A/N: Thanks to richards25, Vykktor, coaster317, charliesunshine and Chop n thunder for reviewing the last chapter!

I know that I've already failed to update daily this week, I've been writing other fanfiction projects. But I really will try and make updates daily from now on (well, for the next week, anyway!)

Here's another District 4 victor from my other story, 'Mentor'. I hope you enjoy the chapter :)


"I used to rule the world

Seas would rise when I gave the word

Now in the morning I sleep alone

Sweep the streets I used to own."

- Chris Martin, 2008.


The 24th Annual Hunger Games

Harriet Sands (17), District 4 Female

Coldplay - Viva La Vida (2008)


It's amazing how quickly things started to fall apart.

I had wanted to follow in the footsteps of my mentor, Danielle, once I entered the arena. Take control of the Career pack in the same dominating way as last year. Even a massive flood that covered two thirds of the arena couldn't derail Danielle's plans.

But the opposition don't fall for the same tricks twice. I managed to gain control of the Career Alliance just as Danielle did with an impressive performance at the cornucopia (well, I thought it was an impressive performance, I got three kills; the boys from Seven and Ten, the girl from District 6), but the other Careers were more questioning than the group last year. Even by sunset on the first day, when seventeen tributes were still alive in the arena, my leadership of the Career Alliance was being challenged.

It was Hyacinth, the girl from District 2, who finally took power from me on the third evening. Ashamed of my defeat, I took a quiet role in the group whilst plotting my escape.

On day six, following a verbal confrontation (which later turned physical) with the boy from District 1, I left the three remaining Careers behind me, convinced that I could win the Games on my own.

And now I stand on the small, sandy island that holds the cornucopia (the arena is a series of ten or fifteen small tropical islands) twenty yards away from Hyacinth, who is the only tribute separating me from District 4. She's tall at nearly six feet high, and is of a slender build. Unlike me, Hyacinth has been able to keep her blonde hair tied back, something which might sway our enevitable battle in her favour. She has a loaded bow, although from training I know that she favours knives, and two arrows. I only have a six-inch combat knife, as I lost my sword escaping those shifting shapes in the water between the islands (they were undoubtedly mutts of some sort).

"Having trouble over there, District 4?" calls Hyacinth.

I could have guessed that she would make some sort of remark. After my attack in the water, my clothes are ripped, my hair is matted and tangled, and my limbs are covered in hundreds of tiny, bloody cuts. Some of the larger ones still sting from the salty water I dragged myself through to reach this island. I look like I've been to hell and back.

I choose not to answer Hyacinth's question.

"How'd you get rid of District 1?" I ask by means of a reply. The boy from District 1 had finished third in this year's Games.

Hyacinth laughs.

"I slit his throat whilst he slept," she boasts. "The stupid fool slept unarmed."

"Coward."

"What did you say?" snaps Hyacinth.

"I called you a coward," I taunt. "Don't you find it below you to kill unarmed children?"

I know that I have enranged Hyacinth, not only because of the dangerous shade of purple that her face has become, but because I have to drop to the ground quickly to avoid being impaled by an arrow. Now that I know that the fight has begun, I sprint at Hyacinth before she can load her second arrow and tackle her to the floor. She drops her bow on impact but manages to land a punch on me as she falls, and I hit the ground beside her.

Hyacinth is back on her feet before I am, and stamps on my hands, forcing me to reflexively drop my knife. I lunge at her feet with my hands, and pull her ankles so that she falls to the ground again. Then I dive on her, and we tussle on the floor for a few moments, equalling each other. During this fight, I manage to retrieve Hyacinth's final arrow from the quiver on her back. The arrowhead is sharp enough to be used as a weapon, and I manage to keep hold of the weapon until I finally pin Hyacinth to the floor.

For the first time, I see her eyes show something other than arrogance; fear.

I then watch Hyacinth's eyes bulge with pain as I drive the arrowhead through her neck.


A/N: If you enjoyed this chapter, please review! Constructive criticism is welcomed :)

The First Quarter Quell will be posted tomorrow!