Sorry this took so long school's been seriously hectic. Don't know why it turned out weird the first time but here's the amended version.

Massacres and Mysteries

The third day of the 70th Hunger Games was a day that would remain in people's minds for a very long time. It was a day of utter brutality, and devastating loss. Day 3 was when the tributes stepped up their game. Day 3 was the Career's hunting day.

When most people tuned in, it was just past dawn in the arena, and there was no inkling the day would be any more conclusive that the one preceding it. Grantaire and Jen were on the screen, walking along the river bank, still with their backs to the Cornucopia.

'I don't know why you made us move. We were perfectly safe where we were,' Jen grumbled.

'It just seemed far too easy,' Grantaire shrugged. 'And I wasn't interested in staying around to find out what horrors the Gamemakers were planning to use in order to drive us out. Better to leave of our own will to…'

'To find out what horrors the Gamemakers are planning to use for us out here?'

Jen shot the question back at him. Grantaire said nothing in reply. The more time he spent with Jen the more convinced he became that first impressions do not always tell the whole story. She had changed since she had come into the arena, and Grantaire couldn't explain what was different about her, but he did have more of a guard up around her than he had previously.

They continued along the bank in silence for a little while longer, until a figure emerged from behind a large boulder looming in front of the two allies. As the figure moved closer Jen and Grantaire could see it was a boy and he was limping. Not sure of his intention, Grantaire put his arm up carefully in front of Jen, not wanting to provoke the figure, but making sure she wouldn't be in harms way. The closer the boy moved however, the more it appeared he was in no shape to initiate an attack.

'Help me,' he spluttered, almost collapsing right in front of them. 'Please, help me.'

Grantaire immediately bent down to see what was wrong with him. There was a lot of blood, but he couldn't seem to find where it was coming from.

'Who did this to you?' he asked.

'Does that matter?' Jen pointed out, scanning the surrounding area. She wasn't completely sure that this meeting was as innocent as it seemed.

'It does if his attacker is around,' Grantaire replied absent-mindedly, concentrating on the wounded tribute, still convulsing about on the ground.

'Or attackers. Grantaire I think we should get out of here.' Jen murmured. But Grantaire didn't hear her; he was completely focused on what was wrong with this boy. Unfortunately, he would never know, as he suddenly felt a sharp pain shooting through his left calf.

'AHH!' he cried out, and when he looked behind him he saw an arrow inserted in his leg.

'Morning!' a voice yelled from somewhere above them. 'How are we all on this fine day?' Of course, the Careers weren't interested. They appeared in all their glory, surrounding Jen and Grantaire.

'Good work, Henry,' Sparkle smiled with sickening sweetness. Immediately the boy Grantaire had been tending to shot up and ran towards her. When he rushed behind her she just laughed.

'Not a bad plan, Avalon. I'll give you that,' she nodded approval and the girl from District 2, who didn't even acknowledge her teammate.

'Any last words?' she asked. She clicked her fingers and Pisces and Benedict each brought out a spear.

'Seven of you?' Jen questioned for a reason unbeknown to Grantaire.

'If that's really what you want to know, then yes,' Avalon replied.

'Including that one?' Jen pointed to Henry, shaking behind Sparkle. Avalon snorted.

'He hardly counts.'

'So where's the seventh one then?' Jen looked as if she were calculating something.

'Insurance,' Avalon rolled her eyes. 'Behind you, now is that it? Because I don't know about everyone else but this conversation is boring the hell out of me.'

'Let's end this,' Benedict growled stepping forward, closely followed by Pisces. But before either of them could strike, Jen whipped a knife out from her belt, one Grantaire didn't even know she had, spun around and threw it directly at where she and Grantaire had heard the first Career. Someone cried out, and seconds later, a body fell from the top of a boulder. It landed with a thud, and then the cannon sounded.

'You bitch!' Benedict spluttered. Grantaire couldn't believe what he had just seen. Since when did Jen have any skills in that department? He couldn't take his eyes off the mangled and lifeless body of Drennan from 1. He was brought back to reality when Jen grabbed his arm and started dragging him away from the Careers, who having got over their shock, were determined to get revenge for their dead ally.

'What the hell just happened back there?' Grantaire panted, weakened by the arrow wound in his leg.

'I'll tell you if we get out of it alive,' Jen replied, with no emotion in her voice. Her eyes were focused directly on the path in front of them, with the Careers catching up.

'I can't believe we didn't catch that little cow,' Benedict grumbled, thrusting his newly acquired axe against the tree.

'They were gaining ground faster than we were,' Pisces pointed out. 'And when we saw that girl from 6, it was just common sense to go after her instead, and now we're a tribute closer to ending this thing.'

Annie shuddered, she couldn't get the sound of Stephanie screaming for mercy out of her head, as Benedict pushed his spear through her heart and took her axe. There was so much blood…

'Always the analyst 4,' Benedict chucked. 'Not much of an impulse man are you?'

Pisces shrugged, not really concerned with what Benedict thought of him. The Careers had agreed to regroup at this particular point in the forest if anything went wrong. After they'd given up chasing Jen and Grantaire, and killed Stephanie, they'd been separated by a mini-avalanche where Jen and Grantaire's camp used to be. It wasn't long before they found each other, the Gamemakers obviously thought they worked better altogether.

'We found the boy from 7 on our travels,' Avalon smirked. 'Took care of him for you, no need to thank us.'

'So that was who the cannon was for?' Benedict concluded. 'Shame, I thought it might have been our friend form 12, the one you got with the arrow.'

'Sorry to disappoint,' Avalon shrugged. 'But it appears he's still going.'

'Not for long,' Benedict grumbled. 'So Henry, that means you're the last one from the middle districts, right?'

'I….I guess so,' Henry stammered.

'There was something I wanted to ask you actually kid,' Benedict continued.

'Why do you think the mission this morning went wrong?' 'I…I don't know. But I think it was that girl, she made it look like….'

'Only an amateur blames his targets,' Benedict cut him off. 'No, it was definitely a mistake from one of us. And since everyone apart from you has been training for this since we could walk, I think your lack of experience let the team down.'

'I didn't mean to! I did everything you said…I….' he rattled on nervously.

'Take it easy on the kid B,' Callum said. 'None of us were to know, she did get a two in her training.'

'Still,' Benedict waved his interjection away. 'Someone must pay for Drennan's death, and since we have no idea where 9 and 12 are, we're just going to have to make do.' And before anyone could react, Benedict took his axe back in his hand and cracked Henry's skull with it. His body fell immediately to the ground, and the third cannon of the day sounded.

'You didn't have to do that!' whispered Annie, her voice choked with sobs. 'You didn't have…..to kill him, he didn't do anything wrong!' Benedict immediately turned on her.

'Excuse me? Are you insulting my actions, are you feeling sympathy for these worthless degenerates? Those are not the traits the Capitol look for in a Victor, and if you're going to start spouting tears…'

'Enough!' Pisces barked, stepping in between Annie and Benedict. 'We turn on each other and we'll destroy ourselves.'

'I will not take disrespect from someone who is only in the Careers due to your incessant but persuasive arguments. Make sure you keep her in check. You won't always be able to protect her.'

'Understood,' Pisces stated.

'Good. Now, who's next on the list?'

Clara was dangerously close to the Careers, not that she knew this of course. She was out collecting anything edible she could find in the forest, as Gavroche had begun to complain of hunger. They would also soon need to find some more water, but that was a task for another day. Clara had collected a respectable amount of fruits and berries from the forest to suffice for a little while, and since it was getting dark she thought she better get back to Lily and Gavroche. If only she had done just that, everything would have been fine. But Clara had heard voices nearby, and not those of whom she immediately recognised. Curiousity being in her nature, she went towards the sounds. From behind a bush, she peered through the greenery and saw intimidating stance of the Careers.

'I heard the pair from 3 went east from the Cornucopia, we would do well to get them out of the way. They didn't exactly look like fighters,' Avalon said.

'They must have stayed alive through staying out of the action,' Benedict agreed. 'Maybe we should divide and conquer. There's also a couple of I'm guessing singletons to get rid of. There's that kid from 9 still out there I think, the girl from 12…oh, and your district partner Callum.' Callum just nodded.

'Okay,' Avalon rounded up. 'Let's do it like this, Benedict, Callum and Sparkle look for the ones from 3. Then me, Pisces and Annie…..' she tailed off.

'What's up, Avalon?' Callum asked. Clara swallowed nervously, Avalon was staring straight at the bush Clara was crouching behind. She couldn't decide whether to make a run for it or to stay put and hope for the best. She stayed put but it turned out to be the wrong decision. Avalon suddenly decided someone was there.

'The girl from 12!' she shouted. 'Behind the bush! GO GO GO!'

Clara dropped her collections and bolted, with the Careers not far behind her. She couldn't go back to the camp, and risk putting Lily and Gavroche in danger, but she had no idea how to navigate the forest, and so was running helplessly hoping to find her salvation. She stumbled on a tree root and fell, but wondered if there was any point in getting up. She was never going to outrun the Careers. There were six of them and one of her, and being in such a rage with adrinelin pumping through their bodies, they would probably kill her quickly. She was never going to win, might as well give up now. Before she could accept her decision, someone else turned the tables.

'Looking for a good fight?!' Lily shouted from a distance away. 'Keep heading south and you'll find one!' The Careers paused, none of them noticing Clara was lying on the ground to their left.

'Time to kill two birds with one stone, I think,' Sparkle said. 'I'll take control this time. Annie, keep looking for Clara. You just might be able to take her on. No Pisces you can't go with her, it's time for Annie to prove herself. The rest of us will go and find this smartarse, she clearly has people with her or she wouldn't be making such a bold claim. Better safe than sorry. Let's move!'

'You'll be fine,' Pisces told Annie gently. 'You may not find her,' he gave her a small smile before running off with the other Careers. Annie immediately turned to her left, being fully aware Clara had been there the whole time, simultaneously praying no one else would notice.

'Quickly go. Head anywhere but east or south. That's where we'll be,' Annie instructed while helping Clara up.

'Annie you could come with us, you don't have to be one of them.'

'I think I do,' Annie replied. 'What do you mean?' Clara asked.

'I can't explain it, just get out of here.'

'I won't leave Lily.'

'With the greatest respect Clara,' Annie said gravely. 'Lily might just as well have killed herself.' With that, Annie disappeared back into the forest, and Clara, ignoring her warnings, rushed to Lily's aid.

'One last chance, where are your allies?' Sparkle hissed, holding a knife against Lily's neck while simultaneously holding her back up against a tree.

'It's just me. I swear,' Lily said calmly, looking straight into her opponent's eyes.

'She's not going to speak,' Pisces said, matter-of-factly.

'Well then,' Benedict announced. 'Who wants to take this one?'

Before anyone could protest or react, Pisces jumped forward and drove the knife straight through Lily's heart, and she fell to the ground, but the cannon didn't sound.

'It will soon enough,' Callum said. 'Let's get out of here.'

'I'd like to make sure of that,' Avalon grumbled, lifting her dagger with her one good arm.

'You're just angry because she got you in the arm without you noticing, give the girl a little bit of dignity will you?' Callum said casually, but firmly.

The Careers strode away from their latest victim, none of them truly satisfied with her death. She had shown honour protecting her allies, and bravery to the last moment of her life. She had gained respect from the Careers, and Callum was mourning the loss of his last link to home. Only a minute after the Careers had left, Clara reached Lily, but far too late. She fell down beside Lily taking her hand, knowing the cannon would go off any minute. She closed her eyes tight and leaned over Lily's body, determined not to cry. She had promised herself she would never let her emotions rule her again, it simply hurt too much.

'Clara?' She looked up and saw Lily's eyes open. Her voice was weak and Clara could feel her slipping away.

'Hey,' was all she could muster.

'Keep and eye out for those Careers, they're a tricky bunch!' she smiled weakly. Clara smiled too, but it was a sad smile.

'I'll take your word for it,' she replied.

'Does it hurt?' Gavroche appeared from the trees. 'Are you okay?'

'I will be, soon,' Lily smiled again. 'Well done for doing what I said.'

'What did you say?' Clara asked.

'She told me to stay in the trees, so the Careers wouldn't see me. I was going to come down, I wanted to help but….'

'You did exactly the right thing, but from now on your going to have to listen to Clara, okay? Promise me.'

'I promise,' Gavroche stammered, a tear rolling down his cheek.

'And you Clara, promise to look after him. And yourself while your at it.'

'Yeah,' Clara replied not really listening. 'Lily, who did this to you?'

'It was the boy from 4 I think, it all happened rather fast. But I'm glad it was him.'

'Why?' Gavroche asked confused.

'It was quick, I didn't have time to be scared, so I wasn't. And I can't feel anything anymore. He wanted it to be painless, and you know what I think it is.' Clara smiled.

'I got mercy from 4 as well, they're okay. For an inlying district anyway.'

'Agreed,' Lily sighed. 'I think I'm going to go now.'

'Then do,' Clara said gently. 'We're both here for you, we're not going anywhere, right Gavroche?' He nodded silently.

'I'm happy to go. I did everything I wanted to. Callum was right, you're worth saving Clara. I can see why he likes you, even if it was at my expense. If you can, tell my parents I love them so much, and I wouldn't have traded my life for the world.'

And with the final word, her life slipped away, and the cannon sounded.

Clara never thought about what Lily had said about Callum, she was too busy promising herself she was going to find her parents, and tell them how amazing their daughter was.

'Gavroche, we have to say goodbye now,' Clara said, her voice breaking.

'Okay,' he said. He leaned over Lily's body, attempting to give her a hug.

'Bye, Lily.'

Clara swept Lily's hair away from her face and kissed her on the forehead.

'Bye, Lily.'

Gavroche took Clara's hand and they walked away from their dead ally.

'Wait!' Gavroche suddenly exclaimed. He went back to Lily and took something out of her pocket.

'The black box!'

'Gavroche, we have no idea what to use that for, or if it's any use at all,' Clara sighed.

'So? We could find out,' he said, with more wisdom that a twelve year old usually possesses. Clara bent down to give Gavroche a hug. The movement was something she had only too many times done with Cosette and Posie, and Harry and Freddie when they were younger.

'Very well, keep it safe,' she whispered into his dark hair.

Gavroche nodded fiercely. 'I will.'

'Come on, let's go find somewhere for the night.'

'What are we going to do tomorrow?' Gavroche asked with curiousity. Clara's expression hardened.

'Tomorrow we are going to arm ourselves. Then I'm going to make those Careers pay for Lily's death. Even if it's the last thing I do. It's a good way to go.'

'What am I going to do?' 'Everything I say Gavroche, understand? I say run you run, I say hide you hide.'

'And you say kill….I kill?' 'No Gavroche, you never kill. I would never tell you to do that. You're just going to have to trust me.'

'I do,' Gavroche stammered. Then a few moments later he repeated, 'I do,' with a lot more certainty.

There was one thing noticeably strange about the Hunger Games that year, and it dawned on each tribute individually, as the third day in the arena drew to a close. The Careers noticed it after two hours of Avalon grumbling about the pain she was in from the wound Lily had inflicted. Grantaire and Jen noticed it as their stomachs began to grumble for what of a substantial meal, Jen had more than capably taken care of her ally's leg wound. Clara and Gavroche noticed it as they spent the evening searching for anything they could use as a weapon.

Not a single one of them had yet received a parachute.

Meanwhile, Ellen and Samson, whom everyone had forgotten about, were residing in a very comfortable camp, eating bread and cheese and surrounded by countless weapons, medical supplies and water bottles, nothing particularly well guarded. Apart from two black boxes, positioned in between the allied pair, who were the only ones to discover the true significance of the Gamemakers' gift.

Would really appreciate feedback if anyone has any!