Chapter VIII: Time for Frostbite

A/N: Okay, looks like I am back on a roll with this story. This takes place over the course of two days in the Hunger Games. Thanks go out to alexandria-likethecityinegypt and TheReaper94. They've helped a lot.

Day IV

Isabel was peering up at the sky. The clouds had been low and heavy looking all day.

"I have a really bad feeling about those clouds," Thomas said as he dragged a deer into the campground. It had been right by the campground so Thomas hadn't left Isabel alone.

"You mean those storm clouds," Isabel pointed at the clouds that were coming in from the northwest.

"Yes, them. They look like they could be clouds that bring a blizzard with them," Thomas replied.

"I've never seen snow before," Isabel mused as she pressed back at a kick.

Nikola came back, and like Thomas was eying the approaching clouds with considerable apprehension before saying, "We should get all of our stuff into the cave."

Shortly after that Damon and Rose came back from their patrols, Damon asked, "Why are you guys moving all the stuff inside?" He flicked a glance towards Isabel.

"We're moving the stuff into the cave. Nikola and Thomas think that a snow storm is coming. We need to get the stuff into the cave posthaste," she replied.

The group went to work. The Cave Alliance may not have been the strongest tributes, but you could say that they were all hard workers.

About an hour later, Rose commented, "We need to figure out a way to put a tarp over the cave opening and keeping it in place. Otherwise, we're going to have to go really deep into the cave so we aren't bothered by the cold."

No sooner had she finished that sentence, they all saw 2 boxes attached to a parachute. The boxes had the number 5 on it.

"Looks like you got your first gift, Nikola," Isabel said with a slight smile.

"Come on, let's see what you got," Damon urged excitedly.

Nikola picked up the note that was attached to the smaller of the two boxes.

Nice work with that trap. Here's some more trap supplies. Also the tarp in the bigger box should be big enough to cover that cave opening in the event of inclement weather. There are holes in the top for ventilation, so a fire can be used. Jay.

Nikola opened the large box. The tarp was not only big enough, it had holes in it so it could be augured into place. Also, it was camouflaged to suit the terrain.

Cedar Greene and Gwen Wood of District 7 also noticed the clouds. They also smelled the scent of approaching snow.

"Good thing we've got shelter, it's a small cave, but it will do," Cedar thought.

"Time for us to hunker down," Gwen said as the snow began to fall.

Trident had never seen snow before. Being from District 4, the climate was too warm for it.

It was a good thing too, that they had the heated tents up and connected so they wouldn't even have to go outside.

All of the contents of the Cornucopia had been moved into one of the bigger tents.

"Wouldn't want our supplies to blow away in the storm," Achilles had muttered.

"This storm looks like it could last a while. We need to batten down the hatches," Freya said.

"I will be shocked if we don't get any nasty surprises during this storm," Serena said as she sharpened her blade.

The wind really was picking up. Thankfully the tarp had been easy to secure into place.

Rose, Damon, and Nikola were sound asleep. Isabel had just gotten back from using the bathroom.

One of the more convenient things they'd found in the cave was a cut seat of stone in the rock wall of the cave. It had an opening to an underground river, so it served as a functional toilet.

Isabel noticed that Thomas was fingering a blue and gold yarn bracelet.

She asked, "That's your token right?"

He nodded.

"Who made it for you?"

"My boyfriend Derrick made it," Thomas replied.

Isabel blinked. She hadn't been expecting that.

"Well, it's good work. How long have you two been together," she asked politely.

"A year and a half. Our families are good with it," he said back.

They listened to the wind howl for a while.

Thomas then asked, "How long were you and the father together?"

"Erik and I were together for nearly 3 years," Isabel replied tightly as she rested her arms on top of her belly.

Talking about Erik with anyone was still excruciating for her, but had gotten a little easier, especially with Damon, James, Mercedes, and her friend's families.

Remembering the good times was also becoming less painful.

With a yawn, Isabel said, "Good night, Thomas."

"Good night Isabel," the trainee healer replied.

"Cold. So cold."

Those had been Will Carnegie's thought throughout the whole blizzard.

It was becoming hard to walk. His hands were black and blistered.

He fell to his knees, crawling for a short time, before coming to a stop.

Will thought he heard a cannon fire off amidst the howling wind.

"Who just died," was his last coherent thought.

Will Carnegie, 15th Place, District 3, Hypothermia/Frostbite, Day IV

Day V

Damon was the first one awake. According to the watch on Isabel's wrist, it was roughly 9 in the morning. She was sleeping in her chair next to him. And was snoring slightly.

Rose and Thomas were sound asleep as well, and they were far away from the cave opening.

Nikola, on the other hand was sleeping near the opening.

Moments later, the boy stretched and sat up.

"Morning," the skinny boy greeted.

"Aren't you cold that close to the opening," Damon asked.

"The cold doesn't bother me much. My part of District 5 is on this old lake. Winters there are brutal," Nikola explained before continuing with, "I'm claustrophobic. So being confined in here is uncomfortable to say the least."

Damon peeped through the top of the tarp by getting onto a nearby ledge. It was still snowing. As he got down from the ledge, the other three woke up to an unearthly howl.

"What the *HELL* was that," Isabel asked as she sat up in the chair.

"I don't know and I really don't want to find out," Damon answered.

"Let's just hope that whatever made that stays far away from here," Rose commented as everyone got ready for breakfast.

They'd barely made it to shelter before the storm started, which was a small overhang of a cave.

"It's better than nothing," Lily had said several times.

"Barely better than nothing," Rafe had thought several times in reply.

They had both drifted off to sleep, their fire burning bright.

Rafe woke up to a horrific howl and a scream.

Lily McCormack, 14th Place, District 9, mauled by Yeti Mutt, Day V

He looked over and saw a huge, white, and furry bipedal animal in the process of mauling Lily. Rafe thought he saw an arm and a leg strewn about the area, with blood seeping off the limbs.

There was no chance to scream as a claw came toward him.

Rafe Holmes, 13th Place, District 9, mauled by Yeti Mutt, Day V

Isabel looked up at the firing of another two cannons.

"That's three deaths since the storm started. Wonder how they died," Isabel speculated aloud.

"There's always frostbite and/or hypothermia," Thomas replied.

"Or maybe it was whatever made that howl," Rose commented.

"We'll probably find out later who died. The storm should be letting up soon. Standing watches again will become necessary," Damon said.

"Oh goody," Thomas drawled.

"The Careers have likely gotten more restive during the storm. They'll be spoiling for a fight," Nikola whispered.

"We're down to 12 tributes. From my recon at the Cornucopia two days ago, the Careers have made it a priority to find the trap maker that got Mirena," Rose said.

Everyone looked at Nikola. The silence was ominous.

"If they want me, they'll have to find me first. I've gotten good at camouflage while I'm out on patrol," Nikola said.

But they all knew that while he'd become good at camouflage, if the Careers wanted to find him, they likely would.

They all weren't complete utter idiots.

A/N 2: Well, this turned out to be a shorter chapter. I tried to make it longer, but it just wouldn't work out the way I wanted it to. Can't wait to hear what you all think of this one! SSD

PS- MERRY CHRISTMAS!