Woop woop! 30 chapters already :o

So the competition. Well. The deaths are not going to be this chapter, because it just didn't fit in with my plans for the story. But you can expect it within the next two or so chapters. I haven't forgotten, so don't worry! I don't know whether I should tell you guys who the tributes are or not?

Well, happy reading and hopefully the next chapters with the deaths will be up soon!

*In the Blink of an Eye

Kyle 'Animal' Lanyer, District Three

It's time to cross over the river once more. I'm safe here, and I have food but to be honest, it's boring. No one else is obviously as clever as me and I'm dying for a fight. I've heard four cannons just in the first day, and I've seen absolutely nothing. Being out of the way sucks.

The pack I found after I passed out, following my dip last night is perfect. Close fitting, sleek and camouflaged, it's the ideal find for a tribute. It even has a whole host of different food.

I'm standing on the bank where I pulled myself out before. I can even see the place where I set off from, but I know the current will pull me further down. But this time, I'm aiming for a flat sandy dip in the boulders a few meters downstream. Now I know what to expect, I can probably make it without a fuss.

Entering the water far more calmly, I let the water carry me, whilst gently propelling to the other side. With much less effort, I scrabble onto the tiny beach and shake off the water. It's early afternoon and the sun is just after its peak. I can already feel the fabric of my clothes start to dry and harden.

I listen for any noises indicting company, but there is nothing. But gradually, a small noise intensifies. A rumble. Is it my stomach? Surely not – I have literally just eaten a handful of raisins. The grumble increases in volume. It's not my stomach.

Before long, I see the dust. Some part of the mountain must have crumbled, or maybe the Gamemakers hit a switch. To everyone who is on the mountain – it sucks to be you right now. I feel slightly smug. I hope someone dies. Better for me.

Terchias Manechin, Gamemaker

"Er... Kingfisher?" I call out tentatively across the room. Everyone knows the Head Gamemaker is in a bad mood, and when he's like this, no one knows what he will do.

Almost as if my call had been a lighted match, Kingfisher's face seethes instantly. "What is it?"

I beckon him over to look at my screen. He looks positively murderous, but I hold out. He's going to like it.

Like I predicted, his face instantly glows with a cheerful light and he gives me the thumbs up. "You really are a genius aren't you?" he cackles. "Let them into the arena and let them do their worst." He walks back unsteadily across to his perch. I think he's been drinking but I can't be sure. He giggles every now and then, a peculiar light in his eyes.

I turn back to my screen proudly and press a button. At the very same instant, five hungry creatures are released into the arena.

Emilia Jatos, District Nine

My breath is short and there is a painful throbbing in my head. The things face me, dribbling and hungry. I don't know what to do.

There are five of them. They look like humans. They all have the same tattoo on their foreheads; three stars. They wear tatty clothes covered in stains and human misery, but I can see signs of faded splendour. Capitol made-outfits gone to ruin. These were Capitol citizens once, but all traces of human life are gone. The thing which is most wrong is that they have pure white eyeballs. Where are they staring? Are they looking at me?

The closest one emits a gurgle. It looks vaguely feminine. I see no tongue in her mouth. An avox perhaps? But what harm can they do? Should I be scared of them or not?

One at the back, a pitiful creature with faded blue curls lunges forward. I run. I can't take the risk of being killed now. Inhuman screams of delight follow my path and I know that these human mutts are not safe in any way possible.

I'm already panting; I'm unfit. And I've only made it a little way. I can hear the things gaining. I take a second to whip my head around. Blue-curls leads the pack, and her face is contorted into a scream. This is it, Emilia. If God is truely with me, he'd give me a hand right now.

It looks like I'm going to have to play my intelligence card. If speed and strength is failing me, I still have one more thing to fall back on. Although my legs are screaming too, I pound in a gradual arc back to where we started. Hopefully the creatures are either too dim to realise, or too weak to swim. The lake is edging back into view and the ravenous keening behind me is not diminishing.

The beach begins and the rocks become smaller and sparser. And just like that, I'm pounding through the shallows. Water obstructs my movements and I start really panicking. It's like the classic nightmare, except this time, it's real. Calm it Emilia, I tell myself, they can't go any faster in water than you can.

I have reached the depth where it is faster to swim. I draw the last remaining energy to pummel through the water. When I am a sufficient way into the lake, I stop swimming. Like magic, the water seems to be a natural block. The creatures are furiously skulking at the water's edge, but not even daring to touch the shallow waves. But then all at once, I realise the dilemma I have placed myself in. The mutts are in no hurry. They can simply wait at the shore. When I try to swim out on one side, they can run around the lake to intercept me. So I have to wait here in the middle of the lake, sculling. I don't have enough energy to keep going.

I close my eyes and begin to pray vehemently, trying to summon energy to keep afloat.