𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙋𝙏𝙀𝙍 𝙀𝙄𝙂𝙃𝙏𝙀𝙀𝙉
—𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘣𝘢𝘵𝘩—

     "𝙒𝙀𝙇𝙇, 𝙄 𝘿𝙀𝙁𝙄𝙉𝙄𝙏𝙀𝙇𝙔 wasn't expecting this," Clove snorts from her seat, smirking my way. "This hovercraft is better than I thought."

Cato stiffens in his seat across from her, his gaze snapping over to me. I sigh lowly as a peacekeepers leads me to the spot next to her, buckling me in. He then proceeds to grab my arm, shoving a large needle into my arm. The needle stops as it reaches nearly four inches below my shoulder, a blue object flashing beneath my skin.

I wince, glancing up as he pulls the needle back out. "What is that?"

"Your tracker," He replies steadily, before walking away, and leading another tribute onto the hovercraft.

"You've got to be kidding me," Glimmer grins from the other side of Clove. "This seating arrangement is truly amazing."

I roll my eyes, relaxing back into my seat as I ignore their conversation. My glance catches Cato's, a small smile forming at the corner of my lips. He furrows his eyebrows, motioning to under his eyes.

I shake my head, not bothering to explain why I was crying by mouthing it. He nods, resting his arms on the stands on either side of him. I look away, finding myself looking into the eyes of someone familiar.

"River?" I sit up straighter, pulling on my buckle. "What are you doing here? Jo told me you were on the other craft."

"I have my ways," He shrugs, allowing the peacekeepers to sit him down next to Cato. He doesn't flinch in the slightest as the needle is injected into his arm, being too infatuated in his seat.

I suck in a sharp breath as Cato and River share sharp glares. Clove chuckles from beside me, nudging my arm. "This just keeps getting better."

I narrow my eyes at her, before watching carefully as Cato clenches his jaw at River. I clear my throat, gaining their attention. I shake my head slowly at the two of them, of which they comply.

"So tell me, Casey, how's Aspen doing?" Glimmer asks, leaning forward in her seat. "Is he still leading you on?"

I don't reply, instead averting my eyes. She continues talking, trying her best to upset me.

"You know, it really sucks that he'd leave you in the first place. But he came back, right? After we kicked him from the pack, that is. You know, he never really came back. He went for second best after being rejected."

"Why would he join the career pack anyway?" I raise an eyebrow, my anger spiking. "So he could kiss your ass all day? Face it, he only went to you because Marvel and Cato actually have some talent in fighting."

"If that's so, how did I get a nine during private sessions?" Glimmer questions. "They gamemakers don't lie, Casey."

"And they most definitely weren't lying when I got an eleven," I grit out. "So go on, Glimmer. Keep pushing it along. But just know that I'll enjoy every second when I beat your ass in the arena."

And with that, I face forward, focusing on nothing but the hovercraft wall.

___♕___

"Your uniform this year consists of light fabric leggings and a tight shirt with a heavy jacket," Ace informs me, stepping back as he ties my hair into a ponytail. "I'm guessing this year's arena is going to be a forest area, or tropical. Something with a lot of open sun."

"I hope it's not a desert," I mutter under my breath. "I'd most definitely die if that were the case."

"It's not a desert," He confirms, turning me around to face him. "Trust me, I know my fabrics. You'll be fine, just find a place to hide."

"What about the bloodbath?" I question, my nerves finally beginning to set in. "Do I stay at the cornucopia or run?"

"I'd suggest that you run," He replies with a sigh. "But only because I worry for your safety. The guys can find you after the bloodbath, and you can find a place to rest for the night. I don't recommend trying your luck in the cornucopia. Don't even worry about weapons."

"Are you saying that the boys are staying in the bloodbath?" I question, gaping at him. "No- Ace, I have to tell them. They can't, I don't want them to risk their lives for a weapon when we could-"

"Steal one?" Ace raises an eyebrow. "Make one? Wait for support from a sponsor? I think we both know that isn't an option in their eyes, even if the careers plan on taking the cornucopia."

"They're going to get themselves killed," I mutter under my breath, shaking my head. "They have to know there's a big risk."

"And that's a chance River and Aspen would both take for you," He finishes. "They're both in this for you, Casey."

"I don't want them to put their lives on the line for me!" I argue. "It's not fair that I have no say in this, Ace."

"Sometimes we don't have a choice," He shrugs. "But it's up to you to make the best of it. Stay safe, Case. Don't let their protection be in vain."

"Thirty seconds until launch," A loud voice booms through a speaker on the ceiling. I suck in a sharp breath, embracing Ace in a tight hug.

"Thank you," I murmer, my breath growing rigid. "Remember me, okay?"

"Hey," He pulls away, looking me in the eyes. "You will get out alive, I promise. Johanna, Finnick, and I will do everything in our power to keep you safe."

"Okay," I nod, finding the truth in his words.

"Twenty seconds."

"Goodbye, Ace," I whisper, backing away with my hands still locked in his.

"Goodbye for now, Casey," He smiles genuinely as I finally step into the tube. "You've got this. I believe in you."

I nod solemnly, my breath hitching in my throat as the voice speaks through the box again.

"Ten seconds."

Pulling the jacket closer to my chest, I close my eyes as I think of my mother. I had to make her proud- I had to go home for her and my friends. I had to get out so I could visit the graves of my father and brother.

I had to get out alive. I have so much to live for, and I wasn't about to give it all up this quickly. I would stay strong, and fight my hardest.

And if I didn't make it out alive, I would go down fighting.

The tube around me encloses, sealing with a click. I place my hand on the glass, smiling to Ace as it begins to move upwards until I can no longer see him. I stare up, removing my hand from the glass as the sun shines down on me brightly.

I wince when the tube disappears around me, leaving me standing on a podium. My eyes dart around, trying to find at least one of my allies in the unfamiliar arena. Instead, I find strangers all around me, twelve of the other tributs on the other side of the cornucopia.

I gasp in astonishment, my nerves getting the best of me. All of my allies were far from me, leaving me to myself. A dark forest spreads out behind us, leaving the curnucopia and other tributes in a circle around a large clearing.

"Cato," I murmer, leaning slightly to the side. I'm careful enough so that I don't fall off the pedistool, still glancing around frantically for any sign of Aspen, River, or anyone.

I breathe out a sigh of relief as Marvel's gaze catches mine. He sends me a nod, and a reassuring smile from his spot four people to my right. I let out a large breath, looking to the hologram that counts down the seconds until the Hunger Games commence.

Ten.

Straightening my posture, my eyes are dead set on the trees in front of me.

Nine.

The artifical sun seems to get brighter, glaring down on all of us. I wince at the brightness, tugging at my jacket lightly.

Eight

Something shiny catches my eyes, located right at the heart of the cornucopia.  I squint, trying to get a good look at it.

Seven.

An axe. I gasp, rethinking my promise to Ace.

Six.

I could do it, couldn't I? I could sprint to the cornucopia, grab the axe, and make a run for the woods.

Five.

But what if I were to get caught up with someone? I couldn't kill someone without a second thought . . . that's not who I am.

Four.

But if I want to get out of here for my mother, Johanna, and the others, I would have to do it. Quickly, but do it, nonetheless.

Three.

I press my weight harder onto the pedistool, ready to run with all of my might. My heart pounds inside of my chest.

Two.

There was a possibility I could die today. A very large possibility. Was I doing the right thing by going with my instinct?

One.

I'd see soon enough.

The gong sounds, making me launch myself from the pedistool. I sprint to the cornucopia, slightly moving off balance as I'm shoved by a bulky girl next to me. I grunt, before snatching the axe from its stand.

A body slams into me, sending both of us flying to the ground. I'm weighed down by a large boy, who throws a hard hit to my jaw before I could even comprehend what was happening. I cry out in pain, before slamming the butt of my axe into his temple.

He groans, before knocking the axe from my hands. Pain surges through my jaw as I'm punched again, sending a wave of dizziness over me. I slam the palm of my hand into his nose, catching him off guard. In an instant, his anger intensifies, his hands moving straight for my neck.

The boy presses all his weight on me, keeping me held to the ground as his grip tightens and cuts off my breathing. I sputter, beginning to panic as I cry out again. I kick my legs, my fingernails digging into the flesh of his hands. And yet he doesn't budge, only tightening his grip on me.

No longer able to breathe, I writhe underneath him. My vision blurrs quicker than I thought possible, my lungs burning in my chest. I gasp, no air making it into my system. The burning was unbearable, sending me into a rampage as I fought the boy.

This was it.

I really was going to die. I hadn't even made it two minutes in the arena- I was already dying. I should've listened to Johanna and Ace.

"Casey!" A voice yells, the boy knocked off of me immediately.

The boy coughs, blood splattering my face as a spear is imbedded in his torsoe. I gasp for air, the burning no longer in my chest. I stare up at Marvel, his eyes worried as he scans me over. "Are you okay? Did he hurt you?"

"Thank you," I murmer as he pulls me up, embracing him.

"No problem," He murmers, sending me a quick smile. "Come on. Grab your axe, we have somewhere to be."

"What do you mean?" I question, cringing as I look down to the body of the dead boy. I snatch my axe up, looking to Marvel expectantly. "What's wrong?"

"It's River and Cato," Marvel sighs. "River knows about the two of you."

_______