A/N: Okay, I know, so this chapter is short. I don't really have an excuse for that. It's a filler chapter I guess. So anyways, review and tell me what you think please!

The Hunger Games belongs to Suzanne Collins.

"You were searching for one grain of sand along an endless beach
As I was building you a castle that you just refused to see"

- One Grain Of Sand, Ron Pope.

Since it's daylight, Tacey and I decide to set out to the edge of the clearing that contains the cornucopia to spy on the Careers. She thought it was just for the adventure of it, but I secretly was checking to see if Peeta was with the pack. I wasn't sure I quite believed that one. She knew her way around the arena already, and that was the first sign that I had made the right decision in aligning with her as I was clueless on the layout of the arena.

We skirt along until we find a mostly concealing bush. The two of us squat into the bush and watch the Career pack. Sure enough, there's my Lover Boy among them. I watch mainly him and take in his injuries. His face is badly bruised, his left arm has a bloody bandage on it, and there's a nasty uncovered cut underneath his right eyebrow.

I can't help but think of his stupidity. The career tributes are overly vicious, arrogant, over fed, but only because they're the Capitol's lapdogs. Obviously, that innocent and noble boy on the rooftop just nights ago was playing another game with me. I decide it will be his last time to attempt and toy with me. I will eagerly watch the night skies for his death, provided I don't kill him first. Tacey taps me, her eyes wide.

"What's Marvel doing?" she whispers cautiously.

I glance around the camp. Marvel must be the District 1 male, the one who was risen up next to me on the pedestals. He's not in my view, and I look to Tacey confused.

"He just got up and walked away," she explains to me.

I peek back through the bush and notice Clove is standing now, and is moving around the cornucopia. Headed to a direction we can't view. Before she turns the corner, she grabs a sword from a nearby stack. Eyes wide, I turn to Tacey again.

She leans over to whisper to me. "I'm going to get a better view. Stay here and watch these guys."

She crawls past the bush and sneaks along the edge quickly before I have the chance to reply. I turn back to the remains Careers and silently sigh, hoping she'd stay hidden, but knowing she easily would. Then, Peeta suddenly turns around and glances at the edge of the woods left of me. He looks over his shoulder once to see if his allies are distracted, and then squints back in the direction again. His eyes aren't set at my direction, and realization sets in as I figure out exactly what he's looking at. I lean back as much as I dare and look to the left. Sure enough, Tacey has rammed herself behind a tree. One problem though, half of her bun on one side is clearly visible to Peeta, and completely unnatural looking.

I inch myself backwards. I definitely don't want to leave Tacey, but Peeta will gather the pack and target her. I can't risk that, not if I want to even consider getting home. I glance back towards Peeta once more, prepared to see him pointing out the bun to one of his friends from District 4. Instead, I see him settling down on the ground, looking in the opposite direction. He's ignored us. Amazing.

I look back at Tacey now. I need to get away from here. Peeta could easily change his mind, as he doesn't know this girl. Why would he protect her after all? As loudly as I dare, I whisper out her name. She slowly turns her head towards me, fear in her eyes. I motion for her join me, and then crawl away from the edge of the woods. I make my way in deep enough to be out of sight, then stand and wait for her. She sneaks around a tree a moment later, a tear rolling down her cheek.

She surprises me, and locks me in a tight hug. She quickly releases and refuses to meet my gaze. Her eyes downcast, she suggests something I would've never thought of.

"Katniss, cut my hair."

Before I can help myself, a ridiculous sounding "Huh?" exits my mouth.

She replies quickly. "It's too revealing. It will give me away plenty more times. I need to get rid of it. Katniss, just chop it off. All of it, with your knife. I don't need it."

So she sits cross legged below me. I stand above her, holding up a piece of that fiery red hair nervously. I realize now the trust this girl has in me, as I'm standing directly over her head with a knife. If I was ruthless like the Careers, she would be gone. Instead, I chop off the first long strand. I continue along, cutting each piece. Finally, I have all but one strand chopped off. As I cut the final piece, I watch the clump fall apart before it reaches the ground. The tiny sprigs remaining on her head stick up every which way. Around her, hair is messily scattered. I'm studying the last piece of hair that was chopped off, when the cannon fires.

Tacey hops up automatically and clutches my arm fearfully. We're too close to the edge of the woods. We need to be hidden, and fast. I point up to the tree right beside us. She nods shakily. I take the lead, I climb each branch swiftly. She's not as skilled in this area as I am, and several times I have to carefully pull her up beside me. We make it about midway up when we hear a twig break nearby. We both freeze, and stare in the direction of the noise.

Below us, a blonde head appears. The hair is tousled around as the boy lazily checks his surroundings. I almost release my breath in relief. It's Peeta, and he's alone.