The arena is plunged into complete darkness just like every night, only the light of the big screen announcing today's death allows me to see my surroundings. In my mind, their names join those of the other fallen tributes on the list I have created for myself.

Raine Ruckleweave, girl from eight.

Dale Riverflow, boy from nine.

He seems to be looking down directly at me. He has exactly the same look on his face as when his lifeless body got picked up by the hovercraft today. He has the same look in his eyes as when I killed him. He has the eyes of someone that lost faith in life.

When the screen turns off, the darkness claims back what was hers. I don't even see the smoke coming out of my mouth every time I exhale through the face mask I made from the sleeping bag, but I can imagine it just fine. I wrapped myself in the insulated sleeping bag and tightened my hood around my head, but I'm still shaking. No matter how I try to stop it, the cold continues to penetrate my numerous layers of clothes until it reaches my skin. I already miss the heat of the days. I've never done well in the cold, I'm much better off in the heat weaves of District 4.

"District 4..." I mumble under my breath, as if it was going to help me remember the place and the faces that are slowly fleeing my mind as the days go on.

In the distance, I can see the fire the Careers have lit. It's a huge fire, the flame is approximately five or six-foot-high; it probably consumes more wood in one night that they could gather in one day, especially if they're out there hunting other tributes. They probably received some from generous sponsors. I guess that answers my question, I'm not the only one who was lucky enough to receive the attention of some wealthy citizens. I wish I could receive something that would help me get rid of the horrible sensation of my limbs slowly freezing. Of course, I don't think Mags will send something like that to me. It would be a waste of money and resources. I know I can get through the night and so does she. I close my eyes and try to remember what Cedar told us during training. Briefs fragments of our discussion resurface in my mind.

"The best thing to do is start a fire. It's like your lifeline. As long as you have one and no one sees it, you'll be alright."

That's not helpful; the Careers would definitely see me and I can't go further in the woods since I need to keep an eye on them.

"If you're freezing and you have food, eat it. The best thing is fruits and vegetables, but in a survival situation, anything will do. Make sure to stay hydrated too. People often forget that, but you need water just as much as on a hot day. Your body needs energy to keep you alive, so make sure to provide enough."

I open my bag and carefully look through it. I only have a half empty bag of dried meat from the boy I killed earlier. It's not ideal, but I don't have anything else. I eat it rapidly and chug down the rest of my water. I can only hope to have more sent my way or to be able to steal some from the Cornucopia.

"Avoid getting wet at all cost."

That won't be too hard as it isn't raining and there isn't any water close by. I also remember him mentioning something about sweat, but I can't remember exactly what he said. It probably had something to do with overheating or something like that.

"If your hands are getting dangerously cold, you can shove them under your armpits. It's usually the hottest place of your body."

I can't help but to start laughing silently at the memories that those few words bring up. I clearly remember the jokes that ensued. I remember all of our laughs burying into the past the awkward silence and occasional grunt let out by another tribute due to physical effort. I remember the weird looks that were sent our way, only making us crack up harder and louder. Still laughing, I follow Cedar's instruction and tuck my arms inside of my shirt. Instantly I feel my hands warming up.

"If there's a lot of snow, you can create some sort of shelter from it. When I was a kid, I used to do it all the time for fun during the harshest part of winter. I would build something small out of branches and cover the whole thing in snow. Unlike what most people think, it's able to retain a lot of heat."

That tip won't be useful either, there is no snow here. It was kind of a sure thing after what happened last year. I'm even surprised they made the arena become cold during the night. I'm certain there won't be snow in an arena ever again. Apparently, watching more than a dozen of kids freeze to death is not barbaric enough for the Capitol. They like blood, not limbs blackened by the unbearable cold of an arctic desert where not even the most courageous of all the Capitol citizens would dare to step a foot in. The winner was an 18-year-old from district 7. Of all the districts, this one is the further up north. Of course, his body was more used to the cold than let's say, the thirteen-year-old underfed little girl from district 10 that was reaped last year. Even with that advantage, he barely survived the Games; it cost him both of his foot. They were replaced by the Capitol's most advanced technology as soon as he was rescued. At least he didn't have to kill anyone. No, I can't think like that. His experience must've been just as hard as mine, simply in a different way. I may be freezing, but I know I'm not in imminent danger. I can't imagine what it feels like to slowly feel the life fade away from you. I heard the worst part is when you stop shivering. That's when you know you're dying. Cedar talked about it a little bit. He said that when your body is too cold and it doesn't have enough energy to stay warm, your body just gives up to preserve as much energy as it can. I heard that the something similar happens when you drown. At some point, your body gives up and you stop fighting. I wonder if that's what happened to my brother, if his body gave up before his mind did. It must have been horrible.