TODAY WAS THE DAY. My nerves were all over the place and I couldn't believe that the day was actually here and not some cruel nightmare.

Coriolanus gave my hand a squeeze before we entered the classroom, and sure, it soothed me some but I was still being eaten from the inside out by anxiety.

"Mr. Snow," Highbottom's voice sounded from behind us, startling me as I flew my hand from being intertwined with Coryo's to hiding it behind my back. "A word, please."

Coryo looks to me for approval. He doesn't say anything with his mouth but his eyes are asking if I'll be okay and I nod, beginning to step down the stairs.

I'm nervous and I feel like I'm going to be sick and all I can do is hope that Mia isn't the first to die.

I pray that I've prepared her enough for success but right now, it's all in her hands and that terrifies me.

"Hey," Sejanus' voice is soft as he rests a hand on my arm. "I went to get you this morning and you were already gone."

"I went for a walk to clear my mind." I lie.

He nods, believing me. I catch Festus in the corner of my eye, but see no sign of Felix.

Festus goes to sit down and I follow, taking the free chair next to him but I'm unable to ask him where Felix is to be found because Lucky Flickerman has already begun walking down the aisle with a microphone in hand.

He gives us brief instructions on what we are to do and I find myself straightening my posture and trying to soothe my leg from bouncing up and down.

Five.

Four.

Three.

Two.

Silence. It's silent as Lucky turns around slowly and brings the microphone to his mouth. "Good morning."

Nothing about this is good--this morning isn't good, this day isn't good. These games are fucking cruel.

Soon enough a pompous sound begins and panic flushes over Lucky's face as he staggers, patting me and my classmates on their shoulders. "We're starting everyone, we're staring--happy hunger games, happy hunger games. Remember if your tribute dies--get out of here."

I feel my heartbeat fasten as I lean over to Festus. "Where's Felix?"

He shakes his head, shrugging and the worry tensing up my body only intensifies.

On the screen, I see Mia walking out of her designated entrance with two weeping women on either side of her. One, completely on the ground as a peacekeeper drags her to her mark, and Mia, the only one standing strong as she fastens her posture at the grey circle she stands upon.

The peacekeepers step back but still have their holds fastened on their guns. Tributes begin positioning themselves at a running start but Mia is still keeping her jaw clenched as she stares straight forward.

And then, the camera zooms in on a dead body--it's Marcus. He's beaten and bruised and near death. They've hung him to a tall structure in the center of the arena and I can't help but gasp at the sight.

A chair is thrown across the room and I look down from the screen to see Sejanus stand center, chest heaving as he pants thick, hard breaths. "You're monsters! All of you!"

My hand tightens around the arm of my chair as I avert my gaze--I'm afraid if I look at him, I might feel the absolute need to run after him as he storms out and it'll only hurt worse as I know I cannot.

Ten.

Another countdown begins and my stomach clenches.

Nine.

Eight.

Seven.

Six.

Mia is still looking dead center--doing the complete opposite of what I asked when telling her to look for a hiding spot. She's fuming and I can see the anger behind her eyes as her fist balls at her side, readying herself in a position to run.

"No," I mumble under my breath. "Hide."

Running to the center and fighting in the center for weapons will likely get her killed.

Three.

Two.

One.

The buzzer goes off and instead of running the opposite way, she's headed in head first for the center and she's the first to make it.

She's already stabbed the second man to meet her there and she grabs the bag full of daggers and she takes off with it.

I watch as she attempts to dodge Coral's pitchfork from hitting her, toppling over herself.

Her head hits against the stone ground and every muscle in my body tenses as a deafening sound follows.

She's face first on the ground and isn't getting up.

"Come on, Mia." I mutter nervously, my jaw tightening. "Get up."

Her body is limp against the ground and Coral is walking toward her with a pitchfork in hand. She's damned and has no chance.

Coral reaches her and she grunts as she uses all her power to push the weapon into Mia's body but instead, she's able to roll over onto her back.

She begins coughing and I just release a sigh of relief.

Coral charges to repeat her action—though, instead of Mia saving herself—Lucy Gray grabs her by the arm and pulls her out of Coral's way.

She says something as she helps pull Mia upward and wraps her arm around her shoulder while also guiding Jessup.

She's running as fast as she possibly can with two limp bodies on either side of her and they leap down a hole near the corner of the arena.

As they slide down the rocks, the camera angle switches and we see the three running as much as their injuries will allow as they dash for the first door they see—while being chased by Coral and her alliance.

My feet are stuck against the floor as every fucking piece of my body is tight and held together. I'm afraid that if I breathe it may mess something up and I won't let Mia die.

Blood is gushing out of the front of her head and Lucy Gray continues to voice affirmations to her as they struggle down the hall.

The clock is ticking and Coral has almost caught up by the time Lucy Gray has found a door. It's locked but there's an opening at the bottom.

First, she guides Mia inside, then herself, and last, Jessup follows.

Coral is barking orders at her new minions as another tries squeezing their way through the bottom but announces that there's no one to be found inside the room.

"Lucy Gray—" Mia pants, her bloodied hand finding Lucy Gray's arm. "Tell..."

Her voice falls faint with her words and she collapses once more.