Chapter 10

7 days. 9 tributes. 1 ally. 1 friend.

We've been here a week and finally can reach some form of connection. We still don't talk much, but I think we understand each other more. I finally learned what makes Adrian tick, and why he is the way he is. He never went into further detail about his dad or even brought up anything remotely similar to the topic, but I can imagine.

The days become easier. It begins to feel like we aren't even in an arena anymore. We fish, we collect rainwater, we cook, we eat. One day, we even took a break to swim in the water, trying to get through the underwater cavern again, but to no avail. It feels really good to relax after everything we've been through-the flowers and seeing the kids die and not being able to do anything about it.

We are interrupted by another cannon shot on our ninth day of the games, surprisingly sounding close compared to the others we've heard. That night, we find out it is Carla, the girl from District 2.

I can only speculate as to what happened to her. She was one of the career tributes, so I don't know if the alliance broke or if she died by nature or another tribute. Both are practically fatal. If the alliance did fall apart, is it better or worse for us? I can't imagine facing either of the burly boys. I am mostly scared of Magnus. I saw him with a sword in training. One swipe and you would be sliced clean in half. But even the girl, Vivian, and her demeaning stare and tall stature. With her dark hair and eyes and olive skin, she's pretty: A deadly beauty. Maybe we won't have to fight the careers, maybe they will pick each other off.

We. As if Adrian and I can win the games as a team. I begin spiraling into what might happen if only the two of us are left. What happens when we hear the cannon of the third person, then it's just us? Would we spend any more time together? Would he just try to kill me right then and there? Maybe this entire time, he is just a hypocrite trying to win the games through bloodlust. He probably wouldn't even be wasting time here at all if it weren't for me. He would be hunting down other tributes. Maybe I would see a different side of him when we are left. Would I see a different side of myself? Would I fight to live, or would I let him kill me? Could he even kill me? He said himself he couldn't, but people get desperate when they want their life enough.

There are still nine tributes left. We can cross that bridge when we come to it.

I push all those thoughts away and instead begin naming all the tributes I know are still alive. There are still three careers even though Carla died. Both Vivan and Jasper from District 1 and Magnus from District 2. The boy from District 5 is still alive. I never did catch his name, but I think it started with an H. He's smart too, he probably survived because of the many random skills he can do. Careena, the girl from District 9, is alive. And I don't want to disregard her either. She's not the careers but if we run into her, we might need about as much strength and luck. Kitty is still alive, probably fled, and somehow evaded the career tributes. And then me and Adrian. That's all eight of us.

I move to continue weaving a basket from palm leaves to put the fish we catch in. It's early morning, but still hot out. However, we have our cooled jackets, which helps a lot. It also helps with sunburn, which I have begun to feel the burn. When I finish the basket, I step back and admire my work. So far, I've made so many water containers and fruit baskets and now another extra large container for the fish, which we put deep in the cave because of the smell. I pick it up to take it to Adrian who is fishing by a pile of rocks in the ocean, while I sit on a rock not far away on the shore. I wade into the water, heading towards him.

"I finished it? Is the other one full?" I hand him the green basket.

"No, not many today. Maybe we could try looking for fruit."

"We probably have enough. What do you think happened to Carla?"

"I was just thinking about it, and I don't know. Maybe it was nature, just like the flowers."

"They don't typically like doing the same thing twice."

He begins to place the few fish from the net into the basket. "It's a wonder how we haven't run into the careers."

"Because of the size of the arena. And because it has different islands that aren't easy to travel to. Tributes don't like moving around in the boats and being so vulnerable in the open water. I wonder if the careers are camping at the Cornucopia. Easy shelter and a clear view. Besides, no one in their right mind would try to mess with them."

"Well, someone would've though, now that Carla's dead."

"True."

We both take one end of the basket and lift it. Adrian pauses to look at the shore. We can't see the Cornucopia from here though.

"What?" I finally ask.

"Nothing." He continues carrying the basket back.

"Thinking about something?"

"No."

"Thinking about home?"

"Yeah," He keeps his gaze firmly ahead as we carry the basket. "All the things I have to go back to I guess. Like I'm for sure going back," He chuckles.

I nod. "I miss it. There were parts I hated about it, but I miss it. Well, hate's a strong word, but it always smelled like rotten fish, and there were peacekeepers everywhere." The thought of cameras occurs to me, and I suddenly get the feeling we are being watched.

Adrian laughs at me. "Yeah, the peacekeepers didn't really bother us much though. We have a privilege over there."

"Lucky. I almost got in trouble for walking on the beach to look at the sunrise." I leave out that it was a little more than that.

"Not really so lucky, more like cursed," He scoffs. We place the fish inside the cave at the far end because of the smell. "Anyway, we can go try to place the net in a different area to—" He stops, and at the same time, I see the silver parachute a few feet outside the cave.

A picture frame. My family. Dad, Mama, Amon, Claire, Misty. Even Bara and me. All of us are here. I finger the glass, almost feeling the warm smiles radiate off of all of us. I hug the picture to my chest for a brief second, entirely forgetting Adrian is here.

"Who is everyone?" He asks, almost excitedly, breaking my solitary sphere.

"This one is my Mama. That's Dad. This is Claire, the one who's the first year in the reaping. This is Misty, but I call her Little sometimes. It's my nickname. And that's my friend Bara and me. Oh! And that's Amon, my brother. You know," I look at Adrian. "You kind of remind me of him, in some ways, anyway."

"I'd love to meet all of them." He smiles at me.

Thank you Finnick and Mags. But I have a feeling Finnick was the mastermind. I roll my eyes. He's such a people-pleaser, it's obnoxious. How on earth did they get this picture? It was at my 18th birthday party. I remember the day vividly. It is definitely real and not manufactured.

I don't care how they got it. I don't care if it was Finnick. I don't care how much it costs. I'm just glad it's here. It feels like it's been so long since I've seen every one of their faces or heard their voices.

"Adrian," I suddenly realize there is only one frame. Adrian didn't get one. "I'm sorry you don't have a picture."

"I don't need one."

"But it's not fair that—"

He shakes his head. "I don't want one. I think he knows I don't want one."

"Oh," I look back at the frame. "You'll have to meet them someday. You'd get along with Amon swimmingly. And by swimmingly, I mean not at all. You're too much alike. But I think you might like my family. Then we'll fit you in the picture too," I cringe at how stupid the words sound, but I hope he gets my intention.

He laughs, but almost bittersweetly. No, maybe melancholically. I don't know. I can't quite place it. "I don't know about that."

"You might, for me. After the games." My words have deeper meanings.

I place the frame tucked safely inside the back part of the cave. Then, we head back to the shore to find a better spot for fishing.

I take my shoes off and wade in the water to get to a good area by the rocks. I fiddle with the net for several minutes until it seems to be in a suitable position. Then Adrian and I sit on the rocks and wait, smelling the salty ocean air and letting the harsh breeze sting our faces.

"Help!" A scream not far behind us tears through our relaxed state. We both jump up. "Help!" The call is drenched with fear. I think it's a girl.

Adrian reflexively reaches for the machete, and I take the leaf knife I made. We hold our defensive stance, facing the line of trees leading inland, and wait as we hear trampling footsteps closer and closer. My heart pounds faster and faster.

A bush parts next to the trees and out steps . . . Kitty? She's wearing a dark red jacket. Her brown hair is in a bun—or at least maybe it was. Now it's mostly just a frizzy knot tied in the back of her head. She's distraught. Her brown eyes are fearful, wide-eyed, and gazing at the two of us in fear.

"Please, help," She whimpers.

"Kate Livingstone, District 10," Adrian says. He instinctively raises his weapon even higher.

Kitty flinches and looks at me, her pleading eyes trying to see if I will defend her. Maybe she's stronger than I thought because she isn't even crying. Just terrified.

"Adrian, wait." I step forward but still try to keep some distance between me and Kitty. "Kitty, are you okay?"

She nods, still staring wide-eyed. "The boy from District 5, he's over here." She sucks in a breath.

Did he try to kill her? Is he hurt? Did she run away from him out of fear and want us to protect her?"

"It's okay Kitty, it'll all be okay. What happened?" I step towards her again as my bare feet are stabbed by small rocks hidden in the sand.

"You have to—" Her eyes flit back and forth to both of us. "Come," She says and runs off back into the island.

"Wait! Kitty, what—" I groan and run to grab my shoes. I start putting them on as Adrian runs after her. "Adrian, wait!" I'm kicking myself for not being prepared. I shortly follow after them without even lacing my boots. I hate being separated and alone. If only they waited!

I still see Adrian not that far away. My pants get caught on spiky tropical plants, but I keep running after them. Why did Kitty run off? Does she not trust me? I begin to pant, still not caught up with them. Kitty's fast for how small she is. How far away are we going?!

I follow them through a clearing into a clear space of land. I push through the trees and see people. One, Two, Three, Four, Five people. My heart drops into ice. The Careers. Vivian is in a dark green jacket with her long dark hair braided into a crown and her olive skin glistening in the sun. Jasper has the same type of green jacket and holds a bow in his hand, with a quiver of arrows on his back. And Magnus in a light purple one, knives strapped to his side, and some type of sword or weapon on his back. He's hosting a malicious expression while pulling a rope tight against Adrian's neck. Adrian kneels on the sand, his face turning purple, and claws against it desperately.

Kitty. Who is innocent and timid. Kitty, who likes playing on her farm and playing her recorder. Kitty, who I trusted. Who I never considered anything other than a sweet soul who was far too pure for the Hunger Games. Kitty, standing on the other side of Vivian, holding a knife, looking at me with her head raised in arrogance and a devious smile playing on her lips.

I think I might throw up. How could she do this? How? I place a hand on the tree next to me. I'm still far away, I can run. But not with the bow and arrow pointed at me. I take one look at Adrian's face and know I can't run. I can't. I can't.

"So we've finally caught a mermaid?" Vivian's shrill voice seems to echo tenfold deep in my soul.

"Care to join the party?" Magnus pulls the rope tighter against Adrian's neck. He has seconds left to live. I just know it.

"Adrian, no!" His dark brown eyes peer at me. Please no, look away Adrian. I can't help you. I don't want to see your eyes close for the last time. Look away.

I look at Kitty again. How? How?! She's smirking at me. Now she's the one looking down on me in pity, but there is no sympathy in her eyes. I send her back as much rage as I can in my glare. If looks could kill, both of us would be dead. I turn back to Magnus.

"Please don't, please." I hold back tears, finding a numb feeling has taken over every part of me. I can't even hear my heartbeat. Maybe I'm dead. Hopefully, I'm dead then it's all over. But I know the truth. I know it. I have to face it.

"Oh, you want us to let him go?" Magnus sneers and drops the rope. Adrian falls onto the sand, gasping as the other careers laugh.

"Annie, run." He looks up at me, the last few seconds of life in his eyes pleading. "Run Annie, run!"

And then, before I can think, the glint of a sword being unsheathed and one moment Adrian looking at me, the next his head rolling on the ground next to his body.

He's dead.

Please don't hate me . . . Also *trigger warning* these next few chapters get kinda intense.

I might try to post tomorrow because this chapter is kind of a cliffhanger, but I am going to be on a trip next week so I won't be posting until I get back.