DISTRICT 1

Valour Goller

I'm still in the maze but more lost. I've tried 5 hours, and it0's already turning night. In about 4 hours I guess, they are putting the fallen tributes in the sky. I've heard several cannons so today might be more than days before. I'm really hungry and the only food I found is some weird berries but they aren't nightlocks. I think there are some food hidden in the flowers but, I'm not sure is there's some mines. I'm starting to think that the Hunger Games aren't as the trainer said, back home in district 1. It's now dark, so I might start finding a place to sleep. I'm thinking it won't be a great idea if I sleep in the same place for a long time. The time for me is passing really fast, because I just watched who died, and I'm really impressed. I found a really good place for sleeping.

*I wake up*

It's still night, and I know it should be day. Like this I can't go find the food. Obviously this is caused by the gamemakers. So, I'm trying not to get angry, because I can be harmed by the gamemakers. And like everyone else, no one messes with them. I want to see how long it will be night in the arena. And I want to see who will be so foolish to light a campfire. If this lasts for a week, I think nobody will move from their hiding place because in the dark you can't see anything. I think I should... there's something behind those bushes, maybe...It's a tribute, a boy.

I jump to the floor and with the berries I had I grab them and I act like I was dead. So, he stared at me and I bet he ask himself why didn't the hovercraft pick me, but he left and he went back but I wasn't there anymore. So finally I found the way out from the maze, but I was really tired so, I walked like maybe 250 meters and there... there was the best place for sleeping, it was a hole where I could fit and there was like a big branch that covered it. So I went in and sleep for 5 hours and I could hear how birds were singing, because...

*I open my eyes*

STILL NIGHT!!! I'm starting to FREAK OUT, but who cares I bet it won't be night in 1 hour. Or in 2. Or 3. Or I should just wait.

So, I went to the flower field and throw a rock inside, one mine exploded and make a huge BOOM. So I ran, towards I don't know what and I hid myself so nobody could attack me.

DISTRICT 2

Taryn Beyt

I was keeping watch at night when I noticed that the moon and the stars seemed to glow brighter every second. I didn't think too much about it. Then these fireflie creatures with light coming out of them so bright let me to wonder if the Capital made them. Evan woke up and started looking at the fireflies.

He suddenly looked away. I felt like I should to, but I just couldn't seem to bring myself to look away from the memorizing scene. Even said "Taryn look aw..." I soon wasn't able to hear him.I just kept looking at the lights. So pretty. So unique. Something started to change. At first I didn't care, but latter I felt like something was being taken away from me.

What is being taken away? I tried thinking about something that could help me. Nothing. That's all I got. It was not until latter that I realized that I was being shook and my name I think was being called. "Taryn, Taryn. Come on Taryn, snap out of it," said a boy in front of me. I didn't recognize him.

I got into a fighting stance. I was looking at the strange boy for any threatening moves coming from him. He looked shocked and asked, "Taryn are you alright? I was so worried." I stared in confusion at this man in front of me. He seemed like no threat to me for now.

I got out of my fighting stance still keeping an eye on this strange person. I took a look at my surroundings. It was the cornucopia from the Hunger Games and looking through the opening was a forest. Now I realized were I was. I was in the Hunger Games. How I got here is a mystery.

I turned back the the mystery man that had a puzzling look on his face. "Who are you?" I asked carefully. To say he was shocked is an understatement. "You don't remember me?" The boy asked. I shook my head no. "I am Evan, your ally. Remember? You almost chopped off my head with your sword," he said now in a slightly pleading voice.

"No. I can't seem to remember anything, besides the Hunger Games okay. I can't remember you. I can't even remember where I'm from. Much less who my family is." I was now in tears. "Why can't I remember?" I asked more myself then the per- I mean Evan.

He came over to me and said, "It's going to be okay. Hopefully the Capital gives you back your memory." "I hope so," I replied. I still noticed that it was night. "What time is it?" I asked Evan. "I don't know. It has been like this for a long time. It should be day by now," he replied. "Oh," was all I said.

We just sat there in perfect silence. There was a rustle in the bush. Evan and I instinctively grabbed our weapons. Out came a boy with blue eyes and brown hair. He seemed a little like a threat so I motioned to Evan that I was going to sneak up on him and that Evan should distract the boy.

Evan nodded and came out behind the supplies and weapons and soon started up their own cocky conversation. I went the other way and when I was right behind the boy I tackled him to the ground and pinned him there. I then held a knife to his throat. He knew struggling would be unless. I looked at Evan to see what he wanted to do.

Evan looked like he was thinking about something carefully before asking the boy, "Jake, would you like to join our alliance?" I was shocked. Well maybe Jake had some strengths that would help us considering that I forgot if he had any. "Well considering my option is to join or die, I join," Jake said.

I got off him and helped him up. As we sat down in the cornucopia Jake said, "I am surprised you were able to sneak up on me, rarely anyone can do that." I smirked and said, "You weren't too hard all I had to do was get you distracted." The night continued on and Evan volunteered to keep watch as Jake and I went to sleep.

-----Time Break-----

I was soon woken up to a pain in my leg. I sat up to see my leg bleeding and a person standing in front of me she had an ax in her hands. I did a started yelp as I saw Evan ground, not dead. I could only tell that from his light breathing. Jake must be a heavy sleeper because he showed no signs of waking. My hand gripped the knife that I kept under mu blanket. The girls green eyes shined in the moonlight as she charged at me with her ax.

I jumped up ignoring the pain in my leg. I threw the knife. It landed in her shoulder. She growled in pain and anger. That was all it took for Jake to wake up. He grabbed a trident and stabbed the girl with it. she coughed up some blood. Not wanting to see her in any more pain, I snapped her neck.

A boom of a canon let me know that she was dead. We noticed that Evan started to stir. I then treated his injury along with mine with a first aid kit. After that Evan and Jake fell asleep. As I was keeping watch I caught two rabbits and a squirrel. Another canon went off and the one girls face appeared along with a boy with blond hair blue eyes.

When I soon began to feel sleepy I woke Jake up and fell asleep wondering how my life was like.

---

(DID NOT TURN IN)

-----

DISTRICT 3

Electra Waters

I wake in the dead of night to see soft glows that are getting brighter, I look down instantly repulsed by the brightness. Emma on the other hand is staring at them like a moron, just staring. I shake her, no movement or answer.

"Emma." I whisper worridley, shaking her again. Hours go by and I tend to my leg, it's better but still broken so I can't move around so I am permanently stuck to the tree I am leaning against.

George, how I miss you. I finger the engagement ring I have as my district token, it's in the shape of a gear encrusted with diamonds and obsidion.

"Where am I?" Emma says suddenly and I jump and hug her, she stiffness.

"OH Ems! You've been staring into space for hours!" I yell still looking down, day hasn't come yet and I'm getting worried. I feel a cold blade sink into my shoulder and I see Emma releasing the knife from my shoulder, I loose my head and grab my bow and arrows. I hesitate, this is my ally. I can't kill her, she has her trident in hand and is ready to lunge at me. I release the string and close my eyes, I hear a small whimper and then the sound of a body slumping to the floor. I killed Emma my only ally, I need to team up. But with who?

"Please may I get a sponser?" I ask whispering to the sky nothing comes, I pull myself up still looking at the ground. I think I am in the winter section, I hobble into the Autumn one and thankfully I hear no hissing and my vision doesn't blur.

I hobble on, sometimes hearing people talking other times I hear wildlife that I promptly kill for Food and I stop to fill my water bottle, I need an ally and quickly. Wait. What am I thinking I don't need an ally to win this thing! I can do it on my own for George and my brother. I get a nauseating feeling and throw up all that I just ate. So much for eating my fill. I rest for a moment , 28 days ago I last had my cycle, so I'm not pregnant. Probably just a bug, I throw up again. Maybe I am pregnant, in the Hunger Games with people who are trying to kill me. This is getting increasingly difficult, now I need to survive and fend for two. Me and my unborn baby, bring on the challenge

DISTRICT 4

Jake

"WHHHEEEWWW."

"OH YEAH."

"I am SO ready for this!"

"SOMEONE, WAKE UP THE FISHERMAN!"

I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Rise and shine," Taryn said. She stuck out her hand and I grabbed it, letting her pull me up.

"Big big day today!" The guy from One announced.

"What, is it one of your birthdays or something?" I asked.

They all stared at me as if I were crazy.

"Okay, sorry, forget I ever asked," I muttered.

"IT'S TRIBUTE HUNTING DAY!" Said the girl from One, Lakin, who was now screaming. Everyone looked all excited. Well, Taryn didn't look very pleased. But she rarely did, probably one of the reasons I got along with her so well. So I just took Taryn's neutral face for excitement, as she wasn't exactly frowning.

"Um, not to rain on your parade or anything, but how exactly does this work?" I asked.

Everyone rolled their eyes.

"I'll explain it on the way there," Taryn said. "Come on, let's go now."

It was a pretty miserable looking day outside. The sun had decided to just disappear on us, and a bunch of dark, low hanging clouds were in the sky, threatening to rain down on us. The boys, Valour (finally learned his name), and Evan, packed us all some bread to eat while we went "hunting." Taryn and I were at the back of the group.

"So," I asked. "You want to explain this whole thing to me?" I shoved a piece of bread into my mouth. Taryn blinked, probably in disgust. Nice going, I thought. You probably looked SO attractive doing that.

"Right. So we pretty much run around the arena, looking for tributes."

"That's it?"

"And we kill them."

I swallowed. Maybe gulped. I dunno, is there even a difference?

"What, you can't kill a guy?" Taryn asked.

"No."

"Afraid?"

"No."

"Are you afraid of anything?"

I thought for a minute.

"Guilt," I finally said.

"What?"

"Guilt, I'm afraid of guilt. Probably why I don't like killing anyone, I'm afraid of the guilt that comes after."

Taryn was silent for a minute. "I've never done it."

"What?"

"I've never killed."

"Well that's understandable, the Games have just started."

"No, you don't understand. That's what I'm afraid of. My fatal flaw, if you will. I can't kill."

I thought about this for a moment.

"Well have you ever tried?"

"No."

Taryn was whispering now. She actually looked quite worried, not at all the fierce I-can-tackle-anything-kind-of-girl that I've come to know. Maybe even a little...I dunno, vulnerable.

"Not a human at least," Taryn said, out of nowhere.

"Huh?"

"My training coach back in Two tried to get me to kill a cat. Slit its throat. I couldn't do it."

"Do you like cats?"

"No. I actually hate them."

I thought about this.

"Are you going to finish your bread?" I finally asked.

"Not hungry. Want it?"

I grabbed it from her before she could change her mind.

"Starving," I answered.

We were walking for around three hours when Evan finally came running up to us.

"We've got a party of three, nine o'clock," he announced.

Taryn nodded. "What's my position?"

"Starboard, five o'clock, right hand side. 267 seconds. Now 265."

"Got it." Taryn started getting ready to go.

"Let's hope you can finally get your hands dirty for once," Evan said. "Make a kill or two. Don't let the others get them all."

Taryn let out a laugh. Seemed pretty staged to me. Fake. But Evan didn't seem to notice. "Yeah, I am DYING to finally make a kill around here. I mean, that's why we're here, right?"

Evan laughed. "Get going, you're at 246 now."

Taryn nodded, then started jogging to my right.

So she hadn't told Evan what she told me. About killing. Interesting.

I watched her go. She was extremely agile, jumping over tree trunks without even looking. I probably would have stumbled or tripped about five times by then.

Suddenly, I wasn't looking at her, but at Evan's face, inches from mine. He had my arms pinned against a tree. The tree's trunk was digging into my spine.

"Don't you fucking touch her again. Don't even get close to her. Talk to her one more time and I will kick your skinny tuna fish ass all the way back to your home down in Four."

His saliva was pretty much all over my face at this point. There are the people who spit when the yell. And then there are the people whose mouths turn into freaking water fountains when they yell. Evan was one of THOSE guys.

"Do you hear me?" He asked. More spit on my face. He grabbed me by the shoulders and slammed me against the tree. Hard. Then he went back to pinning my arms down.

"Well," he asked again.

Now this is the part where if I could, I would probably go back in time and replay this moment a thousand times.

"What, do you want her for yourself or something?" I asked. "Because trust me, no girl wants a guy whose saliva would end up all over their mouth. Especially when that guy's saliva tastes like rotten eggs."

Evan's mouth dropped open.

"Trust me, I would know. When Taryn and I hooked up, she told me that she hated making out with guys with bad breath. So I told her not to worry, I take care of my breath, unlike SOME people."

Evan's eyes went big.

"All. 27. Times," I finished. At this point, Evan's jaw was pretty much hitting the ground, like actually. His hands were barely holding on to my arms anymore. I removed his hands from me, casually brushed off imaginary dirt from my clothes, and started walking ahead. I felt Evan starting to run up to me. Probably to punch me or something. I spun around and held up my hand. He plowed into it. I was barely able to stand my ground, but I think I pulled it off pretty nicely in the end. Cameras probably couldn't even tell how much I was struggling to not trip and fall over. Every television in the Capitol was probably trained on me right now. So I put on the most casual, nonchalant look I could manage and smiled at Evan.

"Oh, I wouldn't do that if I were you. You need me for something, don't you?"

Evan took a deep breath and looked up, probably coming to the same conclusion about the cameras as I did. That I made him look stupid. On live television. Oh yeah, he was definitely angry. Maybe even a bit homicidal. I pretty much just stole all of his followers and supporters, after all. He gave me a look. A glare, so intense, I nearly jumped back.

"Let's go," Evan managed to say. I swear, his eyes were lasering in on me or something. One look and I'd be fried up and turn to ash.

"Lead the way."

When we got to the rest of the crew, two really scared looking tributes were tied up against a tree. And Lakin was...well she was dead. And the scene wasn't pretty, there was blood literally everywhere.

"I thought you said there were three." I asked.

"Yeah, well one was pretty freaking clever and managed to get Lakin before escaping. No clue where she went," said the Valour guy.

Over on the side, Evan was busy kissing up to Taryn who clearly, was not interested. Their conversation went a bit like this...

"Are you okay?"

"Evan, I'm fine."

"You sure?"

"Evan, seriously, I'm fine."

"Because if that tool bag Jake gives you any trouble..."

"Seriously Evan? You know I can handle myself. Now leave."

"Are you sure? Because I can-"

"Evan, LEAVE."

Yeah, seriously, why does he even bother? With her of all people.

Finally, Evan joined me and Valour.

"So, how should we do this?" Valour asked him.

Evan took a long look at the two tributes who were pretty much pissing themselves in the corner.

"Start with the boy. Make the girl watch it. Better for the cameras."

"Where?"

"Fingers."

"Quick question," I said, turning to Valour. "What does he mean by fingers?"

Valour grinned. "You're about to find out."

The two boys got the male tribute out from the tree, and pinned him against the ground, where the younger girl could still see him. Valour grinned and took out a knife. Then without any warning, chopped off all of the boy's fingers. All five. On his right hand. All at once. The boys gritted his teeth and bit down hard on his lip. But he didn't say anything. Blood was starting to drip from his mouth. But his hand, it was a mess. The blood was literally spurting upwards. The girl was screaming. But somehow, the boys still weren't satisfied.

"Oh you think you're so tough?" Evan asked. Evan and the boy glared at each other for about a minute. The boy was glaring so hard, I was worried that Evan's clothes would turn to ash from the stare. Then the boy screamed. Evan had a twig in his hand, and was shoving it up the whole where his fingers used to be.

"Yeah that's right," Evan muttered. "Scream for me. Yes, that's it."

I couldn't deal with it. The screams were hurting my ears. But somehow the boys were finding PLEASURE in hearing them. It was like, having sex to them or something. But instead of sex, cutting someone's fingers off of their hand. Absolutely mortifying. I tried to hide my disgust.

"I'll catch up with you guys in a second, I need to take a piss," I said.

"Whatever, more for us," Valour muttered.

I ran out of there before I had to see anymore.

I jogged about five minutes away, so that I wouldn't have to hear it any more. Where I couldn't hear pained screams anymore. Even I, being the completely emotionless guy I am, couldn't do that. I had been pacing back and forth for about ten minutes, trying to clear my mind, when I heard a faint voice coming from behind me.

"So, I guess you couldn't take it either?" Taryn walked into sight.

"Yeah, guess not," I said. I was looking down at the ground, not wanting to meet her eyes. I felt...I don't know...embarrassed? Pft, embarrassed, like I would ever be fucking embarrassed by something. But then I realized that I actually kind of was. I got tired of trying to understand the maze that was my brain, and shoved those thoughts up in the back locker of it, then tossed out the key. Which of course, didn't help me, whatsoever.

"I usually hide out when this happens. You know, try to avoid it. All of it."

I looked up at her. There was a low-hanging tree branch above her head, and she was absent-mindedly twirling around a stray leaf on it. I saw that a few leaves had fallen off the tree, and had landed in her hair. And before I knew what was happening, I found myself brushing her hair out with my fingers, combing through it to take out the leaves. At first, Taryn tensed up. But then her shoulders relaxed a bit, and I kept combing. I don't know why I found this as relaxing as I did. Her hair was super soft. Chestnut brown, probably the only pretty shade of brown there was out there. I found myself staring at her face. Sure, I've seen prettier. But...I don't know. Taryn's was a mystery. I was usually pretty good at reading a guy's thoughts by looking at their face. But Taryn, her face was something else. It gave me no clues, whatsoever. Which made me feel at a disadvantage for some reason, I don't really even know. She turned around and caught me looking at her. But I didn't stop. After about two, maybe three seconds, she looked down at the ground. Blushing I think? I'm not sure. Then she went back to twirling her leaf, while I kept on combing through her hair.

After a few more peaceful, silent minutes of this, we heard two cannons go off. Must've been the two tributes we had found. I looked at Taryn.

"We should go," she said.

"Yeah. Yeah, Okay."

I let go of her hair, grabbed my stuff, and started heading back to where I last saw the two boys, Taryn following close behind.

"Well, you two sure missed out," Valour announced when we arrived.

There was blood splattered everywhere. I didn't want to think about what they did to the two kids. At least the bodies were taken away, so didn't have to witness that horror.

"Yeah, they were all like 'please, no, don't hurt me!' It was literally the most pathetic thing." Evan spat on the ground. He walked past me. But not before muttering, "But not as pathetic as you," loud enough so that only I could hear him. I rolled my eyes and followed everyone back to the base.

I had a lot of time to myself on the walk back. That left me with a lot of thinking. And most of my thoughts included the two tributes. I killed two innocent kids who did nothing wrong. No you didn't. They're dead, thanks to me. No, not thanks to you, thanks to Evan and Valour. It's still my fault. No it's not. Yes it is. Oh my fucking god shut up. I finally shut up. Because it was true, it wasn't me who killed them, it was Evan and Valour. Not me. Them. I ran a hand through my hair, frustrated.

I felt guilty. Really guilty. I felt like the shittiest, most horrible guy on this planet. When it wasn't even my fault. I wondered why I felt so guilty. I kept wondering and wondering and wondering. But I came up with nothing. By the end of all that thinking though, I knew one thing. That I had to leave.

The guilt was insane, and I couldn't deal with it. That was my goal from the beginning anyways, right? Survive. Run. Hide. Only fight if necessary. Try to win in the most efficient way possible. And being here with these guys did not solve that. At all. So why was I still here?

Only one word came to my mind. More specifically, a name. The only reason I hadn't ditched the group yet.

Did I like her? Fine, I'll admit, I kind of did. She was different from all the other girls I've seen in my life. I couldn't quite put my finger on what it was yet, but trust me, it was there. Loud and clear.

And I also knew that I had to leave her. I couldn't get attached. These were the Hunger Games we're talking about, only one person survives. If it came down to just me and her, I have to be able to do it. To kill her. I couldn't get attached. Because then I'd probably kill myself first, just to let her win.

By the time we had reached the base, camp, whatever you want to call it, I had made up my mind. I was going to leave.

Tonight.

I told the guys that I was going to go get some fish, stock up on more food, clear my mind a bit. They all just shrugged.

"Whatever, just bring the fish back in an hour, then we'll eat," said Evan, still refusing to make eye contact. Then he turned around and tried to talk to Taryn. I rolled my eyes and walked towards the lake.

When I got there, I pulled out the net from my bag. Then I walked up to a tree in front of me, snapping off one of the longer branches. It would be helpful if I had a spear, maybe even a sword. But this would have to do for now. I threw off my shirt, shoes, and socks, tossed them onto the grass, then waded into the lake until the water came up to my chest. I couldn't just stay in the shallow part of the lake, as there were no fish there. I tossed the net into the lake, letting it fall to the bottom. Then I grabbed a loaf of bread from my bag. I ripped it into many small pieces, before tossing them into the net. Then I went back to the grass, where the rest of my stuff was.

If I was going to leave, I might as well take as much supplies as possible. So I found a small rock, and used it to sharpen the tree branch I found, creating a makeshift spear. Then I dived back into the lake and started swimming. It felt good to swim again. I missed not being able to just jump into the ocean whenever I felt like it. I flipped onto my back and kept swimming, staring up at the setting sun. I stopped when I figured that I was about thirty feet deep. Then I dived under.

It wasn't like the oceans I was used to seeing at home, but it was close enough that it made me miss being back in Four. There weren't as many colors, or plants, or fish, they were all still there. I swam down about eight feet, stabbed what I think was a trout with my spear, then came back up for air. Yep, that was a trout alright. I tossed it back onto the shore, then dived back under.

Overall, I caught five trout, two salmon, and three tuna. I went to check on my net. There were about ten fish, caught in the net. I dived under and sealed the net shut with my hands before any more fish could get away. I dragged it back on the shore, then tied up the net with the fish in them. I somehow managed to stuff it all in my backpack. Then I slid the ten remaining fish onto my spear, put my clothes back on, and headed back inside.

When I got back, I heard Valour whistle.

"That's some find you got there," he said.

"This? This is nothing. You should see me on a good day," I replied.

Evan rolled his eyes, probably jealous.

"C'mon, let's just go cook these babies up already," he said. I shrugged and dragged the spear with all of the fish to the back, where we had our fire pit.

Taryn was fixing up the fire, and the boys were cooking and cleaning the fish. I told everyone I was going to go put my spear with the rest of the weapons, but they paid me no attention. Good.

I made sure I had my backpack with me, then went to the corner of the cave where all the weapons were stashed. I made sure to tangle the net and get the spear caught in it, so that no one would suspect anything. As I worked on untangling it, I surveyed the weapons in front of me. Four knives, a bow, about a dozen arrows, a few throwing knives, an axe, a slingshot, and one wicked looking dagger. I snatched that up the dagger and stuck it in my pocket. I also took two throwing knives, two arrows, and the slingshot, tucking them into my bag. Never know when you're going to need it.

I felt pretty prepared. We all ate dinner in silence, as there wasn't much to talk about.

"Yo, Jake, mind taking first watch?" Valour asked.

"No."

"Good, because I seriously need to sleep," he said back.

Everyone started to fall asleep, as I sat on a rock. I waited ten minutes. Evan and Valour started snoring, while Taryn was curled up in a ball. She looked really cute like that. I tucked some hair behind her ear, away from her face as she slept. Then I walked away.

You can't get attached, I reminded myself. You can't afford it.

I was about to leave when I spotted Evan across the room. And I had an idea. I grabbed some tape from his bag, and a knife from the weapons corner. Then I squeezed some berries onto the tip of the blade. I taped it to his chest, so that it was just poking at his neck. I smiled inwardly, imagining what he would think when he woke up the next day.

I got to the entrance of the cave. I looked back at Taryn one last time, then turned around, and started walking forward, around the lake.

I was walking for about two minutes when I heard footsteps behind me. I grabbed the dagger from my pocket, to find...

You guessed it, Taryn Beyts. The one and only. Just walking right up to me. She had a pretty full looking bag. I wonder how and when she managed to get all of that stuff in there. I tucked the dagger back in my pocket.

I stared at her. "You weren't supposed to follow me."

"I've kind of come to that conclusion already," she said. Now she was next to me.

"Meaning go back to the cave."

"Are you telling me what to do?"

"Yes. Yes I am."

"Well I refuse."

"Well I insist."

She ran up to me and did something I was not expecting. At all. Meaning that she kicked me. In the nuts.

While I was busy clutching my balls, groaning in pain, she managed to get my backpack off of me. She started walking ahead of me.

"Let's go already," she whined.

I rolled my eyes and grabbed my bag back from her. Seeing no point in arguing, I followed her.

After walking for about ten minutes, I decided to ruin the silence.

"So, when'd you find out?"

"Find out what?"

"That I was going to ditch you guys."

"Oh. Um, I was kind of, like, watchingyoufish," she said, mumbling the last part.

I smiled inwardly, perfectly understanding what she had just said.

"Say that again?" I asked.

"I was watching you fish," she said, much more confidently.

"What, checking out these sweet guns?" I asked, flexing.

She rolled her eyes and laughed. Her laugh was really sweet. I could probably hear that laugh a thousand times and not get tired of it. I had a sudden urge to kiss her, right then and there. I seriously considered it, but then she walked up to me.

Taryn reached for the zipper on my bag, pulling it down.

"So I was right!" she said.

"Huh?"

"You did catch more fish than you brought back. You just kept it. So how long have you been planning this?"

I felt like being honest with her.

"On the walk back. After Evan and Valour had killed those two tributes."

"Only that recently?"

"Yeah." I didn't say anything more. It would be pretty awkward having to tell her the reason I didn't leave earlier.

The moon was shining brightly, and the stars were too. The whole thing felt...I don't know, dreamy. Before I even realized what I was doing, I had taken Taryn's hand and held it in mine. And she didn't let go. She simply twisted her hand around to fit it better into mine.

"So, what's your story," she asked me.

"What?"

"Your story."

"Um, well, my training score was eight-"

"No no no. Your real story. Not your Hunger Games story."

"Oh, well, I swam a lot. I helped out a lot with fishing too."

I looked at her, and saw that she clearly wanted me to get to the stuff she wanted to hear about.

"I wasn't very popular. Actually, the only reason anyone could deal with me was because I wasn't the ugliest guy on the block. I was pretty popular with girls at parties. But they pretty much just used me because I was supposedly 'cute' or whatever. But they never said anything to me. It was always just, "Hey cutie, wanna hook up?" and I wouldn't say anything. Because come one, I'm a guy. And that's pretty much all that a 15 year old boy wants in life.

I spotted a rather large looking boulder in front of us, and led her to it. We sat down. I was still holding on to her hand. And I wasn't planning on letting it go anytime soon.

"I didn't have a lot of friends," I told her. "My best friend was probably my younger sister."

"How old is she?"'

"Eight."

"I didn't do a lot of the 'career training' stuff. I was that guy who would sit in the corner of the gym, listening to depressing music or whatever. And the top kids would always pick on me. They'd call me a failure, dumbass, idiot, stupid, all that jazz."

"Did you do anything about it?"

"I usually end up ignoring them. But as for the kids whose words actually had an effect on me? I talked back to them. And most of them are left looking extremely stupid by the end of it, as I just made ridiculed them in front of the whole school. And then I'd get in trouble with the teacher, but whatever. It's always worth it, when you get to see the look on the kids' face when they realize that they're the one who's an idiot."

Neither of us said anything for the next five minutes. I was still holding Taryn's hand.

"Well," she finally said, "I grew up in a pretty big family. Three brothers, two sisters. I never really knew how to be...myself. I was always popular at school and stuff. But I was never the most popular. Because I was never able to start trends, start this, start that, do this first, do that first. I always just had to follow whatever they did. I never really learned how to be myself. I still haven't really learned I guess. I can never really make my own decisions, I have to wait for someone else to make them for me."

"You chose to come here."

"No, I followed your decision to leave."

"Well you made the decision of following me."

Taryn didn't respond.

"Well?"

"You're different," she finally said.

"How so?"

"You just are," she said, clearly exasperated.

"So," I finally asked. "Why'd you follow me anyways?"

"I've been thinking about it a while. I'm just not a career. I don't want to kill. I don't want to torture others. Pretty much all I want to do is get out of these games alive. And I've never been able to do that yet. Like I said, I can't seem to do anything on my own. Everyone else is a career. So I had to fake being a career.

"Like I said, you followed me."

"Like I said, you're different."

"Yeah," I said after a minute. "Yeah, I know the feeling. When everyone around you's a career. And then there's you. And your only goal is to make it out alive, not to kill, but to survive."

I knew we were both thinking the same thing right now. The one thing I was dreading, ever since I first saw her. Taryn knew it too. We refused to meet each other's eyes.

"It's not worth it," she said after a while.

"What?"

"We both know that only one of us, if that, is getting out of here alive."

I nodded. "It's good to face the facts every once in a while."

"So we both accept that fact. That only one of us is getting out of here. We don't have much time left. With each other, and in general. I say we make the most of it. Don't dwell on the irrelevant stuff.

I raised an eyebrow.

"So death is irrelevant?"

"In this case, yeah. Yeah it is," she said.

"I'm not catching on."

"Look, there were 24 people here."

"Yeah."

"And 23 of them die, making death the norm."

"Well when you put it like that..."

"Just hang with me here. So what we have," she said gesturing to the two of us, "is relevant."

"And what do 'we' have?" I asked.

"Trust. We can trust each other."

I thought about that.

"I trust you," Taryn said. "Do you trust me?"

I didn't even hesitate. "No."

She stopped and looked up at me.

"What?"

"No, I don't trust you," I repeated.

"And why is that?" She asked. She turned her head so that she wouldn't have to look at me, and let go of my hand.

I reached my hand up so that I could touch her face, and turned it around to face mine, forcing her to look right up at me, so that she would hear every single word I was about to say.

"Because trust isn't a strong enough word. I not only trust, but am certain of every decision you make, every word you say, every step you take, all of it."

Then, before I could think better of it, I pressed my lips to hers.

The second that they touched, I knew I had made a mistake. A big one. She was perfect. She was so perfect, and it would ruin me. But there was nothing I could do about it.

I pulled her face closer to mine and kept kissing her. She had her arms wrapped around my neck, kissing me back. And we kept kissing. And kissing. And kissing and kissing and kissing.

She was the perfect definition of the word "perfect." Perfect hair, perfect face, perfect lips, perfect eyes, perfect nose.

I found myself picking her up off the boulder, and leaning her against a nearby tree. She wrapped her legs around my waist, and we kept on kissing. Her hands were all over me. Through my hair, down my back. She knotted her fists in my shirt, pulling me against her. Hard. And I didn't argue. Her fingers went down my shirt, tracing over every muscle I earned from my many years of fishing and swimming. Eventually, my shirt wasn't even there. We kept on kissing. It never seemed to end. And neither of us wanted it to.

I kissed her neck, starting to tease her. Then her cheek, then I slightly brushed my lips against hers...

She pulled me closer to her, forcing our lips to collide, once again. And for the billionth time, I couldn't argue with Taryn Beyts. If she wants something, she gets it. I pressed her harder again the tree trunk so that I wouldn't have to hold her up anymore. I slid my hands down her back, down the sides of her stomach, finally resting in the curves of her hips, all while still kissing her. I took one hand and slid it down the back of her thigh, so that I could pull it up. She wrapped her other leg around me even tighter. And we kept kissing.

Finally, after what seemed like eternity, I gently put Taryn down, and started putting my shirt back on. I grabbed both our bags and threw them over my shoulders.

"Always a gentleman," Taryn said, shaking her head. Then I threw her over my shoulders too.

"WHA- PUT ME DOWN! JAKE, PUT ME DOWN! NOW!"

I pulled her head up to my lips, and planted a kiss on her cheek.

"NEVER!" I kept walking forwards with her pounding into my back, yelling for me to let go.

Eventually, I readjusted her so she was sitting on my shoulders, with her legs draping over them.

"You know," Taryn says, "That was my first kiss."

I stopped.

"Wait, seriously?"

"Yeah."

"Well," I said smiling, "You're a natural."

I spotted a small flicker of light moving back and forth in front of me. Fireflies. I catch one in my hand, then hold it up for Taryn to see.

"Wow. They're so pretty," she said.

"Yeah. Want to learn how to catch them?"

"Hell yes!"

I put her down.

"So you want to cup your hands together. Like this."

I took her hands and placed them one over the other.

"Then you want to close it up. Like this."

I took her hands to demonstrate once again.

Not much later, we were running around, seeing who could catch more fireflies. There were so many, they all kept passing by us, as if they had somewhere to be. The fireflies were also getting brighter for some strange reason. It was all very absurd. Soon, the light coming from the insects were so bright, they were nearly blinding. I had a really bad feeling about this, and turned around, closing my eyes.

"Taryn? TARYN?"

"Yeah?"

"Get over here."

"Um, no. I'm gonna catch more fireflies than you."

"No really, get over here."

"Why?"

"I just have a really bad feeling about all of this. And don't look at the light."

"But the lights are pretty!"

"TARYN! Don't look at the lights!"

"Preetttyyyy."

"Oh no. No no no no no. Taryn, please, come here. There's prettier lights. Taryn?"

"Ooh, look at his light, it's brighter than all of the others."

"Oh god TARYN GET BACK HERE!"

I waited for a response. But nothing came.

"TARYN?!??!"

Still no response. I tried opening my eyes, but it was still too bright. I threw my bag to the ground and took my shirt off, tying it around my head, as a blindfold. It did the trick. I couldn't see very well, but at least I didn't go blind from the light.

"Taryn?"

I found her staring into space ahead of me, as if in a trance.

"Taryn?" I whispered, approaching her.

She didn't move. She just stood there. Her mouth was wide open. She looked like those people born with autism or something, where their face always looked a bit strange, confused, slightly idiotic looking.

The fireflies seemed to have disappeared, so I ripped off my makeshift blindfold. Taryn was still standing in front of me. I found myself stroking her hair, and holding on to her hand. I tried shaking her, slapping her, splashing water on her face. Even kissing her. Nothing worked. Nothing. She wasn't coming back.

I will not cry.

I won't cry.

"I am not going to cry."

I cried. What did you expect, honestly?

But I told myself to get over it. I told myself that it was better this way, you didn't have to kill her yourself.

I didn't get over it. She was still breathing, but barely. As far as I was concerned, she was pretty much dead. I sat down next to her. And allowed myself to cry some more. I kept telling myself to get up, move on. One, two, five, seven times. But I never did. I just sat there next to her.

It must've been somewhere around one, two o'clock in the morning when I was finally ready to move on. About two hours later. I grabbed my bag, refusing to look at her. If I did, there was no telling how long I would be stuck here for.

There was a dumb love song everyone sang back at Four. One of the lines goes, "Only know you love her when you let her go." And for the first time, I understood what it really meant. I found myself humming the song. I guess that if I really love her, I would let her go, as they say. And so I started to walk.

I made it two steps. Just two steps. That's how much of a failure I was. Two steps, that was it. But it wasn't my fault. I didn't turn back or anything. No, I was tackled. Tackled to the ground.

"Wha-"

"Ddonn't ttallkk," Taryn stuttered. "It will only make it wo-worse."

She had me pinned to the ground, knife in hand. I looked around, trying to find something I could use to my advantage. There. My foot was about seven inches from her knife hand. I waited for her hand to move forward. Six inches. She inched the knife forward, trying to threaten me. Three inches, now.

I kicked out with my foot, knocking the knife right out of her hands. It skidded across the ground. Taryn dived for it. I caught her shirt and pulled her back, and she managed to kick me in the shin. I grappled with her hands. She kept punching wildly, into the air for the most part. I finally got her hands pinned to the ground. Then I threw myself on top of her, not letting her move.

"Taryn! TARYN!" That seemed to do it. She stopped thrashing and looked up at me.

"Jake?"

I sighed in relief. She was back. She was really back. I looked at how we were positioned. Me, completely lying on top of her.

"Well this is awkward," I said, smirking at her.

"Jake."

"Yes darling," I said. I was just so glad she was back. I was grinning so much, I thought I might start crying all over again or something. But then her next words got rid of that smile instantly, scaring me half to death.

"Um, where exactly are we?"

"So exactly how much do you remember?" I asked her.

"Not much," she told me. "I can only recall the strangest things. I don't remember my siblings' names, but I remember my pet hamster that died eight years ago."

"You're right."

"What?"

"That is strange."

"Yeah. I remember the count down. And I remember seeing really bright lights. Everything else is blurry. It's like it's there, but it's locked up behind a key or something, and I just can't unlock it yet."

"Um, so, how'd you remember me?"

"It's a really weird memory. I remember seeing you in training or something. You were running laps I think. And then some other girl tried to join you. And you started arguing. She stormed off or something. Then two minutes later, she started to go to some other station. I think knife throwing. And you changed her difficulty level to make it harder, then ran off.

"I remember that. The girl was Artemis. I laughed for hours afterwards." I chuckled.

"So, you were spying?"

"I guess? I dunno, that's all I remember."

I looked at her. She had her hands clasped together in front of her. Easy indicator of her lying. Clearly she remembered me from something else, but she didn't want to say it. I didn't push.

"So, do you remember anything...erm... before the lights and after the countdown?"

"No, it's honestly like those thoughts don't exist in my brain. I don't remember a thing between those two things. It's just like, an empty space in my mind."

I nodded and looked down at her hands. They were at her sides. So she wasn't lying. That means she didn't remember anything that had happened earlier that night. Good. I had to keep it like this. It would be better this way. Not getting too attached. It was like life was giving me another chance at making this right.

I yawned.

"Want me to take first watch?" Taryn asked.

"You don't have to, I'm not sleepy," I told her. I yawned again.

"Uh huh. I wanted some time to myself anyways, as nice as your company has been. I just need to sort my thoughts out. And the few memories that I have."

I was about to argue, but then realized that she could probably use some time alone. And she was right, I needed sleep.

"Okay," I said, crawling under the blanket that she had brought with her. "Just wake me up when you're ready to switch."

I fell asleep almost instantly.

When I woke up, it was still dark out.

"How long has it been?" I asked Taryn.

No response.

"Taryn?"

"Mmm?"

She was leaning against a tree next to me.

"Oh, sorry, I must've fell asleep," she said.

I chuckled.

"It's fine."

The sun hasn't come up, but the moon also happened to be long gone. So I was guessing somewhere around eleven in the morning. It would just be another dark, cloudless day.

"So, do we have any plans?" Taryn asked.

"Well, I wanted to head over to the fall sector. Seems the most promising."

"The what?"

Oh yeah, she lost her memory.

"Okay, so this arena's basically split into four pieces, each representing a different season."

"So we're in...what, spring?"

"Yeah."

"And the cornucopia?"

I thought about it.

"I think there's four. Four cornucopias, one in each season."

"That's weird."

"Yes, yes it is."

Neither of us said anything for a minute, thinking about our plans.

"So how do we get to fall?"

"If we stay in the center of the spring section, avoiding getting closer to either winter or summer, we can simply cut through the middle of spring, straight into fall. Diagonally."

"Wait, so that means that all four seasons must meet at one spot."

"Yeah, I guess so."

"And we'll be passing through that spot."

"It would appear so."

"And don't you think that would be a spot for a lot of tributes to hide out?"

I thought about it for a minute.

"We'll just have to take our chances," I said. I grabbed my stuff, and handed her hers.

"C'mon, let's get going."

The day was extremely uneventful. When it got close to around six o'clockish, we moved closer to the summer section, so that we wouldn't have to start a fire to cook the fish I had with me. I simply gather a bunch of leaves and lay two fish on top, one for each of us. And I placed it on burning hot sand, which was still hot for some reason, even without the sunlight. It was hot enough to cook our food for us at least. We were sweating, it must've been at least 100 degrees where we were standing, so we walked back into the heart of the spring section, and ate our food there.

Like I said, uneventful.

Throughout the day, I tried to describe Evan and Valour and Lakin and even Artemis to Taryn. The more I talked about it, the more her memory of them cleared up. But not very much. She only remembers very small, irrelevant things about them. Such as the color of their socks five days ago. I also explained to her what has been happening over the last three days I've been with her (skipping over the night before, obviously. And my fight with Evan.)

Finally, when it was time to take watch, I tried to stay up. But like Taryn, couldn't, and fell asleep next to her, not under her blanket. Like a friend would do. Like allies would do.

DISTRICT 7

Avia Suns Summit

I was asleep, when bright lights hit my eyes. They were blinding. I opened up my eyes, and I saw a tribute fall to the ground after looking at the lights. There were millions, all around us. Lucas, the tribute and I. I yanked the blanket out of my backpack, and covered Lucas' eyes. I instantly put it back in my bag. I Gonna have to leave Lucas. I slowly climb down the tree. I get my bag, and my axe, put on the glasses, and venture out. The lights continue forever! I keep walking, and I step on one. I step one one of the lights. A stinging sensation goes through my leg. It feels as if I have been shot, of a tree fell on it. And yes, I would know what that feels like.

I look down at the light I stepped on, and start to feel dizzy. Before I pass out, I notice that it is a firefly, or lighting bug, whichever you want to call it.

I wake up, and I feel as if it should be morning by now. Lucas is standing over me, and I guess he knows by now that I'm not dead. He jumps away as I stand up. I put the glasses on again, and we start talking as we walk off.

I decide that Lucas needs to win more than I do. I give him my glasses, and he asks why. It explain about how he's younger, and he is more, let's just say, fortunate than I am.

I accidentally look at the fireflies.

All I see now is all my past flashing before my eyes. The time when Anny and I cut down our first tree. When we climbed the tree and got those fruits, when my family was almost starving and a little boy gave me 50$. When I dyed my hair pink, or when we snuck out of school that day, and hided in the shack. And finally, the reaping, and the recent days in the games.

Suddenly I wake up, and see some dude asking me questions. Who am I? Where am I? He is a lot younger that me, not that I know how old I am or anything, but he looks to be around eleven.

Suddenly, he starts telling me that my name is Avia, and his is Lucas.

I'm seventeen, at least he thinks, and were in the hunger games.

"What is that?" I ask him.

He starts going on and on about how we live in a country called Panem, and it is divided into 12 districts and we live in district 7, who's function is lumber. I don't remember much more, because I got bored quickly.

We decide to go, and find a tree where we can sleep. It is light out, but for some reason, were both extremely tired.

DISTRICT 9

Silla Novern

A powerful pounding against my skull had woken me up, pure pain coursing through my entire body. Aching muscles. Burning skin. A foggy mind. I couldn't will my eyes to open. My eyelashes felt like weights, making my eyelids heavy.

Though again In my waking hour I had been greeted with a hazy memory, I was able to grasp memories associated with what I was feeling. My leg was throbbing, and I was able to snatch the memory of a long, scaly creature sinking razor fangs into my flesh. The mutts, of course. And I remembered Sav, though I couldn't see her through the darkness of my closed eyes. I got the antidote, by the mercy of one of my sponsors. And I was indeed, alive. Maybe not by much, but I was alive.

Alive. Breathing. Not dead.

My chest rose and fell softly, though i was anything but peaceful. I felt like a prisoner in my own body. I couldn't move. My limbs felt heavy with ache and pain. And I could practically feel my skin dying, the aftermath of my horrendous sunburn.

Perhaps it was better to be dead, than to endure the rest of this hell. But I wouldn't allow myself to think such thoughts. I needed to live. I needed to get home. I couldn't die.

My face would not appear in the sky. But I could feel my determination dripping away with every breath, the painful reality settling in my throat.

Twelve year olds don't win the hunger games. And that doesn't make me any exception.

So I lied there, presumably still on the cave floor, listening to the silence. But soon, that silence was broken by the anthem. Then finally, my eyes opened.

I was still in the cave, my jacket sprawled out next to me along with my green backpack and scythe. And then before I knew it, Saveria was next to me, placing a gently hand on my shoulder. Her eyes were dull, opposed to how bright they were regularly. She looked flushed. Worn out. Tired. But still, a small bit kind small was on her lips and her hair cascaded over her shoulders. She looked down at me with kind eyes. Even though one eye still had a bandage over it.

"Hey sil," she says, her voice barely above a whisper. "How are you feeling?"

"Really bad," I say, surprised at dry my voice sounded. Even talking was a struggle. I felt like someone had rubbed sandpaper on my throat until it was left raw. "Really, really bad."

She had a water bottle up to my parted lips in seconds, tipping it back gently. The liquid wasn't cold, but refreshing against desert-dry mouth nonetheless.

"You're not going to like this," she says, stuffing the bottle back into her bag. "But we need to move, Sil. There's a big tree just out side the cave. We can't risk those damned mutts coming back again, or else we'll die for sure. Here," she extends her hand to me, and I take it. As much as my muscles protest, I let her help to my my feet.

She steadies me as I wobble on weak legs, leaning against the damp cave wall for support. The cold stone felt almost like heaven against my clammy skin. The pounding in my head intensified, and the world started rotating. Keeping balance was near impossible.

"Sav," I whimper, wanting nothing more than to collapse back to the floor, and sleep for a couple thousand decades.

"Here, I'll help you." She sounded like a mother as she scooped my belongings off the ground, helping my arms through the straps of my backpack. She stuck my scythe in my belt, the weight of the weapon throwing off my balance even more. I stumbled to the side, but Saveria didn't let me go but a few inches. All the energy had been sapped from my body. I thought days in the fields back home were bad. I thought I knew exhaustion then.

Those days were nothing compared to now. I could barely stand without Sav to keep me steady.

"Sil, get on my back, I'll carry you." And for once, I had nothing to say, and obliged without a second thought.

I slinked my arms around Sav's neck, and she hoisted me onto her back easily. We had collected all of our supplies as we snuck out of the cave that we had called home for the fast few days. It was empty now. Just a cave again.

Just as Saveria promised, there was a huge tree just outside the cave, with gigantic branches. They were strong enough without a doubt to hold two petite girls up for a couple days. And since we entered the arena, we've had to have lost a few pounds.

I kept as tight a grip as I could around Sav's neck without choking her. But I was so weak I doubted I'd be able to choke her if I had wanted to. I watched her hands as she began to scale the tree; moving one limb at a time. An arm, then a foot. Her knuckles were bruised and cut, blood crusting over the skin and becoming more of a dark brown than red. Her nails had days worth of dirt caked under her nails. But I'm sure I looked a billion times worse.

Her boots scraped against the bark of the tree, and I laid my head against her backpack as she continued to climb. She grunted with effort until she was finally able to reach a high branch, using enough of her energy to hoist us both to the safety of the tree.

I let my hands slip from around her neck, rubbing my wrists as they had became sore. I was safely on the branch along with Sav. I looked over the edge. We were maybe thirty or forty feet up. It wouldn't be pleasant place to fall from, but it certainly felt safer than being in that cave. Wondering when some other mutts would come along to finish off what the snakes couldn't. Maybe they'd send wolfs. But wolf can't climb trees. Or maybe they'd send carnivorous pigeons after us.

That'd be entertaining.

But before I have the time to fantasize about my flesh being pecked and peeled away from my bloody corpse by a bunch of bloodthirsty birds, my mind already begins to sink back into the darkness. But I ask one more thing before sleep can claim me completely.

"How many of us are left?" I ask, my voice slurred, my mind shutting down again without my permission.

"Eleven, I think. Including us." Saveria says, but her voice becomes an echo in my mind, and the darkness floods my thoughts. Taking me once again.

~

My eyes flutter open, the previous fatigue seeming to have disappeared. Like the arena had oh so kindly decided to grant me my energy back. My limbs were only a bit sore, but all the pain had dissolved. Though, I didn't get to revel in the joy of having an energy filled body for long. I had expected to be greeted by the sun that I had become all to familiar with. A huge, artificial moon shone high in the sky that night, guarded by an army of blinking stars. Though it was man made, and nothing like I had become used to in district nine, it still held a hypnotizing beauty, mesmerizing.

But surely, I had energy again at last, I must have been out for a long time. I really long time. . . Shouldn't have the sun come out by now? I didn't know how long I had been Veiled in that dreamless darkness, but I had to have slept to the next day at least. . . At least. Maybe it was another one of the game makers trick, something to throw us off, another -

But before I could finish processing my thoughts, in front of me, little black bugs with thoraxes that seemed to have been made of pure light materialized in front of me. Out of thin air.

Fireflies. Or glowbugs, as my parents used to call them.

They would always show up in district nine at night, a big bunch of them. My dad would take me out in the fields at night, and I would catch a couple glowbugs in a mason jar, use them to light up the house.

I smile at the memory. Those were the days when I didn't need to worry about being picked for the games. Sent to my death.

But Sav's words rung in my brain. There were eleven of us left. Not a single career dead but Artemis. They were thinning out the rest of us. None of us would last but a few more hours with a pack of careers of the loose, bloodthirsty and violent.

I focus on the little lights on the back of the fireflies. They showed similarities to the ones back home. But the Capitol generated fireflies gave of more of a blue tint. Still fake, but still mesmerizing. They were multiplying by the second, more and more gently floating around Sav and I. Their light intensified, and I squinted away.

Glowbugs didn't shine that bright. I wanted to look right at them, let their shine fill my mind. But somewhere in my gut, I had a feeling the Capitol was doing something. Something bad.

The sun didn't come up. Fireflies shone with overwhelming light. It wasn't normal.

My stomach churned, my thoughts already filled with different, all equally awful, scenarios of what the game makers might be up too. I knew she should get out. I knew that much. I shifted, going to wake up Sav. We needed to get away from the bugs that were swarming around us, encasing us in their light.

"Sav, we need to go-" my words get caught in my throat, sticking to my tongue. I hadn't even heard her wake up.

Saveria was sitting bolt straight, her eyes void of any emotion. She was staring straight ahead, not seeming to be looking anywhere. Her eyes were frozen in their sockets. They weren't bright, but dull and lifeless. But not dead. Her breaths were so soft, so quiet I could barely hear her, or see her chest rise and fall with every inhale and exhale.

and then it hit me like a sack of bricks.

They had hypnotized her.

My hand reached her shoulder, and I gently shook her back and forth, saying her name very few seconds. Hoping she'd snap out of the trap they'd caught her in. But no avail. "Sav? Sav, come on. We need to go. Please, snap out of it," I beg, suddenly frantic. I shake her a little harder. "Sav? Saveria! Come on! Wake up, wake up!"

Tears begin to pool in my eyes. Saveria is my only hope. If I'd like to make it too the end. My only friend. And if my fate is dying, I'd rather have Saveria by my side as I go.

"Saveria! Please, please wake up! We're gonna win, remember? You have to snap out of it, we have to do this, we have too!" I scream, not caring if there were any other tributes nearby to hear my desperate pleads. I didn't care.

But just as I had thought Sav wouldn't be snapping out of the trance, the life suddenly flooded back to her eyes, and the glowbugs seemed to diminish. Relief flooded through my veins.

"Sav," I said, and she looked at me. I had expected her to wrap me in a hug, and tell me that they were controlling her, that she tried to fight the light. That she was fine again. But that isn't what happened. Not even close.

Instead, her eyes flashed with terror, then confusion, then next thing I know, she has an arrow loaded in her bow. And it's poised perfectly, so when she lets it fly, it will pierce my heart. And I could tell my the look in her eyes, that she would let that arrow go.

She didn't know who I was. She didn't remember me. Within those few moments, all the hope had seemingly drained from my body.

"Who are you?" She barked, keeping the bowstring pulled back, Ready to end my life when she needed to. All that kindness was gone from her eyes. She was just a tribute now. Another sacrificial lamb. Another bloodthirsty killer. "I'm silla, don't you remember me?" I ask slowly, carefully. Though I knew damn well she didn't have a clue who I was. She'd forgotten the girl she'd rescued from the desert just a couple days before. She'd forgotten the girl whom she'd saved again just yesterday when she injected the anti venom in my leg. All that was gone. All of it.

"Why would I remember you?" She furrows her eyebrows. "And why are we both in the same tree? This is the hunger games." I flinch at her words.

"We- we were allies. But th-the game makers did something. The glowbugs, they hypnotized you, wiped your memory. I swear." She tilts her head, unsure of my words. "We were friends."

She scoffs. "Friends? You, and me? Try again, kid." I wince, feel like crying. Breaking down. But I don't.

"I swear! You pulled me out of the desert, you found me, Saveria!" She pulls the bowstring back even more.

"How do you know my name?" She scowls.

"I'm telling you! We were fri-" but before I can finish my sentence, I'm cut off by a series of hollers and hoots in the distance. And immediately, I know who they are.

The careers. And by the sound of it. They have prey.

"What was that?" Sav asks, clueless.

"not good company, we need to go." I say, my palms growing clammy.

"I not going anywhere with you-"

"Believe me when I say we need to get out of here. Or they'll find us. Now."

Another series of shouts and hollers. Maybe the careers hadn't lost their memories. I was already beginning to slide off the branch, looking for footing. And much to my surprise, Saveria was following. Soon enough, they'd find us. And I'd rather disappear before they had the chance to sniff us out.

The adrenaline was pumping, and my feet were already meeting the leaf covered ground, and Sav wasn't far behind. Once she met the ground, she looked at me and said one thing.

"I don't trust you. But I'll give you one chance, kid" she says.

I only nod, and turn on my heel, easing my way into a steady run. But soon, my legs were carrying me farther and faster than I ever thought possoble. I was running on adrenaline. And Sav was right on my heels.

We ran for a few minuets until we found ourselves in the middle of a big clearing, there the cornucopia for the fall section was. But it was empty, just a shiny hunk of metal on the middle of the arena now.

But then, there was another set of hollers, inaudible words being shouted as the careers chased down whoever was their target. I did not envy that person in the least.

The careers were still in the area, but they sounded extremely distant. For now we were safe, but we were going to keep moving, we needed to keep moving. We couldn't stay in the clearing, we'd be spotted eventually, if we hadn't already. All the while the sun hadn't appearing on the horizon yet, and i was questioning if I'd ever see that god forsaken ball of light again.

Just as I had broke into a sprint, someone else burst through the brush, into the clearing. And automatically I knew, that was the careers's target.

I didn't stop. I don't know what drove me, but I was willing to slash my way though that one tribute to get to safety. I pulled my scythe from my belt, ready to lash out if I needed to.

The other tribute didn't stop either, just kept running, though I knew they saw us.

The person was petite, but bigger than I was. I could tell there was an age difference. It was a girl, judging by the seemingly lightish brown hair trailing behind them as they ran for their life. But soon enough, I was able to make out the features of the girl. And I recognized her immediately. It was none other than Taryn Beyt, district two. But why was she alone? Had she lost her memory like Sav did?

I guess I would find out soon enough.

And then, we were feet away from each other, both of us stopped, Sav behind me. Taryn had a sword clutched in her hands, and I hand my scythe, we were both ready to attack.

Taryn's eyes were frantic, and her breaths were choppy and ragged, but she spoke, her voice hoarse.

"Silla," she said my name like it was poison in her mouth, like she was disgusted a twelve year old such as myself had made it this far.

Then I was able to piece everything together. Taryn hadn't lost her memory. She wouldn't remember me I'd she had. But it seems like her friends had, and by the looks of it, they were after her.

"Taryn," I say cooly. It was two against one. And I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy having the upper hand on a career. "I see you're doing well."

She scowled at me, narrowing her eyes. And that was all it took. We were hacking away at each other in seconds. Not another exchanging of words needed.

I swung, she dodged. She swung, I dodged. And then with all my power, I threw myself toward her, managing to get her to the ground. I tried my best to get myself in a position to send my scythe into anything vital, a fatal blow. But being petite didn't help me in this situation.

She thrusted her foot into my stomach, sending me me onto my back. And she leapt onto me, but not before I could land a long shallow cut along her cheek, and she growled in pain, wiping the blood with the back her her hand. She barred her teeth, bringing her sword to my throat.

"End of the line, huh?" She snickered, but was still wincing in pain. I breathed heavily, my chest rising and falling quickly. I didn't say anything, only watched as she lifted her sword a over her head, ready to thrust it into my chest. Ready to end my life. I didn't flinch.

As she was about bring down the final blow, I heard something slice through the air, the sound of something penetrating flesh, and then a blood curdling scream.

Taryn fell off of me, holding her leg. Something was jutting out of her thigh. She let out another piercing cry of pain.

I watched as Saveria placed another arrow onto the bowstring, and she pulled back.

"No," Taryn held out a bloody hand. "Please,"

Sav stepped forward and Taryn crawled backward, holding her bleeding leg. "End of the line, huh?" Saveria said what Taryn had said only a few minuets ago, only without the murderous snicker.

"Please-" and then she let the arrow fly. It ripped though Taryn's chest, piercing her heart.

Her eyes widened for a moment, the shock setting in before she went limp, the life draining from her eyes.

As the canon sounded, rippling through the silence, Sav stepped toward Taryn's unconscious body, before ripping the arrows from her flesh, sliding them back into her quiver. She slipped the bow over her back before extending her hand to me, helping me off the floor. And as if on cue, a closer range of shouts sounded. They were getting closer.

"You okay?" Sav asked.

"Fine," I nodded.

"Alright. Let's go." And with that, we disappeared back into the forest. Leaving Taryn's body for the hovers, not glancing back once.

We ran all night, eventually found shelter and took a break. We ate, supplied our dehydrated bodies with water. And then we started moving again. Wanting to get as far as possible from the clearing where the careers would eventually be.

The sun didn't show up All day. For hours. I was losing track of time.

Little exchange of words were shared between me and Sav. But I was fine with that. We were both still alive. Running. Then stopping, then running again until we felt far enough from where we had an almost close encounter with a horde of careers.

The sun didn't show up the rest of the day.

So we waited for the next day. We waited. Ate. Drank. Waited. And nothing.

But alas, on the third day. The sun rose.

DISTRICT 11

Saveria Hunbryll

The sun melts into the horizon, leaving a streak of orange and purple and blue in the evening sky. The once pale blue sky turns into a velvety midnight blue, brighter than normal stars dotted across the length of the sky. It would be beautiful if I wasn't in the Hunger Games.

I remember Grandmama once lying down with me on the grass-covered fields in District Eleven. It was a humid summer night but the cool plants and soft dirt offered some comfort. My little sisters were playing in the wooden tub in the house, giggling as precious droplets of water tipped over the edge. We would all have to use the water and it was bad if it was wasted but Grandmama and I didn't mind. They were having fun which is very rare because of District Eleven's strict rules. The smell of strawberries floated through the air as we munched on the leftover fruit from the harvest.

"Look, Saveria. Look at the many stars in the sky. Each and every one belongs to a constellation just like humans belong to a cluster of other beings. We are your constellation, Saveria. Kayla, Orchid, Aster and I, we are your constellation. You complete our cluster, never forget that."

I didn't go to sleep that night. I stayed awake all night long, figuring out where my parents fit into that equation. They were dead, I knew that, but does that mean they were still part of my constellation or had formed a different group of stars? I still haven't figured that one out.

I wish I could be back home, watching my little sisters grow into the beautiful women I know they will be. Spend time with my Grandmama before she passes. After all, isn't the greatest gift you can give someone is your time because it is something you can't ever take back? I both hope that is true and false. I've spent all my time as a child with my family but what if something happens to them while I am away in these stupid Games. They could be starving, Kayla and Orchid be forced to be prostitutes to scrape up some food, Grandmama could be dead.

Oh no, what if they are? I wouldn't be able to live with myself if what I just imagined had actually happened. I've been so selfish while in these Games that I haven't even thought of my own flesh and blood. I need to know they're okay. So, I turn my face up to the sky and whisper a prayer for them.

"Please, whoever can hear me, protect my family. If you could send me a simple sign telling me that nothing bad has come to them I would be ever so grateful. I wouldn't be able to go on knowing I wasn't there to help them and save them. Please, look over Grandmama and Kayla and Orchid and Aster with a kind and generous eye so that they may not perish in the challenges of this world. I need them so very much; I love them with all my heart. Also, if I don't live, help Silla to live and return to her home. If anyone deserves to go home, it would be Silla. She's too kind, too gentle for the Hunger Games. I beg of you to hear my prayer and follow along to the pleads in it. Amen." A tear slips out of my eye as I finish. Nobody deserves this, nobody at all. Even those bloody Careers don't deserve to be thrown into an arena full of teenagers just starting their life to either murder or be murdered.

Silla sits next to me as we wait for a dawn that doesn't seem to come. She leans on my shoulder and takes a brief nap every now and then but, as for me, I don't get one wink of sleep. Maybe it is because of the bright stars that I'm starting to believe are instead fireflies or that I know there will be nightmares tonight. A slideshow of pictures; a dead Grandmama, an abused Orchid, a raped Kayla, a malnourished Aster. I shake the thoughts from my head and hold Silla closer to me as she nuzzles her head onto my shoulder.

Hours later, when I predict the sun should be rising signifying a new start, the stars start to shift slightly. The sky holding the firefly stars in place remains as dark as night even though a sun should be high in the daytime sky by now. The light emitted from the stars intensifies until they are like tiny, individual suns. They make me want to edge closer to the end of the tree branch me and Silla are situated on and stare at them all day. But I don't because this is the Hunger Games. The Gamemakers are in control, not nature.

I turn towards the tree and convince myself that my family is alright, that their situation hasn't gotten as bad as I imagine it to have. As I think of Aster and her bright green, a picture of Silla with those eyes so similar to my 6 year old sister flashes in my head. Silla! I've completely forgotten about her and the 'stars'. I whip my head to the direction of where she is so fast I hear a deafening crack come from the bones in my neck.

There she is, staring intently at the stars with naturally pink lips slightly ajar. I scurry over to her and shake her shoulders so she'll stop staring at nothing. Her normal grass green eyes are a dark green almost black colour. Silla's eyes snap to mine with a sense of alarm and fear. She places her palms on the part where my shoulders meet my collarbone and pushes. I fall backwards but my legs were wrapped around the branch. Next thing I know, Silla's trying to pry my legs from the tight grasp around the coarse bark. My body lurches towards a nearby limb and I cling onto it for dear life.

"Silla! What is wrong with you?! You could've killed me!" I screech at her as my heart beat steadies once again.

"That was the whole point. To kill you, I mean," She says it as if it is the most normal thing in the world. Sure, pushing your ally that just saved your life twice is normal. Yeah, no biggie.

"Why?! We're allies!" Okay, maybe I need to lower my voice.

"What? No we're not. We're in the Hunger Games and I don't have any allies."

And just like that, she's gone. Disappeared into the leaves of the oak trees above me.

"Silla! I'm not going to hurt you! I'm promise!" I yell up at her quickly moving body.

"How can I trust you?" She replies. How can I prove she can trust me?

"Your eyes. Your eyes look exactly like my littlest sister's. It would be like killing Aster, I wouldn't be able to do it."

"Okay!" I jump out of my skin as Silla's voice comes from right from right next to my ear. Her laughing resonates through the woods and brings a smile to my face. Although Sill lost her memories of the past three days or so, she is still the bubbly 12 year old I know. We tie ourselves to the limbs of the oak and eat a small meal of a slice of bread with strips of dried beef and a handful of nuts. We keep our bodies hydrated as we wait for the sun to rise. Which it never does.

Both Silla and I stay for, what I presume, a day but the sun doesn't make an appearance once. The firefly star muttation dim their light but never leave. At what I think is the night of the fifth day in this retched arena, I start to settle down for much needed sleep. My bandage comes off easily when I slip my fingernail under the edge of the brown cloth. Dried blood falls like snowflakes in front of my eyes as I tear off the tape holding the bandage to my forehead. As expected, there is a lot of blood. Mot much as yesterday but still enough to make me concerned. I wipe and wipe until the skin around my eye is as clean as possible, wetting and rewetting one of the socks. I press the new, clean white cloth to my injured eye and tear off and add, strip by strip, four pieces of medical tape to hold the bandage in place as I endure this hellish competition named the Hunger Games.

I snuggle deep down into my sleeping bag, protecting myself from the fresh, cool breeze.

"Goodnight, Silla," I whisper before the darkness of sleep takes overtakes me.

(P.S. If I got some errors on the task, please tell me, I might have not understood when you told me)