I woke up to the feeling of water around my feet. I sprung to action immediately, forcing my eyes open and shaking Magnus roughly.

"Magnus!" I whisper-shouted, not wanting to alert any of the other tributes of our location, but Magnus wouldn't stir.

Eventually I slapped him.

"What?" Magnus asked, before he noticed the water rushing into their cave, that was already up to his ankles when he stood up

"Oh god." Magnus muttered, "We gotta get out!" He screamed, clawing at the entrance to the cave that they had blocked up with rocks, but they wouldn't budge.

I felt my blood run cold.

"It was a trap," I whispered angrily, and Magnus shoved his shoulder against the rocks. They shifted slightly, but didn't move, and water was filling fast. I had no doubt this was the gamekeeper's doing, and could see panic beginning to set in on Magnus' face.

Then, I had an idea.

"Here, use this as a lever," I said, handing the metal bow I had gained to Magnus, who shoved the metal edge amongst a gap in the rocks, and shoved his weight against it.

They budged, but then more water began pouring in. Magnus coughed and struggled, and that was when I remembered.

Magnus was terrified of water.

"Magnus!" I shouted over the water, wading against the water that was now up to my chest, and very soon, was high enough that I needed to swim to try and reach Magnus at the entrance to the cave, where Magnus was thrashing and spluttering in panic.

"Magnus listen to me! You're okay, it's okay!" I shouted, but I knew that Magnus probably couldn't hear me. I bit my lip in worry… If I got out, I could probably pull Magnus out of the cave with me, but I also didn't want Magnus to think I had abandoned him, or that he was alone, in case he would panic more and accidentally drown himself.

Still, I could see Magnus beginning to tire. I had to get him out quickly. Now or never.

With that thought, I pushed past Magnus, pulling him further out of the water as I swam past, making sure he could breathe. I had forgotten Magnus couldn't swim.

I pulled myself out, relying on pure adrenaline, and reached back into the cave, holding my hand out for Magnus.

"Magnus! It's okay, grab my hand, I promise I won't let you go!" He shouted, now not caring who heard them. He had bigger problems.

Magnus threw out his hand, and Alec, true to his word, didn't let him go, and pulled him out of the cave.

The lay just outside the entrance, Magnus breathing heavily and coughing water out as Alec rubbed his back.

"Are you okay?" Alec asked, and Magnus just looked at him like 'are you serious right now?'

Alec couldn't help but laugh at him in relief, and hugged him from behind as Magnus began to breathe more normally.

Alec looked back at the cave for a second, when he noticed their backpacks floating on the surface.

"Good thing these backpacks float, huh?" Alec said, handing a sodden bag to Magnus, who grumbled about it.

"I suppose that's one way to find out." Magnus agreed.

Xxx

10 tributes died at the cornucopia the first day. Magnus had heard them as he held Alec close last night. That meant there are 12 other tributes still out there. Not bad odds, if the capitol weren't trying to kill them.

"We need to find a new camp." Alec said, as they began walking slowly and aimelessly.

"Well dear Alexander, I can't help but notice that there's a lack of cover closer to the cornucopia, so going this way might not be a great idea."

"True," Alec said, " Let's head towards those trees, you can climb pretty well so I suggest we make a hammock out of the canvas I have in my backpack, and the rope and wire we have, and then we can go hunting."

"Sounds good."

They eventually found a group of trees set in the closest shape to a square they were probably going to get, and decided that that could be their new camp. Magnus, being more nimble and fast, jumped between the four trees, tying the canvas between four branches until it was taught, and would hold their weights like a floor, while Alec had his bow and arrows at the ready in case any of the other tributes happened to see them.

Then, Magnus set their sleeping bag down on it so he didn't have to carry it, and they headed down to hunt.

Xxx

It had been a stupid mistake that had caused it, and Magnus wished more than anything that he could take it back.

They had been hunting, and, with Alec being too hot, had decided that walking closer to the only breadth of water that was available would be a good idea, so they could appreciate a light breeze.

The only problem was that they were in plain sight.

Honestly, Magnus had forgotten that they needed to be careful, walking along the sand with Alec's hand in his, they had gotten too reckless, and the last career spotted them.

District 1. Camille Belcourt. She had had her teeth filed into fangs for the competition, which Magnus had always thought was a little much, but she was also brilliant at throwing knives. That was what Magnus should have payed attention to.

It was too late now.

Alec had seen her first- on the opposite side of the lake, he had seen her flitting between the trees, but Alec didn't think she had seen them yet. He was wrong.

"Give me my hand back," He whispered to Magnus, who complied, and Alec knocked a bow and arrow, ready to shoot if he needed to, as he ushered Magnus back into the nearest trees for cover.

"Alec? What's going on?" Magnus asked, chilled to the bone with worry.

"Just-"

And then the world stopped.

Alec stopped speaking, and his hands went straight to his stomach, and when he turned his body to look at Magnus, Magnus' heart stopped.

"No." He breathed.

Alec's side was drenched in sticky red blood, that had spluttered out when Camille's knife had collided with his side. Then, she was gone.

"Magnus." He whispered, and then dropped to the floor. Magnus caught him immediately, and cradled him in his arms, frantically trying to find the first aid kit in his bag.

"You're not gonna die," Magnus said, "You're not gonna die," He kept saying frantically, until he wasn't really sure who he was convincing.

He immediately set to work on the wound, but Magnus knew that the first aid kit he had wasn't going to get them very far. And they couldn't stay out in the open, not when they were basically defenceless.

"Magnus-" Alec started again, but Magnus shushed him again.

"Sh, don't try to talk," He tried to say, but it came out as more of a whimper.

Alec lifted his hand, and stroked Magnus' face.

"It's okay," He whispered, "Win for me,"

"No," Magnus said fiercely, "I won't because you're not gonna die,"

"I love you." Was all Alec said, and then a cannon erupted in the distance.

A/N: So…. Hi? I'm back? It's been 2 years… is anyone still here? Please don't kill me but I'm hyped to talk to y'all again! How is everyone? It's so emotional to be back! Hope to hear from all my old friends, and all you newbies, you like the story? It's only be on hiatus for 2 years! WHOS HYPED?

Anyways, hope you have a great day/night! I totally forgot what it feels like to do this! I missed you guys!

-Lauren