Disclaimer: I do not own The Hunger Games. They belong to Suzanne Collins.

Note: Another chapter! I think I'm really hitting my stride on the story at this point. The characters feel like they are starting to become their own and such now, in my own opinion. Either way, it's a fun and relaxing story to write, however ironic it is for it to be relaxing given it's The Hunger Games. XD Not too much to say, other than I hope you all enjoy reading. :)


I open my eyes, and in a snap I'm on my feet, sleepy but alert. Being in the arena is gradually making me a much lighter sleeper...might help me to live longer. But, my waking reflexes are unneeded this time as the only people around are Katniss and Rue. Both are still sleeping, though Katniss looks as though the sound of a butterfly's wings could wake her. We'll be heading off to, um, blow up the Careers' supplies soon, so I waste no time in getting my gear stuffed into my backpack. Who knows, if I pack quickly enough we may get there before the careers even wake up.

I wonder which of the Careers is the lightest sleeper. Really, do I want to know? I'm certain they sleep holding their weapons as though they were stuffed animals or something. Defence, or a valid sleeping technique? I'm not sure either way.

The sun has not truly starting to peak over the horizon yet, but it will soon. Until then, the morning air is crisp, fresh and...probably artificial. I'm only a few seconds into my packing when Katniss awakens, quickly looking around with her bow raised.

"Just me," I say, raising my hands for good measure.

"Been awake long? Seen anybody?" asks Katniss.

"Nope to both of those," I say. "Sleep well?"

"About as good as usual," says Katniss, shrugging. That...does not quite answer my question, but so long as she can fire her bow, I don't mind. "Ok, ten minutes for breakfast and then we'll head off to the Cornucopia."

"You know, I was kind of joking when I said we should blow up the Careers' supplies. Ehehehe..." I trail off, chuckling awkwardly.

Katniss just smirks and gently wakes up Rue. I wonder...maybe this plan won't be so bad? If we're really gonna do this then maybe the Capital will be impressed? Sponsors are looking more and more likely! Maybe I should copy Rue and try some optimism...just for a little while?

For breakfast we eat apples, again. Not exactly tasty, but they fill me up and that's what matters right now. We're soon all packed and ready to go, and I look out to the lake.

"So, along the shore?" I say, peering out across the water. "Might take an hour of walking, I think?"

"No, we'd be spotted. We need to go through the forest," replies Katniss.

"I'm in favour of the forest," adds Rue. "If we see anybody we can just tell them what we're gonna do, and they'll play nice with us."

I really hope Rue is right.

"Sure, fine by me," I say in agreement. "Maybe we could try to steal some supplies before we destroy them? I think we could do with having more food and weapons."

"Leave that to me," says Rue with a confident giggle. Her giggling sounds...nice. Really nice.

"Let's go. Stick behind me," says Katniss, leading the way. "Urchin, keep an eye out in case anybody, or anything, follows us. Rue, get your slingshot ready."

Rue and I both nod and follow after Katniss. I cast one look back at the lake as we go.

I wonder if the lake has any shark mutts or other aggressive fish in it. I'm not taking any chances, but...it'd be nice to have a swim. When I'm swimming, I feel free. Free like a bird, but in water. Free from the Capital and all my worries. Imagine that, being free in the Arena. Well, I'm still alive so I guess that's enough miracles for one week already. But, if I get out of here...I'm so getting a massive pool added to my house in the Victor's Village. I could swim all my worries away

...What would being Finnick's neighbour be like? Apparently noises come from his house at night. Sounds like it'd stop me sleeping…

...Eye's on the prize! Stay alive, destroy supplies, win and then get a pool and therapy!

Though, how exactly are we going to destroy the supplies? ...Pee all over the food? Eww...


(A while later…)


I expected to smell ash when walking through the forest, or maybe see signs of the fire still going on. But, it looks like the game-makers have stopped the fire. How very thoughtful of them…

We've been walking for a while and come across nothing. Rue seems bored and Katniss seems on edge from the lack of activity, but I'm finding it to be a nice change of pace. The arrow wound in my shoulder still really hurts, so having some time to rest my arm and not put any pressure on myself is a welcome relief.

"Careful, it's really steep here," says Katniss.

"Should we go around?" I ask. Between speed and safety, I'll go with the latter when in the arena.

"No. We'll edge our way down slow and steady," she says assuringly. "Want to join hands?"

"I'll be alright," I reply, starting to carefully make my way down the very steep bank. It stretches on a good distance.

"Can you hold me?" asks Rue quietly.

Katniss smiles, joining hands with Rue and carefully helping her down. There is a slight bit of mud here, so I can see good reason to be careful. But, as long as we keep up this slow pace, we shouldn't have any issues.

I am suddenly sent flying forwards, yelling in alarm as I roll down the bank rapidly, and coughing out some dirt. What the heck was that? With a groan, I glance back. Did...did one of the girls just shove me? I thought I was somewhat likeable…

One one hand, it's a relief it clearly was not them. On the other hand, I'm now worried that I cannot see them. Oh, I can hear them yelling, but...only on the other side of the large and thorny dirt wall that has just sprung up from the ground.

"Urchin! Are you ok?!" calls Rue. She sounds very worried.

"I'm ok! Just took a tumble!" I reply. "Uh...I don't think I can climb over this!"

Looks like the Game-Makers want us to split up. Might be better to do as they want, as the last time somebody ignored their clear demands they got eaten by Spider Mutts...coincidentally, I didn't sleep much that month. Yeah, 'coincidently'…

"Hang on, I'm gonna try to come over to you," calls Katniss. "Stay where you are."

"Wait, that's a bad-," I begin, before I hear the sound of a crackle and a shriek. "...Idea."

I hear Katniss groaning and Rue asking if she is ok, probably checking her over.

"...How does dirt even conduct electricity? I know District 5 is power, and District 4 is fishing, but that's common knowledge. What..." I say in confusion. I just can't get my head around some of the technology that the Capital has got.

A silence follows for a few seconds.

"Katniss? Rue? Is...is everything ok over there?" I ask anxiously.

"We're ok! Katniss is just...being a little fussy!" Called Rue.

"Fuck the Capital!" Yells Katniss, sounding really angry. It's kinda scary...gee, good thing we're on the same side. But, come the top three…

"Ssshhh! Not so loud! You want them to send a Mutt after you!?" I squeak, waving my arms frantically, not that the girls can see this.

There is a pause. Maybe Katniss is biting her sleeve to stop herself from yelling more?

"...Tell you what, how about I go this way and you two go that way, and we meet up were the wall ends, or at the Cornucopia, whichever comes first?" I suggest. How far can the wall go, right?

"Sounds like a plan," agrees Katniss. "Ok, let's get going."

"Katniss!" yells Rue, suddenly alarmed.

I hear a yell and the loud of a weapon hitting wood. Some scuffling ensues and I hear two people running off, with somebody else letting out another yell.

"Please don't prolong the inevitable," says a tired sounding voice. Wait, is that Rammy?

Rammy jogs off and soon all is silent except for the mockingjays in the trees. Their tune sounds relaxing, serene...gentle. I wonder if they're just making it up, or the Capital has them made to sing some kind of song only Capital citizens would know?

Wait a second...I'm all alone. It's just me now. I quickly take out my knife, holding it by the handle as I make a full turn, as who knows what may be creeping up on me. But, seems like nothing is here, human or otherwise. Just the harmless birds.

"...Better get going, don't want to keep them waiting," I say, running forth into the forest.

I'm alone and without anybody to protect me, but...maybe this way I'll be harder to track. If I'm quick, and quiet, I think I can make it to my destination without too many issues. And if there are issues, well, I have a knife and other supplies.

Something tells me the knife will be the most useful possession of mine though.

I whistle a short tune to myself as I run. The mockingjays repeat it back to me.

Rue is right, those birds really are beautiful.

I wonder if they're edible…


(Later…)


Clouds have rolled by and are covering up the sun. It's not cold, but I can feel a chilling breeze that makes my young body shiver a little. At least it doesn't look like it's going to rain, not that I'd really mind it. Rain water in the games has never once been poisonous, I think.

With the sun blocking clouds and the thick canopy of this part of the forest, the area around me is dark. I can see where I am going, but it's just...dim. Once the sun sets it'll be pitch black, so hopefully I can find my way out of here before then. At least I'm alone...no Katniss and Rue, but also no Careers.

"I am so lost right now," I say, gulping.

I've been walking for at least two hours, I'm sure of it. At some point the wall went down while I was facing the other way, but clearly I went off course once I headed in the direction I thought I heard Katniss and Rue go in. I'm not sure if I am going in the right direction or not...I would climb a tree and try to look around fro the top of the forest, but I'm not exactly sure if I have the skill to reach the top of one of them.

I'm not used to this amount of trees, or darkness during the day. Back home in District 4 there are not many trees. Mostly beaches, grassy and rocky hills, dockyards that smell of salt water...that kind of terrain. Forests, not so much. And near the shore and the civilisation it's generally lit in some way. Shore lights to stop boats crashing, lamp posts placed by roads, you know what I mean. This Arena is about as different from home as it gets.

Well, maybe except for a desert arena. That'd be horrendous to deal with...

"Ok, what did they say about navigation back in training? If it's night, follow the stars and if it's day...what? Uhhh..." I trail off, straining myself to remember. "...Ah! Look at where the sun is!"

I gaze up into the canopy. The sun may be blocked out, but I can still kind of see where the light is coming from. It seems like it's coming up to midday.

"Ok, and the sun rose from...uh...that way I think?" I say to myself, glancing to my left. "So, if the sun is rising the same as it did one day one, then the Cornucopia must be...that way. Maybe? Better to check than just stand around here."

I set off in my decided direction, keeping an ear out for any signs of activity near me, when I hear a voice.

"Urchin, that way leads right to the forcefield. Don't provoke the Game-Makers, or walk into the forcefield," warns a voice. "That'd be...really, really bad for you."

I spin around, but lower my knife when I see Foxface walk out from behind a tree. She gives me a pleasant wave, as though I'm a close friend she is greeting on the street.

"Thanks for the warning," I say awkwardly. "I was...trying to navigate using the sun."

"Didn't you notice? It's been rising a different direction every day. Remember, the Arena is artificial," states Foxface, approaching a berry bush.

"Urrrrgh, duh!" I groan, face-palming. How could I forget that? You'd think after watching the games every year that I'd have picked up on the fake sun…

"You live, you learn," says Foxface with a giggle, picking some berries from the bush.

...Nightlock!

"No! No! Don't eat that!" I yell, smacking Foxface's hands. "That's nightlock! I've seen that stuff in here before...it's lethal!"

Foxface yelps for a moment, quickly throwing away all the berries and shaking her hand as though it were on fire. After a few moments of silence, she looks at me.

"...Uh, hi? Is there something on my face?" I ask. That stare...is she trying to tell me something? Did she lose her voice?

"...Why did you do that?" asks Foxface finally.

"...Um, do what?" I ask. What did I do that was odd? Nothing is coming to mind right now.

"You stopped me eating those berries. If you'd not spoken up I'd be dead," says Foxface, getting up and gazing at me.

"...And you have a problem with that?" I say, confusion probably clear in my eyes.

"...This is The Hunger Games, Urchin. If I was dead, you'd be a step closer to going home with your life," says Foxface. "You saved me, and made the odds of you doing home even lower."

I can't help but feel uncomfortable under Foxface's gaze. I don't know why, but it feels I'm being accused for a crime...saving a life being a crime? It is the Arena, but...well, some people have made the 'finale' without killing anybody. But have they saved anybody? Hmmm...I can't remember.

But why did I save Foxface? I didn't even think about it, and I had a few seconds to do so. I just...reacted. Maybe I did just worsen my odds. Aw, shit…

...Good thing mum won't ever know I just swore. If mums could read minds, right?

"Well...it made your odds better, right?" I reply, trying to be casual. "Plus, we're both far out here. Two heads are better than one. You being alive, well, it helps me...and you. It also lowers the odds of the Careers too. I think the word here is...uh...pragmatic, yeah?"

Foxface looks at me for a moment. I know she's a smart girl, and she must be thinking a mile a moment right now.

"Don't even try to lie Urchin, it's really not a good look for you," says Foxface with a laugh. "You just can't tell a lie."

Foxface walks by me, giving me a friendly pat on the back. She's...smiling at me.

"I prefer you being the one person in the Arena I think I can kind of trust. Thank you," says Foxface with a toothy grin. "So, what way were you heading?"

"The Cornucopia. Do you know the way there?" I ask. I wonder if the gratefulness and happy feeling is showing on my face? I look like such a dork when I get happy.

"I do. It's a bit of a walk from here, but if we go in that direction we should make it by tomorrow morning," says Foxface confidently. "… Maybe even after it gets dark tonight as long as nothing gets in our way."

"Nothing...or nobody?" I ask, crossing my arms warily.

"Well, I think the Careers are near the Cornucopia now, I think. We shouldn't run into them at least," Foxface assures me. "C'mon, lets go."

Foxface walks on ahead, and I quickly begin to follow after her. So long as we keep our weapons out, we should be slightly fine for a while. Hey, wait a second…

"Foxface? Do you...have a weapon?" I ask, noticing a distinct lack of anything kill-y in her hands.

"...I only grabbed a pack near my pedestal before I bolted," says Foxface. "Just two loafs of bread. For now, while a good few of us are left, I'm just gonna run about and take what I need to. I...really don't want to hurt anybody. If I play it smart, I can win without killing anybody."

It finally happened! Somebody I can believe will not want to kill me if it comes down to it! ...Well, Foxface possibly leaving me for Mutts instead of stabbing me is not much better, but...I'll take what I can get.

"...What if we come across somebody with a sword?" I ask, that happy feeling vanishing like freedom in Panem has for many years now.

"Then we run like we're on fire," says Foxface. "Imagine you're Katniss. If they can't catch us, they cannot kill us."

"Unless they have a bow," I reply.

"...You're not a cheerful kid, are you?" says Foxface, chuckling a little.

After a boat full of optimists died at sea a few years back...well, I decided pessimism was safer and what the Capital would not punish me for. Of course, I can't tell Foxface that...don't wanna provoke the Game-Makers. I'd call it biting the hand that feeds me, but I feel pretty hungry...silence is safe, either way.

I just humorlessly chuckle and shake my head as we walk on.


(Some time passes…)


There is the Capital Hunger, where they hunger only for entertainment.

There is the District 4 Hunger, where we anxiously wait for dinner time after a long day of fishing.

There is the District 12 Hunger, where I've heard the pains feel like a cramp in the belly, except like it's on fire.

Then, there is the Hunger of the Games...and it's really not nice. With all the activity I've been doing and the exhaustion of my young body, my hunger must be multiplied from the usual state I'd be in. It's a like a low, dull and groaning wound that is constant, unending and almost spreading beyond my stomach. It's only been getting worse.

Basically, I need food! I don't even care if it's not crispy or if it were, ick, covered in apple sauce. I'd eat anything!

Foxface seems to share my sentiment. Perhaps as she is a bit bigger than me, mainly in height and less so in weight I can tell, she can go for longer without food? Even if she's suffering less, she looks unhappy.

Happiness in the Hunger Games. Yeah, what next, romance in the games? ...Maybe if Peeta was alive, it could've been.

"...We should find food," I say to break the starving silence. "If we keep on going, we'll be in pain throughout the night, whether we make it there or not."

"Agreed. But, do you know where to get food here?" asks Foxface. "Sponsors?"

"Maybe," I say, looking up at the sky hopefully. "...Roots are edible."

"Which ones?" asks Foxface, glancing at some of the plants around us.

"Uh...gonna have to get back to you that one," I say with a sigh. "You got anything that could make a trap for something?"

"Nothing," says Foxface, pulling out her empty pockets. "You?"

I doubt I do, but maybe I've overlooked something? I set down my backpack and rummage through it. Hmm...oh, the wire. That might be useful. I wordlessly pass it over to Foxface.

"Remember how to build any snares?" I ask. I begin packing up my stuff again as I speak. "I never got the hang of that training station."

"I'm District 5. We're not really the best at survival. A few days of training does not often change that," she replies, shaking her head. "But with this wire...we might be able to make a tripwire. Maybe you could set it up, and I'll chase something towards it, and you can stab I while it's down."

"...My hunger outweighs any love for animals," I say, nodding. "Good plan. Let me know when you're getting near."

"Will do," she says, running off at a high speed...before I can tell her about the Mockingjays. Well, I'm sure her just yelling will work too. We're not gonna be far apart.

With that, I approach two trees nearby. They seem good enough. I start to tie the wire onto them, slow and steady. Being alone in the woods, just the birds chirping...this is nice. Is this anything like what Rue's home is like in District 11? So unlike the sea.

It's only a minute or so, maybe even less, until the tripwire is finished. I carefully pull it for a moment, listening to the twang sound it makes.

"Looks secure," I say, nodding to myself. "Should trip an animal. Maybe even a human?"

I let out a startled yelp as something grabs me and thrusts me back-first into a tree, holding me there. Ow, that impact hurt…

I look at Thresh, and hope he doesn't hear my whimper. His outfit is a bit ripped and missing sleeves now.

...Those tracker-jacker stings don't look like they've healed perfectly. How did he get those?

...Oh.

Oh.

...Aw crap!

I struggle and kick, but Thresh holds me in place with ease. He's got a serrated sword of some sort attached to his belt. No blood is visible on it, but that might change soon.

I yell, kick and struggle, but still Thresh silently keeps his hold on me. He gives me a cold look, and then sighs to himself, looking off to the side. It looks like he feels conflicted...but why? I saw him kill, uh, I think the boy from District 7. Yeah, that boy during the bloodbath when I was hiding.

I kick and yell some more, the thought of my blood being splattered making me feel sick. My hunger pains have been replaced by sheer terror.

"I don't like having to kill, least of all a twelve year old," mutters Thresh.

"You don't h-h-have to," I stammer.

Thresh just looks at me.

"Maybe not, but it's how it's gotta be," says Thresh shortly. "I'll try and make it quick. Less painful than the tracker-jackers."

"Wait! I've been hanging out with Rue a lot! You kill me, she'll hate you!" I say. Holy crap, I am praying Thresh remotely cares what Rue thinks of him. Enough for me to have a chance to get free and attempt to sprint away.

Thresh is silent for a moment, hesitating. But before I can struggle he lightly shakes his head.

"She may be young, but she knows only one can win," says Thresh calmly. "It'll be quick."

"FOXFACE," I scream as loudly as my lungs can allow.

Thresh slams me hard into the tree. I scream as pain jolts through me, and he prepares for a follow-up slam. But before he can finish me off his hold is suddenly broken. I let out a cry as I hit the ground.

I have spots in my vision, and my head is dizzy. My whole body hurts. I prop myself up on a shaky elbow, and try to see what is going on.

Thresh and Foxface are grapping each other, rolling about in the dirt and clawing at each other. I can see Thresh trying to stun Foxface with jerks of his knee to her gut, while Foxface is trying to punch Thresh in the chest, and sometimes headbutt his face. Both seem hurt, but it looks like Thresh has got the advantage.

My head spinning, I try to get myself to my feet. I make three attempts to get up, falling over each time. I'll need to throw something...crap, I never went back to get my throwing knife from Cato's body! Though, would I be able to throw anything in this state. I can see a sizeable rock on the ground next to me. Maybe…

Thresh has gotten on top of Foxface now, straddling her as she screams and tries to punch. He has her pinned. I see her spit at his face which gets Thresh yelling, but with my head I can't make out what it was that he said. I pick up the rock with my shaky arm and try to take aim.

I throw the rock as hard as I can and it hits Thresh in the lower back. I doubt it gave him any real injury, but I think it distracted him for a second. Foxface takes the chance to put him under the chin. I think Thresh bit his tongue as blood just squirted from his mouth. Oooo, sick…

Thresh yells in pain as Foxface throws him off her and onto his side. She runs towards me and grabs my wrist. I feel myself being dragged along and then up to my feet.

"We gotta move!" orders Foxface sharply. I follow her order to the letter...as much as I am able to while stumbling.

After a minute or two my vision starts clearing, but just as it does we're both tackled from behind, Thresh sending all three of us to the ground. For a few moments we lay on the ground in pain, trying to get our bearings back. I can see Thresh by my feet smacking his fist at Foxface's back. I kick him in the face...hopefully size five shoes are effective weapons.

Thresh seems stunned, so I try to help Foxface up. I barely take hold of her hand before Thresh knocks me to the ground. He shoves Foxface over and walks over to me. I kick him in the ankle, but he doesn't react to this. I start to scramble backwards, but feel myself bump into a rock. No, no, no, no, no!

"Sorry," says Thresh, looking to the hide.

Thresh raises his foot, possibly to bring down to crush my chest in on itself, but Foxface grabs his arm with both hands.

"Get away from him!" yells Foxface.

Foxface turns on her heel and throws Thresh over.

As in, over the edge of a cliff. We'd run near a cliff without realizing it.

Thresh's screams stop quickly. Maybe he was knocked out...guess we can keep going now?

BANG.

Foxface lets out a quiet sound that seems like a fusion of a shriek and a gasp and scampers to the edge, dropping to her knees and gazing over the edge. I stagger up to my feet with effort and make my way over to kneel beside her. I peer over the edge.

Thresh lays dead, his head bent at a horrible angle. It's clear that the impact from the fall has broken his neck...and maybe a few other bones too. I turn my head away...the sight has made me feel less hungry, if only for a short while.

"Poor guy..." I mutter, feeling sympathy for my attempted murderer. Sounds weird when I phrase it that way…

Foxface makes a quiet whimper.

"Are you alright?" I ask, turning my gaze away from the body and towards Foxface. Looking at a dead body makes me feel ill.

"I...killed somebody," whispers Foxface.

"You also saved somebody," I say, trying to perk her up.

She just stares at me.

"...I just ended a life. I...didn't mean to. I just tried to get him off you...and now he's dead," says Foxface, her breathing shaky. "I wanted to win….but, I wanted to do it without hurting anybody. I...just become a murderer..."

"I killed somebody too. I mean, it was Cato, but I-" I try to say, before Foxface cuts me off.

"It doesn't make a difference who it was! Murder is murder..." says Foxface, walking away. I get up to follow her and soon here the hovercraft a distance behind us picking up Thresh's corpse.

"Cato was going to kill Katniss," I say quietly.

"And you killed Cato. And, what is Katniss had been trying to kill Cato...would you have kill her to save Cato? ...Murder is murder," says Foxface quietly, sitting down and drawing up her knees. "...You didn't really think about what you did, huh?"

"...Not really," I say, realising that Foxface is right. "I was so...caught up in emotions, and talking...I didn't really think about it. I...killed a boy without even feeling anything."

I feel sick, but less from hunger now and more from revulsion at myself.

"I save Katniss...I stop you eating nightlock...but, apparently I thought killing Cato was ok?" I say as I start to pace "Yeah...I'm feeling things now..."

"I am too. I wanted to win without taking a life, but now...win or lose, I'm forever going to be a murderer," Foxface says as she hides her face in her knees. "I want to be alone please."

"But, what about food? We need to eat," I say, unsure of what I should be doing in this situation.

Foxface does not respond. Clearly, she wants me to leave for a while. Does she want me to come back here later? ...Maybe I'll look for food and come back in an hour. Might let me think and get my own thoughts in order.

"Feel better soon," I say, patting Foxface on the back lightly.

Foxface doesn't make any kind of response, so I walk off. Hopefully, not into danger this time. Or other tributes.

I'm nowhere near the kill record, but now that I'm really thinking about killing Cato...I'm hoping I won't set any kind of records for violence. Imagine being known for that. Imagine holding the kill record. The record holder...that girl murdered fourteen people…with a shoe. It was horrifying to watch, trust me!


(About two minutes later)


Cato may have had family, friends...maybe even a lover? The sour view most Districts have on the Careers as a whole, it stopped me from even thinking about that when I was watching the Games. But now that I am here, and Foxface has got me thinking...we're really all the same, in some ways. Kids bought here to fight. Career or not, we're still people.

I guess if I had realised that sooner Cato would be alive...and Katniss may be dead. I might even be dead too, from the 3 boy...if I had lasted that long. It's a complex situation here...on one hand, a lot of guilt but on the other hand I'd be a corpse. No simple outcome. Have the games ever been simple though? I think when I was little my Great Grandpa may have mentioned something about the first ever Hunger Games being only three days long and in a small meadow arena...but in the relevant present, it's not simple.

I'll just have to deal with it. Either I'll be dead and silent, or I'll have my entire life to get my feelings in order. However long that'll take.

"Urrrrgh..." I groan, holding my empty gut. "Gotta be something edible nearby."

Nightlock.

Ok, technically it's edible, but I'm not eating it. Maybe if the alternative was a slow and painful death from other tributes, but not now. Maybe I could get more of those berries on my knife? The juice is way worse than apple juice ever could be, golden delicious or not.

Hey, what's that beeping?

I look up and smile widely as I see a parachute descending towards me. It looks big too! It lands gently in some featureless bushes nearby.

"Thank you," I say out loud for the cameras to hear. If I'm polite, this might not be my last sponsor gift.

I open the gift quickly, for what it contains and to stop the beeping sound. My mouth waters and my eyes probably widen considerably for the viewers to see. On one side of the package, five knives, all part of a set I think, and on the other side a feast! Well, more like a big dinner back home, but with how hungry I am I've never seen anything more beautiful!

I quickly open one of the containers and can't help but giggle. A large helping of warm, butter mash potatoes is within. So creamy, and with a scent even finer than the sea. They even have a bit of mint sauce lathered on them too. I eat the whole lot ravenously, barely pausing for breath. Ah, much better…

But, there's more! Two containers of cool water are inside. I drink contently from one of them while munching on several broccoli and beef sandwiches also in the package. I sure got lucky here. Imagine the other tributes who may not have food.

Other tributes.

Foxface still needs food.

As though I'm on autopilot I pack up everything into the box and jog off back the way I came. Maybe this will lift her spirits, even only slightly. At the very least, a lack of hunger pains is always nice. I don't know how rich or poor District 5 is, so who knows if Foxface is used to regular meals or not?


(One minute later…)


Nothing.

Foxface is gone. No sign of her anywhere, nor anything left to let me know where she has gone. Has she ditched me? Or, did she think I'd come back and so left to extend her time alone? I would call out for her, but I can't risk it. If somebody bigger and stronger than me...almost everyone...is nearby then that'd end badly for me.

I walk over to the cliff Thresh fell from to his death. Perhaps she is laying flowers upon his body? It's been known to happen every few years. But, one look down the cliff shows nothing. No sign of Foxface, nor the slightest sign that Thresh had died there. Not even the smallest drop of blood. None that I can see at least.

The clean-up crew really is thorough, huh…?

I amble back to where Foxface had been kneeling before. There was no cannon, and I can't see any signs of a struggle, so I think she's alight...for now at least.

I need to keep heading to the Cornucopia, and hopefully not get lost, but if Foxface can't find food...well, only one thing for it, isn't there?

"I hope she comes back this way," I say to myself as I open the sponsor box and place down a container of chicken pie. "Be a shame to waste it."

I cast one longing look at the chicken pie. It has gravy. But I shake my head and walk onwards. Hopefully I can find Katniss and Rue before nightfall.

I can see a large tree as I walk away. Looks like it's got a bit of a den under it. Based on the size of it...if things get bad, perhaps a hiding place? I nod to myself and carve a basic fish shape on the trees nearby to help me find this area later, just in case I need to hide in an emergency.

Like Rue said in her interview, if they can't catch us then they can't kill us.


(Time passes…)


Well, the sun has set and the moon is up. I've not reached the Cornucopia, but I think I'm going the right way. Unless I'm mistaken, I'm near the area where Rue and I spent the night hidden in a den under a tree, so the river must be near. From there, it'll just be a matter of finding my camp from the first night, retracing my steps to the Cornucopia and...surviving whatever mayhem will inevitably ensue.

For now, I've got myself up into a tree. I have no rope, so this is risky...but wandering around in the dark looking for a better shelter would be riskier. The boy from 3 might be on the hunt again. The tree I've found, the way the branches and trunk are growing, well, it should be enough to stop me rolling to the ground. And if I do...well, there are numerous bushes growing below the tree, so I'd not be landing on rocks at least.

I still have some food left from my sponsor gift, now safely tucked away in my backpack. But now that I am not hungry, the knives are of interest. All five are well made, with firm metallic teal handles and sharp blades. However, each of them seems to have a unique looking blade.

The first knife has a serrated blade is serrated.

The second knife has a sharp, straight blade.

The third knife has a razor sharp curved blade.

The fourth knife is double bladed, and probably to be used for throwing.

The fifth knife has a deadly looking barbed point. Ouch.

Holding the second of the five knives, I lay back and try to settle down. Hopefully I can get at least three hours of sleep.

And then the anthem starts.

"Arrrggh!" I yell, almost falling right out of the tree. "I swear, they turn up the volume of it to prank tributes..."

The Captain Anthem plays for a few seconds and Thresh's face appears in the sky. It feels like he's staring at me…

As Thresh's face disappears and the anthem ends a thought occurs to me. How will Rue react to Thresh being dead. Were they close? He seemed to like her, and she never spoke badly of him. But, he did say that Rue understands the reality of only one winner.

Between how I am feeling about killing Cato and now my concerns that Rue might be mad at me for being involved in the fight that killed Thresh...sleep cannot come soon enough.

As I idly feel my starfish token in my pocket, I reread the piece of paper in my hand. It came with the sponsor gift.

-I'm not just good at being sponsored. I'm also good at charming people to sponsor my tribute. Hope you like Capitol food and quality knives!

Guilt is a normal feeling in the games. But there can only be one winner. If you want to live, you need to put it aside. I know how it feels, and once you win I will take steps to assist you.

You're doing fine. Keep going as you are.

- Finnick

Finnick is right, of course. He's a past victor, so he knows what he's talking about. A past victor can help me in the future, but it's the present that has me worried.

Feeling too tired to think of this any longer, I settle down to sleep. Hopefully a relaxing one.


END OF DAY 5…


REMAINING TRIBUTES

Marvel (District 1 Male)

Glimmer (District 1 Female)

Clove (District 2 Female)

Weldar (District 3 Male)

Urchin (District 4 Male)

Cinder / Foxface (District 5 Female)

Lacey (District 8 Female)

Rammy (District 10 Male)

Rue (District 11 Female)

Katniss (District 12 Female)


THE FALLEN

11th- Thresh (District 11 Male) – Thrown off a cliff by Foxface and broke neck.

12th- Peeta (District 12 Male) - Leg cut by Cato with a sword, and then bled out over time

13th- Cato (District 2 Male) - Stabbed with a throwing knife covered in nightlock juice.

14th- Marina (District 4 Female) - Beaten by careers and neck crushed by Glimmer

15th- Jason (District 6 Male) - Tripped and then slashed to death with a scythe by Cato.

16th- Nettle (District 7 Female) - Speared in the heart with a spear by Marvel

17th- Sparky (District 5 Male) - Pinned to a crate and stabbed in the abdomen with a knife by Glimmer.

18th- Sickle (District 9 Female) - Knife to the lung by Clove.

19th- Wood (District 7 Male) - Slashed in the throat with a crescent sword by Thresh

20th- Miller (District 9 Male) - Knife thrown into back by Clove

21st- Tamora (District 6 Female) - Stabbed with a knife by Glimmer

22nd- Gadget (District 3 Female) - Slashed in the forehead with a sickle by Sparky.

23rd- Sable (District 10 Female) - Skull hit with an axe by Cato.

24th- Callico (District 8 Male) - Stabbed with a kukri by Marvel.


TRIBUTE NOTES

Thresh: I'll admit, Thresh was not easy to write for, and I wonder if I may have underutilised him. But with the POV never leaving Urchin, I guess it was only inevitable that some characters would not show up very much. But, I think I did alright with Thresh. The tracker-jackers drove him out from his wheat field he spent most of the book/movie in, hence why he encountered Foxface and Urchin where he did. Without cover, I'd imagine he would stay on the move. As for his death, it was interesting to write. Due to the aforementioned tracker-jackers he was only willing to attempt to give Urchin a quick and clean death as opposed to sparing him, and Foxface accidentally killing him has gotten us to see a new side of her. So, I guess in the end I did get some sue out of Thresh even if I had wanted to use him more. And with him dead, who will take out Clove? Can anybody? Lots remains to be seen...