The girl ran to the forest, hoping that the web of darkness and trees could enshroud her like a cloak. She had been christened Mai Olivia Jacobs- or at least, it was something resembling a christening. Not a lot of people in district 7 had enough money to afford a decent pair of shoes, let alone a christening, and her family was no exception.

She'd finally reached the forest. It was exactly what she's hoped for, the trees providing the perfect cover. She could sneak up on anyone and they'd never even realize until it was too late. Of course, that was a two way street. Mai reminded herself to be cautious. She ran at a steady pace for about 5 minutes, the branches scratching her face. Suddenly a ring of cannon shots fired into the air, startling Mai and causing her to lose her balance. Her foot snagged onto a large root and she fell backwards. Lying winded for a moment, she listened to the cannon firing. Every shot meant another death, a pointless waste of life of a human being. A person who'd had hopes and dreams, feelings and family, all of them suddenly snatched away just like that. And for what? So that a big city could have their entertainment? Mai stood up, disgusted. She looked up and saw she was standing at the base of a huge oak tree- the perfect climb. Luckily there were lots of trees in district 7, so Mai was no beginner. Grabbing hold of a branch, she hoisted herself up and climbed. Finding herself a perfect spot where she could sit and observe below without being seen, she crouched down and rocked back and forth with her hands over her ears, trying to block out the sound of the cannon.

Half an hour later, the forest was silent. It looked like the bloodbath was over. Mai lay on her side and closed her eyes, wanting sleep more than ever before. She was not a killer. She hated it here. Before she left her dad had told her to fight, to outwit the other kids. But Mai was already so tired. The tears that she'd been holding back for weeks finally escaped, and Mai slowly cried herself to sleep.

Mai opened her eyes. The sun was high in the sky, and sunlight illuminated her face. She wiped her palms across her face and straightened up; loving the feeling of warmth spreading through ought her body. She dropped down and pulled her backpack onto her shoulders. The forest looked so beautiful and alive. Maybe today would be ok.

Then she heard a branch snap behind her. Whirling around, she came face to face with Zander, carrying a knife in one hand and a hideous smile on his face. He lifted his arm and Mai noticed he had two teeth missing. She prepared for death.

Suddenly an expression of shock transformed Zander's face and he fell forwards onto his face. A dagger was lodged in his back, a bloodstain already forming. Looking up, she saw the tall figure of one of the other tributes behind him. His back was to her, and he was extracting his dagger and cleaning it on a patch of moss. He had jet black hair and a tanned neck. Finally he turned around and Mai saw his face. He was handsome, no doubt about that. His eyes though- they were amazing. Flecked with green, yellow, blue and brown, Mai couldn't even think of a colour for them. This was the boy from district 4. Mai couldn't remember his name, but she knew he'd gotten one of the highest marks on the grading.

"Are you going to kill me?" She asked, her voice surprising her with its calm authority.

He cocked his head to the side. "Do you want me to?"

"Are you retarded?"

He threw his head back and laughed. His laugh was like his voice, deep and rich and musical.

"I was more thinking we could be allies for now. No one ever survives alone," he said, his eyes twinkling.

Mai considered this for a moment. He was ruthless and dangerous, but hadn't he also just saved and spared her life? And he was right, no one could survive alone.

"Fine. Allies," She offered her hand.

"Allies," He agreed, and shook it. Mai smiled.

"I'm Mai," she offered. "I wish we could have met under different circumstances. Perhaps ones where we're not trying to kill each other."

"Destiny sucks. I'm Hunter."

2nd chapter. Please review, criticism appreciated!