Aurelia Callen 16, District 9 Female

Last Night


I wonder what it would be like, to be one of them, a capital citizen. Even looking out the window now I see how happy they all look, walking down the street, laughing, smiling, like they have no worries, no concerns, they don't need to worry about surviving or being harmed.

The city is brightly lit, with colours everywhere, even from up here I can hear the music playing from outside, and I can see the large countdown on a screen.

'19 hours to bloodbath'

It makes me feel sick while they are counting it down finding the excitement in 17 impending deaths I'm trying to stay calm and keep it together. I have learned how to mark my emotions sometimes feeling numb is better than feeling anything at all, they say pain makes you human but they didn't mention what type of pain. For years I have felt mental pain, it doesn't mean I need to show my emotions but maybe being human, isn't the way to go, maybe I should have stopped caring all those years ago and stopped feeling guilt.

I took the punches because I didn't want to hurt my attacker, Ryley the previous leader of the Outsider my first original captive, to Dalton I let them do what they were doing because I didn't want to hurt them even if they hurt me in more ways then one.

These games are no different I couldn't kill that trainer even if he could have killed me, would have if there weren't strict rules not to, I can't freeze like that in the games, half the tributes won't show mercy they will destroy me before I can even flinch.

"I thought we went overboard for reapings, but this is just ridiculous," I say.

Brayen said they have a whole week of just game preparation, public holidays, a whole festival, and TV coverage, they make it an event, it's like their lives revolve around watching kids die. I wonder if they actually know we die, or if they think it's some TV show, I don't think they would care, they would be brainwashed to believe district kids are monsters.

"The aftermath is worse, I couldn't wait to get out," Brayen says. I just nod I feel him move next to me, I have to admit if it wasn't for him I don't know if I could have handled being here. I'm used to being alone but when I needed someone the most he was here I couldn't confide in Declan, I didn't want to, he would just put me down, I thought we were making progress but then it just went downhill again, he didn't say anything after the scores just went to his room and locked the door.

We planned to talk, to come up with a plan every time I tried to mention it he shut it down, so we might be going into the game's blind hell he might ditch me when he gets the chance I don't blame him either.

"It isn't too late to change your mind I can call Aden and Talen, 7 and and 10 will welcome you, even Jasper mentioned his tributes would be up to having you" he says I just glance at him, I won't lie and say leaving Declan hasn't crossed my mind.

"You two wanted us together," I state

"We didn't realise it was like this, he needs you, you don't need him this is a game of individuals after all," he says

"I do need him," I say

"You are smart enough to come up with plans to hide and run, you don't need him to protect you, you survived this long without him" he says

"Because I was needed, I'm not needed in the games, no one gets how it feels to live ten years with no one to love, no one loving you. I never knew what happened to my family, I thought they were dead but every day I woke up with some hope they were still alive, call me stupid but when you are trapped, you hold onto the little things in life so when I saw him, maybe I wanted to feel that happiness. I did in my childhood and as much as I hate how he treats me, I hate the person he is I can't walk away because you are he needs me" I say

Brayen just rubs my shoulder, it helps to have a mentor only 2 years old, someone who lived through this last year it is so raw to him, he lost his best friend a person who was like a sister yet he has done everything to help me, while I'm still caught in the past he is looking at the future.

"I went in with the mentality that death doesn't scare me, it fucking did in the games just realise if you run, or if you kill someone it doesn't make a monster, it makes you human, the people in the capital act like living is nothing but to us district kids it's gold, it's valuable but don't sacrifice your self for someone who doesn't value you. He is a lost soul and I feel bad for the kid but no one will hate you, will blame you for running, you may be siblings but you don't owe him anything," he says

"He makes it seem like I do, he blames me for being kidnapped that night, if I didn't then maybe life would have been different, would have been better," I say.

I never imagined my father to be abusive he was never like that to me, he loved me and my mother but I guess I was only 6.

"He wouldn't have I was always a street boy but hearing from Alistair, Xander and Kaela, being a wealthy family, with a role your dad had, it wasn't going to be an easy life for your brother ever you, I'm not saying what happened was better but to be honest, you both dodged a bullet but your brother is too stupid to admit that," Brayen says

"The second the gong goes everything changes, who was, who I want to be it can't matter anymore, you are right, I should turn my back on him but I can't, so if I die, then at least I can die knowing I didn't give up that I kept to my morals and that there is good in everyone," I say

"What about your creepy secret admirer," he says

He gave me another present today before private sessions a stoned cut in a heart shape covered in blood I was too stunned by the gesture to say something but I was quick to throw both rocks in the fireplace, I should be happy someone likes me but to be honest I'm more concerned and disturbed why a maniac like him likes me it's like I have a sign on my head "If he was a heartless monster which I'm not saying he isn't but if he was fully gone, he wouldn't have formed a bond with someone still doesn't mean I would ever go on a date with him" I say

"I would send you to a mental hospital if you did" he chuckles I just smirk at him to be honest I would too

"If you are going to stay with him what is your end game, not his, but yours, you can't go in there blind Aurelia you need to prepare yourself for both victory and death, just realise how much District 9 need you, the capitol," he says he is right year after a year a heroic girl not that I would see my self as a hero, gets thrown in the games and she always falls before the final hurdle. I don't want that fate, I don't want to be tortured and at the mercy of my killer, sadly really the only one who would kill me who would do it quickly is Levin, everyone else wouldn't even dare hurt me or would torture me.

I should have made a deal with him, but am I really willing to put my life in the hands of some boy who is a hitman, he may seem like he has a heart but in the games true colours get exploited even mine, and I don't know what my dark side is, and that unknown scares me.

"I know, a part of me wants to stay with him the entire games, the fear that if I run and he dies I don't know how I would feel yet at the same time, there is so much conflict so much hate on his part I'm worried he will force me away," I say

"What if he attacks you, what if he kills you," he says

"He might say he would and maybe I'm blind but I see it in his eyes he won't be able too, I would never kill him, but I know we can't make the final two, only one wins, and he wouldn't kill himself for me," I say

"Please don't kill yourself for him he doesn't deserve your sacrifice" he says

"And I don't either," I say. I just flinch as he grabs my chin, the force shocking me but it isn't out of malice.

"You deserve to live more than half the tributes in there, sometimes just letting fate decide it's easier than controlling it. I have gotten way too attached you but even if I don't think you have the Victor heart neither did I, has any Victor really had one, no, but you have a fighter's heart" he says I just stare at him.

"Thank you" I say Brayen just lets go of my chin when the door knocks as he walks over to open it looking back at me when he sees Declan.

I just nod to him I want to go to him and talk but Brayen said to wait, he may say Declan needs me more but he is wrong. I need him just as much, selfishly and the fact he is my brother I want to spend my final moments with him even if it may be hostile but at the same time I might have the brain to survive but I won't be able to handle myself in a fight Brayen has helped taught me a bit about sword but up against Levin, the fours or the whacko brothers I have no chance that's why I need Declan

"Don't let him bully you" Brayen whispers in my ear then walks out I just jump a little when Declan closes the door as I just stay on the couch next to the window

"I thought you would want this back" he says I almost snatch the journal off me, I had to do a lot to earn the privilege of a journal but I almost begged Dalton for it. I told him it was for equations but it was really to write my feelings, what I went through in case I ever escaped I could tell my story.

"How did you get this" I ask

"Xander got it off the outsider leader" he says just sitting next to me

"I didn't know you went through all of that, I thought you almost joined them and that it was just a join or die situation I didn't realise you were an actual prisoner that you were-" I cut him off the last thing I wanted was my brother to know what I went through, I feel ashamed and dirty that was so weak to allow myself be exploited like that, to be pretty much made as a toy for two teenage boys.

"It's fine, please don't mention it" I whisper

"I'm sorry, I should have just listened to you, let you confide in me I'm your brother I should be protecting you, you should trust me" he says it's obvious, he had another talking too but that's Declan one second his call and gentle the next he's trying to fight everyone, trying to fight the world.

"I guess you know my entire story now, when did you read it" I say

"After the scores, a part go me wanted to read it, I wanted to know your story and why you are the way you are but at the same time I didn't want to, and I didn't get attached, fuck this is so hard Aurelia," he says

"We are still blood, that bond never dies," I say

"I just, I don't want to die but I don't you to die either, I know they want to leave me and I wouldn't blame you but please don't," he says I hear the desperation in his voice, see the vulnerability, he is scared of being alone, maybe scared of losing me, I can't blame him.

I'm scared too I never found out if my parents were dead until a few days ago and even now I almost forget, it's like they are a past thought and I hate myself for not remembering them, for almost not caring but after everything I have been put though it's better to be numb, it's better not to care.

I just grab his hand "I won't I promise, but you hurt me sometimes, I don't want to be hurt anymore" I say.

I was used to being insulted and beaten even though Dalton was a lot more gentle and patient than Ryley was if disobeyed him or didn't please him enough and I would get beaten it made me scared of failure

"I just, I can't help it, I don't want to but it's a defence okay please don't take it personally" he says. I see his hand shaking his trying to keep it together I know he might snap any second and then we will have an argument, we tried to talk last night and he ended up punching me in the nose which alerted both the mentors, I tried to deny it but they both saw the blood, Declan get abused by both verbally, I wouldn't blame him for hating me because they paint him out as a bad guy.

So I just nod, it's better to please him I have always been the pleaser, the submissive.

"What do we do tomorrow in the bloodbath" I say

"Xander said we both have heaps of sponsors, I don't know if it's safer to run and hope or try to grab something," he says

"I don't think we would be targeted straight away, we have a deal with the ones and boys like Stellan will want the first, kill he will pick off the easy targets" I say

"What about freak head arsonist and psychotic saw freak," Declan says

"They want us dead but not yet to be honest I don't know what Harley wants and scares me but if the feeling is right we run and grab something if not we leave we will try to work it out if we somehow get split early go north and find the first you find okay" I say

He just nods "We will be fine okay, I won't let anyone hurt you I promise," he says but that's a promise to be broken and we both know it.


Kylian Wilson 17, District 4 Male

Last night


I just let the knife leave my hand knife after knife as I watch it hit target after target. I picture all the capital morons with their fake skin and hair and how much I just want to shred them, normally I don't have violent thoughts, I'm normally pretty in control of my emotions and actions.

It's why I'm so good at everything I do.

I didn't train in training, I didn't do anything in the private sessions yet it's like they knew, they found out everything about me, my act is gone, my score has alerted everyone, my predicted placings have named me as the one to beat and I'm a villain I had to get out of the apartment before my district partner murdered me in a fit of rage, I don't know if that means our alliance is done or not.

It's not like I could any care less I can easily adapt, I only agreed so I have someone to control, someone to use as a shield now he knows I am, well not the innocent genius I acted, like controlling the boy might be harder because he will be suspicious of my intentions. I might need to go alone, but even if I have accuracy like a dead eye and I can outsmart anyone even the girl from 9, I know in a fight I have no chance. I never cared about being strong or a good fighter maybe because I didn't think I would be in the Hunger Games.

The morons want me to be the villain.

Will they get it?

I really don't know, I know how the hero and villain story works, they want the same story every year, they want the villain to cause carnage, to have a high body count they also want him to have a rivalry with the hero and villain, Aurelia and I haven't even spoken, there is no obvious tension, no obvious rivalry if there is one it would be between both of our district partners, doesn't mean I won't target the girl from 9 the second the gong goes, she may not be as intelligent but she is close to my level and that makes her a direct threat to my game.

And the only way I can be killed is to be outsmarted or blindsided I'm not arrogant just realistic I have been able to hide my true nature, hide my talents for so long.

I won't be the villain the capital wants. I will let Stellan do that if anything the two boys from Two are villains as well even they have avoided me, it's less about giving the captiol a show and more about what each individual wants, what their end game is and it's no different for me. I don't care about the capitol, I don't care about the district I just don't want to die. I just put my knife down when I hear the door open, the centre is open for training, and there are private rooms for you to train with your mentor but I wouldn't be shocked if mine disowned me too I haven't been honest with him and he has tried.

The second my score was shown I left the room and locked the door, the second the revised placings and roles were shown I used the vents to get down here, I wanted space and peace, I knew I would get interrogated.

"You don't have to stop," Levin says

I just throw another knife, he knew my secret so did Aurelia, it was easy to put the pieces together when told two tributes have the files, of course, it would have been Aurelia, she is the capitol's sweetheart, she is the favourite killing her in cold blood will be even more satisfying and Levin that was a harder guess but I if it was my partner he would have made a deal about it, and the pair from two, I mean it could have been them but why, they seem bright enough to read people and I saw Levin watch them differently then everyone else.

He knew

"Why didn't you tell anyone," I say. I never miss I spend hours alone throwing knives I have a sadistic nature, normally I injure from a distance and kill close and person but in the Hunger Games I may not have that chance putting myself in the open for a satisfying kill isn't worth the risk yet only the dork from one can use a long-range weapon and by use I'm being generous, so I'm not concerned about being shot in a distance.

"I am here to get back home not play games, what was the point of hiding, secrets always come out anyways" he says

"One I didn't want, I'm not like the twos by the way, I just like using my brain to force people to do bad things or get themselves killed yes I'm sadistic and would torture someone if I had the chance but I wouldn't go out of my way," I shrug, another throw, another bullseye he doesn't seem afraid of me though, his being underestimated even if he is predicted top three he should be predicted first. I want to win, I believe I have a plan that can set me up but I'm not an all-rounder like Levin and the second-predicted Harley well I don't even need to say how that freak won't win.

"It's smart, I respect that you just want to do your own thing," he says

"Stellan was a good pet, I might not have that anymore," I say

"I don't know it's like with the nines they are staying together because they need each other, a boy like Stellan they don't won't survive alone, a rich kid, who thinks he is perfect, he needs someone," he says

I actually don't mind him, maybe keeping the biggest threat in my back pocket might help me in the long run, his heart is his biggest weakness, he may be willing to kill but he will start to crumble under pressure, the more lives he takes, he isn't as mentally strong as he wants I can exploit that but right now I need him alive, he has the best chance to kill the twos.

You kill one and the other is as good as dead, it's just killing one that is the issue, I may be reckless and act fearless but I'm not stupid enough to run into a fight with a blowtorch or a saw-wielding maniac that would be a death wish but physically Levin has a chance.

"I may be seen as a villain but you don't need to worry about me," I say

"I would hope not," he says

"I'm willing to make a deal if Stellan does come back to me I have let's say control over him, if not I'm alone well it doesn't matter I am a threat I know everyone's weakness, I know how to exploit that I can easily kill both you and your Allie but I don't want that" I say I. mean Cedric I couldn't care less about, that kid is about 4 on my concern level, once I hopefully kill Aurelia early then that will make Declan a sitting duck, I can try and figure out how to deal with the twos but I need to ensure Levin won't be threat to me so making a deal with him is my best option.

"I'm willing to do that, final 8" he says

"I know you have one with the nines, I want the final four take it or leave it, I'm not including Stellan in the deal," I say he raises an eyebrow, final 8, that is only ten tributes to die, and when it starts to get to the crunch normally that's when the strongest tributes are alive and as last year showed anything can happen after final 8 no one is safe, Sawyer came 8th in any other year he would have be a lock for top 3.

"Is Cedric included in that deal?" he asks

"Do you really think that kid will make the final four?" I say, he just bites his lip.

"Fine deal" he says shaking my hand I just smirk, he just made a deal with the devil and he doesn't even know it and he doesn't have to

"The room is all yours," I say, he just stares at me for a moment, I do trust him, he seems like he would follow his word, unlike the other main threats, he has family that needs him, and he has the most too loose, it makes him dangerous in that sense, that he won't be stupid.

I don't really want to go back up my apartment but I sort of need to fix things between Stellan and explain things to my mentor, it's not like I was dishonest I just didn't want to put all my cards on the table that's just being smart, I shouldn't get blamed for trying to play the game, this game isn't just about killing these days.

I don't want to play like everyone else, I don't want to go out there and try to kill everyone, I know the mental consequences and with three really close pairings, you kill one and the other will come for you it's why Stellan is important, yes I'm planning to kill Aurelia but that's more personal plus her brother doesn't scare me, he is too unhinged, he won't be able to handle her death one bit, she will, that's why she needs to go first, I just open the door.

"Thank god you are okay," Adrian says

"I just went to the centre" I mumble, Stellan and Cassia are missing but I haven't seen the witch ever since we got here, hopefully, she is dead.

"You ready to talk then," he says holding my file

"Oh look you found my file good job" I say

"I knew there was something off about you I have to admit though you had us all fooled but there are at least 30 deaths we can link to you, you are quite creative" he mumbles I just chuckle

"What can I say I have a large brain, it's more curiosity than anything, I'm not addicted though, not obsessed with manslaughter," I say when I watched a boy get ripped apart by a shark when I was young, I wanted to know more, I wanted to see more, I wanted to be the shark but I was able to learn how to control it, years being alone, having to fend for myself, I learned how to be smart, if you put all your cards on your table you end up getting burned.

"More with mental slaughter?" He asks

"Exactly don't worry though I have watched pretty much every single Hunger Games, I know that going out of my way to be the villain will get me killed, I do value my life, I don't want to die," I say

"You want some sort of control don't you," he says

I am worried Stellan might be listening or Cassia, wherever she is as I just look around.

"We can go to your room if you want privacy, Cassia is pawning herself off to who knows who and Stellan is in his room," he says. I just nod as we walk to my room, I just lock the door even Adrian tenses a little as I just chuckle.

"Really man scared of a 17-year-old kid," I say

"After reading your file yes," he says

"I'm a killer with no motives or intention it's more out of boredom or curiosity, my brain spins a hundred miles per hour, and there are so many thoughts that run through my head that even I can't keep track of them, so I need to do things I prefer to be a con man through and a puppet master, so yes I like control, and I want all the control, sadly the capitol may have blown my entire use Stellan as a meat shield plan," I say

"I don't know that kid isn't as smart as everyone thought, he still needs you, he was waiting for you, I have seen villains come into these games they let it get to their heads," he says

"I won't" I say throwing him a book he goes through it.

"You have every planned to a T don't you," he says

"If one plan fails I have backups, I have ideas on how to fix things, I have predictions in my head, I know the alliances, I know the rivalries, who wants to kill who, which alliances may crack, the only tributes I can't properly read are Levin and Aurelia, yes I don't know how to kill district two yet but I can see right through the two of them," I say

"And what about your weakness do you have any, or do you think you're perfect," he says

"I wish I was perfect but yes I know my weaknesses," I say, he just looks at me almost waiting for me to tell him, of course, I'm not telling him, yes he may be my mentor but Cassia has been A wall he would have to be looking out for Stellan too, it's not about loyalty when it comes to these victors, they won't put their heart and soul into one tribute like the outers, do they want to do anything to bring anyone out.

"Skeletons in the closest I am guessing," he says

I just smirk "Please don't tell me you actually had a skeleton in your closet," he says

"Do you want to hear what you, or do want to hear the truth?" I say he just sighs

"As crazy as this sounds you're the best chance we have had in years kid, I can tell Stellan to come in here just, do your thing," hs says.

I just nod to him as he walks out leaving me in peace thank god but sadly my peace only lasts about a minute as there is another knock on the door, as I open it, Stellan just walks in without an invite but that's Stellan you.

"I have to say kid, I am impressed to be honest I kept thinking you were like the loser from one 2.0" he says I have no idea who his talking about but I just nod and play dumb anyways.

"I thought you would want to split, I haven't been honest with you," I say

"Yet you haven't lied either, this is the Hunger Games I can understand you wanting to keep your cards close to your chest, my only question is where do I fit in your equation, am I your pawn?" he says

"I enjoy messing with people, causing carnage but I value my life, I don't want to be the villain! I want to be the Victor, I want you as an ally, I wouldn't say friend I don't know what they are. I don't want to fight or backstab you, there is no point we need each other, the other three pairs' bond is stronger, we need to stick together" I ask

"You are right," he says say fuck this guy is so stupid I'm literally playing him right now and he is completely oblivious.

"Bloodbath, I want to spill blood" he says

"Good idea, I will get supplies maybe rattle the nines" I say

"Oh yes the nines I want to have fun with them, well more the boy I still haven't forgotten the nose," he says the nose I caused I knew that would backfire in Stellan's face and I was the witness

"You have the boy, I have the girl but You lead the way buddy," I say he just smirks but at the end of the day, I will be the one laughing.


Levin Huxley 18, District 1 Male

Morning of the games


I couldn't sleep all night, if anything I spent all night vomiting, feeling sick to my stomach, feeling scared.

Normally I hide my fear, normally I'm brave, fear it's an emotion that isn't worth feeling, and fear leads to even more negative emotions. My score did concern me a bit but like Jasper said my background makes me a perfectionist everything had to be perfect, has to be right.

I know have cracked under pressure before, only once but it caused me to kill someone I didn't plan, it only happened once. I lost control and I regretted it but I moved on and put that memory at the back of my head and acted like it never happened but it did, and I'm worried it will happen again I have so much to lose and desperate measures lead to desperate actions.

Nice guys don't always win, was Brayen a nice guy, maybe but he wasn't the hero, Maverick and Payton no way, Alistair that was a fluke, Xander went insane, Aden lost it, Everett was like me an anti-hero.

I can't be nice to win, I can't have morals as I did at home, I can't try and be a quick or stealthy killer either, and you need capital support to win, they have shown that they are willing to help their favourites win. I can't just be the run-of-the-mill, career they don't exist and I wasn't raised as a killer, I was a hitman and at the moment 16 names are on my list and if I see any of them, they are dead.

I have two deals will I go through with them?

Kylian yes I don't trust that kid at all, he does concern me, they say keep your friends close and your enemies closer and until I fully pull together his intentions, I need to keep him alive and away from me. I know why he wants me alive he thinks I can beat the loony tune brothers, can I?

I don't fucking no, I haven't really trained on how to fight a blow torch, it's something they don't teach anywhere and fighting a saw who the fuck uses a saw these days I need someone else to kill them, I know that's why Kylian wanted a deal with me, so I can kill the twos well fuck him.

My deal with the nines?

I was going to follow that until the scores…..

I knew Aurelia was smart but I didn't know she was that smart, and she is the hero, they are the ones who always make it far, they get the attention, they get the favouritism and besides Everett's year what has every Victor had in common they killed the hero, they killed the capitol sweetheart and it set them up for victory because killing the sweet innocent girl, with a story sparks something it either makes that Victor determined to win too right their wrongs or it weakens their opponent.

And her brother, I knew he was a threat and even if he moved down two spots it wasn't because he was weaker, it's because other threats had been determined. He concerns me, he could become like Xander and once an outer boy fully loses his innocence, he becomes a threat, and he becomes almost unbeatable.

I promised her the final 8 but if I had to take the shot earlier, I will. I just have to be smart about it, I know I will still be a target I am the best prepared.

I have family unlike the others, and I know I need to always sleep with one eye open.

I trust Cedric, I know he doubted me at the start maybe he still does and maybe I have been eavesdropping on his conversations with Markus but I know he has a heart, he wouldn't be heartless enough to stop a boy who has so much to loose in his sleep, he is not cruel I'm not cruel either that will be my downfall.

I just leave the bathroom open everything I had inside me is gone and I don't vomit anymore, it was pretty loud and hectic last night being District One we are on the bottom floor with the training centre being underground. I heard all the commotion for the Hunger Games it's like the main event of the year it clearly is even District One made it a big deal, it's all about winning, fame and fortune, at least the mentality is changing.

If I win I want to make a change, no more social divisions, no conflict, hearing stories from Cedric breaks my heart because he is one the most loveable little things I have met and the fact he gets bullied and made to feel like a loser just because the little fella is well not the most competent guy, it hurts he hasn't done anything wrong but he is rich and if your rich you need to be perfect it was easy for me, once I got life on track for my family but even then the slums they shouldn't exists people should have a chance to make up for their mistakes, we are all human.

But I'm also scared, I haven't killed someone close and personal in years and the last time I did I lost control, I felt the pain, I felt the blood running through my hands and I felt something I have never experienced before. I am scared if that happens again that I will become someone I can't fix.

I'm not broken not yet.

But once I am broken I can't be fixed I look at the other tributes, the broken ones, Aurelia is the one I don't want to kill but at the same time it's like I have to kill her but she went through hell and back and even if you see a girl who you would think would just give up, she hasn't she may be broken but she isn't shattered, still doesn't mean she won't, I don't want to be like that, so rattled that it's like I don't deserve to live and her brother he is just a broken soul, that is a bully to hide his insecurity. I should be concerned that we are both listed as anti-heroes because I don't see any hero in Declan but am I really a hero.

No?

Then the twos, They are broken, well mentally broken being broken doesn't have to be emotional, there is nothing about either of the two that can be fixed or is redeemable.

I could have used a long-range weapon but I know short-range is safer, I know I need to get into fights, I guess I just need to pretend I'm back in District One and that everyone is a name on my hit list, that they need to die, the fact I have no real personal connections to anyone besides Cedric makes it easier, the fact I try to not know the names of the random draws makes it easier, maybe I can move on but longer the games go on that's when I start to worry.

And Cedric, I have gotten too attached I know that but how can I not be attached to him, he is the sunshine I needed, the light I needed he will help me but I know he won't be able to win, it's why I know I won't have to kill him not that I could, someone else will do that for me but then I worry what will happen if I lose him, how will I handle it, if I can handle it and I don't think I will, that's when revenge will come in mind, it's a sign is respect to avenge a friend. I wish I could have avenged my parents but I guess I did because the people who helped contribute to their deaths they didn't get me, well not yet.

They can now, I get a little startled as my door knocks and I walk over I shouldn't feel this nervous I'm the best prepared but I can't stop worrying, from the bloodbath to whenever I might die, this year it's really hard to pick a winner because everyone has a weakness, hell maybe it is the year of the dark horse once again.

Maybe I should try to at least splinter that alliance but that alliance has a 14-year-old girl, Aurelia is different if I do kill her and I know deep down I am the best person to kill her, I remember yesterday I walked past her she said I know we have a deal but if the time is right can you please do it, it was cryptic but I knew what she meant and I promised her I would.

And I don't break my promises.

I pretty much promised to be her killer and I wasn't going to try and convince her not to because it benefits me, when and how though that's the issue, that's what I don't know about. I would rather her brother be dead because I don't really want to have to deal with an angry mentally unstable boy whose sister I just murdered or I could just save my own ass and hand her to Harley, I think he wants her but I don't know what he wants either.

But it comes to Mabel that's when I start to get conflicted.

I just open the door as Jasper walks in with a box "How are you buddy" he says

"Fine," I say

"You are a good liar Levin but not all the time, you look pale as hell and it's obvious you had zero sleep, I heard movement all night, I didn't know if it was you or Cedric, I expected Cedric" he says

"I was sick all night and couldn't sleep, I normally don't get like this," I say, I shouldn't get like this.

"It is nerves even if I was like this they could train us as much as they want but they tell us how it really is.

Here these should help fill your stomach as well, You are used to hunger, so you will be able to handle the food, it's mainly biscuits and bread, I will be able to sponsor you a lot, as this the final top 5 popular list" he says handing it to me

1st: Aurelia Callen

2nd: Cedric Lenlen

3rd: Harley Tandley

4th: Levin Huxley

5th: Winston Connors

"Is the fact Harley is 3rd a typo or are the capital morons?" I say

Maybe killing Aurelia isn't the best idea after all I don't fucking know I'm a Nobel guy once I make a promise, I follow it unless I just wait she didn't mean early anyways, someone will try to fire the shots at the nine it could be as early as the bloodbath and I will just stand by and watch.

"Second option, they find the insane act cute I don't know man," he says

I just smirk "I think the arena is outdoors again, not snowing but not warm either, there are no survival items in your belt, so it's hard to come off what they are from the clothing, just prepare yourself that they have separated tributes at the start so don't get shocked," he says pulling out the clothes.

"District colour coding list too, try to remember that there are a lot of blondes this year," he says

He is right the last thing I want is to think Harley is someone else, considering my district partner is blonde and the same height as the freak.

District colours:

District 1- Light Grey

District 2- Dark Grey

District 3- White

District 4- Light Blue

District 5- Black

District 6- light green

District 7- Brown

District 9- Dark Blue

District 10- Dark green

The clothes are a pair of thick black pants, black boots, a black T-shirt, a grey sweater, a grey hooded jacket and a grey waterproof jacket.

"A lot of layers could be cold and wet," I say

"You will be fine in the outdoors, not that the capitol wants tributes to die of natural causes, but try to stay calm if you have to be a killer to win, do it. I normally don't want my tributes to be monsters but normally my tributes don't have as much too loose, you can recover from trauma but you can't recover from death," he says

"I don't handle losing things well, losing people after my parents died if it wasn't for my siblings, I don't know where I would have ended," I say either dead or insane, we may not be District Two but we have a few let's so not all there boys mainly on the streets I know what it takes, something happens and the whole world cracks.

"Just remember you only have one chance no one is going to hate you for killing, no one is going to hate you for your choice, try to follow your morals but it's okay to let go" he says I just look at the black band on my hand

"You can't fix what's broken," I say gently

"You can't fix what's dead" he says, he is right everything he is saying is right.

"I care for Cedric more than I should, what happens when he dies" I say

"Move on, sometimes they say revenge isn't the way to go but it's a distraction, gives you something to aim towards, if it's early if there are clearly more days if you find a lone tribute who was hand-chosen make temporary alliance things like that" he says

"Hell I could die in the bloodbath, I don't know what the hell the twos are planning or the fours," I say

Harley and Rory, could be planning anything from dancing in the blood to killing themselves early both boys are that insane it can be anything and that's what scares me, even Kylian I don't know what he wants even speaking to him yesterday he was quick to make a deal, it shows he is feeling a little vulnerable but that vulnerability, will make him dangerous.

"I wish I could tell you what to do, just you know stay away if you have the chance to kill Stellan I would take it, you level him strength wise and no way Kylian would have his back," he says

He is right the deal I might have with Kylian, doesn't include Stellan or Cedric.

"Will I be a bad person if I break my deals?" I say

"No, because making bad choices, makes us human, just come out when you are ready, he says rubbing my back, he is right but I know if I want to win I might have to drop my humanity and having to pick up the pieces is what scares me.


Winston Connors 17, District 10 Male

Launch


Fuck I don't even know where we are walking right now to be honest I have been in fairyland all morning. It is the fear I could be dead in an hour, so going to my happy place in la-La Land, that's where I feel safe until that gets snatched away and the games begin, we have a plan.

Run the hell out of the bloodbath and then work out our next move but thinking of running is so easy when you have no idea what's going to happen, some years they separate tributes, but some years they don't. Hell the arena can be on the moon for all we know, which would actually be so cool, I wouldn't mind dancing with some aliens,

I used to do that a few years ago when I was well on the moon due to the scratch, I clearly wouldn't have been on the moon but it sure as hell felt like it.

As crazy as I was on that stuff, to be honest maybe I should have gone back on it, at least I wouldn't care at least, I wouldn't be so scared of what would happen to me. I may have become a monster but at least I have no memories, yet at the same time I don't want to die like that, I want to die at least somewhat proud of myself, if I do I want to die fighting and being a good person.

Not that I am a good person, I made drugs and sold them drugs that could have killed people, I am just as much of a murderer then the other tributes and now I have a target on my back. I didn't expect my score to be so high I was happily flying under the radar, I kept to my alliance only and I barely used weapons but now I'm a dark horse, and dark horses win and some of the biggest threats really want to live they might target me early and that will affect my allies, especially Mabel.

She just walks next to me holding Aden's hand no one really spoke this morning, I was in my own little world, and so was Mabel and both mentors tend to be quiet when we are all together wanting to mentor us separately.

Connor has done his best but even, he can't really tell me what to do, he has been more of a been there to support mentor rather than giving me life-changing advice. I don't really know what to do that's the scary thing, I start to see the other tributes come in with their mentors no one really talking.

"We will both see you at launch" Aden says and just like that they disappear

I start to walk outside where all the other tributes are waiting everyone staying in their district pairs or alone but once again no real talk. How can I blame everyone we are minutes away from going into the games, some of us will be dead within an hour, and others will become killers. Mabel stands closer to me almost like she wants me to hold her hand a part of me wants to comfort her but I also know I shouldn't, I don't want to look soft they will come to target us early seeing us as easy threats, they will think I might become an issue but if they get rid of me luckily but no one is looking at me or anyone really everyone is in their own little world.

The second that gong sounded everything I knew, everything we all knew was thrown out of the window. I don't know what the arena is, all I know is it's going to be cold, it could be outdoors but watching the games this game maker doesn't seem to care about the arena, it's the tributes and at least half have a story.

Am I in the half?

I don't know, I'm just your drug dealer from ten but you say that someone in ten and they will be shocked. I guess I'm not your run-of-the-mill boy but then I accidentally make eye contact with Rory who just moves his head side to side mouthing something almost like his singing.

Please god that better not be my death song but compared to him I'm normal, well, I hope I wouldn't really want to be seen like him or his partner.

"Alright tributes there will be two hovercrafts taking you, each of you will be given a card, black on the left, white on the right," The head trainer says as he starts to hand us a card.

"It will be alright, it's just a quick trip" I tell Mabel she has white I have black, I hope this isn't a sign black is a bad colour, it signifies death.

"What if it means the arenas are split" She stutters

"I doubt it, Connor said it has never happened before, look you have Dash," I say when he gets ready to walk over we have become a tight alliance. We have fun and talk about home but it also scares me about what will happen once we get into the games, I'm not ready to lose them, but I guess I have lost boys before you just have to swallow the loss and move on as much as I don't want to think about it as much as I'm not ready to lose any of my allies.

I'm not ready to die either.

Oh great I got Harley.

I just slowly start to walk towards my hovercraft as I feel Rory brush past me still moving his head and whispering to himself, he just smiles at me and I just nod, fuck I'm so lucky I didn't pee my pants but I just keep a straight face it was actually a normal smile not like an I will tear you to shreds smile but just a smile, fuck I must be seeing things. I just walk onto the hovercraft there are 3 pairs of two-seats and one three-seat the boys from 3,5 and 6 all sit together.

Pretty much drawing a line in the sand, I just sit on one of the empty pairs as Kylian just sits too the boy from 7 who looks a little nervous

When Harley walks in, I feel like I'm frozen please don't sit next to me, please don't sit next to me thank god he sits next to Levin who doesn't flinch or anything as Aurelia just moves next to me as I do feel the relief I did want her next to me.

We did talk about it last night trying to rope her in maybe having an extra number will help us and I have seen how her brother treats her.

She deserves better, both Dash and I are the type of guys to take people under our wings, I may have not be in a gang but I had a crew a crew I was really loyal too, but here I can't be loyal, I want to but what happens when it comes to the crunch, what if we get attacked or we all make it to the end, I don't want that to happen, none of us do but we haven't really spoken about it. I guess as cruel and unfair as it is Dash and I know Mabel won't survive too long maybe it was panic that caused me to be so quick to Allie with her. I was worried that I wouldn't find another Allie or that deep down I knew if I had a weaker one it would be easier in the long run.

I have lost friends before you get used to it, there is really no time to dwell and mourn them because every day is a fight for survival. I just jump as the hovercraft launches, Kylian chuckles by the corner as I just put the finger up at him look I probably shouldn't that guy is as hard to read as a book is I mean for my books are hard to read in general, fuck books.

Oh god what if the arena is a massive library "You are smart yeah what are the sadical chances of the arena being a massive library," I whisper in Aurelia's ear.

I try to ignore the intense jealousy on Harley's face like he is about to stab me in the foot for talking to her, I must be missing something there or the dude has a crush, I would say it is cute but probably not for her.

She looks at me confused then chuckles "You mean statistical" she says

"Yeah sure, you know what I mean girl,," I say, we are talking quietly so hopefully we don't bring attention plus the sound of the flying is quite loud, too be honest not that it matters the second the gong sounds anyone can be killed.

Can anyone win?

Maybe ten years ago but not anymore even though I'm not that confident but the past 7 or so years a tribute that has been predicted in the final top 8 has won, a tribute with a role has one and I'm one of those but am I a killer I killed the trainer my my scores but that was out of fear and panic the dude attacked me I guess the hunger games are no different, if freak face chases me with his saw which he really looks like he wants to do right now.

Dude I ain't trying to steal your girl not that she is his, fuck poor thing but she just ignores his staring.

"I doubt the arena will be fully indoors but it doesn't mean there won't be one, don't stress if reading was so important there would have been more reading stations, there was a map reading, hang on that just clicks to me that hasn't been there before I asked my mentor to list down the stations he had," she says bringing a small book from her pocket as I just peer over

"So what it's a giant map," I say

"No but being able to read a map will be important like it's a maze," she says

Great I just sigh as she just smirks at me, this could be a good chance to see where her head is at, if I wasn't so quick to Allie with Mabel and she didn't have Moody pants as her brother, we would have been the obvious choice for allies, black band, street kids, even if her file was a little blank.

She seems like my type of person and I hundred percent would treat her better than her brother does that's for sure but I guess I can't blame him, being on the streets you are forced to have to fend for yourself, you have to be a big boy or you will get torn apart, after I got off the drugs which I don't even know how I did even that moment of my life was blank I had the reputation to ensure I wasn't messed with here it's a whole new playing field.

"You and Declan have an interesting relationship," I say

Am I seeing things or are Harley and Levin actually looking like they are having a civil conversation even Kylian looks confused fuck I must be seeing things Harley and Civil yeah nah I know the dude has a blank file but I can see crazy from miles away and I crazy back in my viper scratch days and crazy wasn't an understatement.

Oh god, I hope I didn't go around talking to saws or burning people alive.

"We haven't seen each other for ten years now I have to go into the games knowing one or both will die," she shrugs

"Still I mean I don't have siblings but I wouldn't treat them like he does with you" I say

"That's just him, I am used to it I guess" she mumbles.

She is cautious with her words but also clearly watches the conversation Levin and Saw Freak are having but she doesn't seem as concerned as I am, she is more curious.

"I know it's real late but we are happy to have you, would you rather be in an alliance where you get put down or one that will have your back," I say

She meets eyes with Levin who tilts his head as Harley just gawks at both of us.

"Thanks for the offer but I just can't, I want to turn my back on him I know that but you don't get it, no one does, for years I have wanted the chance to have my family back, and now I have him I won't throw it away if I get killed in the process so be it," she says

We both get startled as a man comes around with trackers and some liquid I just let him inject them in me, she is right though I don't get it and I don't think anyone would, how can I expect her to turn her back on family I know I wouldn't, I wish I had family, so if I did I would hang onto them.

"But if in the games, if we somehow meet up and it isn't too late is this offer still on the table" she asks, I just look at her.

"100%" I say she just smiles at me I guess that's a backup, I know I might lose Mabel early, Dash I don't know his a nice guy, he is one of my dudes but can I really trust him, could I trust Aurelia I don't know but knowing she doesn't want to win that makes it easier, the rest of the trip is silent everyone once again in their own thoughts even the two career boys have stopped talking I wish I could have known what they were saying, as the hovercraft stops and we are quickly escorted out.

I feel sick to my stomach right now but anything can happen.