Author's Note: I'm SO sorry for keeping you all hanging. :'( I've been extremely busy and haven't had much time for writing. Anywho, I have off today because of Yom Kimpur (I think...) so I decided to update. Well, without further ado, I give you chapter 7! :)

CHAPTER SEVEN: Bloodbath

Katniss' POV

It's only seconds until the gong rings. This is real. I am a tribute in the 74th Hunger Games. More importantly, Gale and I are tributes.

I remember his words from last night. That seemed so long ago, "Once we get to the arena you get your hands on a bow and I'll find some knives and anything else we'll need. You cover me and I'll cover you in the blood bath. Then we'll run as far as we can. Okay?"

I hear the gong ring and I don't hesitate before running straight towards the bow and arrows some 40ft from me. Once I grab them I load one and then look around for Gale.

Then I see him and my heart almost stops. The boy from 2, Cato, is pointing a spear right at him, ready to throw. More importantly, Gale's pressed up against the Cornucopia with nowhere to run.

I pull the string on my bow and send an arrow shooting through the sky. Moments later, my metallic weapon hits Cato in the arm. He let out a cry and drops his spear, clutching his arm and the arrow that he needs to pry from his skin.

It's not a fatal hit, but it will definitely slow him down.

I watch Gale pick up some ropes and knives. He looks up at me and points to the woods. I nod back and start sprinting there.

Suddenly a knife whizzes past my ear, cutting off a few strands of my hair. I turn around and see the dark eyes of the District 2 girl glaring back at me, and evil smirk apon her face.

It's obvious she's up to no good. I find it maybe a bit amusing. District 2 has a sort of thing for Gale and I.

Another knife starts to whizz towards me. I have to duck so it doesn't hit me in the forehead.

I begin to run away but I don't have a good head start because suddenly there is a lot of added weight to my back and I am pushed to the ground. I find myself gaping for breath.

The District 2 girl, Clove I think, is on top of me with a knife inches from my face.

I try to push her off my she just pushes me back down easily. I watch as everyone is fighting around the Cornucopia, barely noticing me struggling under Clove's grip.

I begin to wonder where Gale is. I hope he's made it to the woods safely. After all, if I die, he must win.

"Awww! Look at the ity-bity little tribute from 12. She thought she could win didn't she. Thought we would leave her alone because we were scared of her 11." Clove muses.

I glare at her and try not to cry from Clove's bone crushing weight. I must be strong-for Prim. She's probably watching me struggle while crying her eyes out, knowing she can't do anything to help.

"How about I do you a favor of killing you now so you won't have to watch your little boyfriend being murdered? Wouldn't that be nice?" she taunts

I don't even bother to explain that Gale isn't my boyfriend. Instead, I start to kick my legs, hoping she's topple off of me, but her seat it firm.

Clove smirks and pulls her knife behind her ear, ready to stab me.

Instinctively, I put my hands in front of my face. A sharp metal punctures the palm of my hand and I let out a cry. Blood starts to pour out of my hand.

Clove smiles at me obvious pain.

And that's when she falls off my, a knife in her stomach. I jump to my feet and pick up the bow and arrows I had dropped. I spin around to see Gale standing about 30 feet away.

I start to run towards him, picking up a backpack on my way that the Careers obviously didn't see.

I continue to run past him and shout "Come on!" over my shoulder while clutching by bleeding hand. He quickly catches up to me and we run toward the forest.

"I'm sorry I didn't come earlier. I was attacked by that girl from 1" he explains.

I nod while continuing to run towards the trees.

That's when I notice a thing slash across his face where the attacker must have hurt him.

I stop for a moment to gape at the blood flowing from his cheek.

He stops and says, "Catnip, I'm fine. We can take care of our wounds when we're safe. And you should be more worried about yourself!" he points to me blood gushing hand.

I roll my eyes but nod and run into the woods with Gale beside me.

The shrubbery now surrounds us as we run deeper into the forest and further from the combat at the cornucopia.

Author's Note: I hope you all liked Chapter 7. :) Please vote for this story if it's your favorite one of my fan fictions (poll is on my page). That's all for today! Bye! :D