I wake up first and I look around, Jillian fell asleep on her watch again and I smile and nudge her. She wakes up and looks at me with another sheepish grin and murmurs, "sorry I'll do better tonight I promise."

I shake my head, "you're going first tonight," and I wake Ally up.

We take turns doing our business in what we now call the "poop tree" as I come back Ally looks up and says, " you slept really well last night."

I think about it and I guess I didn't have a dream about Jonah, but I usually wake up rested so I ask, "what do you mean? I feel normal."

The girl exchange looks, "well you usually groan in your sleep, and the other night you were crying, but we didn't want to wake you up," Jillian supplies.

Ally adds, "you usually make noise and cry. Callum said it happened most nights." Callum and I share a bedroom so he would know and Ally shares a paper thin wall next to my bed.

"I'm sorry. I didn't realize I did that. how long has it been happening?" I ask.

"Mostly just the last year ....which makes sense, but Callum said they started after mom left," she is avoiding my eyes.

I'm taken aback and feel Jillian reach other rub my arm. I look at her and smile, "Ally cat, I'm sorry you had to hear that, I thought I was talking in my sleep, if I make too much noise wake my up next time," I say with a shaky voice.

They both agree and Jillian says, " the cuts on your arm are mostly healed. look," I look at the slash from Titus just looks like a cut, and the one from Hex three days ago is just a scar now.

I look at my hands which should have the damage from years of work at the dairy farm, "dang my hands are healed too. look," I show mostly Ally, " that scar from....uh that accident is gone." I look at my left arm and it still shows the damage of my life, "I guess it has to be applied to the area cause my left arm looks normal, see!" 

Jillian rolls her eyes, "yes. yes you have pretty arms that the boys of district 10 will love to see them," I push her away and smile.

"Let's eat and figure out our plan today. Just four others to find," I say and I pull out the fruit, some bread and the rest of the cheese cause it will go bad today.

As I do this Ally speaks up, "I think we should look for Bonnie, she's probably alone now."

I look at her, "what makes you think that?" I ask even though I'm sure she is right.

"Well, we know that Romulus and Aurora will work together until you are gone," she points to me, "Harbor and River were probably with them, seeing as you killed their other normal teammates in the bloodbath." I nod and remember Topaz and Bella, and district 4 works well with 1 and 2 some years but not always. "So Harbor is either, with them or also alone, but we don't know and she is differently not with Bonnie either way. I think Sage and Heidi were together cause those other two cannons went off after the monkeys ran away. we know Titus killed one person yesterday, so it makes sense to me that he killed River and the monkeys killed the girls, and you got Titus," she finishes.

"The rockslide killed Titus," I corrected.

Jillian looks up, " right the "rockslide" and you throwing a spear had NOTHING to do with it. I think it's weird that they did the rockslide anyways right then," she say and keeps eating.

My face says it's all cause she shallows and adds, "they could have triggered that rockslide at any point, but they did it just after you wound Titus so he can't run, think about what he was saying and all the blood. something tells me Big boy over there was having some fun that went against the rulebook, and I don't want to know what happened. But I'm hoping it was River and not one of the girls," and she leaves it at that.

I pull Ally closer to me, and she tightens into a hug. "They" are the Gamemakers and I don't want to think about what he could have been doing on camera, but she is right. I doubt this conversation is being played on screen, because they don't want the Capital people to think the games are rigged. "Ok then we will go after Bonnie, that sounds like a plan," I say.

Ally speaks up, "maybe we can work with her to take out the careers," and smiles, I look at Jillian who shrugs, basically saying she doesn't care what we end up doing. I make a mental note to be ready for Jillian to turn on us.

We pack up and decide the other tributes would have run from the rockslide as well so they are probably on the other side of the area. I picture it in my head, the willows are to the west of the cornucopia the rock slide was to the north, "let's head south, if I was one of the others I would have run as far away as I could from the collapse."

Ally speaks up first,  "but you were one them and we ran to the trees."

"right, but I was running from the actual thing so I wouldn't cover the same area as them. I still think that's where they would go unless you want to head around the cornucopia to the East."

"No it makes sense now, I'm good to go," Ally says and pulls out a knife. I look at Jillian who has another knife.

"here take the hatchet," she says, " you're better at it then I am, at least when we practiced last night, give me that bag though I can't run as fast or far with her on my back," she adds.

I nod and we switch everything out. "When I had that spear I feel like I'm the best at that one....I really wish I had a pitchfork I'm a master with that," I say, but I hook the hatchet in my belt and carry the sword, "let's go. Watch for monkeys and listen for sounds. We can surprise them. maybe."

We all head south South and I wonder what the others are planning today. The Capital has a running map of the Tributes so people can tell if they are close to each other and be ready for a show.

A few hours later, We pause in a grove of trees and Jillian puts the bag down, "oof it's hot today, do we have enough water?"

I nod, "I think we do but we can finish these and head back to that lake we saw. we have that filter," we all agree to back track a bit.

"We've been walking and searching all day so we might as well start to find shelter," I say and we head off. Ally is leading the group, but I am right behind her. she is actually skipping as she enters a clearing. The Capital is probably loving her, and that's when I see a blur running to her right.

"Fuck I am so stupid," I think to myself. 

I open my mouth to shout just as it tackles her and she screams Jillian and I are running after her and I hear a whistling sound and suddenly Jillian is gone with the blast of a cannon. I turn and see Harbor with a bow setting up another arrow and I throw the hatchet just hoping to graze her cause I barely aimed, but it hits her. she tried to block it with the bow, but it lands in her throat and she goes down, convulsing. I come to a halt and I see Aurora holding Ally around the neck, and she is struggling to get away, but she holds a knife out.

Romulus steps out holding the matching sword, "hey, Kyle" he says sadly and holds the sword up.

Literally every eye in the nation is watching this fight, and I'm sure they aren't breathing. "I see you found us. I guess our deal is over then, huh?"

I say calmly, he nods "Titus is out, I assume that was you."

"Me and  the mountain side," I snap back, "let Ally go, 2 on 1 gives you better odds," I add looking at Aurora.

To his credit Romulus looks at Aurora who smiles, "I was thinking about that, it would be nice to have an advantage when we fight you.....but I'd rather the two of you kill each other," and without a moment's hesitation, "a heartbroken you will be easy for Romulus to beat. best of luck," she plunges the knife into Ally's stomach and shoves her off and runs off laughing.

My world goes red for a second, I thought maybe I would just black out but the rage takes over me and I look at Romulus.

whose beautiful green eyes show real fear, "Kyle! Wait! Stop!" He yells, but I scream and charge at him sword at the ready.

We clash and it's clear in the first minute that I'm better than him at the swords, but that doesn't mean he is bad. The fight is epic and we are grunting and groaning within minutes we are both cut in several places. In the distance I hear a cannon and it's either Harbor or Ally,  I block a swipe from his sword and drop to the ground swinging my legs and taking him down. He drops his sword and I lunge and feel the sword go into him, his face is shocked and sad.

I realize I'm crying, "I'm sorry," I whisper.

he rubs my cheek looking into my eyes and says, "it's ok........I'm rooting for you," and slumps over, and a third cannon goes off.

I collapse on the ground and crawl over to Ally.

she is still breathing and reaches for me as I get close and she opens her mouth, "shhhh shhhh don't talk, we have that ointment for cuts. maybe that will help."

I get up to grab that bag and she reaches for my arm and says, "don't. Don't leave me," and I see the tears building in her eyes, and blood in her mouth.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I should have been in the lead. I promised I get you home," I'm gasping out crying. if Bonnie or Aurora were close by I'd be an easy target.

"No, you did. I'm going home now, I get to see mommy now," and I know the end is coming. She is breathing less, her skin is pale, "promise you'll try and win."

I nod, "promise me you'll be nice to Daddy, he loves you.....he just isn't .....happy. Do it ....for me......please," she whispers and it feels like it's just us for the first time since we entered the arena.

She reaches up and touches my cheek like Romulus did. Like Jonah did. And then like our mom would, she brushes the hair off my forehead and I cry out, "I promise, I love you, I will always love you," she smiles and her hand drops to the ground and I hear the cannon go off.

I know they are watching. I know they are there with me. I know Callum And Evan are watching and they might be with our father. the whole district is watching and crying, Ally was the sweet girl who liked flower dresses and always smiled when she said good morning. The whole nation is watching as well and I hate them for being here in my grief. I hate them so much, but right now I hate Aurora the most.

Without thinking I let out the most monstrous scream I have ever made. I hear it echo off the distance, I bury my head and cry and cry and cry. After about 10 minutes, I sit up, and look around.  I see some flowers, I get up and grab them.

I put one on Ally, "here, take something pretty with you when you go back home," and I place it gently on her chest.

I turn to Romulus, "I'm sorry it had to be me, I really liked you," I whisper and close his green eyes one last time.

I go to Jillian and see she took the arrow in the throat, she didn't feel anything that's good at least.
"Thanks for helping me protect her, you were a good friend," and place another flower on her.

I turn to Harbor, "I don't know anything about you, but that's was a good shot," and I toss the last flower, on her and it rolls off. I don't care.  I didn't know her.

I look through all their pockets I need to get moving soon, the hovercraft is waiting, but I know I have the cameras cause this is a good show. Harbor and Romulus both just had some food in their pockets but no water. they must be drinking out of the lake Or a pond, I inspect the bow and it's string is broken from the hatchet hit I guess. I pick up the hatchet, it's also chipped.

I realize the hatchet barely hit her then it was just bad luck that got her neck at all. I grab Jillian's night vision glasses. I don't have bandages so I'll have to be careful, my jacket is trashed from the swords and so is Romulus' so I pull off Harbors which is mostly clean and pull it on.

She is about two sizes too small so I give up. "I guess I'm shirtless then," and I let out a rattled breathe as I hold back tears, "goodbye," I say and turn around for the lake.

Aurora left a trail of destruction behind her so I can easily follow her, but I need water and I need to clean off the blood, and then I can do the ointment. Once I walk away the hovercraft appears and starts to lift them all out of the arena, I cry a bit more cause it means they are really truly gone. I get to the lake and start cleaning off my chest and filling the water bottle, when I hear someone say my name, and I have my weapons ready but it's not Aurora.

"Hi," I say back, not putting the hatchet down, it's my only distance weapon now, even if it's  broken from the hit on the bow. Bonnie looks beat up, but I wonder what I look like covered in slashes and blood, "I'm sorry about your sister, I could hear your fight, I assume she was one of the cannons."

I nod and say "the last one actually....unless you want to fight," I add.

She smiles sadly, "she was always nice to me, even when I couldn't hit the target she just told Me to try again. I know you're a good shot, but even you can't throw that thing this far and expect a hit. Who was running away from the fight anyways." I lower the hatchet, because she is right.

"Aurora from District 2, I'm going to clean off and then kill her, if you want to join me," I say.

"No. I'm good, but thanks. good luck, you'll need it," says and turns to leave but before she does she looks back me, "really though good luck, I look forward to fighting you tomorrow," and she runs off away from the lake.

I am cleaned off and apply the ointment and wish I had a shirt.... I ripe the torn sleeves off the jacket and put it on. It doesn't zip and it the slash on the my chest ripped part of it.

"Better than nothing," I mutter, "ready or not Aurora I'm coming for you."

I head off in the direction of her path. I'm walking about 30 minutes when the anthem plays, so now she will know I survived and that I'm probably coming for her. Good.  now she can really panic. The first picture is Romulus, then Harbor, Jillian and then Ally, my baby sister, gone forever.

I know I have tears in my eyes and I know the camera are showing Aurora and I, and maybe Bonnie who is hiding someplace now, but for sure the two of us. The sun sets and I notice their isn't any light.  The moon is gone. 

"Well thank you Gamemakers," I think to myself and I put on the glasses.

it's like The sun is back on and I start walking. I hear a beeping sound and look up and see a gift coming to me. it's a box, with the seal of the Capital, District 9 and District 10. it must have been an expensive gift for that many sponsors to go in together. As the number of tributes drop the prices go up and up, and with 3 tributes left it must have been a lot. I open the box and it's a metal pole, and I see a switch, but I read the note first, 'good luck kiddo. Don't point this at your face-Michele' I look at the pole it's about 3 feet long and I flick the switch, and out pops the three prongs of a pitchfork. My weapon of choice. I remember Finnick's game a couple of years ago he got a trident and it was a masterpiece of a weapon for him, mine is just a retractable pitchfork so it's not as expensive as his but it will work just fine.

I look up and whisper "thank you," to everyone watching.

I think about the survival book my father had us read over and over. I don't think it will help me hunt a human, but I remember him telling me about someone that escaped from the district and he and his team had to hunt them down. What did he say.....frightened prey isn't thinking clearly. if you can out maneuver them you can control where they do and catch them. Aurora can't see in the dark, but she can hear so I'll need to be quiet and aware, I have one advantage. She is heading to the cornucopia where she feels safe, and I need to spook her into doing something stupid.

I walk quietly to the center of the arena and in the goggles I can see her hiding in a bush, she has something in her hands and she is scared, but not crying. I position myself quietly about 20 feet from her, and think of a plan. I grab some pebbles and toss one to her left about 15 feet away. I hear her gasp, but she doesn't run. She doesn't know it's me yet, could be a mutt. I pull a stick up slowly and wing it about 10 feet to her left again, it hits a series of bushes. I can see that she is really starting to panic. So I toss a couple of pebbles closer to her, and this time she runs cause it's closer. I'm up and I aim the pitchfork, breathe and throw, it takes a about five seconds and I see and hear her grunt and fall down. I got her in the side and it's in deep, she is struggling to get back up and is trying to pull my pitchfork out,
when I run up and kick it hard. I meant to kick it out of her and tear something, but I goes in deeper and she screams, and rolls over.

"that's for Jillian, and Romulus," I snarl. I pull it out and she slashes me with the knife in her hand and I jump back, the sword is back at the hiding spot, with the hatchet. it's a throwing knife vs a pitchfork. Blood is flowing freely from her side and she is struggling to breath and move.

I dip and jab at her and circle, " what's wrong Aurora, not a fan of getting played with? I'm sure Ally didn't like it either," I yell. it's late, but I'm sure the Capital is still up watching. She screams and lunges at me with the knife, she manages to cut my throwing arm, but I punch her in the face and throw her into the side of the cornucopia. She may be a cold blooded monster, but I have a foot on her and about 100 pounds of muscle.

She is on her back struggling to breathe, I walk over to her, "I'll make it quick for you. that's more than you gave my sister," and I drop the pitchfork down on her throat and she screams......and gargles and dies. The cannon goes off, and it's just Bonnie and I, somewhere in the jungle Bonnie was probably sleeping and preparing.  now she knows it's just her and one other person. I drop to my knees, and cry out in pain, the cut on my arm is deeper than I expected. I walk over to the backpack, and clean my wound and apply more ointment as the hovercraft comes and takes her body away. tomorrow it will end I'm sure of it. The Gamemakers always try to bring the tributes back together at the end, and I need to sleep. I walk into the cornucopia and lay down and fall asleep, mentally, physically and emotionally defeated......because I am a killer.
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