Day 5

Loree Menkin, Capitol Citizen

Everyone is fighting for a seat for the viewing of the Games in the City Circle. Mentors had the first pick, and they all sat in the front. Sponsors were next and then Capitol citizens were next. Loree found a seat close to the screen behind some sponsors. The Head Gamemaker gave an announcement earlier that morning, stating that today would be a dry day. Everyone knew what that meant: no deaths. Loree turned her eyes to the screen, watching the male from 6 in his cave, fetching a sponsor gift that came from the sky. The boy opened the container and his eyes grew wide at the water. A thermometer was in the corner of the screen, showing the viewers the temperature the tributes are facing: 97 degrees.

Loree looked around the Circle with her ice blue irises to take in the Circle. The citizens were all watching the Games with extreme content and the children were running around with fake weapons, acting like their favorite tributes. Music was softly playing in the background, some music from pre-Panem days. The band's name was something stupid, but their music was widely accepted all around North America. If it's fine for America, it's great for Panem. Loree's eyes turned back to the screen, which has switched to the alliance of 5 and 9. The boy was looking for some food while the girl was picking some berries to eat. They still had food left from the sponsors, but they probably wanted something else.

"Interesting Games, huh?" A voice said to Loree's left. She turned to look to at the source of the voice. A man was sitting next to her, champagne in hand, with his eyes trained on Loree.

"Yes. I really like the siblings from Two." Loree replied, her Capitol accent very dominant. The man laughed and took a sip of his drink. He gulped the rest of the drink down and turned his eyes to Loree.

"Siblings don't make the Games fun. They make them painful." He says. "If I were you, I'd bet on the boy from Four. He's a strong young man and he could be a winner for these Games. Don't waste your money." He stands up and leaves Loree on the bench alone. Don't waste your money. His words echoed in her mind as her eyes glanced to the odds board. The odds were being updated every two hours, making them spot on accurate. Caden's odds shot sky-high, along with Kleo's odds, making them at 3-1 a piece. Loree stood up and moved to the Betting Station.

Her eyes looked over the board. Every tribute who was killed was dimmed out and their odds were frozen at what they were when they died. Diamond's odds were still frozen at 6-1 since Day 1. Rye Corn's odds were now 15-1, meaning he was a safe bet. Why go for safe when you could bet your money on the 3-1 tributes, when you could triple your money? But then again, Loree had some money to go around for all tributes. She pulled some money from her pocket and looked to the man behind the counter.

"I would like to bet three hundred dollars on Rye Corn, please." She placed the money in front of her, handing it to the man. He took the money and handed a betting ticket to her.

"If Rye wins, you earn forty-five hundred dollars." The man said as he gave her the pink ticket. Loree walked away feeling very happy about her purchase. Rye better stay alive.

Jada Caldwell, District 10 Victor & Mentor

Jada and Quaid were sitting on the 'mentor couch', watching the dry day without their tributes taking part in it. Jada's first attempt at being a mentor failed, with both of her tributes dying in the bloodbath. Quaid at least had some hope, with one of his tributes making it to day four until that District 12 boy killed him with a spear. With their districts out of the race, Jada and Quaid and no choice but to cheer on one of the other districts. District 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 9 were the only ones in the race. For the first time in over twenty years, District 6 had both of their tributes in the top eight. Amelia should be proud of her tributes.

Suddenly, Dusk Shine and Chal Sherwood were on-screen, sitting behind a desk with headshots of the remaining tributes behind them. The anthem played out and finished with a flourish as Dusk Shine introduced herself and Chal. "Day five of the Games and only eight remain to fight for the title of victor. And today is day to really fight hard to overcome this weather. The tributes are facing over one hundred degree weather and they all seem content on where they are."

"That's right, Dusk." Chal said. "Tribute Ryan Yitch seems to have gotten the better of the day, receiving water from his generous sponsors. The sponsors really want Ryan to live. Will District Six finally have a victor after an eighteen year dry spell?"

"Who knows?" Dusk bantered, looking a video feed. "I'm not so sure, Chal. Look at District Seven tribute, Sheila Carwell. A sponsor, a very generous sponsor may I add, has given her an elaborate weapon. A golden sword with the District Seven seal on the handle. Oh my, does that weapon look wonderful!"

Jada watched the screen and saw the District 7 female hold her weapon with awe in her eyes. It was the same awe that she had in her eyes when she was given the golden throwing knives during her Games. The realization that you have sponsors, wanting to see you live and make it to the Capitol once more. As she watched Sheila hold her weapon, she started to imagine that she was back in the arena, in the life or death situation that faced her a year ago. The day continued to drag on until the sun was in the position to signal late afternoon. The tributes have stayed stationary, just like Chal predicted hours ago.

"How do you think Chal knows these things?" Quaid muttered, asking no one.

"He's the Head Gamemaker. Maybe he ordered the other Gamemakers to make sure they stay in the same place." Jada started. "I mean, they probably needed the dry day to slow the Games down. They were moving too fast anyway." Quaid looked at her with a smile on his face.

"Who knows what the Gamemakers are thinking?" Quaid smiles and looks at the screen again.

Amber Reese, District 9 Citizen

Amber sits in her empty home, looking at the screen and watching the Hunger Games while her parents are at work. Luckily for her, this was her last year to be eligible for the Reaping, but it still pained her to see innocent people die. The little girl who represented her district, Jayd, died on the first day. Luckily for the district, Rye made it to the top eight, further than anyone thought District 9 would have made it. He allied with District 5, but at least he made it to the top eight. He beat out twenty other tributes to make it to where he is now.

Dusk Shine and Chal Sherwood were bantering and talking about how the tributes were doing. District 5 just got a sponsor gift, holding a basic knife. She and Rye were eating leftover Capitol food and were talking. The shot quickly changes to the Cornucopia, where the Careers were stationed and they were talking to. Their conversation isn't heard, but the 2 female and the 2 male were talking. Oh yes, these were the siblings who entered the Games. The girl's eyes widen and she playfully slaps her brother. His face is serious and he grips her shoulders. Why can't the Gamemakers show what they are talking about? Amber tries to turn up the volume, only for the volume to not move an inch.

She runs her hand through her hair as she continues to watch the shots change. The 7 girl is nestled in a tree, her sword held close to her body. The sun just dipped under the horizon and the night began to settle in. The 6 girl found a squirrel and is cooking it over a fire. The 6 boy finishes his water and is reading a piece of paper. The alliance between 2 and 4 were choosing who would watch over the supplies. The alliance between Rye and District 5 were settling in to see the nightly death toll. No one died today, but the anthem would still show and the Capitol seal will be in the sky.

Dusk Shine's commentary was playing over the Games. That chirpy Capitol voice is too high for Amber's liking. "Am I mistaken, or do we have another 'star-crossed lovers' pair in the arena?"

"I believe we do." Chal confirms. "Rye Corn and Isadora Jolf seem to be in a star-crossed lover position. Rye seems to be acting like such a gentleman to Isadora, it is hard to imagine that they aren't star-crossed lovers. Oh. Here comes the nightly death toll. However, we didn't have any deaths today. Either way, we are seeing the nightly death toll." The anthem blares in the arena, lighting up the night sky with the Capitol seal. No one's face appeared in the sky and the darkness took over once more.

"And there you have day five of the Games. Until tomorrow, Panem. I am Dusk Shine and may the odds be ever in your favor!" Dusk's voice is the last thing Amber heard before the T.V shut off and she was left in an empty house.

A/N: I don't like this chapter. I was trying to make the dry day interesting, but I think I failed. But, we got to hear from Jada again! I was trying to make one more chapter before the story goes on a two-week hiatus. I will be using my Dad's computer, but I see him every two weeks. So, see you in two weeks! :)