Hi, so as usual I'm sorry for the lack of updates, as a reader of fanfiction i know how frustrating it is to wait for updates sometimes, but I'm really trying my best, so please stay with me here. Also, its come to my attention that some of you think that this is going really slowly, so... I have made the decision to skip a lot of stuff and skip right to the games. If theres people who wants to read the in between story, message me and depending on how many of those responces I get, I will maybe add in something. Anyhow, without further rambling, the new chapter. and I dont own anything :)

Katniss POV:

The past few days had been crazy, it seemed to have blurred by so fast, and now I was seconds from my second entrance to the arena. My mind was racing fast, little cloudy memories of training and the interviews dotted my mind. Me and both Gale both scored 12s from the training, me having hung a dummy and writing serena crane's name on it. It was a dumb move, I know; but I got caught up in the anger that I felt at the moment and didnt think straight. The scores were unexpected but having thought it over with Gale and Haysmitch, I realised it was the capitols way of punishing me. Sure, I had been excited at first, since the score was going to garentee me a lot of sponsors, but I also saw how it was going to make me stand out to the other tributes, and they will try harder to get rid of us as fast as possible.

Above me, the countdown begin as I got lowered onto the platforms. 10, 9, 8, 7, My breathing quickened, and I set my gaze on the objects displayed in front of the cornucopia that I plan to take before running as far as I could from them. 6, 5, 4, I turned my head to Gale beside me, our eyes met for a moment and he casted me a weak smile before turning his focus back in front of him. 3, 2, My mind briefly thought of Prim and my mom before 1. I leaped off the platform, sprinting towards the bow, dodging a punch of the boy from district 2, who was already armed, I ran away with a backpack and a bow, before having a chance to get arrows. Swords were swung in my way, as tributes tried to take out the girl on fire, I swung the bow and kicked, running past all of them, catching glimpses of Gale fighting for his life. I wanted to step in, but I knew that if I did we might end up both dying before the day ended.

I ran into the forest, in the direction of the boiling sun. Me and Gale had decided that in advance, just to avoid losing each other. I ran and ran and ran, not caring that my lungs are threatening to explode any moments, and that my legs seemed to have lost their control. I ran until I finally collapsed, and only dared not get up once I was sure that I was far from the others.

I remembered Gale, he was supposed to be travelling the same way, but the forest around me seemed dead silent. I listened intently, any signs of footsteps that could either be him or another tribute.

But nothing.

I was alone right now, with no idea of how far I am with another living thing.

After about half an hour, with my breathing finally returning to their normal pace, I stood up and gathered up the contents that I had managed to achieve in the bloodbath. I walked over to a large tree, just so that I have cover in case someone shows up. I opened the bag, I pulled out a bottle of water which I immediately took small sips of, some dried meat, a small pan, a pocket knife and a sleeping bag that reflects body heat. It was similar to the one I had last year which played a huge part in my survial, but without the iodine, my water supply was going to be cut down.

Above my head the sun began to fall, and I found myself start to worry more for Gale, has something happened to him during the bloodbath? No surely he's still alive... I had heard 11 canons, and he could very well be one of them. I decided to just settle down first and wait for the capitol's announcements to come on where the faces of those who died will be projected onto the night sky. I climbed on top of the tree, settling myself and my possesions on a branch that was thick enough to hold my weight, but high enough to keep me safe. My heart beated faster and faster, as I stared at the starry sky, hoping that I will not see the face of my love on there tonight.

At last the anthem played and one by one the faces showed. Two of the careers are already out, the boy from 1, and the girl from 2. one by one the faces passed in the order of their districts. We were down to only one more face, and since the girl from 11 had already been seen, the only options left for the last tribute was the boy from 11 or... Gale. My stomach twisted as I dreaded what I was about to see, but then the image changed and I breathed out a sign of relief. Gale isn't dead, he's still alive in this arena, maybe even nearby, breathing.

He had survived, those words sounded so good playing in my head. I wondered where he was and what had happened to him. It wasn't any of our fault that we got seperated, but where exactly is he? Is he somewhere close in this forest, wondering the same thing? Or did he set off somewhere else, wanting to see how long he can last by himself. No he wouldn't do that, he was Gale.

I wanted to call out into the pitch darkness, I wanted to scream his name until I hear his voice yell Catnip back at me, but I didn't dare let out a whimper. I just lay their all night, making up different scenarios about what could have happened until I finally fell asleep.

So I think I'll stop right there, I actually liked this one cuz things are starting to happen. ccmeu did you catch the frying pan reference? I promise I'll make her use it some how, cloud-lover26 i hope this made the story a bit more interesting. and to all my other awesome reviewers with no specific requests, THANK YOU THANK YOU i love you guys and i love writing for you ;)

xoxo

sweetmelodies021