Kodi Nyquist

The girl had her dirty blonde hair tied up in a ponytail. Her muscles are fatigued from days of workout, but her hazel eyes are still gleaming with hope. She looks a little nervous, but somehow manages to grin at her partner. However, as the two begin to talk strategy, somewhere from across the Training Center, others are talking about the young girl. Two brutes, each with a smooth seashell necklace around their neck. They are laughing evilly, and the girl utters, "We'll see how long before we wipe that grin off her face."

"Good luck you two. Remember to stay low and stay out of sight. Use stealth to your advantage. And lastly, try not screw things up." This was the advice Quid had given us before Selene and I split into different launch rooms. Before we left him, he gave us a genuine smile. Underneath that cold, frustrated exterior, Quid actually had a nice side to him. Maybe it just got buried underneath the memories of his Games. If I came back from this alive, I would have to ask him.

Selene and I were given a black shirt and a bright yellow jacket. I guess the Gamemakers wanted to go with the whole Children of Lightning theme, but the bright color was definitely not going to help in camouflage. It took me a while to convince the Gamemakers to let me keep my beanie and bracelet. But seriously, what did they think I could do? Choke someone with them? Smother someone with my beanie? Actually, not a bad idea.

As Selene and I were escorted down a hallway before splitting up, I saw her beginning to tense up. Despite being anxious myself, I manage to squeeze her shoulder and say, "Don't worry. I'll find you." It calmed her down a little, and she managed to give me a small smile; the very same that would melt anyone's heart. I noticed she had dimples, and she flipped her dirty, blonde hair away from her eyes.

Spears raised, gears grind. Blood dripping on the hard hat. Shirt caked with mud. Spears and gears…blood and mud…

I hold my head as a sharp pain jolts through my head. Selene doesn't notice, and she says, "Good luck." That's when I realize it was time for us to split up. So, still holding my temple, I reply, "Stay safe."

In the Launch Room no one is waiting for me. So I am left to sit and ponder anxiously. I lot of things are running through my mind at this point. My family, Garl and Kat, Selene, and for some reason, Marquette.

It's mostly because of the way she looked at me back at the Training Center. The way she squeezed my arm during the interviews. She was in love. With me. I wonder how hard that must be for her, because I knew I couldn't feel the same.

I already was in love with Kat, and yet, it didn't feel right just leaving her alone. I didn't even finish my reply to her request to be in an alliance. And that wasn't fair to her. And now I felt guilty, which wasn't fair to me. Which in turn, wasn't fair to Selene, who would have to deal with it.

Finally I was told to step onto the launch platform. The moment I did, I felt my forehead begin to sweat under my beanie. My hands were trembling, and I was breathing in shallow breaths. I wonder if this is how Lynn felt, I thought.

When I resurfaced, I scanned the arena. What I saw was breathtaking. We were in a forest-like arena, much like the one back in District 3. There were small ponds dotted along the landscape. In the background, a waterfall flowed down a huge cliff that was impossible to scale.

But in the center was something new to the Games. It was an abandoned town, which looked like the people just all of a sudden disappeared. Lights were still working, a small river flowed into a waterwheel, and I think I even saw what looked to be a Ferris wheel. And right smack dab in the middle was the large golden Cornucopia.

Everyone was an equal distance away from the city, and we were a few feet up so everyone could take a look at the abandoned town. I can't find Marquette, but I was able to spy Selene, who was only 3 spots to my left. She motions to a small lake, and I nod, knowing that would be our meeting place. She gave her winning smile, and I began to envision Lynn on her starting plate, ready to dash…

The blond girl with the hazel eyes scans the arena. It's a dense foreboding jungle, which was sure to be filled with deadly animals and poisonous plants. But if the girl was scared, she didn't show it. And when the announcer said, "Let the 56th Hunger Games begin!" the girl didn't hesitate to dash off the platform.

My head began to reel, and I kneel down to settle myself. I look back up to see the other competitors' plates empty. I realize I have wasted time, so I begin to sprint to the lake Selene pointed to. But unfortunately I wasn't quick enough to start, because I see the boy tribute from District 6 already darting towards me, armed to the teeth with knifes.

I spy a small blue pack on the forest ground, but as I try to pick it up, a knife slices through the strap and the pack falls back to the ground. I have to leave it, I think quickly, just as another blade whizzes past into a tree ahead.

I quickly veer to the right, away from the town, using all my years in track to my advantage. In no time, I lose my pursuer, even managing to find a small leather pouch somewhere along the ground. Inside is a syringe filled with painkiller, some dried beef, and a rusty knife. Not the best supplies for survival. Looks like I'll have use my wit to pull me out of this one.

I stuff the items back in the pouch and continue in the direction of Selene and I's meeting place. Back at the interview, I remember saying all I needed to win was in my head. For my sake, I hope I was right.

Marquette Tetra

When I woke, it was to the sound of my own heartbeat. I felt like it was ready to jump right out of my chest, even though I couldn't remember what I dreamt about last night. In my closet is a simple green jacket with a white tank top, gray pants, and leather moccasins. Not exactly my style, but it was refreshing to have some fresh new clothes on.

Sure, I am anxious, but who isn't? Today is the day the Hunger Games begin. For some people, this day would be their last. I can only hope it won't be mine.

At the dinner table, my mentor Kazz gives Gordon and me some last minute advice. Or at least he tries to, but it's a bit hard when you've already drank a bottle of wine and it's only 7:00 AM. But I can make out something along the lines of, "Stick together with the others, and you'll be fine."

Yeah, right. We'll see how long I'll stay with these brutes. Maybe two days at the most. I could hardly stand them and their bloodthirsty ways back at the Training Center.

In the back of my head, I wish that Kodi had taken up my offer. But I know that's his choice, and I'll have to accept it. Yet, I can't stop thinking about his modest smile, his cool demeanor, and especially his hazel eyes specked with gold. Another thing that I hope doesn't happen is seeing those eyes in the arena, because I know I won't be able to kill him.

Maybe the feeling's mutual.

xXxXx

As the starting plate began to rise, about a million thoughts are running through my head. The most dominant one is the thought of my father's face filled with rage. At least one positive thing is flowing through my mind.

But at the same time, I am thinking about Kory, my friends, my mother, and all the people watching me in the Capitol. And these memories don't bring a smile to my face. In those few seconds of darkness, I think of blood, killing, dying, and all those things a tribute would normally think. Then sunlight flooded my eyes, and I saw the arena for the first time.

Since we lived so close to the beach, I've never really been in a forest. But I think a can say that this forest is absolutely breathtaking. Clear pools are scattered everywhere, pines rise high into the sky. Even a waterfall looms in the distance. And in the middle sits a small city with the Cornucopia right in the middle. If it wasn't for the fact that this arena would soon be covered in blood, I would've stayed here for a long time.

"Let the 60th Hunger Games begin!" the announcer, Jamison Karroll shouts, and I immediately sprint off my platform. The other Careers would be waiting at the Cornucopia, and that's where I would be meeting them. Along the way, I grab whatever I can, backpacks, water bottles, whatever. And I also look around to make sure no one is following me.

When I get to the city and the Cornucopia, I see that the Careers have already slain three people. A sigh of relief escapes when I see that none of them are Kodi or Selene.

"Hey Marquette, we saved you one!" the boy from District 5 calls out. He is an unusual one, being in the Career pack despite being from District 5. But judging by the burly muscles and evil sneer, you could tell he fit right in.

The boy tossed a javelin my way, and I caught it while holding onto a pack with my left. Then the boy rejoined the pack to help tear apart a poor tribute from District 8. They were merciless, stabbing the girl repeatedly with their knifes and spears. I tried my hardest not to barf, and I back away from the slaughter. I am still facing the Careers when a knife slices my cheek.

Behind me was a boy, who seemed to come back from an attack in the forest. I recognize him from being from District 6. He is armed to the teeth with throwing knives. And he's charging straight at me, with a long knife raised, ready to stab me.

Time slows down, and I imagine the training sessions I had with my brother. Instinctively, I roll to the left, letting the boy run past me. A look of terror comes onto his face as her realizes his mistake. Then I quickly thrust my javelin into his ribs, just like how Kory taught me. The boy looks at me in shock, then his eyes glaze over and he slumps to the floor, dead. And as he lies there, I come to the realization what of what happened.

In just few seconds, many lives have changed. A boy was dead. His family and friends, scarred for life. Blood seeps out of his side, just like his life slowly draining from his body. And I was the one who caused it. I killed him. My first kill of the Games.

If I was like the other Careers, I would shout in triumph before heading away to find my next prey. But I'm not. I'm just a little girl, who wishes she was back at home in her brother's arms.

I am a murderer.

Kodi Nyquist

I reach the lake within a minute. It's clear, it's refreshing, and it appears to be safe. The key word: appears.

I scan the lake to find Selene on the other side. Good, I think. She's safe.

Selene calls my name, and I wave back. "Selene! Stay there, I'll come to you!"

For some reason, I think I see her shake her head, and she calls my name again, as well as something else I can't make out. Selene is on the other side of the lake, so it's hard to understand what she says. I see her point to me. No, she's not pointing at me. She's pointing behind me. And that's when I realize she's not smiling. Instead, it's a look of fear.

I whip around, holding my knife out, and I see what Selene was warning me about. A shadowy silhouette of a girl is running towards me, two daggers held in her hand. I see her for only a second before the two of us collide.

The impact pushes me back and I fall into the lake. I see blood swirling around me and on my jacket. Is it the girl's blood? Or is it mine? Because I'm hoping it's not the latter.

What...is...up internet! So the Games have finally begun, and we've got action on the way! I'd like to have more people read this and review, because it's always a good feeling when you see someone cares about your story. So I'd appreciate it if you guys take the time to REVIEW! Thanks for reading! That is all...