8.

It could be another beautiful day. If you want.

If I could just go another day, I would. I would fly away into the sky after I am done, I would fly straight into your arms. But I would have to go another day, a day is a long time. A long time of torturing. And it's not as simple as it seems.

The gong rings into the air and I suck back a sob. I can't remove the images of the demise of District 12 from my mind. It hurts, it really hurts.

I find my feet and run towards the brown backpack I saw. I need to get away, I need to get away from here.

I hear screaming and sounds of slashing and pleading. I don't want to see so I run with my gaze fixed straight ahead and the horrible image of death behind my eyelids.

I occasionally glance behind me to make sure no one is following me, just to be sure. I manage to not see anything until the third time I look over my shoulder. Behind me tributes lay bleeding on the ground, others are wielding weapons near the cornucopia killing anyone they see. So far no one has noticed me.

I take in gulps of air and almost step on a small white bag on the ground. It has a Red Cross on it and I'm assuming it's first aid. I quickly lean down and grab it before running off again. I don't have time to linger anywhere.

I manage to grab a rain sheet off the ground before I reach the backpack. I put all my supplies in one hand and swing my bag over my shoulder. I'm about to take off into the trees when I hear footsteps behind me.

I frantically look back to see Ivan running towards me, wielding a sword. I stare at him in recognition for a moment before I remember he is trying to kill me. I gasp in air again as I sprint towards the woods. Luckily I am small and nimble so I run faster than him.

I make it to the tree line, find a path and dash into it. I don't stop running even when the large pine trees start. I need to put as much space between myself and the cornucopia as possible!

I continue to push my way through the woods, the dark greens of the pine trees whirling by me. I stumble every so often on roots but am able to keep a generally steady pace for a while.

Once I feel I have put a decent amount of space between myself and the cornucopia I slow to a jog. My throat starts to burn after awhile and I feel the sweat trickling down my back from my hot jacket. I think I have put enough space between myself and the cornucopia and I decide I should take a break. Maybe sort my supplies, see what I have and make them easier to carry.

I move at a walk through the wood before I notice them, the plants. Littering the floor are many many stalks of poison ivy. I remember learning about it in the training centre.

This poison gives you horrible rashes that cause you to scratch your skin. You can break the skin and get infected, in extreme cases even die.

From then on I pay careful attention to what I touch.

Soon I find an ivy free clearing in the woods and I decide to stop there. I kneel on the ground and put all my supplies down in front of me. I quickly unzip and take off my jacket. Sweat is trickling down my forehead and back.

I wipe the sweat off my forehead with the back of my hand before the cannons start. The image of the poor tributes lying on the ground, dead and the tributes from 12 blowing up fills my mind.

I feel tears prick at my eyes as I begin counting the booms. Soon the arena grows silent and the birds pick up their songs once more. 10 dead, 10 innocent children, not even including the 2 from 12.

I begin to hope my alliance is alright and I will meet up with them soon. The plan was to follow the water until we find each other, I can see the river trough the trees so if they come by I will see them.

Hopefully no one else happens to come by. Like the careers for instance. I glance around every so often as I sort my supplies, just to be sure.

I find out I managed to pick up a good first aid kit, filled with temperature needles, band aids, wraps and gauzes. This would definitely come in handy. In my backpack I find a heat reflecting sleeping bag, an empty water bottle, extra socks, a big clip on belt, some rope and a small knife. The best thing in the pack is at the bottom.

Food, not a lot of food by food just the same. I got a pack of saltine crackers, some dried fruit and some beef jurky. All good stuff that if I ration properly will last me a while. I also managed to grab the rain sheet, which is good.

The only thing that confused me is the belt, I don't know wether it is for anything special or not. But since I don't have one I put it on anyways. Its a little heavy but not too bad.

I pack everything neatly into my backpack, including my jacket. The only thing that doesn't fit is the first aid kit but I can put the long strap over my head and shoulder and it will hang across my chest and on my waist.

I comfortably place my backpack on my back and hold my water bottle in one hand and my knife in the other. Just to be safe, not that there is anywhere to be safe here. They don't approve of being 'safe'. Too boring for the Capitol it would be, wouldn't it?

I carefully pick my way through then undergrowth and to the river. It flows smoothly past me, emerging from the forest to my left and disappearing to my right. The pine trees still rise up to the sky on either side of the river. I glance around cautiously before kneeling down beside the shore.

I quickly fill my water bottle and stand up, I know I have to wait for it to filter to be safe, so I don't drink any. That's when I hear it, rusting in the undergrowth to my left. I hold my knife out in front of me for protection and stare wildly into the trees.

Then I hear a twig snap, then another and another. Someone is coming and I know I won't be fast enough to leave without them catching up. I gulp in air as the person emerges from the undergrowth and appears in front of me.

Ivan has pushed his way forward and is is breathing heavily with a red face. He stops when he notices me and un-sheaths his sword, the rest of the careers must not be far behind.

Then he smiles, actually smiles.

Even more twisted than I though.

"Hullo Annie" he says with a grin.

"Ivan." I reply simply, trying to keep my voice steady. However I can't keep it from coming out a little shaky.

"That was a crazy morning" he says while pointing his sword into the ground and leaning into it. I gulp.

"Very" I say "really if you're here to kill me just do it fast, for my family".

He actually has the decency to look sad. "I'm not here to kill you Annie" he says much to my amazement and bitter disbelief "however it makes me sad to think you would give up to easily in this situation".

"Y-y-you're not here to kill me" this time I can't keep my voice steady. I still feel mistrusting of him so I hold my knife protectively in front of me.

He eyes it carefully while replying "actually I'm was looking for you to ally with you, you ran away from me so I didn't have to chance".

"Well you were running at me with a sword" I defend before narrowing my eyes, he could just be making me relax before his buddies join him "but why would you ally with me when you already have the careers".

He frowns "well I heard them planning to kill me as soon as the other tributes are dead and truthfully I have a feeling I will make it longer than final 5 with you!"

I think over what he has said in my mind, his reasoning is sound but I still don't know wether I can trust him. "Fine I'll give you a chance" I finally decide against my better judgement "but you lead". There is no way I'm turning my back to him.

He seizes up my knife for a moment before giving in "fine" he states before walking past me and leading the way into the forest. I take a quick sip of my water before trudging after him, it would be good to find a good place to camp the night.

I follow Ivan's receding back "watch out for the ivy" I tell him pointing at the plant, luckily he still has his pants on.

"Thanks" he says before moving considerably more carefully through the pines.

I hope I don't regret allying myself with him!

A/N: Thanks so much for the support and sorry for not updating sooner! Ive been really busy this week being the last week before winter break! Merry Christmas to everyone by the way and if you don't celebrate Christmas happy holidays! Oh and happy new year (ill prob update lots before then tho! I'm going away soon so I'll try to update as much as possible, since is the break I'll have more time! Tell me what you think of the chapter and any ideas you have would be helpful! What crazy things could happen in the arena next? It would be nice if you guys helped me decide!