A/N: DeadlyHuggles: Yes, I play the violin!

Amil Everret (D11 Male)

I wasn't getting an ally. That much was pretty obvious by the end of the second day. I was a bit annoyed but eh, it didn't matter. I could still win, ally or no ally. I knew it was different from my usually making-friends personality and all, but I wasn't so sure I could trust these people. They weren't the same as Eleven citizens.

I mainly practiced the plant game since I was good at it. It wouldn't hurt to get to know a bunch of plants so that I wouldn't eat anything poisonous. But...there was also the question of what I would do for offense. I chuckled when I thought about it- charms. That would do. And I wasn't so sure I wanted to touch one of those bloody swords.

I cursed as I accidentally bumped my finger against the wrong answer. These screens were so sensitive.

A girl walked by. I didn't exactly know her name- I thought it was Alice or something. But she was so pretty. She was like an angel and she was so short and small and cute- she was awesome. Man, I didn't think it was possible to swoon over a twelve-year-old.

"Hey," I said smoothly, stopping from my rapid tapping to look at her.

She turned around and said, "Oh! You're Amil, aren't you?" She smiled, and that one action brightened all her features like a lamp would a desk. Her eyes were put into the spotlight, her angelic face twinkling. I had the impression that she was one of those girls who strives to help everyone but has some venom of her own nonetheless.

"Yes, I am," I answered silkily. "And you?"

She blinked, "Alice."

Jeez, so she was hard to charm. I put on one of those smiles that every girl falls for, the kind that's crooked and awkward and makes a girl think your strong but also vulnerable at the same time. That you need help.

She faltered for a second, unable to keep looking, and I managed to not smirk as she said in a wavering tone, "Well, it was nice meeting you. I hope to see you again." With those words, she padded away.

I sighed, staring after her. She was just so unbelievably pretty. She wasn't like those rough, scraped girls who were always either grumpy or easily falling under my spell- she had strength underneath. Hard power coursing beneath the innocent surface.

"Falling for someone, aren't you? Hypocrite," the boy at the station beside me smirked. His name was Mark and he was just another annoyingly confident Career.

"Who said?" I stared him in the eyes evenly and he just mustered a cold laugh, turning away.

I did the plant game for a little while longer, my fingers flitting between keys, jabbing them down as poisonous or safe to eat. I was getting really good at this, I thought proudly, wiping a sheen of sweat off my forehead and sitting back for a rest.

It was then that the girl from Five, Twyla, tapped on my should. I spun around, light on feet, and saw that she was with my District partner. My eyes narrowed but I said nothing. Just waited for her to talk.

She said pleasantly, "Elizabeth is your District partner, isn't she?"

An eyebrow snapped up. "Why do you want to know?"

She bit her lower lip in frustration. "I just do, okay? Well, anyway, you have something of hers, do you?"

Oh. That. She had asked me to keep her little strip of paper during Training, for whatever reason I didn't know. Her outfit hadn't had larger pockets like mine had(they were kind of just for decoration), so I guess she had just thought I could have it safe by the end of the day.

I felt the paper in my pocket and thought, the worst thing that can happen is a girl hating on you.

But I did want to know what was in the paper that was so important. Maybe I could cautiously maneuver around this road...

"I lost it," I fibbed, the words almost sticking in my throat. I wasn't one to lie unless it had a really good reason, and I wasn't too sure this one passed.

"You what?" She stared at me like I was an alien. I looked calmly back, though my nerves were knotted tensely.

"I lost it," I repeated.

"I hate you," she muttered under her breath. I didn't even care that she had said that- now I knew this paper was valuable. What words could be so valuable they needed to be kept secret?

Wanting to cover all these previous mistakes up- Elizabeth was staring at me strangely with an odd light in her eyes, as if she knew the truth that I wasn't acting my usual charming self. "I love you too," I said quickly.

A rosy tinge started to come familiarly across her face and I almost smiled, but then, it was covered up by a blotchy anger. "You have the paper," she said sharply. "Give it to me now."

I shrugged. "Didn't you hear me? I don't have it."

"Yes you do," she hissed, shoulders shaking.

"No, seriously, I really don't," I tried with a normal voice.

"You do." She shot me a steely glare.

"I don't."

"You do."

"I really don't."

"You really do."

This was getting a bit repetitive and I could see she would not quit if it meant she was giving up on the paper. "Then fine- tell me what's on there and I'll give it to you."

She exchanged glances with Elizabeth, who looked deeply worried. "I don't know...," Twyla whispered. "If it means a lot to you..."

"If he doesn't give it back, he'll see it anyways," Elizabeth realized logically.

"So I guess we'll just tell him, if it's alright with you," Twyla said, her tough tone breaking into gentleness.

Elizabeth nodded slightly.

I was so eager to discover what was on the paper that I almost tore it apart to look at the words. They were written in dark, thick ink, the brush strokes impossibly even. It said, Sunrise is a river of blood, crawling slowly into your ears.

Lace Riverworth (D8 Female)

I scowled at my District partner, Rowan. He was being such a nuisance. "Just tell me how in the earth you were able to use that."

I pointed to the weapon, crossing my arms defiantly, and his eyebrows drew down. "Do I have to?"

"You do."

"It's really none of your business," he grunted.

I folded my arms, jutting out my chin. I had known these kinds of people before, the kind that would never tell you a secret unless you made it clear to them you were in charge. I didn't really want to do this...but my rebellious spirit lurked at the fight-fight-fight range. Annnd, that was usually not so good.

"It is my business," I said calmly, patiently. The one thing you have to be when you want something from someone else is patient.

He huffed. "Why do you want to know, anyway? Getting a bit nosy, aren't you?"

I sneered. "Think that if you wish but no, I'm not a nosy person. I guess you could call me defiant. Defiant in the reason that you are being extremely difficult and I'm determined to know what exactly you're hiding. And besides, I'm curious. How exactly did you find a sword in Eight?" My demand was made clear and there was a silence for a second as he looked into my eyes, an odd glimmer in their depths.

Finally he set his jaw. His expression was emotionless though his cheek twitched with the struggle. Fire contained beneath the surface...I sighed. I had not wanted to do this and my anger had gotten the better of me for a moment but this was something I needed to know.

I focused my thoughts on the rebellion and gradually calmed down. My fingers curled into fists and a glint of determination sparked in my eyes. I could do this. I would make a rebellion come alive, and maybe I would even be at the heart of it.

Rowan said in a soft, untouchable voice, "From the dumps of Eight."

I blinked at him. "Wait, so you seriously went rummaging in a garbage can."

He bristled, all means of calmness gone. "No," he said steadily. "I did not go rummaging in a garbage can. Rather, I was just going for a walk and found it. I practiced it every day, teaching myself until I gained these skills." He eyed me. "What have you been doing all these years, plotting a rebellion?" He seemed thoughtful at this.

Fire snapped in my gaze and I didn't hesitate to confirm, "Yes, yes I have been." It was the partial truth, after all.

"That's interesting," he mused, never looking away. Then he paused. "However interesting it is, let's just go back to practicing."

"Let's?" I stared a challenge at him. Could I beat him..? After all, he was the one with the skill at swords...the guy who'd volunteered...

Meh. If it came to that, I would go for it. I wasn't even thinking about consequences, about what had happened with Algar. All I knew was that my rage was taking my sanity away, my temper starting to turn electric blue, stretched completely taut.

"Let's. I want to see what you can do." He looked back calmly, all his anger gone in a flash.

I snarled, "I'm not with anyone. If you wanted to be my ally, you should've asked sooner. Because it's too late, I've already decided."

"You're not gonna have an ally?" A slender smile traced its way onto his face.

"Nope." I raised an eyebrow at him. "What d'ya say about that?" Oh, this felt so good. Revenge, even though it might be a deadly cost on my side. But I could do it alone. If I had the confidence, I could do anything.

"Did you know, Amil's going to be a lone green bean too," Rowan stated.

I tipped my head. "That's the saddest nickname ever."

"Yeah, what I'm saying. Being a loner is not cool," Rowan insisted. "If you want to be my ally, go right on ahead. I'm giving you this last chance, if you want to take it. If not, I'll go along my merry way and wish you the best of luck. What do you say?"

I thought and thought and thought until I felt like my brain was going to explode. My fingers twisted through each other, twining and intertwining like vines. I was going through all the positives and negatives of each choice.

If I picked to be his ally, and possibly others too, I would have to put up with all of them and support them at my expense. I'd seen countless times what trouble allies got into for allies, where they risked their life, jumped into the way of the knife, all that.

And I'd also have to put up with Rowan.

However, having allies meant they would do the same for me. They would risk their life, they would support me, and all that.

But there was also the question about trust. Could I trust Rowan? Trust was a hard thing because I didn't know him much and my heart wasn't that easy to take. My allies could easily betray me, and I could do the same to them. But a twitch of humanity gripped me and I knew I could never do that. I would never go to those ends and make a plot twist just to win those Games. The Capitol will not change me. I will not be used. Never.

This left me vulnerable and Rowan knew it. He must see the same things I did, could possibly know what risks he was at to offer an alliance.

Then I went over the goods and bads of being alone.

Being alone, of course, meant that I would have to support myself and if I got sick or something, nobody would take care of me. Then again, I couldn't trust allies to do that either. But I could feel the strength rushing in my bones and I knew that would not happen, as long as I lived. I would not succumb to sickness.

On the plus side, being alone meant I was not at risk of betrayal, or have to support anyone else. I could trust only one person, and that was me. Me, myself, and I. I could not let my trust wander, and so I picked the only thing I could, because I knew deep down in my heart that I was the only person who I could ever hope for, ever dream for.

"Your request is denied."

It felt like a lifeline to say that. I would probably not have another chance like this again.

A/N: Omg writer's block JUST QUIT IT. Yawnnnn, I'm literally so tired right now, I slept late last night and had to get up early for Chamber. Also I've got to deal with grades. Cri.

sept 27