The Hunger Games: Spoiled Sapling

by CragmiteBlaster

In the Hunger Games, you either win or you die. But during the Bloodbath, the District Seven Female only goes halfway towards defeat, feigning death as the carnage rages on. Spoiled and pampered all her life and with a Mentor who gave up on helping her right from the start, can Nettle prove Johanna wrong and show she's got what it takes to survive? Part of The Nameless Chronicles.

5. Day 5: Unlucky Sevens

Disclaimer: I do now own The Hunger Games. They belong to Suzanne Collins.

Note: Welcome back to another chapter of the story! Another fun chapter to write, I think I'm starting to hit my stride with writing for Nettle at this point. Just feels like I'm getting a more solid idea on how to write out her narration and lines than I did when the story started. Also, to the anonymous reader who asked me some questions, here's my answer! Each timeline is it's own separate AU story 100% independent of each other. They branch out based on the Lead specifically doing something different than their canon actions. As for if the story will continue past the 74th Games... well, that depends on if Nettle survives, doesn't it? ;) Let's read on and see how she fares!

---

The night is cold, the weather practically biting away at the land outside the cave with its frosty claws. It's fortunate for me that Wood found me and lit us a nice roaring fire, or I'd be freezing to death out there. The inside of the cave is... well, hardly perfect but at least it's warm. The rain outside is light, nothing too bad, but being completely out of it is always the better option. I don't like being wet, at all.

Wood's been gracious enough to share out some of his supplies with me, but he's kept all the weapons right beside him, far from my reach. Just water, meat and some bread for me tonight. Not that I mind, as the fact he'd even share this much is certainly something rare in the Games. Many times allies share nothing at all, but here I am not starving all because of him.

I know that on some level this is just to make his own chances better, but that's ok. We didn't even know each other before the reaping happened, so it's not like I expect a ton from him. District loyalty though, it's certainly great to benefit from it. I remember how he talked to Blight about how he feels proud to be from Seven and genuinely enjoys all the work, just that he 'hates the fuckers in charge'.

Plus, he's feeding me. Why should I complain at all?

Chewing my food, I can only hope that our alliance can hold for a long time. I was ready to rough it all alone, but having somebody to work with and talk to really has reminded me of just how valuable company can be. It's amazing how, now that the loneliness is gone, I feel like my head is clearer and I am better able to think. Though, I can't help my mind thinking of what happens when the, um, numbers fall and the alliance breaks. Only one of us can get out of this place.

Well, out in a way besides a casket anyway. Even if mine could perhaps be mahogany and encrusted with a fine emerald... no! Why am I thinking such thoughts? No, I won't die!

I shake my head a little. I can't focus on that kind of thought, not yet. If I just make myself extremely paranoid worrying over an alliance split... well, it's kind of a self fulfilling prophecy isn't it? I'll just... try not to think of Wood getting a better training score and having better odds than me. Yeah, that's exactly what I shall do.

Anyway, as I sit here quietly eating, Wood has been talking me through his plan of taking out the Careers' supplies. I have to admit, he is completely correct that without supplies the Careers are going to be helpless... or, well, ok not really. But, they will be a lot easier to take on if they are hungry. After all, the first feelings of starvation are truly the worst.

I sure know it...

But to just go in there and destroy their stuff? It's so dangerous! People have died making such rushes before now. A lot of people. What makes our odds any better?

"We just need to move in when they are gone," Wood explains. Somehow, he manages to come off as serious and mischievous all at once. "It's just two of the Careers right now; Glimmer's gone elsewhere and I got her in the shoulder with the spear. She won't be an issue, heheh."

"You seem to be taking some pleasure in that," I say, unable to hide my distaste.

"Hey, she'd take pleasure in our deaths," he reminds me. "She can deal with me being a sassy bitch right back to her. Anyway, whatever you feel over deaths and all that jazz, fact is the Careers will be nothing without their stuff and as we only have to deal with two of them right now, this is the perfect time."

He pounds a fist into his palm for emphasis. I gulp... gotta say, in the flame lit cave Wood looks just a bit more than slightly intimidating.

"Marvel and Cato have to sleep eventually. The best plan is to stake out near their base, wait for one to sleep and one to take a piss... then kill the sleeper. After that, two on one... well, I'd hate to be their families," he says, shrugging. "Whoops."

"Do we have to kill them? It could backfire so easily," I warn him, swallowing my nerves hard. "I'm not willing to risk my life on this. They've already lost a lot of supplies."

"Yeah, but they still have more than everybody else," Wood says, firm. "I don't have anywhere near as much. You sure don't and I doubt any other tribute does. Eliminating them, like it or not sweetie, is gonna help. Besides, he who dares wins. Most Victors have been pretty daring in some way."

He's right. Every Victor, more or less, has taken a risk at some point and without exception they have all killed somebody. I am of the mind that there is no one exact way win the Hunger Games, but it's not like Wood is wrong. Being risky and aggressive is known to get results.

Though, knowing of all of our Victors from a young age, I already know somebody who proves this statement a bit wrong.

"What about Pliny?" I ask him. "She took no risks, really. Back then there wasn't even a Bloodbath like it is now. After the massacre in the first Games, it was weird how it just ended up being four tributes gone."

"Ok, on the one hand I agree that you have a point," Wood says, nodding to himself thoughtfully with a hand to his chin. "On the other hand, are you fucking kidding me right now, dearest Nettle? We can't sleep through the Games like she did. If we tried that, we'll be sleeping for eternity."

Again, he's right. Pliny's Victory... she literally slept through the Hunger Games, hiding inside the Cornucopia in a chest. It was such a national embarrassment for the Capitol that, because of the way she won, any tribute who stays in one place for too long gets nasty traps or monsters set upon them. shame really, as sleeping through this hell sure sounds like a nice way to win.

"Look, even if we avoid them now we'll have to face them eventually. When we do they'll be better fed and we'll die," he says, shrugging bitterly. "We either get an early strike, or die having lived maybe a crappy day or two longer. Your choice what sounds better."

"...Wood, you're phrasing this so that I cannot disagree with you without coming off as an idiot," I say, huffing a bit.

He just smirks. Such cheek! And yet, thinking over the long term benefit, the sooner the Careers die or at least lose their food the better it'll be for us. I'd rather face Rammy in the 'finale' than Marvel and Cato. Not that I'd call the tough cowboy an easy foe by any means.

"I'm up for the plan, just so you know," I say to him, moving myself a little closer to the fire. "But we'd be waiting a while for them to leave themselves open like that. Also as you noted, I have no supplies, really. I'm certainly not getting any Sponsors. Johanna's useless so it's all up to my own skill."

"I can work with that, so long as your skill level isn't shit," he assures me. "...I get decent Sponsors so for now at least you can just leech off of me and pay me back later. Eh, we'll work out the details as we go."

We're silent for a bit as we sit by the fire.

"Honestly, we don't need to destroy the supplies and kill them. That'd kinda just leave us worse off," I tell him. "How were you planning to destroy the supplies anyway? Throw them in the water? I was at their camp, it's not near a river or anything. Not near enough that we could quickly get rid of stuff."

Wood scowls for a moment, annoyed at the holes I've poked into his plan. I can live with this, just so long he won't poke holes into me. Hardly charming behaviour if he did.

"I'm stressed, not thinking clearly. You go a few days in the Arena and see if you can think properly," he scoffs. "Oh wait, you've done that! And oh look, you're not thinking clearly either!"

"Yeah... it's rough," I agree with him. "I miss the manor and just hiding under the covers during cold nights, sometimes with Ranger embracing me. Mmmmm, I miss it."

"I'm jealous," Wood says, chuckling. He reaches into his backpack. "Anyway! This is how we'd destroy them."

He presents me with a jar. It's full of some kind of... uh, it looks like red sticky jelly? What, is he going to make everything all sticky and gross? Hardly the craziest plan that the Hunger Games have seen but a touch useless for my liking.

"You're gonna cover the supplies in jelly?" I ask him, flatly. "Whoa, genius."

"Oh shut up," he scoffs. "It's napalm, read the label! Snagged in on day one at the Cornucopia. We throw this on their stuff and light it up. Boom! It's really flammable so it'd burn the lot of it... or, I guess we could incinerate one of them if we have time, or get bored. Either or, you know?"

I flinch at the thought of somebody burning to death. I've seen forest fires in Seven. Perhaps just from a safe distance, but the fact remains that they cause massive damage to properly and people. A nasty way to go. That's not getting into what napalm can do; they say in the Dark Days that napalm rained upon the forest and filled it with the fires of hell.

"What if the fire spreads?" I ask him, warily. "Napalm can burn even if it's raining."

"We run," he shrugs. "Look, you got any better ideas of what to do? You've not given me a lot to work with sweetie pie, so if you have no ideas kindly don't just critique my own. I just don't want to die; I have too much going on in life to have time for that."

Looking at Wood I can see that he's not just showing scars from previous fights or accidents, but he's exhausted. He must have had one very busy day. That or he's been scared out of his mind and been full of emotional pain. I can relate to that, oh yes...

"I think we're both really tired," I tell him as I can rub my hands together by the fire. "Maybe we can continue this talk in the morning when we're better rested? We'll be less moody, less upset... maybe. Sound good?"

"Best plan you've had all night," he says as he lays down against the cave wall. "Your only plan too. I guess by default it's the best. Fine, let's settle it in the morning."

He lays back while I lay on my front, curling up by the fire. It's as close to comfort as I am gonna get, so I'm grateful to be able to rest like this.

"By the way, funny thing about me," Wood continues. "I have a habit of stabbing people if they try to steal my weapons when I am in the Hunger Games. So, uh, don't."

With that final, chilling warning my District Partner settles down to sleep. I'm left to gulp at the thought of his words and settle myself down. I try my best to not look at his spear or at any of his other stuff like the rather nice double sided hatchet he's got. All his, not mine. I don't like not having stuff to call my own. Humph!

Part of me doubts that Wood would actually follow up on the threat and kill me. Attacking your own District Partner is a serious offence among Outliers and even Careers in most cases. Plus, I know Wood is very pro-Seven so he'd likely leave me for last. But then again he's displayed plenty of strange, unnerving behaviour since the reaping and he alluded to killing more than one person earlier, so maybe it'd be foolish to assume.

I fear that my ally may a few trees short of a forest in some ways.

Morning, Nettle. Worry over it in the morning.

My eyes growing heavy from sleepiness, I use my hands as some sort of a pillow and settle down. The warmth of the fire on my face keeps me content until I finally feel myself drifting off.

---

(The next morning...)

---

"Ewwwww! This place stinks!" I choke out, maybe for the thirtieth time.

"Yeah, you've said that about thirty five times already," Wood says, frowning. Well, I stand corrected. "It's not that bad. Just a bad smell, and when you compare it to the possibility of being killed it's hardly the most of your worries. Four G's Nettle; get a Goddamn grip girl."

I go silent, as I know he's right. I just... do not deal well with bad smells of any kind, or dirt at all. I guess growing up in a fragrant, peaceful and clean mansion has left me unprepared for this. Now, the smell of the forest is one thing. In fact, I like it. But swamps and mud, made worse by the humidity from the fake sun... foul! So very foul!

We left the cave a while back, and since then we've just been walking out way through the forest towards where the Careers have their camp. I went a bi of course after all that panicked running in the darkness last night, but Wood claims that he knows where he is going. It surprises me when he says that it's a few miles to the west.

I really ran that far? I didn't know I had it in me to do that. Feels kinda good hearing it, actually. Certainly sounds better than everything smells right now...

"I'm just saying," Wood continues. "It's not even that bad. I live near one of the marshes of Seven back home. This is actually making me less homesick. Can't see why it's making you literally sick. You need to get out more."

"Not like I have a choice right now," I say to him as we make our way over a few logs scattered along the ground. "Don't suppose you could chop down a tree so we could have some lumber? We could make a raft; the water is going to rise again soon enough, so we'll need to be ready for it."

"Fine idea," he tells me, nodding. "We'll burn the supplies, or the Careers, and then get on with that. Until then, how should we kill Marvel; decapitation or a neck breaker?"

"What?" I say, flatly. Like... what?!

"Flashy kills attract sponsors, usually," he explains, making grand gestures with his hands. "They want a show, we want to live... we can work with that, so long as we're willing to get our hands dirty. I know you don't like dirt, I know, but-."

"Dirt and murder are not the same thing," I say, unable to keep the snootiness from my tone.

"Sure they are; they're both filthy," Wood says, a wolfish smirk on his face. "Just saying, sponsors are gonna help. Even if you have none, I get them and I'm fine to share with you. Blight said that Sponsors are vital, and the number one way to get them is eliminating the others."

"I guess it just feels awkward to talk about how to kill somebody and how to make it 'flashy'," is my response to him. "It's immoral."

"Immoral? Oh give me a break," he scoffs, shaking his head. "Nettle dearest, you killed somebody. I don't know who but you said so last night that you did. At this point, you may as well keep going. You already crossed that line and you cannot go back ever again. It gets easier... just don't think about it too hard. Pretend they are trees or something."

In some ways I can see his point. Back home trees must be cut down... and in a manner of speaking, every other tribute must be cut down too. Unlike trees, though, they think, feel and bleed. I don't see it the same way, but maybe I would if I was from a more common class life like Wood is?

We walk silently for a while, feeling so very awkward. I can only assume that Wood might be thinking the same thing as me, at least partly; we may be allies but we really do not have anything in common except being from District Seven and if we cannot bond a bit better than we are now - meaning, bonding in general - the alliance may break sooner.

I guess it's hard to think of an area to really talk to each other, you know? I'm rich and Wood's kinda poor I think. I'm rather fussy and elegant in how I like things, while he's not in any form of discomfort by the gross swamp. He's fine to commit murder in the Arena and I'm still having issues accepting the fact I already killed somebody. The list goes on.

"I'm sorry," I eventually say. "I just lack the same nerve you have, I guess. It's not as easy to wrap my mind around killing people just like me. Well, not just like but you know what I mean."

"I just figure that I don't know them or owe them anything. I'm running on the assumption they'd do the same to me if given a chance," he tells me, shrugging. "You'll feel the same soon enough, every Victor does. I've just accepted it faster than most. That's why the Careers do the best at the start, they already have accepted the need to kill people. Now, personally I think they're a load of shit, but they have the right idea for the Games. Now, if they just didn't have that nasty habit of being arrogant little bitches I may even like them."

Wood shakes his head, as if dismayed.

"Alas, I cannot spare any love for them. Not when Glimmer attacked me and tried to make my face resemble something a tiny bit less gorgeous," he laments.

His wording makes me snicker, beyond my control. I just can't help it. Wood is funny! He smirks, pleased by this.

"It's true, I am pretty hot," he adds, winking.

"Taken," I remind him, giggling. "...But... eight out of ten."

To this, Wood snorts and looks at me sharply. Oh snap, did I piss him off without meaning to? Nuts! It was only an accident, oh so unintentional!

"Only an eight? I'm a twelve, bitch," he says, smirking. The way his grin widens and his eyes close smugly... yeah, I'm snickering again.

"How pretty do you think I am out of ten?" I ask him, curiously. "...Thirteen?"

"You wish," he says, playfully rolling his eyes. "Eh, if I had to give you a score... I don't fucking know, you've got the wrong equipment for me to really care. I'll just say seven to show some district support."

"Ever the patriot," I remark. "My father would be pleased to see you being such a loyal citizen."

"If he's so happy, would he mind maybe using his wealth to sponsor me something? or, sponsor you something with a note in it that tells you to share it with me?" Wood asks, looking up at the sky. "C'mon, please? I even said please, dammit!"

Like I'd said before, Wood might be kind of crazy... but you know what? I'm starting to see that his crazy side is actually rather appealing. So long as I don't look at his blood soaked spear I can even feel myself relax just a bit.

I almost stumble over when he suddenly stops and puts an arm in front of me.

"Ssssh!" he says sharply, glancing around. "We're not alone."

He practically presses the double sided hatchet into my hand. I grip it while Wood continues to listen carefully; he licks his lips, a glint in his eyes.

I just gulp, holding my new weapon tightly. Soon enough, I hear what it is that Wood must have heard.

Growling.

"That's not a tribute," I whisper.

"Yeah, can't be," he agrees, both hand gripping his spear. He narrows his eyes as he slowly turns around on the spot, gazing all around. "It's a Mutt. Question, think it'd eat you first? If so, mind being the bait?"

"Excuse me?!" I squeal, giving him one sharp look. Humph! The nerve!

"Just kidding," he cackles. "Anyway, here comes a bear. We should probably kill it, huh?"

I turn and whimper. This is ever so bad. Nuts! It's a big bear; I'm not sure exactly what kind it is - either a black bear or a grizzly? I really don't know. It might be another breed for all I know. - but one think I do know is that it's big. Much bigger than me! The sharp teeth, the big claws... oh nutsnutsnuts!

"Ready?" Wood asks me.

"No!" I squeak.

"Too late, he's here!" Wood says, getting into a battle stance. He takes a few deep breathes. "Ok, I'm ready for Freddy."

"Freddy?" I say blankly, unable to stop myself commenting on it.

"A bear needs a name, right?" Wood shrugs.

The bear - or, should I refer to him as Freddy? No, I'm not quite so childish - looms near, ready to fight. There's two of us and one of it, true, but it's surely heavier than both of us combined and a lot more powerful.

"Aim for the head!" Wood orders me. "Let's go two ways, confuse the bastard!"

He runs one way and after a moment of yelping and stumbling I run the other way. True to Wood's word, the bear seems confused for a moment, unsure which of us to target first.

Nuts!

It has chosen me...

I back away slowly as the big bear draws near, growling. I hold my hatchet, but I'm not sure what good it'll be in this fight. It's not a long handled axe, so I have to get right up to it.

I react the instant it starts to raise it's paw.

The bear recoils, now with an axe wound against its face. It roars, surely loud enough to be heard for a mile. Nuts, it might attract more mutts or other tributes. This is turning out to be one terrible morning.

I jump to the side and try to scramble away from it but the bear is a quick one despite being so big and bulky. It simply smashes me over with its side. I sprawl out into the dirt, dazed. I look up as the bear's jaw comes close.

I barely have time to scream.

I expected death, but instead my scream is cut off because Wood took the chance to spear the bear in its left eye. It roars, romping about the clearing and smashing a tree. The tree falls with a massive thud while Wood gives me another of his wolfish grins.

"You really do make good bait," he teases me.

I stagger up to my feet, grabbing up the hatchet. Fighting as we are, I still find a spare second to show him my very best finger. That being the middle one on my left hand. This boy has some serious cheek!

Wood just leers, laughing a bit. He stops laughing as the bear bashes him over as well. His scream makes me pale horribly; he's not dead as it seems the bear was more trying to punch him than slash him, but I can see a little blood soak into his shirt. He's at the base of a tree, trying to fend the bear off with his spear, but the bear seems to be ignoring what must certainly be incredible pain. I would assume it to be ever so painful to be stabbed with a spear. I can only hpe to not find out for myself.

"Nettle! Do something! Holy fucking fuck, stop having a monologue in your mind, hoe!" he screams. I'm unsure if he's more scared or pissed off.

Either way, two thongs. I'm not a hoe, just willing to express my love to the man of my dreams. Secondly, nuts, I better do something now!

The bear has its back to me as if I were not here. The advantages of there being another target besides me, I guess. Perfect, I have an opening to strike. Not the head though, but...

My mind flashes to something Ranger told me the week before I was reaped. We were having a light dinner - steak, mainly - and some drinks, sharing stories He mentioned an uncle who once rode upon a bear.

I act before I really think it over, having been inspired my this memory. Charging forwards I jump upon the bear and onto its back. I lunge forth before it can throw me off and bring down the axe right upon the top of its head.

The roar is deafening, or at least enough to make my eardrums throb terribly. The throbbing is worse when the dying bear bucks about and throws me off right to the dirt. I groan and cough, whimpering in the dirt.

The bear, however, doesn't whimper. It instead lets out a dying roar, having just been speared in the throat by Wood. He staggers out of the way as the bear flails about. Thankfully, he's moved clear by he time the Mutt collapses on the ground.

We won.

I get back up, taking a few deep breaths. Staggering to a tree I lean against it for support and wheeze some more. I glance over at Wood, who does much the same as I am.

"You know, you make pretty good bait too," I tell him, as serious as can be.

For a moment he looks like he's been punched. Then he starts howling with laughter, as if I've just told the most hilarious of jokes.

I can't help laughing along as well. I guess there are some things that you just cannot do with somebody without laughing over the experience.

Fighting a bear mutt is one of these things, it would seem.

---

(Time passes...)

---

Its an hour after the bear mutt was slain, more or less, and our spirits are higher than they have been lately. Mine are at least. Wood let me keep hold of the hatchet so I feel a lot more secure now. It's doubled sided unlike the first one I had, and lost, so I feel stronger than ever. Granted, this is not saying much, but I'm trying to be a little optimistic over things.

No sponsors came, but Wood had some medical supplies on him for the wound he took. He's not exactly happy over the injury, but the medicine seems to have helped a lot already. I'm sure he'll be fine soon enough. If nothing else, there is now one less Mutt to worry about and we're closer to the Career's camp.

Though, that last fact has me rather on edge presently. If given the choice, I'd run for the hills and hide from the Careers. Maybe stay in a cave and just hope they'd fall off a cliff or maybe eat nightlock while being miles away from me. I suppose I'm just not that lucky.

Both Wood and I groan as the rain starts to fall again. I'm not one to waste a moment like this, though, and so I uncap my water bottle and hold it up to catch the rain. Even one extra sip of water is precious in this place.

"Nice idea," Wood says, following my lead. "I'd not expected you to be so resourceful."

"Neither did I, honestly," I say, continuing to collect the rain. "I'm just doing what I can to adapt and stay alive."

We're silent for a bit, just catching the rainwater. It's peaceful, but... I just try my best not to groan over how this is gonna make the Arena smell even worse soon enough. Ick!

With the rain quickly getting heavy it's not hard to know that the water will be rising yet again. I wonder, will the entire Arena eventually be submerged? All the more reason to make a raft, if you ask me. I can swim, sure, but in deep water full of crocodiles... yeah, I'd prefer not to, thanks.

"How's your injury?" I ask Wood once we continue moving along.

"Distinctly not pleasant," he says, sulking. "I kind of want bears extinct now, actually."

"At least it didn't get you anywhere vital. Not many tributes leave a fight with a Mutt quite so lightly," I tell him as we make our way through some mud. Ewwwwww...

"If this is lightly, then I do not want to see heavy," Wood says, shaking his head. "Honestly, this feels kinda unbearable."

I groan, loud and pained. Did he really just make a bear pun, now of all times? No, just no! I've never been one for puns, and I'm certainly not starting now. No bad puns around me, please and thank you.

"What?" Wood asks, smirking.

"You know what," I say, sulking.

"Why, was the joke not 'beary' funny?" he asks me. I believe his grin could be described as 'smug as shit' right now. Humph!

I groan, loudly.

A second groan that comes from neither Wood nor myself has us both freeze. As does the quiet mutter of 'oh crud' a moment later. There is no doubts about it, there is another tribute in the vicinity.

Wood quietly gets himself into a battle stance, his spear gripped tightly. The mixture of bear and human blood on the points has me forced to hold down my breakfast. I manage, but it's a close thing. I'm starting to wonder if I am legitimately hematophobic; I've never ever done well with blood. Even a paper cut made me faint one time... not from the light pain but merely the dribble of blood.

I know the voice wasn't that of a boy, but it doesn't tell me much. Any of the rest could be armed, and if a tribute has a weapon then they have the potential to be very dangerous regardless of age of size. This thought is made worse with how all of the other tributes still alive, besides Urchin, are taller than I am. Height can be a winning factor sometimes.

"Over there," Wood whispers, pointing his eyes towards a thick tree. "They're on the other side."

"I'm outta here!" yells the tribute, scampering off.

I can see it's Lace - unless, like with Rammy, I have her name wrong. - the girl from Eight. She's still got Marvel's spear in her grasp, though I honestly don't remember if she ever trained with spears. But, so long as she holds that I'd prefer not to get too close.

"Come on, let's get her!" Wood yells, becking to me. "She won't be hard to kill."

"Wait, Wood," I say, holding his arm to pull him back for a moment. "She's just a kid. Like, thirteen maybe?"

"So?" he asks, impatient. "Age doesn't really matter. Equal opportunities and all that... for death."

"She's no threat, and the younger ones never win," I insist to him. "Let's just let her go, she's not gonna be much of a risk to let go."

"On the other hand, she might hide a pure evil heart behind that dim outer shell," Wood says, unconvinced.

"I think you should listen to her," Lace calls to him, having reached the high ground. She looks at us from the top of a muddy hill, ready to run any second. "Plenty of better targets out there than me! The Careers are pretty bad dudes, y'know? Oh, and the boy from Ten is big and strong! I'm just a little wisp of fabric compared to them."

"She has a point," I say, nodding. "You know Wood... maybe having a third person on our side could help? I mean, three of us against three Careers? It makes sense."

"She could also steal from us or try something funny," he says, shaking his head. "Nettle, sweetie... she's gotta die and die now."

"Um, rude!" Lace yells, looking offended. I guess it makes sense... it is 'rude' to talk of killing somebody, especially when they're listening. "I'd actually not mind having allies. I wanted to maybe see if I could work with the others my age, but I don't know where they are and, well, nobody really talked much in the training centre? So... I could find berries for you, or maybe be a scary body guard! Oh, oh! I can also make you a nice pair of socks!"

Wood silently turns towards me, rolling his eyes.

"Gee, what a great ally," he says, spinning finger beside his head. "Actually, now I want to kill her even more."

"H-hey, let's not go and act all hasty!" Lace says, stepping back nervously. I'm not sure why she's not running; bravery or foolishness? Perhaps just the hope of allies and thus protection is making her stay? "I've seen other tributes in the area, I can help you stay safe! I've seen... Glimmer!"

I'm not sure why the dramatic pause was needed - nor the sound of thunder the Gamemakers just put on - but she has my attention now, for sure.

"Wood, if a Career is nearby we should listen," I whisper.

"Where did you see Glimmer?" Wood asks her, calmly. More thunder booms when he names the girl from One. "Now, don't go lying to me. It's a good way to die, you see. Heheh."

"A large patch of blackberries that-a-way is where I saw Glimmer," she says as she points to her left, while more thunder booms.

"You sure that was where you saw Glimmer?" I ask. More thunder...

"Yes.. Glimmer!" Lace announces, giggling. Thunder, again.

I get the feeling the Gamemakers are having a good laugh over all of this, but I for one have grown weary of this joke already. It's been overdone, it lost what little charm it had due to overexposure.

"Can the Gamemakers please stop with the thunder?" I ask the sky. "Like, please?"

"What's the problem?" Lace asks between giggles. "If you ask me, it was-URK!"

I soundlessly gasp, horrified. Wood mutters something about a 'kill-stealer' beside me as he gets on his guard. We both know trouble is lurking, and lurking near.

Hard not to when an arrow has been shot at Lace, piercing through her chest from behind. Before she can choke out another word or even start to cry or scream more arrows are fired. Another to her chest, one to her leg, one to her backside, one to her hip... how many arrows does this person even need to use?!

Lace collapses after a final arrow is fired to her shoulder, rolling down the hill lifelessly until she comes to a stop at our feet in a crumpled heap. Bleeding out, her eyes slowly meet mine.

It's like she tries to say something, but lacks the remaining energy to do so. As she stares into space, a sock falls from one of her open pockets. It must be her token.

I hastily grab it up to put with the others, before I scream at the sound of the cannon firing. She's dead, her life ended right in front of me, and now right at my feet. She was there, giggling over the stupid Gamemaker joke not even a minute ago.

She was so young. I shake, gritting my teeth. This... this is wrong. Disgustingly wrong. She was only thirteen for fuck's sake! Calm Nettle, calm... her killer is near and is sure to put up a fight.

Protect yourself first. React to Lace's death when the dust settles. You're not safe or able to do anything when other tributes are still alive.

Wood, meanwhile, doesn't react. He's casually gotten to his knees, plucking the arrows out of Lace's corpse. Seeing me looking at him in such an affronted way he just shrugs.

"We could use these. When they take the body, they take the arrows. Like my mother often says, you gotta recycle murder weapons. Or, was it cans? Eh, close enough," he says, chuckling. "Eight to go, just remember that."

That's about the time when the Lace's killer steps up upon the kill. As I expected, it's Glimmer and on cue the thunder sounds to announce her arrival. She just chuckles, amused by it. I don't take my eyes off of the bow and in her hand or the quiver of arrows she's got, but it would be quite difficult to miss everything else.

The Arena hasn't been kind to her. She looks worn out, and besides that her shoulder area is bloodstained. Same for some of her hair, the parts not knotted from mud and grime that is.

Her eyes harden when her eyes land upon us. Her smirk remains, but it quickly becomes cold. Sinister. ...Fierce.

"You," she says, scowling at Wood. "I'd like a word with you. An arrow shaped word... in your heart. I think we have unfinished business."

"Sorry to love you and leave you, but I gotta keep upgrading, you know? I'm not really a guy to be tied down to just one lover," Wood says, smirking teasingly. Oh no, is he really mocking her right now? "I'm ready whenever you are."

Glimmer keeps the bow aimed at him, notching an arrow. She gaze becomes ever colder as she looks at me.

I shuffle a bit under the heated hatred in her glare.

"I know what you did," she tells me, her tone ever so cool and testy. "Clove chases after you... and then she's dead. It doesn't take a genius to work out what happened there."

"It was Rammy!" I say, lying before I even have to think it over. I'd rather not make her any angrier than she already is.

"I may be blonde, but fun little fact... I'm not stupid," she snorts. "I can see it in your eyes, bullseye."

"Bullseye?" I say, before the realisation sets in.

I drop down as quick as I can, the arrow sailing over me, pinning into a tree a distance away. I scramble up and run without waiting for anything else to happen. Glimmer has a ranged weapon and the high ground, this is a terrible place to try and fight her. Better to either lose her or move to a terrain where we can properly fight her.

I dislike combat, fear it even, but if I have to fight then I'll give it all I have. But, why fight an archer when they have a clear upper hand and line of sight on me? Fight smarter, not harder. It's survival that wins, not killing the most people. One could kill twenty two and then die anyway because the last one snuck up behind them with a knife.

"Where are you going?!" Wood calls after me.

"To be a better location! She's got the high ground, run!" I yell back to him.

My yell becomes a shrill scream as my shoulder feels aflame. It's burning as if it just got napalm set ablaze upon it. I scream as I flee through the forest, a quick glance confirming the worst; an arrow has been shot into my shoulder. It hurt enough from the front after my fight with Rammy; the arrow wound from the back is just excessive. The pain is indescribable.

I hear the sound of another arrow being launched - just my luck, really, that Glimmer has been sponsored so many of those things - and Wood letting out his own scream of pain. I glance back, and I can see that he's running after me, an arrow stuck in his own shoulder. He tries to act like he's not bothered, but his grimace betrays the fact he's in serious pain.

I hear Glimmer laugh distantly, starting to pursue us.

"Whoops!" she calls out to us. "Did I do that?"

Another arrow is fired, one that thankfully overshoots and veers away into the overgrowth. Glancing back, I see Glimmer has started to pursue us. Just perfect...

"Oh whoa, this feels amazing!" Wood remarks, before screeching. Ack, my ears. "Oh wait, no, this actually fucking sucks!"

I lead the way, weaving throughout the trees. When you need a clear shot, rough and overgrown terrain is the enemy, and also the friend of the target. Same for being small; I'm starting to see the benefit of my shorter stature. Besides the agony in my arm from the first arrow, Glimmer is unable to get a hit on me.

"You can't run forever!" Glimmer calls after us. "But by all means, run!"

She giggles, the sinister sound echoing through the forest.

"Makes it all the more fun for me!" she adds.

Certainly not fun I would want to partake in, not at all. We run and run for several long, painful minutes but Glimmer is always there a little ways behind us. I had assumed her to be the weakest of the Careers, to be honest, but it seems whether or not this is true she's still stronger than we are.

Or, perhaps the arrow in my shoulder is just making it harder to run. ...What do I have to lose, besides my life? If this thing is slowing me down, then it's gotta come out. I brace myself as I take hold of the arrow.

One... two... three!

...

AAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHH!

Birds fly from the trees, scattering in alarm at my outburst. My throat burns from it, but my shoulder is worse. The pain has me stumbling as it courses throughout my body. A second loud scream, louder than my own, has me wailing in alarm much like the birds. Seems Wood followed my lead and, much like myself, regrets it thoroughly.

"Fuck... not swanky... shizzle... urrrkk... tree rot!" he screeches, his words nonsensical.

I hadn't realised it until it was too late, but we've started to come towards a dead end. No! No! No!

But, all the no's in Panem cannot change the facts as they are. We've gone downhill to a sort of lower point of the forest, dirt walls surrounding us. Glimmer laughs a distance behind us, realising we're trapped too. The only cover I can see is two boulders.

They'll have to do, at least until a better plan can be established. I practically leap behind one of them, crouching myself as low as possible. From this position, it should be impossible for Glimmer to hit me.

Wood runs to the other boulder, lunging for cover. Just before he makes it to safety another arrow is fired. One moment all is silent except for the tell tale sound of the arrow soaring through the air. The next moment, Wood screams and swears non-stop.

He just took an arrow to the knee!

The sight of the blood has me shaking and gagging in seconds. Seeing Lace's crumpled body, bleeding from the arrows and laying in a heap... that was bad enough and already sure to cause nightmares once I'm out of fight or flight mode. But seeing my ally laying there with an arrow through his knee and red, sticky blood coating his fingers as he clutches the wound... urrppp, so sick...

Being one of the older tributes on the age spectrum is probably what prevents me from going into a full on panic. I've watched the Games for years and seen quite a few grisly deaths. As I always had to attend mandatory viewings alongside father, there was never a moment for me to cover my eyes or have a conveniently timed bathroom break when the worst moments happened. After all, the Peacekeepers always watch the Mayor and his daughter who sits beside him.

Basically, you could say that I got somewhat desensitised quicker than other people do. Then again, there's a huge difference between watching the Hunger Games and being in them. I may be able to maintain rational thought, but I can't stop my arms shaking like a blur nor my breath from hitching constantly.

"Well, well," Glimmer says as she approaches us, standing at the top of the slope. "Looks like a pair of unlucky Sevens, trapped with nowhere left to go."

"If you're gonna make stupid jokes, can you kill us and then do it?" Wood asks.

"Careful what you wish for, you might just get it," Glimmers says, cold as ice. "Prepare for a lot of pain that even now you're not quite familiar with."

"Can't be more painful than your company," Wood states, already rapidly bandaging up his knee whilst hissing in pain.

At this, I can't stop myself snorting in amusement despite the danger we're in. Glimmer just scoffs, and while I don't dare peer out to see for myself, I bet she just rolled her eyes.

"Make all the jokes you want," she says, idly. "You have nowhere else to run. I got enough supplies here for two days, and sponsors lined up. Let's see who can last longer, shall we?"

"Uh, no. If you stay in one place for too long you'll just get a Mutt or some such horror sent upon you," I say to her, flinching at the very thought. "I'm sure a Career like you would be aware of that. It has been an unspoken rule ever since Pliny of my District won the Second Games."

"Unlike her, me keeping you guys trapped is causing drama," Glimmer says, practically playful. She's toying with us. "I'm putting on a good show."

"If this is a good show, I'd sooner die than put myself through a bad show," Woods says, groaning audibly.

Glimmer grumbles, starting to sound a bit ticked off.

"You know, while you're not gonna make me lose focus if that's your game here... you are highly annoying, immature, stupid, worthless and ugly," she hisses.

"Hey, who're you calling ugly?" Wood replies, affronted. It's getting hard for him to keep up the snark though. His knee looks bad, even with bandages quickly applied.

I just let them both go at it. If Glimmer isn't paying any attention to me, nor able to kill me right now, it gives me some time to think this one over. How are we gonna get out of here and either kill Glimmer or just drive her off somehow? My first thought if the napalm, but Wood surely would insist that we save it for the supply raid. So, what else?

We're stuck here, she cannot quite hit us but we cannot leave without her seeing. Add to that how she has better supplies and how we cannot throw our weapons without leaving cover... hmmmm, this is a tough one. The only benefit is that Marvel and Cato will be very unlikeable to come over here; they're still miles away and even if they were to start hunting would they leave their supplies unguarded? Or, if one of them guarded it would they want to explore this swamp all alone? Careers rarely hunt solo, it's a known fact. Especially before the top six or seven.

Well, I have nothing but time. Ok, c'mon Nettle, think of a plan. There's always room for a plan to be formed...

---

(Later...)

---

It's been a fair while by now, the sun having moved across the sky a lot in the time I've been stuck in this place. I guess I was stuck to begin with, having been reaped and all, but I feel especially trapped now. If I stand up and run, I'm dead.

The most I've been able to do in the time I have been trapped, besides calm myself down into a state of pure logic and thought, is grab rocks that lay on the ground near me and try to toss them at Glimmer. Of course, I've been throwing them blindly so it's not like I was set for success to begin with. Most of my attempts had Glimmer laughing at me.

Her laughter stopped when one struck her right on the head, but it didn't do anything much besides knock her down for a moment. Nowhere near enough time for either myself or Wood to make a charge at her. Thus, here we stay in a stalemate. Glimmer won't want to face us both up close, but we cannot run without taking arrows to our bodies.

The thought of ending up like Lace has me shuddering.

Right now the biggest enemy, even more than Glimmer, is fatigue. If both of us fall asleep before Glimmer then our lives are over, simple as that. We could try to set shifts but with how Wood is writhing around and clutching his leg I'm not sure how viable that idea is. He really took a bad hit.

I'm running out of ideas, and hope. But, perhaps diplomacy could be an idea? Might as well try all the options I have before calling it a loss.

"Glimmer, perhaps we could cut a deal," I call out.

"What could you possibly have to offer me?" she asks, disbelieving. "I'm fine to hear begging, but... what could you possibly give me that I would actually want? I'm fine for food, water, medical supplies, weapons and sleeping gear."

"Yes. But only for two days, you said so yourself," I point out to her. "Do you know where the other Careers are?"

"What's it to you?" she snorts.

"The fact you responded with aggression rather than an answer that would cut off further deal making tells me you do not know," I say, gathering my wits. "I know where it is. So does Wood. Perhaps if we gave you directions you'd leave us alone? I'll sweeten the deal and tell you where to avoid if you do not want to meet a bear mutt."

I have no idea if any bear mutts are still alive, honestly, but if it makes Glimmer more inclined to listen then I'll offer the information anyway. She's good, but not good enough to live if a bear pinned her down.

"No deal," she says, sweetly. "If I add you two to my list of kills then I'll get plenty of sponsors to help me until I can find where Marvel and Cato are camped at."

"Well... sure you wanna do that?" I ask her, slowly.

"What are you doing Nettle?" Wood asks me. "Are you seriously bartering with her? Here I was thinking I was a desperate lad, but whoa."

"Ssshhh!" I snap at him. narrowing my eyes. "I am trying to save our asses here."

"By all means, don't let me tell you how to play the Games," he says, backing down. "Or rather, do. This plan is doomed."

"Quiet," I say shortly. "Glimmer... what were the scores of Cato and Marvel again?"

"Marvel got a nine and Cato got a ten. Can't you even remember that?" she asks, disbelieving. "Not that hard to recall."

"Well, I know that... and I know you scored an eight," I say. I wipe the sweat off of my forehead. "Why hang out with two boys who you know are stronger than you? They're bonding pretty well without you. I heard you're Marvel's ex, but that's not gonna stop him from killing you in the end. Only one victor. So... why not, uh, break from them and work with us? You're better trained than us and-."

Any further attempt at deal making is ruined by Glimmer laughing. She's in hysterics, gleefully laughing. I don't take the chance to peer out, but I think she's rolling on the ground. Ok, fine, it didn't work but does she have to be oh so rude about it, hmm? I don't think she does, personally. Humph!

"Whoa, what a great offer except not at all. It's almost like a future victor told you the plan wouldn't work," Wood says, slowly clapping.

"Oh shut up and keep rubbing your knee," I say, pouting. I leer at him for a few moments.

"Whoa... ohhh... oh, that was a good one," Glimmer says as she gets back up to her feet. "You actually think I'd want to work with you? Yeah, why not ask me to work with the curly haired twelve year old while you're at it and we'll make it a party. Yeah, no. I'm fine to just break off and go solo when the numbers fall. Working with you two, a pair from the same District who'd probably kill me in my sleep? As if."

"She has a point, I would probably be rather tempted to bash her brains out with a rock if she did sleep near us," Wood says, tapping his chin. He hisses, clutching his leg. "Aahhh, fuck..."

"Come on over and I'll end your pain," Glimmer says, cheerfully. "Permanently~."

"Pass," Wood says, shivering.

A sonar ceases the topic. A Sponsor! ...I swear to the Tree Gods, if this is another note of smack talk from Johanna then I am gonna... oh, false alarm, it's a sponsor that actually had something useful!

...And, of course, it's flying down towards Wood.

Nuts...

Not that this is a bad thing, as it seems like it's medicine of some sort for his leg, but it would be nice to get just one worthwhile sponsor of my own at some point, you know? Food, water, armour... anything, honestly.

Wood reaches up and grabs his sponsor towards him. I'm surprised Glimmer didn't try to take a shot at it, but I guess she'll want to conserve ammo. Why shoot a sponsor when she could shoot at us, I suppose.

I watch as Wood opens the package up - some kind of a bottle with a weird orange fluid inside it - and pours it upon his wound. His scream makes me flinch, but I let myself relax once he shows relief. I guess that's one less problem, at least.

"What are we gonna do?" Wood asks me. "Insulting her and throwing rocks failed. Your 'diplomacy' idea failed. We gonna have to hope she has a heart attack or randomly turns suicidal?"

"No, there is always a way. It's just that we have to find it, and soon," I tell him. "This would be easier if we had any room to get behind her... wait..."

"What?" Wood asks. "Get behind her? Whoa, the connections for that sure are wholesome."

"Oh shush," I huff. "...There's still one thing left we can do."

"And, what might that be?" Wood asks me, intrigued. "...Using you as bait?"

I slowly turn to look Wood in his eyes, leering. Slower still, I shake my head.

"No," I say after a pause. "We call for help and see if we can get somebody to come over. Only card we have left to play."

I'm screaming before Wood can stop me.

"HEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLP! HEEEEEEEELLLLLLP! HEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLP!" I shriek as loud as I can force my voice to be.

I hear Glimmer squeal, no doubt having sore ears from my screams. Certainly not the screams she'd been wanting to hear from me. Wood, too, gasps out a cry and covers his ears.

"Holy crap Nettle, what are you doing?!" he yells. "You're gonna bring people over!"

"Exactly the plan," I say, returning to screaming.

It's a risky plan, maybe a plan with little chance to succeed, but I'll choose an unlikely plan for safety over certain death. Maybe somebody will feel a sense of humanity and come on over. Or, maybe they'll just want to try and eliminate threat like Glimmer. In any case, it'd help if somebody else was in the area to distract the Career girl. With Marvel and Cato most likely miles away, I don't think it's overly likely that one or both will be drawn over to us.

If they are though... I just hope Ranger, and father, do not watch as they kill me. I'd not want such a horrible image stuck with them for the rest of their days.

Soon enough I'm gasping and wheezing, sipping the rainwater I collected earlier. My throat feels sore from all the screaming. It takes a lot out of a women.

"Finally," Glimmer groans, sincerely relieved. "That was horrible! Like, by any chance are you part vulture? You sure sound like one, Seven!"

"It's Nettle," I hiss. "Remember my name."

"Why?" she asks me. "Nobody remembers the fallen tributes for more than a year, if even that, unless they-."

Glimmer is cut off by the sound of an explosion. Nearby, a tree is blasted apart; splinters are sent flying around, as are burning leaves. The tree falls, the smash loud and mighty.

"What the hell?!" she yells, starting to sound legitimately scared.

A few seconds pass, the only sound being a very faint mumbling - like, a very quiet debate of sorts - before a second landmine is chucked through the air. This time the blast sends Glimmer flying backwards, though I don't think that it's enough to cause her any real injury besides what a typical fall to the ground might do. So, a bruise at worst?

She's dropped her bow and quiver.

I dash out from cover, taking the chance presented to me. As I've expressed and been very pouty over, I got no Mentor aid... but Wood did, and I was listening. Johanna mentioned to him that sometimes the Games are all about 'waiting for the golden opportunity'. Well, I've seen one of those now and I'm seizing it before the moment passes.

Adrenaline makes me run fast, faster than Glimmer can rise and try to even reach for the bow. She screams as she sees me running right at her, the hatchet raised.

Truth be told, I don't want to kill her. 'Merely' injure her and keep her out of our hair for a bit, but when one works only on instinct and acting very much in the moment such restraint can be hard to keep in mind. I bring the hatchet down just as Glimmer raises her arms to shield herself.

Not much of a shield, as the hatchet strikes into her arm and splatters some blood around. The blade must be at least an inch deep, more or less. Glimmer shrieks in agony, writhing. She kicks me off of her and leaps up, her breathing very unsteady. I'm back up, only to realise I dropped me weapon... and now, Glimmer holds a knife. A Career will always have a back-up weapon, how could I have overlooked that?

Nuts...

"You're... gonna... die now..." she hisses between grimaces of pain.

"Actually, she won't," a rather squeaky, timid voice says.

We both glance to the top of a boulder nearby. I dash for cover the instant I do; it's Gadget and she's got another landmine in her hands, ready to throw.

Glimmer goes very pale.

"I could blow you up," she says, her knees knocking a bit. "Don't make me d-do it!"

From the side of the boulder steps another tribute. Urchin, the boy from Four and the only tribute smaller than me. Yes, it's true, I am height sensitive to the point I always make note when I am taller than somebody. What of it? Anyway, he holds a short sword and tries to put on a brave, firm face as he stares at Glimmer.

Personally, I do not think it's very convincing at all.

"She'll do it," Urchin adds. "She even blew up a squirrel Mutt earlier like it was nothing. Don't test her patience!"

"Oh, she's testing my patience," Gadget says, starting to shake.

"Oh no, now you've done it!" Urchin yelps, ducking for cover. "She'll blow up the forest!"

"I'll blow you all up!" Gadget shrieks.

I just stare, my eyebrow raised rather high. Is this what passes for good acting these days? A distance behind me I hear Wood discreetly cackling over this. Surely nobody would be stupid enough to-

"I'm outta here!" Glimmer screams, rushing off into the overgrowth. Like a blur, she's gone in less than ten seconds, her footsteps becoming very distant very fast.

...Ok, I guess that answers that. Glimmer was stupid enough to fall for it. Or, perhaps she just knew when to cut her losses and fold. Either way, she's gone at long last. Thank goodness!

That's when I turn towards Urchin and Gadget. It suddenly occurs to me that I'm not safe yet... Gadget has bombs. Explosives. Basically a ranged form of instantaneous fiery death with a horrible boom. Can I say for sure she will not chuck one at me?

No, I bloody well can't!

But, perhaps she won't. She's put the explosive away and now takes deep breathes. Urchin reaches up as much as he is able to gently help her down from the boulder and... I'm sorry, but is it wrong for me to find it just a bit comical to see a tiny kid of about 4'8 if memory serves me right helping somebody 5'9 down from a height?

Still, these two kids just scared Glimmer off and now they're both looking at me. Suddenly, I feel rather exposed, like I'm being judged. Ok, calm Nettle, you can do this. You can make a good impression.

"Thanks for the help," I say to them, awkwardly giving a short bow. An attempt at a handshake may be too forward. "Good thing you came when you did. Nettle Bonsai of District Seven, grateful for your support. You're a credit to Three and Four."

It's a relief that both of them smile, pleased to hear this, Urchin smiles shyly while Gadget blushes and stammers, her hands over her mouth. I wonder, is she unused to praise? Or, maybe she's just timid?

"You're welcome," Urchin says, running his hands through his, ah, very noticeable curls. "We heard you screaming and felt it was the right thing to do to check what was going on."

"Y-yeah," Gadget adds, quietly. "We thought you were being tortured... wouldn't want that..."

"I'm in your debt," I tell them. "You know, we'd all live longer with more of us working together... perhaps it might be an idea if we all worked together? At least until the Careers are gone... we'd be less lonely and scared with more people together."

"Um... I'm not exactly much of an ally," Gadget says, stepping back.

"Not true," Urchin tells her. "You rewired the landmines into weapons. No other tribute ever did that before now. It was special."

Gadget mumbles quietly, her cheeks getting red. Something about it being 'no big deal' and how 'Urchin gave her the idea'. Honestly, if Urchin came up with that plan somehow and Gadget rewired them then that, to me at least, proves them as allies worth having.

"You two must be exhausted," I say to them. Sure enough, the two young ones look like they've hardly slept since the Games began. Oh so understandable if you ask me... "With Wood and I on your side then you can take a rest. Plus, we were gonna-."

Urchin yells in alarm suddenly, yanking Gadget towards him. A moment later a spear flies to where she had been standing, pinning into a tree a short distance away.

Nuts... did Wood really just do that...?

"What do we do?!" Gadget squeals panicking. Her breathing is starting to get rapid and choked, like a serious anxiety attack. I've seen them here and there, read about them too.

"Run!" Urchin yells, quickly leading her away.

The two scramble away, ignoring my pleading for them to stay. I swiftly turn back to Wood, who only now scrambles up to where I am standing. Seems like his leg is already starting to get better, at least enough for him to walk. That medicine must have worked wonders.

But right now I don't look at his bloodied leg. I just scowl at him, right in the eye. Why oh why did he do that? I almost had an arrangement worked out for two more allies! He just had to get spear happy, didn't he?

"Darn it," he mutters, retrieving his spear. "Hey, I know I missed and I get it, that's kind of a load of shit, but you don't have to look at me like I just seduced your mom or something."

"My mom is dead," I say, matter-of-factly.

"Disclaimer, I do not seduce dead things," Wood remarks, chuckling. "But seriously, what's up? I know I missed, but if we run after them then we can still-."

"What's this about 'we can still'? Kill them? I wasn't at any point in time trying to kill them!" I say, stomping my foot. "What possibly gave you such a thought, Wood?"

"You were distracting them with that clever ploy so I could take a hit at them off-guard," he says, shrugging. He narrows his eyes. "Wait, what, were you actually-."

"-Being serious? Yes, I was," I say, coolly. "Gadget has bombs. Urchin has a short sword and must have some skills, having scored an eight. Most twelve year olds barely score a three! We could have really befitted!"

"Only one gets out," Wood says. He licks his lips for a moment, frowning. "Nettle dearest, enough with trying to make allies by being diplomatic etcetera. You have me, you really don't need anybody else. Not like a big alliance would last long anyway."

"But if they had accepted then we'd have more people on our side. To summarise; less people wanting us dead so soon, easier sleep shifts to work out, extra supplies, more individual talents to work out... and let's face it, we're both stronger than them physically," I say. I stand my ground, not backing down from this one. "If we're allies, we should both make choices and plans. You've made plenty so far and I agreed to your supply destroying idea. Why can't you give my plan a chance?"

Wood frowns, pacing. He winces a bit from his sore knee every now and then, but otherwise is silent as he gazes over me. He seems almost owlish, the way he's looking me over.

"I liked you better when you were passive and didn't think quite so much," he says, gripping his spear. This makes my heart rate quicken.

"Don't act so hasty Wood. Do you want to lose me as your ally? Would you, a self-professed patriot for Seven, harm your own District Partner before a time where I'd be the only one left? I don't think you'd really do it," I say, putting on my best frown. Nevertheless, I've scooped up my hatchet and hold it tight. I don't believe Wood is entirely stable.

We circle each other for a minute, silently. Our eyes are only on each other, our ears perked in case somebody comes by. It's one tense minute, each second its own individual moment of pain.

"You know, I may be a patriot for Seven... and you're right, I won't harm you, not unless you were the last one, in which case all bets are fucking off," he says, acknowledging the point I made. His eyes become sly as he narrows them. "But you're not just a resident of Seven, you're the mayor's daughter and, if you win, the girl who will one day lead our District. Well, as much as the position allows for anyway. You have even less right then me to leave this alliance or cause issues for me."

"Oh? And why might that be?" I ask. I step back a bit, making sure the circle we're walking is widening and leaving me further from Wood. "Plenty of District Partners argue at the best of times."

"Perhaps, but to just abandon your District Parter because you don't like the way they play the Hunger Games... play for their own life, might I be so witty as to remind you... pretty uncool, that is," he says. At this, his grin becomes more than wolfish. I'd almost call it... well, is 'bearish' a word? In any case, that's how he looks. "What sort of a Mayor would sell out their own citizen over a disagreement? Not exactly something that a leader should be doing, if you were to ask me. What might those in Seven say? Tut-tut, that's what Nettle. All of the tuts."

"...You're manipulative, you know that?" I say to him. "A real snake in the woods."

"Oh, and you're not?" he asks me, putting on an exaggerated hurt expression. "You wound me Nettle."

Wood shakes his head, turning to leave in the opposite direction that Urchin and Gadget ran. He takes a few steps, but glances back to stare at me.

"If you want the kids from other Districts as your allies, by all means follow after them," he says, casually. "But, well, I'm from your actual home and if you died and I won, Seven as a whole still benefits from parcel day. You wanna deprive Seven of that chance? If you feel truly loyal to Seven, then follow after me. I'll walk slow, so don't worry about not being able to catch up. See you soon... or, will I?"

Whistling a tune - a District Seven workers tune, no less - Wood goes off on his way. Over a middy hill and down the other side. He's slow, but soon enough he's out of sight. Before long, I cannot hear his footsteps or whistling anymore.

I have to make a choice.

I could follow after Wood and keep things going as they are. I know we can fight well together. On the other hand, it's clear to me he is trying to manipulate me and take some power over me. I know it's life or death, but for my own odds it's not great. But, he sure knows how to word things to make them hurt and be hard to forget. To turn on him and just leave, it's not good for a future leader of Seven to do. At least, that's what I think. There's never been a mayor's child from Seven in the Games before now. I'm gonna be held to standards that have never been really tested before.

But, I don't have to follow him. I could instead turn away and try to catch up with Urchin and Gadget. I don't know them, but I can hopefully change that if I try hard enough. They seemed like they were starting to reconsider their words. Also, may I remind you, it was Wood who tried to attack Gadget, not me. I'm not the one to blame... and, they did come and save us. The thing is, they're not physically strong so it won't exactly be a tough alliance if the bombs ever ran out. Though, if I were to ruin my pitch they could throw a landmine at me.

Hmmmmmm...

I glance at where Wood left and then I take a long look at the direction where the two younger tributes ran off. I continue to look between them as I grab up the bow and quiver of arrows that Glimmer dropped. I shouldn't leave these lying around, not when I might be able to use them. Only six arrows... could be worse.

It's not much longer before I make my choice and start jogging along to catch up as fast as I can before it ends up being too late.

After all, I don't know where Gadget and Urchin might prefer to hang around.

---

(Time goes by...)

---

I've been wandering for a while now and it's starting to get dark. I'm starting to realise I may have been very foolish to leave Wood so soon. After all, he was the one carrying all of the food and the majority of the water. Lacking the backpack of supplies I once had, the hunger is starting to let in. With just a sip of water left, I just know the thirst will soon as well. I have weapons at least, but if I am too weak from starvation or dehydration will that matter?

For now, I just try to ignore the hunger and swallow my saliva to make the feeling go away, even if just slightly. I'm not sure if it's even working, but it's better than doing nothing.

Right now my only guide to where the youths of the Arena might be are the footprints in the ground. Even somebody like me with no real experience tracking has no issues following them. I just wonder, where will they lead me to? I grimace, imagining the thought of those two setting up a minefield and me literally walking to my death.

To top it all off, the rain has started up once again. No doubt the water level has already risen a few inches by now. I have to wonder, how many of the remaining tributes are even capable of swimming? I'm one of them, Urchin surely can. I bet the Careers can... but what about the rest?

I shake my head, keeping myself on track. Thoughts later, finding first. Finding Urchin and Gadget that is.

Keeping my pace swift I cover ground relatively quickly. I've reached a river bank before long, a key indicator that I am going off course. Indeed, the footprints are already leading me away from the water.

I freeze, hearing a shout. I crouch down, hatchet in hand as I look around in the darkness.

It's easy to spot the flashlight on the other side of the river - it's surprisingly wide, actually. At least twenty meters across. - and mercifully it's not being pointed towards me. I grimace, breathing slowly, my breathes visible in the chill of the night.

The flashlight is quick to illuminate somebody rushing through the forest, fear in their stride. Cinder! I'd know that fiery red hair anywhere, especially after spending a few hours with her a couple days ago.

"Get away from me! Please!" she squeals, begging her pursuer.

I hold my breathe, hardly daring to breath in case the chaser spots me as well. For all I know, they may have been sponsored a bow of their own.

It's not the Careers, thankfully, but I'd say Rammy is not much better when it comes to people to be chased by in a truly terrible death game. Seems the stab wound I inflicted to his foot isn't slowing him down much anymore. He's just limping ever so slightly, nothing worse than that. With his large axe in hand and how he's clearly bigger and stronger than Cinder, she's gonna be worse off than just limping soon enough.

"Prey is meant to be hunted," I hear Rammy boom. He can seriously be intimidating when he wants to be. "Come back! Makes it easier for us both."

Cinder doesn't obey, continuing to flee into the night. She's a clever one with how she make sure to rough up the terrain as much as she can and throw small rocks and branches at Rammy to slow him down. He's clearly being put under pressure, but he presses on regardless.

Cinder climbs her way up the muddy slope and Rammy does the same. It suddenly occurs to me... I could save Cinder, here and now. I'm not an expert at archery, but one arrow shot anywhere at Rammy... dead or not, Cinder would be able to escape from him and live another day.

She did, after all, come back for me and help me up when I tripped near those crocodile mutts.

I have the bow out before I really think over what I am doing, starting to notch an arrow. Rammy's flashlight makes his form impossible to miss... well, I'd hope. I keep my gaze on him pulling back on the bow slowly but surely.

I have my tongue between my teeth, focusing hard.

I don't even get to fire before Cinder suddenly stops struggling and squealing, instead becoming focused and harsh, kicking her leg back and hitting Rammy right in the face.

"Arrgh! Blast it!" Rammy yells, tumbling down the hill towards the mud.

Cinder gets up to the top of the hill and is gone without another word, safe without a need for me to interfere.

I keep looking at Rammy for a moment, my bow still raised and ready.

I lower it, shaking my head. I need to catch up with Urchin and Gadget first and foremost. Rammy's a river away and lacks a way to hurt me now. He's not the central conflict towards me at the moment, and with the blood that I can see gushing from his nose perhaps he won't be in the end?

I scamper off, out of the area before he can start to get back up to his feet. He's certainly resilient, I'll give him that much. Maybe he could still be a threat, more than I currently think.

Doesn't matter now, I'm already sprinting through the forest in the opposite direction from him. Alright, time to keep tracking.

---

(Not much later...)

---

The Anthem will probably be starting very soon, no doubt about it. I've shivering, my teeth chattering. I sure wish somebody would sponsor me a blanket. Preferable one of the fancy self-heating ones they had in the training centre. It would be very much appreciated.

On the plus side, shelter is near. The rain has slightly lessened, and up ahead I can see a cave. Best of all, it has a lovely warm fire lit inside it. As if that wasn't an obvious enough indicator of human life I can see a pair of silhouettes sitting by it, warming themselves and talking. About what, though, I have no idea.

Hopefully the fact I put away my weapons will make them more willing to hear me out. If they won't, then I'll have made the worst choice of this decade of Hunger Games so far. Come on, self, now is not the time to be cynical.

As I approach the cave, I start to overhear what they are talking about. I guess stealth isn't their main concern tonight. If only I was that brave... I mean, if it's bravery and not foolishness. Though, with this downpour, it's not likely many people would be out and about at this hour. Then again, here I am now.

"I'm just saying, maybe we should go and find her again tomorrow if she's still around there," Urchin says, sitting beside Gadget. "She wasn't the one who tried to kill you."

"Yeah, b-but she might be with the other guy," Gadget replies, shivering. I'd say i's more from fear than cold. "He'd hurt us! He almost did today..."

"I'd protect you," Urchin says. He sound nervous, but oh so sincere. "I'm not letting him hurt you. Not my closest friend in this forest."

"I'm your, uh, only friend... right?" Gadget replies.

"All the more reason for us to stick together," Urchin says. He draws up his knees a bit. "Whatever happens, I just don't want to be alone when it ends... one way or the other."

"The Victor would be alone. You can't win with another person..." Gadget mumbles, saddened at the thought.

"I guess so," Urchin says. "It's just, it'd be nice if one year they would... uh, Gadget, we're not alone."

Urchin looks directly at me, meeting my gaze. Gadget does the same a moment later, squealing and quickly scampering backwards into the shadows. As I walk closer, the fire starting to give me the briefest flickers of warmth, I see the colour has drained from her face. She hunches up, afraid of me.

I feel a pang of pain in me, that me just standing here has her so scared. It feels all the more awkward due to how she'd tower over me if she were standing up as well.

Urchin doesn't panic, but he's guarded in his stance. I don't miss the fact his hand is on the handle of his short sword.

I try to focus on the fact they were likely talking about me before I interrupted them and that it was positive stuff. I can make this work.

"It's just me, nobody else," I say, raising up my hands. "Wood gave me a choice; him, or you guys. I felt the odds would be better for me with you two."

They're silent and Gadget is still shaking, but Urchin seems less guarded than before. I risk moving closer.

"Honestly, I was furious at him for trying to kill you when I was trying to build bridges and set up a beneficially alliance for all of us," I say, keeping my hands up. "...You don't need to worry. Wood has almost all of our supplies. I don't have much."

"You have an axe," Gadget squeaks.

"And you guys have landmines," I reply. I give her what I hope is a patient look. "You have better equipment, what can I really do? Tiny, outnumbered and you two better armed... my only goal here is diplomacy. I want to work with you two."

Gadget doesn't seem to be concerned, still cowering, but Urchin is thinking it over and nods.

"I'd be alright with it," he says, glancing at Gadget. "Are you alright with this. Not much of an alliance if we don't work it out together. Whatever keeps us safe and... um... alive."

Gadget mumbles 'alright' as quietly as I think is possible.

"But don't try anything funny!" he adds, gesturing for me to sit down.

"Wouldn't dream of it," I promise, sitting by the fire. I manage to wearily smile in bliss as the warmth overtakes me.

For a little while, we're silent as we sit by the fire. Only the rainfall and the crackle of the fire can be heard, along with the occasional hoot of an owl. A spooky night as usual, but at least it'll be dry in here.

"So... how did you guys end up working together?" I ask, trying to start conversation. Where there is a good talk, there is a chance to bond.

"We ended up coming across each other after the bloodbath," Urchin says, shivering at the ghastly memory. "I was panicking and screaming, Gadget was crying and pleading for mercy. I don't know how it started but she kind of just ended up crying into each other's shoulders. When Gadget mentioned wishing she, uh... jumped onto the landmines... I mentioned how it'd be great if we could use them to blow up mutts. Gadget mentioned that she could reactivate them, given enough time."

He taps his chin as he looks at me.

"I think I saw you, actually, running away from the Cornucopia clearing around sunset. You gave us both a fright; we thought the place would be empty," he says, chuckling very nervously.

"We were scared that the Careers were still there..." Gadget says, her eyes wide. "It was a very rough first night..."

"It could have been worse," Urchin says, staring at the fire again. "It was nice, you holding me a bit... not a nice night, but... I don't know. I'm just glad I stopped it being even worse for you, y'know?"

"I'm grateful," Gadget says. She looks at me for a moment, before quickly looking away.

We're silent again, just trying to keep warm. Both the pair look sleepy, in need of a good rest. I guess I'll take first watch, if they'll let me.

"You really turned away from your District Partner?" Urchin asks me, sounding surprised. "That doesn't happen often. I wish Marina was still alive... she was a nice girl, you know? I knew I could trust her, I just knew it. But then... I don't know who did it, but I saw her body when I ran and... and..."

He trails off, fighting back some tears.

"Nevermind," he says, gripping his curls. "I just wish I had her here like how you had Wood."

Gadget looks sympathetic, but shrinks back when she sees me looking.

"Did you and Weldar get along? Close at all?" I ask her, curious.

She just shakes her head, very distant all of a sudden. Perhaps it's a hard topic for her. What do I know about her life in Three, or the life Weldar had? Nothing at all. But if the topic upsets her, I'll drop it.

Eventually, Urchin passes me a pack of meat. I give him my thanks, quickly wolfing it down in a way not remotely lady like. But, it's the Arena, manners were thrown out when I was launched, let's be honest. As I eat, it occurs to me that a lot of the talking between these two has stopped. I guess it's understandable though; they did let me in fairly quick and might not really know what to say now. They don't know me, no more than I can claim to know them.

"So... what's the plan?" I ask them. "Anything in mind for tomorrow? Well, besides avoiding death. That much was implied."

"That's basically it..." Gadget mumbles.

"Yeah, we've not really had any solid plans except at the start when we dug up the landmines," Urchin adds, warming his hands by the fire, rubbing them a bit. "It's mainly just been us walking through the wetlands and avoiding the deep water. Oh, and blowing up mutts or debris blocking our way."

"Sounds like a better plan than tributes have had in years gone by," I say to him. "Say, how many landmines do you have anyway?"

Urchin frowns, as if doing the math in his head. He gives a helpless shrug.

"A bunch?" he says.

"Twenty four..." Gadget mumbles. "We had forty, we've used sixteen so far so that's twenty four in the sack behind me. Don't touch it; they're not active yet, but I'd rather not take a chance."

That's a lot landmines. With that kind of firepower you could blow up almost anything, really. A tree, a mutt or several, a building, maybe the Cornucopia or... wait...

...

"...Guys, I have an idea," I say to them. "I feel a touch like a hypocrite for bring this up when I wasn't so receptive when Wood bought it up to me last night, but I think this one could really work out for us."

"What's on your mind?" Urchin asks. "I'm not really one for taking too many risks."

"Yeah..." Gadget agrees, shivering.

"Well, I happen to know where the Careers have their camp. They moved it once the Cornucopia got submerged, and they took tons of supplies with it," I say, sitting up straight. "Now, what's a Career without supplies?"

"Hungry and miserable," Urchin says promptly. "Kinda like the rest of us."

"Exactly, and unlike us they have no foraging skills," I say, nodding. "So, what happens if you throw a landmine at a building or a tree?"

"Destruction..." Gadget mumbles.

"Lots of it," Urchin agrees. "I never knew these things were so... loud."

"Well, if it can do that to trees and a building, probably, imagine what would happen if the landmines were thrown at the Careers' supplies," I say, narrowing my eyes. Confidence is growing in me. "They'd lose their biggest upper hand, that's what!"

"A raid on the Careers?" Urchin asks, wide eyed. "Us? Gee, I don't know... it's risky... and sudden... but then again it's not like I have any chance to fight them as they are now and I'm only gonna get weaker."

"I'm not gonna force you two to do anything," I assure him. "In fact, I'm honestly fine to just walk around and follow you two wherever we go. I'd only want to go through with this if both of you are alright with it. Wood wanted to do this, but I'm not sure if he'd do it when he's alone and has a wounded knee."

I frown to myself, thinking over my District Partner. I probably acted rashly and very in-the-moment with our last conversation. Amazing, really, how much of the biggest things in the Hunger Games have always been in-the-moment and not having tons of thought added to them.

I hope he's alright. I made the choice I felt was best for me, but I still worry.

Urchin and Gadget have moved very close, whispering to each other. Well, mainly Urchin is and Gadget's not saying much in response besides quiet one word mumbles. I just sit patiently, keeping an eye out for trouble outside the cave.

"We've talked it over," Urchin says. "And, uh, it's certainly risky. But, if it works then our odds become a lot better. I'm scared, but if we leave them with their supplies they'll just be well fed and we'll starve and then it's just like a normal year, isn't it? We're in."

Gadget nods silently. It's hard to see past the fear in her eyes and form, but I think I saw a tiny flicker of energy in there. A hidden nerve, perhaps.

"Tomorrow, we move out," she says, quietly. Though this time her voice is steady. "I can't lie, the idea has me afraid."

"It's alright to be scared," Urchin says, gently laying a hand on hers. "I've been scared of a lot of things ever since I was five."

Gadget smiles, seeming a touch awkward over the hand contact but nonetheless her smile is unmissable.

"Thanks," she whispers.

"You're welcome," Urchin says. "Gotta look out for people... or try to, right? I look out for Ula as much as I can. I'll do the same for you."

"Who's Ula?" I ask him. "Girlfriend?"

Urchin gives me a very funny look, as if wielded out.

"Ick, no! She's my sister," he says, shaking his head. "She's precious to me."

I stammer, trying to quickly apologise for the blunder. How foolish of me to presume things so fast. Gadget, meanwhile, softly giggles over all this.

"Must be nice having a sister," she says. "Just got three brothers... kind of."

Before I can ask Gadget what she means we're all silenced as the Anthem starts to play. I stay where I am, knowing what I will see, while Urchin and Gadget slowly move to the front of the cave to look up at the sky, grimness in their eyes.

As the Anthem plays, I just stare at the fire and think of Lace. It feels sickly in my stomach to have witnessed the way she died. She was just as young as Gadget, maybe younger, and not much older than Urchin. Being around these two and seeing the younger tributes live and breath makes my insides crawl awfully. It makes Lace's death even more depressing and needless.

As much as I think I need the bow, it feels dirty in a way that I am carrying the weapon that killed her. I have the bow, Wood has the arrows. I don't know, it just feels sick.

Urchin and Gadget come back after the Anthem is over. Both seem depressed as they sit down by the fire once more.

"...I saw her die," I say, quietly. "It wasn't fun to witness it. I won't sugar coat as you deserve to be treated as equals here, age being irrelevant. By any chance, did you two get along with her? Lace mentioned she had wanted to ally with you both."

This makes their expressions drop even more. Perhaps I should just drop it at this point.

"She seemed like a nice person. I never saw her cry or frown even once," Urchin says, not making eye contact. "She didn't deserve that, at least to me."

Gadget gives a slow nod.

"I didn't really know her," Gadget says. "I wouldn't have minded it though. I think a bit of optimism and a smile would've been nice to have around. Maybe it's just the trauma and inner screams of the mind talking, but... I thought her smile was pretty."

Gadget lays down, facing away from us.

"Let's rest," she mumbles. "This is getting too sad..."

"I'll take the first watch," I say, turning to face the rain. "You two get some sleep."

"Sure you don't want help? I can stay up," Urchin offers. He can't hide the fatigue in his eyes though."

"I have it under the control," I assure him. "You can have second watch, if you'd like? ...Sorry, am I being bossy here? Just that, you two seem more tired than I am."

"It's true," he says, yawning.

Before long, both of my new allies are fast asleep by the fire. After how they saved me, and Wood, today I would say they've earned a good rest. As for me, I think I can handle being their guard for a few hours. The only tributes nearby are Cinder and Rammy, and for all I know they could be long gone. If not though, Cinder is somebody I think could be trusted at least for one night.

As for Rammy, well, he's seen better days. Three on one when he's been wounded, I think he's be smart enough to decide against that.

I let the time go by as I listen to the rain. Serene, peaceful, relaxing...

Quite unlike the explosions that will be engulfing the Careers' supplies tomorrow. On a related note, I wonder how many miles Cato's screams of rage could be heard for. I suppose I'll be finding that out.

Glancing at my sleeping allies, I feel something in me. Perhaps a sense of responsibility. Tomorrow, my skills of leadership will be truly put to the ultimate test.

Wait, that's ever so presumptuous. I'd not mind following their lead either.

It doesn't matter who leads, so long as those supplies get destroyed.

---

END OF DAY 5...

---

REMAINING TRIBUTES

Marvel (District 1 Male)

Glimmer (District 1 Female)

Cato (District 2 Male)

Gadget (District 3 Female)

Urchin (District 4 Male)

Cinder (District 5 Female)

Wood (District 7 Male)

Nettle (District 7 Female)

Rammy (District 10 Male)

Katniss (District 12 Female)

---

THE FALLEN

11th- Lacey (District 8 Female) - Shot repeatedly with arrows, by Glimmer.

12th- Peeta (District 12 Male) - Beaten relentlessly, by Cato.

13th- Rue (District 11 Female) – Spear thrown into chest, by Wood.

14th- Clove (District 2 Female) - Drowned, by Nettle.

15th- Weldar (District 3 Female) - Asphyxiated with a rope, by Rammy.

16th- Jason (District 6 Male) – Slashed several times in the stomach with a scythe, by Cato.

17th- Sparky (District 5 Male) – Speared in the gut with a spear and then stabbed in the chest with a knife, by Wood.

18th- Sickle (District 9 Female) – Stabbed in the chest with a knife, by Glimmer.

19th- Thresh (District 11 Male) – Disembowelled with a machete, by Cato.

20th- Marina (District 4 Female) - Struck in the neck with an axe by Weldar.

21st- Miller (District 9 Female) – Knife thrown into back, by Clove.

22nd- Tamora (District 6 Female) – Stabbed repeatedly in the gut, by Glimmer.

23rd- Sable (District 10 Female) – Stuck in the skull with an axe, by Cato.

24th- Callico (District 8 Male) – Stabbed with a kukri, by Marvel.

---

TRIBUTE NOTES

Lacey: Ever the comic relief type of character when she shows up in a 74th Games story, she was fun to write for per the norm. I'll admit, given how she has changed in a certain other timeline it felt a bit weird to make the transition back to how she acts at the start of each timeline without the development she has gained elsewhere as time went by, that being the goofy, silly one of the gang. Not a bad thing though, as despite her lower appearances here I think she had some good moments like standing up to Marvel with the packet of fish of all things (10 points if you get the reference there!), and even in this chapter I felt she had good lines and a decent showing before the arrows were fired. I think in general if she's not set to be a main player, Lacey generally works best in more light occasional noses. She's funny and goofy, but too much in one go has, in the past, proved to kind of come off a bit awkwardly. A shame for her to die this early - if day 5 counts as early, that is - but she wasn't as huge a player this time, mainly here for some laughs and the prelude to serious drama that followed after both her main scenes. I also figured after her big role in BB, it only made sense she do a bit less in this story to compensate. Better luck next timeline, Lacey. :(