Holidays! Boy, I love them :D

I've been wanting to explore Marella's little underwater hideout for a while, so I hope you enjoy. (Oh, and before you think Rye killed the little beast, it might not be as dead as you think. More on that later!)

Happy Holidays 3

In the Blink of an Eye

Rye Kuna, District One

I found the pack in the cave which I currently residing in, and it's sort of a medium size. I have already looked through the contents twice. I am having an argument inside my head. All I can see my victim's eyes, widened and glazing as the life dribbled from her mouth. 'It was in self defence!' I contradict myself. But I know that it wasn't. I intended to wrap the rope around her neck and tighten it until her lips went blue. I intended to kill her.

Not that I am weak and limp. I am pretty tough skinned, but what kind of person would kill and not think anything of their victim?

I divert my train of thought onto the pack. It was like they knew I was coming – those clever Gamemakers. They were so thoughtful; they managed to place a beautiful machete inside my pack. Although it looks like they forgot water. Thanks for the bottle anyway.

I pull open the top of the crackers. Only one, I wheedle to myself. But the running earlier has made me more tired than I thought. I find myself taking another, then another. As I am chomping my way happily through the fourth cracker, I hear a sound. I immediately cease crunching and get ready to fight.

I checked the cave before I came in – no bears or anything at all to be honest. So why can I hear something behind me?

As quietly as possible, I reach for the machete inside my pack. It brushes against the cracker wrapper and it makes a tiny crackle. The thing jumps out from behind a rock. I almost laugh. Just a lizard. Just a stupid reptile.

By the looks of it, it hasn't finished with me yet. It scuttles closer and closer and I raise the machete. I notice that it doesn't have any eyes. Strange.

I decide that it is getting too close for comfort. I slam the weapon down on its skull and it crumples.

A cannon fire shocks me. Seven booms echo over the arena. I kick the carcass into the corner and hope for rain.

Marella Lamia Cobalt, District Four

I'm glad I left the Careers behind me. They seemed an odd lot this year and I trusted my instincts which were telling me that I'd be better off by myself.

When I entered the lake about half an hour ago, I had seen a small frame disappearing into the rocks. Good thing I'm not in a killing mood today, otherwise, they'd have been long dead.

After about twenty minutes trying to brainstorm a hopeless plan, I decide to investigate the lake. You never know with arena designs. In the past, lakes have contained food and pearls in their watery depths. I might strike lucky – plus I wouldn't mind a dip.

I take off the outer layer of my clothes – leaving my underwear, and I fashion the loose clothes into a sort of backpack. They'd weigh me down but what could be worse than having a tribute steal your clothes? I wouldn't go too deep.

The beach is sloping and smooth but when I am in to about my hips, the ground drops and I am left to flounder and regain my balance. I know that all cameras will be on me. Panem will be laughing their socks off. Instead of wading, I try to dive. The water is relatively clear and not all that cold. However, it is evident that there is a current and it is pulling me away from the beach.

I come up for air. The beach is getting smaller and my sodden clothes suddenly weigh a ton. I duck dive again and decide to follow the mysterious current. Better than sitting around on the beach. I don't swim far before I hit a rocky underwater wall. A large hole suggests a cave and would explain the current. But that means that somewhere in there, there must be an empty space not filled with water! It's too far to swim up, and my lungs are beginning to scream. I'd rather die investigating this than to drown halfway up. Plus, I'd never find this again in this huge lake.

I let the current guide me into the tunnel. The walls are closing in. I will get trapped like a cork in a bottle. Then loss of oxygen and intense pressure will kill me. Good choice, good choice.

But just as I think I'm going to have to inhale water, the tunnel walls widen and my head breaks the surface.