District 11: Tawncy Moriatri

I don't know what it is like to be a child. My childhood was not filled with adoring parents doting on me. My childhood was work. I feel at the moment I am the closet I will ever be to knowing the feeling of being a child. The vulnerability and fear in me has grown over the past two days to the point of almost controlling me.

I know I am no one's pick to win. It doesn't surprise me. When people look at me, they see a weak and scared little girl. I used to not care because when people got to know me, that perception went away. In this place, it is different. I can no longer prove my dominance with a few tiny lies and a handful of insults. I only have a few options. I can be a giant, oozing of strength and superiority. That option is out of the question. I can be the sweet good girl that falls in love with an equally sweet boy. That idea makes me sick. I could join the ranks of Elena and Livia and evil masterminds, but it might be far too late for that. There is only one option left.

The wild card.

There is always that one person every year who makes it farther than they should have gone, the one no one saw coming. The cripple boy of the 74th Games was no one's first pick, but he managed to stay aloof until a little after the final eight. Leita Ashling of the 76th Games didn't seem to have a prayer. She made it far past the final eight. Knox Overstreet of the previous games was just an average Joe, but he ended up winning. And why do these plain tributes make it through so easily? They only have to do one memorable thing.

The cripple boy killed the boy from 4 on the first day. This gained him enough sponsors to slip by his competition. Leita Ashling teamed up with Elena. Enough said. And Knox dropped his nice guy act long enough to kill Kit. They all had a moment. And that is just what I need. I think I know how too.

So, as I stroll out of the ballroom, I plaster a smile on my face. My moment is complete and I hopefully just bought a ticket straight to the final eight. Hopefully. I still need to cross my fingers for good luck, another childish gesture I have picked up during my time here.

I guess I can say my luck turned around when I got the little note dropped on my when I was dozing on the deck. At that moment, I was at an all time low. This little slip of paper changed everything.

Ben,

Meet me in the second first class cabin after a five have gone by at midnight.

Todd

I was a bit surprised one of the two boys in the note let it slip away and possibly into an enemy's hands. But, one man's trash is another man's treasure.

I got the idea of relaying the information to the Careers the day after I found the paper. I assumed they would appreciate the information. Marco from 1 must have been angry that District 2 took off and knowing where they are would be the perfect opportunity for the other Careers to strike. They would also be taking out that Todd boy.

And for me, I could strike a deal for them to leave me alone until the final eight.

It all worked out perfectly. Marco was pleased to receive the information and granted me immunity. Of course, even I know better than to trust him. I will still keep my distance from him and the Career Pack. But, I will have them off my back and soon, there might be three less competitors in the Games.

I descend the stairs into the second class cabin area and walk to the very last cabin in the left hall. This is my sanctuary. No one else has even set a step into the second class cabin halls and I am the only occupant in any of the rooms. I feel just a bit safer in here. Yes, I sleep with a knife, my only weapon, and the lights are always one. Yet, this room feels protected by something.

I never realized I was never a child until I slept in this room for the first time. I thought about how much I wanted someone to tuck me in and tell me everything would be all right. I wanted a story to ease my troubled mind. I even wanted a bear to hug and hold. I am over all this immature hopes now, but I still wish I had someone to repair the cracks forming in my previously indestructible and strong state of mind.

And, I always check under the bed. Because here, monsters aren't that fake or far away.

District 11: Arin Ander's POV

"So, do you want the information or not?" the voice snaps. I knew my District partner would settle for shady dealing eventually. She isn't stupid and she knows it is the best way to be assured some safety for awhile. Still, her information must be good. Dealing with the Careers requires something that is worth sparing a life.

I don't like the idea of eavesdropping through the leaves of a plant, but I would prefer to know what the Careers have planned then stumble blindly through the halls of this ship. So far, I haven't gotten anything. Still, Tawncy seems to have a big chunk of information. It is just taking a lot of sarcasm and insults to get it out.

"Fine, we'll stay away. If this is good, of course," Marco replies, his aggravation with Tawncy crystal clear.

"Good. Here, I'm sure this will peak your interest." I hear the click of heels and I know it is Tawncy. She knows better than anyone to leave immediately after the information is exchanged. That way, if they don't like it, she had a head start to run.

I watch her head towards one of the many lobbies, a proud smile on her face. I can't hear any sound from the Careers, which I take as a good sign. They must like the information. I crane my neck a little more towards the doorway. My ears are greeted by the sound of clicking heels with thundering footsteps as well. I snap my neck back just in time and watch Marco and Camille heading towards the lobby. I begin to think the information was fake, but I'm reassured it was not when they veer off towards the deck.

"Don't think about following them." It is Aria, as usual. Her voice has been more frequent since the Games have started. Her information is good though, so I am barely complaining.

"I know that," I mutter. I can picture her ruling her eyes at me. Her advice reminds me of all the times she told me things I already know. She just was looking out for me. It makes me miss her so much.

"Be careful. Don't forget…"

Aria's reminder is cut off by yet another set of heels. By process of elimination, I know it must be Bliss. She walks out of the ballroom and leans her head against one of the pillars. I hear her sigh and begin to wonder if I can talk to her. We did talk a few times during training and I think I made it clear I like her a lot. I hold off though.

"Why do things have to suck so much?" Bliss wonders aloud. She had her forehead to the pillar and I'm wondering when she is going to start banging it repeatedly on the marble. "Things aren't going to work out. He is going to us all killed. This is not the right move." I feel like I am invading her privacy by listening to this, but what can I do? The minute I try to leave, is the minute she realizes I've been spying on her this whole time.

I sigh inwardly, knowing I have to tell her I am here. I get up from my hiding spot, not caring I am practically crashing into the leaves of the plant. Bliss wheels around on her heels, but has no weapon out. She sees me and seems to breathe a sigh of relief. That is until…"Did you just hear all of that?"

"I could pretend I didn't, if you want me to," I tell her. "I can also leave." I don't add "if you want me to" to my second sentence, but I hope it was implied. It seems it was when she shakes her head.

"No, I could use an outside opinion on this. Do you think the Careers are crazy? Not just my Career pack, but all the Career packs," she asks.

"I guess, but aren't we all a little crazy by now?"

"That wasn't really answering the question," Bliss snaps. "I'm sorry. I'm just tired and restless." I want to ask what she means by restless, but I assumed she wants me to answer he question before asking one of my own.

"I think Career packs tend to be less sane the rest of the tributes, but they were brought up to be that way. They are blood-thirsty and will do anything to win." That is my and most likely the entire non-Career Districts' opinion of the Career pack. "But, I don't think you are like that."

"Thanks," she says with a small smile. "I try not to be that way. I just feel like Marco is leading us into trap after trap. We already lost District 2. We are to broken to chase after fool's gold. However, I guess it would split the Career pack if we do rush into the District 11 girl's plan."

"What plan?"

"I think she gave us fake information in order to pick us off. She probably has an ally or two who are waiting for us to enter their net. But of course, Marco decided to trust her whole-heartedly. I don't know what I should do."

"If it makes you feel better, Tawncy doesn't have an ally. I have seen her around. She is just hiding out in the second class cabin area. I haven't seen her talk to a soul until now. I think everyone is so much more on their guard in this year's Games," I tell her. I have been keeping some tabs on the other tributes. I like knowing where everyone is or will be. It gives me a sense of security.

"We are confined to one ship. There is so much more of a likelihood of running into another tribute or the Career pack. It is just a matter of time before another bloodbath occurs," Bliss says with a hopeless look on her face. I agree with her. The fact that I can keep tabs on most of the tributes shows how close the quarters are.

"Well, I'm glad I ran into you," I comment in a quiet voice. Bliss smiles at this, but it is a faint smile. Maybe even conflicted. I am about to say more when I hear a call coming from the ballroom. After another process of elimination, I know it is the boy from 4. I don't have time to make a run for it, so I duck back behind my plant.

"Hey, are you okay?" I push a few of the leaves away and catch a glimpse of the boy. He puts a comforting arm around Bliss's shoulders, one that she welcomes. I feel a little flare of jealousy, but I try to assure myself it is nothing. He said he had a girlfriend in his interview.

"I'm fine. What do you make of all this?"

"Quite frankly, I think it's crazy. I think Marco has already tipped the scales of his own sanity," the boy says with a tiny smile.

"He tipped those scales years ago. I think the scale is breaking under the weight now," Bliss says and the two share a laugh. "Come on, let's get back in there." The boy drops his arm and begins walking back. Bliss looks back my way and gives a slight wave.

I wait until they are both far enough away that I can not hear their footsteps to get up. I smile to myself as I begin my way back to the upper deck. I use to dislike the tributes who participated in romances. I didn't see the point if they know the other will most likely die. Now I can see the reason for more clearly. It gives you back just a little bit of sanity.

…

Sorry for being such a bad updater lately. I'm trying to get back on track. I've just been really busy. Anyway, I love the way this chapter turned out, especially Tawncy's POV. Next is District 10, 12, and 14 all in one and then any tribute goes. That is when everything is really going to pick up. I didn't include a back story this chapter. I didn't feel it needed one.

Reviews would be lovely. Peace, Love, and All That Jazz.

-Emma