Okay, first of all if you see anything in this chapter about the Cuban Missile Crisis please ignore it for they are only remnants of the old file. Second, I'm sorry for making you wait so very long. Third, someone pointed out that Haymitch's quarter quell was the 50th and I just don't want to edit the previous chapter because I'm lazy so thank you and I'm really sorry for the mistake. Lastly, I haven't seen the Catching Fire film (is the torrent available?) but I have read all 3 books so is the 2nd movie book-accurate?

Anyway, please enjoy ^_^

I met up with Cinna and he immediately showed me the clothing that was issued by the Capitol. Aside from her under garments, her outfit includes a white round collared shirt made from some thin soft material, loose-fitting blue denim pants, black sneakers and a green windbreaker made out of some thin waterproof material.

He helped me get into my clothes and remarked. "By the looks of it, it's going to be a tropical rain forest this year. Prepare for warm climate and frequent showers."

"Well, I guess water won't be a big issue." I replied, trying to lighten the mood.

Cinna snickered a little and placed something rubber and spongy in my hand; it was a cork and it reeks with alcohol. I looked at him questioningly.

"Haymitch told me to give it to you; you're allowed to bring one item in there."

"But, why this?"

"I don't know, maybe it's important. I'll hold onto it, if I were you..."

I know my father was weird but giving a spongy old cork as a possible-last memento to his daughter was taking it to the extreme. Nevertheless, I placed it safely in my pocket. I sighed, in a few minutes, I'll be sent to the most traumatic place in all of Panem and I cannot do anything to escape the terrors and possible death that awaits me.

"Do you want to talk, Maryl?" he asked.

"I'd rather listen..."

"Alright then... It's scary, a lot of people are counting on you to win and it's not fair, not to you... I don't want to pressure you into doing something you don't want but I know your capable of winning. Just keep that in mind and heed Haymitch's advice..." he told me.

I listened and took in every word that he said. I nodded at him in reply. He gave me a glass of water to calm my nerves and we sat down.

A few minutes later, it was time to go to the arena. I stood up and my legs felt like noodles; I was so afraid to go and Cinna probably noticed this because he helped me to the platform and gave me a big hug. " I'm not allowed to bet but if I am, I would be betting on you..." he whispered.

I felt the platform move up and he waved goodbye. I gave him a sad smile in reply.

Cinna was right, the arena is a tropical rain forest this year. The surroundings were warm, there was also tall green trees and other foliage. I can also make out some worn out man-made structures; they look like worn-out versions of the pre-Panem cities pictured in my history books.

I looked towards the cornucopia next. It was overflowing with basic supplies and weaponry. Those would really help a tribute survive but is it really worth it?

I focused my attention back on the countdown and I immediately noticed that it was down to 5. If I had not paid attention to it, I would have probably gotten off the platform late and would have been the first to die.

"...4...3...2...1"

Running towards the cornucopia was extremely tempting but I managed to resist that urge by remembering my father's words on how they would send me enough supplies. Before I lost sight of the bloodbath I saw Bailey's bloodied body lying down with the mass of desecrated corpses and Max was rushing towards the center of the supplies supplies and there was one career with an axe who had his eyes on him. I wanted to call out to him and I wanted to get him out of there but I was too afraid to draw attention towards myself so I ran, I didn't even stay long enough to see him retrieve the blow.

For a long while my legs stayed strong, I managed to ignore the loose thorns and branches hitting me and I was able to carry me a kilometer away from the cornucopia without feeling any strain; it must be an adrenaline rush but after a while I actually felt tired and reality finally hit me. My two friends are both dead; Max would not stand a chance against an armed career and I saw Bailey's bloodied corpse; I never even saw her alive in the arena.

I continued to run despite the strain in my legs. It wasn't just about escaping the bloodbath now; I want to get away from their corpses; I wanted to escape the memory of their deaths but the more I try to forget, the more I remember. I felt the tears well up in my eyes and I let them fall. My vision blurred then my foot got caught into something (probably a branch or a vine) then I felt my head hit something hard and eventually everything went black.

I found myself suspended in darkness, another dreamless sleep? It doesn't matter... Nothing matters now... I just wanted to scream my heart out at the empty black space before me.

Bailey was one of the first to die. She said we would be a team. Why would she lie to me? She promised that we would be a team, me, her partner, her and Max. Ah Max, he didn't even bother to listen to Haymitch. Why would I mourn his death? That's what he wants and I have every right to be angry at him. He promised to protect me but how can he? Why would he leave me alone? Why would they leave me alone?

What was I expecting anyway? That I would win the games? Lying here, seeing only the blackness in my dreamless sleep; I'm helpless. They are sure to find me and like my friends they would kill me.

I can never go back home, to District 12. I will never see Prim, Katniss, Mrs. Everdeen, Carissa, Diyella, Mr. and Mrs. Porter and Rye. Katniss will never be able to teach me and Rye how to hunt, I can never write to Carissa about her new family, I can no longer help Prim and Mrs. Everdeen with the injured, I'll never taste Mrs. Porter's cookies again and Rye and Diyella would have to play without me.

I'll also never get to see my parents again but at least, I got to meet them before I die, right? I would miss them though; I would miss my mother's smile, my father's advice, their quarrels and most of all I would miss my mother's lullaby and the scent of my father's liquor. Maybe that's why my father left me the cork; it will remind me of them...

At least, in my unconscious state I would barely feel the blow that would take my life and that would be the last of it; no more pain- no more terrors of the Hunger Games... This is the perfect time for me to die, right? right?

Death, are you better than life?

Another short chapter but there isn't really much content to be placed in this one... Anyway, I hope you all liked this chapter nonetheless.