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The rest of the day was more than horrible for Lera. The girls teased her constantly and the boys didn't pay attention to her at all. She knew why they did that: they were afraid because they didn't know her. She may be very good with the knife or bow or just her fighting skills were incredible. Since they didn't know anything about her they played out well trying to show her they were better and she should be afraid of them. If she was scared she would most likely lose in battle or she would hesitate to start a fight which they counted on. They also wanted to make her weak and didn't give her any food or water. Clove also took her backpack saying she didn't need it for the night and put out the fire. The tribute from Two wrapped it around her shoulders to keep her warm and went to sleep.

It's not just that but Cato and Glimmer… they were playing in love all night long. The blonde girl hugged him, talked to him in her awful girlish way and was constantly around him. Lera knew she'd suspected there's something going on between her and Cato and wanted to prove it. The redheaded didn't give up though- she played her role pretty well showing she doesn't care while something in her stomach was reaping her from the inside. Jealousy.

Cato on the other hand showed he was interested in Glimmer, too, which made the things for Lera far worse although she knew this was the best move. In the end the two Career's even went to bed together, wrapped in each others' arms while Lera was forced to grit her teeth to survive the cold night.

Her stomach was glowing and her throat was soar so she was feeling miserable. She was also fed up with Glimmer's games and Clove's teasing but she stood her ground. She had to show them she didn't care.

Around three o'clock it was becoming unbearable. Her lips were turning from purple to blue and she couldn't feel her hands. She was shaking so hard she was sure she'd wake someone up with the noise she was making but she just couldn't help it.

Then someone placed his hot hand on her shoulder and she turned in an instant. But it was Cato, who she expected, but Peeta.

The blonde put out a piece of meat he had hidden during dinner.

- It's for you.

Lera looked at him for another minute and then took it and ate it as fast as she could.

- Thank you. – she whispered.

- Take a sip of this, too. – he offered her his bottle of water and the tribute couldn't help herself but drinking it all.

She gazed at him guilty but he just waved her off:

- Doesn't matter. I'll fetch some tomorrow.

Somewhere behind Peeta Marvel gave out a sigh in his sleep and started talking some words that made no sense at all.

Lera's lips stretched into a smile.

- You really know where Katniss is? – his expression showed nothing except for his eyes. They flickered with hope.

Lera decided to be honest- he doesn't seem to fit this group or pack at all.

- No, I don't. I haven't met her.

He let out a sigh.

- So have we. But what will happen if we don't?

She shrugged:

- They'll probably kill me.

- And me too.

They stood for some time not saying anything and then he unzipped his jacket and let it to her:

- Here, take it.

Lera didn't realize she was beginning to shake too hard again.

- No, no, it's yours, you should keep hot.

- I have my backpack, it's enough, really.

Lera knew he was lying but accepted the gift anyway.

- Thank you again.

The sun broke through the trees waking up the group. Glimmer stretched her arms and noticed Cato has just opened his arms.

- Good morning, babe. – she whispered and cuddled in him. Of course she'd noticed Lera's awake. Of course she would try to provoke a reaction. But she didn't succeed. The red-headed can play this game, too. She played as if she didn't notice or didn't care. A minute later everyone was up and packing their things. Clove, who obviously took the responsibility of making the last days of her life miserable, handled her a full heavy backpack to carry.

Lera thought they'd ask her for directions but instead they crossed the lake to the camp where they all ate some of the supplies, offering their guide to finding Katniss none. It was on purpose, really. To tease her, to make her angry or just weaken her.

After the meal the Careers just sat down, watching the sky and Glimmer started coming up on Cato again.

- Are we going already? – Lera stood up, facing the others, looking bored.

- What's the hurry? – Glimmer, who was wrapping her arms around Cato's neck looked at her teasingly. The tribute from four couldn't help but notice Cato wasn't feeling comfortable- his face was as if he wanted to push the blonde away.

- Well, if you two keep snogging we will most likely lose the trails of Twelve I found a couple of days ago. – she said matter-of-factly.

- You'd be dead anyway, when we find her. – Glimmer finished but stood up and grabbed her backpack, now extremely light thanks to the weight transferred to Lera's.

They all headed down the river, referring to Lera's idea that Katniss would most likely be near some water source. At least that was her logic before she practically bumped into the careers. Lera couldn't guess if the girl from Twelve was in the direction they were heading or the opposite one- she just had to give it a try.

- What's that over there? – Glimmer asked. Marvel and Peeta walked over and spotted some matches. – Someone was here quite recently. – she stated.

- Yeah. And obviously headed that way. – Cato pointed and looked at Lera. She was leading them right there and he was beginning to think she actually knew where Katniss is. – Is this Twelve's?

Of course Peeta couldn't know it. How do you define whose matches have you come upon?

- I guess so. – he admitted and his expression changed. If they find Katniss, he would do whatever it takes to protect her. Just like Cato was doing with Lera.

A few hours later they were still walking, barely taking any time to rest. It was really hot that day, hotter than it was the previous three days. But it didn't affect them much- they had water with them. Well, excluding Lera.

Cato walked at the rear looking around for any signs of Twelve. He was doubting Lera had any idea where she was and if she failed Glimmer would kill her. That was the deal. If they find Twelve and after her death by Cato's hand the blonde girl would kill the tribute from Four. Of course, he hoped he'd be able to protect her or at least give her some chance to flee but he wasn't sure. His main concern was not to wake any doubts. And Glimmer already said she didn't trust his motives.

At early afternoon, just as he was beginning to lose himself in his thoughts about how he would torture Twelve to death, he heard some shouts in front. Cato hurried only to find Clove pulling Lera back on her feet. She was looking pale and exhausted. The blonde boy assumed she has fainted.

He heard Lover-boy pointing her and explaining she was thirsty because she hasn't been drinking any water or had some food. It was intentional, really but Cato didn't hear his comment. His eyes and mind were focused on the girl who was barely standing on her feet.

- Stay out of it! – Marvel shouted at Peeta but the other male tribute broke the argument:

- Give her some water and let's move on. – his voice remained hard and his expression unreadable but he was struggling inside- he wanted to jump and help her. He didn't know why he felt this way- he would have to kill her, sooner or later. He would do anything to stay alive and win this, to bring honor to himself, his father's school and his District. There was only one problem. He was beginning to think it wasn't worth it.

Lera drank some water and quickly came back to her senses. She wasn't feeling well and in this heat it was impossible not to lose conscious. In that moment where she blacked out and Clove pulled her back up she noticed Cato's expression. As if he was feeling sorry for her, as if he really did care about her. It was only for second, though, and she couldn't be sure she saw it right because she wasn't feeling well enough to trust her eyes.

As the day went on she realized why it was so hot- there has been a fire somewhere they were heading. This was bad- it meant that even if Katniss was here she is not anymore. They haven't heard any cannon sigh death so Lera assumed she was still alive somewhere. She paused for a moment and turned around.

- Okay, it was here I was Twelve. But this fire ahead indicates there is no living soul around here.

- What do we do, then? – Glimmer walked forward, crossing her arms. It was the time she was waiting for, to hear Lera has failed and to kill her.

- Probably we've missed her- let's head back down. – she suggested. – Maybe she's…

- She's not, obviously, otherwise we would have seen her coming towards us. – the blond was moving at her and stopped at less than 30cm from her. – Just like we saw you coming. – a sly smile covered her face. She put out a knife and smiled wider as Lera's eyes flickered at the sight of the shining metal in her hands. – You have no idea where she is, right? – she placed the knife on her throat, slightly pressing against her gentle skin. – You've fooled us all along.

- Stop, Glimmer! – Cato shouted and Lera sighted. – Katniss is probably still here somewhere hiding. I suggest looking around first and if we don't find her, you'll kill her just like you wished. Be patient.

Glimmer put out her knife, agreeing with the idea.

- Fine. – she spitted.

- Why don't we cross the river? – Clove suggested. – She may be there, as the fire cannot harm her near water.

The group agreed and turned left. Just as they stepped on the huge rocks, covering the river bed Marvel shouted:

- There she is, there she is, folks!

Lera instantly knew it was now or never.