As a sorry for making you all wait at times, here is Day Five and Night Five combined!

Nobody, Capitol

On the dawn of the fifth day an announcement is shown on the board yet not heard in the arena. Clearly whatever is about to happen is meant to surprise the tributes and make the Games more interesting. There's only been ten deaths and it's been five days. Most Capitolites are satisfied with the action going around the death but some are getting bored and many speculate that the announcement is to diminish that boredom.

On the screens of millions, in a neat font, reads "On the dawn of the fifth day THREE types of Muttations will be released into the arena without the tributes' knowledge."

There's rounds of applause, cheering and most yearn to see more of these mutts. Then the camera pans to each of them as they settle in parts of the arena, waiting to be released fully later on.

First there are some woodpeckers that look innocent enough. Annotations on the screen, however, tell the audience that the beaks are razor sharp and that they fly at quicker speeds than average woodpeckers. Another annotation says that, once this mutt is angered, it will stop at nothing until it's chosen target is taken down. It's killing power is demonstrated on one of the lone wolfs that lurk the arena sometimes. It kills almost instantly. This muttation will surely cause the deaths of some tributes.

The second muttation is a bear that, as per annotations, is said to be more vicious and faster than the average species equivalent. Whilst this muttation is more easily confused and can be escaped from if the tribute is careful, it's viciousness apparently can cause it to, like the woodpecker mutt, lock onto targets. From previous years most know how deadly bears can be and thus a hyper version of one excites many.

The final muttations are three figures, each with pale skin and ashen versions of their once hair. These three figures are walking replicas of Diamond, Shelldon and Stellar; the three deceased Careers. Annotations on screen tell the confused viewers that these muttations aren't the tributes reborn, just replicas that possess the same amount of skill. Further annotations reveal that the Diamond muttation will be adept with firing from afar, the Stellar muttation will be manic and unpredictable and, finally, the Shelldon muttation will have a vendetta against the Careers as per Buckingham's betrayal and the Careers' subsequent acceptance and lack of questioning.

The announcement fades away and the camera pans back out to the whole arena and the Capitolites are largely satisfied.

Alys Lofric, District Twelve Female, 16 years old

I wake up to the feeling of being watched. I don't mean the cameras - strangely I've gotten used to that - I mean actual, human eyes watching me. On a quick survey of the area I don't see anyone. It's not until my glance back around to look at my arm wound that I sustained from Tesla that I see a figure behind a tree. I grab my knife, ignoring the pain in my arm as I tense around the handle, and walk towards the figure. If it was a Career, I'd be dead by now so clearly it's someone I can take on. What's my luck? Am I that trademark tribute that runs into all of the others throughout their time in the arena?

As I get closer the figure shuffles back, more into the light, and reveals itself to be Phantom, the boy from Eight. Eight's been sending in some creepy guys these past few years. First that cannibal Velvet and now Phantom, the resident creep. It wasn't unusual for an Outer District kid to talk to a Career about how creepy Phantom is during the training period; we all disliked him that much.

"Don't kill me, please," He says, raising his hands up, "I-I don't need more bad luck."

I don't lower my knife but I raise an eyebrow. He's had bad luck? Try running into nearly every tribute practically multiple times - that's bad luck.

"Why?" I say, adopting a much sterner tone than I had expected myself to use.

"The Careers got me and Ellie - they stabbed her - and I ran," He says, looking about as if he's still paranoid about the Careers finding him, but aren't we all?

"Is that why you were watching me?" I ask, walking forward which prompts him to move back.

"I...I..." He pauses, looking at me before pointing almost accusingly at my wound, "I can heal you! I managed to get the bandages from the backpack before me and Ellie got split up."

I need to make the decision now. It's not or never. I don't get sponsors - I'm not seen as enough of a prize. Maybe if I do something I could establish myself as a force and maybe, just maybe, I'll get some sponsors.

I nod slowly, "Okay - can you get them out for me?"

He nods, looking around once more, "Keep watch?"

I nod again, flashing him a smile.

As he turns around, placing the backpack on the floor, I take my chance. As he bends over I kick his legs, knocking him over. Then I kick him to the ground, kicking his chest a few times before stabbing wildly. I can hear his groans of pains and I don't know how much damage I've inflicted and whether or not it's fatal. Regardless, I run and pick up the backpack and run in a random direction, not looking back. If I remember from training centre rumours, Phantom was among the favourites to win. Maybe knocking him over and hurting him has made me a contender?

I hope so.

Victoria Benson, District Five Female, 17 years old

I regret my decision now, obviously. Not killing Tesla all the times I had the chance to, I mean. I wouldn't be penalised in my district - a Five tribute is usually a Career victim and when a Five tribute allies with the Careers, no matter the length of time, they get outcasted almost. It happened a few years ago to a victor - she won by allying with the Careers and killing them all in their sleep one by one after they killed another tribute in the arena. Whilst ingenious and obvious she didn't intend to ally with them for long after betraying them she was still met with a cold shoulder. I'd be hailed in District Five as saving them from another 'False Career' victor.

Tesla's no threat, not really. I could kill him easily yet I don't. Maybe it's his respect for women that prevents me from doing it, or maybe it's how I remember seeing his and his sister at the apothecary and I can't bring myself to kill the brother to the hyperactive little sister. Whatever it is, it's stopping me from winning. I have a feeling the final two could be me and him, I just feel it. Then what would happen? Would we just have a stare off and wait for one of the Gamemakers to decide who wins? If I die, I'm dying fighting, that's for sure.

I haven't taken the time to appreciate the nature of the arena. Of course when you're fighting for your life it's not something you prioritise but I feel like now, given all my sponsors and the threat I've established myself as to the other tributes, I can afford to let myself get lost for a little bit.

I notice the odd flowers of bright and brilliant colours. I'm sure they're all deadly and poisonous and looking from afar is the best thing I can do, but they're still beautiful. I notice how high some of the trees go and I have visions of the Gamemakers wanting some over-zealous tributes to climb them high, slip, and fall to their deaths. I shudder just thinking about it.

Then I notice a woodpecker, pecking away at one of the trees with a fast pace, much faster than the few woodpeckers I've seen before in Five. With tentative steps, I inch closer to it until I'm close enough to hold out my hand to it. When I've done this to birds before they've all seemed to hop on my hand or stay on my finger for a few seconds.

But not this one.

This bird drills through my hand, causing me to scream and move backwards, clutching my now mangled hand against my chest. What's worse is it's my dominant hand - I'm useless now in the arena. I can see the bird coming towards me and I try to run away from it, screaming whilst doing so. If I'm going to die I'm going to draw people to my location and have them die too.

As I run I feel a sharp pain in my leg and I collapse, the pain making it unbearable to continue. In a quick glance I see that my leg has been drilled, blood spurting everywhere. I can't see the muttation at first but, in the corner of my eye, I see it fly straight towards me. I managed to snag an axe earlier in the competition and I swing it wildly with my non-dominant hand, hoping to strike it. I miss a few times, fending it off however, before I strike one of it's wings which causes it to fall to the floor and flap helplessly. I try to get up and I fall to my feet.

I see the muttation inch closer to me and I try to pull myself away but my injuries to my hand and leg prevent me from making any true distance. Before I know it I feel a sharp pain ripping through my neck and everything begins to fade away.

BOOM!

Laurel Eresong, District Nine Female, 15 years old

Hearing the cannon only makes me walk faster, hastier. There's been three cannons in the past two days, the most there's been since the Bloodbath and that means people are getting vicious and desperate to live. My first thought is the Careers; they've lost three of their own and naturally they'll be wanting to prove to the rest of us that they're still a force to be reckoned with. I guess I'd be the same - nobody wants to be underestimated.

I think I made the right decision in not killing Candella; I don't want to let the Games turn me into a monster. So many tributes lose themselves in the blood lust. Besides, in a more realistic and cynical way, someone else'll probably kill her so I'm not going to dwell on the incident.

Usually when you traverse the arena you can hear birds singing or the rustling of bushes from the fauna that sometimes graces us with their appearances but, this morning, it's all quiet. As if I'm not meant to be here. I make sure to raise the knife I have close to me. If it's a weaker tribute I might be able to take them on but would the animals be quiet? Whatever's with me, or whatever I'm walking into, is dangerous and clearly the wildlife thinks I should be scared.

And so they should be.

I stop as a figure looms before me. Their back is turned but the posture and they way they carry themselves gives away their identity. It's Calloway. The same Calloway I was running from not only twelve hours ago. It's scary to think that a week ago he was charming the nation into loving and supporting him and now he's seemingly has an insatiable blood thirst. All Career tributes are like that, though.

I try to move around him - the last thing I want is to have another confrontation with him. The arena and Gamemakers, on the other hand, have different ideas. Birds fly overhead from a branch which seemingly snaps from nothing, causing Calloway to turn quickly on me. I can seethe determination appear on his face and I waste no time in taking off the way I came.

I hear the thunder of his footsteps almost instantly and I don't let the fear within me take over and cause me to stop - stopping would be a death sentence. I keep running and I thank everyone that I'm slightly more nimble than Calloway is. I'm not sure if I'd out speed him if we were on flatter ground but my faster reflexes and nimbleness allows me to dodge the trees and change where I run depending on the terrain.

I think he's getting desperate as I think I hear a change in his breathing. I don't know what causes it at first but as an axe lands in a tree just before me on my right, I realise he's going to resort to throwing things. That, if anything, causes me to get faster. I can hear him following and, suddenly, he stops. I don't hear the thundering anymore and at first I wonder why but as I nearly unwittingly fall off the edge of a steep hill, I realise.

I retreat from the edge and turn around, scanning the arena for him. There's nothing for a few seconds before he emerges from the bushes, advancing on my position with an axe raised. I take a few steps back, ignoring the sounds of dirt falling down the hill.

He takes one step forward. I take one step back.

It goes like this until he raises his axe and I step on a weak bit of the ground, causing me to slip and fall down the hill. My head goes dizzy so I lose my bearings and I don't regain any sense of knowledge until I'm at the bottom of the hill in a crumpled mess. I try to look up, squinting as the sun seems to be directly on me. To my relief, Calloway isn't standing over the edge; he probably assumes I'm dead.

I examine myself and I praise the Gamemakers that the only large injury I sustain is a broken arm. I can deal with a broken arm if it means I have another chance in the competition. I decide to lay low and go in a direction I haven't gone before; to the denser forest.

Brock Ushums, District Eleven Male, 18 years old

I'm on perimeter duty, primarily. All the other Careers are out doing something; Calamity and Tesla are inside the cabin, making sure we have the right supplies to see us through the next few days, and Calloway and Buckingham are out hunting for tributes separately. I hope that the cannon earlier was caused by one of them. We have talks about launching a larger scale attack on the arena - abandoning our cabin and go full on tribute hunting. If we're constantly moving, the other tributes will need to be on constant alert. If there's all five of us, it means that the likelihood of the other tributes getting overwhelmed increases. Buckingham suggested setting our cabin alight in an attempt to draw some tributes to their deaths but Calamity interjected with the idea of setting one of the trees in the forest on fire; most of the tributes are in the forest and with the way the trees are packed, if one goes up in flames most of them will.

As I survey the perimeter I notice a lump in a tree. We've seen this lump for the past few days, not attacking it out of fear it's some twisted muttation that the Gamemakers have thought of to get us to unwittingly go towards our deaths.

The lump moves from branch to branch slowly, as if apprehensive about making the moves. You can tell from the way they scramble from each branch that they're not confident in their ability to tree climb and, well, jump, but they make a good job of it and move from place to place. In the light I can see the lump better and I pinpoint it's identity as belonging to Candella, the girl from Seven. Nobody's really seen her, not since the Bloodbath and a few odd run-ins here and there. She's been rather elusive and that, to us Careers, is worrying. She didn't pose much of a threat before but her hiding abilities proves she can attack and then vanish if she so desires to.

I look at what I have to knock her down with, only having the sickle to do so. I've only got once chance to knock her off and take her out so I need to make it count.

I wait until she stops on a branch and I raise my arm, trying to get the right aim, before letting go.

The sickle looks to be going in the right direction but, unfortunately, it misses. It barely scrapes her arm and she looks around like a deer in headlights until she eventually looks at me. Looking at her face directly I can see clearly that it's Candella and I can see the fear painted on her face. She scans down my body, probably seeing if I have any more weapons, before taking off deeper into the forest when she decides I pose no more threat to her.

I see the leaves rustle further and further up the tree and I don't pursue her - if another tribute doesn't kill her, the wind that picks up during the day will cause her to lose her balance and fall to her death.

Delta Mono, District Three Female, 17 years old

Going back to our former base isn't the best idea but clearly the cave isn't safe enough. We saw a figure standing outside the entrance for a good few minutes before leaving. At least at the cabin only the Careers know where it is. The good thing about that is they probably all assume we're smarter than to go back there which makes returning ingenious.

It takes us most of the day to find our way back - when Melvin died we just walked and walked in no particular direction. I'm kicking my past self for not making at least some indication of a path we followed; it'd make returning so much easier.

Like before, I make sure to hold Bobbin's hand tightly, perhaps a little too tight. She doesn't complain but I can see the discomfort on her face and I make sure to ease my grip, smiling at her apologetically. Again, she makes no indication that she was in pain but she smiles back all the same and it almost makes me sad to see the innocence within her. It's always sad when twelve-year-olds are sent to the arena because everyone knows they have no chance in surviving and they do, quite literally, embody innocence. You can't help but get attached to them but this is different. I know Bobbin closer than I've known any other young tribute. We've exchanged our dreams, our fears, our family, everything. In the back of my head there's a voice telling me she won't make it but I refuse to listen. One of the last things my mother told me, in a cliche way, is that you can do anything if you put your mind to it. I want Bobbin and I to be the final two. I want to give her the future she dreams about.

You always want the young tributes to have their future but you never dwell on it, and this time that isn't happening; I'm going to fight to give Bobbin her freedom.

It's near dusk when we get to the cabin and one of the first things we do is create a secluded light on the upper floor so we can see on the inside but nobody from the outside can see the light. We make sure all our supplies are upstairs and we begin the process of creating a complex way up to the second floor that only we know. We destroy the stairs in the process because that's the easiest way up. The beginning of our pathway up is obvious but that's because I'm determined to kill for defence now - as people struggle up the stairs I'll be able to throw the knife at them, or jump down and kill them.

It takes us a good hour or two to achieve this and just as we're about to close up for the night a figure makes it's way across the clearing. It's hard to make out who it is given the light levels but one can see that it's clutching it's arm which, to me, signals it's someone who's just as vulnerable as us. Bobbin inches behind me and my hand hovers over the knife in my belt, ready to attack if need be.

When the figure comes into the light a little more we see Laurel before us, clutching her arm that is obviously broken. Bobbin lights up and she moves to my side, looking at me.

I know these two were together a lot during training and, after given Bobbin a glance, I look back at Laurel.

"Can we ally?" Laurel says looking around, probably scared that at any moment someone can jump on us, "Please?"

I open my mouth to decline her. We've seen it before - a tribute gains the trust of another in the training stage and is able to infiltrate their alliance and kill all of them - it's not new. Taking another look at Bobbin was a mistake; you can see how desperately she wants for Laurel to be with us and I've never been a sucker for puppy-dog eyes but by God Bobbin's giving me a run for my money.

I glance from Bobbin to Laurel before sighing, "Fine, but any funny business and you're gone. Got it?"

Laurel nods, a smile breaking out on her face, "Got it."

There's a silence for a few seconds before I nod curtly, "We've got medical supplies inside - let's get you patched up."

She's going to ruin my plans to let Bobbin have her future.

NIGHT FIVE

Buckingham Shine, District One Female, 18 years old

Calamity and I are on tribute hunt tonight, which I'm glad about. Her and I seem to be efficient together and the more efficient the Careers are in killing, the better.

"Who do you think that cannon belonged to earlier?" Calamity asks as we trudge through the forest, stumbling about because this part of the floor seems to be more roots than actual ground.

"Dunno," I shrug, "I'm hoping it's the girl from Three - or Five. Both of them could go."

"My hope is on the boy from Eight, or Ten. Those two are enigmatic for sure."

I nod, "Both of them seem a little to weak though. The boy from Ten? I doubt he'd hurt a fly, even if his life depended on it. And Phantom? I'm sure the Gamemakers are just waiting for him to do something that'll give them the excuse to kill him."

"Fairs."

"Besides, there'll be more cannons tonight," I say, laughing a little. Calamity flashes me a grin and we begin to come to our favourite tribute hot spots.

Unsurprisingly we come to the lake. The boys are hunting too and said they'd leave the lake for us to investigate which, frankly, will look better on us. We'll have the more kills because obviously someone'll be here.

And we're right.

Dion sits against a tree near the river that leads to the creek, sipping out of his canteen slowly. Judging from the bulging backpack beside him it's obvious that he's in the Games for the long-run. Calamity and I proceed to take a way around the lake each, aiming to close him in between us. We can chase him up the river - there's only one way to go unless you want to risk running into a tree and facing death in the form of two pretty, deadly girls.

When we're a few feet from him we strike him, barely missing both of his arms. In a scramble he kicks up some dust which allows him to escape with his backpack as we recoil to avoid any dirt getting in our eyes. It doesn't take long for us to follow him up the river, shouting things at him to intimidate him.

We're close to getting him when we're stopped by a woodpecker that Dion barely misses. We try to go around it but it stops us, flying in front of us each time we try to get past it. It happens for a few times before we get frustrated.

"Should I just kill it?" Calamity asks me, raising a knife out of her belt and I nod, watching her as she launches the blade at the pretty tiny, yet apparently formidable, bird.

The bird dodges it and lets out an awful screech. We both cover our ears and take a few steps back. The screech continues for what feels like forever before it stops. Calamity and I are about to move on when it flies towards her, landing on her chest and drilling into her.

She falls to the floor and tries to swat the bird away, screaming loudly, but it only drills into her hands, then her legs and then anywhere on her body. She looks like a dartboard when the bird is done with her and the sand and river is dyed a sickening crimson colour.

BOOM!

The bird then turns to me and I know if I don't act fast I'll be facing a similar fate to Calamity. I raise my axe and move one way to allude it into thinking I'm going that way which allows me to strike it through the centre, killing it. I have great satisfaction in watching it's limp body parts fall to the floor. In victory I kick both into the river and watch as it floats towards the lake.

I relish in the victory for a while before I get my priority right - I need to tell the other Careers that the mutts have been unleashed.

But apparently, I don't need to.

"What the fuck did you do?"

Calloway Haldor, District Two Male, 18 years old

Tesla, Brock and I ran to Calamity's screams as soon as we heard them. I promised myself I wouldn't let anyone or anything hurt her and I'm not going to start now.

But I'm too late.

When we arrive to the scene Calamity's dead on the floor, her blood spilling everywhere and Buckingham has a grin on her face, probably smug that she killed Calamity. Calamity trusted her and this is how she repays her? By killing her in cold blood? Karma's a bitch and Buckingham is going to find that out the hard way.

"What the fuck did you do?" I ask her, glaring at her as she turns to properly face me.

Her smile fades instantly and she shakes her head rapidly, fear creeping it's way across her face.

"It wasn't me!" She says as she steps backwards, answering to my advancement. Tesla and Brock are on either side of me and I don't need to look to know they're pissed too.

"It wasn't me!" She repeats, "It was a mutt - a mutt killed her!"

"Calamity wouldn't die to a mutt," I say, narrowing my eyes, "She's too smart for that."

"It was a mutt," She pleads, her knuckles going white with how hard she's gripping her axe. I can still see Calamity's blood reflecting on it, "It was a mutt and she died to it!"

"Or was it the girl from District Three again?" Brock asks from my left and I can see his sickle out of the corner of my eye.

"It'd be better if you told the truth..." Tesla says, spear inching forwards.

She knows she's trapped - she's a proper deer in headlights. I can see the realisation flash in her eyes.

"I didn't kill her," She repeats, her face contorting with the addition of anger, "Why would you believe me?"

"Liar!" I shout and I charge at her, leaving Brock and Tesla behind as they watch.

I swing my battleaxe and she deflects with her own. She might be a bad liar but she's got skills in combat, I'll give her that. I swing my axe again and she deflects it once more, pushing back against me until I'm forced to break my defence. She swings herself and gives me a large cut against my chest as I'm unable to gain enough momentum in my axe to deflect it. We spar again and I can see Tesla and Brock getting ready to attack. She swings her axe a final time at a lower position, knocking me off my feet whilst missing my swing at what would've been her neck.

She takes her chance to run into the forest and I go to follow her, being stopped by Brock and Tesla who insist that I allow myself time to heal before pursuing her.

Candella Cartwright, District Seven Female, 15 years old

Two cannons have happened today and I've been targeted by Brock. I'm on edge tonight because anything seems to be able to happen.

I haven't been on the ground long and I don't intend to. All five Careers have left the cabin tonight and I know this'll be my only chance to get into their cabin and raid their supplies.

I was pretty successful too.

I managed to dodge all their traps, thanks to them practising them in the clearing where I could see, and I managed to get enough food, water and medical supplies to last me for a few days. Not only that but I was able to take a few of their weapons. I didn't pick up many considering I have to climb a tree and at the best of times I struggle doing that, but I've got a few of their weapons. I actually throw a few of them away when I get farther from the cabin. I doubt they need them anyway but any hindrance is better than none.

I feel watched as I throw the weapons away, burying them beneath some sticks and fallen branches. I look around, scared to see a Career staring me down; I've only got three accessible knives. If I run out of them, I'm as good as dead.

I don't see a Career, though. No, instead I see a bear and I can only assume it's a muttation. It watches me intently as I move slowly, purposefully trying not to make it want to come towards me but it seems futile. After a few seconds of staring it chases after me which elicits a scream from me.

I desperately try to climb up the nearest tree as fast as I can, ignoring all the struggles I'm facing as I slip from a few branches. As I get on a branch I see that there's too bear muttations and not only are they fast but they seem to climb with ease.

Clinging to the branch, I throw one of my knives at the head of one of the bears, striking it straight in the centre of it's forehead which causes it to fall to the ground, dead. The other bear roars in what I think is anger and becomes more determined when climbing up the tree. I grab my second knife of three and repeat my actions, throwing it as close to centre as I can on it's forehead. Like the other one, it falls to the ground. It limps about for a bit, roaring in pain before silencing, the only sound being heard are some crickets off in the distance.

I sigh, resting my head back against the trunk. That was a close call. If I needed a wake-up moment in the arena that certainly served as one.

After climbing down slowly to retrieve my knives, I climb the tree even higher, secluding myself amongst the leaves in an attempt to not attract anymore attention to myself.

Nobody, Capitol

After her confrontation with the other Careers, Buckingham roams around the arena endlessly. She's got next to no supplies - a few packets of dried fruit, a canteen or two full of water and some high energy bars - and she's clearly shaken from Calamity's death and Calloway's outburst. She holds her axe close to her chest, resembling a scared girl more and more as she looks about intently, not wanting to miss a single detail.

District One viewers pray she'll make it through the night, that she'll regroup her thoughts and become a merciless killing machine. They're seeking redemption after their victor from the previous year and they hope Buckingham will do that. They commend her refusal to kill Diamond, praise her on her lying about Shelldon and celebrate the fact that she inflicted some serious pain on Calloway. They hope, with as much intensity as an Outer District would have, that she'll make it through the night.

District Two viewers are indifferent - they know she didn't kill Calamity but they also know she made no attempt to save her either. They know she lied about Shelldon's death and understand Calloway's apprehension when approaching her, especially after the victorious smile she wore after killing the muttation. If only he had seen that. Naturally they support Calloway and polls spring up around the district as to whether or not Calloway'll be the one to finish her off or not.

District Four seethes resentment. Being in the place of District One last year, the crave her blood to be shed. Most had grown to like Shelldon, preferring him to Stellar and his death was reminiscent of a heartbreak. Just like their tribute last year killed District One's golden boy, Buckingham has killed their's and they're just as eager as District One was to see her dead. They've seen the muttations and only hope that she runs into 'Shelldon' and get the karma she deserves.

Buckingham walks around the arena, axe still held tightly to her chest. When she hears a snap her head looks instantly in it's direction. She expects to find Calloway, Tesla or Brock, or even someone like Victoria, unaware of her death.

Instead, the muttation of Shelldon stands before her.

"No...No," She says, shaking her head, her posture becoming more defensive, "Y-You're dead...I killed you!"

The muttation doesn't say anything, only advances more on her position.

"You're dead!" She shrieks, "I killed you. Why are you back?"

The muttation stands still before lunging at her with the utility knife Shelldon once sported, causing Buckingham to raise her axe and try to fend it off. She puts up a good fight, making the muttation lose it's right arm and give it a nasty gash up it's face but, ultimately, she collapses after a blow to the stomach from 'Shelldon's fist.

A mantra of "I killed you" is all that can be heard before her blood curling screams sound across the arena as the knife pierces her heart.

BOOM!

Bobbin Taper, District Eight Female, 12 years old

The scream and cannon scares me and I shuffle more towards Delta who wraps her arm around me, pulling me closer to her. Laurel places her hand on my shoulder and gives it a sympathetic squeeze.

"How many girls are there left in the arena besides us?" Laurel asks, trying to count them on her fingers.

"Besides us," Delta says, looking into nothingness for the answer, "Presuming they haven't died beforehand; Buckingham, Calamity, Victoria, Candella, Ellie and Alys."

"So there's more girls than boys?" Laurel asks again, smiling a little.

Delta nods, "Nine girls, presuming none have died, and five boys."

I smile a little, laughing, "Girl power!"

Both Laurel and Delta smile and laugh with me before we hear movement in the lower parts of the cabin. We all look at each other and Delta raises her axe and Laurel raises her knife. My hand moves to the blowgun I've been taught to use somewhat but I don't have any idea on how to use it, or at least, not in a high adrenaline situation.

We all inch closer to the inner balcony and peer over the edge to be met with the face of Phantom.

"What do you want creep?" Delta asks, narrowing her eyes and looking like she's ready to lodge the axe in his head.

"I just want an alliance," He says, giving them this fake innocent voice as if he's truly hurt, "The Careers...they got to my alliance - Alys, Ellie and me. They got to us and they stabbed all of us. We had to split up and I need supplies. Can you help me? Please?"

We all look at each other. If we wanted to kill him, we could.

"What do you think?" Laurel says, "Do we let him?"

I shake my head, fully aware that he can see me, "No! Are you crazy? Why would we?"

Delta lowers her voice, just so Phantom can't hear her, "If I'm honest I don't buy this whole 'Careers attacked me' stick but I will say his creepiness probably has made tributes avoid him. We could use that."

Laurel nods in agreement, "That's true! If he becomes a liability we can always turn him away when needed. It seems like he needs us more than we need him."

Delta nods and smiles at me, "It'll only be for a night, two are tops. Think you can handle it?"

I don't give her an answer but I simply look at her.

She shakes her head, laughing softly, "I won't let him hurt you, promise."

I let myself nod, but I'm still not happy.

"Only for tonight," Delta says to him as we look back over the balcony, "After that you're gone."

Phantom nods, "Thank you so much!" His fakeness is overbearing. "You won't regret it!"

"We better not," Laurel comments under her breath and I let myself smile.

We give him the ways to get up to our floor and I can't help but notice the glare he gives me as we all settle down to watch the death sequence.

He gave me the creeps before and he still gives them to me now.

Dion Ouyang, District Ten Male, 16 years old

I decide to venture into the denser woods because, from what I can tell, no tribute has really gone in there. It seems like the best place to be. All I need to do is probably climb a branch or two and hide and then I'll be good to go for the whole Games.

I have that plan and I'm determined to stick to it and then I spot her, led in front of the tree with a patch of crimson surrounding her stomach.

Ellie.

"Ellie?!" I shout as I begin to run to her. She lifts her head up lazily but you can't miss the way her face lights up when she realises it's me.

She stands up weakly and does her best to wrap her arms around me like I do to her. I give her a squeeze before looking down at her stomach. The stab wound is obvious and, if she keeps lying on the floor, will get infected quickly.

"Who did this to you?" I ask, moving the fabric around it to get a better look at it. She winces and I flash her an apologetic smile before searching through my backpack for some bandage that I can wrap it up in.

"Phantom," She says, "He, quite literally, backstabbed me."

I move away for a second, cutting the bandage, "You allied with him?"

"I thought he was going to kill me."

"He tried to."

"Retrospect is a wonderful thing Dion."

She laughs a little as do I.

"I don't think I need to ask this," She says, "But allies?"

I nod as I begin to wrap the bandage around her, tightening the wound and closing it which stops some of the bleeding, "Allies."

We decide to move out of the dense forest and I carry her bridal style around the arena until we reach a cave. I set her down in a sitting position and take off my jacket, laying it over her legs so she's a little warmer. We decide to watch the death sequence together.

The first face out of three to appear on screen is Buckingham. We're both shocked because she seemed like such a ruthless killer.

"That's...unexpected," Ellie breathes out and I only nod in agreement. Nobody would've expected it - not this soon, at least.

The second face to appear is Calamity's. We had both made bets in the training centre that she and Calloway would be the final two so, again, to see her face is shocking.

"Hopefully there's conflicts in the Career alliance," I say and Ellie nods.

"I hope so. The more divided they are the better it is for us."

The final face to show is the girl from District Five, Victoria. She was a threat, just as big as Buckingham and Calamity but there's not as big of a shock factor as there were with those two; I've seen her conflicts from afar.

"I wonder if Tesla gave in and finally killed her?" I say, mostly to myself because I doubt Ellie would understand.

The night sky goes clear and silence fills the arena once more.

Ellie and I huddle close for warmth as we begin to drift off.

Before I fall asleep I make sure to kiss her forehead lightly before letting myself doze the night away.

Eulogies:

14th - Victoria Benson, District Five Female, killed by Muttations

I really, really loved Victoria but I felt like her time was up. She was so determined to get back home and I hope I translated that well but her inability to kill probably her biggest competition, Tesla, made her vulnerable. She proved she was a violent person with Stellar's death but I knew she'd have a breaking point. It was either a massive meltdown and a more grizzly death at the hands of a Career or the danger of relaxation then death that I had lined up for her and I believed the second option was the better one for her. She'll be able to watch down on her family from above now, though. Thank you so much to District7axemurder for submitting Victoria. She will be missed!

13th - Calamity Haldor, District Two Female, killed by Muttations

You were the female mastermind of the Careers; you had everyone whipped. Tesla wasn't going to attack you anytime soon, Brock and Shelldon were too smart to attack you, Stellar and Buckingham idolised you to some degree, and Calloway, well Calloway wasn't going to kill you if he didn't have to. Diamond? You killed him before he had the chance to make up his mind on you. If I had to be regretful over any death it'd be yours Calamity. You were vicious and knew your strengths but the over-zealousness you and Buckingham had when together got the best of you. Your death will affect Calloway profoundly, I'm sure, so don't think you died in vain. Thank you Apollostjames for submitting Calamity! She'll forever be the female mastermind of the Careers.

12th - Buckingham Shine, District One Female, killed by the Shelldon muttation

I have no remorse for you Buckingham. You were the tribute I entered to make sure I could start the SYOT and it felt good killing you, quite honestly. I knew you were broken over your twin's death and probably seeing Calloway and Calamity act so happily was hard for you; I'm sure you wanted to kill Calloway there and then. Karma's a bitch though, isn't she? You killed Shelldon out of nothing but blood lust and he got his revenge, even if he'll never know about it. I pitied you a little when you believed you had killed him but it's the Hunger Games - expect the unexpected.

Tributes Remaining:

Calloway, District Two

Delta, District Three

Tesla, District Five

Candella, District Seven

Phantom, District Eight

Bobbin, District Eight

Laurel, District Nine

Dion, District Ten

Brock, District Eleven

Ellie, District Eleven

Alys, District Twelve

Alliances:

Calloway, Tesla & Brock

Delta, Phantom, Bobbin & Laurel

Dion & Ellie

Solo Tributes:

Candella

Alys

There we go! A bit chapter! I hope it makes up for my sporadic updating the past few chapters.

As always, for the time being, this chapter is unchecked so I apologise for any mistakes! As I'm revising for my exams checking through things does get hard for me (as does writing in general), but I refuse to give up on these Games! I hope you can all understand that :)

Day and Night Five were bloodbaths in themselves! And I just now realised all of them were strong females :c

As always, reviews make me happy~!

-Oli