Heya! It's me again, and I'm settled into normal routine again! That means a more regular updates hopefully! Thank you all for your reviews, it means a lot to me c:

Hope you're still enjoying the story, and thank you for those who have already voted in my Victor Poll - if you haven't, check it out on my profile

Tata~

*In the Blink of an Eye

Charms Penlum, District One

I'm ripped out of my nightmare by a deafening blast. I scream so loud, it's silent. Run away. Run, run, run. It's the only thing you're good for.

My pack is already on my shoulder. The air is smoky, cloudy. Makes it hard to see. Pounding through the dawn. A ray of false light shows me where the rocks are, but no more.

I have to get away.

My legs are screaming. My eyes are watering. My throat is contracted. Air is forcing itself out of my windpipe, making a sound like wind in the trees back home.

There's no doubt about it. Kyle. Someone, or something, has given him the power of a bomb. Or a gun. It's not fair! A huge advantage.

How much ground have I covered? Lots. He'll have a tough time following me in this light. Just keep on running. Until you reach the barrier. Then stop to think. Use your brain for once. How to outwit a natural psychopath.

Kyle 'Animal' Lanyer, District Three

"NOOO!" I roar.

It missed. The damn bullet missed. And the girl, showing a speed never revealed to me before, has flitted away. She trumped me. She holds the winning card. She knew all along, I realise.

But I still have the gun.

Jaysper Pavane Grey, District Eleven

"Are you joking?" I ask, completely serious.

Stag looks at me with his huge dark eyes. "No? Why would I possibly be joking? A game is great. It helps keep our minds distracted while we have nothing else to do. And if you really want, you can be the lookout."

"Ok, fine. But the Gamemakers will probably be edging their fingers towards the earthquake button at this very moment."

Natalie rolls her eyes. Great. All we need. A stroppy twelve year old, added to the broil of scared and over-optimistic teens.

"Um... Hey, Cora, you pick a game." Stag puts his hand over Cora's and squeezes.

Cora's eyes are permanently wet. I guess she's seen more than an average twelve year old would, but you wouldn't think she'd get so attached to a mentally unstable wreck of a boy. But I admire her for putting a brave face on. Talking and eating as if tears weren't leaking from her eyes. "I-Spy? It's the only one I know."

"I'll start!" I call, wanting desperately to cheer Cora up. And lift the heavy atmosphere that hangs over us. "I-Spy, with my little eye, something beginning with... B, U, F, F."

"That's hard, though, Jaysper," Cora says, but the distraction is working already. Her eyes seem brighter and are scanning the arena around us. "Is it close to us?"

I nod, and look surreptitiously towards the mountain.

Cora wrinkles her face in concentration. "Bad, Ugly Force Field?" I laugh.

"Almost – just one word – the 'b' word. Think about how tall it looks."

Cora cries out, "big! Big, ugly force field!" We all stand up to give her a clapping ovation. Cora looks happier.

"I'll go," says Stag. He pans around us, looking for I-Spy material. He turns back to the centre. "I-Spy, with my huge eye," at this, he stretches his eye comically open with his fingers, "something beginning with B, D."

For the next four minutes or so, we bombard him with B, D words, before he gives into our cries of 'clue, clue!' "Okay, the B word is describing the D word, and the D word is something happy."

It takes us a few more minutes to guess 'beautiful daylight'. It's Natalie's turn and we wait expectantly for her to find something. When she turns back to look at us, her face is grave. "I-Spy with my little eye, something beginning with P." Before we can guess, she butts in. "Person, heading this way."

Emilia Jatos, District Nine

Hunger is starting to kick in. The food ran out two days ago. Water is not enough. There is nothing within reach of my rocky island, and a quick dive yesterday showed that there were no fish around either. Fresh water is not enough to keep a body alive. It needs nutrition. Which basically means I need to get to shore. There might be plants, or fruit, or I might find another pack.

The mutts are still there. Four of the ungodly creatures. I call them a very unholy word. They cock their ears at my sound and glance towards me. From here, I can feel their eyes boring into me. Marbles. White marbles.

I need to formulate a plan. And quickly. I won't be able to make the swim and win the evident fight on low fuel. I debate over possible plans. All involve a diversion. I don't have one.

I can actually see the camera imbedded in the rock. Maybe those girls back home will be sitting and giggling on the sofa, watching me torment over plans to evade the creatures. Or maybe they'll be sitting stock still, staring rigidly at the screen, feeling guilty for every push, pull and name they called me. Or maybe they don't even watch the Games. What do I care?

I'm still alive now, which must mean God wants me alive. Surely he could tip the scales in my favour?

The bible charm has fallen off my charm bracelet somewhere, so I touch the cross instead.