Night has fallen, and me and the rest of my allies are resting in our camp now.

The others haven't killed any tributes today; no one has died other than Thamilia.

What could have killed her though?

The sickening thoughts roll through my mind, I don't know why I want to know so much, I don't.

Is it because she was so strong?

She wouldn't have been killed easily.

Maybe it was the huge boy from 7.

Or perhaps it could've been something the Capitol conjured up.

Finnegan's still trying to convince me that Finnick wasn't real, it was just a mutt.

I want to believe him, I do, but I just can't.

The shadow of doubt hangs over me.

What if it was him?

It seems completely unbelievable to everyone else, but to me it's not.

Finnegan told the others what had happened a few minutes ago, Ruby simply stared into space, still in shock, I expect, Zamuel offered me some sympathy — I like him the most of all of our alliance, aside from Finnegan, of course — and then Jacob didn't say anything. He just looked at me as though I were crazy for persisting that it could be Finnick.

Of course he wouldn't say anything though.

I'm Finnick Odair's cousin, and anything against him or any of his closest family from Jacob could harm his chances of winning.

'So what do you think got Thamilia?' Jacob says.

'Is this an appropriate topic of conversation?' Zamuel says and nods his head toward Ruby.

I don't think she's even acknowledged what we're talking about, though. I frown. Ruby's recent falling into a disconnected-from-everyone-else state has to be hurting her odds of winning, which'll affect how many sponsors she gets. I don't think she cares, though.

Jacob shrugs. 'Might as well figure it out. It'll help us know what we're up against.'

'I suppose so,' Zamuel says and falls back and rests his head on a bundled up sleeping bag.

Jacob continues. 'The boy from 7 is my bet.'

'Maybe it was what tried to kill Finnegan and Absidee?' says Zamuel, staring at the ceiling.

'It was pretty brutal,' Finnegan adds to the conversation.

'Well,' begins Jacob. 'If it was the boy from 7, it definitely confirms my suspicions. The boy from 7 is a real competitor.'

I speak now. 'And the boy from 3.'

'What?' spits out Jacob. 'Don't be ridiculous, 4, he's a pruny little thing, he'll die soon enough.'

'She has a name, and she's not being ridiculous, for all you know,' hisses Finnegan.

'Okay,' groans Jacob. 'Odair. What makes you think that 3 is someone to worry about, huh?'

I try not to roll my eyes. That'll infuriate him. 'You must've seen that sly look in his eye,' I say. 'He's from the Technology district, he'll most likely be able to use the arena to his advantage. Somehow.'

'Yeah, Odair, but his partner in crime's dead now, isn't she?'

'Yes.'

'Exactly.' He sighs in an exasperated manner.

'His partner may be gone, but it doesn't mean his plans will suddenly disappear,' I say. 'Sure, they'll most likely be harder to pull off, but he's motivated. The tributes from 3 were probably friends, or something like that, if they made plans for the Games. He will want to avenge her death.'

Jacob sits in silence for a few moments, taking in my theory, before he smirks at me. 'Well, Odair, nice theory. Let's just wait and see whether it is correct, hm?'

Finnegan is suddenly infuriated. He jumps to his feet, rounding in on Jacob. It's a dangerous move on his part, but I'm numb, I just can't move. I want to hear what he says in my defence.

'Absidee's theories are a lot better than yours, believe me. The boy from 7? What would he do that would traumatise Ruby so much?'

Jacob stands as well, pulling a curved knife from his belt. I shudder. He wouldn't... would he?

He puts the knife up to Finnegan's throat, and I try to yell, shout, or anything, but nothing comes out.

'Speak to me like that again, and I'll kill you without a second's thought,' he says with venom.

And that's when I know that me and Finnegan have to get out of this Career pack.

I want to bring Ruby with us, she's so vulnerable, but I know I can't.

She'll have to die some time, and I'd never want it to be by me.

I'd like to die having killed no one.

We'll get out soon enough, me and Finnegan will. In a couple of days, at the most.

Maybe even a couple of days will be too late, though.