"You did what?!" Effie screeched and she rubbed her glitter covered forehead. "Why, Katniss? Why?! Why on Earth would you shoot an arrow at the Gamemakers! My husband is a Gamemaker! You could have killed him!" She exclaimed and I scoffed. The two had been arguing for quite a while now.

Yes, quite the catfight.

"They weren't paying attention to me! Wasn't is you who said for me to make an impression on them?!"

"I said no such thing, and if I did, you misinterpreted it!" Peeta stood and tried to console the two but Cinna pulled him down.

"Let them fight."

"Misinterpret?! Misinterpret?! I swear, you were the one that-"

"Look the Scores!" Portia interjected and Katniss sat down next to me. She pulled her knees up and hugged them while glaring at the screen. Caesar Flickerman appeared after the Score Logo and he gave his trademark smile.

"Welcome! It's time for the scores!" A presentation of the tributes appeared and showed their pictures.

"Garen Scrabbler, with a score of 10."

Probably killed a dummy.

"Clove Ensworth, 9."

Sliced and threw knives at a dummy.

"Marvel Flems, 10."

Those arms would throw spears.

"Glimmer Noria, 9."

... lapdance?

I snorted and Katniss squeezed my wrist. Flickerman continued to prattle off names until he reached twelve. I forgot what Peeta got, but what I was not prepared for was Katniss.

"Miss Katniss Everdeen with a score of... 11." My jaw dropped and Katniss' head fell back on the cushions. Sounds of congratulations arose.

The fuck?!

I nodded to Katniss and two Avoxes brought in a celebratory fire cake.

~'~'~'~

I sat in my usual spot for the interviews and looked over at Kelsa who gave me a thumbs up. I looked away and zoned out.

You should listen.

I have better things to- suddenly, the whole room was sighing and cheering.

"What happened?" I demanded and Haymitch nodded thoughtfully.

"Peeta just professed his love for Katniss. Weren't you listening?" He asked and I growled.

Looks like you weren't quick enough.

I knew exactly what his game was. Star-crossed lovers. It would bring so many donations from the Capitol. I also knew it was a way to make Katniss' somewhat introverted character look appealing.

Soon, everyone was clapping and I walked backstage with Haymitch.

"Damn you, Peeta! What the hell was that?!" Katniss screamed and punched him. I surged forward and held her back as she tried to rip Peeta to shreds.

Calm her.

"Calm down!" I yelled and Haymitch gave her a pep talk. She eventually calmed down and I sighed.

"You're okay. It's just an interview." I stated and Katniss turned.

"Just?! I can't- you- ugh!" She groaned and walked away.

"I swear, she is he definition of vulgar!" Effie screeched and I walked after her. I could feel Peeta's gaze boring into my back.

~'~'~'~

I found Katniss sitting on the roof of the Tribute Building. She looked off into the distance and sighed.

"This is the last time I'll see a real sunset." She muttered, not bothering to even turn and look at me. I sat down next to her and she put her face in her hands. Pulling her hair, Katniss let out an agitated groan and laid back on the cool tiles. "I really wonder what will happen when I'm in the arena. Will I kill?" I shrugged.

"You'll do whatever it takes to get back to your family. Right?" She nodded and I helped her up.

You realize you may not see her again.

No, I will. I put a hand on her back and led her back to the 12th floor. I made a silent promise to myself and to Katniss that I would get her out alive.

May the odds be ever in your favor.

We returned to the 12th floor and I escorted Katniss to her room. She closed the door behind her and I placed my palm against it. Turning around, I decided to have a glass of something strong.

Sitting in the living room, I leaned back and undid the buttons of my jacket. I tossed it to the side and took a sip of whatever was in my glass. It burned as it went down and I closed my eyes.

"You're drinking the day before we enter the arena?" A voice asked and I opened one eye. Peeta stood by me and I shrugged.

"Why not? Get yourself a drink and sit down." I nodded and Peeta poured something light into a glass.

"I'm going to try joining the Career alliance." Peeta broke the ice and I nearly choked.

They'd chew him up and spit him out in two seconds.

"Really?" I asked, wiping my mouth. He gave me a curt nod. "Well, I hope you know this is a win or die situation. If they don't accept you, they'll kill you." Peeta nodded once more.

"I can do this."

Of course you can.

~'~'~'~

The next morning, I went to wake Katniss. She was sleeping and looked so peaceful. I gently shook her.

"Katniss." She opened her eyes and nodded.

"It's time, isn't it?" She asked and I nodded. I let her changed and we ate breakfast with Peeta, Haymitch, and Effie.

The bread tasted bland and the food was flavorless. I couldn't let go of the fact that she was going into the arena. Nobody spoke. We all focused on the food as if it was the last thing we'd see. For two of us, if sure as hell could be.

After we ate, it was time to say good-bye. I shook Peeta's hand.

"Good luck."

"Thank you." He nodded and I turned to Katniss. Se had just finished hugging Haymitch and I pulled her into my arms. I easily engulfed her small body with my large one. Her hands clung to my shirt and I breathed in her minty scent.

She'll be back.

I know, but whether she's alive or in a casket is the question. I let ehr go and nodded.

"Come back to me." She nodded.

"I'll try." Effie led Katniss and Peeta out the door and I knew that I could only watch from here on out. Haymitch and I walked in silence to the Mentor Office. Crossing into a long hallway, we entered the door with a gold 12 painted onto it.

Clipping the earpiece in, I set up our monitors and turned each of the TV's on. Nobody was in the arena, yet. They were all still getting into their suits and probably going through breathing exercises to get their heart rates down. I knew District 2's Tributes would be given a run down of what not to do.

Because they know it's a near free for all in that Arena.

The pedestals begin to come up one by one until all 24 are facing the green arena. There are dense woods and animals scurrying around.

Your father must have pulled strings. Thank goodness for him.

I nodded and immediately saw the gleaming bow and arrows inside the Cornucopia. Katniss was faced with a choice. She could run in, grab the bow, and fight her way out, or she could just run. The bow and arrows had to get back to her somehow.

The countdown began and I held my breath. I tried to imagine what it would be like if I was in the Bloodbath. I probably would have gone straight for the swords.

The gong rang out and Katniss bolted for the nearest backpack and fought over it. Clove ended up throwing a knife into Katniss' opponent and Katniss got away. A knife lodged itself into her backpack and Katniss scrambled to get away from the Bloodbath and into the dense woods that covered nearly half of the arena. There was a stream, and field of grain, and a rocky area. The survivors dispersed into the outlying areas, and the Careers began lighting fires. After leaving the tall boy from 1 to watch the supplies, the others began to go hunting.

They were allowed the luxury of a fire at night because everyone knew where they were. They were the predators waiting for their prey. No one in their right mind would go looking for a fight with the Careers. The cannon boomed after a girl's horrified shriek rang out. I looked at the tree Katniss was tied in. She was safe. Peeta on the other hand...

Son of a bitch, he actually got into the Career Pack.

Haymitch and I watched as they walked back and ate. Peeta was made to sit right next to Garen in case he did anything funny. The blonde, Glimmer kept her pale hand clenched onto the bow while she ate. Damn her.

Suddenly, a little spark illuminated in the woods. Garen immediately saw it and stood up, shoving the rest of the jerky in his hand into his mouth. Haymitch guffawed and shook his head.

"You can't light a fire at night!" I looked at Katniss' screen and saw that the fire was lit by a girl not 100 yards from here Katniss' tree was.

I prayed to whatever higher being there was that the Careers would not find her.

The girl screamed and begged for mercy as Garen stabbed her. They laughed, but the cannon did not fire.

Idiots.

I held my breath as Peeta argued with the others and went to finish the girl.

Boom

He returned and they continued their trek to find Katniss. Haymitch grunted and we saw Katniss jump from the tree. A risky move, but it was fast. She began to hike across the arena and for hours, she walked until she almost reached the end of the arena.

She has to turn or else she'll hit the force field!

"No. Turn back. turn back!" I muttered, and suddenly, a flaming ball of fire shot towards Katniss. She jumped out of the way just in time and began to run. The wildlife in the woods were running to where they knew was safe. Trees burst into flame and Katniss screamed. Another ball of flame rushed past her and grazed her leg. Katniss let out a cry of agony and began to limp away from the inferno.

"Haymitch, we have to send her something." I growled and he held a hand up.

"Not yet. We have to make sure she makes it to safety first."

And if she doesn't because you didn't send her any damned medicine?

I watched as Katniss painfully made her way towards where a stream was. I picked up the phone and dialed Seneca Crane.

"I'm very busy making a Game, so-"

"Crane, this is Cato Arckenson. Domitius Arckenson's son. You know who he is, right? Right hand man to the President... your boss..." I heard a bit of silence and he choked a bit.

Idiot. He doesn't even know you're part of the Arckenson family.

"C-can I help you?"

"You see that stream Katniss is headed to?" I asked. He gave some form of consent. "I want you to make the water cold. Not enough to freeze, or give her hypothermia, just cold. Understand?"

"You realize, I would be committing a heinous crime for favoring a district."

You realize if Katniss dies, Cato will kill you?

"Then don't say you're favoring her. Give her some small disadvantage as well." I growled.

"I will see what I can do." the line ended and Haymitch shook his head.

"Oh the things you can do, Monster Boy." I watched as Katniss fell into the stream and sighed as the cold water soothed her burns. Suddenly, a branch snapped and I could not believe my eyes. Crane had lead the fucking Careers to where Katniss was recuperating. It was then that I knew that Seneca Crane had signed his consent for his own execution.

Isn't it interesting how the Games affects the lives of those outside of the arena?

Katniss began to run. She quickly climbed up a tree and Garen tried to climb up and get her. I glared at the screens and kept myself from throwing something at them. Peeta ended up convincing the Careers to wait and bring her down. Katniss was stuck in the tree.

"Cato, Haymitch, please." She groaned and looked down at her leg. I was repulsed by the wound and nodded to Haymitch. He began to type furiously at his keyboard and sent a small canister of burn medicine. It cost a whopping $4,000. Thank goodness for rich sponsors. Many believed Katniss wouldn't last the night, but they were wrong.

The odds are in Katniss' favor, no matter what the idiot Capitolites believe.

It was dark in both worlds and everyone was sleeping, so I decided to rest my eyes for a bit. I woke after what seemed like five minutes to see the sun rising.

"Shit." I muttered and rubbed my eyes with my palms. Haymitch was snoring on the other sofa and a full buffet had been set up by the avoxes.

It was common for Mentors to sleep in their viewing offices, so there were blankets in the closet, and fresh breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets set up daily. I watched as Katniss looked down from the tree and saw a little girl with curly brown hair creep into the Carrer's campsite. Everyone was asleep and not one person sat watch.

That's just asking for trouble.

She snapped a twig and froze. Garen sighed and rolled over. He was right in between Marvel and Glimmer. Glimmer was at his back and Garen's hand was grazing Marvel's temple. It looked like Garen had a thing for Marvel, not Glimmer.

Told you so.

She then scrambled up the tree next to Katniss' and they looked at each other. The girl pointed to something a few branches above Katniss' head and my eyes widened. It was a tracker jacker nest. Katniss' eyes widened and she motioned for the girl to go away. The girl cocked her head and Katniss made a sawing motion with her knife and pointed to the nest.

I shook Haymitch awake and dragged him in front of the screens. He sat at attention and we watched as Katniss climbed up to where the nest was situated. She used the serrated part of her knife to begin sawing at the branch. Haymitch turned one of Peeta's screens to Caesar Flickerman's commentary.

"Now, here is a very dangerous situation. Ms. Katniss Everdeen is sawing at a tracker jacker nest. Right beneath her, five Careers are sleeping peacefully. " Katniss flinched and swatted at her neck. I knew she had been stung. She bit her jacket to keep fro screaming. Continuing to saw, another tracker jacker stung her hand. Suddenly, the branch gave way, and all hell broke loose.

"And look at that, folks! She's done it! Those tracker jackers are probably very angry!"

Everyone began to scream and run. Garen was either the stupidest or the smartest out of all of them. He grabbed his backpack and sword before he scrambled to the lake. Even with the added baggage, he was the fastest out of all of them. Suddenly, it was every man for himself, and nobody even cared that Glimmer had not followed.

Natural selection. Her good looks can't save her now, can they?

She was on the ground, screaming and writhing in agony. The Gamemakers must have interfered, because once the cannon sounded for Glimmer, the tracker jackers all entered a hole in the base of a tree.

Katniss jumped/fell from the tree and crawled over to where Glimmer's dead body was. She clumsily tried to remove the bow from Glimmer's cold grasp. Katniss had to resort to breaking the girl's finger to get the bow. The quiver and arrows were set against the tree Katniss had fallen from. She slid the quiver on and promptly sat down. Her eyes were glazed and she seemed dizzy.

Duh. She's been stung three times by tracker jackers.

Katniss was smart enough to have taken the stingers out of her and she leaned on the tree. A hovercraft came and picked Glimmer's limp body up from the ground.

The pounding of footsteps appeared and Katniss sat in a trance, her eyes glazed and her mouth open.

"Run! Run, Katniss! You have to run!"