Yarrow Venus- District Three female (17)

The walk back to the camp was silent except for the sounds of crunching foliage and snapping twigs underfoot. No one wanted to be the first to bring it up so we all pretended it was a totally normal walk back to our normal homes and not a hut in the woods. Without anyone really deciding anything, we all clustered around our fire. I was already feeling the tiny and boring meals and I couldn't imagine how short-tempered we'd be after even one week of it.

Kendall poked a stick at the burning logs in that way people do when they're pretending to stir up the logs but really just want to poke at a fire. "I suppose we should discuss who to vote off," he said, looking from person to person. This was new to all of us but I got the sense that the first elimination was the biggest wildcard. We hadn't had time to see who was compatible with who and make alliances. This vote would be based on nothing but first impressions and gut feelings. Anyone could go home just by random chance. I didn't think I'd alienated anyone, but that wouldn't be enough.

"There's not even anyone who did a bad job," Birdie said. "We had a fire. They just got there faster." Tribal thinking set in so fast. Already I was thinking of Ellekoner as the bad guys when they were only separate from us by random chance. Ok

"Vote for me," AI said.

Everyone turned to look at him. He was sitting on one hip and elbow on his side and looking casually at the fire. Before anyone could ask what he was thinking, he helpfully told us.

"Dad's rich, obviously. I don't need the money like some of us do. It's not really fair for me to want to stay a long time."

"Are you sure?" It was hard to think anyone here couldn't see through the question. The question of who to vote for ended as soon as Ai raised the possibility. It was just the polite thing to pretend we weren't convinced and to offer Ai an out, not that we'd let him take it if he tried.

Ai shrugged with a casual smile. "It's been fun sleeping in the dirt and boiling river water but I think I'll live."

"Don't gotta tell me twice," Val said. I wondered if he'd be the next to go. Someone like him was used to move things, not a pine needle bed and unseasoned rice. He and Kendall would likely tap out before too long. There wasn't much Career honor in this Games so might as well take the loss and do whatever it is washed-up Career students do with their lives. Teach in the Academy, probably.

"Guess that makes that easy," Trydan said, though he didn't seem relaxed. It took me a minute to get why, and when I did I felt stupid. From what little I knew about this show, the vote wasn't certain until it happened. Ai might have a secret alliance and his sacrifice was nothing but a ruse. He might even have the idol. We all vote for him, he plays the idol, and his single vote sends whoever he wants home. But who did he want gone? Hopefully not me.

Looking around at the others, it was impossible to guess who shared my suspicions. I could try talking to some of them and feeling them out. Just doing it would be suspicious, though. Someone who had been willing to go with Ai's plan might change their mind because I put the suspicion in their head. Then they might think since I was sneaky enough to think about it, I was sneaky enough to watch out for. There was no manual for something like this. It was impossible to tell what was a good strategy and what would get me thrown out. I was right back at the start- guessing and hoping I got lucky.

Josie Stone- District Twelve female (12)

AI had been my best chance. I'd watched as much Survivor as I could before we got here and I'd paid special attention to the first eliminations. As I'd guessed, the first contestant off was very often whoever the losing team thought would be the least useful in challenges. With my age and size I was an obvious target. My hope was to set myself apart in mental challenges, but we hadn't had any yet. The first boot would have likely been somewhat random, with my own chances worse than average, if AI hadn't spoken up. For my part, I'd done what I could by occasionally happening to mention how hard things were back home. I certainly wouldn't have cared if someone poorer than me was here, but the others might be softer. It only took a few pity votes for me to stick around.

"Maybe there are snacks at tribal council," Leo said as we walked to Tribal Council. Isabella had left us waiting all afternoon, only calling us after the sun had. The walk to Tribal Council was dark, lit only by an almost-full moon and the rather jarring electric lights set up along the way so the cameramen could get good shots of us

"I doubt it," Clover said.

"Can't hurt to hope," Leo said.

I slapped a mosquito off my leg. It popped, leaving a tiny splotch of blood. Looking at it, I wondered what the Gamemakers would do if one of us got sick. On Survivor a few people had been sent home because of that. Maybe they'd just leave us to die- this was the Hunger Games, after all- but I had the feeling they'd be nicer this year. I'd probably get better care here than I would have at home

As the trees thinned into a clearing, Isabella came into view, standing behind a wooden podium. There was a half-circle of wooden benches around her for us. It had only been a day, but it still felt alien sitting on a chair and not the ground.

"Good evening, Huldra, and welcome to your first Tribal Council. As you can see, there are twelve torches in the fire below me." She pointed down at them. "In Survivor, fire is life. In a few moments you will each cast your vote and place it in this urn." The charcoal gray urn sat beside the torches. "Whoever has the most votes will be sent home. Before we vote, is there anything you would like to discuss?"

"We decided I would go home," Ai spoke up. Some of us looked over in surprise, since we hadn't discussed telling Isabella. I smiled to myself when it came together. Ai probably went to events with Beetee and knew the other Victors. Isabella was a friend and he wanted to give her a heads-up so she wouldn't be put on the spot.

"Oh, is that so?" Isabella let her tone be honest. We could all guess the footage would be edited out anyway. "Well, is there anything you want to say about the challenge?"

Kendall shrugged. "We did all right but they were faster."

"Wise words indeed." Isabella pointed to the papers on top of the urn. "Go ahead and cast your votes."

When it was my turn I took a sheet of paper, wrote Ai on it, and sat back down. Isabella gathered the finished votes and picked up the first.

"Before I read the votes, does anyone have a hidden immunity idol they wish to play?" No one said anything for a tense moment. "Very well. Our first vote is for Ai." She set the paper down beside the unread ones. "Ai. Ai." We're really doing it, then. No tricks. Ai. Ai." She slowly unfolded the next one, trying to drum up nonexistent suspense.

She turned the paper around. "The first person eliminated from the Survivor Hunger Games is Ai. Ai, come grab a torch."

Ai hopped up and plucked a torch from the fire. Isabella picked up a giant wooden scoop and stood in front of him. I settled back from where I'd been leaning forward nervously. Right until the last minute, you never knew of there might be a trick. It was safe, though. I was safe for another week.

"Ai, your tribe has spoken." She lowered the scoop over the fire and snuffed it. A tiny trail of smoke curled into the air.

Ai's exit interview: "It was really cool getting to do this. It might have been fun to stay and do more challenges, but it's better to make space for someone who really needs this. I'm excited to see my family again."

24th place: Ai Latier

Pi thought since Ai is rich and happy he should volunteer to go home first. Very noble of both of them. Huldra might be a little less peaceful without him, since he was so laid back and accommodating. Time shall tell... It's sad to see Ai go but nice to know he has a loving family and good life waiting for him.