazy as come back here.

"No, I-I was actually hoping I could join your alliance," says Peeta, glancing nervously over his shoulder at Clove, who's blocking his escape route. Me, Glimmer and District Four are holding down the sides while Cato faces him, looking cocky as ever.

I can hear District Two and Glimmer laugh at that. This kid is obviously insane. I know he got an eight in training, but come on. District Twelve has been on the career shit-list since the parade and that sponsor-stealing stunt he pulled last night certainly hasn't won him any favor with our more vicious members. Anybody in Peeta's position with half a brain would know to stay away from us.

"Sorry buddy, but I don't think that's gonna work," says Cato, drawing his sword and advancing towards Peeta with a wicked grin.

"Wait! Wait! I can help you!" pleads Peeta, blue eyes wide in desperation.

Cato snorts, but pauses. "And how's that?" he asks mockingly. I can hear Clove and Glimmer laughing as well. Brooke and Lewis look uncomfortable, probably not eager to see Cato gut this idiot. As annoying as he is, I don't either. Even idiots have families.

"You want to find Katniss right? I can help you," he says.

Suddenly the idea of Peeta being dead is a lot more appealing.

There's silence for a moment, everyone but me apparently considering the idea. All I can think about is how to stick this asshole with a spear.

"How are you gonna do that exactly?" Cato asks, trying to sound uninterested.

"We grew up together in Twelve. I know her skills and what she'd do in a situation like this," answers Peeta, still sounding nervous.

"You willing to betray your little girlfriend like that? How do we know this isn't some plot by the star-crossed lovers to take us down?" Cato asks, getting a bit too close to my plan for comfort.

Peeta laughs, which really surprises me. "Don't tell me you actually believed that crap! It was just a ploy to get sponsors," he says.

Wow. If I didn't hate this guy before, I sure as shit do now. That is low, even for the Hunger Games. I may despise Glimmer, but I'm not going to kill her unless it's absolutely necessary and I certainly wouldn't pretend to be in love with her just to do it. I could never show my face in District One again if I did. No matter how bad your district partner is, you have to show them some semblance of loyalty. Apparently that doesn't matter to Peeta though, just another spineless weasel desperate to stay alive.

"He's full of shit. I say we kill him now," I say, tightening my grip on my spear.

Peeta's blue eyes flicker to me and I can see fear and maybe even some anger there, almost like he suspects something.

"I second that," says Glimmer, notching an arrow in her silver bow, finally at a distance she might be able to hit her target from.

"No," says Cato, "He's in."

There it is. Two words and Peeta, architect of the star-crossed lovers charade and proven snake, is a member of our merry band. Glimmer frowns. Clove nods in assent. Brooke and Lewis look passive and Cato looks satisfied as usual…and it pisses me off.

"Are you fucking kidding me?!" I snap. I know I'm taking a risk defying Cato, but I'm too angry to care at this point. "We can't trust this weasel! If he'd turn on his own district partner, he'd turn on us in a heartbeat!"

"Hey! I'm just trying to stay alive here!" spits Peeta.

"Well, you're doing a pretty shitty job!" I say, raising my spear without thinking and sending Peeta scurrying backwards.

A thunderous blow to the side of my face is the only thing that stops me from driving my spear into Peeta's chest. I stumble to the ground as stars dance around my vision and I try to figure out which of the three shaky Cato's I'm seeing to focus on.

I get up on wobbly feet and meet Cato's cold gaze as best I can. Judging by his clenched fist, it's no secret who punched me…that or the pain on the side of my face is from a stroke.

"He's in," Cato says, his voice harder than stone, "Can you accept that or am I going to have to do something drastic?"

I have a fleeting desire to spit in his arrogant face and curse him before killing Peeta right in front of him…but ultimately sense prevails. I've gotta stick to the plan and find Katniss, especially after this unprecedented revelation. From there, we can work out how to dispose of the other careers and Peeta. Especially Peeta.

"Fine," I say, before taking my spear and stumbling off back towards the cornucopia. I look back and level Peeta with my fiercest glare.

At least the star-crossed lovers thing was bullshit.

We spend the rest of the day lounging around, Cato having made the unilateral decision that we'd hunt at night instead of during the day. It makes absolutely no sense because the tributes will be better concealed by then, but as always people are afraid to challenge Cato's decisions for fear of being punched in the face.

Glimmer hangs around in the shade of the cornucopia brushing her hair, while Cato and Clove go practice their knife-throwing at the edge of the clearing. I end up sprawling out on the soft green grass near the lake, listening to the sounds of Brooke and Lewis messing around in the water. I take my jacket and boots off, feeling the warm rays of the fake sun on my skin and the cool breeze that rushes through the gaps in the pine trees and into the clearing.

I guess the gamemakers are rewarding us for an entertaining bloodbath. Ten ominous cannon shots rang out not too long ago and the hovercraft finally came by to take the bodies away, including my two victims. I try not to think about them or what I'm putting their families through. I'm sure the boy from Seven and the girl from Nine had parents and siblings that desperately wanted to see them again too…thanks to me, that'll never happen. It feels worse that I don't even know their names. I stole their entire lives from them and yet I can't even put a name to the anguished faces I can't get out of my head. I make a mental note to learn their names once I'm out of here. I owe them that much.

I try to relax and think happy thoughts, something that would be easier if Peeta wasn't in my line of sight. I can see the bastard kneeling by the lake by himself, scrubbing some blood off his shirt and trying to look inconspicuous. If there was someone I'd be completely okay with killing, it's Peeta. Hell, I might even in enjoy it and I don't think that's a reflection on my lost humanity. I think it's a reflection on how much Peeta has it coming for betraying his district partner and my secret ally.

That thought brings me back to Katniss. I wonder how she's doing. She looked like she got away uninjured and with some supplies, but I highly doubt she's armed. To make matters worse, the only bow in the arena is in the hands of the one person I can't kill with impunity, my district partner. I guess I'll have to get it away from her somehow. For Katniss to help me take down the careers, she'll need that bow, but if I don't want to end up a corpse, I'll have to be discreet getting it to her.

Lewis and Brooke continue to play around in front of me, swimming around in the cool, dark waters of the lake.

"Marvel! You wanna come in?" calls Lewis, neck deep in the lake.

"I'm quite content up here!" I call back, "Aren't you two worried about swimming around in there?"

"Why would we be? The water's great!" yells Lewis like an excited child.

"It's not the water I'm worried about! Don't forget this is the Hunger Games! You never know what might be swimming around in there!" I yell back, laughing but also kinda serious. You wouldn't catch me in that water.

"You don't think…" Lewis mutters, suddenly nervous and looking around him for a mutt or perhaps something worse.

"Think what? That'd they fill the water with tribute-hungry mutts? Yeah, I do. It makes for some pretty interesting television," I tease.

Turns out Brooke has impeccable timing. She picks that very moment to swim under Lewis and grab his leg. His scream is so loud that even Glimmer looks over, briefly distracted from her primping. Lewis scampers out of the water, only to look back and see Brooke and I laughing.

"That wasn't funny! You scared the shit outta me!" he fumes.

Brooke just keeps laughing. "I'm sorry, but Marvel set me up for it perfectly," she says.

"Hey, don't put your devious nature on me, Four," I say, laughing myself at the expression on Lewis' face, "What do they teach you in that backwards district of yours anyway?"

"Oh the usual stuff: swimming, fishing…scaring the shit outta your district partner," Brooke answers.

"It's not funny and don't give the gamemakers any ideas about mutts!" Lewis says hotly.

I hadn't thought of that. I suppose it's not a big deal, though. I'm sure the gamemakers were planning on using mutts long before Lewis opened his mouth.

"Yeah, that'd just be a shame. I hear mutts have a taste for the younger tributes," teases Brooke, that mischievous sparkle back in her green eyes.

"Must like fresh meat," I quip, smirking at Lewis, who finally decides he's had enough of our abuse and storms off.

Brooke climbs out of the lake and sits beside me, trying to wring the water out of her wet hair.

"He seems a bit sensitive," I say, watching Lewis' shirtless form heading back towards the golden horn.

Brooke chuckles. "He's always been that way," she says.

"You seem fond of him," I comment, remembering how Brooke stood up to Cato on Lewis' behalf, how she's always watching out for him.

"I should be. His older sister was one of my best friends. We spent quite a bit of time together growing up," she says mildly, an odd mix of sadness and nostalgia permeating her voice.

"I'm sorry," I say, realizing I've stepped into something personal.

Brooke just shrugs. "It's alright. It's not your fault we were reaped," she says.

"I know, but…that just sucks, having to compete against someone you care about," I say, feeling a bit sad for a reason I can't quite put my finger on.

"You and Glimmer close?" Brooke asks.

"No, not really. I mean we know each other, but…" I trail off, trying to find the right words.

Brooke grins. "You can't stand her can you?" she says with a chuckle.

"Is it that obvious?" I ask.

Brooke just nods. "I'm afraid it is. I first noticed it when you were messing with her on the rooftop," she says.

"You mess with Lewis," I counter.

"Yeah, but not like that. You weren't saying those things to tease her. You just genuinely did not like her and wanted to get under her skin," Brooke says, "I also noticed it in the way you fight."

"What?" I ask. The way I fight? What does a spear have to do with my dislike of Glimmer?

"The way you fight. I noticed how you were fighting at the cornucopia," she says.

I chuckle a bit, but can't completely mask my unease. Is Brooke onto me?

"I wasn't aware you could tell that much about a person by how they throw a spear," I say, trying to sound casual.

Brooke just rolls her eyes. "It wasn't your weapon that tipped me off, jackass. It was how you fought without even sparing Glimmer a glance. I fought alongside Lewis and, as I'm sure you've noticed, Cato and Clove stuck together…but you didn't do that. You really don't care if she lives or dies," she says, looking satisfied to having figured it all out.

She's right of course, but I can't help but feel annoyed.

"So what? Only one of us is going to live through this anyway. Surviving this thing yourself is hard enough without worrying about someone else," I snap.

I know I'm being a bit hypocritical due to my secret dealings with Katniss, but that's different. She can take care of herself out there and doesn't need my help. We have a mutually beneficial partnership but we certainly don't require the other's protection.

Glimmer's not even my friend so why should I give a shit if she lives or dies? It's not like we're talking about Katniss here, the only person whose death might affect me…well, minus the people I've killed personally.

"You're right, but you're also wrong," Brooke says, her intelligent eyes unmoving.

"What the hell does that mean?" I ask, frustrated by the way this conversation is going.

"You're right if you're working with the wrong person. I understand why you don't like her. People like Glimmer will only drag you down and when push comes to shove, you won't be able to count on them," Brooke says.

"Thanks Brooke. I hadn't put that together myself, so thank you. Thank you for enlightening me," I say, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

Surprisingly, Brooke takes it in stride. "But you're wrong about working with the right person. The right ally doesn't make you weaker. They make you stronger. They give you someone you can depend on to watch your back. Lewis makes surviving the games easier for me," she says with unmistakable sincerity.

"Whoop-dee-doo for you," I say, "Must be nice to have a district partner you can depend on."

Brooke follows my eyes and sees that I'm watching Peeta, who's still washing his damn shirt.

Brooke's face twists into that same devious grin as before. "I guess you and girl on fire have something in common. A shitty district partner," she says.

"At least Glimmer isn't trying to get me killed," I snort.

"Yet," she quips.

That comment makes me uncomfortable. I may be respecting the 'district partner code' but that doesn't mean Glimmer is. Maybe I'm being an idiot and she's planning my death right now. If Peeta proves anything it's that not everyone believes in that stuff.

"Do you trust him?" I ask.

"Hell no. Everyone except District Two agreed with you, even if they were too scared to say it. Anyone who'd betray their district partner like that, especially with that bullshit declaration of love, will turn on you the second it's advantageous for them," Brooke says harshly.

I can't help but smile at the statement. "I'm glad you see reason. Even if our benevolent leader doesn't," I say.

"He's a prick and his stupid decisions are probably gonna get us all killed," says Brooke bitterly, her gaze drifting off towards the knife riddled trees where Cato and Clove are practicing.

She's right, but that doesn't really get us anywhere. I know Cato's dangerous. I know Glimmer's unreliable. And I know Peeta's a treacherous snake.

"So what the hell are we supposed to do about it?" I ask, watching as the sun dips toward the trees, creating silhouettes against the orange sky.

Brooke shrugs. "Nothing we can do but keep our eyes open and try to get out of the way when this all blows up in Cato's face," she says, before getting up and heading back towards the cornucopia.

I knew I was right to like District Four. Brooke and Lewis aren't like the others. They're relatively normal kids that are just trying to get back to their families, like me. Too bad our goals aren't compatible. I hope I don't have to kill them.

The fake sun finally sets about an hour later and the fake moon and a billion fake, shimmering stars take its place. Cato lets out a loud whoop and announces it's time to hunt. We all hustle to grab our gear at the cornucopia. I grab a pack and fill it with packages of dried fruit, extra spearheads, a flashlight and a bottle of water. I also find an interesting looking knife among the survival supplies. Its handle has a detachable butt with a piece of flint, handy for starting fires. After my experiences trying to start fire with sticks, I decide to bring it along, sliding it into my boot.

We're all about to hustle off into the woods when Cato stops us.

"What?" Brooke asks, obviously annoyed and clutching her trident tightly.

"Haven't you forgotten something? Someone has to stand guard," Cato says smugly.

Everyone groans, nobody keen on missing out on the action to guard all our crap. I would volunteer, but I still need to find Katniss…and keep an eye on Peeta to make sure he doesn't fuck up everything.

"And exactly how are we going to decide who stays behind?" Brooke asks.

"Well, without any courageous volunteers, I suppose the fairest way would be to base it on who had the most kills," says Clove, "I'll start. I had two kills. Cato?"

"Four kills," he answers, sounding incredibly pleased with himself.

"Marvel?" Clove asks.

"Two kills," I say flatly, my guilt resurfacing.

"Brooke?" Clove turns.

"One kill," she answers with a sigh.

"And Thresh killed the other one, so…," Clove turns towards Lewis, Glimmer and Peeta, "That just leaves you three with a whopping zero kills."

"I can't be Loverboy, so it's gotta be one of y'all," Cato says, motioning towards Lewis and Glimmer.

"Why can't it be him? He's perfect for it," Glimmer snaps, motioning to Peeta.

"No, he's not. We need him to find the bitch on fire and I don't trust him here alone anyway. It's gotta be one of you," says Cato.

Glimmer and Lewis start arguing, but I tune it out to look at Peeta, whose wide blue eyes constantly flicker around the group, like he's expecting to be attacked at any moment. He notices me glaring at him and looks surprised before returning the favor.

Ultimately, the debate is settled by having the pair draw straws, which relegates Lewis to guard duty. Glimmer enthusiastically grabs her bow and trots after Cato like a duckling following its mother. Peeta jogs off as well, making sure to stay far enough away from Cato. Brooke gives Lewis a hug before bringing up the rear with me and Clove.

"You better quit that shit. We don't need two pairs of lovers in this games," Clove says coldly as we first enter the forest.

"We're not lovers. Lewis is like a little brother to me," Brooke counters, her green eyes narrowing at Clove.

"Whatever it is, keep it out of my sight," retorts the girl from Two before she picks up the pace to join her district partner.

"Bitch," mutters Brooke as we continue on our trek.

The forest is…a lot more intimidating than I thought. The dark trees rise up above us, almost blotting out the sky. The ground, which was so open and uncomplicated during the day, is now a precarious floor with constant obstacles like wayward tree roots to trip over hidden by shadows. Cato's flashlight is the only thing guiding us. He said he doesn't want the rest of us turning them on so that we don't give our presence away to tributes. If I wanted another punch in the face, I'd point out that maybe he should stop barking orders constantly and stomping around like an elephant if stealth is what he's going for, but what do I know? Cato and Clove are the geniuses here and we are all just lowly peasants who have been given the honor of serving them.

We've been combing the woods for at least a few hours and haven't found a thing. Shockingly, no tributes have come out of their hiding spots and asked us to kill them, leaving us with nothing to do but stumble around in the darkness. District Two is pissed and everyone else is starting to wear out.

"Can we take a break?" Glimmer whines, too tired to continue flirting with Cato.

"No we cannot take a fucking break! There's still seven other tributes out there and we haven't found shit!" snaps Cato from the front of the group. Wow, Cato isn't even nice to the people he's banging.

"Don't worry. I'm sure yelling and lots of noise will draw them out," says Brooke dryly.

I can't help but smirk at that statement and at the way Cato's beady eyes somehow get narrower.

"You can shut up, Four. Maybe if everyone was focused, we'd have found someone by now," hisses Cato.

"Should we try checking the mountain?" suggests Peeta, trying to be helpful.

"There's no one there," I say dismissively. The mountain is on the other side of the arena and doesn't have much cover, making it a pretty unlikely spot for Katniss to head, which is all I'm really interested in.

"How can you be so sure?" says Peeta, his voice sharper than I expected.

"Because there's not enough cover for anyone to hide up there. Only someone really goddamn stupid would try," I retort, unable to keep my dislike of Peeta out of my voice.

"You just think you know everything don't you?" Peeta scoffs.

"No, I just have more valuable skills than betraying my district partner like a little bitch," I snarl, giving a little more away than I should've.

Peeta's eyes widen and he look furious. "Why do you care so much?!" he snaps, taking a threatening step towards me.

I step closer too, my glare unwavering and my height advantage obvious. Peeta may be heavier than me, but he isn't a trained fighter and I can see that tiny, almost imperceptible flicker of fear in his eyes. I only see it because I was trained to see it, to sense my opponent's weaknesses.

"I don't care about that," I lie, "What I do care about is working with someone I know is an untrustworthy snake."

"Would you two please shut the fuck up! We need to figure out what to do here," yells Cato, instantly silencing us although not stopping me from glaring at Peeta, who looks more suspicious than ever. I need to keep my eye on this asshole.

"And what do you propose, genius? More walking aimlessly through the woods and hoping we stumble across something?" Brooke sneers.

"Watch your mouth you little bitch!" Cato booms.

"Yeah, watch it," adds Glimmer, hanging onto Cato like a pathetic crony, "You need to learn respect."

I can't help but roll my eyes at that, "And you need to learn to mind your own business," I interject.

"That goes for you too," Cato barks, his beady blue eyes snapping to me, "I'm in charge here and you are going to respect my authority."

My eyes narrow and I can feel my fists curling around my spear. In the back of my mind, I know the smart thing to do is to shut up and let Cato think he's in charge while I work out a way to take him down. I know that…but anger ultimately prevails.

"Kiss my ass," I spit out. I don't regret the words, not one bit, but Cato does look ready to punch me in the face again.

"Look here motherfu-

"Hey!" screeches Clove, cutting off Cato's impending tirade. I'd actually forgotten she was there in all the arguing.

"What?" asks Cato, chest heaving and cold eyes still fixed on me.

Clove points off into the forest, where, for the first time, I notice a small orange glow in the distance; a glow that means one thing: a tribute.

"If you idiots are done arguing, do you want to do what we came here to do?" Clove asks, drawing a throwing knife from her jacket.

Without a word or another thought to the argument we were just engaged in, the pack rolls out, gliding through the dark forest like silent angels of death towards our unfortunate target. My feet suddenly know the movements and I no longer trip, moving smoothly, silently behind Cato and Clove with the others.

We approach the clearing and hang back, just out of the orange firelight. I squint and make out the girl from District Eight. I'm relieved and saddened at the same time. It's not Katniss, but the girl from Eight is just a kid, probably not even fourteen. I feel a twinge of pity as I watch her try to warm her small hands over the fire, knowing she doesn't stand a chance. Cato motions for us to surround the girl and hang back, concealed in the shadows.

We all exchange nods and I try not to think about what I'm doing while Cato gives the signal.

"Now!" he bellows.

Before the poor girl can even stand up, we storm into her campsite, Clove and Glimmer pouncing on her and holding her down.

"No! No! Please! P-Please don't kill me! Take anything you want! Please!" screams the girl, her voice shrill and terrified, sounding so much like a child's that I begin to feel sick.

Cato's face breaks into an evil grin, the shadows from the firelight making him look even more menacing. He kicks through the girl's meager supplies and laughs a pitiless laugh that Glimmer and Clove echo. Despite the fire, I suddenly feel very, very cold.

"We're not here for supplies," Cato mocks, drawing his razor sharp sword from its sheath. The small girl's eyes go wide and her face pales, futilely trying to squirm out of Glimmer and Clove's iron grip as Cato approaches.

"Please don't! Please don't hurt me," the girl pleads, beginning to sob and pulling her knees into her chest.

My grip on my spear tightens. I could end this. I could kill Cato and maybe even Clove, but I can't take them all. Even Brooke might try to kill me and I know Peeta would. Maybe the girl from Eight could get away in the chaos…or maybe not. There's no way to be sure.

I'd like to say there's nothing I can do, but that's a lie. I could do something, but instead I'm choosing my life over a child's…and I hate myself for it.

The girl screams terribly when Cato drives his sword into her belly. Crimson blood spurts out while Cato, Clove and Glimmer cackle. Brooke looks disgusted, not at the body but at her comrades, and Peeta, to his credit, looks sick; probably like I do.

"Eleven down, twelve to go!" bellows Cato, drawing cheers and more insidious laughter from Clove and Glimmer, who seem to forget that the 'twelve' Cato's referring to will include them if he has his way.

We leave the poor girl curled around her wound, bleeding and whimpering beside her meager campfire, which cost her life. I trudge after the happy trio, alongside Brooke and just ahead of Peeta. I feel a mixture of rage and shame as I listen to them mock the poor girl's pleas, the pleas of a murdered child, one I chose not to help.

We don't get too far before Glimmer, of all people, thinks of something. "Shouldn't we have heard a cannon by now?" she asks.

"I'd say yes. Nothing to prevent them from going in immediately," says Clove, coming to a stop.

"Unless she isn't dead," Brooke says flatly, trying to mask her disgust with composure.

"She's dead. I stuck her myself," Cato insists.

"Then where's the cannon?" Brooke fires back, angry at Cato's callous behavior like I am.

"Someone should go back. Make sure the job's done," Peeta says.

As much as I hate to admit it, he's right. If it was me lying out there, I'd want someone to put me out of my misery.

"Yeah, we don't want to have to track her down twice," says Clove, crossing her arms and fixing her dark gaze on Cato.

Cato loses his temper at Clove's dissension. "I said she's dead!" he yells.

They begin squabbling until I have a moment of clarity.

"I'll do it," I say firmly.

"What?" Cato asks.

"I said I'll do it. I'll go back and check. If she's still alive, I'll handle it," I say.

The others are silent for a moment, obviously a bit surprised I volunteered.

"Go on, One," says Cato with his trademark arrogance, "See for yourself."

I hustle back the way we came, spear in hand. The fire hasn't completely gone out, the ruddy orange glow still visible through the trees. I walk into the clearing and spot the girl from Eight, right where we left her, curled into a ball around Cato's cruel stab wound and whimpering in obvious pain.

I lean my spear up against one of the trees and try to swallow my shame. I may not have done this, but I certainly didn't try to stop it. It's then that I realize just what the games do to you. If you want to survive, like I do, you have to sell every piece of yourself, no matter how cherished. I've already killed and stood by and allowed others to murder children. How far will it go from here?

No. I'm not completely gone. Not yet.

I kneel down beside the poor girl. Her tear-stained face and the pool of blood around her is enough to bring my guilt back with a vengeance. Her tiny hands are pressed into her stab wound, futilely trying to stem the crimson flow.

"It's okay," I say softly, my voice breaking, "You're gonna be okay."

All I can think of is my little brother. This is probably someone's little sister.

The girl looks up at me, confused and afraid. I understand. I'm a career, a bloodthirsty savage who stood by and watched this…but I'm trying. I'm trying really hard not to be.

She rolls onto her back, her young face contorted in a look of constant pain and her fearful, teary eyes meeting mine.

"What's your name?" I ask quietly.

"A-Ava," she sputters, in pain from something as simple as speaking.

"I'm Marvel. I'm so sorry," I say sadly, not knowing what else to say.

"I want to go home," Ava manages before more tears overtake her.

My composure wavers and I have to fight back the tears that threaten to spill from my eyes. No matter how badly I feel, I can't walk back to the others with red eyes and tear stains on my face. This is the Hunger Games and I have to stay strong.

"I'll get you home," I say, my voice quivering as I pull the knife from my boot. Ava sees it and her breathing quickens despite her injury.

"It's okay," I say, still kneeling beside her.

"I'm afraid," she says weakly, breathing heavily and wincing in pain.

I take her small, bloodstained hand in mine, offering the best comfort I can to this poor kid who just wants to go home like we all do.

"It's okay. I'll make it quick. I promise," I say. Ava nods ever so slightly and tightens her grip on my hand.

"Close your eyes," I say, fighting hard to keep from breaking down completely. Ava complies and I steel myself. I have to do it. Nobody should be left like this and I doubt Cato would show any empathy if he returned and found her alive.

I raise the knife above her heart and take a deep breath before driving it down with all the force I can muster. Ava lets out a gasp, but immediately goes limp, a cannon shot thundering throughout the arena. I cross her hands over her chest and wearily stand up. That's three kills. Three lives I have personally extinguished. I feel completely drained, physically, emotionally and mentally. I have to keep moving, though. My family is counting on me. I hope they're not ashamed. I hope they see I've still got some decency left.

I grab my spear and trudge back towards my allies. Then I hear something. A faint rustle, like a squirrel scurrying around, comes from a large willow to my right. I look up into the dark branches and search for the source, but find nothing. Just the thick shadows swallowing every branch and leaf beyond the glow of the dying fire.

A/N: Whew! That was a long chapter. I considered splitting it, but I wanted to cover the entire first day at once. Marvel's got blood on his hands now, made new friends and new enemies. I got a lot of great reviews and feedback on the last chapter and I just want to say thank you. You guys are the best. As always, all reviews, follows and favorites are greatly appreciated.