The last chapter presented itself with the finish touches. The interviews of each tribute with Caesar Flickerman turned out to be spectacular, for some people. Questions flied around and soon, it was revealed the pregnancy of one tribute, Katherine Pierce with another, Elijah Mikaelson, as well as his infatuation with the one and only, Camille O'Connell. Fights broke between Klaus and Hayley as Rona put Hayley's trust in Klaus, in question. Soon after the interviews, Klaus and Hayley have presented each other with the acceptance of their attraction for one another.
In this chapter, the tributes embark on the journey that will change their lives forever. President Snow offers one last speech, before the tributes are thrown in the games. Hayley and Josh have a heated fight, as the battles are drawn and jealousy rises from the grave. Katherine confronts Elijah about his attraction to Camille, as Klaus, after receiving a surprise visit from someone he didn't wish to see, fights the urge to visit Hayley early in the morning. The letter addressed to her, by Lucy and Jake, Hayley keeps with her, deciding to open it right before entering the arena. The ballots have been drawn. Happy Hunger Games for them and may the odds be ever in their favor!
District 12: Hayley Marshall
D Day For Tributes
I never imagined that this day would come so quickly. Looking down on my lap, I saw that I was still holding that unopened letter early in the morning. I could barely sleep, thinking about what would happen today. Jake and Lucy would be hoping for me to receive this letter from them. I pressed the envelope to my lips with a smile, as I could remember what happened last night. Some things have changed and I was close to losing my mind during the interview with Caesar and revealing the intimate relationship between me and the tribute from 2, the one who is supposed to be my enemy. I lost my virginity to him…and I wasn't able to forget him since. I lost my virginity through a one night stand. My eyes closed for a minute as tears dripped on my face. I had never wished for it to go this way.
Last night, I could remember the way I planted that kiss on his lips. It was a thing of the moment, to remind him of how grateful I was for what he was offering me. I didn't know why he was doing it. Was it possible that he was feeling guilty for taking away my virginity? I refused to believe that. I was too nervous. And…I couldn't deny the attraction between us any longer. Seeing who he was and how his family is known for handling romance, I couldn't possibly think that Klaus would like me this way…but I knew that I felt something for him. What if this was a game and I didn't listen to Rona when she told me that he could be using my feelings. Deep down, I knew it was too late to change anything about it. Klaus Mikaelson was in my heart and bones. He was deep in me, carving his name in my soul. Feeling something for someone here was the last thing I ever wanted. But it looked like destiny had other plans for me. Finally, to get Klaus out of my mind, I decided to open my letter and see what my two loves have written me.
Hayley,
We are here for you. We love you and please win for us. We want you back home. Mom wants you back home too. She came back to us after you left. She said that we shouldn't be alone in times like these. We were really happy when we got the letter from you and we wanted to tell you that we and Mom love you and will be rooting for you until the end. How did they let you write to us? We are so happy for that, anyway. We know that you are not allowed to send and receive letters but I am glad this happened for us. This might be the last letter we will receive from you until…just come home, okay? We love you!
Jake, Lucy and Mom
My mouth parted in shock as I read the letter again. Mom? She went back to them? A part of me was really happy she was back. Jake and Lucy would need someone like her to care for them while I was gone. But the thought of having the woman who left us back into our lives, sent a disturbing taste in my mouth. I didn't want to know anything from her, what she has been and what she has been doing. The reason she left us was because she was afraid of suffering for us if we were chosen to participate in the games. What determined her to come back home once she heard that I was chosen to represent District 12? I growled to myself. The nerve of that woman, to use Lucy and Jake's feelings so she could warm her way back into our lives. If I ever get out of this place, I knew I would never allow her to hurt us again. I put the letter on the table and startled when someone knocked on the door. Josh peeked inside with a small smile. "Hey, how are you doing?" he asked me with a small smile.
"How do you think I am doing? We only have a couple of hours…and then we'll be out there, in the cold, on our own." I said with a sigh. I wasn't even scared of this like I was before. I was indifferent to what could happen to me, but I knew that no matter what, I had a brother and a sister to take care of at home. I was not going to let them in the hands of my mother. I had to get back to them. I had to try. And for that, I realized that I shouldn't be alone at all. I saw Josh's embarrassing look on his face, as he looked away from me and I had a feeling that he was trying to tell me something. "What is it?" I asked him. "Well, Miss. I got a 9…I am not sure that you would want to work with me again." "Work with you?" "Yes. We are tributes from the same district. I thought…you said…" "Josh, we are partners. Nothing has changed." I informed him with a small smile. He nodded and took a seat next to me on the bed. "It's kind of tough now, though. You will get plenty of help from your sponsors as I have none for me." "Well, if we are going to be partners, what's mine is yours, isn't it?"
Trying to divert his attention from the games, Josh picked up the letter from the table and looked over it before I had a chance to reach over and grab it. I sighed and saw him smile saying, "I didn't know that we were allowed to send letters to our families. Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't anyone tell me? I want to write to my dad and…" "Josh, don't, please." "What?" I bit my lip and whispered, "What I did was not legal here at the Capitol. If anyone finds out…" "Then how did you pull this off?" I opened my mouth to speak but I realized that I would be exposing a dear person in my heart and I didn't want that. "Come on, Hayley! You have been bending the rules since you got here and didn't get caught. The least you can do is show some support and tell me your secret. How do you get away with it?"
"Josh, please keep your voice down." I hissed and stood up, closing the door shut so no one could hear us. I was afraid. Josh knew more about me than anyone else at the Capitol and I knew that even though he was a nice guy, he could betray me for his own needs anytime. He knew that I slept with Klaus. And now, I was pretty much forced to tell him the truth about the letter too. He looked over it once again and his eyes caught mine, as I sucked in a deep breath and looked away. "Josh, come on…" "He did it for you, didn't he? I know that Districts 1 and 2 have special permission to send letters to their families. He helped you send this to yours, didn't he?" "Josh…" "Just tell me the truth about this, Hayley, or I am going to present my suspicions to Kieran." I couldn't believe my ears, as I stepped towards him and said, "Is that a threat, Josh?" "It can be. I want to know the truth." "You know too much." "So you are not denying it." "What?" "Klaus Mikaelson helped you with this. It is treason both on your part and his." "Josh, don't you dare say anything…" "I have kept your first secret and I am thinking about keeping your second one too…until the time comes…"
I couldn't believe his words. What had changed him so much? He wasn't like this at the beginning when we met on the train to the Capitol. He was too different. Rona was right about him. This was still a competition and I was the one who received a 9 on that evaluation and Josh received a measly 7. He was jealous and he was angry that he didn't receive the same chances as me. "Are you going to spill for your own gain?" I snapped at him and Josh smiled a little, shaking his head. "What can I say, Hayley? Everyone is for himself…and I have been thinking at getting back at Klaus Mikaelson for this…" "Josh, please…I just wanted to hear from my family." "And you think I don't want to hear from mine? What gives you this special permission? But I have to give you some credit, Hayley. You played your part really well and you got the evil tribute to have a thing for you. You are using him to get what you want. Smart move. I only wish I could have thought of that before. I could have seduced the pretty blonde." "Josh, you are playing with fire here." "Am I?" "Yes. Please, don't say anything that can affect you."
He was jealous of me at this moment, I could tell. I was prepared and I was Kieran's favorite. What about him? Shaking his head, I watched as Josh laughed uncontrollably and saying, "I had you all wrong from the start, Hayley. You really aren't that girl people think you are." "Klaus has nothing to do with this conversation so please leave him out of it. I don't want to hear anymore." "He is a big shot, who has fallen like the fool he is, for your charms. And what's even more epic, is how you slept with him." "Please, stop it." I hissed, feeling the need to hit him with something to get him to stop. At once, I realized what this was. Blackmail. I had told Josh too much about my personal life…and he was now going to use it against me to get far in the games. "What do you want?" I finally asked him. He clapped his hands together and said, "I want nothing more other than what you offered me. Partnership."
"You want me to share my sponsors with you?" Josh rubbed his chin, pretending to think before smirking and nodding, "Yeah, as a matter of fact, I like the thought. So anything you receive out there, food, water, supplies…they belong to me too." "Fine. Anything else?" "I am just giving you a simple warning that I will reveal everything to the Capitol leaders if something happens which I don't like. You won't tell Kieran about this little arrangement of ours, will you, Hayley?" he asked her. I wanted to respond, but at that moment, there was a knock on the door and Rona peeked her head inside. "You guys have to come to the living room. President Snow is offering one last speech for the tributes. Kieran and Effie are waiting for you both." I think she noticed the tension between us because she asked with a frown… "Is everything okay here?" "Just fine." I snapped and glared at Josh, before leaving the room. I was almost trembling, even though I should have stood strong. I was being blackmailed with my two most important secrets here. If anyone found out about the letters, I would be seen a traitor of the Capitol, costing me my life.
As expected, Effie and Kieran were on the couch, waiting for us. I took a seat next to Kieran, as he smiled at me but I could tell that he was seeing something different in me. "Are you okay, Hayley?" he asked me and I nodded quickly…too quickly. Josh came over and took a seat on the other side of me with a small smile on his face. I knew just how proud he must have been of himself right now, trying to show me up. He was trying to survive and he saw me as a threat. On one hand, I didn't blame him because if I had been in his place, I probably would have done the same in desperation to survive. But this was different. Had Jake and Lucy and I had a life I had to get back to. I was going to fight for my life. The screen lit up and the image of President Snow appeared, as he looked through the camera, proud of himself.
"I thank you all tributes!" I snorted and I saw Kieran smiling a little next to me as I whispered, "What is he thanking us for? Selling our souls to the devil?" "I thank you all for the sacrifices you have made. You have been at the Capitol for a week now, and you have proven yourself worthy of participating in these games…which represent one's courage and the other's forgiveness for the tumultuous past between the Capitol and the other districts. I wanted to wish you well and to thank you for the amazing adventure you are going to produce for each citizen of Panem, who shall be watching. Happy Hunger Games to you all! And may the odds be ever in your favor!" The screen went dark as no one was saying anything. I didn't feel like coming up with anymore snide remarks either, as I realized that my secrets were at the hand of someone who was jealous of me, Josh. I never thought he would do this to me, but I guess I was wrong. The only way I could play this right would be to make him think that he has won and he has complete control over me. I bit my lip, as I realized who I had to warn about this. His life was at stake too. And this was not about his family's reputation and collaboration with the Capitol. This was about him.
District 1: Elijah Mikaelson
D Day For The Tributes
"You're not going to talk to me?" she asked me with a sight as I took a sip of my favorite bourbon and smiled at her. I believed she could notice how fake I was expressing myself towards her. "What is there left to talk about, Katerina? You humiliated me in public last night and you revealed to the world our precious gift, sitting in your womb." "I did it in order to try to save myself and this baby from the games." "Look at yourself…motherhood must have changed you. A week before you were excited to follow in the steps of the others before you." "I wasn't pregnant then. I had no one to care for but myself." "Yet you insisted that I care for you and help you through the games."
Katherine rolled her eyes as she switched off the television after watching President Snow's last speech to the tributes. "It wasn't as if you didn't humiliate me too." "And how have I done that?" "You and Camille. You have something going on and Caesar pretty much confirmed it last night. Did you even stop to think about how this was going to affect me? It made me seem as an incubator to you, as the useless woman a Mikaelson shagged and is not carrying his child." I sighed and put down the drink, facing her and whispering, "Katerina, you have no need to feel in any way regarding my relationship with Camille. It is strictly private and as you remember, you broke off our relationship days before the Reaping." "Are you implying that I am somehow jealous of you and her? I am pregnant, Elijah…with your baby! I would have thought that you would somehow keep some restrains when it comes to other women."
"I have, Katerina. But what you did last not was unforgivable and you put me in an uncomfortable position. I am going to be forced to keep an eye on you on every turn." I told her firmly and she didn't say anything more as Kol entered the room with a happy look on his face once again, which made me wonder what he was up to now. "All ready for today. It's going to be so fun killing the weak…the group of ours." He said and gulped down some beer as Katherine turned to me with her hands crossed over her chest. "Speaking of which…have you talked to your brother about what is going to follow?" "Yes, I have. It's going to be us, him and Rebekah." She frowned as she asked, "What about your intellectual bookworm?" "Katerina, I would very much appreciate it if you kept the insults to yourself. If you must know, Camille will no longer be a part of our group." I could see the smile form on Katherine's face and Kol looked shocked. "And why the hell not? Rebekah said she is smart. She could be of great use to us."
"Apparently, after what happened last night, Niklaus has come to believe that Camille is too much of a distraction for me in order to be in our group. He believes that I would be more focused on protecting her than cooperating." "Your brother is smart." Katherine pointed out and it surprised me, because she had never got along with Niklaus, never said anything nice about him or vice versa. "Well, I can very well assure you that I do not stray from these bonds of family. Camille wouldn't have been of more importance to me than the rest of you." I was trying hard to convince them but myself as well. Without realizing it, I had grown as a very special care for that girl and hearing that she would not be with us, didn't sit well with me. I had to speak to my brother about this once again, but I had a feeling that I knew what he answer would be. I could easily remember what he had told me the other night, which made my blood boil. "We are going to have to let her go. She is a distraction." "Niklaus, she is your team member just as much as Rebekah is. You cannot do that." "I am following Mother's wishes. Family above all, Elijah, even in the deadliest of circumstances. Camille cannot join us and I shall explain it to her tonight. We shall not harm her, but as she is a distraction and some tributes will think of using her to get to you, I will not have her in our group."
"Elijah!" Kol called out and I looked up at him, a little surprised and nodded, whispering, "Yes." "Who are we going to replace Cami with?" he asked me and Katherine looked at me for an answer too, which I couldn't offer. "No one, I suppose." I replied and Kol said, "Why don't we get the girl from District 3 to join us? You should see what she is capable of, Elijah." "Davina Claire?" I asked him, surprised and he nodded. "No, absolutely not. Davina is just as much a distraction for you, seeing that you have spent quite some time with her." "Am I not allowed to socialize with anyone other than you?" Kol asked her. "Exactly. That is why we are a team." "Enough!" I snapped at them both and they looked at me surprised, as I got myself another glass of bourbon I could digest. Not having Camille in the team meant that she was seen as the enemy. I couldn't let any harm come to her. Putting down the glass, I knew I had to see her. "Where are you going?" Katherine called out to me. "Somewhere!"
District 2: Niklaus Mikaelson
D Day For The Tributes
After the kiss the other night between Hayley and me, my mind could only race back to her and her words. "Fine. But you kissed me back." I did…and I couldn't understand why. What was I feeling for this girl? What was I going to do about it? Why had she kissed me? Was it to show her gratitude for the letters…or was there more to it. I could barely listen to President Snow's speech, as Cami sat next to me. Her hands were crossed over her chest. We hadn't discussed the recent change of plans with our mentors, and I believed that it was best if we didn't do it at all. The screen went blank and I could hear Cami whisper, "I can't believe you would do this to me."
I sighed and looked towards her saying, "You brought this on yourself the moment you and Elijah were suspected to have something going on. If I let you be a part of our group now, you will cause a distraction for my brother…and in order to keep him alive, as my Mother requested that we work together, I don't need any distractions. My brothers and my sister are in the games with me. Leading this group…I shall not allow any of my family members to get hurt." "Katherine is your family now?" "No. But she is carrying my brother's child. She has a Mikaelson's body, soul and blood, in her womb. She shall remain with us and be just as protected, due to her child." Cami nodded and looked away from me so I couldn't see the tear that slid down her cheek. "Nothing really happened between me and your brother. He doesn't see me that way. He is still in love with Katherine." I sighed and shook my head at having to deal with this. "Cami, I'm sorry…I have already made up my mind. You are to find another alliance or you are on your own." There was a knock on the door and Gora went to answer it at once. I saw my brother, Elijah step inside and Rebekah ran up to him and hugged him. "I am so happy to see you." She whispered.
Smiling a little, seeing their embrace, I stood up to meet my brother's eyes, but he was looking at the blonde on the couch. At once, I realized that he had not come here to discuss the plans with Rebekah and me. "What?" Rebekah asked, confused when she saw the looks we were giving each other. Elijah cleared his throat and kissed Rebekah's forehead before whispering, "I am here to speak to Camille about the recent changes in our plans…so if you don't mind, I would request some privacy." I gave him a look, before nodding silently and turning to my room. I rubbed my temples as I realized I was thinking of that brunette girl with her beautiful hazel eyes and a little wolf tattooed near her shoulder. Whenever I was not thinking about the plan, I was thinking about her. Gora tapped my shoulder and I turned around as she smiled at me. "President Snow has offered permission to Districts 1 and 2 to receive guests a couple of hours now before the games begin and there is already someone here to see you."
Making my way to the garden, where Gora told me I would meet someone, I was deeply concerned that Mikael would be here to see me. I gulped as I realized I haven't given much thought into my Mother's letter to me, telling me that Mikael was not my real father. No one had to know about that. With fear in my eyes, I finally reached the garden but the fear was replaced with shock as I saw Caroline, standing there and waiting for me, smiling from ear to ear, as she saw me. "Nik!" she exclaimed and came over to me, pressing a kiss on my cheek and cupping my face with her hands. I rolled my eyes but didn't feel like I had enough energy inside of me to tell her to leave me alone. She couldn't understand that it was over between us. I barely felt anything for this girl anymore. "Caroline, listen…" "I am so glad that I could come here and see you. I have really missed you. There have been rumors going around that you…and that girl from District 12. Don't worry. I know how the public can be when these games come. They always look for some drama-induced story. But you're here with me now, so…how are you?" She had been taking fast and it was hard for me to comprehend exactly what she wanted from me. When she talked about me and Hayley, I gulped as I could remember Rebekah telling me about the dinner she had with Mikael and Caroline, and I appeared on television, training Hayley at the time.
"I am fine, Caroline. You didn't have to come here." I finally told her and pried her hands off of my face. She frowned and whispered, "Of course I had to come here, silly. I was worried for you. Elena is worried for Kol…" I growled at the mention of Kol's past crush, Elena. Rebekah had taken the liberty of informing me about the Pierce sisters and what they were reserved for by the Capitol. I thought I could tell Elijah about Katherine but seeing that she was now pregnant with his child, it didn't matter as much. "Nik, come on! What is it? Don't tell me that you don't feel comfortable around me anymore." Caroline whined as she put her hands on my face again. I sighed and knew I couldn't yell at her. The last time I did it, it got me nowhere and stress was not an option for me, now with only a couple of hours left.
"Caroline, I think it's best of you left." I told her calmly and I noticed a deep frown appeared on her face. "What are you talking about? We're together…" "We are not together, Caroline, please do try to understand that and get the hell out of here." I mumbled and turned to leave, but she grabbed a hold of my arm, pulling me back and crushing her lips against mine. I stayed like that for a moment, not knowing how to react to her kiss, when I finally got to my senses and pushed her off of me. "What are you doing?" I asked her with a small growl. "I can't believe that you are still not over that. You really want us to be over? Why? We mash well together. We have been together for a long time. Why can't you see that what we have can't be replaced? Why are you doing this, Nik? Is it because of that whore I saw you with on TV?" she snapped at me and this was the first time I truly saw an angry Caroline. "I wouldn't dare let you insult her this way." "So it is about her? You and that horrid girl from 12? Do you know what people say about her? Nik…you can do better than that." She tried to cup my face again but I turned away.
"And by better, you mean, you?" I asked her and she rolled her eyes before flashing me one of her adorable smiles and nodding. "Of course. We are from the same district, and we fit perfectly. She is just some tramp from a way poorer district who is most likely going to die today or tomorrow. Let her go and tell me that you love me before you leave." I took in a deep breath, trying to gain control of my anger, before I saw her standing there, watching us. Our eyes met and I could see that hers were slightly blurry, as she quickly looked away and started walking back to the hotel. Growling, I grabbed a hold of Caroline's shoulders and hissed, "Get it into your thick head, love. I don't wish to have the pleasure of your company any longer. Whatever we had…it's over!" I snapped at her and this time, I think she finally received the message. Screaming in anger, she stomped away from me.
"Hayley!" I called out to her but I could see her trying to walk faster. Luckily, I was faster than her and reached her in time, by grabbing her hand and pulling her towards me. "Are you alright, love?" I asked her in a comforting whisper. I could see her wiping away some tears, which made me stare at her in shock. "I was right. This is some game…and the fact that you did the letter thing for me does not prove that you aren't going to use what we have between us against me out there. I can't trust you. Please, leave me alone." "What exactly do we have between us, little wolf?" "Nothing." She barely whispered. "Please, explain this to me once, love. What is going on with you? What do I have anything to do with it?" Hayley shook her head as more tears washed on her face and I was forced to wipe them away. "You are nervous regarding today." I finally whispered and she looked at me in surprise, even though it wasn't much of a guess. "Who was that girl?" she suddenly asked me and I could sense the bitterness in her tone.
"Her name is Caroline, love." "And what was going on back there?" "How much of it have you seen?" "I walked by just as I saw her kissing you." Hayley responded and crossed her hands over her chest, making me chuckle. "If this is about jealousy, love…" "I am not jealous." "I was going to say that there is no reason to be. Caroline is an ex-girlfriend of mine who refused, until today to move on. I put an end to it. You shouldn't worry your pretty little head off of that one." I caressed her cheek and chuckled, as she shook her head and said, "Josh is blackmailing me." My eyes grew wide and I asked, "What?" in a whisper. "He said that if I don't help him in the games and share my sponsors with him, he is going to tell everyone that we slept together…and he found out about the letters too." "What?!" I gasped in anger. "He found my letter today." "How could you have been this careless?" I snapped at her with anger. She refused to answer and I sighed, looking at her as she looked away from me.
Finally, I whispered, "I shall take care of this, little wolf." "Klaus, no…I don't want you to get involved." "The moment that prick threatened to sell you out along with a Mikaelson is the moment I got involved in this subject. Joshua Rosza will not see the light of another day starting today or tomorrow. It depends…if I find him, or not." "He is going to be with me at all times and you are going to be with your group. What are you going to do? Kill me?" she asked me and I could see her on the verge of shedding tears again. I looked away from her and whispered, "I don't know what you expected to come out of this, love. You said it yourself. We come from two different worlds and here is the moment where all worlds collide, but only one stands." "And that world is your family's." Hayley nodded with a spiteful smile before starting to walk away from me again. Groaning, I caught up to her and whispered, "I don't know what you would have expected me to say to you." She stopped in her tracks and looked at me deep in the eyes. "Maybe the night of the Masquerade Ball didn't mean all that much to you but it meant a lot to me."
I didn't have a response for that, so I let her continue. "I lost my virginity to you, one of the most precious things I have. A real treasure for someone from where I come from." "Yes, it happened. It was a night like no other…when I felt different being with you as well…but it was one night, Hayley and I thought we have agreed last night that something between us can never happen again." "One night." She whispered and shook her head a little. Seeing the look on her face, I couldn't let it go this way. "Hayley! Little wolf." I whispered and pulled her close to me, raising her chin so her eyes could meet mine. "This is the moment we have been waiting for since we arrived here. The games…we are finally thrown in them…" "No. You're right. I am just being immature because…" I desperately felt the need for her to finish her sentence but she pulled away from me with a slight smile and whispered, "Good luck. I am sure the odds will forever be in your favor…and your family's." I let her walk away from me, as I felt something unusual, coming from my heart.
District 12: Hayley Marshall
D Day For The Tributes
"Are you okay?" Kieran asked me as we reached our personal room with Rona following us. The flight was very unpleasant and I felt like vomiting half way. I kept my head up high and nodded, as Rona put on my suit. "Where is Josh?" I asked Kieran and he said, "He is in the other compartment with Effie, waiting for us. We have to take care of you first." I bit my lip as I thought about Josh's warning towards me. I had no choice now. In order for me not to lose support and also possibly my life for sleeping with a Mikaelson…I had to help Josh. "It's waterproof and it can offer you extra protection from any sort of burns." Rona whispered to me. I could see why she was upset. We had grown to like each other these past couple of days, even though at the beginning, we didn't get along at all. I turned around and pulled her into a hug, as she whispered in my ear, "Be strong, girl. People are rooting for you. Don't forget that. Win these blasted games so you can go home." I nodded and pulled back, smiling at her and saying, "I will."
Turning back to Kieran, he offered me a hug as well. "I just wanted to let you know that I am really proud of you, Hayley. Do not let anyone get you down. You remember what I told you along the way. You are a smart girl, as stubborn as you are. With that 9, you will get all the help you need out there. And remember…when you hear that canon go off, it's just you. No one else matters but you, do you understand what I'm saying?" he asked me and I nodded, saying, "Yes." There was a robot which could be heard, informing the tributes they had ten seconds left to get into their capsules." "Go ahead." Kieran said and pointed me to the capsule. I nodded, bravely as I headed in there and the door automatically closed, keeping me inside, as I faced Rona and Kieran. They were smiling at me…and up I went. I couldn't believe that this was finally the moment for which I had been preparing for this week. I was an official tribute in these games and I knew that it was crucial that I should win this. I had a reason, back at home. Lucy and Jake were people to fight for. They were my family.
The sunlight was shining brightly above me as I was set on the arena. The other tributes were around me and I had to control my heartbeat, as in a couple of seconds, I could see Josh appearing from his tube as well. His eyes caught mine and smirked at me as I looked away from him. The countdown had started and no one was moving from their posts. If you did, you would be shot dead at once. I made sure not to move, as I heard the countdown in my head. He was six spots away from me, and I could see the look on his face. He was focused, concentrating on himself. Our eyes met and I could see the worry on his own face for a moment. It made me wonder what he was thinking about when he saw me.
I never thought about the possibility of us meeting. I had to do what he told me to do in order to avoid that. He told me where to go, in places where he and his followers won't be. I bit my lip as I continued to look at him and he looked back at me. We were both startled as it started, "10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2…1!" There was a loud ringing noise and everyone jumped from their posts, heading for the Cornucopia. It was the one place Kieran told me not to go to. I knew what would happen. I would be dead in a couple of seconds. While people were picking up their weapons, I grabbed the nearest backpack I could find and ran for it into the woods, knowing all too well that Josh was following my every move.
A/N: Finally, the games have started and now it's just starting to get interesting. Do you think Klaus and Hayley will cross paths? How long do you think Josh is going to keep blackmailing Hayley before it blows up in his face? How is Hayley going to survive with no real allies by her side? Do you think she and Josh will gain an ally?
Thank you for reading and please leave me reviews, guys! I will appreciate them!