Thanks to AstralKnight98, owlthewriter, amadeussss9, Tales from the Cluttered Desk, Dani H. Danvers, critixu, & AlexFalTon for the reviews!

Happy early Thanksgiving to any who celebrate! The goal is to finish the Games before Christmas and I think we're on track to do that.

Enjoy!


Chapter XXVIII Indulgences at Dawn

Day 2 of the 59th Hunger Games

Tilly was relieved when the night finally ended. The cannon that followed though snapped her out of her bliss. The bloody night was done, but the Games certainly weren't. The cannons, despite the terror they induced, did carry a sickly silver lining.

Calen and her had made to the top seven.

She couldn't believe it. Not only because District 11 hadn't been in the top in years or that she had done anything to deserve this, but for just how brutal the Careers were. They killed eleven children in the light of day and then, like common thugs, slunk through the night and killed seven more. Such acts were nothing new, she had watched them every year do the exact same thing, but twenty four hours ago all twenty four were alive. Now, only seven remained.

The Fallen would play soon, always an hour after dawn and and hour after sunset arena time. Calen and her would be better able to strategize by that list. Just based on the numbers, at least two Careers had to be dead. And since they made it through the night without issue, save Ophelia's little disruption, the Pack had probably cleared out the northern island.

'They'll come for us now. Hunt us and kill us. And we have no plan.' Tilly despaired. She looked to the sky for some hope, a sponsor gift or some sort of relief. There was nothing in the crystal blue sky.

Tilly hadn't expected such efficiency from the Careers. It'd been a long time since the Hunger Games moved so fast. And now that they were coming, Tilly was at a loss. She wanted to scream, fear creeping up through her, but she told herself she had survived worse. And she could just see her siblings watching. Even thousands of miles and a world away, Tilly felt a need to put on a brave face for them. To know their sister was still fine and could come home.

She glanced over at Calen, still asleep. He'd given her specific and clear instructions to wake him when the sun rose, but Tilly thought he needed more rest. She eyed his broken finger, now discolored and puffy, with worry too. Hopefully the break didn't cause infection. She'd have to check on it and that would be a hassle as all things could be with Calen.

'Let him rest. I'll wake him for the Fallen.' Tilly thought.

As the sun continued to rise, Tilly sat in silence, leaning up against one of the dry trees of the sour island's forest. As day two began the forest was still as quiet as the first, eerie and off putting even in the light of day. As time passed, Calen eventually stirred on his own, his body's internal clock too used to early hours in the fields to sleep in long. Predictably, he was upset at having not been woken sooner, shooting up immediately when he saw the light.

"I told you to wake me at dawn." Calen groaned, wiping some dirt from his hair.

"I was going to when the Fallen began." Tilly said, leaning over to help clean him off.

"Anymore cannons?" Calen asked.

"Two. We made the final seven."

"Woopie." Calen muttered. He rose and went off to use the bathroom. When he returned, Tilly had split some bread for them to share. They munched on it in silence, both thankful to have lived through the night. "No more signs of 12?" He asked.

"None. Though she did take the food."

"Figures." Calen said, generosity lessening as he ate the last bits of his food. He ended up saving the rest of his bread, stuffing it in his pack. It'd go stale, but he was used to stale bread back in 11. He'd eaten enough moldy bread he thought he was immune to it.

"Wanna head to the shore line to watch the Fallen?" Tilly suggested. "We can plan next steps when we see who's left."

With a nod from Calen, they both rose and set out with their weapons and packs, anxiously eager to see who would be coming for them next.


Carefully and with eyes on the other, Amaya and Cas made it across the chocolate swamp with relative ease. They had said little while doing it, both careful around the other and any false moves while traversing the connecting tree branches, but as they touched down on the other side and continued on their way back to the entrance of the sweet, northern island, Amaya grew chatty.

"So, how exactly did Maddie fall?" She asked.

"I failed to catch her." Cas replied, carefully coy though his heart wasn't in it.

"On purpose?"

"Yes." Cas admitted.

"Seems pretty rude to you. Especially after you made that whole big speech to Pietyr about Careers sticking together."

"What can I say? I'm a man of many shades." Cas shrugged, leaving the charm out of his voice. He was still devastated about Elegance and was trying to privately mourn for her. He had told himself that he wasn't going to care for Elegance. He'd known her for years, of course, having come up at the Academy together. The Jacobs were below the Rothschilds in social circles, though there was some overlap at parties. It was just sensible, he thought, to hold her at arm's length. But Cas had found it was nice having Elegance by his side, to have someone else from District 1 in this foreign experience. He also just enjoyed her sheer competence. It was rather embarrassing how deeply he was missing her.

Of course, nobody would ever know that. Nobody wanted a whiny Victor who bemoaned all the others who lost. It was just the way of the Hunger Games and anyone with a rational brain accepted that.

"What was your probable with Maddie anyways?" Amaya pressed again.

"I already told you. I didn't have a problem with her. I just don't like picking up other people's slack." Cas said, done talking about Maddie and his own confusing feelings.

"Hmm. Alright, fine, keep your secrets." Amaya shrugged. "Just don't try anything like that with me. You and I are going to have a proper bout for the title of Victor."

"Speaking of," Cas said, willing the conversation away from himself and back to the Games. "There were seven cannons last night. The Fallen will tell us who we missed, but we know confirmed are Elegance," He beat down a knot his throat at the thought before continuing, "Pietyr, the girl from 5, and Diesel. That's four, with only two of those being Tributes we wanted dead."

"Whoops." Amaya commented off handedly.

"You saw no sign of 7 or 9?" Cas asked.

Amaya shook her head. "Not a hint. I guess they could have snuck past us and made for the sandbar crossing."

"Nicola could have stopped them."

"Unless they killed him."

Cas was about to protest that idea but came up short. Elegance was screaming at him from the grave not to get cocky. Nicola could have very well been killed. "If he was, it was the girl from 7. Or… Maddie got to him. Or, he fled by himself. Too many ifs."

"We'll find out soon." Amaya told him. "Whatever we find, our next target is the southern island. And I, for one, am not looking forward to exploring that mess."

"Well, it has to be done." Cas told her, not exactly relishing it either.

"Or, does it?" Amaya posed. She let the question hang in the air for a moment, enjoying Cas' expectant look. Just as he was about to ask her, she continued, enjoying the subsequent annoyed look. "I have a plan for that island. I was thinking about it while exploring on my own, a wish for what we had done here. My little spark of inspiration that will amaze! It may not work, but it'll certainly be dramatic. And I know both of us are fans of putting on a good show."

"What's this brilliant idea then?" Cas continued, intrigued by that promise.

Amaya smiled, leaning in. "It involves a little something we have back at camp." She began to explain, letting the details falling into place as Cas nodded along, agreeing it would be suitably dazzling display.


Fest was awake when the sun rose, having been in and out of sleep for most of the night after helping the boy from 12. Still, she felt her body was rested enough, though her mind was an angry storm of thoughts and memories.

She finally decided to rise when she heard the first cannon of day two. She poked her head out of the rocky hideout she had killed the boy in, glancing around to confirm nobody was about. When she felt the coast was clear, she pulled herself out and slid back to the ground, dusting herself off and adjusting her large backpack and weapons. As she was doing so, a sponsor gift floated down to her, peppermint stripes painted on the container and beeping loudly.

Fest caught it easily and opened it eagerly. Inside, a breakfast treat: a large cinnamon roll covered in sugary glaze and tiny strawberries sprinkled on it with powdered sugar. A delicacy item – though hardly food fit for long term Hunger Games survival.

She started with the strawberries, something familiar, enjoying the explosion of tang in her mouth as she chewed them. When they were gone, Fest amoved onto the cinnamon roll. She was surprised by how delightful the taste was. No wonder people said others could be "sweet as cinnamon."

As she ate, Fest pondered who was left and her next moves. Unless she missed one while she slept, there were only eight Tributes left. The count didn't really matter as she'd find out soon anyways with the Fallen. Her next move seemed clear: keep moving and hunting. There were three other Tributes on this island besides her. That meant only four Careers left. They'd also know she was alive, assuming they came back and found the corpses missing from his guard post.

But, with two of theirs dead, hopefully they'd fracture and kill each other. It was always hit or miss with Career loyalty when the Games got to the Final Eight. Fest couldn't claim much insight into each Career's personality, but it was clear they were functional this year. So, the best plan was wait and see who remained, then keep moving.

And, of course, filling up her water bottles with the soda water and pockets filled with those white mint catalysts.

She finished off the cinnamon roll, licking the glaze off her fingers with glee. An auspicious start to day two.


When Amaya and Cas arrived at the entrance to the island and sandbar back to the Cornucopia, they found no definitive answers. The location was abandoned, not a soul around, but Amaya did spot dark red blood mixed with the rainbow dirt, the body it belonged to long since removed by a hovercraft's claw.

"You don't lose this much blood and just walk it off." Amaya noted.

Cas made his way to the exit to the sandbar. It was a tight pathway between the two outcroppings of black rocks, two small mounded wall between the island and the ocean. He stood between them and pulled out the binoculars he took from the girl from 5's loot. He looked through them towards the Cornucopia island and saw it was deserted. "I don't see anyone at home base." He told Amaya. "And if Nicola isn't here, I think we need to wait for the Fallen. It should start any minute now."

"Fine with me. I need to rest anyways before we walk the sandbar."

They settled down on the rocks, leaning against them and taking a moment to breath. When they weren't out hunting or fighting mutts or navigating treacherous chocolate swamps, the island was rather peaceful. After a whole night up, both of them felt the need for a nap, though were unwilling to admit to the other.

Apparently, sponsors had sensed this and wanted them to push on. The beeping noise of gifts sounded above them as two small containers parachuted down towards them, one labeled with a bright pink "1" and the other "2."

They took their respective gifts and opened them, Cas chuckling as he saw them. "Coffee! How helpful!"

Each Career had been gifted a cup of hot coffee, the aroma drifting up and smacking them in the face. Cas blew on his gently and then sipped, smacking his lips together in delight as he felt himself being rejuvenated. Amaya was a bit more cautious. Coffee was a luxury items that she had never tasted or even seen offered on District 2's black market. It was apparently a difficult item to cultivate in the Districts so the Capitol guarded it carefully. Even the wealthiest in 2 had trouble affording. Not wanting to appear weaker, Amaya took a deep sip, struggling to keep a straight face in between the heat of the liquid and the bitterness.

'Stupid rich people pretending this actually tastes good.' She thought, wanting to chuck the rest of the drink but forcing herself to finish it off. A couple minutes later, the effect kicked in and her body, unused to the caffeine, reacted. The tips of her fingers felt jittery, her heart raced and was pounding in her ears, and she was having trouble sitting still anymore. She was up and pacing, mind moving fast. The bitterness still plagued her mouth, but Amaya couldn't deny the results.

Cas remained lounged on the rocks, watching the clouds roll by as Amaya paced. Eventually, her mind returned to Cas.

"So… about Maddie…" she asked.

"How are we still on this?" Cas huffed, angry that she wasn't going along with him and just dropping this.

"I think it's an important topic!" Amaya continued. "Especially since we're allies again."

Cas shook his head. Might as well get it over with. "I did it for the Pack." He said. Even he knew it sounded lame.

Amaya barely repressed a laugh. "Really?"

"Yes. I didn't want us weak like last year."

"Really?" Amaya asked again, tone droll.

Maybe it was the coffee and lack of sleep, or just excitement over being in the finals, or even the grief he was struggling to tap down over Elegance, but Cas felt a little more vulnerable than usual. "You wouldn't get it."

"Then make me get it." Amaya countered, standing in front of him, daring him to confess. He eventually did, though oddly for him didn't make eye contact with Amaya.

"I wanted the Career Pack to work." He began, speaking earnestly. "I came into the Hunger Games fully committed to it. We were an alliance of excellence, the best of the best Tributes and of our Districts. And for a little we were, even with the hic up we had in Training."

"My bad. And Maddie's." Amaya joked.

"Yes, well, it was working fine. We were good in the Bloodbath. Damn good. But the writing was on the wall, as it were. Maddie was dragging us down. A stain in the rug. All of us strived for excellence, even Pietyr in his own back handed way, but there she was, like a mole on the Pack. I knew we wouldn't work. So, I analyzed the weakness, thought I could exploit them, and bam, Pack over and Elegance and me sail to the finals. And now she's dead, Maddie may or may not be alive, and you and I are going all the way."

"None of that sounds like it was for the good of anyone except yourself." Amaya countered critically.

"Again, you wouldn't get it."

"Again, then make me get it."

Cas threw his hands around, feeling like he was being asked to explain gravity to a chicken. "When you're of a certain level, your job is to excel. To be the best you can possibly be. To be an example for all. My father taught my brother and I that. It's part of why I wanted to be Tribute so badly. I mean, sure, at first it was just something to do like all the boys my age did. But over time, I got it. I understood after my dad was killed what he meant. What my role was for District 1. We're supposed to set a standard for all, and it was frustrating that Maddie just didn't get that. She was bringing us down. Her and I, people like us, are supposed to act a certain way, to be a certain example in this fight for our lives and for the glory of Panem and our Districts. So, I tried to remove her. For all of us."

Amaya said nothing, eying him silently with what Cas thought was a bemused look – with a smidge of malice. She then leaned closer to him and narrowed her eyes. "Casanova Rothschild. Listen to me careful." She instructed. She paused for effect before laying into him. "That, is absolutely, Outlier District 12, bottom of their mineshaft level bullshit."

"No it isn't." Cas retorted.

Amaya scoffed at his response. "Cas, you volunteered to come into an arena to kill people. Not just 'people' but children. You don't get to stand on some sort of moral high ground or authority or appeal to that better nature nonsense you were just spewing and then criticize Maddie for not abiding by it. All I heard was rich kid talk for 'I didn't like this rich kid so I tried to kill her' but hey, that's just me. What do I know?"

"And you're what? Beyond that?"

"Of course not. But I know who I am." Amaya explained. "There was a time when I-" Amaya started and then shut her mouth abruptly. Cas didn't get to know about Enara and Amaya's swears towards vengeance for her killer. Neither did Panem. "Look, I once was in a situation where I thought 'oh, hey, I'll do something noble and get revenge because it's the right thing to do.' I thought it was justice. Well, that never happened. What did happen was I got very into violence. And, along the way, I discovered stuff about myself that made me the perfect candidate for the Hunger Games. Beyond, you know, just being a prodigy."

Cas scoffed. "Now who's compensating?" He asked.

Amaya shook her head. "The point is this, Cas. When I look in the mirror, I know exactly who's looking back at me. Do you? Because right now, for whatever reason you really did, it wasn't what you claimed. And I'm not sure that you're really in the Hunger Games for the honor of it. And let me tell you, as someone who actually had to claw her way up and fight for every single inch of ground to even be considered against the others in my District – others who were like you and Maddie – I gotta say you just sound like a patronizing ass."

Silence enveloped them after that. Cas said nothing, letting her words sink in for a moment before returning to form. "You know what, you're probably right. But the point is I expect to be the best ass in all of District 1. Maybe even Panem! And Maddie just wasn't."

Amaya actually scoffed at that, the closest he'd get to a laugh. Cas would take that, just to defuse the situation. Inside he was stewing. He meant every word of what he said to her. He was living up to the ideals his father set out for him and Lothario. He hadn't joined the Academy necessarily because he wanted to be Victor, but overtime came to accept that role for him. It was a way to distinguish himself and the Rothschild name and then, after tragedy, to commemorate his father. And… also deal with the Lothario situation. Why couldn't Amaya see that? Even Lothario by now had to realize that's why he was here.

Right?

He absolutely hated this. The past couple hours he felt like eighteen years of his life were being peeled away. 'All thanks to freaking Maddie.' He raged.

Amaya kept pacing while Cas tired to look unconcerned. He wasn't sure how well he was pulling that off.


Finally, it was time for the list of the Fallen.

The anthem blared throughout the arena and the sky lit up with the emblem of the Capitol. Seven Tributes, from Careers to Outliers and everyone in between, held their breathes and waited to see who remained, all in suspense.

First was Elegance. Steely determination marked her face, the look of a Victor. The non-Careers breathed easy knowing one Career was down. Cas did his damndest to keep the emotion off his face, angered that another person he thought highly of had died around him unceremoniously and well before their time.

The non-Careers were elated again by the next two. Pietyr followed. Unlike his usual demeanor, Pietyr actually looked happy in the photo. A life time of fighting for the position of Tribute had paid off and when that camera flashed, that joy had reflected back. It was a strange juxtaposition for a boy so irate at the world and others – and taken out in an equally angry fashion.

Nicola was next. The photo of him perfectly captured the exterior cool attitude of District 4's male Tribute. Not a sight of the roiling waters underneath it all. When Maddie's face didn't flash next, Amaya and Cas exchanged a glance, already gaming out next steps. They'd have to wait and see if it was Fest or Darley who escaped the island.

Teagan followed. She looked nervous and young for the camera but there was a resolution in the way her jaw was clenched. Still a fighter, still someone who wouldn't give in. Someone people would mourn.

Diesel next. The camera had actually caught him winking at it, a challenge to the Games and all the others. Or, a desperate attempt to remain in control of a horrifying situation. Diesel in that moment hadn't even known which it was and would never be able to ponder it further – only his loved ones were left to guess at its meaning.

The list skipped District 7 and moved onto 9, giving Amaya and Cas their answer. Darley's face appeared, a small smile formed on it. It was inviting, tempting, and harmless. Darley would have no listed kills attributed to him in the rankings – or outside the Games – but he carried with him the deaths of four of his peers. Only half of them people would be able to recognize.

Finally, Ash. One of the younger Tributes that year, it was difficult for Ash to muster bravery in face of the Hunger Games. Yet he did his best, managing for the camera and putting on a forced smile. He was too young for the horrors, but then again, was anyone old enough for them? Ophelia, poking her head out through the sour air and dead tree limbs of the southern island, looked up at Ash sadly. She had made the right decision, she decided, forcing her mind to rationalize. She wouldn't have been any comfort to him when he passed from the infection or other ailment. When Ash's face vanished, the tally appeared, bold and for all to see and confirm that their numbers had been halved in the night:

SEVEN TRIBUTES REMAIN

Cas turned to Amaya as the music continued on, the announcement fading back into the seal of the Capitol as the anthem winded down. "Let's go!" Amaya said, raising her voice over the noise of the music.

"Wait, we should strategize." Cas said, shouting over the anthem.

"Nah, we'll figure it out on the way. It's a hike on the sandbar and I want to get moving!" Amaya said, normally boisterous self amplified by the caffeine coursing through her veins. Cas moved to stop her.

"Just hold on." He shouted, grabbing Amaya. She laughed and carefully pushed him back, taking a step forward while doing so where Cas had been standing.

"We have a plan! Have fun with the southern island like we talked about! Cas, sometimes you just gotta grab life by the horns and say-ACK!"

Blood spewed forth from her mouth and splattered across Cas' face, soaking his face and hair while blinding him momentarily. He wiped the blood from his face, and looked in shock at Amaya's equally astonished face. Her eyes were bulging and through her neck was an arrow. Blood spewed from it and Amaya's hands flew up to her neck, grabbing the arrow and feeling it in disbelief. She tried to shout but only blood came out, all noise lost. She stumbled back and collapsed into the dirt twitching.

Cas spun around, placing where the arrow came from. To his shock, he saw Maddie, covered in chocolate and bright pink something, bow up and and gazing at him with murderous intent.

"That was supposed to hit you!" She cried, sounding angry and saddened all at once.

Not enough to disrupt her though. She pulled another arrow with such speed Cas thought she was super human and nocked it, the noise from the twang of the bowstring and crunch of her steps originally drowned out due to the anthem.

She loosed another arrow directly at Cas, not intending to miss again.


The Fallen:

8. Darlington "Darley" Garlain (D9) - Killed by Maddie Monaghan (D4), Sword, Stab to Throat

9. Teagan Windsor (D5) - Killed by Casanova Rothschild (D1), Chakram, Throat Cut

10. Diesel Chase (D6) - Killed by Amaya Alyce (D2), Machete, Stab to Heart

11. Ash Ghastly (D12) - Killed by Werifesteria Grosvener (D7), Sword, Stab to Throat

12. Elegance Jacobs (D1) - Killed by Gummy Bear Mutt, Mauled to Death

13. Pietyr Kalashnikev (D2) - Killed by Gummy Bear Mutt, Chest Caved In

14. Nicola Forebay (D4) - Killed by Werifesteria Grosvener (D7), Knife, Stab to Throat

15. Dallis Casterri (D6) – Killed by Gummy Wyrm Mutt, Devoured

16. Raveni Algernan (D8) – Killed by Casanova Rothschild (D1), Chakram, Bled Out

17. Hypatia Diaz (D3) – Killed by Pietyr Kalashnikev (D2), Saber, Bled Out

18. Webster "Web" Osborn (D3) – Killed by Nicola Forebay (D4), Short Sword, Stab to Heart

19. Blakely Katz (D8) – Killed by Amaya Alyec (D2), Knife, Throat Cut

20. Wolfram "Wolf" Fray (D7) – Killed by Nicola Forebay (D4), Short Sword, Stab to Throat

21. Joseph "Seph" Aglais (D5) – Killed by Pietyr Kalashnikev (D2), Saber, Decapitated

22. Sierra Barrett (D10) – Killed by Casanova Rothschild (D1), Chakram, Chest Sliced

23. Oscar Cabrera (D10) – Killed by Casanova Rothschild (D1), Chakram, Throat Cut

24. Greta Doe-Liebert (D9) – Killed by Elegance Jacobs (D1), Pole Axe, Stab to Chest

Obituaries:

Ash: I felt so bad for him! I put him through so much! I know people held it against him pushing Seph, but when I was writing the Bloodbath it felt like a very real and fearful reaction. It's one of those actions that we'd all say "I would never!" and then we'd be in the Hunger Games and… well… there we'd go, playing into the Capitol's game. I like him though and enjoyed his moments with Ophelia and liked that he found strength at the end. RIP Ash

Diesel: Another Tribute whose name I loved! I just love when Tribute names match their District, sue me! Diesel's personality made him light up every part he was in, and his relationship with Dallis was a highlight of this story. His death was more understated, but I also think canon realistic where there is no final great battle, just death by Career. He had such a hard life with his dad and did what he could to mask it with humor. It sucks he was in pain at the end, but he brought a lot of joy to people. He was a top five Tribute for me for sure.

Teagan: I'm so glad that people liked her because I certainly did. She was a very real Tribute and I thought her relationship with her family, struggle for independence, and general teenage attitude made her relatable. Unfortunately, like with Web, this was not an arena made for her skill set. Some place with more tech she would have been on fire. She didn't have big moments in the Games, but not everyone can have them. What I think counts is she shined when she was on the page and was someone trying to survive. RIP Teagan. Hopefully you're with Auntie V

Darley: What a devious lil guy! Opinions seemed negative but at the same time very positive. Funny how that happens a lot for SYOT Tributes! It's a shame he didn't get a chance to wreak even more havoc, but his signature move would have been poison and The Last Stop already covered that. He still managed to stab two in the back and play big roles in this Game. You're going to be missed, dude!

Up Next, Day 2 continues as we move towards the finale!