Another sad chapter. Enjoy. :'(

It was early when Colby aroused me from my slumber, the sun had just risen, and we had to go over game plans today. We were turning the tide with one swift movement. Colby was planning to light my arrows on fire and then run away from Lone's camp as fast as he could and then set off the grenade, hoping Lone would come to try find out what was happening. Then Colby would run again and do the same thing over again, but by that time his supplies should have been destroyed. Lone would be so mad that he might just kill Thatcher and the allies from ten for me. I crept up the forest path and stopped at the foot of the mountain, my hidden area blind from anyone coming down the mountain. I grimaced; there was a dark red stain on the ground where Altha's body used to lay. A chill went down my spine; something about this mountain had a very eerie feeling. Then, there was a loud explosion to my left; Colby's grenade did the trick. Lone looked up.

"Dude, what was that?" said the boy from ten, his face awestruck.

"I don't know Huron, let's go find out." Lone ordered. They all grabbed an axe and went running. Now it was time for Operation Burn, the name Colby and I came up with.

I stepped forward, drawing an arrow, the tip lightly on fire. I squinted, trying to see something flammable. Bingo, my eyes caught onto a pot, a steel pot with wires sticking out from them. Maybe they were making French fries. I drew back and aimed, my breathing turning very quiet, my hand twitching. I released the arrow and sure enough the spark landed. But, then my grin vanished. There was a loud hissing sound; a small spark went traveling down each wire from the pot. I only had seconds when the mountain exploded, burning pieces of rock sailing down to Earth. I set off a ticking time bomb. The only word I said before I took off was loud and so very true. "Everybody, run!"

Colby gasped as the Earth shook. He gave a wary glance back at the mountain to see it explode into a million burning pieces. Jonathan succeeded, he succeeded to well. All he knew was that Lone was going to murder them. Then he heard a sound of enragement, he had to be close by. Colby, gulping dashed off towards the Cornucopia. Then, he tripped. A net was wrapped around his leg, drawing him into the Cornucopia. Something had a hold on him. He screamed. "JONATHAN, HELP!"

I gave a slight heave of breath, the smoke filling my lungs. The ground was ablaze, the birds taking flight. I didn't even want to think about Don, sitting there, getting his skin burned alive. A huge comet sailed towards me and I ducked, my hair feeling the warmth of the comet, and maybe the sensation of death. It exploded, the tree caving inwards. I gasped and rolled away, before the burning producer could crush me. I coughed, my eyes watering; my throat now being a scratchy mess. I leaned against a tree which was a miracle since it was not being burned when all fell silent. The last burning rocks were gone, as if they had been swallowed by the ground. I gave a slight chuckle. Gamemaker work. I lugged myself back to my hiding spot at the foot of my hideout when Lone was on the scene. His clothes were singed, his face black with soot. Huron and Amelia were exhausted, as if they were caught in a fire storm. Lone was venting, kicking himself for being such an idiot. Their mountain was gone, the ground leveled. Huron and Amelia were behind Lone, afraid he would chop off their heads. Then Lone said something that made me panic.

"Thank goodness I made Thatcher set up all those nets around the Cornucopia. After this little charade, he is obviously going to check those nets. I gave him the permission to flay anyone who got caught." Lone growled.

A feeling of dread went through me. Colby must have retreated to the Cornucopia. It was safest place away from the mountain when it exploded. Slinging an arrow into my bow, I was racing towards the Cornucopia, calling Colby's name when I heard it. The weak croak that was Colby's voice. I looked through the trees and gasped. Colby was there, in a net; trapped on the ground. He looked pained when he turned to me, his expression raw fear. I gave a guttural cry and pulled out my knife, springing onto the net and I sliced it open. I dragged Colby out and held him in a hug. He was sobbing. I even smothered his hair and whispered kindly. "You're all right Colby, you're fine." I comforted. Suddenly, Colby gave a great breath inward and I turned, his breathing being a warning sound. Thatcher was racing towards us, another spear in his hand. He threw the spear, obviously at me. I sidestepped and sent an arrow at his heart. Thatcher flew back, but I couldn't tell if I had killed him. I heard Colby wince in pain and I turned around. My eyes turned to mud, as Colby removed the spear and then flopped to the ground. I gave a scream of rage. Colby sunk to his knees, and then fell on his back, the bloody spear being flung away.

"Colby, no you are not dying." I say. It sounded like a command and a beg at the same time.

Colby let a tear slide down his cheek. "Oh Jon, I'm sorry that I disappointed you."

I gave a slight choke. "You have never let me down, not once. This is certainly not that day."

Colby looked at me. "You didn't kill Thatcher. He is running away right now." He weakly pointed.

"What?" I gave a slight turn and there was Thatcher running away. The sun glinted off of something he was wearing, armor.

Colby swallowed heavily. "I have to tell you something Jonathan, I'm leaving soon."

I wiped at my eye. "What is it?"

Colby's voice was distant. "As you know, you and Katie had made an alliance, right? With me, Felice, District 7 and District 11. Well, us seven decided that we were to protect you from whatever would come at you."

"But why?" I asked, my voice sounding angry.

Colby coughed. "Because you reminded us of Katniss Everdeen. When you think about it, you resemble her so much. Entering with a fiery entrance, scoring a 12 as a training score, losing an ally, it all fits."

I was taken aback. "I have thought about that Colby I have."

Colby looked at me in the eye. "The districts we were from our rebelling, and yours is too, to an extent."

I shook my head. "That's a lie, it has to be."

Colby gave a great heave. "The sky, it is red, and I can't see the stars. Why can't I see the stars?"

"Colby? What on Earth are you going on about?" I scream at him.

But, Colby was silent. His hand lapped into his chest, swirling the pool of blood that filled up. Then I heard some laughter and there was Thatcher, standing behind me laughing. I felt a burning anger rise in me and I sprang forward. I grabbed Thatcher by the throat and he gasped, his laughter being cut off.

"You tell Lone this, and if you don't repeat it to him I will crush your throat. I will kill him, then I will kill you, and I give a damn about the tributes from ten. You've hurt me too many times and that was the last straw Thatcher. I had should've killed you a long time ago. And I'll enjoy every last moment of it. Now get out of my sight before I shoot you in the neck." I hissed into Thatcher's ear.

I dropped Thatcher to the ground. "Big mistake Jonathan, big mistake."

He was gone, slight gasps emitting from his mouth. I wiped the sweat from my brow and I looked back at Colby, he was gone. The invisible helicopter had taken him away. The spear was gone. Thatcher must have taken it. I gave one last, evil regrettable look at where Thatcher was standing and I felt no remorse if I was to kill him. Then I sank to my knees and cried, heavily; not giving a care if anyone killed me.

"Come on Jonathan, get up and put on a game face." Bailey begged at the TV.

Lucas looked up and smiled. "You actually care now? What happened?" Lucas had arrived from school. He had missed the entire day.

Bailey looked at Lucas, tears spilling down her face. Lucas's grin vanished. "Jonathan's partner had been just killed by Thatcher, and he told Jon a secret. Rebellious districts working together. Jon's cord has actually snapped he's losing it."

Lucas dropped his bag. "My god, that's awful. He should have killed Thatcher when he had the chance."

Bailey laughed weakly. "He almost killed him, choking him to death. He hissed a warning into his ear."

Lucas shivered. "That's just sad. I need to send him something."

Bailey held up a hand. "President Lee made an announcement, no more sponsors now, it is the final five."

Lucas swallowed. "So that means-"

Bailey cut him off. "Jonathan is on his own, no more help from us."

"Why the hell would you do this Wyatt?" Henry barked at Wyatt.

Wyatt shrugged. "Direct orders from President Lee, no more sponsors."

Henry grabbed Wyatt by the shoulders. "Wyatt, my tribute boy is breaking. His allies are dead now, all seven of them."

Wyatt cocked his head. "Did you know that his allies all protected him, and all these districts are rebellious? Henry, a rebellion in the arena always ends in disaster. This kid is following the footsteps of Katniss Everdeen and that isn't something we want to happen."

Henry punched Wyatt in the jaw. "You would expect that with what happened with Katniss, you would change the rules and guidelines of how you run the country but, no you had to get crueler and it has blown up in your face. Sorry I punched you, but that boy is making his own decisions, no one told him to become a male Katniss Everdeen."

Wyatt breathed heavily. "I'm sorry that you feel that way, but you are one person."

Then suddenly, Rose appeared by Henry's side. "Disrespectful Wyatt, I had trust in you, but to stoop so low and take away sponsors from these tributes is a death wish. I thought you wanted Lone dead, and his posse but, Jonathan is on the verge of dying of grief. It is him verses four worthy adversaries. You must exploit that rule or surely the entire country will rebel."

Wyatt's mouth hit the floor. "Rose, how dare you accuse me of filth like that!" Wyatt shouted incredulously.

Rose slapped him. "You lying little bi-"

Henry dragged her away by the waist. "Not your fight Rose, calm down."

Wyatt felt the sting of her slap and President Lee appeared behind him. His voice made Wyatt jump. "Everything under control Wyatt?"

Wyatt turned to President Lee. "Yeah, everything's fine sir. Just an angry Capitol citizen wondering why the Games aren't over yet."

Lee smiled wryly. "Get back to work Wyatt, I have one more thing for you to do."

Thanks for reading this chapter. Means a lot. Finally Bailey's emotions change. And Rose almost gets some action, well sort of. Did you miss Henry and Rose by any chance? Jonathan has finally lost his sanity. Do Colby and Katie's deaths remind you of Rue's in a negative way? I may change them if I can find a new way how. Anyway Review, Review, Review. I would love one.

-Tales of Advent Lover