In District 11, young children played games with whatever they had. More often than not, that was just themselves and whatever patch of dirt their parents had left them at whenever they worked, or when they were at school.

In one of the games that they played, when they were still young and didn't know what anything meant, they all joined hands and danced in a circle, singing a song about rebels and ashes and things falling down. As they got older, maybe seven or eight and still dreadfully safe, they played Careers and Fodder, where a 'Career' chased all of the fodder tributes around and tackled them to the ground. Then came the inevitable talks with their parents the next summer during the Games, about what really happened and who died. (Katie and Miranda got it from their aunt and uncle, who died a few years later. Katie inherited their house and raised Miranda their on her own.)

Eventually, Careers and Fodder evolved into plain tag. Someone would be It, and they would chase everyone around the schoolyard at noontime. During Harvest, tag became a game to see who could collect the most. The kids'd all tire themselves out by noontime with the running under the burning sun, but the games remained.

Katie was reminded of this as she sprinted away from the falling stones and other things that used to be part of the Arena ceiling. A cannon boomed, and fear shot through her. Had whoever that had been died in the collapse? Was she next? She dodged a falling rock. It's just Julia Feingold, right? Can't catch me, Julia! She tried to force herself into the mindset that it was all just a game, not that she would die if she slowed for a moment.

Katie didn't see the other girl coming.

The two girls smashed into each other, bowling each other over, hitting the ground. Katie didn't even bother fighting the other girl. She just shoved herself back up and kept on running. Tag, tag, tag…that's all that this is. Her feet pounded on the stone floor, slappa-slappa-slappa. Katie gasped, her lungs screaming for air, unable to take anything in.

She tripped.

She fell and hit the ground hard, smashing her jaw shut. Her mouth filled with blood, and horrified, Katie spat out a tooth. Oh, Capitol…it was disgusting. It was horrifying. It was terrifying.

It had been her saving grace.

A knife had flew over her head as she had fallen. It would have buried itself it Katie's brain if Katie hadn't fallen. Katie scrambled backwards crab-style, catching a glimpse of the girl.

Reyna.

Blood roared through Katie's ears, keeping her energized, afraid. Katie snatched up the knife. Reyna had her sword out and that whole stay-still-and-I'll-make-it-quick look in her eyes.

Not on Katie's life.

The two girls regarded each other for a moment. One part of Reyna was glad that it wasn't Clarisse. The other was upset by it. With three cannons in the last hour, Clarisse could've been dead. Reyna wasn't sure if she wanted that. She hated herself for the indecision.

She chose instead to focus on respect for the worthy opponent before her. District 11 had not ever been labeled as one of the more dangerous ones, yet she was still alive. That warranted some modicum of acknowledgement.

The two girls advanced on each other. Finally, Reyna made the first move, a thrust. Katie didn't bother blocking it with the puny little knife. She threw herself to the side, then launched herself at Reyna.

The two girls went rolling on the floor, Reyna's sword and Katie's knife too trapped between the two of them and the ground to move and use, biting and kicking and punching, each of them not on top for more than a moment. Katie kicked her opponenet in the shins. Reyna gritted her teeth, but yanked Katie's lank braid back, making Katie scream. Katie kicked Reyna in the chest. And then they were rolling again, again…

Reyna got her hands around Katie's throat. Stars burst across Katie's vision as her air was cut off. Katie made one last gambit. She smashed her head into Reyna's. Her own head hurt, but Reyna let go.

Katie backed up, scrambling for a knife, but Reyna was still too fast for her. In an instant, the girl from 2 had her sword in her hand, and slashed in across Katie's front. It hit both of Katie's arms and her stomach. Katie got woozy at the bright red of her blood as it spilled out and hit the floor. But then Reyna was advancing and Katie backed up, slipped…

Katie threw the knife at Reyna.

The blade didn't hit her. Katie's heart plummeted.

But Katie had force behind it, and the handle, the pommel it was, hit Reyna between the eyes. Reyna staggered backward. Then Katie was up, and with a shove, Reyna fell.

Katie smashed Reyna's head into the floor.

Again.

Again.

A cannon fired.

Katie stared down, horrified. She couldn't—she couldn't believe—

There was a body.

The body used to be a real, live, breathing human.

Now it wasn't.

The ceiling kept falling in.

Katie grabbed a knife and kept running.

(She was a murderer, murderer, murderer! Miranda was watching, what did Miranda think, Miranda knew she was a murderer, she was a murderer, she killed someone oh Capitol she killed and she was alive but someone else wasn't! Reyna had a sister too, Katie had killed a sister, she had murdered someone!)

She was alive, though, she was alive!

She couldn't stop now! She had to make it back!

XXXXX

Somewhere in the world, a brother watched fearfully, hoping against hope that his twin would make it back.

Somewhere in the world, a grandmother bowed her head, forcing herself to stay strong for the girl that was still alive, as if her strength could be communicated over the miles.

Somewhere in the world, a sister gripped the table until her knuckles turned white, begging, praying that her sister would survive.

Somewhere in the world, a district watched their still-living tribute and sent their wishes out to him despite what he had just done.

XXXXX

A cannon fired.

A brother wished that he could have done more. An enemy refused to take the blame for a death. A father wondered where his child had gone wrong. A sister couldn't believe that she hadn't done enough. A brother sobbed at the idea that his best friend, his caretaker, the most important thing in the world to him, wouldn't be coming home. A father felt a deep sense of regret, not able to comprehend the death before him. A brother was in shock at the idea that his brother would never again hug him goodnight. A boyfriend looked over the water, trying to sense the presence of someone that he loved.

A cannon fired.

A sister felt deep anger at the brother that had been stolen from her. A sister felt regret at the way she had treated her younger sister. A girlfriend sobbed over the small box holding a simple silver ring. A mother, helpless, watched her child begin to vomit again and knew that no aid was coming. A friend lurked in the darkness, not able to muster up the courage to steal a wallet. A father wondered if he could have done more.

A cannon fired.

A sister wished that her sister had died with more dignity, in a happier way, a way that she deserved. A grandmother knew that her grandson had died well, and wished that she was able to communicate that. A brother wished that he had made a different choice, a better choice. A district sent silent thoughts of praise to one of their fallen citizens, excusing her from her life's crimes and wishing her on to a better place.

A cannon fired.

Tributes:

D9: Will Solace
D10: Hazel Levesque
D11: Katie Gardner
D12: Nico di Angelo

REYNA: Reyna deserved a better death than what she got. Her death didn't give her enough attention or nearly enough dignity and honor. She deserved more time with the spotlight during this story. Still, I think that she was able to develop slightly, comprehending the difference between a friend and an ally, and never really able to reconcile the 'desensitized killer' and 'honorable leader' parts of her. Out of all the people left, Reyna deserved to win the most, what with all of the time training she put in. Sadly, that doesn't matter when it comes down to it. Reyna was strong, steadfast, and a perfect Victor, but her luck ran out. I'm sorry for killing such an amazing and dynamic character. RIP.

I know this chapter was short. That was intentional.