The 450th Hunger Games ~ Nightmare

Hey everyone, Sambaroses here, with my first ever hunger games! :3

I decided to do them on this wiki, because to be perfectly honest I prefer it, and i'd like to keep these fairly simple considering they're my first. >o<

Intro
President Lilith Patience stood atop the balcony, looking down upon the sea of colourful Capitol faces that stared back at her, many eyes wide with excitement. Excitement for what, exactly? Another Hunger Games of course, though how they were still excited after 450 years of them she'd never know. This was Liliths second year on the job, and she couldn't say that she felt all too comfortable about yet another games to command. Another Gamemaker to employ, another arena to design, another lot of tributes to reap -

A gentle tug on her very expensive cream dress brought her back to her senses, and she darted her azure blue eyes down to her right, where a little girl was standing, a box held in her slightly shaky hands. Smiling kindly at the girl who could have been no more than 5, she took the box from her, showing it off to the crowd silently before making a great show of opening it to reveal the sealed envelope inside.

" Cititzens of the Capitol, I present to you, the twist for the 450th Hunger Games, a quarter quell, which has been sealed inside this envelope for hundreds of years, and only today will see the light of day for the very first time." Sliding her long powder blue nails under the seal she gently tore the envelope open, taking the card out with a flourish of her ghostly pale hands.

"The twist for the 450th Hunger Games is... actually-" Lilith spoke loudly, setting the card down on the wide stone railing infront of her with a small sigh.

"What would you say to me if I told you all your nightmares were true? What if I told you that everything you were scared of when you were children actually exists... what if I told you that your worst nightmares are coming to life? Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you, the twist for the 450th Hunger Games. Nightmare."



Rules (Yup, the boring bit. xD )

 * No complaining, arguing etc. Please be nice!
 * No swearing either please, the worst word I will probably use in this game will be 'Damn' or 'Crap', so keep cussing to a minimum! >o<
 * These games will be a selection games, if you'd like to enter please comment a link to all your tributes down below. :3
 * This ones important! Please can you make me aware if one of your tributes has a graphic, overly violent, or just generally upsetting (Not in the *boo hoo* sense, but the *Eurgh* sense) backstory, as i've seen some not so nice ones on here and i'd rather not read anymore of them.
 * Stay active, your tributes will have a much better chance if you do!
 * No getting up upset if your tribute dies please, all but two of them will (Yup, two, because i'm a nice person like that. :)
 * No advertising for your own games please. >.<
 * Wikia Contributers are allowed as long as they have a name to go under.
 * These will most likely jump straight to the games, as reapings and interviews appear to be pretty repetitive, laborious work.
 * The games are essentially going to revolve around things you'd find in your nightmares, whether taht be zombies, ghosts of a tributes past etc., just to make that a little clearer.
 * There will be ships in this, so if you'd like your tributes not to be shipped with someone elses tributes then do let me know! I won't hate you, I promise. x3
 * Have fun! :D

Users Participating

 * Pippycat
 * Joey
 * Can't think on a decent username right now
 * Summer bee 13
 * MarinaTheTenkaiKnight
 * Blue-Ribbonz
 * The Symphonic Taco

Alliances
Careers: Lee Kagene (2), Ascher Brilliance (1), Lauren Lopez (12)

Anti-Careers: Alexandrite Bohamia (1), Isaac Blade (4), Ash Harper (11), Dorithi Wealono (8 ), Melody Pond (11), Richard Banks (C ), Jamie Flip (9 ), Reyna Ramirez (13), Jacob Antio (10 ), Drake Mclean (6)

The Faby (Favian & Ruby) Alliance: Favian Thread (8 ), Ruby Burn (6), Cheyanne Violanta (9), Oliver Quaid (5), Samuel Coleman (7), Puppet Marionette (3), Addison Waters (4)

3 & 12 Alliance: Lucinda Irongate (3), August Rose (12)

Loners: Maxwell Grace (13), Lyssa Bow (10), Asteria Ghanis (5 )

7, 2, & C Alliance: Flo Heldwire (C) Jem Nightshade (7 ), Miyako Sada (2)



Bold = Leader

Italics = Second in Command

Line Through = Deceased

Arena
~ The main arena ~

The main arena is a plain and simple dense jungle, as far as the eye can see in every direction. Dotted throughout the jungle are various sources of water, some poisonous, some not, but all equally tempting to any tribute willing to try their luck on it. The only truly safe sources of water and food are of course from sponsors, but if tributes wish to find their own food there are quite a few varieties of edible mutts around, as well as an abundance of plants, if you know what you're looking for. The arena is pretty hot and humid most of the day time, quite stuffily so, and the nights are long, dark, and cold, harboring all sorts of nightmarish things just ready to jump out on an unsuspecting person.

~ Cornucopia ~
Ah, the cornucopia! Anyone who took this over would have a strong advantage, as there are no trees for quite a large radius around it, instead the ground's littered with tribute plates. Considering if you were in the jungle you'd have a hard time seeing a camoflaged tribute, remaining at the cornucopia is a wise move if you're worried about a surprise attack from any direction. The cornucopia is also just your average one really, a golden horn shape filled and surrounded by crates, backpacks, and weapons of many sorts.

Girls
For the females, the oufit consists of a dark, forest green coloured vest top, plain brown shorts, knee high brown combat boots, and a jacket in a colour representing their district. ( Dark Green = District 1, Dark Purple = Capitol etc.)

Boys
For the males the outfit is fairly similar to the girls, with a few changes here and there. The Vest top has been changed to a t-shirt, and the shorts and boots have been swapped for knee length trousers and ankle boots as well. (Apologies in advance for how different the two outfits may look, they are meant to look similar but the website im using to make these doesn't have many mens clothes, so there wasn't much choice. Dx )



Sponsoring
Okay, so the sponsoring system goes as follows, since i've tried to make this as simplistic as possible:

Each user starts off with £250 (Or $, whichever you like), regardless of district, gender, or training score.

At the end of each day, you may 'sponsor' up to 4 tributes, which will gain said tribute £25, or you can send them an item out of your money. You may do both on the same game day too.

Your tribute can also make money for themselves in another way as well, if your tribute directly causes another tributes death, they'll recieve £30 in sponsor money. However if a tribute themselves dies, their sponsor money is lost.

You may also sponsor other peoples tributes if you so wish, and you can also send items to other tributes too. I hope that all made sense!

I credit Lightstone123 for the 'sponsor' a tribute idea, and the rest I credit my own mind with. xD

Items waiting to be sent (Basically when their respective alliance gets a POV):
Alexandrite (1):

Canteen of water

Blanket

Small bag of Dried Fruit

Melody (11):

Large Knife

Lyssa (10):

Sword

Items!
So, here are the items you can buy with said sponsor money, and their prices! :3

Antidote (cures poisons such as snake bites, posinous water etc.): £150

First Aid Kit (Contains 2 bandages, 4 plasters, 1 vial of antidote, antiseptic cream, a sewing needle and thread, little safety scissors, 4 safety pins, and some painkillers.): £500

Antiseptic Cream (For burns, cuts, inflamed areas etc.): £100

A Sewing Needle and Thread: (For sewing up wounds): £75

Bandage: £75

Painkillers: £100

Axe: £150

Safety Pins (4, good for holding things together etc.): £25

Blanket: £50

Blowgun: £75

Bow and Arrow (3 arrows included): £175

Quiver (To hold aforementioned arrows): £50

2 small Bread Rolls (Corresponding to their district): £50

Canteen (Without water): £50

Canteen (With Water): £100

1 Cookie (For the tribute with a sweet tooth. xD ): £25

Dry Crackers (4): £25

Dagger: £100

Darts (15, for the Blowgun or to throw by hand): £50

Poison (To dip weapons or darts in): £100

Dried Fruit (Small Bag): £25

Dried Fruit (Large Bag): £50

Torch / Flashlight: $150

Warhammer: £150

Instant Relief (Instant wound healing, even near fatal ones, 1 use): £500

Knife (Small): £40

Knife (Large): £60

Matches (6): £50

Throwing Stars (3): £175

Net: £75

Night-Vision Goggles: £400

Arrows (10): £125

Rope (Short): £25

Rope (Long): £55

Scythe: £150

Sickle:  £150

Cake (1 Slice, why? Don't ask. xD ): £55

Sleeping Bag: £75

Sleeping Bag (Fleece Lined): £100

Slingshot: £50

Can of Soup: £75

Spear: £115

Spile: £55

Sword: £100

Two Swords (Yay, discount! xD ): £175

Throwing Axes (3): £200

Posion (Bottle, not really for weapons): £200

Throwing Knives (5): £150

Trident: £200

Water: £100

Wire (Small amount): £25

Wire (Full coil): £75

President Patience POV
Pacing back and forth, Lilith ran an absent minded hand through her ringleted hair, muttering something indecernable to herself as she reached a wall and turned on her heel, pacing back the way she came swiftly. If she kept walking much longer she was sure that the plush cream carpet was going to wear clean away under her feet.

Why did things have to be so difficult sometimes?! Why couldn't things just be simple like they used to be when she was younger... she was only 21 years old, and all ready in charge of the entirety of Panem, as her numerous advisors kept reminding her every time she tried to do something 'different'. I mean sure, they'd given her the strangest looks when she'd decided to allow two victors instead of one, but she wanted to change things for the better, even just once. So what if her associates thought she belonged in a mental asylum? So what if she could tell from their disapproving looks that they were planning the quickest way to 'get rid of her'? She honestly didn't give a damn about their stuck up ways and posh partys, however much she tried. She'd even managed to convince her stylist to let her wear a pair of low top baseball boots under her floor length dress for todays big announcement, as the skirt well and truly covered them anyway. Heels had never agreed with her come to think of it, not that that really mattered right now.

This years tributes were... an interesting mix, that's for sure. Take Flo Heldwire, the female for the Capitol. She was a beautiful young thing, that was for certain, but she seemed almost too nice for the games, too positive. Why were they all so positive after all these years? Maybe she'd given them all hope allowing two victors, but that still wasn't much in the grand scheme of things. She knew deep down herself that maybe it was her, Lilith Patience, that was bringing the hope, after all, her dads reign as president had been a truly horrific state of affairs from start to finish, each games more horrible than the next. She was trying to scale this back one step at a time, but every direction she turned obstacles were thrown up into her face like sharp, cutting stones that threatened to break her spirit. For a woman with the last name 'Patience', she didn't have much of it, and she was starting to get angry with the way people kept shooting her ideas down like they were nothing more than the insignificant thoughts of a child. Well not anymore. Things were going to be done differently now... they were going to be done her way.

Tabitha Philomena POV (Head Gamemaker)
Walking around the clinically white room, I let out a faint sigh. Another day of arena planning, another day of listening to that stupid President Patience wittering on about nice and beautiful things. I mean, in an ideal world i'd love to be able to fulfil the 'pretty things' qouta, but this was The Capitol, in Panem, not the Yellow Brick Road in Oz. Twisting a purple curl around my fingers, I walk towards the Mutt Gamemaker, who looks up at me fearfully, flinching ever so slightly as I lay a hand on his shoulder.

"Ah, Cenon, how are the Mutts coming along then? Good, I hope?" I smile overly sweetly at him, as he points to the screen in front of him, displaying one of the most horrifying monsters i've ever seen. I wouldn't even know where to begin to describe it, it's long claws, razor sharp teeth and misty grey fur were certainly some of its more defining features, as well as some pretty terrifying looking bright red eyes. It's the kind of thing I used to think was hiding under my bed when I was a child, something that would grab you when you least expected it and devour you whole. Or that's what I used to think anyway.

"Think the tributes will like this?" He said with a laugh, and I giggled slightly despite myself.

"Oh, they are going to love this... it's perfect. Absoloutely perfect." I say, the corners of my mouth twitching upwards into a smile as I whirl round, heading for the Arena designers. Today was going to be fun.



(This was just to give you a basic idea of some of what's going on behind the scenes, and in President Patiences head, a little taster if you will. It's also a kind of introduction as you'll probably hear more from both of them at a later date. :)

Lyssa Bow (10) POV
After the oddly sad farewell exchanged between my stylist and I, a beeper sounded, notifying me of the 10 seconds I had to get in the tube. The tube. Turning to it, I take a tentative step forwards, painfully aware of the heavy silence hanging in the air, only broken by my stylists muffled sobs behind me. Breathing deeply, I think about how many girls have walked into this launching tube before me, most of them dead, whether that be from something simple, like dehydration or pnemonia, or something more horrible like a gritty bloodbath death. I just had to hope that I wouldn't end up like them, but the odds were certainly starting to stack up against me. Stepping into the tube, the clear door closes behind me, and I nod at my stylist, forcing a small smile onto my face as it starts to move upwards. And so the nightmare begins.

Richard Banks (C) POV
Standing on the starting plate I dart my eyes around, taking in the arena. The first thing that hit me was the fact it was drizzling rain, the second was that the main arean was a thick, dense jungle surrounding the clearing that was the cornucopia, a light mist swirling around delicately in the air, making things all the more difficult. The jungle looked almost pitch black, meaning that were any tribute to get lost in there, it was very unlikely they'd ever find their way out again without a whole lot of luck on their side.

60...

I jump slightly as the countdown begins, startling not only me, but also apparently the tribute next to me, a little, almost unnoticible yelp coming from my right. Looking over I see little Ruby Burn, a girl I took pity on. She was only 12, and she looked so... inoocent, so unprepared for it all really. I couldn't afford to think like that right now though, she was in a different alliance, and thus, not someone I should be concerned with right now. Focusing on the cornucopia, I eye up an axe near the center, glinting even in the dreary, cloud covered artificial sun. If only I could get that...

Isaac Blade (4) POV
The countdown was slowly ticking down, every second feeling like an eternity, the countdown to what I was sure was going to be a horrific sight, judging by past games.

30...

Turning my head I look left and right, scouting out who was next to me. On the pedastel directly to my left is one of my allies, Dorithi Wealono, a girl with weirdly unusual hair, especially considering she was from District 8. Her eyes were fixed on something deep in the cornucopia, a sickle by the looks of it.

On my right was Lauren Lopez, another girl with some of the weirdest hair i've ever seen, her bubblegum pink tresses twisted up on top of her head in a messy bun. Her hardened eyes looked my way for a moment, her mouth twisting into a fear-inducing scowl, her eyebrows coming down dangerously low over her eyes as she took in my features. Looking away again she focused once more on the cornucopia, just like the rest of the careers.

10...

Snapping back to reality as the countdown hits 10 seconds, I ready myself to run. The anti-careers were a big group this year, bigger than the careers by far, so we had a good chance. However there were still a lot of other tributes around who weren't careers or allies, and who would strike us down without a second thought.

3...2...1...0.

Lauren Lopez (12) POV
Practically leaping off my pedestal, I dash forwards, the light rain whipping across my face as I sprint, reaching the cornucopia even before my fellow careers. Grabbing a spear, I twirl round on my heel, stabbing the girl infront of me through the stomach. Her eyes widened in shock before she hit the ground, not even managing to force out a scream. Geez, well that was disapointing. But hey, I couldn't fault her hair colour choice, blue and green were colours i'd have to consider dying my hair if I ever made it out of here.

Pulling my spear out of her limp body I hone in on my next target, a striking looking girl with ebony black hair and the brightest blue eyes i've ever seen.

Reyna Ramirez (13) POV
Arriving at the cornucopia I scramble to grab a dagger, pushing people aside as I went, trying my best to keep a watchful eye on the carnage around me incase anyone tried anything on me.

"Rey-aah!"

A strangled cry came from behind me and I whipped round, coming face to face with a snickering Lauren (12) and the sickening sound of a body crashing to the floor. Glancing downwards quickly I see the speared, very much dead body of Jacob (10), one of my allies. Whether he gave his life for mine intentionally or not I don't know, but I silently thank him in my mind, as Lauren jabbed forwards with her spear. Coming back to reality I fling myself to the side, the spear narrowly missing me, instead grazing my side. It was nothing major, but I could have done without it. Scrambling up I take off for the nearest shelter, clutching my side and stumbling blindly into the nearest section of jungle. I just hope my allies are okay.

Maxwell Grace (13) POV
I'd made it to the cornucopia what felt like hours ago, but in reality it was probably only a matter of seconds, a minute at most. I was desperately trying to grab hold of a pack, and eventually I managed to snag my hands round a bright orange one, snatching up a knife in the process. As I was a loner I had no need to wait for allies, so I stumbled forwards, narrowly avoiding falling flat on my face as a scrapping pair of tributes tumbled to the ground in my path, a furious jumble of arms, and hair, and flashes of weapons. A triumphent cry emitted from one of them and Lee (2) jumped to his feet victorious, towering over the body of Jem (7), before laying his eyes on me, almost challengingly. Shoving past him I sprint for the jungle, not once looking back.

Asteria Ghanis (5) POV
I'd decided to stick closer to the outskirts of the brawls taking place around me, searching for anything deadly looking lying around that I could grab hold of. Suddenly I was pushed from behind, hitting the ground on my hands and knees. Spying a spear abandoned on the ground I crawl towards it, struggling to find a space to stand up through all the heaving, fighting bodys around me and gruesome dead bodys that littered the floor. Reaching out my arm I stretch my hand out just that little bit further, my fingertips brushing against the wooden handle as I grasped on to it.

Feeling something crash into my back I end up faceplanting the ground, something on top of me. Feeling breathing down the back of my neck I roll over knocking whoever had fallen on my back on to the ground. Rolling again so I was poised on top of them, I recognize the face of Ash, the boy from District 11 staring back up at me, fear in his eyes as I readied my spear.

"I'm so, so sorry."

He breathed out quietly, and I hesitated a moment, raising a questioning eyebrow momentarily before I felt a stabbing pain in my stomach, his whispered apology ringing in my ears. The spear dropped out of my hands and clattered on to the ground beside me as Ash gently pushed me off him, muttering another apology before he ran off, leaving me lying face up on the ground. Rain dotted my face, as I felt a single tear slip down my cheek, the edges of my vision starting to turn hues of grey and black, everything eventually blurring into darkness as I breathed my last breath.

Flo Heldwire (C) POV
The fighting had been going on for some minutes now, and I was still searching for any supplies I could lay my hands on. Unfortunately these were getting few and far between now unless you fancied getting right into the cornucopia, and only a fool would do that. I'd managed to bag a knife but that was it, and to be honest it wasn't much. Finally I decided to give up, as i'd almost been killed by Ascher (1) all ready, only being saved by the fact that Ash (11) had been in the wrong place at the wrong time and had ended up being shoved over by Ascher as he tried to either kill him or get to me. Either way i'd been lucky, and right now my main priority was to grab anything of use and get out of there. Spotting a backpack lying by a recently dead ginger tribute I hesitantly pick it up, before crying out in pain as something sharp cut deep into my shoulder.

Turning round I came face to face with Richard (C), my district partner, his short green hair making him easily recognizable even through the mass of fighting bodys and rain. He held an axe in his hand, and seemed to be eyeing up the pack I had slung over my non injured shoulder hastily. I made to move away but he leapt forwards at me, tackling me to the ground. I was at a distinct disadvantage, as he pummeled my stomach with his fists, making me moan out in agony. Kicking him in his lower stomach he recoiled in pain, giving me enough time to whip out my knife and plunge it into his side. He was dead pretty much instantly, and I scrambled up to a standing posistion, before fleeing towards the jungle, trying to stem the heavy blood flow from my shoulder. I really hope Miyako and Jem made it out as well, otherwise i'll be facing these games alone.

Cheyanne Violanta (9) POV
Running. That's all i'd been doing for what felt like forever, the damp, muddy floor of the jungle springing back under my feet as I raced past, vines trying to ensnare me in their grasp every time I stepped forwards. I lashed out at them with my arms, my body being my only weapon right now, as the bloodbath wasn't something I was going to risk, especially considering my age.

I'd seen Ruby (6) come this way earlier, and i'd tried to follow her to meet up with the rest of the alliance, but i'd obviously gone off track somewhere because I definately should have caught up with her by now.

Yelping in shock I suddenly find myself falling face first into the mud, damp foliage clinging to my pigtailed hair as I scramble to my feet once more. Stupid plant, making me fall over like that. Stifling a frustrated sigh I wipe the mud off my face as best I can, spitting out bits of leaf in the process, cringing at the horrible taste left in my mouth. '''BOOM! '''

Startled at the sudden noise I visibly jump, the sound of another death ringing in my ears. It couldn't possibly be more than a couple of hours since the bloodbath ended to my knowledge, so another death so soon comes as a bit of a shock to me. But the real question is, who died?

Brushing myself down I set off again, going forwards pretty blindly in the hope that this was even vaguely the right direction. Pacing myself I break into a fast sprint, ignoring the pain the vines whipping across my dirty face were inflicting.

Where the heck were my alliance? There were a good number of us so it shouldn't be that difficult to find the rest of them, and yet it seemed everyone had just vanished. I needed to find them soon, I couldn't be alone when night fell, the mysterious words of President Patience still ringing in my ears. ' What if I told you your worst nightmares are coming to life? '

Addison Waters (4) POV
Hot, sticky blood clings to my hands as I reach forwards, clutching Rubys wrists and pulling her away, a few stray tears wetting my cheeks. The blood running off my fingertips wasn't mine, nor was it Rubys. It was Favian's. Our alliance had been mostly split up by the bloodbath, it had been chaos, and however hard we tried we couldnt find Favian or any of the other members of our alliance, so it was just Ruby, Oliver and I. Until now that is.

Looking over at Favians body I shudder involuntarily, taking in the horrible sight. He was lying on the ground by a tree, almost like he was sleeping, his features surprisingly calm looking. However the spear protruding from his stomach was telling another story, his bloodied shirt torn and muddied, as if there had been a violent struggle between him and his assailent. When we'd got to him it had all ready been too late, though we'd obviously disturbed the attacker as the spear had been left and a flash of dark hair had dissapeared through the trees as we approached. Oliver had run off after it some time ago, but hadn't returned back yet, and I was starting to worry.

Ruby on the other hand was beyond distraught about Favian, sobs wracking her body as I pulled her close, sheilding her from having to see his body again, stroking her hair softly in an attempt to soothe her. She'd been practically hysterical before, trying to stop the bleeding, muttering about how she could heal him. My comforting wasn't really working very well though, and the longer she cried the more at risk we'd be from other people hearing, so -

"F-Favian...?"

I heard a soft voice behind me whisper, and I turn round swiftly, breathing a sigh of relief when I realise it's only Cheyanne (9) and not a hostile tribute. Seconds later Oliver reappears through the jungle behind her, doubling over and resting his hands on his knees as he attempts to catch his breath.

"I lost them, i'm sorry."

He wheezed out inbetween breaths, obviously having run the entire way. Taking a step back from Ruby I pat her on the shoulder comfortingly.

"We'll find whoever did this Ruby, I promise."

Alexandrite Bohamia (1) POV
Glancing around, I realise the evening is all ready drawing in, even though it seems bare hours ago that I escaped the bloodbath. Reyna had made herself the leader of our alliance, leaving Isaac with second in command, and Ash, Melody, Drake and I as, well, just members I guess.

Currently she was ordering all of us to pool together our supplies to see what we have. I didn't manage to snag a bow in all the fighting, but thankfully Isaac did, and it was decided I should keep that. Reyna managed to secure herself a knife, and Isaac was also given a knife, leaving everybody else weaponless. Considering how quite a few of us went into the bloodbath, we didn't come out with all that many supplies, not even enough to share between us. There was one sleeping bag which was given to Melody - partly to make up for the fact she was weaponless-, a few packs of bread and some dried fruit, one torch, two full canteens of water, some rope, a large blanket, a short length of wire and a single bandage.

" Right! " Reyna called out in a quiet but assertive tone, pulling me back to reality and making all eyes turn to her as she gesticulated at the dense forest around them.

" Here looks like as good a place as any to camp out, especially since it'll be getting dark soon. "

The rest of us murmoured in quiet agreement, before starting to set up. Treading softly I walk over to the supplies and pick up what had been sorted out for me: A bow with 4 arrows - but unfortunately no quiver to hold them - two small bread rolls, and the short length of wire. I could vaguely hear Reyna pointing out where each person would sleep behind me, though I wasn't paying very much attention, too preoccupied with examining the bow, taking in it's every intricate silvery feature.

" Alexandrite? "

A hand shook my shoulder and I turned round to look at Reynas grim looking face as she pointed at a spot close by.

" You're sleeping there, okay? " She asked, making it sound like more of a statement rather than a question. I silently nodded my agreement, walking over to a muddy spot right by a tree, the wet mud squelching under my boots as I walked.

It made me wonder why we couldn't sleep in the trees actually, but I chose not to question Reynas decision as I didn't want to create any problems so early in the games. Perching on a knarled old root that was poking up from the ground I place my bright canary yellow backpack beside me, leaning against the rough, uncomfortable tree trunk. The uneven bark dug into my back even through the jacket, and I could just tell that I wasn't likely to get much sleep tonight. Shifting my gaze skywards with a sigh I can just about pick out the rapidly rising moon through the canopy of trees swaying in the light breeze, darkness falling on the jungle like a blanket.

--

After what felt like hours I return my gaze back to my alliance, running my eyes across the scene before me. Reyna was keeping watch, perched on the first branch of a tree, knife in hand. Isaac was curled into a tight ball on the ground a little way off, his muddied blond hair falling over his face as his chest went up and down softly, evidently asleep. Drake was sitting with his knees brought up to his chest directly across from him, looking deep in thought and staring at the sky. Melody was standing opposite the tree Reyna was in, fighting off shadows with her knife. And Ash, well, he was leaning his back against a tree trunk, his eyes closed, though by the shakiness of his breath I could tell he wasn't asleep. Actually, he looked kind of sad, so I debated getting up and asking him what was wrong. But then again, maybe he just wanted to be left alone... before I knew it my legs were pulling me forwards, and soon enough I was sitting beside him, tapping him lightly on the shoulder.

" Are you okay? " I speak in a hushed tone, his dark brown eyes looking at me with a slightly glassy look to them, like he was upset but was determined to remain composed.

" I'm fine, I was just thinking. " He mumbles to me, avoiding my eyes and gazing at the unfamiliar plants sprouting up from the ground.

" About what? " I say, not meaning to pry, but quite intrigued by this mysterious boy with the swooping black hair and the dark, shy eyes.

" My girlfriend, and my sister." He said this with a touch of sorrow in his voice, which was shaking every so slightly.

" They sound nice, what are they like? " I ask, fully expecting him to turn round and ask me to leave him alone, as he looked kind of intimidating, even now I knew he probably wasn't, the few thin slivers of moonlight forcing themselves through the trees lighting up his face in a soft glow.

" Finch, my girlfriend, she's got beautiful light brown eyes, and the loveliest golden-red hair you'll ever see... or at least she did. N-now all I can see when I think of her is the blood seeping onto her dress as she lay dead in a peacekeepers arms. " I noticed his eyes lit up when he started speaking about Finch, making him look happier, like his mind was in better times, before they went dull and glassy again, his voice dropping to a barely audible whisper on the last few lines, like he was scared if he said it any louder it would make it more true in his head. I could tell he was holding on to better times, and it was making me wonder what had happened to her, though I decided not to press it any further.

" She sounded beautiful." I said, feeling a twisting pang in my chest, something I was somewhat unfamiliar with. Deciding it must be hunger I mentally make a note to remind myself to have a little of the bread roll in the morning, when I really needed it.

"She was. " He replied simply, smiling ever so slightly as he leant back again, once again in thought, probably about his girlfriend.

Deciding this was my que to leave I pat him on the shoulder in what I hope was a comforting way before standing up, making my way back over to the tree I now called my own. Sitting down I take one last look at Reyna who was still perched alertly in the tree, just like how i'd last seen her, her black hair whipping around her face softly in the breeze. Closing my eyes I lean back, getting as comfortable as I can as I try to get to sleep. Something about the jungle was putting me on edge and my mind was running a thousand miles a minute, refusing to let me slip into slumber however hard I tried...

August Rose (12) POV
Silence. Unnatural, deafening silence surrounds me, the only sound that ever breaks it is the occasional mumouring of Lucinda as she sleeps soundly. I even struggle to pick up the sounds of her breathing, and if I couldn't see the rise and fall of her chest i'd be half wondering if she was even alive at all. The bloodbath had been hard on her, and she had a nasty gash streching from her right shoulder all the way down to her elbow, as well as a big bruise on the left side of her face. Sure, it wasn't anything life threatening, but it still horrified me that anyone could do that to such a young girl.

Sighing, I lean back against the trunk of the tree, absent-mindedly brushing a trailing vine out of my face, re-adjusting my position on the thick branch. People had asked me if I was crazy during training just for allying with her, telling me she wouldn't last 5 minutes. The truth was that she reminds me so much of Fawn, it actually hurt to think about it, their similar sweetness, and their sensative demeanors...

Suddenly, a thought strikes me. Why has their been no anthem, no pictures of the dead? People had definately lost their lives today, i'd heard the cannons and witnessed some of the deaths myself, so why weren't they displaying it?

'Aaah!'

A shrill scream cuts through the silence, belonging to an all to familiar person. Looking down out of the tree, my breath catches in my throat, violently choking me at the sight. Fawn. Swiftly untying myself from the tree, with no regards for my safety I leap outwards and plummet to the ground, rolling twice on impact. Scrambling towards her and ignoring my aching muscles I place a hand on her abdomen, where thick, hot blood was oozing out in river-like quantities. Her blonde hair was matted together in clumps, her breathing shallow.

" Y-you failed me."

She whimpered out, releasing a last, long rattling breath as she lay there, staring blankly at a green canopy she could no longer see. No, no no this could not be happening, it wasn't even possible, and yet I'd just seen it with my own two eyes. Tears I hadn't even noticed form started to fall down my cheeks in long trails, the salty taste of them invading my mouth. My fist balling up in anger I punch the ground painfully hard, breaking the skin, not that I care. She's gone. Bu-But she can't be-

"August? What's wrong?"

A hushed voice from above me called, and I glance upwards, seing Lucindas small form leaning over the branch, gazing down at me with a look in her eyes I can only describe as deep concern.

"Fawn... she... she..."

"Who's Fawn? And what are you doing down there?" She calls out again, speaking in a surprisingly calm tone for someone who's just seen the bloodied body of a young girl.

"S-she is." I say pointing downwards at Fawns body, not even being able to bring myself to look at it. There was a long moment of silence before she replied, looking first at me, then the body, and then back to me.

"Are you... are you feeling all right?" She looked very concerned now, and kept looking between me and the body with worry.

Finally working up the nerve I glance back down at Fawn, though I was quick to discover something had changed. She wasn't there. There was nothing there except brown, sludgy mud and greenery. I screw my eyes shut before staring at the spot again, making sure I was seeing things right. She still hadn't reappered. Was I going insane or something? She was there, I know she was, i'd had the blood on my hands to prove it. Looking down at my hands now, all I see is my own blood seeping from where I pumelled the ground. Glancing back up at Lucinda I shake my head to try and clear it, attempting to form words.

"My s-sister, she died right in front of me...I saw her d-die and now her body's gone." I mumble quietly, now accutely aware that i'd been making more than enough noise for any passing tribute to hear me. Slowly and carefully I stand up, shakily walking over to the trunk of the tree i'd previously leapt out of. It's a miracle I hadn't broken any bones really from the fall, though my body was certainly starting to complain. Grabbing onto the trunk I clamber back up to my branch, which was directly next to Lucindas. So far she'd said nothing, which was starting to worry me. What if she thought I was crazy?!

"Your nightmares are coming to life." She said to me as I fumbled to tie myself back to the branch. "Remember what President Patience said? That must be it, your nightmares are becoming reality." She brought her knees up to her chest, leaning back against the trunk as I simply nodded in response, still feeling too shaken up to be able to properly string together a coherant sentance.

"The question is, who's next?"

Flo Heldwire (C) POV
"Flo?"

I opened my eyes a crack, staring at the face above me. Miyako was dangling something silver infront of my face, and even in my groggy half-asleep state I knew what it was. A sponsor parachute. Opening my eyes fully I stretch my arms above my head with a yawn, remembering too late about my shoulder, biting my lip hard enough to draw blood to stop myself crying out, though a small hiss still manages to escape my lips.

" A sponsor?" I whisper, Miyakos eyes lighting up with excitement as she nods. I have to admit I didn't actually expect to get any sponsors at all, so it was a nice surprise. The bloodbath hadn't exactly been kind to us, Miyako had managed to grab a bottle of poison but nothing else, and the lime green backpack i'd fought so hard for had only contained a canteen of water and 8 dry crackers.

Opening the silver container Miyako smiled as she produced a bandage, something I was in dire need of right now. She'd made a makeshift one for me by ripping a length of fabric from the bottom of her top, but i'd bled through it hours ago, the blood only lessening fairly recently.

Slipping off my dark purple jacket carefully, I wince as she starts to unwrap the bloodied bandage, crying out as a searing pain cut through my shoulder like a knife.

---

Some minutes later she'd proudly proclaimed that she'd finished, though to be honest it felt no better than it had before. Easing my jacket back on to fight away the chill I hug my arms close to my body, curling up on the muddied floor once again. It appeared Miyako had also got other gifts from this sponsor, as she suddenly had a warm looking sleeping bag and what appeared to be a can of soup. Noticing my gaze she held out the bag to me asking if I wanted it, but I shook my head, not wanting to deprive her of her gift. Sure, I was freezing, but it was her gift and she should be allowed to enjoy it.

Screwing my eyes tightly shut I attempt to force my mind back into sleep, though it no longer seems to want to come to me. The tiredness is there, niggling in the back of my mind, taunting me, but it refuses to take over, instead happy to dull my senses and make my outlook more pessimistic than it probably should be.

Suddenly i'm sitting bolt upright, involuntarily holding my breath. There it is again, that sound. It sounds like a guttural moan almost, and whoever it was coming from it was getting closer. Miyako was all ready on her feet, signalling at me to remain silent. Slowly I got up, grasping my knife in my hand, my knuckles turning white against my skin. Walking forwards swiftly I wince at every small sound my feet make as I stand in front of Miyako, realising she was weaponless. The harsh, gravelly moan sounds again, this time even closer than it was before, but we stand our ground, prepared to face off whoever is approaching. Catching a glimpse of something through the trees I catch my breath as the person reveals themselves... though to be honest person is very loosely used here. Because it wasn't really a person at all.

It was a zombie.

Lauren Lopez (12) POV
Well, that went well.

That's all i'd really been thinking since the bloodbath, the supplies scattered around me reinforcing this thought. Considering there are only three of us in the careers including myself - a pitiful amount really - we'd done incredibly well, managing to secure quite a few supplies and getting a couple of kills along the way, something I was especially proud of, since I caused the first two deaths of the games too.

Pulling my knees further up against my chest - if that was even possible - to preserve my warmth I hug my arms closer to my body, staring at the artificial moon sitting high up in the equally artificial night sky. This was the only source of light, as not a single star was up there, just...blackness.

Shivering slightly I peer behind me, my eyes instantly falling on the figure of Ascher (1) curled up inside his sleeping bag, his dusty, dark blond hair sticking up at haphazard angles, his features peaceful looking as the moonlight illuminated his face. The poor guy was blind, but that by no means made him any less of a fighter, proved by the fact that he'd become the leader of us, even though i'd have been a perfectly good candidate with better eyesight, I may add.

Twirling one of the many loose strands that were hanging out of my bun round my fingertips, I study his face once more, letting out a faint sigh. Though I hated to admit it, the way the moonlight hit Aschers face just so, and the way his strangely cute mess of hair wasn't quite the perfect style it had been that morning, it made him look almost handso- nope, you're not going there Lauren, you are never going there. Ever.

I'd been on watch for what I guessed to be about 2 hours now, and things were obviously starting to get to me, it would definately explain some of the stupid thoughts I was having, just like those ones. Shaking my head to conciously try and get rid of them, I focus my attention on Lee now, who was equally sound asleep and snoring lightly. I'd have to wake him up in an hour or so for the next watch, but until then I needed to stay awake, which was proving kind of difficult.

Looking back around I search the perimiter of the trees with my eyes, making sure no rogue tributes were lurking there. Confident that there wasn't anybody I rocked gently back and forth on my heels, watching my breath create minature clouds in the air as I breathed softly, struggling to keep my eyes open.

Suddenly, an ear-splitting screech filled the air all around me, sending my senses into overdrive. I'd been on my feet in seconds, the spear I was holding clutched so tightly in my fist that my knuckles were completely white against my pale skin. That sounded almost...inhuman?

'What's going on?'

I hear the sleep addled voice of Ascher mumble from behind me, as he made his way to my side, Lee not far behind him, both of them grasping their respective weapons. The screech sounded again making me literally jump in fright, the spear almost slipping from my grasp. However this time it was accompenied by a pained scream, the kind someone makes when they are in total agony, and it wasn't coming from that far away either. Screaming meant scared tributes, and scared tributes meant prey.

Ascher it seemed had all ready had the same idea, as he gestured to us - or more in our general direction - to follow him.

---

We'd soon left the cornucopia clearing behind, replaced with abnormally dark jungle, every twig snapping under our feet making me jump just a little. What if the screech was a mutt? I wasn't scared of many things, but mutts were definately one of them. Something about them made me shiver, maybe it was the way that they were more powerful than any tribute, or maybe just because they're not natural, either way I really do not want to run into any of those right now.

'Nnguh...'

My head turned to the left abruptly, trying to see the source of the pained, definately human moan. Ascher signalled for us to remain silent as he started to creep towards it, putting a finger to his lips. Following closely behind him I cringe slightly at every tiny noise we make, scared that each one would alert whoever it was to our approach.

The sudden halt of Ascher means that I bump into him as we stop, the source of the earlier noise apparent. Laying on his side seemingly not noticing us was Maxwell (13), his face contorted in pain, thick, sticky blood oozing out of a wound in his side, soaking into the muddy ground around him. His brown hair was matted together, and there was a couple of strange, long gashes across his face, blood dripping in his eyes, probably affecting his vision.

'Well, if it isn't Maxwell Grace... no allies to save you huh? Aaaw, how sad, I would have loved to have met them.' I say, taking a step forwards and smiling at him tauntingly. His head snaps up and his eyes focus on my face, betraying only one emotion. Fear, such deep-rooted fear that he started to shake slightly as he scrambled to try and back away, barely getting the energy to pull himself away from us.

'P-please d-don't kill me!' He whispered, his voice throaty and harsh sounding, like he was having trouble forcing the words out of his mouth.

'P-P-Please don't kill you?! Well that's just p-p-pathetic, you know?' I laugh like I was having the time of my life, twirling my spear between my fingertips. This was going to be so much fun.

Lee joins in with my laughter, though Ascher remains silent, and if I didn't know better I would have sworn he was studying our surroundings warily. Smiling and glaring back down at Maxwell, I find his eyes are no longer trained on me, instead they were almost looking right through me.

Suddenly i'm being thrown forwards like a ragdoll, the spear flying out of my fingers, pain searing through my back as I faceplant the floor next to Maxwell, mud and bits of mulched up leaf sticking to my face and blurring my vision. Srabbling at the dirt with my fingertips I flip over onto my back, wiping the gooey mud from my eyes hurriedly. And then as soon as I saw what was infront of me, I rather wished I hadn't.

A creature so horrifying it could only be described as nightmarish towered above me on it's hind legs, well over 12 foot tall, it's misty grey fur glinting in the moonlight as it released a deep, gravelly growl, baring it's abundance of razor sharp teeth at me. It's body was broad and well built, long claws that could easily shred you to pieces extending from it's 4 paws, and red eyes the colour of blood glimmering evilly from above it's long muzzle. I can hear my name being called, but it's eyes were so captivating, so fear-inducing, so evil-

A sudden, brutal pain in my side brought me out of my dazed state, and I scream out in sheer agony, placing my hand just above my right hip, where the pain had come from. Pulling it back I see crimson coating my palm, and I recoil in horror, trying to push myself away from whatever had hurt me.

Hands started to grab at my arms, pulling me up, though my body was telling me to let go, to give in to the pain and let it all end. Without warning i'm being pushed forwards, shouts of ' Run! ' and 'What the hell are you doing?! ' ringing in my ears, though they're faint, like i'm underwater and whoever is talking is above the surface.

However, my legs power into action without my consent and all of a sudden i'm stumbling away, taking a random path through the trees. Was this the way back to the cornucopia, or was I just heading further into the jungle? Stumbling over tree roots and desparetely pushing vines out of my way I hold my side with one hand gingerly, anything to try and make the pain stop. I hear a cannon sound in the distance, though i'm too preoccupied by the screech behind me to care much. All I  know is that thing is in pursuit of me, it's razor sharp teeth and claws flashing to the forefront of my mind, spurring me onwards.

The greenery flies by in a blur, and I realise I have no idea where i'm going, every direction looking the same. Veering to the right I acidentally trip up over a fallen branch, crying out in anguish as I hit the ground, blood pouring out of the wound in my side like there was no tomorrow. ''For you, there will be no tomorrow. ''A voice in my head whispers, as I claw at the ground with my free hand trying to drag myself to my feet, but to no avail. Letting my body drop limply to the ground again I wait for the end, dirt clogging up my closed eyes and mouth, my ears picking up the pounding of footsteps as they get closer.

The feeling of something on my wrist makes me jump involuntarily, my eyes opening again with a start, though it wasn't much use considering the mud. Someone is pulling me up again, dragging me along by the wrist as they run. Blinking rapidly I manage to clear my eyes enough to see who was infront of me. Ascher? And that's the last thought I have before my visons starts to go hazy and black round the edges, just before I pass out.

Samuel Coleman (7) POV
I wake with a start from my fitfull sleep, sighing slightly as I try to regulate my breathing, lying there staring at the tree canopy above me, trying to get my bearings.

I was dreaming of Summer - or should I say Sunny - and what happened in the Capitol just over a year ago now. Feeling the corners of my lips twitching upwards, I think about the good times before that, when she and I used to train with the other children of the family, and how we decided if we all entered a Hunger Games together we'd band together as an alliance and be called the 'Stormy Six'.

I suppose they'll all be watching me right now-

"Samuel!" A voice hissed right by my ear, a hand shaking my shoulder.

Sitting up slowly I turn to the owner of the voice, who turned out to be none other than Ruby.

"What is it?"

I mumble, squinting through eyes that were still blurry from sleep.

"There was a cannon a little earlier and it sounded close by. We should probably all get moving from here before whoever caused that death finds us."

She states, flashing me a warm smile before going off to wake up Puppet, who was sleeping a little way off, his back against a tree.

Rubbing my eyes I move to stand up, shaking bits of greenery out of my hair as I go. We'd got quite a few supplies in the bloodbath, a number of backpacks and weapons, but unfortunately only three sleeping bags had been supplied, which the rest of us had decided to give to Ruby, Cheyanne, and Addison, as it felt like the gentlemanly thing to do.

Or more, Oliver and I had thought that and Puppet had kind of had his reservations but agreed with us anyway.

An almost melodic sound catches my attention, and I look up to see not one but two small specks of silver floating down towards our alliance.

As they got closer I realised they were sponsor parachutes, but who would be sponsoring us so early on?Noticing that one of them was headed straight for me I held out my hands, catching it as it landed surprisingly gently into my palms. Fumbling with the catch I swiftly pull it open, almost gasping at the contents. Dried fruit!

Okay, so dried fruit is dried fruit, but in these games food is pretty vital, and we didn't get all that much of it as an alliance. Ruby found some bread rolls in her backpack, Puppet had found some dry crackers in his, and i'd found some cookies, but they weren't likely to last us that long, splitting it between six under-18s.

Turning round I look to see who got the other sponsor parachute, noticing Oliver packing up his supplies, an empty sponsor parachute abandoned at his feet. Well that solved that then.

Suddenly, the crunch of feet on dried up foliage makes me turn round yet again to face away from my alliance, crouching down nand searching around for my blowgun.It had been right beside me earlier, where had it gone now?!

"Samuel? What's wrong?"

Someones boots moved into my line of vision, and straightening up I come face to face with Addison, her long curly brown hair pulled up into two high pigtails almost on top of her head, blowing around slightly in the freezing cold breeze.

"Everybody! Shh!"

I hiss at her and the rest of my alliance, putting a finger up to my lips and pointing in the general direction of where the sound came from.

There it went again, louder this time, accompinied by the sound of laboured breathing, like someone was very much out of breath. Finally seeing my blowgun sticking out of my lime green backpack I snatch it up, preparing myself for whoever was about to stumble across us.

Ruby and Oliver flank me on either side, Rubys face contorted into a look of worry, Olivers mouth set in a hard line as his hands formed fists, sensing confrontation.

"God dammit."I heard muttered, just before a figure stumbled into view.

His dirty blonde hair was askew, large bloody gashes across his face and bare arms, and his clothes looked like they had certainly seen better days, his t-shirt torn to pretty much ribbons. I probably wouldn't of recognized him had it not been for the pink haired girl lying limply in his arms, her face contorted into a look of pain and her black jacket hanging open, blood dripping in a steady rythm from her tank top. Ascher and Lauren of the career alliance were here, but what happened to them? The careers of previous years had always been a tough and strong alliance, and yet now they looked like one of the weakest alliances of the games.

He seemed not to notice us as he stumbled onwards towards us, his breathing ragged, struggling to keep the unconcious girl in his arms.

A cracking noise behind me made Ascher stop in his tracks, yet his eyes made no move to look around.

Then it dawned on me. He's blind, he doesn't even know we're here! This could work in our favour...

"W-who's there?"

He stuttered out, his eyes wide as he desparetely listened for anything out of the ordinary.

"It's Ruby Burn, you're Ascher, right?"

Little Ruby piped up beside me and I tighten my grip on my blowgun in annoyance. Well there goes our advantage.

"Y-yeah."

He mumbled, and if he could avoid eye contact, I think he probably would have been. So we have a seriously wounded, possibly dead career, and a shy career? What next, a funny career? A career who's actually really nice?!

"Don't be scared, we're not going to hurt you."

She said with a warm smile, and I share a confused look with Puppet, who has come to join us like the rest of the alliance. We're not going to hurt them? I mean, we're all pretty nice in this alliance, but this is the Hunger Games, and if you run into another alliance, especially the careers, you're meant to kill them, right?

"What happened to you two?" She says softly, talking a deliberate, noisy step forwards.

"A-A thing, a huge wolf thing, j-judging by it's claws." He says, adgusting Lauren in his bloodied arms so he can run a finger down one of the gashes on his face, all of which were oozing, blood running down his face and dripping onto Laurens skin every so often.

"Do you need some help? You can join us if you like."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Puppet interjects before I get a chance to speak, his head tilted to one side as he looked at Ruby questioningly.

"Why not? They're in no state to hurt us." She says, smiling as she approaches them slowly.

"Are you sure?" Ascher says with the slightest bit more confidence than before, realising we're not hostile.

"You can come along with us for as long as you like." She says, and I notice he flinches when she takes him by the arm, signalling Oliver over to help with Lauren. He may be injured, but he's still a career, and something else about this entire arrangement is making me very uneasy too..

"Only until Lauren is better." I hear him murmor as he walks past, and Ruby simply nods her head, her sweet nature shining through. There is such a thing as being too sweet though, and I fear that she might as well be the example of that.

The now familiar sound of yet another sponsor parachute makes me look up once more, wondering who else could possibly be sponsoring us. At this rate whoever it was would be all out of money by tomorrow. However, what I didn't expect was the parachute to make it's way over to Lauren, who had now been placed on the ground by one of the many trees, where Ruby was trying her best to assess the damage to her. To be honest i'm surprised the girl wasn't dead yet, the entire lower half of her top soaked in crimson. Ruby opened it up with delight, saying something I can't quite hear to Ascher as she pulls out what appears to be some medical supplies.

Going over to their little gathering hesitantly I crouch down next to Ruby, asking her how Lauren is.

"It looks like she's been stabbed, thankfully the blade appears to have missed any vital organs, so in theory she should be saveable, thanks to this nice sponsor!" She says with evident happiness.

"Though she has lost a lot of blood... " She adds on as an after thought, before directing me to go pick up a couple of plants she'd seen around here that would help her.

As I walked away to get them I looked back on our alliance, taking it all in.

What a very strange alliance we were turning out to be...

Ash Harper (11) POV
You keep watch. Like that was difficult to do, i'd been pacing and looking around nervously ever since the scream that had woken me up a while back. Reyna had finally given into sleep sometime ago, after instructing me to keep my eyes peeled of course. Funny expression that really, considering if your eyes were actually peeled you'd probably be blind...

Shaking my head I clutch on tighter to the knife Reyna had lent me, once again pacing around our little encampment, keeping an eye not only on my surroundings but also the rest of my alliance as I attempted to focus.

There was Isaac, Alexandrite, Reyna, Drake, and... wait, where was Melody?

I mentally crossed off each member of the alliance again, making sure I wasn't becoming delusional or something. No, Melody had definately been here a few minutes ago. Looking around me I call out her name quietly, trying not to wake up anyone else.

There was no answer.

Deciding I should probably get Reyna I go to walk over to her. Or where she had been moments ago. Where was everyone going?

Glancing around I notice not only has Reyna dissapeared, but so had Alexandrite. They must be leaving when i'm not looking, so in theory if I continue to look at them they won't disappear, right?

Fear rising up inside me I open my eyes wide, focusing on staring at Isaac and Drake unblinkingly. They were both still sound asleep, their chests rising and falling practically in unison. They didn't look like they were going anywhere anytime soon, so eventually I have to give in to the urge to blink.

Bad idea. Very, very bad idea.

When my eyes focus again, I realise not one, but both of them have gone. How the heck had they gone so fast?! I hadn't even heard them move!

Slapping myself across the face quite harshly I try to knock myself back into reality. I had to be dreaming, right? I'd probably fallen asleep while I was keeping watch, yet it didn't feel like I was asleep... I felt way too awake for that.

"Ash?" A voice called, and I looked up in what must have been record speed, the knife slipping out between my fingers in shock.

"Finch?" I said hesitantly, realising I definately had to be in some kind of dream for any of this to be happening. She didn't look at all like she had that day in District 11, her short, golden red hair was adorned with a lilac flower crown, her pastel purple dress i'd last seen hanging off her limp body falling neatly down to her knees, gathered in just under her chest. She looked beautiful, I couldn't deny that, but then again she always had, even when they'd been lowering her coffin into the ground, her hair arranged around her face inside it, just so.

"Y-Y-You're alive?" I asked after a long moment of silence, taking a step towards her.

"No silly, i'm just a figment of your imagination, just like her." She said, taking another step forwards and gesturing to her right, where for the first time I noticed another person I once knew. Lily?

"You have to get away from here, before it's too late. It's coming for you Ash, it's running, and one day it might just catch up to you." She said, taking a few more steps forwards, closing the small gap between us so we were practically nose to nose.

"What is? What's coming for me?" I asked, shivering slightly as her deathly cold hand touched my face, a finger brought to my lips.

"You always did ask too many questions." She whispered with a laugh, a genuine smile lighting up even her eyes as she let her hand move to the side of my face.

"Remember, the darkest hour is just before the dawn." She murmoured mysteriously, leaning forwards and capturing my lips in her icy ones, just for a moment. Startled, my eyes widened in surprise as she pulled away all too quickly, smiling brightly.

"I love you." She said, her body slowly becoming transparent as she waved at me, starting to disappear as fast as she'd arrived.

"Wait, Finch!" I shouted, her laugh echoing all around me as she completely vanished from sight. Tears formed in my eyes, but I blinked them away hurriedly. Why was she gone so soon?

"Well would you look at that." Lily said, and I jumped in surprise. I'd actually almost forgotten she was here at all.

"Lily! What are you doing here?" I asked, running forwards and wrapping my arms around her in a tight hug, happy to be seeing her after so long.

"Well, i'm not really here, y'know? But I see your point, I suppose i'm here in your mind. However I don't have long..." She whispered in my ear, pulling away from me so she can look me in the eyes.

"Beware the one who calls herself Ne- aaaah!" She started her sentance, before something behind me made her eyes widen and her words turn to a shrill, fearful scream.

"Lily, what's wrong?! Beware who?!" I took her by the shoulders, shaking her, but her eyes were fixed on something behind me.

"They're here, they're here!" She screeched, shaking free from my grasp and running faster than i've ever seen anyone run, away into the jungle.

"Hello?" A small voice behind me asked, and I almost jumped out of my skin in fright, turning around slowly, afraid of what I might see. A young girl stood in front of me, who looked too young to be in the games, her long, frizzy blonde hair pulled into two plaits, a shy smile on her freckled face. Her tribute outfit seemed practically pristine, her beige jacket blowing open in the breeze as she clutched a tatty brown teddy bear to her chest.

"And who are you?" I ask warily, taking a step towards her as she seemed fairly harmless. She appeared very innocent, she reminded me quite a lot of my little sister when she was younger in that respect, she would always end up getting into trouble but every time she got caught she'd always look so innocent, so angelic.

"I'm Nina. Have you seen my mummy?" She asked, and right then I knew something was off about this girl.She was either delusional just like me, another figment of my imagination, or seriously, badly confused.

"Uh, n-no, I haven't." I said shakily, taking a step away from her this time, searching around desperately with my eyes, trying to locate my knife.

"Oh...are you looking for this?" She asked, a giggle escaping her lips as she held up my knife, twirling it blade side down on her finger, except for some reason the blade wans't harming her, it didn't even draw a single drop of blood.

"Now now, you weren't thinking of trying to hurt me were you?" She questioned, smiling at me innocently, though something in her eyes betrayed a cold, merciless being, however hard they were trying to appear sweet.

"N-No?" I splutter out, it coming out as more of a question that an answer.

"Oh, that's good then!" She said, smiling brightly, and I watched with wide eyes as the blade turned to dust that ran through her fingertips, as she giggled with delight.

"What the-"

"Do you wanna play a game?" She interrupted, her eyes glinting darkly as she came closer towards me, her small, free hand reaching out for me. In my haste to get away I stumbled backwards, hitting the ground with a thud. I tried to scramble away, but she was all ready almost upon me, laughing with glee.

"Don't be afraid!" She smiled a toothy grin at me, grabbing me by the wrist. Slowly her features started to change horrifically and I screamed in horror, her face and body becoming thin and elongated, her eyes disappearing to become hollow sockets, lethal claws extending themselves out of the tips of her fingers, digging painfully hard into my skin. I was paralyzed with fear, and this time when she smiled her teeth were jagged, her gums a deep red, blood dripping from them and down her pearly white teeth.What was she, some sort of demon? A shapeshifter? Whatever the hell she was, she could really do with seeing a dentist.

"This won't hurt a bit!" The thing giggled, using the same shrill, high voice of the little girl to speak with. Grabbing me on both sides of the head I cried out in sheer agony, all sarcasm forgotten, feeling something forcing it's way into my mind.

Memories came back to me in fragments, and I realised tears were spilling down my face, though I couldn't even move to wipe them away. There was Finch, being carried out by peacekeepers, blood soaking her dress, her eyes permanently wide and lifeless. And there was Lily, abandoning me for some boy she hardly knew. What was there even to live for anymore?

Nothing, a voice in my head said, shrieking with laughter. Nothing at all.

Suddenly the pressure on my head was released and I felt myself falling, falling into seemingly never-ending darkness, the last words I hear as I tumble out of conciousness almost making me want to laugh.

"Didn't anyone ever tell you about stranger danger?"

Lyssa Bow (10) POV
Melodic sounds float into my mind, the music oddly familiar sounding as I run to go feed the cows on my families farm...

Waking with a start, I struggle to grasp where I am, the music still playing.

You're not at home anymore Lyssa, an annoying voice in my head whispered, reminding me of where exactly I was. I was in the games, which was far, far from home, further than I ever thought i'd go.

Re-adgusting myself on my branch, I look around  for the source of the noise, slowly undoing the knotted vines i'd tied round myself so I didn't fall.

After glancing aimlessly around for a while I eventually look up, where the seal of Panem was just starting to fade, signalling the roundup of the deaths at long last. Beautiful shades of red and pink were bleeding into the rapidly decreasing darkness, hints of orange starting to appear on the horizon as the deaths started to play, the oddly cheery music putting me on edge.

The anthem had been made happier, more upbeat sounding recently at President Patiences request, and though I think she may of meant well it just proved to anger the District citizens, as it was almost like rubbing salt into a wound, playing happy music over pictures of the dead.

Focusing on the sky, the first grim looking face up there was Asteria of District 5, which surprised me. In training she'd seemed like an intelligent girl, and as far as I knew she was also one of the few other loners.

Next up was Jem Nightshade of District 7 which came as a shock to me as usually District 7 tributes go far in the games due to their prior training with axes, their skills usually on par with the careers even.

Then came Dorithi and Favian of District 8, though neither of those deaths shocked me like Jems had. One of them was blind, the other had hair so bright it was practically a flashing 'I'm over here!' sign.

Jamie (9), Jacob (10), Maxwell (13), and Richard (C) all came up in quick succesion after that, and I realised with a growing sadness that not only had both of my fellow loners and my district partner died today, but so had 8 innocent teenagers, who didn't deserve what came to them. Nobody deserved these games, I wouldn't even have wished it on that annoying boy from my school, the one who had got a girl pregnant in the Capitol. I mean, I'd wish a lot on him, but even I could see that no one of any age should be thrown into a fight for survival against 27 others. No one.

Throwing the now useless vines away from me I sigh heavily, swinging my leg off the branch and finding a foothold on the trunk, starting to shimmy my way down, the rough bark scraping my bare legs between the boots and the shorts I was wearing. I hadn't got any supplies in the bloodbath as I figured I probably wouldn't need them, though now I kind of regret that decision, considering the rumbling from my stomach and the lack of any supplies other than a sword a kind sponsor had sent me during the night. Trying to focus my mind away from my problems I jump the last few foot to the ground, landing on my feet with a soft thud against the muddy floor. It was probably best to get moving while the sun hadn't fully risen yet, to get a headstart on any other tributes. All I had to do was avoid all the alliances, and stay alive.

''Staying alive might be the hard part though... ''

President Patience POV
Lilith reclined in her chair, her blonde waves falling delicately over her shoulders as she sat with her legs propped up on her desk, watching the games unfold before her with tired, unseeing eyes. She'd been sitting here for hours now, practically unblinking, watching everything unfold. She'd barely even flinched when Nina appeared, having approved the vile thing only hours earlier, the head gamemaker pretty much ordering her to - and I qoute - 'Take an interest for once. ' That had infuriated Lilith no end. How was watching the games for 18 hours straight not 'Taking an interest'?! She'd been sitting here quietly, watching the gamemakers manipulate the tributes like pawns in a chess game for hours, and to be quite blunt, the lack of respect for her was worrying.

Sure, she had the people behind her to a certain extent, but what happened when they realized she was far from the ruthless, determined leader that had been her father? She had all ready lost the respect of her employees, and that was just a slippery slope down to finding yourself in a nice little 'accident', which left you either in a hospital, a dark, bleak mental space, or dead.

Suddenly a memory came back to her, fighting it's way to the forefront of her mind. She was 8 years old, looking to find her mother in the vast mansion that made up the presidents house, where she'd lived for only four years of her life so far. Her mother, Grace Patience was a successful young woman, just turned 25, and a nice enough person in general, at least in her mind. You see Grace wasn't her birth mother, Lilith had been adopted merely as a PR stunt, at least that's how it always seemed to her, even if she did like Grace. She was a sucess story from district 4, where the president had personally visited the orphanage there, selecting a child out to call her own.

So Lilith had raced through to the main office as fast as her legs would carry her, desperate to show her mother the drawing she'd created of the two of them. However, what she saw in that office would inprint itself on her mind forever, like a wine stain that refused to come out of a white dress. Grace Patience was lying limply against her desk, a gun in her hand and a sketchy, vague suicide note lying next to her, stating that she couldn't take it anymore and that this was her resignation. Out of life.

'M-mother?'

She'd whimpered, before starting to scream at the top of her lungs, bawling her eyes out, tears running like rivers down her cheeks as she sobbed.

Peacekeepers had run in at this point, pulling her back to her room and locking her in as she cried and cried endlessly, for hours and hours on end. People tried to talk to her, her father tried to console her, but nothing would work, nothing could possibly comfort her after what she'd just seen. Come to think of it her father had seemed pretty blank and emotionless the entire time, and as Lilith grew older she came to realise that it was more likely than not that he'd ordered her death.

''His own wife. ''

Her mother.

And that's when she'd first started to learn about politics in the Capitol. Money buys anything, no one is safe, not even your own family, and anything but ruthless, merciless behaviour was seen as a weakness. And weakness was something she couldn't ever afford to show.

Miyako Sada (2) POV
Watching the sun rise slowly into the sky I sigh heavily, looking over at a still sleeping Flo (C) with worried eyes. She looked... wrong somehow, she had done for a few hours actually, her body shaking slightly in her sleep. I'd put it down to nightmares before, but now I was starting to wonder if I was missing something... Then again, she was more than likely to have nightmares about the gruesome zombie horde we barely managed to evade, the undead surprisingly light on their feet as they tried to get at our flesh.They'd almost succeeded once actually, and if Flo hadn't stabbed the one that had grabbed her in the head she would surely have been a goner.It was probably just stress from that or something... yeah, stress. Most definately. ''Nothing to worry about here, right? ''

No sooner had I thought that she'd suddenly sat bolt upright, as if something had surprised her, her body trembling as she breathed heavily. She didn't look all that well actually, her face red and scrunched up in a suddenly pained expression.

"Flo? Are... are you alright?" I asked hesitantly, reaching a hand out towards her cautiously, noticing that she looked like she was burning up. Touching my fingertips to her forehead I quickly recoiled with a hiss, her skin so cold it actually shocked me a bit. It was like she was literally freezing from the inside out, cold sweat beading on her skin as she retched, reaching a feeble hand out towards me.

"N-No." She managed to choke out, before she bent over once more, promptly vomiting on the leaf strewn floor, throaty coughing sounds and a trickle of blood dripping out from between her lips promptly following.

"What is it? What's wrong?!" I asked, starting to panic as she wiped her lips with the back of her hand, smearing the scarlet around her mouth as she winced in pain.

"It h-hurts Miyako... e-everything hurts." She whispered, ending up on all fours as her body shook violently, her loose blonde hair falling in a sheet across one side of her face as she whimpered in agony. More vomiting soon followed, the stench of sick in the air overpowering as I made my way over to her, rubbing her back soothingly as she retched and spluttered. However it only appeared to be getting worse by the second, her fingers digging into the ground as she yelped in pain.

"Please..." She murmured, turning her head so she could look at me, her bloodshot eyes wide and pained as she grimaced.

"What? What do you need?!" I practically shouted in her face, desperate to help her in some way. I could have a guess at what was happening, and yet I refused to let myself believe in such madness... she couldn't possibly be infected, she wasn't even bitten by a zombie! Or at least not to my knowledge...

"Make it stop." She spluttered, her eyes darting towards her nearby knife and then back to me, practically begging me to put her out of her misery.

"...No. No! I'm not doing that, you're going to be fine Flo, just fine..." I reassure, though even I don't believe in the words as I put on my best comforting smile, as if everything was actually going to be alright. I knew it wasn't, and by the disbelieving look on her face, she knew that too.

"I'm so... h-hot. Miyako, it's b-b-boiling." She stuttered, before screaming out in pain as her body shook violently, strange looking bumps rapidly starting to show on her visible skin.

"I know." I say, unsure of what else I can say or do as I continue to pat her on the back, though I was pretty sure this wasn't actually bringing her comfort in any way.

"Please, just do it... I-I know w-what's happening... I-I don't wanna become o-one of t-them." She pleaded again, her movements jerky and obviously excruciatingly painful as she pushed herself back up into a kneeling position.

"That's impossible, they were just mutts! You're not going to become one of them... I-I know you're not!" I say, though I fear i'm actually trying to convince myself at this point more than her.

"Please." She hissed out, her gaze fixated on the sharp blade as she tried to reach out for it, though I soon beat her to it, snatching it up before she could get it.

"No, no, you are not going to die on me! Think of your family, think of your home!" I start to beg myself, though who i'm pleading with i'm not sure anymore.The gamemakers? Holy entities? Though to be honest, the power they have over life and death might as well make them one and the same.

"It's for the best." She muttered, coughing up more blood that trickled out over her pale pink lips and down her porcelain skin.

"...You... you were the best ally I could ever ask for... you k-know that, r-right?" I ask very slowly, watching as she inclines her head ever so slightly, acknowledging my words. Getting to my feet I go to stand in front of her, extending the hand grasping the knife towards her slowly. Her agony filled eyes are encouraging me onwards, and yet my arm won't stop shaking, almost as violently as Flo herself as I try to convince myself to plunge it forwards.

But I can't. 

I can't just stare my ally... no, friend in the eye, and stab her. The rational side of my brain is telling me to end her suffering, but I just can't do it. It just didn't feel right...

Letting my arm fall back down to side, I watch her eyes fill with fear as I turn away, not being able to bare looking at her betrayed eyes any longer.

"I'm sorry." I whisper, scooping up the lime green backpack Flo had fought so hard for in the bloodbath.It was heavier than I remembered, the extra weight of the poison filled bottle weighing it down somewhat. The poison. I could leave her with the poison, give her an easy way out. But that bottle was precious, and the strategical side of my mind was telling me to hold onto it.I really should give it to her, but I know the strategic side of my mind has a good point. A point that I actually agreed with, however selfish it made me feel.

"I'm so, so sorry." I croak out, picking up my pace as I head away from her.I hear her try to cough out my name, her voice coarse and barely there at this point, and it takes all my willpower to not turn around and instead keep walking.

After another couple of moments I risk looking back just once, taking one last look at my ally.She was watching me go, her eyes pained and betrayed as she leant back against a tree trunk, her breathing heavy and her fair hair plastered to her skin with cold sweat. Sighing I force myself to turn away again, sticks and foliage crunching under my feet as I walk away from my only friend and ally.