Day Ten, Night

Honora Cashmere Flloyd, District 1, 18

Wow. I'd missed out on some kind of Bloodbath.

I slowly opened the large set of doors, tentatively peering into the large ballroom. Or I think it used to be a ballroom. In the middle of the ovular room a chandelier rested, smashed marble surrounding it. That was the first sign that something was up, though it was far from the only sign of violence in the room. There was blood everywhere. The ruby hue of red was even more prominent than the stark white marble.

I stepped over a puddle of the stuff, noting that there was a lot smudged against the walls and the floor. It seemed to be drying out, but was fresh enough for me to tell that the last death or two had happened in this very room. A few metres to my right, one of the columns had been smashed and was on the verge of splitting. Who the hell was capable of this level of destruction? Even more worryingly, there was a chance that someone was resourceful enough to survive this level of destruction. I knew how much humans could bleed, and one human alone couldn't release the amount of blood that was before me. This was the blood of multiple people - three at least, though possibly even more.

But only one or two people had died in the last couple of days. Which means there was someone or something in this arena which had bled a profuse amount - amount to die of blood loss, surely - and they had still gotten up and walked out of the room. I reached for one of my short blades inquisitively. Maybe there was an injured little tribute in here who I had to euthanise.

"Hello?" I called, stepping forward. I swear I saw something move behind me in my peripheral vision, a shadow like substance. I turned around quickly. There was nothing. "Lexie?"

Whoever this was could be the person that killed Jericho. Someone pretty competent.

"Pullox?" I moved up the stairway, which was surprisingly untouched. My hand slipped up the banner and I turned around and glanced at the ballroom beneath in all its broken glory. Didn't seem like there was anyone in here. I observed the upper floor, strolling around and searching for someone. Besides hiding beneath the towering statue of gods and goddesses, I couldn't think of anywhere up here a tribute could hide. Which meant that I was completely alone.

Still, I felt that there was someone with me. That I wasn't alone. In an arena filled with fictional ghosts and demons of a fictional past, it was a feeling that I was familiar with. A feeling that grew stronger and stronger as the days passed. I felt as if I would turn around and find someone behind me, or as if someone were stalking me and waiting for the right moment to strike. It was disconcerting.

I bent down when I saw a glimmer on the floor.

It wasn't a lucky credit as I had hoped, but it was a bullet. A used one. I almost expected it to be burning hot as I pinched it between my fingers and drew it closer to my line of sight. I knew I certainly hadn't fired any of them in this room, which meant that someone else had. Last I checked, the people who had obtained guns in the Bloodbath were the Six boy, the Eight girl, Pullox and I. I knew Pullox still had his gun, but who knows who had guns now? Still, the Six boy and the Eight girl were still alive, and I had a feeling either they or Pullox had been in here.

Suddenly I realised that since the Career breakdown I had been isolated from the rest of the Games, which meant that there was so much shit going on and I was isolated from all of it. If there was a surprise around the corner, I just hope it would be one that was in my favour. Once the final eight struck - and I knew I would be in the final eight - this was going to be the biggest challenge of my life.

Carlie Compton, District 10, 17

I lay curled up in my sleeping bag, facing the wall. As the sun had set and day ten almost morphed into day eleven. I saw the shade creep in and begin to take over the whole arena. The shadow of a few branches, silhouetted in the moonlight, continued to dance and flicker. Since Pullox had adamantly insisted we stayed in this room, saying it was strategically safer, I had realised that he had called the shots. And I didn't like being dictated. Pullox was the most sickening, twisted and dangerous tribute in the arena and it had taken me a while to realise that.

So I stayed awake for hours, almost paralysed by fear. Sometimes I thought I fell into a very shallow sleep, but I remembered just staring at the wall for an eternity. Eventually, when I was sure Pullox had slept, I realised it was time.

I had killed before. I reminded myself of that fact numerous times as I slipped out of my sleeping bag and glanced towards Pullox's still form, cocooned by his own sleeping bag. If I could kill Jericho, I could definitely kill Pullox, who was a much less talented fighter.

The moonlight embraced the silver of my blade as I quietly slipped it out of my belt. I was breathing so shallowly my chest almost felt constricted. I had stolen it from Pullox's bag a couple of hours ago and he hadn't noticed. He wasn't omniscient; I could fool him once, I could deceive him again. Only this deceit would lead to his blood on my hands. But I was still so scared.

Even if he was awake, he wouldn't be able to fight me. I had the element of surprise and he wasn't that strong or skilled. Pullox was an eerily silent sleeper. I made my way towards his sleeping bag, my heart skipping a beat whenever my weight forced the slightest creak from the floorboards beneath. Eventually I stood over him. I glanced down at him for a few seconds, almost feeling empty. Aurochs, Jericho... Now Pullox. I had done this before. Killing was easy, no matter what they told you. Killing evil people, however, should be particularly easy.

But it wasn't. It felt like every justification I could muster was feeble.

I crouched down and got ready to plunge my knife into Pullox's throat. Being as swift as possible, so that shock was on my side, I tore the material of the sleeping bag down and was surprised to find nothing was bundles of blankets inside the sleeping bag. But there was no Pullox.

"What the?" There was no confusion or sinking realisation. I stood up and glanced around for Pullox, just in case he tried to attack me. I immediately knew that I was duped. He had bundled blankets underneath the sleeping bag to make it look like there was a person inside.

"Surprise!" I heard Pullox's laugh and turned towards the doorway. Pullox was leaning against it. I wondered if he had watched the whole thing. But I had glanced at the doorway and he wasn't there. What had he done? Had he known I had done something this whole time? A million questions had been raised in my head, but I had a feeling they weren't going to be answered. Pullox was clapping and smirking at me evilly. "Really, that was wonderful. I wondered if you had the guts, Carlie. And it turns out you did!" He applauded again. "What a way to start my party!"

"What party?" I stood up, more confident now I saw Pullox didn't have his gun in hand. If he reached for anything, I'd pounce at him and stab him. I was prepared to attack, like a mantis, but Pullox was eerily calm. I knew he had some kind of scheme. I just needed to figure out what kind of tricks he had up his sleeve. He was always one step ahead; now I needed to get into his mindset and jump one step ahead. That was the only way I'd win.

Or I could go for my crossbow. It was by the supplies Pullox and I had piled on the far corner of the room. I planned to use it to betray Pullox, but I would've raised his suspicions had I taken a crossbow to bed.

"Well, it starts with your demise and ends with my victory," I hesitantly watched as Pullox stepped forward. I didn't attack. He made his way over to one of the wall opposite me, leaning against it and smiling faintly. "But we won't rush the party, we have plenty of time. I just want to take a moment to gloat. I knew that you'd betray me! Just like you betrayed everyone else," Pullox laughed. "I was planning to betray you, but I was thinking more into the final six, I'm shocked someone could be more opportunistic than I!" Somehow, I felt bad. It felt weird knowing that, in a way, Pullox was planning to be more loyal than I was, assuming he was telling the truth.

"You were planning to kill me-"

Pullox held up a finger. "You could have survived for a day or two longer, Carlie," he feigned sadness. "But when I noticed one of my knives were missing I knew something was wrong. I knew you would attack me at night. So I stayed awake and crept out while you were distracted and waited for the moment. You see, nothing is a coincidence, right?" I began to step forward. "No, no, stay there!" I stupidly halted. "Because my sleeping bag was placed in a very specific place. You know how we looked at the jellyfishes?" He smirked.

Oh no. I knew this wasn't good.

"Well, to start the party off you're going to have the drink of your life and see them close and personal!" Pullox turned to one of the light switches. I knew that a room with two switches when there was only one bulb that barely worked was sketchy, but before I could even run he had his finger on it. "Sorry, Carlie. You can't trick a trickster."

As I raced forward the floor beneath me collapsed. I barely had time to scream before I fell a few feet. Instead of smashing into the floor beneath, I felt myself plunge into something extremely wet. I was surrounded by water. Blue, shimmering water.

I was so taken aback I almost forgot that inhaling filled my lungs in the most agonising way. At first I thought I had been thrown into an endless ocean, but then I saw something a few metres in front of me. It was hazy, obscured by a thick sheet of glass, but it was a room. A red room with beautiful furniture. And I knew what that room was; I had been on the other side of the glass only hours ago.

I needed to get out of here. I kicked forward towards the glass desperately, slapping my palms against the glass and wincing slightly as they stung. I wanted desperately to scream as I felt my need for air grow more and more desperate, but I knew that if I opened my mouth one more time it was flush my lungs full of water and would choke me even quicker. But water still filled me, forcing itself down my nostrils as I kept slapping against the glass and realising that it was futile. I had no way of punching myself out of glass. I was condemned to drown.

I didn't know how long I was under the glass, desperately thrashing against the glass in the hope of escaping. It felt like I was there for an eternity, but I knew time was going much more quickly than I estimated. As agony began to explode in my stomach, my knees suddenly felt weak.

I thought it was because they were deprived of oxygen, but when I glanced down I realised that Pullox had given me an overkill. Of course he had. Attracted to me like bees to honey, I saw the creatures he had shown me only hours ago. They were swarming around me so that I couldn't see the other side of the glass anymore; I couldn't even see the water that surrounded me and suffocated me, only a swarming, moving mass of pink. Their stings weren't painful, they were only numbing, which made the process of death much easier despite the fact that after multiple stings I couldn't find myself moving. Even my thoughts seemed jarred.

I tried, I really did...

I wished Jared was here to hold me. I wish my father was here to save me, or that anyone could save me... Aurochs, Jericho, Seb... They were all once willing to help me once. But I had turned against them so viciously and used them. I wish I didn't. I didn't want to, but I did it to survive. And here I was, floating, drowning...

Dying.

Pullox Shimmers, District 1, 18

The cannon fired before I had entered the room. I knew it was Carlie straight away, so I was quite satisfied when I entered and saw her floating in the tank. My heart almost fluttered when I saw her. As a death it was simply... Perfect. Beautiful, even. I had killed before, and it did satisfy some of my morbid curiosity, but I had never quite gotten what I wanted. All I wanted was to exert my intellectual superiority, to kill someone in an innovative way with little blood. All my prior deaths had been rushed, messy and certainly bloody.

But as the jellyfish all moved away from Carlie in a pulse life manner, revealing her still body (they were attracted to motion, and Carlie was now motionless), I realised she was not bloody at all. She was untouched. Her dress was dirty but it wasn't torn. Her skin may have had cuts, bruises and burns from previous encounters but it was pale and clean and perfect. With some fascination, I moved closer to the glass to see her perfectly preserved corpse.

She looked like a little doll, suspended by string as she floated. Her eyes were closed almost peacefully, her expression neutral. Her arms were limp and outstretched, as if she had been crucified against something invisible.

It was so beautiful, it was everything I wanted.

That was one thing ticked off the bucket list, I realised. I'd made my perfectly constructed death, and I'd made a monument out of Carlie... A display which I could admire whenever I wanted. Now all I had to do was win the Games, to taste the sweet nectar of victory and give Floy whatever she wanted. All the time I had spent preparing for the Games felt worth it. I hated training and spending all my time dedicated to a cause I may never see come to fruition, but I realised it was all in reach as I planned. It was going to be a challenge, certainly, but I knew that if I played my cards right I had a great shot at victory.

But even though I had gotten my perfect death, I realised I craved killing in a similar manner again. Another beautiful display to throw into the tank for the Capitol and myself to admire, another pretty little doll.

Sure, in a desperate situation I would just shoot or stab in a brutal and unsophisticated way, certainly, but over the past few days I had observed and manipulated people in a way that gave me total control. Who said I couldn't kill so wonderfully again?

I smirked.

The perfect victim wasn't so far away, either. And her time would be up very soon and nobody would miss her.

Ruth Pierce, Deputy Head Gamemaker

"Stop here," I told my chauffeur as he navigated us across the Capitolian roads. We were in the centre of the Capitol now, the roads surrounding us were busy and the holographic roads in the air were all the more hectic. Crowds of Capitolian tourists had to be ushered to the side by Peacekeepers, who approached the car and gave me a stern look. After a retinal scan and a nod of approval, the gates to the Presidential Palace were slowly opened. Fanatical loyalists tried desperately to enter, but were prevented while I was pelted through miles and miles of green lawns, tinkling fountains and exotic plants.

Eventually the car rested on a gravelly pathway outside the titanic Palace. As usual, Peacekeepers were dotted around everywhere. My chauffeur opened the door for me and I stepped out, wobbling slightly in my dark heels. Since I would be seeing the President, I was granted by his two new guards. I knew little about them, but I knew they had been trained their whole lives to defend the President. They probably made Jynx Blackthorne look tame in battle.

As they walked down the large, marble stairs to greet me and escort me I was almost shocked to find that they were women. Or at least I think they were. Their hair was long and luscious, the feminine ideal. Their faces were concealed underneath large masks that symbolised comedy and tragedy. They held brightly coloured fans and ornate dresses. Despite being so well dressed, I couldn't help but find them intimidating.

"Here to see the President?" One of them asked me. Her voice was surprisingly high.

I cleared my throat. I knew I had to see the President. All too long I had been complicit of rebellion, especially in the headquarters. It had almost endangered both Tobias and myself, and most importantly it could have compromised the Capitol's security. Now it was time to show my loyalty, to help crush rebellion once and for all so I could forget the politics of being a Gamemaker and dedicate myself to the Games.

"Yes, I was hoping to meet captain Titherington," I handed my bag out to the tragedy masked guard, who took it confusedly. "But I see he's no longer stationed in the Palace?"

"The head of the army doesn't have to concern himself with protection now we're here," the comedy one said, almost like it were a mantra. They led me into the large entrance of the Palace. "Not while there is a war with District Thirteen."

Oh, there was. I almost forgot about that. Capitolians rarely focused on war, unless it was a war with rebels who seemed to permanently exist - who I knew existed. The brunt of war hit the Districts, with their labour and resources pooled into the war effort. If war ever had to affect the Capitol in any war, if our customs or our freedom were in any way compromised, that would be a sign that we were losing. That would be something the Capitol wouldn't be prepared to admit.

We were marched through multiple stairways and corridors before I finally reached the President's office, which looked surprisingly quaint and small for a Presidential office. I'd realised that even though I was important enough to visit the President whenever I wanted, I'd never done it before. There had simply been no need. I had been Gamemaker for many years, so whenever there was something urgent in the Games that needed to be discussed it was usually be Tobias who represented us, or my husband before him.

Two Peacekeepers were on either side of the doorway. After looking at the President's bodyguards, they opened the door with little question. I realised that if the rebels did ever get into the Capitol, they'd have a hard time getting to the President - there were at least six Peacekeepers inside his small office. I gave them all the briefest look of acknowledgment before settling my gaze onto the President, who was scribbling down onto pieces of paper nonchalantly. It were almost as if he hadn't heard me.

I sat down. The President's bodyguards moved to his side, standing stiff as statues.

"It's lovely to have you here, Ruth," the President picked up a sandwich from the platter in front of him. He took a tiny bite. "You seldom visit me. Though, considering the Games are currently broadcasting I do hope you have a good reason."

"You know I wouldn't visit unless it were urgent."

The President gave me a charming smile. "This is why you were always my favourite, Ruth. Always punctual, reliable... traditional."

"Always."

"Well, do tell us what you have to report."

Suddenly, I was debating whether to report it. I knew that we had an infiltrator pretending to be Abigayl Pierce, but was she a rebel? Either way, she was doing something illegal and I would predict that she were some kind of agent. I had refrained from reporting out of fear that what she had said was true... That she was the daughter who had ran away from me so many years ago.

But Fi-Fi was right. Olga didn't love me, she never had and she never would. Why would she return to an environment where she had to talk to me everyday? The Olga of the past would have never pleaded and cried.

The President seemed to wonder why I took my time.

"Abigayl Carter..." I paused. "She's not Abigayl Carter."

He raised his eyebrows. "Then who is she?"

"A rebel, I think."

The President looked taken aback for a moment. And then he relaxed. I looked at him, keeping my anxiety at bay as he stood up and paced around the room. I wonder if all his bodyguards and Peacekeepers showed any expression or concern behind their mask, as their posture was stiff and even uncaring. Eventually the President sat down at his chair again, his composure returning. He poured himself some tea.

"That makes sense after the incidents last year," the President said, dunking a biscuit into his tea. "Abigayl - or whoever she was - is at the centre of all of those dramas." I nodded. "And Tobias excused her, defended her even."

I went into panic mode. "Tobias didn't mean to defend a rebel-"

The President glanced up at me. "He could have compromised the security of this nation!"

I kept my voice low; I couldn't afford to clash with the most powerful man in the country; he was my superior in every way. "And he didn't," I said. "The only matters that go on inside the Gamemaker Headquarters are Games related things, what could they seriously compromise?" I leaned across the desk slightly, looking the President straight in his steely eyes. "And the rebels have a network of spies, we have a network of spies in their day-to-day lives too."

"That's why I'm irked, they're planning to strike the Capitol."

I paused. "What?"

"They've teamed up with District Zero and that stupid excuse for a nation, Romantia," the President said. "They plan to strike all of our ammunitions and defences - probably with this spy's confidential information at their disposal," he hissed. I tried not to look dumbstruck. "They plan to distract us from a larger threat. If it goes as planned, everything I worked hard to build will crumble. Our great nation will cease to be great."

"B-But why did nobody know of this?"

"The public don't need to know, their morale needs to be supplemented, they're focused on the Games."

"With the bombing of District Twelve-"

"They will focus on the Games," the President hissed. I was immediately silenced. I barely looked in their direction, but I saw his bodyguards grip onto hilts. Beyond that, they did little else, though I had a feeling they were always prepared. "Your job is to distract the citizens. I'm working with Commander Titherington to destroy the rebellion once and for all and to neutralise and invade District Zero." I certainly hoped the President had a good plan. When I looked at it from a distance, I realised the Capitol was in danger like never before. Even in the Dark Days the Districts had no power against us; they had taken forever to assemble, and they didn't have nuclear weapons. Now it seemed they could potentially have both of their side. I was scared.

"I will inform Tobias," I courtsied, desperately turning around to leave.

"Oh, and Ruth?" I turned and the President grinned maliciously. "Make sure the spy doesn't leave the Gamemakers Headquarters, and make sure Iopian Endovnier also stays there," he rubbed his hands together. "I have a Presidential present for both of them."

Iopian? What had gone on there? Was it because his tribute had disobeyed the Capitol? Not questioning the President, I simply nodded.

Delilah Fauve, District 11, 16

"Help me! Someone please help me!"

I had been relaxing on the bed when I heard Lexie's voice harp out for all to hear. At least I think it was Lexie. It had her femininity and her vulnerability.

Considering the Gamemakers had probably had it in for me and they had been planning my death, my plan to barricade myself into one of the rooms whilst having a window escape seemed to be working. I hadn't even been found, though being sufficiently sealed in with a quick escape had always been a good escape, and my leg had improved significantly too - it barely hurt. It had been boring, lying around on a bed all day and almost waiting for death, and I was still consumed by feelings of doubt and guilt. But I had been okay.

But Lexie wasn't okay. I heard her scream in that way she did when she was terrified. My first instinct was to rush to the door and to consider throwing away the blockade of furniture I had created, to unlock it and then rush out and help her. But I paused when I realised that Lexie probably didn't want my help. She hated me. It was only days ago when she had held a blade at my throat and almost killed me.

... But she did spare me. It was stupid, but I hoped that was a sign that even a small part of her cared still.

And she was powerful. She was so, so powerful. She may have started off as someone I had almost looked down on because of her girlish demeanour, but she had taken what the Gamemakers had given her and made herself insanely competent. She had proven herself. What could hurt someone who could manipulate their environment with the single word and gesture, even though she had probably forgotten most of the abilities she had been given?

I had to stay put. I wasn't going to sacrifice myself for Lexie, especially because she wouldn't sacrifice herself for me. Even though my death was probably inevitable, I was currently alive and I knew that I couldn't let my family think I'd given up. Maybe there was a glimmer of hope, too. Rayann Grace Carter had survived even when the Capitol desperately wanted her dead; I couldn't say that I was definitely going to die. The only way I know if I'd definitely die would be if I threw myself into the arms of death for someone who I didn't even care about.

Another, more piercing scream followed. It sounded somewhat closer, too. A freezing feeling swept over me and I couldn't lie to myself any longer. Lexie had to be in trouble and no matter how I tried lying to myself, I cared about her. I couldn't let her die. Tears slipped quietly from my eyes as I considered running after her. What could I do? Could I really endanger myself that much?

... Yes. I could.

I immediately reached for my knife and grabbed furniture, flipping it out of the way desperately in a bid to get to Lexie. I hadn't heard her scream, which worried me. But there had been no cannon, so there was still hope. As fast as I could, I unlocked the door and forced it open, seismically forcing the barrage of furniture across the room. My leg felt stiff, but for the first time in days I could finally run. Maybe it was because of the adrenaline and the desperation to get to Lexie.

I heard her scream again.

"No, no, no! Pullox stop it!"

Pullox. I gritted my teeth as his laughter followed. I barely knew who Pullox was but he was a Career boy and Lexie had told me that he was a creep. I felt disgusted when I thought about what he would do to her. She screamed again and I rushed down the corridor to the left, where it had come from. I desperately twisted the doorknob to most of the rooms I passed, though most of the rooms were locked or empty. I was shaking and crying, terrified for Lexie.

"Stop it, it hurts, it hurts!"

It seemed to be coming from the right hand side at the top of the corridor. Following Lexie's blood curdling screams, I rushed forward, almost slipping over a thick rug before I faced an open doorway. I could only hear a faint whimper from it, like the whimper of somebody who had lost the will to live. I held my knife tight, preparing to ambush whoever would hurt Lexie.

I quietly crept towards the room Lexie was screaming in. It was dark outside, I could see that from the window on the wall. But as I entered I couldn't help but notice that the the area around me was empty. There were sleeping bags, an open trap door and a few scarce bookshelves but there was little else, and there certainly weren't any people. I slipped my knife into my weapon belt, casting a glance behind me. Once the coast was clear I moved towards the trap door, crouching beside it and looking at what it led to.

Weird. A few metres below there was water, but there was little else.

I tried standing up, ready to shut the trap door as I wondered where Lexie was. Before I could do anything I felt hands grab me by the waist. I squeaked as I was forced back and a knife was held enthusiastically against my throat.

"What the-" I stopped struggling as I saw my terrified eyes reflected in the blade beneath.

"Hello, Delilah," I heard the One boy snigger. His voice seemed hoarse. "I was hoping you'd leave your room, I was under the impression that I couldn't break in so I figured it would be so much better to break you out."

All my dreams and hopes had came crashing down. Oh god, this was what the Gamemakers wanted. Now I was at the mercy of a particularly twisted and sadistic Career. I tried to stay calm and keep my breaths regulated.

"Where is Lexie?" If Lexie was okay, dying was worth it. If I had died to save my brother and a friend, that was definitely worth it.

"She's just fine, I wouldn't hurt her yet," Pullox laughed. Suddenly he spoke and I realised he had mimicked Lexie. "It's sweet that you care though, Nate. It really is."

Oh god. I felt sick. I had been tricked.

"Only a tiny weasel like you would be able to put on a girl's voice," I taunted him. He pressed the knife closer to my throat, almost strangling me with it as he tried to shut me up.

"Bit rich of you to call anyone tiny, isn't it?" He sounded vaguely angry at first, but he calmed down. He laughed, even. "But you'd know what it's like, pretending to be the other gender, right?" He laughed again. "I had to admit Lia," I hated him using my nickname. It stirred a deep rage inside me. "I was impressed at how long it had taken you to get exposed. Maybe if your District partner hadn't blown you up you could've duped us all, right?" He walked forward, moving me closer to the edge of the trapdoor. I felt kind of saddened. Did Willow blow me up?

I felt disappointed. Sad, even. But it wasn't something I could mull on... She was dead.

"It's fascinating, all you had to do was cut your hair, change your voice, and you were a completely different person," Pullox smiled. "But now you're Lia again! Lia the selfless sister."

"If you're going to slit my throat, just do it now," I snapped.

"Who said I was going to kill you?"

I glared up at him and he laughed.

"Okay, okay," he said. "Of course I'm going to kill you! I guess even you knew that, right? Because you know just how disposable you are? You know just how impossible your chances of surviving are?" I looked towards the trap door at the water was below. I guess he was right. I did. "I mean I would've once used you as bait to get Lexie, just as I used 'Lexie' as bait to get you, but that's the thing. Lexie doesn't even care about you," his voice grew into faux sympathy and I felt him play with a loose strand of my hair. "Because who would care about you, Lia? The audience doesn't, Lexie doesn't," he sniggered. "Even your parents don't, right? You're just unwanted." I fought and kicked as he finally provoked me, but he held me in place. It was almost as if he were addressing all of my insecurities. "What Lia? It's true!" He laughed as I bucked and thrashed. "That's why you volunteered. Because you know that you were so much more disposable than precious little Nate."

"Fuck you," I snarled, my tears splashing onto Pullox's blade. "Fuck you. Cretin."

Pullox paused.

"Well, that's all I have to say," he smiled. "Have a nice death!"

I expected the feeling of his blade carving into my skin, but he released me. I tried turning around to face him but he shoved me and I fell backwards and plummeted through the trapdoor. My legs and arms flailed for a brief second before I splashed into the water. Relieved at being alive, I glanced up to where the trapdoor was and realised that he had shut it. There was no way of escaping.

The water had misted my vision slightly. I glanced around to see some way out. But I couldn't see anything. Whatever I had been thrown in, it was vast and I only had minutes to get to the surface. I kicked forwards slightly, and after ten seconds of casual swimming I realised that I had almost smashed into a wall of glass. Beneath it there was a casual looking room. I tapped my hand against it desperately before realising that it was my way out.

I reached for my weapon belt, removing the dagger. I was eerily calm as I smashed the blade into the glass. The first time the glass only cracked slightly.

I turned around and almost screamed when something almost floated into me. It was the District Ten girl, who looked frozen cold as her hair floated elusively around her like seaweed. She was rigid and dead. She had been for hours. I almost choked on the water I inhaled as I desperately thrashed around, losing all the calm I had maintained. I kicked her body away and felt just as sick when it seemed to be surrounded by strange aquatic creatures that I assumed were mutts. I kept almost deadly still, looking at them almost consume her as I smashed the blade backwards into the glass.

It was enough and there was a smash. Water immediately rushed out behind me and the force of the water spilling out almost sucked me into the glass. I desperately held my breath as black dots appeared in my vision. Eventually, the Ten girl and the creatures that surrounded her were forced towards me, unnaturally pulled by the force of the water leaving the tank.

As we crashed into each other, the glass behind me shattered completely. I was forced back into damp carpet, coughing and spluttering out water as I shoved the District Ten girl's corpse aside. She lay there, still and silent and surrounded by creatures that flopped around desperately. I realised that I was unable to move one of my hands, which had a subtle pink mark across it. I think that was where it came into contact with one of the said creatures; they must have been mutts programmed to paralyse certain people.

"Shit," I spluttered raised my arm and looked at my limp hand. I hoped that wouldn't last forever.

Right now, that didn't matter. All that mattered was getting out of here before Pullox got here, even if I felt weak and sick. He would be hell bent on killing me and he was probably going to kill Lexie too. I could stay around and wait for him to kill me, but there was no use in just waiting. I had to fight to live. I had to fight in the hope that I could possibly see Nate again.

Just a sneaky little update before I go to Paris.

Wow, so we're here! The final eight. Basically, the final milestone has been reached! I hope you're all as excited as I am. More on that death next chapter.

On another note, I am so shameless - I listened to Holding Out For A Hero while writing Lia's POV xD Fun fact: my grandmother is good(ish) friends with Bonnie Tyler. Not as fun fact: Total Eclipse Of The Heart is the best power ballad of all time, so.

Just quickly onto Versailles, because I may or may not visit it and have visited it in the past: This should go without a disclaimer but this Versailles is HIGHLY fictionalised (I mean, there's a computer room somewhere in the sewers), so don't use it as a historical reference ever. It's obviously a lot bigger than the actual Versailles (like arena level big), and also in Panem there are fewer historical records so there are historical inaccuracies there too. However, some rooms featured in this are real - the throne room, the gardens, the maze (or the Labyrinth of Versailles, which was sadly destroyed by Louis XIV) and a few others are rooms that existed or that still exist.

~Toxic

Late eulogy #2000:

Jericho: The (kind of but not really) gentle giant of the Games. People saw you as one of the less interesting Careers, but you were the most ordinary Career and despite being a Career you still felt extremely human to me, especially because you did both bad things and good things while you were alive, sometimes unashamedly, sometimes not. I found that really interesting about you, and I'm kind of sad you didn't get to meet the final 8, but the Games are getting super intense and there are so many amazing characters left :(