Hey readers,

Thanks for sticking with me this far - we've reached a 20 chapter milestone! 3

I'm sorry for not updating as often as before, but hey - HOLIDAYS ARE COMING UP! And you know what that means... Very consistent updates!

Don't forget to review, and I hope you like this chapter!

*In the Blink of an Eye

Kyle "Animal" Lanyer, District Three

The fighting has stopped. The remaining careers have disappeared through the rocks on the other side of the clearing and I can hear their irritating chatter.

I know that now is a perfect time to emerge from behind the shady overhang and head for the rapids. They are obviously unable to cross, but I have a plan. The rapids cut off a large section of land which no one else will be able to follow. It will provide the perfect plot of isolated land which I can freely stay on until the last people are left.

The Career's conversation has reached a new height. Actually, I think there are only three of them. Priya, Anumus and Domitrius. It's a funny year for Careers, I think, as I slink towards the rapids. Half of them have gone AWOL.

I have never been great at swimming, but if I find a slightly narrower part of the frothy waters, I might be able to use my height to an advantage. After about five minutes, I realise that my attempts are futile. The rapids are just as violent, and the river is just as wide, like it had been designed. Well, it had.

I need to get across. There is no other place which I can think of which would provide the perfect hiding place. Maybe there might be a lake or something further down? I can't risk looking further. The Careers could burst out at any second and I would be toast.

Finally, I find a raised heap of mud. The height will help and the practical outfit I am wearing, close fitting beige trousers and a jacket that adapts to the heat, will make it a little easier to cross. I must be mad. I bend my knees, breathe deeply and spring forward.

I hit the water with a splash, but the churning water masks the sound. The water is chilly, but not freezing. Already, I can feel some of my energy being sapped away from the cold water and the waves are cascading around me. Immediately, I find myself being tugged by the relentless current.

I power on towards the other side. I can see the scenery swooping by and I feel dizzy. My swimming falters and the river pushes me down. I gulp for air.

Just as I am about to give up, I see an overhanging branch zooming up to me. I reach up just in time and manage to get a stable hand onto the wood. I haul myself up onto the rocky bank and cough up water. I am shaking and my chest feels tight. I need to find a hiding place, but I'm not sure that I have the energy.

The water has drained my spirit and I am shivering violently. The water wasn't deathly freezing, yet here I am, chilled to the marrow. I wriggle towards the nearest rocks. Breath wheezes out of my lungs and black spots dance over my vision. So close. If you can just make it... over there...

Emilia Jatos, District Nine

Thank goodness they let me have my bracelet. I think that without it, I would be having a breakdown. I rub the dove charm decisively. When the gong went about two hours ago, I immediately pounded towards the river. I'm a strong swimmer and I usually feel safer around water sources.

I am further ahead of the others who went to the Cornucopia, as I ran until I was gasping and couldn't breathe. I don't think that my sacrificing potential survival items was a rash descision. Although I am tragic at making decisions and I couldn't direct you to the nearest tree, I am confident that God will guide me and keep me safe from other tributes.

The rapids have not narrowed out or decreased in power, but ahead of me, I can see a pearly, crystalline lake which I know will be perfect. Just adding the icing on top of the cake, I can see a pack-like shape which suggests supplies. It's small, but as I reach it, I dig in with delight. An empty water bottle – but paired with iodine, a length of rope, and packet of biscuits. And, the item which I need most – a long sharp knife.

I almost scream my thanks to God, but I know that I would be pinpointing myself as a target. If I have a knife, then I can do almost anything. However, I should find a place to camp. Being out in the open is just begging for trouble, but I fill up my bottle from the shallows of the gently evening rapids, to purify and drink.