Nights in the arena are terrifying. Its silent, a pregnant kind of silence that is both hopeful yet terrifying.

Let me explain. At night, anything goes. And so far, it's been completely uneventful, which makes me worry. Could it be that I've just been missing cannons with the deafening silence? Or is it so uneventful that the gamemakers are going to have force some action. Not to mention its pitch black at times, with only the fabricated moonlight shining down on our little camp site. I wonder if there's any tributes nearby waiting to kill us. Or worse, Alex being close enough to be caught by us.

Sitting on a mossy boulder by Fern, I yawn into the silence, the sound hurting my ears after not hearing a sound for a good three hours. I turn from my stare towards the woods to find Fern staring at me. I jump, startled, because she was asleep the last time I had turned to see her. I put my hand on my chest and recuperate from my scare, looking down to my knees.

"I hate you."

I look up from my spot on my knees, then look over at the tied up District 12 girl, covered in dirt and grime. Her long brown hair was matted on her shoulder, her droopy eyes still strong enough to shoot me a death glare.

I look away, staring forward with a hard face.

"You wanna know why?" She continues, her voice tired and half conscious.

I do want to know, I do. But Cybele told me not to talk to her. And Cybele and I were not simpatico at the moment. Any moment, actually. My teeth clench, and I stay firm, looking back at the camp with my peripheral vision.

Fern chuckles breathily. "They can't hear you," She replies. "They fell asleep on you. Careers sleep like hibernating bears."

I smile a bit, then hide it quickly. The girl had a point, however. It was hard to wake the group this morning, something I found to be happening every morning. Then we found Fern-

I took a quick glance over at her, only to look away again. She was getting into my head, I knew already. Besides, looking at her made me think too much of Alex and how thankful I am that he hasn't come looking for Fern.

And my fear that he will.

"Do you want to know or not?"

I look back at the camp, where the Careers all slept peacefully. I released my legs from my grasp and stretched, sighing. With a dejected and nonchalant tone of voice, I answer. "Sure. Why not?" I crossed my arms and faced her expectantly. She blew a piece of her auburn hair away from her face.

"You don't even realize, do you? With your little stunt in the interviews, with Alex-"

She looked up suddenly, looking around, then shook her head. I cocked my head to the side.

"I envy you."

I felt a twang in my chest. It hurt.

But why?

"Envy?" I ask, lowering my guard slightly. Fern then laughs maniacally, in a hushed tone.

"Don't flatter yourself, District One, you are nothing to me." She stops, then looks away. "You were everything I wanted, though."

I'm confused. She can tell.

"Alex's little stint was my idea. But not for you, oh darling. Not for you." She leans back. "I wanted to come home with him. Start a life with him. It was a long shot, but it was almost like a godsend being chosen with him and I thought, he's not a bad guy. I'd love to try and survive this game with him. And then he met you.

"He couldn't stop talking about you. And when it came to speaking of strategy, I told him what I had in mind. And he walked away from me. Just like that. An hour later, he's telling the entire country he's been in love with you since he laid eyes on you, and I'm the rejected tribute with no one to call ally, trying to hold on to my ridiculous notion that maybe because we're form the same district he might take a chance on me."

I'm speechless. I can see her eyes are burning with tears. Her voice is breaking.

"You don't know him like I do, sweetheart. His mom is dead. His dad works to keep him and his little brother alive, and with Alex away, no one could probably make the medicine his brother needs to survive. Alex? He's a healer in our district. He's such an amazing guy, learning to make medicine for his brother and anyone else who might need it - it's a shame he chose someone as vapid as you."

She's angry now, and I feel dumbfounded, dumbfounded and stupid.

"Fern - I -"

"Don't. I don't want your pity, I don't want your explanation." She squints her eyes. "You know what? I feel sorry for you. You actually believe that Alex has a soft spot for you? I'd get with the time, princess and get it straight - he's just going to play you like he played me. And I'm going to enjoy this downfall -"

"Shut up!" I whisper furiously. I stand and tower over her. She laughs.

"You don't scare-"

"I don't know if you're delusional, but I feel sorry for you. You may not realize this, but I'm the closest thing to an ally you ever had. Those "bears" back there?" I point at the Careers. "They are going to murder you. Brutally. Once they realize you're of no use to them - you're through. He's not going to save you Fern." I paused. "No one is."

She stares up at me, then snorts. "I don't care anymore, Lillianne Snow. I've done my job. I hope you fail at yours."

My job? My air of upperhand is gone and I'm once again confused. It's like she just gave me a code I had no idea how to break, and she reveled in this. Suddenly, I heard shuffling behind me and I turn to see a sleepy Dezzy with her slingshot in hand.

"Is something wrong, Lilly?" She asks drowsily, eyeing Fern. I turn to her and then back at Dezzy.

"No. But it's time to switch isn't it?" I ask. Dezzy nods. Before I walk off, she stops me and comes close.

She whispers, "Is it still happening tonight?"

I stiffen, hesitating. I answer, "No. But I'll give you the signal. It's going to happen quickly."

We both nod and I head to the campsite and watch Dezzy sit in front on a silent Fern for a while until I don't remember the last thing I see, letting sleep take me.