I woke up early, unable to sleep any longer. It felt like I have a huge stone in my stomach that weights me down.

I locked myself in the bathroom and let the water run, so that I wouldn't weak Morris with my tears. I was sobbing and weeping. My throat was letting out a pathetic cries worth a dying animal.

No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't stop.

I couldn't breath, so I lay on the cold floor. My mind slowly shut down and I was able to think more clearly.

I stripped mechanically and stepped in the shower. I stood there numbly and let the water fall down on my body. It was warm and awakes me. I used a nettle shampoo and body wash. I didn't need to smell like roses or raspberries in the arena.

I stepped out of the shower and stood in front of mirror. I looked at myself seeing a completely different person.

I smiled forcefully, stretching my face. I was smiling until it felt more natural. I put a robe on, dried my hair and went to the dining room.

Elma, Darby and Francine were wildly discussing the interviews but fell silent when I stepped into the room.

"Good morning." I greeted them with a smile trying to break the tension. When they realized that I smiled, their chatter filled my ears and I instantly felt better. Tiptoeing around me would feel even worse.

I sat down and Elma put in front of me croissant with hot chocolate. I ate slowly with stone still in my stomach.

"How are you feeling?" Asked Darby, who was sitting next to me, slowly sipping on his coffee.

"Good. Thanks for asking." I replied and bit into the croissant.

"Are you ready?" Asked Francine, cutting boiled eggs with knife. I raised eyebrows at her actions.

"I'm not really ready to die but there is nothing I can do about it." I said honestly and watched as she plunged the knife deep in her egg. She let go off the knife and looked me dead in the eye.

"Why do you insist making fun of everything?" She asked angrily.

I calmly swallowed a gulp of hot chocolate and said: "For me, it is better to live with a joke, rather than with a knowing that I am going to die."

Francine looked at me insulted and went to wake up Morris.

Elma and Darby looked at each other uncertainly, and continued talking about my interview.

"You did great, Cory." Praised me Elma.

"Thanks. I was nervous as hell."

"Morris really got under their skin as he explained why he volunteered for his older brother." Said Elma.

"He did. But that boy from 12. What's his name?" Asked Darby.

"Peeta." I answered automatically.

"Yes him." He said and buttered another toast."He stole the show when he said that he loves his district partner."

He did. I was proud of him that he finally revealed his feelings for him.

"And what about you?" Nudged me Elma. "Who's your lover boy?"

"There is no one." I hid my face and bit into my half-eaten croissant.

"So what's his name?" Asked Darby.

"There's no name." I mumble. Francine steps into the room with sleepy Morris in tow.

"You have less than one hour. Then you will be escorted into the hovercraft."Francine said and jabbed Morris in shoulder with her finger to wake him up.

Less then hour. That was the only thing in my head now. I stood up, excused myself and rushed to the hall outside of the apartment for fresh air.

I closed the door behind me and leaned on it, closing my eyes.

I tried to calm my nerves my deep breathing but nothing could help me to calm down in this situation.

The elevator dinged and Cato stepped out. He immediately saw me and strode in long steps to me. There was something in his face that I didn't recognize.

He slammed me into the wall, with his forearm across my collarbone and faces just inches from mine.

"What's with you slamming me into the walls all the time?" I asked jokingly with a smile on my face.

"If I were you, I would shut up or I will make you." His icy tone sent shivers down my spine. I was confused by his behavior.

"What is going on?"I asked, my forehead scrunched up.

"When we will get into the arena, I would steer clear of me." He snarled and pushed me even more.

"But why?" I still didn't understand. Yesterday, he was completely fine.

"You can't fool me you little liar." His eyes burned with hatred towards me as he was saying these words. "I know about you and that lover boy. Thought that you could kill me in the arena by pretending to care? Not anymore princess." He laughed dryly. My eyes were wide and my mouth open. I had no idea what he was talking about.

"Stop being stupid. It is not.."

"Shut up! No one cares about those filthy words you are going to say. Save them for the last few second of your life before I kill you." He interrupted me and stalked off back to the elevator.

I slumped against the wall, feeling dead already.

I won't last seconds in the arena with Cato and Vale after me.

I stood with Morris in front of hovercraft for tributes to go into the arena. I was looking at it with fearful eyes.

Elma and Darby stood behind us. I turned to say goodbye to them.

"I don't want to this to be like I'm never going back, so.." I mumbled. "See you tomorrow." I said with a small smile and hugged each one of them.

"Morris. WE are in this together. Do not think for a second that I would abandon you. We will find each other and fight the odds together."I promised and hugged him too.

I turned around and didn't look back.

When I entered the hovercraft, this lady with a uniform guided to me some kind of chair or seat that was part of the wall. Next to me was Vale. I scooted over to the very edge of the seat. He was looking at me again.

I sat down, strapped myself on and looked around myself. Directly in front of me was seated Cato. He was looking at me with a murderous look in his eyes, but didn't look concerned at all at Vale being close to me. His fingers were clenching the arms of the seats even though they were made from metal and his knuckled were white. I averted my eyes and looked on my shoes.

"Your arm, please." Said the lady and I held in front of me. She took it in her hand and pressed tip of this strange apparatus to my skin. It stabbed into my forearm putting something under my skin. It hurt like hell and I cradled it in my hands. At least I didn't yelped, since it was over quickly.

"Your arm, please." I looked up and the lady was in front of Cato. He held out his bulky arm and when she put the device under his skin he didn't even flinch. He showed no sign of pain and kept looking at me.

A hand touched my arm and I jumped back startled. Vale had his hand on mine over the place the chip was put in. He pressed his fingers on the spot and a jolt of pain went through me. He smiled sadistically.

"Don't touch me." I hissed and yanked my arm from his hold.

"Wait until the arena. I have so much in store for you." He whispered in sickly soft voice and turned away. Tears of fear gathered in my eyes.

I didn't dare to look at Cato. I cradled my hand, looked at my shoes again and hoped that this flight would be soon over.

Four Peacemakers took me to my launch room. Lyons was already there.

In black.

"Seriously Lyons? Black? It's not my funeral yet." I went to sit on a chair next to where he was standing. He refused to look at me. He put his hand over his eyes and sniffed.

"Lyons?" I asked softly and stood up. He sniffed again and blew his nose in a black napkin. I rolled my eyes at his histrionics. I hugged him and put my head on his shoulder.

We stood there for a while. "Red eyes won't look sexy." I commented lightly and earned a small giggle from him. He drew away from me, dabbed his eyes with napkin and took a few deep breaths.

"Better?" I asked encouraging. He nodded and looked at me.

"What did you do to your hair?" He asked and took a hold of my ponytail.

"Nothing. Why?" I asked.

"They're not so shiny anymore."

"I used nettle shampoo. I don't want to smile like freaking roses in the arena." I explained.

"That's it! We have to cover it up somehow." He started playing with my hair putting in few hairdos. He finally settled for a high ponytail and braided it.

I asked him for a few more elastics in case I lose some. I would go crazy with my long hair flying all over the place. Then he showed my arena wear.

"Green. Nice. I could blend in with nature, if there will be any plants at all."

"That is not just a green." Pointed out Lyons. "It is bottle green."

"Thanks for the knowledge."I said sarcastically and went to dress to the party. The shirt fitted my snugly in all places. I was glad that it wasn't too tight across my chest. I had a dark grey cargo pants with a belt, dark grey jacket with a hood and dark brown combat boots.

"1 minute to the launch." Said an artificial voice through the speakers.

"It's time." I said and my nerves that I was trying to hide so hard showed up again in full force. My hands were shaking, eyes darting all over the room and heart going crazy in my chest.

Lyons looked my directly in my eyes and said in a serious voice: "You are going to be fine. I believe in you. I trust you. It is okay."

"Will it hurt?" I asked, choking on my own words. Lyons looked shocked at my question.

"Tell the truth." I begged.

"Maybe." He admitted. "But in the end, everything will be good. Trust me on that one okay?" He asked in a hopeful voice.

"I trust you that everything will be okay and you trust me that I am going to be fine." I summarized.

"20 seconds to the launch." I looked at the speakers and wanted to smash them for shortening my time. I walked slowly to the glass tube. Before I stepped in, I paused and turned back to Lyons.

"We have a deal." I said firmly. He agreed and quickly hugged me.

I stepped in the tube, the glass door sliding in place.

"See you later." I shouted to him and the door locked.

'You too." He mouthed.

The tube suddenly jerked upward. I looked at Lyons once more until he disappeared from my view.

Bright light blinded me for a second, but I quickly regained my vision back.

Green. Everything is green.

That was the first thing that went through my mind.

Forest, lake and a wheat field not far away from here.

Morris came into my view. He already saw me and was looking at me. I sent him a small nod so that he would know that I am aware that he is not far away.

Straight ahead of me was shiny Cornucopia. There was so much weapons in there that every tribute could have at least two. But I knew better than to try my luck and try to get some of them. The careers would kill me before I could even touch the weapon.

I didn't bother to waste my time looking for them or Vale, but I saw Cato anyway. He was leaning forward to run to the mouth of the Cornucopia, ready to kill everyone that would stand in his away. And then to kill anyone he could when he would get his sword.

9

I looked to my left and surprisingly saw Peeta.

8

He was looking at me with pained eyes.

7

'Good luck' I mouthed to him.

6

He did the same and turned to look at Katniss.

5

I didn't bother leaning forward.

4

Instead I tuned my back to the Cornucopia and signaled Morris to do the same.

3

2

1… Let the Games begin.

And I ran the second the timer showed zero. I ran faster than ever before in my life. I was trying to find Morris in the mass of running and fighting people. Screams of pain entered my brain.

I spotted Morris and ran to him. I grabbed his hand and ran to the forest. Some girl with light brown hair crossed our path. Morris's hand slipped away from mine and I stopped.

"Morris!" I screamed and ran after him. He was running to a bag about 10 feet away from us that was a bit too close for my liking next to the Cornucopia..

I was furious with him, but I focused on getting to him and running away from here.

A girl with knife jumped in front of me and lashed out at me. I ducked from it and prepared myself for another one coming.

Sword slashed her in the neck, causing her blood to spurt on my left arm.

The same sword that slit her throat was now resting on mine.

I was too shocked by her death to move.

"Fly away butterfly I wanna save some fun for later." The blood from the blade was dripping on my neck and trailing further down.

I looked up in Cato's face. He was flushed a bit and had a mad air around him, ready to kill anything that moved.

I noticed that Morris was now standing near the forest with a bag in his hand. I looked in Cato's eyes once more and sprinted away.

Disclaimer: I own nothing from Hunger Games.

Thanks for the follow Avery-13.

jolenelovedancex3: Thank you. I like to think that he is very protective and fiercely loyal to those close to him.

I finally updated. The school is crazy but when it wasn't. I am very happy that I finally got to the arena, because that's where it is all going to happen. Your reviews make my day and motivate me to write better and more. So a big thanks goes to all of you who reviewed, followed or favorited my story.

Thanks for reading. Lia