My dreams are bleak and full of nothingness. A dark void is all that greets me. It's different from my normal nightmares where blood runs cold through deep valleys and screams echo off canyon walls.

But this dream is unsettling at best. In the dark quiet of night where the darkness presses down on me and blankets my mind that is where the true horrors come from. The depths of my mind are a place I wouldn't even wish upon my worst enemy.

Even after all these years I'm still amazed I'm still breathing clinging onto what shred of humanity I have left.

My mind starts to become active again and I groggily begin to wake up. Before I even open my eyes I know something is off. I'm not alone right now. I can hear the soft even sound of someone breathing. I open my eyes slowly and see Scarlett curled up in a ball next to me still asleep. I thought that was just a figment of my imagination another mind trick but her laying next to me is my reality. I'm not sure what to make of this physical contact. With her head resting on my chest rising and falling with each breath I take. Her soft light brown hair is sprawled across my chest falling gracefully over her shoulder. She is perfection at best.

The question that dances across my mind frequently is why does she care? Why reach out to one as hopeless as myself before we are thrown into the arena?

Isn't it obvious Zane? She is only using you. She is going to use you to her advantage to get herself further into the Games. She is a temptress toying with your emotions; trying to make you feel again. She wants you to be willing to die for her. To give her that assurance that you will make sure she claims the crown.

No, their wrong; they have to be.

Think about it Zane since when have we ever been wrong? We were right when we had you take your father's life. We were right when we had you carve those words into your arm. What do they say again? Oh right how could we forget monster. How we love that word. It really describes what you are. A beast some type of savage incapable of emotion. Now don't go and try convincing yourself that the words we speak are false. You cannot feel anything towards this girl. You shall forever feel numb.

Pain suddenly sears across my mind as I fight to stay focused. I count the tiles covering the ceiling trying to find any way to remain in control.

Why do you fight so hard Zane? It would be, so much easier for you if you just let us take over. We could help you win you know. We won't hesitate to kill. As you already know spilling blood is something we fanaticize about. Just to watch that scarlet liquid flow steadily from one's neck; we crave to be the one to rip the flesh from one's bones. We know you would relish in that moment as well. You hate feeling, so weak and helpless. You crave power. Let us help you achieve that. We will help you rise as all those around you crumble at your feet. Just accept our offer.

"No!" I scream out as I sit up swiftly.

Scarlett moves away from me startled by my outburst and looks over at me with wide eyes, "Zane, what's wrong?"

I lay back down on the bed my breathing rapid. I close my eyes and take a shaky breath trying to calm myself down. The voices have fallen silent, but for how long will they remain that way? There is no way of telling when they will slither their way back into my mind; coiling around my thoughts obscuring my way of thinking.

"Nothing is wrong; I'm fine," I mumble keeping my eyes closed. How easily this lie rolls off my tongue. How many times have I said those five seemingly simple words? Hundreds of times those words have spilled from my mouth, but were always a lie. How much easier it is to keep what is truly wrong locked away caged within. It is much easier than attempting to explain what is wrong. In reality I wouldn't even know where to begin. How could I explain to her about the whispers flowing through my mind? I don't want her to label me as insane.

"Is there a reason you're lying to me? Most people don't wake up screaming like that."

"I said I was fine!" I unintentionally snap at her and quickly get out of bed. I don't even look at her as I walk over to the bathroom slamming the door behind me. I lean on the sink for support and stare at my reflection in the mirror. My eyes are icy and distant as they have always been. How many horrors have these eyes witnessed? How many screams have my ears heard? How many times has my nose been exposed to the scent of blood? I hold my hands up to my face studying the fine lines that run across them. How many times have my hands been stained in that deep crimson substance? In the other room I can hear Scarlett getting off the bed and softly closing the door behind her as she leaves. Of course she would leave; they always do. Nobody is permanent in my life. I always push them away first.

I trace my fingertips along my scar that runs across my face and anger slowly begins to broil in my veins. Why must I always push people away? I always used the excuse it's just easier that way, but when was life ever meant to be easy?

You always push people away because it's what we want. To make you feel isolated and unwanted.

With these words hanging in my mind fury takes a hold of me as I smash my fist into the mirror shattering my reflection. I watch as the crimson stained shard drop into the sink skittering across its surface. How I wish I could do the same to my mind; silencing the voices forever.

I quickly change into my training outfit and my eyes are transfixed on the four written clearly on my back that is reflected in the mirror against my dresser. This four shows I am a career. However I am the outcast. Going into the arena alone is the wiser option in my case.

An alliance would be better for you Zane. With an alliance the opportunity to slaughter them all in their sleep will be presented to you. They can help bring you to the top then you can paint the arena crimson in their blood.

I ignore the sick images that rage inside my mind as best as I can as I walk out into the hall. I step into the elevator as I trace the new thin cuts that cover my hand. I don't even realize I am not alone at first. I feel a pair of eyes on me and I glace to my left. In the corner of my eyes I can see a pair of emerald eyes trained on me. The small girl from District 10 just stares at me as if she's trying to figure me out.

"You're hurt," She states as she glances at my hand.

I cross my arms as a way to hide my hand from her eyes and say nothing to her. The elevator is filled with an eerie silence as the doors open.

She starts to walk out, but stops and turns around to face me," I know you for what you are." Without giving me the chance to respond she turns on her heels and walks towards the training center. I keep hearing those words ringing in my ears as I enter the training hall. I can't even begin to comprehend what she meant by them. She can't know what I am; can she?

I notice Scarlett standing with the other careers and our eyes lock, but we both quickly look away from each other. She is one of them; a part of the group who I already know wants me dead.

Maybe, she will aid them in taking your life? Perhaps she will help draw every possible desperate scream from your lungs.

I try to focus on anything that will silence them. I find myself thinking about how natural it felt to have Scarlett sleeping by my side. With that memory lingering in my thoughts I am able to remain in control for the time being. I listen to the drone of the instructor as he tells us what to do. We have two weeks to train before we are all thrown into the arena. Once he finishes speaking I make my way over to the plants station as it is empty. Being a career I do have skills that I will keep disclosed until my private session.

"Learning plants are we? Kind of pathetic for a career don't you think?" I look up to see Hunter sneering at me.

"Well I wouldn't want to be foolish like some and eat a Nightlock berry now would I? I say back to him keeping my voice calm.

"You better watch your back Swansea; comments like that will get you slain sooner in the arena," Hunter says this as he narrows his eyes at me.

Scarlett walks over and places a dainty hand on Hunter's shoulder. I can't help but feel jealously swarm me as she touches him, "Hunter, calm down and go play with the spears."

"Fine but, don't think this is over Swansea," He glares at me one last time before walking away.

"I don't need you standing up for me," I say not looking at Scarlett.

She sits down next to me and takes my hand with the thin cuts, "Did you do these to yourself?"

I pull my hand away from her reluctantly and still refuse to look at her, "No, I didn't cut myself."

"But you still hurt yourself," She states simply.

"So what if I did?"

She gently places her hand under my chin and lifts up my head, so I have to look at her, "Zane why can't you just talk to me?"

"Because your one of them," I say as I glance towards the group of other careers.

"I never agreed to be in alliance with them. I would much rather be with someone else," She looks at me with hopeful eyes.

"You want to alliance with me?"

Scarlett nods softly as she looks into my eyes, "Yes, I do."

And with that our alliance is formed.

We hope you realize just how dangerous of a game you are playing Zane. She will tear you down we can see it in her eyes. She won't stop to push you down when you are venerable. She won't be afraid to soak her hands in your blood when the right time presents itself. What have we told you about the feeling of attachment? Nothing is permanent including her.

I look into her crystal blue eyes and I don't see a trace of anything that could pose a threat to me. For the first time I know the voices are lying.