Well back again for another chapter. I'm glad I have so many people that are loving my story, please keep it up because I really do appreciate it. This chapter will still be in Peeta's POV which is what most of the story will be from now on, but don't worry I haven't forgotten Cinna. I will go back to him a little later in the story. Enjoy the chapter and please review if you have the time.

Chapter 9

I didn't like being in the Career pack, they argued too much and it seems we hardly got anything done. I could tell Cato was getting extremely enraged that we hadn't taken out anyone yet, but then we uncovered the fire and the foolish girl that had started it. After Cato killed her we started to walk off but stopped when we didn't hear the cannon.

"Shouldn't we have heard a cannon by now?" Glimmer questioned.

"I'd say yes. Nothing to prevent them from going in immediately" Marvel said.

"Unless she isn't dead" Clove stated.

"She's dead. I struck her myself." Cato replied sharply.

I could already feel an argument coming on.

"Then where's the cannon?" Clove demanded.

"Someone should go back. Make sure the job's done" Glimmer posed.

"Yeah, we don't want to have to track her down twice" Marvel agreed.

"I said she's dead!" Cato snapped.

That's when the argument really broke out. Finally I couldn't stand it anymore, "we're wasting time! I'll go finish her and lets move on."

I had somehow managed to get some respect from the Careers while we had been searching. They had even bandaged my arm that a branch caught. My body was still slightly bruised from the struggle I had before I joined them, but I was alive and that's what mattered.

"Go on, then, Lover Boy" Cato said smugly, "see for yourself."

I took my knife and went back the way we had come. When I got to where the girl lay I checked for a pulse and found a faint one. The girl looked at me in horror and I starred right back.

"I'm sorry" I said softly as I ended her life, at least this way she wouldn't be suffering anymore.

It felt horrible having killed an innocent person, I was never meant to be a murderer. It was hard for me to get a hold of myself before I came back to where the Careers stood waiting.

"Was she dead?" Cato asked.

"No, but she is now" I replied as the cannon went off to prove my point, "ready to move on?"

We all took off at a run just as the artificial sun was rising. The blood I have spilt would never wash from my hands and I knew it. The girl's face before I killed her would forever be haunting my memories.

I had woken up many different ways before, but never had I awaken and found the world burning around me.

"Peeta! Wake up!" Ripple, then female career from District 4, shouted as she shook me.

Ripple was the only one of the career pack that was actually nice to me. She looked out for me and made sure the other careers didn't kill me, and she was the only one I truly trusted.

"What's going on?" I asked as she helped me to my feet.

"The Gamemakers must have started a fire, come on."

Together we sprinted away from the blaze. But no matter how quickly we ran the fire seemed to catch up. Ripple had helped to dodge a couple of the first fireballs, but I wasn't so lucky this time. I tried to dive out of the way, but it got my chest and left a nasty burn.

"Cave!" Ripple shouted and we dived into the small opening as the fire roared past.

The pain from my chest was searing and unbearable now. Ripple turned her full attention to me. She tore part of her shirt and dripped water over it until it was soaked. She lightly dabbed the cloth over my chest, taking some of the pain away.

"It won't make the pain go away completely, but it should help to ease it some" she explained.

"Why are you so kind to me?" I asked suddenly.

"Just because I'm a career doesn't mean I don't know what compassion is. Besides I like you much better than the others" she said smiling, making her earth brown eyes light up a little.

"Your cheek" I said, suddenly noticing the black mark on the skin.

"It's nothing, just a little scratch, I'll live" she said dismissively, "come on we better find the others."

When we were outside Ripple cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted Cato's name as loud as she could.

"What are you doing?" I asked, glancing around in alarm.

"Trust me if Cato is anywhere in ear range he'll come to keep me quiet so I don't give away our position."

Sure enough a couple moments later Cato came crashing through the bushes in a most ungraceful manner, anger flashing in his eyes.

"Are you trying to get us all killed?" he demanded and Ripple shook her head, "well then next time just look for us instead of shouting so that every tribute can hear you. Come on."

As we walked along Ripple glanced my way and gave a little smile which I returned. We trekked on for some time, hunting for tributes. Suddenly Cato froze, his eyes fixed on something ahead of him. I followed his gaze and my heart nearly stopped, he'd spotted Katniss.

That's when the running started. The careers sped toward her, making so much racket it's no wonder she knew we were here. I saw her take off into the woods, slightly limping from a nasty looking burn. I knew she was fast but that leg would slow her down and suddenly I was afraid for what might happen to her. I had withheld information on her to keep her safe, but now it had all been in vain. We caught up with her all too soon and found her up in a tree, the only safe place to be now. I saw all of them smiling victoriously but wasn't so sure they should be happy just yet.

The way in which Katniss was mocking them from above made me want to smile, she was just messing with them now. There was no way any of these careers could climb up to her especially now that she climbed even further when Cato attempted to climb. When he ended up falling down Ripple and I had to suppress our laughter at his pathetic attempt. After Glimmer failed to reach her we talked for a bit about what to do.

"Oh let her stay up there. It's not like she's going anywhere." I finally said, "we'll deal with her in the morning."

I hoped that would give her enough time to find a way to escape. I don't know why I was still trying to look out for her when I myself was trying to win for Cinna. Still I didn't think this was the way she should die if she died at all.

We started to set up a small camp for the night. I lay down a little ways from the rest of the careers so I could think. I gazed up at the sky as the Capitol seal appeared and the anthem began to play. When it ended the silence that fell over the arena was almost eerie. Even the creatures of the night seemed to be oddly quiet.

"Peeta" came Ripple's voice from somewhere near me, making me jump.

"Sorry, didn't mean to startle you" she quickly apologized.

"It's alright, what did you need?"

"It might seem a little silly, but can I just stay close to you tonight. I'm kind of afraid of the dark."

"Yes of course you can stay by me. I'll let you in on a little secret, I don't like the dark much either."

It sounded like she was smiling when she replied, "then we'll keep each other safe."