The First Uprising
MockingjayElite, NavyBlueNorth, MeowMe and Tydon
Tributes
District 1 girl: Velvet Rivendell (17)(Sraavya)
District 1 boy: Satin (D.C. (Destroy and Conquer)) Galloway (17) (Alex)
District 2 girl: Lucretia (Crescent) Moonstone (16) (Sanjali)
District 2 boy: Septimus Williford (18) (Ibrahim)
District 3 girl: Savera Hayes (13) (Vaidehi)
District 3 boy: Tyler Yule (16) (Tyler)
District 4 girl: Althea Overwhill (14) (Anushka)
District 4 boy: William Portshore (18) (Will)
District 5 girl: Taliana Rollo (17) (Natalie)
District 5 boy: Atlas Honeyman (15) (Jack)
District 6 girl: Silisica (Silver) Cronin (15) (Tanishka)
District 6 boy: Maxon (15) (Aki)
District 7 girl: Briar Combe (15) (Molly)
District 7 boy: Jackson Cardew (16) (Griffin)
District 8 girl: Krystal North (17) (Anika)
District 8 boy: Gunnar Keene (16) (Akshat)
District 9 girl: Charm Lockhearst (16) (Open)
District 9 boy: Luksen Hasmen(15) (Luke)
District 10 girl: Andromeda Elestren (16) (Andie)
District 10 boy: Jack Pyrmont (16) (Open)
District 11 girl: Zenobia Battenberg (18) (Open)
District 11 boy: Landon Drendo (17) (Landon)
District 12 girl: Clarissa Snow (Known as Claire Kinnimonth) (15) N/A
District 12 boy: Nathaniel Undersee (15) (Nate)
Districts
1-Luxury Items 2-Masonry 3-Electronics 4-Fishing
5-Power 6-Transportation 7-Lumber/Paper 8-Textiles
9-Grain 10-Livestock 11-Agriculture 12-Mining 13-Nuclear Technology/Graphite

Prologue
We meet in the room where it overlooks the arriving guests. I glance out the reflective window and see all of the guests milling around in the spacious hall. As my father says, people who are anybody are here, but I don't know what he means by that. Even though I am only eight, I straighten my short purple dress in anticipation. The door opens and in comes my father President Snow, my mother First Lady Larissa Snow, and my older brother Coriolanus. "We're on live." Daddy whispers as the door in front of us is opened by 2 Avoxes. I nod and plaster a smile on my face, showing off my diamond encrusted braces as wave to our guests.
Daddy walks up to the podium and speaks. "Hello, faithful citizens of Panem! Let's welcome our lucky Hunger Games victor, Josh Forrest!" He announced, the false cheer in his voice tight. The crowd roars as Daddy nods at a handsome and muscular boy with short brown hair and grey eyes. A peacekeeper motions for Josh to walk to the podium. He does. Daddy picks up the silver victor crown and places it on Josh's head. More cheers, claps, and a few loud whistles. A few reporters began interrogating him on being the first ever winner for his district.
"Hey Clary!" I hear someone say. smile to myself knowing that it would probably be my best friend Tallulah Frost.
"Hey Tallulah!" I replied without taking my eyes off the party in front of me." Tallulah and I spend time together, talking and relaxing, and gossiping. Later I see Josh looking around in amazement, beautiful eyes wide. I take the chance and hop off my chair to go talk with him. "Hi." I smiled at him. He looked down at me.
"Hello." He replied without smiling.
"What's wrong?" I ask him in wonder. Josh shook his head.
"You wouldn't understand, dearling. You're much too young." I always got mad when people underestimated me because of my age. I gave him my cutest pouty face.
"Shouldn't you be happy? After all, you won the Hunger Games."
"Won?" Josh echoed, tone hollow. "That isn't winning. In the Games there are no winners, no losers. Just survivors." He slowly said. I frowned, taking in his words. Then I nodded.
" Yeah. That actually makes sense. The games must be horrible, killing people who have souls just like you." Josh looks very surprised that I understand.
"It's not just the Games. They make us work like slaves back home. You should stop at Twelve sometime. You'll see then." he quietly responds. Then, before I can say anything, Josh turns and walks away.
"Oh, so I will. I will," I think to myself, a puzzled frown creasing my smooth, then-innocent face.
part one-The Escape
Chapter One
Sunshine floods the inside of my eyelids, forcing me to crack them open. I yawn, but get out of my bed to open the huge glass window, feeling the fresh morning breeze against my pale skin. Going over to my ornately carved mirror, I look at my reflection. 5 years ago, I would have seen a party girl, a popular girl, a girl who was at peace with the world. That person is long gone. Now see a girl who avoids crowds; a girl who has wannabes flock her, but no friends; a girl who wants to do more besides go to parties. But there's still a girl who still can and will use her position. And today is a perfect day to use my power. The mayors and their children are coming for the Cinderella Ball. I quickly dress, with my servant Annabel's help. Makeup, hair, nails, facials... The hour is quickly done, and I walk into the lofty, well... loft. Sprawled across the sofa, reaching a level of gorgeousness I could never hope to acquire is the great, and amazing Amethyst Croix. That's what I say to her and she gives me a stare with those midnight blue eyes, when she realizes I'm being sarcastic. "You resemble a cat in many ways, you know?"
"Meow," She jumps on me like a cat and gets off, before I die. District ones are strong. Sasha - District two- comes through the doors, and sees the whole episode, and laughs like she's never laughed before. "Ha, wonder-ha-fu-ha-ul." Another fit of giggles, and she's laying on the floor nearly panting. When Reena- District four- comes we are having an amazing time. And then my brother comes in the room. I don't get what's so attractive about my brother, but Amy, Sasha, and Reena are looking at him with such... expressions, that I nearly laugh. But since it's my brother, I nearly barf. The ball is a blast. Us girls have so much fun until Amy sees someone dancing with Coriolanus. I recognize her as Raven Undersee, from district twelve. Amy goes over to Coriolanus and flirts, hoping to make him dance with her. The rest of us are like woah. It's like she's been practicing how to flip her hair and bat her eyelashes. She is so good. Coriolanus politely smiles, and walks away. And then he asks Raven to dance, again! Amy has like, steam coming out of her ears. "We are going to make her sorry for this." Amy says gritting her teeth. The rest of us nod. To tell the truth, I have no idea what she did. But if Amy thinks so... maybe Raven was doing something bad. I don't really know, but I want to stay on good terms with Amy. After the dance, Amy, Sasha, Reena, and I find Raven. Amy talks first, threatening Raven, if she catches her with Coriolanus she will strangle her. It's not too unlikely. Both Amy's parents won the Hunger Games. Sasha doesn't talk, she simply slaps Raven on the cheek. Suddenly, we all are on Raven. Her jaw is bruised, as well are other parts of her face. One eye is red, slowly turning purple. I mainly aim at her arm and don't make much damage, but that's me. Yet, while we do this, there is a nagging voice in my head. Telling me to stop this. Telling me that this is not right. That don't have to do this. But other voices drown it out. We don't stop until we hear a voice coming, and flee into my room. "She better not mess with us again" Reena says, sitting on one of my couches, a disdainful sneer curling her lip. I try to smile, but it doesn't come easily.
Chapter 2
After a bit of chatting with my friends, I hear a knock on my door. "Come in," I say, waving out the others and shutting the door behind them. It's Mum. But when she sits down on my bed I clap a hand over my mouth. Because I never expected to see this. Her usually plump, rosy cheeks are whiter than snow, no pun intended. Her once chocolatey brown eyes are sunken as if the life was sucked out of them. She breathes raspily, so weak that her hands can't even grip my fleece blanket well. I've seen the worst sight I could think of. The living ghost of my mother.
"Mum!" I gasp. "What's wrong? Are you okay?" All these questions are flooding out of my mouth.
"Clarissa, listen, what I'm about to tell you is something you need to know." She takes a deep breath and starts again. "Your father poisoned me, because I am pregnant. He doesn't want any more heirs." open my mouth to yell, but she cuts me off. This isn't like my sweet, mild-mannered mother. "You are going to go to District 12." If was I upset before, I'm even more upset now.
"Why?" I ask, my words flooded with pain and uncertainty. On the inside, I tacked on a word at the end. Why me?
"He will try to get rid of you too. Once you are gone, Coriolanus will be weak and easy to defeat. So he can keep on ruling." She turned away from me and looked out the window.
"What about you, Mum? Are you coming? What if I get reaped? How aIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIz m supposed to survive?"
"Darling, I can't come, but you can be strong." She reaches under her blanket and hands me a backpack. "This is what you need to survive. One of the things inside is a map of the arena for the next 4 years up to the quarter quell, which is four years. In case you get reaped it will be useful. Now, the arena design is always the same, but the contents are different. There is a secret door on one side of the cornucopia. It leads to the meadow in district twelve." Mum talks more about how Twelves think our accent sounds funny, so that I must speak in a low pitched voice.
The doors suddenly open. Some Peacekeepers walk in. "Your mother has committed treason. She is now sentenced to death." They grab her arms, and though she tries to resist, it's hopeless. I become aware of a piercing scream, so high I hear the mirror splinter.
" No, no you can't. You can't do this! Please!" Her voice grows more distant. "She's my mother, First Lady Larissa Snow. She didn't do anything. Please, please, please" and realize the voice is mine. Sobs run through me. I grab on to mom, and she tries to escape, but she can't. "Orders from the president." The man turns to one of his comrades. "He told to kill all witnesses. Does she count, Despartius ?" A cruel smile dawns on the man named Despartius, like a horrible, twisted sunrise. " Of course, of course."
Chapter Three
No! I can't believe that they are doing this to my mother. My mother! Who is First Lady of Panem. There must be some mistake. Father would never want his own wife to be killed. Hung is even worse. But these peacekeepers are trying to kill me. They're my bodyguards. I run to my father's office. He's not there. There is an Avox girl standing inside the open door frame. I look at her, recognizing her as the new, untrained one. "Where is my father?" I ask, sure she'll be easy to manipulate. She grabs a piece of scratch paper and a heavy silver pen from the desk behind her and scribbles:
Mr. President went to the jail cells
"Thank you." I nod at her. This is the perfect time to run away. I feel like such a coward, leaving my poor mother to die. I write her a note, and give it to the Avox girl. This is what my last words to my mother are:
Dear Mum, I'm leaving this place. Thank you for warning me, I'll forever be in your debt I'll make sure Coriolanus rules once he's of age. I'm going to make it to district twelve. The last thing you need to do is worry about me. love you to the ends of Panem.
-Clarissa
"Give this to my mother," I command, voice powerful, yet heavy with guilt and sadness. She frowns, and writes,
Why should I? All of the Capitol knows she was in a plot to kill Coriolanus. Mr. President sentenced her to death with a heavy heart, he said so in his speech
"What?" I yell, trying to read between the lines of her open, upright scrawl. But now everything makes sense. Mom was right. Dad will do anything to keep his title. I lean into the now trembling Avox girls face. "Give. This. To. Her." I growl. Then I give her a sugary smile and strut away. I have to admit, I can be sassy at times. As I stalk out, I can hear the pen scratching on the paper again, but I have no time to listen to what an Avox could say, and I'm not being sarcastic. Then once I'm around the corridor I start to sprint to my room. Once there, I strip off my dress. The last piece of clothing provided by the Capitol for me. I put on a pair of nylon black active pants, a black t-shirt, and some wool socks with (you guessed it) black sneakers. Then I shove some district twelve clothes in my backpack. I slide the backpack on, and am about to leave when I notice my necklace sitting on my ornately carved dresser. It's an opal. Mum gave it to me when was 8, and the memories are so strong, I have to keep it. It's the last piece I have of my mom. I grab it and run out, slipping the necklace under my shirt so no one can see it. It'll be quite dangerous to have in district twelve. If I make it to twelve.
I grab the map which is in my hoodie pocket. Right now everyone is at Mum's execution. They all know I'm not there because I can't stand watching that. I sneak into the gamemakers room, and decide to get into the arena for this year and sneak out the way Mum told me to. I plan to deactivate the arena and go inside through the tubes the tributes use. But the problem is, those are in the Training Center which is the building right next door. I peek outside and see that they are just about execute one of the last 3 people. I have to move quick. After I sneak into the training center, I See no one's there so I sprint to the tube alley. Then I rush into the first room. It's the room for the district one girl tribute. I step inside, then go up the tube. I gasp. This arena is sweltering! I sprint to where Mum told me. I don't find anything. I pant. Then I open my backpack and find the map. Suddenly out of nowhere I hear 3 cannons fire. Oh no! The Gamemakers are here.
Chapter Four
I have to move fast. "Lady Clarissa! Why are you in the arena?" Head Gamemaker Blight Macerian yelled through a microphone. I ignore the voice and keep running. There! I see the glittering cornucopia. The passageway to twelve. A tree just appears out of nowhere and is in front of me. "Clarissa Snow! You will be sentenced to death if you do not stop. After all this arena just goes in a circle." I can just see Blight grinning gleefully. I shake my head and dodge the coming trees before I reach the force field.
"Good luck Blight! You'll need it!" I call and step into the force field just as a bomb comes firing to me. I let out a harsh cackle. Those idiots! They destroyed the force field! It's always weak before the games. I didn't even have to use the door in the cornucopia. I stumble and fall right into some pretty flowers. Then I peek up. I see the tops of trees, high and lofty, sunlight sparking at their tops. A huge forest. Yes! Freedom. And away from all eyes. Great, now I can change in peace. I zip a gray blazer over my shirt, and slide my legs into slightly torn leggings and short tan boots. Then I grab the bottle of brown hair dye and am about to spray it over my hair. It's Capitol instant hair dye. Then I rethink. I mess up my hair, and put on hair shine remover. I don't want to change myself more than I have to. I also grab a contact lense case from my backpack. Opening the modest glittery lid, I see a pair of dishwater brown lenses and sigh in relief.
One of the secrets I don't want paparazzi to know, is that I use contacts, so I put them in normally as I always would've. If I wore glasses, Dad would most likely die of embarrassment. Oh, and he'd probably kill me too. Just in case, I make sure to use the brand new permanent model- the ones that stay in as long as you want them to without breaking. I look down making sure my opal necklace is well hidden. Plain and perfect as can be for district twelve. Then I dig around in my backpack looking for food. I find a cluster of small serving sized bags of dried oatmeal. Yuck, oatmeal. I'd eat anything else. But, it's not like I have much choice. I sigh and open the packet of oatmeal and pop some of its raisins in my mouth. Then, thinking otherwise I decide to save it for when need it. Always wait before you're going to die to eat the worst food in the world. I decide to rest for the night. Wow, it's already 2:09 am as it says on my watch. I must hide the watch. It looks Capitol like. Those are the last thoughts running through my brain. I fall asleep next to the tree.

"Clarissa darling! Let's go. We don't want to be late. Your father will get mad!" Mum calls. I nod.
"Coming Mum, I'm just getting my princess crown Inmade for Tallulah!" I call back to her. I grab the crown and rush downstairs. Mum and I are going shopping for Tallulah's birthday party. It's going to be aired live. Father doesn't want me to be late, or else I'll turn into the disgrace for our family. I slip on my iconic silver high heels. "Ok. Let's go." I say. Mum and I go shopping in Mall of Panem. We end up buying Tallulah a set of white classics. In Panem there are colored sets of books. White is the hardest. She sure is a bookworm, I think. Tallulah can read wherever and whenever. I admire her for that. This year Tallulah is hosting a princess party, which seems weird since she is turning 12 but whatevs. Mum and I reach just before they are about to go air. She look gorgeous, with a diamond strapless dress.
"You're here Clary! For a second thought I you weren't gonna come." Tallulah said, bouncing on my shoulder. What a foolish thought. "Hey, I thought you'd like to meet this new friend of mine. Her name's Tigris. Such a cute name. And her makeup is absolutely gorg. Trust me." I smile. Tallulah loves to read, but she still manages to be ridiculously talkative at the same time. "Come on!" Tallulah pulls me along. "Hi! I'm Tigris, your majesty." The girl, no, wait, she looks like a twenty year old, rolls her eyes. Tigris is tall with black hair and violet eyes? No, they're probably just contacts. I think. She's wearing a One Strap black gown. I raise an eyebrow,
"Majesty?" I question. Tallulah looks uncomfortable. Tigris scoffs,
"Pathetic." She turns and struts away.
"Who is she?" I ask once Tigris is out of sight.
"That's Tigris Flickerman. Madrids daughter." Tallulah says smiling at my bewildered look. "Come on like who cares about her lets just enjoy the party!" Tallulah quickly says and pulls me along to the fun. But everything changes after the present opening. Tallulah pulls me away to our secret hideaway. It's an old broom closet no one uses. Once we're out of hearing range, she looks at me and spits out the words, " I hate you". It takes me a while to process that comment. Meanwhile she keeps talking. "Your life is simple. You're going to be the first daughter all your life. Your family fortune is huge, so you'll never have to work. I, on the other hand, I'm not as lucky as you. When my mom's retired, my sister will have the family fortune. I -the social, popular one- will become a regular Capitol citizen. The only reason I'm ever going to be on TV is because I'm friends with you. And if I had a chance of becoming something cool, it disappeared when you gave me those stupid books. The worst part about those books is that I love them. How am going to get rid of them?" She doesn't even wait a heartbeat, and adds, "Maybe I shouldn't hang out with you anymore."
"Fine" I retort, walking away. What I didn't know then, was that I was walking away from my friendship with Tallulah. A drop of water hits me in the face, waking me up and I realize I better get moving. Then I groan. It's raining. Drip drop. Drip drop.
Chapter Four
"Hey, who are you." An unfriendly voice says. The sentence is phrased like a question, but there is no emotion behind it. Huh? I'm still in the woods. Though I have been in here for two days. "Stop right there. Otherwise I'll shoot. Answer me. Now." Sheesh, I think. Now, there's a guy with bad manners.
"My name is Clari... Claire." I say. That's the first name that pops into my head, probably because it sounds like mine.
"Nate, you see someone." Another voice.
"You stupid idiocy called Adam, you gave us away." Nate says. He turns to me and I can see his eyes glinting like pieces of scrap metal. "You, Claire. Don't you dare tell anyone you saw this. Go. Now." I run as fast as I possibly can. I don't want to be here any longer. Plus this Nate guy happens to have a gun, probably loaded. I wonder if the rest of district 12 is like this. I hope not. For the first time, I feel an overwhelming sense of hopelessness. What if I don't make it? I shudder at the thought. But more thoughts come to me. I have to make it. For Mum. For Coriolanus. I keep running. Then I trip and before I know it I'm on my face in front of a meadow full of white and pink flowers. I peek up and see that I've made it! Oh! I see people in the distance. They must be from twelve! I clutch the opal in my sweaty palm.
I've made it! I think to myself. Clarissa Snow has made it. Then reality crashes on me. Clarissa Snow is not alive. She died when she ran away. Now there is only Claire, District Twelve citizen. I think of my mom, and then stop because my eyes are dripping. I walk to the fence, then hesitate. What if it electrocutes me? I've heard that the fence at twelve can shock you and kill you since the current is so strong. I grab a stick near my foot at throw it at the fence, nothing happens. I decided to take my chances. Then I cautiously step under the fence and get across. Yes! I think. "Hi, I'm Claire. Claire..." I practice saying in a voice that doesn't sound like a Capitol one.
"Nice to know." A cool, clear accent says. I look to the direction of the sound and find myself looking at at a smiling face, a male to be precise. The boy looks at me, and says warmly, " I haven't seen you before. I'm Jason Winkis. Why're you here?" He takes my hand, and is about to shake it, when he stops. "You're sick. Makes sense why you're here. Come on. I know how to cure you. You'll be fine," he assures me, dragging me along to a shack that I assume is his house. I'm about to say that I'm not sick, but when catch a glimpse of my face in the coal-clouded window, I stop. My usually blond locks are nearly brown. Mud, leaves, sticks- yes sticks- and silt are accessories in a dull, crazy, twisted tornado of what used to be my hair. My face is dusty, with uncountable cuts. My eyes are sunken, a result of them being vulnerable to the sun, dust, insects, and lack of sleep. I can't recognize this girl, staring at me from the mirror. She can't be Clarissa Snow. Then for the second time today, I remind myself that Clarissa Snow is not here. Only simple, plain, district Twelve Claire. I take another look at Jason. He has olive skin, and black hair framing his electric blue eyes, which would normally be a strange combination, but on him, it looks natural. He pulls me in and yells "Mom, come on, we've got a patient! Where's the medicine?" Jason runs off roughly opening the wooden door. He turns and sees that I'm not coming. "Come on..Claire? Is that you're name?" Jason asks, looking deeply in my "greyish brown" eyes.
"Yes, that's my name." I smile at him.
Jason looks taken aback and grins, "Well, somebody's formal." He pokes my arm as I walk forward. I smile back politely. In the Capitol I've been taught to always be "perfect and poised." Ugh. I mentally shudder thinking back to the days I spent learning about which fork to use and how to hold a fan. I look around as we enter a room with board platted walls. There are wooden tables and cabinets filled with bottles and pans. The bottles had paper labels on them. I hoped didn't have to drink them. They looked filthy, with bits of other things in them. Okay, so right now, I want to be in the Capitol. At least the medicine there was top notch. But well, there were no Jasons there. What? What did I just think right there? Oh, yeah. My life's in the hands of this guy. I'm probably going to die if he doesn't help me, but I still wish the top doctors in the Capitol could attend to my needs. Then I scold myself, yet again. Claire, no. Now you're a district 12 girl. No Capitol doctors, maids, etc., are going to pamper you. Yay. That makes me feel a whole lot better.
"D-Do you know who Josh Forrest is?" I stammer hoarsely. Jason gives me a weird look.
"Josh Forrest? The victor who died?"
Part Two- Life in District 12
Chapter Five
Who knew that living in district Twelve is so much different than they tell us? Instead of coming out smiling and cheery, the miners emerge covered with soot, and frowns on their faces. These are the occasions when I think about my new life, about how lucky I've been. When I met him last year, Jason was only 16– 2 years older than me then– but he had the whole family's fate on his shoulders. He and I have become very close, and I love him like a brother. I live with him as a matter of fact, but for a price. Every Monday to Friday, I go to the Hob -a black market- and help Mrs. Sae with her cooking. With the money get from her, I pay as rent to live here. I like living here.
Mrs. Winkis is kind, almost like a second mom. The kids-Lusia, Ash and the twins Mia and Maribel- are nice, and we get along wonderfully. And Jason. I can't help feeling so... accepted when I see him. But Mr. Winkis, I'm not so sure. He seems as have stole something, something valuable beyond measure. Whenever I think about his snake-like stare, a shudder goes through me. It seems like everything is about eyes in district 12.
Example: the mayor's daughter, Raven. Her irises are tar black, not ashy Seam grey or dull blue like the merchants. But what makes them stranger is I can't read them. She keeps them perfectly closed to emotion, and doesn't show any feeling. Raven is a popular figure in district twelve, the icon of the ideal leader to them. I don't see what makes Raven so perfect, but there's an aura of authority around her. Even though she's rich, I've never seen her wear anything fancier than the dark slacks she always is in. I've even found myself wishing she could be mayor. But that's not going to happen anytime soon. Why? Her older brother Nathaniel.
Now, his eyes are just bizarre. They're the color of slate- true to the district- but rivers of black and silver flow through like melted metal. They look like modernist Capitol art, titanium and chrome and hard obsidian stone. I've learnt a lot about him since I've been here. He seems to be the exact opposite of his sister. Whenever I see him, he's wearing clothes that could be accepted in District One or even the Capitol. He always has a group of friends that never talk to anyone. He goes off sulking in the woods all the time, shooting useful game, though he'd never needed extra food (at least that's what I hear in the Hob, but you can never trust gossip). But the main difference is that it seems like everyone hates him.
"Claire, I'd like to show you something." A voice breaks out.
"Jason, what is it?" I ask him in response.
"Come on" is his reply. I follow him to the fence. He crawls through a tear in the meshing and motions for me to come near a rock outcropping. I try to mimic his movement, but somehow end up with my hair full of twigs. It doesn't help that Jason's snickering. I comb the sticks with my fingers out of my now shoulder length hair. It would be a lot harder to remove them if my hair grew to my waist like it was in the Capitol.
"Okay, got here. What now?" I say dryly, annoyed at him. "Now we hike." He smiles his cocky grin, and I stick my tongue out at him. Great. Can't wait to get rid of all my energy. But a few hours later, I have to admit that the view is worth it. The sinking sun is a brilliant ruby red, a color I haven't seen since left the Capitol. Cotton candy clouds streak against a blue-pink sky, the wind whispering hope into my formerly pierced ears. But that hope is as useless as a dress in district Twelve, as sugary it may be. It's almost impossible for me to think that all the people in this imperfect world, this unbalanced reality are seeing the same sun as here.
"Jason, can tell you something?" I wait for his reply, and he gives me a nod. "I-." I'm interrupted by the sound of trucks. Jason pulls me down. Peacekeepers, he mouths. I nod, terrified that they would recognize me. I shake the thought out of my head, even I couldn't recognize myself. Once the Peacekeepers were surely gone, he stood up along with me.
"What was that you wanted to say Clary?" He asks me coyly. Clary! I think, surprised.
"I just wanted to say that-that." I was fumbling, tripping over my words. "I've been out of this district before. There are some woods where I sometimes like to take a hike. You should come along one day." I stammer. "When do you go? Is there anything dangerous there? You know what, this is crazy. I'm reporting you to the Peacekeepers. Or, give me, hmm. Maybe that necklace you wear." His look of caring is gone, replaced with a sneer. "Where did you get the necklace, surely not twelve. In fact... you could only get that in the Capitol. Is that where you got it?" He grips and twists the collar of my shirt, so I can hardly breathe. "Don't deny it. I've seen you take it out. And I remember you. Seeing you before. Who could you be? Who could you be? Perhaps First Daughter Clarissa Snow. Why are you here, rich girl?'' My muscles tense, ready to flee.
"W-What makes you think that I'm Clarissa Snow? That brat is dead! You're so irrational!" I try to walk away but he grabs my hand and spins me around, stopping me dead in my tracks. His face is so close, I can't even flinch without banging my forehead on his.
"Tell... Me... The... Truth..." he hisses viciously, and after a heartbeat, the corners of his mouth quirk up even though his eyes are murderous. I try to pair the laughing, kind Jason this morning with this... this thing, but can't. I tear the pendant from the slim chain, but before Jason can react, I swipe the ragged edge at his face, leaving a dripping red slash on his cheek.
"That's what you deserve, you creature!" I scream at him, then turn, running for the fence. Love, I have think bitterly. The truest monster of all. Not jealousy, selfishness, or malice, but love. As much as I abhor him this second, questions rush to me. Why did he do it? Does he simply hate the Capitol, or does he hate me? Does he want money? If so, why? No more thoughts like that. Jason is not worth it. Even the mention of his name makes me feel like I'm sinking into an endless blue I have never seen. I don't know why. I should be able to hate him, but I can't.
The sky is clearer than the satin I've seen in... no, don't want to remember that either. I'm heading to the victor's village to see... whatsay you... Josh. I haven't seen him in two years, ever since my parents and I came to Twelve for reasons I hadn't understood. I can still recall his haunted parting words, the first time we met. You should stop at Twelve sometime. You'll see then. Oh, I have seen, friend. I have seen everything.

"Dad! We're going to district twelve! I'm so excited." My thirteen year old self shrieks. The rest of the family gives me looks as if why I'm excited to go to a district. Especially one of the poor ones. On the train all I can think about is seeing Josh again. He has probably seen me on TV like every week, but I haven't seen him since the victors party for him. "Clarissa darling, we're here." I hear the soft echo of a voice. I force my eyelids open and see Mum in her soft blue evening dress. I jump up, and she raises an eyebrow acting oh so surprised. Then I see citizens gathering in the square. "Let's go!" I pull my mom along. I honestly don't know why we are here. It's either something to do with the mines or something political. As I sit on my chair on stage, I scan the arriving citizens for Josh. Come on. Come on, I think. It reminds me of playing Where's Waldo which is a popular game in the Capitol.
Dad starts speaking and Josh still isn't here. I was growing anxious and my hands were sweating. I discreetly wiped my sticky palms onto my plain cobalt dress. Once the meeting was over, I snuck into the crowd. The citizens looked suspiciously at me but I ignored them. Then I ran to the victors village and met Josh. "Oh! My Josh!" I gleefully hug a surprised Josh when I see him gardening in his yard. "Wow. Clarissa, you're here," he says, grinning down at me. "Yup, but only for a little bit. I might have snuck away." I smile averting my eyes from him. He shook his head laughing. "Do you want to come in?" He motions towards his home. look around quickly and shake my head. "No. I can't, but tonight I'm pretty sure my family is having dinner with you and the mayors family." I say. He nods thoughtfully. "That's right. See you tonight then, dearling." he called as I skipped away towards some peacekeepers who begin to question where was. I just ignore them, being glad I found Josh.
Chapter Six
Before I go to see Josh, I need to get home and grab my stuff from the Winkis' house. When I get there, Mr. Winkis is just about to leave. He glares at me. I shudder and grab my denim backpack. "So you've learnt a lot about Jason. Well, now you know that you can never be together." He has an expression of sympathy, and downright pity. "Erila saw you, and I bet half of Twelve knows that you aren't from here. That necklace was a dead giveaway." I run toward the sign of the victors village.
"Josh! Josh!" I start banging on doors. People say that Josh is dead, but I never had the heart to believe them. But nevertheless, I was also too scared to check. "Come on! Come on!" I moan.
"Who are you?" I look up to see a familiar face.
"Josh, you won't believe what has happened to me. Oh yeah, remember me? I'm Clarissa. Clarissa Snow." I would have kept mumbling, if Josh hadn't pulled me in.
"Shhh! Clarissa not here. You know that there are cameras in the Victors village." He mutters. I slap my forehead.
"Duh! Are there any cameras in you're house?" I ask, looking around cautiously.
"No. No." Josh says calmly. "But how do know that you really are Clarissa Snow?" he asks warily, his expression contorting into...is that fear I see? I slowly peel off my grey contacts, and let Josh see my unmistakable topaz irises. Josh's hard eyes widen, and he engulfs me in his strong arms. "No way! It's you. Clarissa, you actually came." Josh probably didn't think I would have come. "But why are you dressed like this? Where are your peacekeeper bodyguards?"
"No, no Josh. Much has happened in the last month. Let's sit down and let me tell you." Josh nods.
"Also dearling, this isn't a Capitol test?" he asks. I quirk a half-smile at his familiar verbal tic of 'dearling'.
"I assure you Josh, the last thing belong to is the Capital." Josh has such aridiculously puzzled look on his face that I crack a small smile. "Also, just in case, call me Claire. Clarissa Snow is dead and gone. Anyways, let me start the story. It was just a normal day and my mother came in. She was poisoned by my father." I continue on the story, not even bothering to correct my grammar, and carefully study Josh's expressions. Once I'm done I'm literally crying.
"Oh, Clari- uh, Claire!" He corrects himself, wrapping me in another hug. I don't know what I'm feeling, but to me, Josh has become like a second father in the minutes I have known him. The next day, I dress and go to school. didn't know what to expect. The whole day, receive stares. Whenever I come close, they flit away, like I'm contagious. My best friends in twelve, Lizzie and Reanie, avoid me, and talk with Erila instead. Erila covers herself with friends as if afraid of me. I can't believe it had to be Erila. She was one of my best friends outside of Lizzie and Reanie. I expected lunch to be horrible. Me by myself at a table. When lunch came, I was sitting alone, when someone sat down next to me. It was Raven. Oh, this is going to be bad, I think to myself.
"Hello. You're Claire. Am right?" Her soft, clear-as-a-glass voice echoed in my head. I nod sharply, and her lips curve up in a genuine smile.
My life with Josh over the next few weeks has a pattern. Though he had everlasting bliss from winning the games, he still didn't find himself above the rest of district 12. He sometimes went out in the mines. And Raven sat with me at lunch, even though she knew that she wouldn't be liked any more. But something about her kept her popular. Meanwhile everyone in twelve thought I was just a spy. "Eighteen days till reaping." Josh called as he and I settled down to watch the TV. I see my father and brother on screen. "This is the first ever quarter quell! Let's see what it shall be." Dad said. He nodded to Coriolanus. "It shall be that each district chooses one girl, and one boy to compete in the games." Coriolanus said, as if he had repeated it for a month. Then again, knowing my brother, that's what he probably did. Then he looks right at the camera, and seeing his innocently cruel eyes is all it needs to sink in. The district chooses its tributes. Hey, now we have a choice of who dies! Why not the Capitol spy, who actually isn't a spy, but we don't know. Guilty until proven innocent, right? I bet you anything that's what they're thinking. Well, fun old arena for me. I wonder who Jason's going to vote for. Probably me. We have to see what Mayor Undersee says, because he has to announce the tributes. I'm hoping the odds are going to be in my favor. But I doubt it. I wonder which boy is going to be chosen. That'll probably be a close vote. Later that night I toss and turn in my bed, dreading the next day.

"Miss. You have to get ready for the party with the mayors families," my maid Annabelle calls. I'm still pretty surprised that dad didn't find me an Avox maid.
"Okay Belle. Am I wearing my orange gown today?" I asked. Belle nodded. She grabs me my sleeveless orange gown. I leave my hair down and wear my "world" famous diva sandals. As I head downstairs count and see around nine of the twelve families have arrived. We sit in the dining hall, all chatting. I'm sitting next to my friend Sasha Malibu from district one, and Amethyst Croix from district two. Across from me is another one of my friends, Reena Christi of district four. The funny thing is that every mayor has a daughter and a son. So there are thirteen daughters, and thirteen sons including me and Coriolanus. Then struts in my worst enemy, Raven Undersee from district twelve. I frown, along with my friends.
Chapter Seven
"Clarissa! Clarissa!" Somebody is shaking me. "Come on dearling, you need to get up. We have to get to reaping!" Josh shoots me an anxious look, throwing me a grey dress and my boots. I quickly become aware of the time and get dressed. I grab the map of arena from my bag and tuck it under my shirt. Once I get to the square, which is right outside the Victor's Village, the solemn crowd of eyes turn to me, watching, waiting. Out of the blue, I remember when Jason's cat was about to give birth. Once the baby came out, it looked so weak, skinny, wet, and mewling pitifully. A few hours later, it died. Under their dull gaze, I feel like that poor kitten, that I have no chance in this cruelty. I join the steady file of people going to sign in. Glancing around apprehensively, I see children hanging onto their parents as if their lives depend on it. Then I bitterly remember my mother, who is never going to see me like this. Or ever. Crammed into the crowded square, I exchange terse nods with the few kids my age who acknowledged me, the straggly kitten. Then the clock chimes twice, and the mayor stands up on the podium. He rattles off the Treaty of Treason, and then finally gets to the point. After a good quarter of an hour of looking for our escort, he decides to take her place.
"The girl tribute is..." Everyone holds their breath. They know that the tribute probably won't just die, they'll be humiliated. They'll be the ones who are the hated. The ones who district twelve doesn't care about. "Claire Kinnimonth." Kinnimonth? The name sounds unfamiliar, but nobody walks up. Then realize that it's me. I hear sighs of relief. I walk towards the stage slowly. I knew it would be me, it's obvious. I stand up on the podium, and the people look on at me, their expressions unreadable. I stare back, channelling my inner hatred into one lethal gaze. It's their fault I'm going to die anyways. But on the inside, I know it's not their fault. It's mine. I chose to come here. And even though I'm going to die, I long to get to the Capitol.
"Now for the men." Evangeline Kaiser, our escort comes on stage with an envelope in her hand as if she's never been gone. She reads, "Nathaniel Undersee." My mouth drops open. No way, the mayor's son! I peek over to the mayor, his face is burning the same shade as mine. Next to him Raven is shocked, her mouth open like a fish. It's the first time she's ever shown emotion. Nathaniel beams at his family as he gets on stage. I can't tell what he's hiding behind that careless façade. As if he reads my mind, he gives me a saucy wink and whispers, You can call me Nate.
"Happy Hunger Games and may the odds be ever in your favor!" Evangeline yelled in the microphone. Right before she escorted us away, turned to see the crowd of twelve, and caught Jason's eye. His eyes are as if... As if he's paralyzed. also caught Josh's gaze. He mouths I'll see you on the train. At least I would be with him. My mentor.
Both Nate and I are grabbed by the wrist by Evangeline and pulled towards the train station. We're taken straight on the train after the meetings. No extended goodbyes, no waves, no famous last words. I look around at the plush velvet seats, the gold interior, the train I once spent so long on. Nate has probably been on it once or twice too. The mayor chases us do the train with peacekeepers on his trail. The mayors face is as red as a tomato. The peacekeepers catch up and restrain the mayor with handcuffs.
"That's my son! You can't do this! He won't survive!" Matthew Undersee yelled at the peacekeepers, who ignored him. Nate grinned at his father from the train window. I chuckled a bit myself.
"Let's get started." I hear Josh's voice behind me. Nate and I take our attention off his father and turn around to face a tired Josh and a peppy Evangeline.
"No way." Nate muttered. "You're alive."
Josh shook his head, "Why does everyone think I'm dead?" He looks pretty confused.
"So. For the games. Is anything going to be different? Than the normal arena?" I ask, changing the topic.
"Very. This arena is going to be very specialized. As far as we know, it could be as freezing cold or hot as heck. But no matter what you need to be prepared." Josh looks at both of us thoughtfully.
Evangeline yawns. "You guys talk about this. Call me when we talk about the process of the interview, and the new thing they started in honor of the first quarter quell. It's that you'll have a training score." She waves her hand dismissively, "I'll talk about it later." She struts away in her super high green heels.
sigh. miss those clothes. But only a little.
"I'll teach you guys something that no other mentor knows. "The first thing to do during the bloodbath is that grab the first weapon you see. No Matter if you're terrible with it, or if you get lucky you'll be good with it. That reminds me, during training you need to try multiple weapons. Also try to grab a pack. It will have necessary things other than weapons in it, like food." Josh drilled us to many tricks that would be helpful.
"You done?" Evangeline had walked back in and she looked tired.
"Yup." Josh bit into a raspberry lemonade scone. My favorite. He saw me looking and motioned to me, want one? shook my head resisting.
"You children need sponsors. Sponsors are very important if you want to survive. Now know not all victors had sponsors but to make the game-makers like you, you need to have sponsors. For example on the chariot parade. You both should hold hands high and wave and smile at the audience." Evangeline studies our faces. "Ok." Nate shrugs looking bored. I'm a bit more hesitant though. Nate is obviously ready to kill me, and don't really want to pretend otherwise. I'm a bit cautious of my scar on my right forearm. If wave it will show, Coriolanus and dad know about. It's a total giveaway. My stylist would probably have to hide that.
was eight when got the scar. It was from a peacekeeper. He's long gone now. They hung him. was running in the hallway from a group of peacekeepers. They were really mad at me guess. It was because pulled a prank on them. Finally one of the, yelled halt, but kept going he grabbed his ceremonial parazonium and hit my arm, running it down the side. "Aagh!" moaned stopping to clutch my arm. They caught up. Officer Rivera looked at me tears forming at the tip of my eyes. let them flow. Rivera tries to touch me and comfort me. jump back into wall behind me. "Don't. Touch. Me." mutter, gritting my teeth. Then go to my dad's dad's office and tell him about what happened. He immediately schedules for the hanging.
Part Three-The Capitol
Chapter Eight
"Ahhh" relax in the luxury bath.
"Now for the stylist" squeaks Dominique, prancing by her heel. "Wonderfuuuul." Another of my prep team members Chen squeals. Jacy doesn't say anything, as she is too busy experimenting with my makeup. When Jacy stands up, I get out of the bathtub, and quickly throw my robe on. Dominique takes my arm and walks me to the door and I nearly gasp. My stylist is Tigris. Her eyes watch me, suspicious. And then she decides I'm a twelvie, and pointless to bother about. Just like I used to do with Raven. I decide to stop focusing on her and focus on my dress for the parade. She's holding a sleeveless dress, that is ash black, with hundreds of teardrop shaped diamonds.
"Do I get to wear that?' I ask.
Our chariot is pulled with black horses, as the tradition. Deep breath in, deep breath out. Then I see Nate. My deep breath philosophy doesn't count for moments like these. I nearly fall down laughing. He's wearing a long sleeved top and, like, twenty jackets over it, with twenty zippers each. All the top brands. Underneath he's wearing miner pants. He scowls at me in the typical Nate custom, but he runs his fingers through his dark hair, looking more sincere than I've ever seen him. The chariot starts moving, and I regain self control. smile, and wave, and yell to the citizens, smile, and wave, and yell to the citizens, smile, and wave, and yell to the citizens till my arm is sore, my cheeks hurt, and my throat is hoarse. But by that time, the parade's done. retreat into my new living quarters. do everything can. really miss the Capitol lifestyle.
I'm standing in the elevator going to get ready for my first day of training when from district seven.. Briar Combe think comes in and sort of looks me up and down. think she likes what she sees and smiles. Then she extends her hand and says "Hello. I'm Briar, and you are.. Claire. Am right?" She doesn't wait for me to reply. "Well Claire, would you like to train with Silver and I?" take a minute to consider this. was planning to make friends with the girl from district three Savera.
"could, but can Savera the three girl come with us?" asked her.
"Yeah, sure whatever. We should make a big pack, against the careers. Ask your district partner too." She shakes my hand vigorously.
"do not think Nathaniel is going be training with us very soon." A slender blondie says with a really cute lisp.
"Oh, Claire, this is Silisica. Silver for short." Briar introduces me to Silver. Makes sense, think. Silver's long blond hair is nearly silver. And Silisica is hard to say.
"Come on.'' Silver turns to us, and runs to the wrestling area. On it are Nate, and a guy with triceps the size of a large ham. Racking my memory, try to find a name. William Portshore. District Four, definitely a Career. Deadly looking. Nate looks like a housecat standing next to a lion, even though they both stand at the same height, and Nate's ridiculously cocky grin compared to William's expression of ice. They shake hands grimly, and both take a defensive stance.
William starts first, attempting to tackle Nate's upper body. Surprisingly, Nate jumps slightly away, hovering by the edge of the ring. He waits for a heartbeat, then leaps forward, trying to get William in a headlock. They grapple for a minute, and then William hooks his arm around Nate's torso and flips him. Again, Nate lands on his feet like an acrobat, steely eyes now filled with a maniacal fire can see even from a distance. The two circle each other suspiciously. William goes in for the kill, gripping Nate's shoulders and shoving him down unceremoniously, coupled with a tremendous thud that shakes the floor. A low blow, but can tell William is desperate. hear Briar and Silver gasp in the background, but all my attention is on the pair of fighters. Nate gets back up, bracing himself with his arms, and can tell he isn't amused anymore. William's coiled tighter than a spring, and even a rookie like me can see a huge mistake on his part. His knees are locked, and if Nate were to kick him, he would fall flat. try to catch Nate's gaze when William is turned around, facing towards the other side of the arena. He raises an eyebrow subtly, and try my best to look him in the center of his eyes, but feel like I'm drowning in furious dark. tap my thigh with my fingers and mouth, go for the legs. He nods sharply before focusing his attention on his opponent. His heavy steps become quicker, faster. Soon, he's running across the ring and lashing out his leg into a flying kick. His foot drives into William's kneecap, and a harsh crack echoes across the high ceiling. William surprisingly stays put, but almost doubles over in pain, and Nate vaults over his body, landing on his lower spine. William arches like a wildcat, a furious, bloodthirsty animal. Then the fight becomes even more physical, if that's possible. Jumping, ducking, and punching, both boys' fists are a blur. Each kick lands where it will definitely hurt. It's not a battle of experience, but of pain and endurance. Suddenly, Nate nails a solid heel in William's gut, and he goes down without a sound. Nate waits for a few seconds, and then steps on William's chest, holding him down as he heaves a breath, and then another.
I turn my head away from the ring before can see any violent aftershocks and look around for Savera. see her floating around, unsure of what to do. "I'll be right back." say to Silver and Briar who are busy watching Nate and William's standoffish exchange. "Hi! Savera. Would you like to train with Briar, Silver, and me?" ask the back of a petite girl with bobbed mahogany hair. She turns and see her wide rimmed black glasses.
"Sure." Her tiny voice says. We run back to the wrestling ring but nobody is there.
"Over here Claire!" turn towards the voice and see Gryffon Cardew, Briar's district partner. "So this is our final ally pack. Savera, Tyler, Silver, Alex, me, Gryffon, you and Nate." Briar says taking lead. turn to see our pack. Nate is relatively clean, but his eyebrow is cut and his arms have a lot of scrapes.
"How was the match Nate?" slowly ask.
"won. Will hates me." Nate said somberly. There has been a change in his mood pattern ever since we got to the Capitol.
"Come on, you know what Josh said. We need to train." say to our group. Silver nods.
"Let's split girls and boys. Boys go to spears, girls to knives." She says. We go to the knives and each take a target. end up next to Velvet Rivendell from the career pack. She frowns at me like I'm a trend and she's so over it. She throws a knife delicately, hitting the target on the mark. She looks at me and grins, motioning to see if can do any better. grab a knife at chuck it at the target. It clangs against the steel edge and drops to the floor. Velvet lets out a snicker, cleary amused at my horrible throwing. feel my cheeks turn red, but ignore her. turn to the three and see their progress. Briar is ok at it hitting one of the three in the target, Savera is as bad as am, and Silver is flawless at it. Like Velvet she flips the knife perfectly in the center of the pen-dot bullseye.
"Silver! Come join us!" hear a sugary voice behind us and see the careers. Velvet with her hair in a tight red bun, Satin with his amazing honey blonde hair, Lucretia with an auburn ponytail with a streak of teal hair, and Septimus with the same blonde hair as Satin. Then there is a bruised and limping Will. The last is Althea Overwhill, her black, pin-straight locks standing out between all the careers. Behind them stands Landon Drendo, the boy from district eleven. Probably trying to impress them, but with no such luck. "No. I'm fine here, maybe some other time Lucretia." Silver gives them her winning smile and continues throwing. admire Silver for saying no. They are quite irresistible. The whole day we train continuously. We end up altogether trying the knives, spears, camouflage, axe, bow and arrow, and natural safety. did pretty well with the axe from the help of Briar, I'm also good with camouflage and ok with spears. For my training test, I'm going to do the axe. Savera fails all her targets the sixteenth time and goes. '
'am so bad at this. Maybe I'll kill myself in the hunger games. Oh and by the way, I'll be aiming for you Tyler."
"What?" A boy around my age with messy brown hair asks, probably Tyler. "I'm so bad that if aim at you, I'll have the greatest chance of hitting Velvet." I burst out laughing at Savera's comment as Tyler fondly ruffles her hair. She seems to be an easygoing, popular girl, despite her young age. I wonder how she got chosen. I ask her, while we go upstairs. "We put all the names in a computer, and it chose two. Tyler and me," she says, and then sinks deep in thought. Probably thinking about home. Something that I'll never be able to return to. Later after dinner I sneak down to the training center, and I check out the odds board. Here is is.
Odds
District One: Velvet Rivendell 1-4
District One: Satin Galloway 1-3
District Two: Lucretia Moonstone 1-5
District Two: Septimus Williford 1-4
District Three: Savera Hayes 1-5
District Three: Tyler Yule 1-10
District Four: Althea Overwhill 1-6
District Four: William Portshore 1-4
District Five: Taliana Rollo 1-12
District Five: Atlas Honeyman 1-30
District Six: Silisica (Silver) Cronin 1-7
District Six: Maxon Spectral 1-30
District Seven: Briar Combe 1-7
District Seven: Gryffon Cardew 1-9
District Eight: Krystal Northe 1-35
District Eight: Gunnar Keene 1-40
District Nine: Charm Lockhearst 1-18
District Nine: Luksen Hasmen 1-25
District Ten: Andromeda Elestren 1-15
District Ten: Jack Pyrmont 1-50
District Eleven: Zenobia Battenberg 1-60
District Eleven: Landon Drendo 1-12
District Twelve:Claire Kinninmonth 1-65
District Twelve: Nathaniel Undersee 1-8
Wow so they think that Satin is going to win. Pathetic.

My head swims as I focus on the 1-65 beside my name. Then I'm jolted by a passing Peacekeeper and snap out of my trance, my heels clicking on the white marble floor.

Chapter Nine
"Claire, sweetie! You have to get for the training test!" Dominique's sweet and soft voice is the first thing hear this morning. I sigh reluctantly.
"What do have to wear?" I ask. Tigris somehow comes in that exact second, holding up... ugh. "Seriously can't be wearing that." I protest. But Tigris forces me into the ugly thing. Then realize everyone-even the boys will be wearing the same uniform, so it's not so bad. won't be the black sheep. The training test, the training test. thought. "Tigris, Tigris! Wait a moment." I cry out, grabbing her arm. She turns around questioningly. "Could you please hide my scar? I hate when it shows." I plead, hoping she'll fall for my lie.
"Ummmm....Ok, but it's just a scar." She mutters, quickly getting this heavy foundation and spreading it over my right arm, like it was butter. The truth why the scar needed to be hidden was that Coriolanus might be there with the gamemakers and sponsors. I needed to get the best score I possibly could get. I head to the training center with Nate and Evangeline. We sit on the last stools for district twelve. It goes girl, boy, girl, boy, etc.
"What are you going to do?" I quietly ask Nate.
"Probably the spears, I'm decent at them." I'm surprised. I definitely thought that he would show off his strength and wrestling skills, but when I ask, he explains that Septimus, the boy from two is also doing the same thing. "I'm doing the axe." I say to him. He doesn't look surprised. I'm actually getting quite accurate with it.
It seems like forever when the intercom calls "Claire Kinninmonth." I get up and slowly go to the door, and nod at Nate.
"Good luck!" he whispers furtively, like he's afraid of being caught acting nice to me.
"Same to you." I say and open the door. The gamemakers stare at me, their eyes saying I'm not good at this. I'm just average. When I hit my first dummy -not really, the axe hits the arm, and only nicks the elbow- I realize I could never do this to a real person. Who am I fooling. I could never win. The same dismal thought repeats over and over again. I realize that the food, clothes, luxury, it is all a ploy. A ploy to make us forget why we're here. To die. No other reason. And then, for the first time in my life, I realize something. I want to live. I don't want to be a pawn in their game. I don't want to accept everything that I've been told to accept. I want to be myself. All my life, I've been afraid. Afraid of people, of pain, of rules. But what would happen if I wasn't afraid? I want to find out. I move my head, eyes swimming with tears. And until they excuse me from the room, I stare at them just like District Twelve did to me.
Chapter Ten
I cuddle up into the couch with a silk pillow, awaiting the scores. After what seems forever, the stupid Capitol anthem shuts up -am really grumpy today- everybody else seems really excited. read the scores off the TV screen.

District One: Velvet Rivendell 9
District One: Satin Galloway 10
District Two: Lucretia Moonstone 9
District Two: Septimus Williford 8
District Three: Savera Hayes 10

Wow, Savera got a really good score! wonder what she did.

District Three: Tyler Yule 8
District Four: Althea Overwhill 10
District Four: William Portshore 9
District Five: Taliana Rollo 6
District Five: Atlas Honeyman 4
District Six: Silisica (Silver) Cronin 9

No doubt about that, she was so good with knives, thought lazily.

District 6: Maxon Spectral (7)
District 7: Briar Combe (8)
District 7: Gryffon Cardew (9)
District 8: Krystal North (5)
District 8: Gunnar Keene (7)
District 9: Charm Lockhearst (8)
District 9: Luksen Hasmen (6)
District 10: Andromeda Elestren (10)
District 10: Jack Pyrmont (7)
District 11: Zenobia Battenberg (8)
District 11: Landon Drendo (8)
District 12: Claire Kinnimonth (4)
District 12: Nathaniel Undersee (9)
"Whoa, Claire how'd you get a four? you were so accurate with the axes. You did do the axes right?" Nate looks surprised. nod.
"Just don't want to talk about it." I mutter heading out of the room.
The next morning we just relax. Some people go down to the training center to practice, but don't really feel like it. I'm the only one in the penthouse. Evangeline is out shopping, Nate is at the training center. Nobody knows where Josh is though. hear a knock on the door.
"Claire?" The door opens and the knocker steps in. It's Silver with an annoyed look, Briar who's muttering stuff to Silver and the other person there is Savera. "Come down with us Claire." Savera calls. Shake my head. must look bad, the three girls come sit next to me. "Please." Silvers soothing voice like silk says. "If she doesn't want to, what-ev-er." Briar flips her hair and snorts. Savera just looks upset, and there are red circles under eyes.
"Briar, it's not her fault. Stop it." Silver mutters to Briar.
"What's going on?" I ask. Silver and Briar begin, but I shush them. "Let Savera tell me." She's the only one not talking.
"Pu-lease you guys we're just wasting training time." Briar looks really annoyed. Silver shushes her and, Savera starts talking. Or something close to that.
"So-uh-, last night, I asked Silver, and Briar to come over, so you know. Watch the scores." She gives a shaky smile, but it only fills her eyes with water. "Anyways, after the scores, Briar was acting... weird." "Weird, huh, yeah. I'd call it mean." Silver interjects. Briar storms away. But think, heard a sob, From Briar? It doesn't seem likely. But, if I've learned anything, it's to trust my instincts.
Chapter Eleven
For the interviews with Flickerman wear a gorgeous, sleeveless dress. It is cobalt blue, it looks like the night sky. Silk seeps down, covering my feet. My hair is thrown up in an intricate style, with curls on my bare shoulders. I look amazing. Yet, when look in the mirror, look away. look so much like mom. Tigris comes in. When she looks at me, she says something to Dominique. Dominique doesn't look happy, but she doesn't say anything either. Tigris looks a little sad. Why? wonder. "This is a dress I've designed since was nine years old. was waiting for a tribute I'd have faith or hope in." She says quietly.
"Oh-I-I-don't know what to say. Thank you."I hug her. I'm all ready and sit to watch the other interviews. I'm second to last, so don't need to worry.
Velvet's first. She struts in wearing a short green strapless dress. With her striking red hair in curls she looked like a holiday fairy. She was all like, Oh Myrna this, and Oh Myrna that. just wanted to slap her. Literally. Lucretia wasn't any different. She was wearing a floor length ensemble that was froufy, half sleeved and bloody red. Lucretia though is a little more composed. could just tell the sponsors loved her. All the careers from one and two were likeable, somebody you could be friends with but then they'd turn on you and possibly kill you with a single twitch.
Then there was another type of person. Savera. She out there with Myrna cracking jokes, and everyone was cheering. Definitely a favorite from everybody. Despite her young age, the fact her training score was so high, the odds were definitely in her favor. Tribute after tribute go on stage trying to impress Myrna and the audience, playing up their angles and hamming up their accents, as different as they all could be. Tyler is as joking and smiling as Savera. Must be a district 3 thing. Althea is surprisingly formal, her hands never leaving the lap of her green full-sleeved dress. Will is a charmer, his rustic accent adding to his appeal. Briar and Gryffon are all swoony and perfect, flipping their hair and everything. Silver was being sweet and acting like herself. Someone normal at least. Landon was acting all tough, or at least trying to. He sure made people laugh. Then before knew it, it was my turn.
I try to glide elegantly, and halfway, realize that I'm not getting anywhere and walk normally up on stage. elegantly cross my feet and smile shyly at Myrna. "So Claire, how are you adjusting to the Capitol?" She asks politely. "The place is great, but, like some clothes are horrible." I turn trash talk mode on. I tell them various outfits, that are horrible, and let the audience groan. Okay, never saw anyone wearing that last one. But actually trash talking is fun. "Thank you, Claire. District Twelve Fashionista and Fashion Police. Now about your training score, sponsors say you're amazing with axes or you were during training but you didn't do anything during the test." Myrna reads off a note card. nearly gulp. "Oh, didn't want to reveal my talents, not even for the gamemakers." Iie. "All, righty, you done. Ta-Ta!" She says. walk past my friends. Briar looks like she had circles under her eyes. run to the elevator pushing a surprised Septimus. He glares at me and runs away.
As soon as get in my room bury my face in the pillows. Ugh. I've made such a mess of things. mean they liked me, but there's no way they'll remember me compared with Miss Holiday Fairy, aka Velvet. "It's okay. mean, you're good, even without sponsors." Savera's voice breaks out, and open my mouth to ask her how she read my mind. She just pulls me up and drags me out to the lounge, where she knows won't cry. For a moment we just sit together. Then the careers storm in.
"There she is." Althea's voice is emotionless, her ocean colored irises sparkling despite her tone. They corner us, their eyes hungry.
"When it's time, we're gonna kill you, you know. And it's not gonna be nice. How did you get that score anyway, I'd guess you made a bomb. Oh, well make us one, and we'll make your death less painful. But of course you're gonna die. And why not stretch it as long as possible." Satin's voice is still beautiful even
when he's threatening Savera. hate him more than ever. Velvet drapes her arm around Satin flirtatiously, and gives him a smile. Savera is shivering, obviously terrified.
Out of the corner of my eye, can see Althea and Lucretia half heartedly playing along, but still frozen in place. As much as I would love to hate them, I feel a rush of pity. I was in the same place was when I was Clarissa Snow, too scared to speak up. Makes me wonder if they have hearts after all. But it all fades when Septimus reaches out to strike her. My voice, as to be expected, starts going before my mind can.
"Leave her alone."
"Oh, and what are you going to do, fashion police. You got a four right?" William snarls. He and the careers strut out of the room, leaving a shaken Savera, and a... changed me.
Chapter Twelve
What's heavier, a pound of feathers or a pound of rocks? is the first thought that comes into my head, the day of the games. It was a saying that Tallulah had made up. It had become quite popular among capital children. Tallulah is a kind of person who is good at making up fads. wonder what's popular right now. miss Tallulah, and wished could talk to her. But it would be too dangerous. Panem, is too dangerous. You're always scared. Today is the day of the games.
The day goes by in a blur. First we get needles surged into our arms. Ouch! winced. hardly touch my heaping breakfast, and then go to this room. They've remodeled the training center, and the tubes. So, I'm going to the arena in the same tube, went to twelve in. feel the pitch black suit heating me up. The arena must be cold. But maybe, that's because of the fact pressed the red button on it. Tigris smiles at me, but a sad one.
"All, right, you can win this Claire. And before you go, don't forget your necklace. It'll be your token." She hands me mom's necklace. I slip the chain over my head,feeling the familiar weight of the reattached opal. Tigris dresses me up in my arena outfit. Everybody had the same outfit. "Huh. I can't seem to figure out what kind of arena this is going to be. Ever since I was young, I was able to guess by the outfit, and I had always been correct." Tigris looks disappointed that she can't tell me.
"No, no. It's fine. I'll find out as soon enough anyways." give her a bitter smile. It's so surprising to see how much we've done. My hair was put up in a super high ponytail with a braid down the back. I had never thought to try the hairstyle, but it looks good. I take a deep breath, but it comes out shaky. I walk to the tube, then slowly step in. Oh, I'm nervous. This is the first quarter quell, and you never know what the Gamemakers have in store. I decided against using the map that Mum gave me. The gamemakers probably redesigned the old arena to something even scarier than before. Though I don't think it can get any scarier. Besides, I memorized the route to the door anyway.
"One minute till entrance!" crackled the intercom. I started breathing heavily inside the tube, hyperventilating at the worst possible time. "Thirty Seconds!" The speaker blares.
"Tigris, just want to tell you. Thank you for everything you've done for me, and remember who the real enemy is." I quietly and quickly tell her. She looks confused, and as I go up, I take my last glimpse at Tigris. Everything rushes by in a blur of black and chrome. Then I come out into the blinding light, my feelings less than bright.
Part Four- the games
Chapter 13
We are on what seems to be a plate of solid gold. My closest neighbors, Savera and Silver, look awed by the sight of so much glitter, but I squint my eyes against the glare of the sun striking against the hot metal, and turn my eyes up to the cerulean sky billowing with white clouds. I glance around quickly and see Velvet looking around too, an almost greedy glint in her expression, and also spy Althea next to her. She looks enraged, as fierce as a tiger. Not joking. What I see behind them takes my breath away.
The arena is cut into quarters like the pies they served in the Capitol. The first slice is a green, thick forest, the trees so close together you can't see the gaps. Firs cover the line of sight, cutting off abruptly at the next piece, an endless white plain flowing through, not giving any means of hiding, from the freezing wind or our fellow tributes. The next side is dry, and so hot, can feel the heat waves rolling off the barren expanse, only tall spiky plants and high cliffs adding variety to the orange sand. The last serving brings color. A lush- and by the looks of it humid- jungle, peppered with bright flowers hanging off the wide leaves of the towering trees, dripping with rain. All together, they make for quite the formidable death pie. Surprisingly, there are no animals in view, but I'm sure they're hiding in there somewhere.
3... 2... 1... Let the twenty fifth annual Hunger Games begin! The voice booms out of nowhere. lunge off the platform and onto the gold disc. jump about a foot in the air, almost screaming in pain, because the gold is hot as a oven. Gathering my wits, sprint across the flaming metal towards the center, grabbing whatever can get ahold of. see Silver, Briar, Gryffon, Maxon, Tyler and... don't see Savera. Oh no. Is she gone? run into the back into bloodbath, where see many grotesque displays of maiming, that really don't want to think about. Ugh. William just grabbed Atlas, and twisted his neck like he was a chicken. I try to scan for Savera when hear a voice.
"Claire! Claire!" Briar calls. "Come here, or I will kill you." I turn to see a worried Briar, and the rest of our allies on the border between the pine forest and desert slice. In the distance see a dark figure approaching from the tree line. Holiday Fairy, I realize. Velvet has a whole arsenal of knives stocked inside her jacket, and her face is slapped with a haughty sneer.
"Guys! Careers!" I quickly whisper. Nate grabs an axe in each hand and throws them blade-over-handle at Velvet. hear him swear loudly when Velvet catches them easily, as if she's done this her whole life. Of course, she probably has. nearly laugh at my stupidity. Why am thinking of this stuff when I'm about to die. don't get myself sometimes. Velvet comes closer, and whips out a throwing knife at me. I can't react quick enough. The tapered end carves my arm, blinding me with a second of white hot pain. breathe heavily, the feeling rendering me helpless for enough time for Velvet to get close to my face. Nearly nose to nose, she brings a fish knife -probably borrowed from one of the district Fours- next to my head and rests the sharp edge against my throat. In a voice, sweet as honey, she gushes, "Oh, you thought that hurt. Aww, poor you. Don't know what hurts. Don't worry, I'll show you soon."She pauses for a moment then says, "Where are your allies? Oh, see. They betrayed you, didn't they." She gives me a pouty face and a sickening laugh. I whip my head toward where they were last. None of them were to be seen. Did they really betray me? Then I see Silver sneaking up behind Velvet. She gets right up to Velvet, and motions for me not to make a sound or show emotion. I don't. Then Silver does something unexpected, she grabs Velvet's tight fancy braid and pulls down hard. "Aargh!" Velvet screams and she falls back onto Silver's lap. Velvet tries to scramble up, but she is held down my Silver. I sit up slowly, and I see a steady trickle of liquid seeping out of my shoulder. hear Velvet grit her teeth, as Silver grabs a knife and throws at Velvet's arm. It whizzes by, cutting deeply into Velvet's forearm, and the wound spurts blood like some sort of fountain. Velvet screams, a short quick blast, before Silver's on her.
"Doesn't feel good being in this position, does it?" Silver makes her voice sugary and sweet, just like Velvet's is. While holding Velvet down, she motions for me to run. I slowly get up. The pain is getting even worse. Velvet frees one of her hands and claws at my ankle. manage to get out. sprint towards the woods where Silver had come from. When I stop at the border of the woods, I stare at Silver and Velvet's battle. Velvet is wincing. She throws her hand up in the air. Then when she tries to run away, I see she has a bright red mark on her arm. Silver gives her a triumphant smile, and runs towards the woods to where I am.
"Come on Claire, the others are down here." I sprint as fast as can. I am lead by Silver she runs to the woods. Silver brings out a pack to block another projectile as she grabs my hand and clambers up a fir tree to shield ourselves. Then she hands me a handful of weapons and one of the packs. Silver has the two axes that Velvet left behind and a big bag of stuff. Silver and cautiously peek out to see Septimus battling Charm. It's baton against sword now, which doesn't seem like a fair fight. But Charm keeps missing, and Septimus had hit her in the head so many times that she staggers around like she's drunk. Then suddenly, she takes a wild swing and flips her curved sword over so that the hilt smashes Septimus in the center of balance, his lower spine. He keels over, and a woozy Charm leans over him to finish the job, but Septimus holds up a hand.
"Wait!" he croaks, and Charm wavers, her sword poised. "can make a bargain with you. If you leave me alone.... I'll let you join us." Us as in the Careers, realize in shock.
"Uh-I.. Fine." She nods stoically and holds out a hand, the other still clutching her sword. Septimus takes it, and with visible strain, she hoists him up to his feet. Then he takes the lead, dragging her along and disappearing into the tree line. As they pass under us, I can hear Septimus mutter,
"We can't afford to have more than seven members. We'll have to..." his voice fades into the distance. sigh in relief as soon as they're gone, I'm about to walk out, but Silver puts a hand on my chest.
"Wait." She whispers. Then see Landon coming out. He just sits there looking really sad. "What now?" hiss back to Silver. I'm freaking out. "We'll go out from back there, the others are probably over there." Silver ordered quietly. She sneaks around a huge oak tree, and starts to jog lightly. Then she motions for me to follow. quietly jump to where Silver is. Then we quickly jog to a place that has a bunch of droopy trees. Underneath the trees are a bunch of rocks. That's what I think, unitl I see the opening.
Our shelter is a muddy, hidden cave. have never been feeling like this in my entire life. I sit down, and bury my face in the black fabric of my pants. They were so clean, so silky this morning. Now the putrid smell of blood, sweat, and tears comes from them. They're matted, torn, destroyed, just like my life was. What's the the point of friendship. Every friend you have will leave you. Just like Jason. But Savera is... no, not is. Was different. She didn't want to leave. But she had too. My world has changed. What used to hold to highest regard, is gone. Family, friendship, belief in myself. What will break my heart next. Now see everyone in a new light. They had to leave everything they love. Everything they care about. Just like me. Now I see. This arena isn't just what it looks like. What should bind us together, show us unity, has destroyed us. I stand up and survey the inside of the cave, the stockpile of weapons in the middle. My axes, Briar and Silver's knives, Nate's blowgun, and It's nearly nightfall when we reach them. "Tyler, can you build a bomb." It is phrased as a question, yet it is not. He nods, a little startled by my tone of authority. I'm shocked too. I've never been a leader. Always a follower. "We are getting out of here. All of us." All eyes are on me. "Okay, this how we do it...".
Chapter Fourteen
"Are you saying that we don't kill anyone, and waltz through the white field to the deadly jungle, throw a bunch of bombs, flounce through the career camp, into the cornucopia, to find a door we're not sure exists? Without the gamemakers killing us in the process." Nate gapes at me. "Yes, knew someone would get it." I say, sarcastically. "We might as well just kill ourselves!" Nate retorts, a high whine coloring his alto tone. take a deep breath and open my mouth to speak but I'm interrupted by the heavy boom of a cannon. Everyone is quiet as another fired. feel so scared and weak. But couldn't be weak now, when my pack-mates needed me. straighten up and try to look strong. About an hour later hear leaves rustling. We.press our backs to the wall and heard running. I peer out of the cave and see that it was Landon. Septimus was chasing him along with Charm, and they were quickly moving toward us. Landon turns and strikes out with his staff, flipping Septimus off his feet. He spins around, kicking Charm in the stomach. Septimus was back up swinging his baton, and I try to scream but Nate grabs me and pulls me back. I attempt to shake him away but I couldn't. Landon caught the baton, threw it behind him, and nailed him in the leg with the staff, shrieking, "That's for Zenobia you-you... Agggghh!" He turned and ran as Septimus and Charm got up and bolted after him into the distance. Night falls quickly, and soon the anthem plays and I see pictures of the fallen tributes. I tilt my head back to keep the wall of tears in my eyes from spilling over. Silver and Briar come sit next to me. The boys stand off to the side, clearly unwilling to show their emotion. Taliana Rollo's face explodes into picture in between the stars, fake or real, I'll never know. Wait, the districts go in order, and that means Savera's alive! But if she is, the careers or some other alliance have her taken prisoner. Without realizing it, I grab on to the girls, and they do the same to me. Charm's face is in the sky. What? She allied with the careers, didn't she. It's obvious who killed her. Silver looks up at the sky, murmuring a thanks. It could have been Silver's face up there. She could have allied with the careers and met the same fate as Charm."You Guys! Savera's alive!" I whisper in delight. Then I jump up grabbing my axes. "Wait, so let's see Taliana might be dead, Atlas from district five is dead, Maxon from six is dead, Gunnar from eight is dead, Jack from ten is dead, Charm from ten is dead, and Zenobia from eleven is dead." Silver calculates on her fingers. "So either seven or six are dead." Silver looks really bewildered. That's the least amount of people dead in a bloodbath, in the history of the 24 previous hunger games. "These games are harder than we thought." Briar mutters. "Come on, we have to go find Savera." I stomp my foot on the ground impatiently. "If she was hurt at the bloodbath, then she's with the careers now." Nate says. "We'll hunt for her in the early morning tomorrow." Gryffon added. "Who's taking watch. Not me." Silver quickly adds. "I'll do it." Gryffon says. "Me too!" Briar quickly adds. Is that a flicker of excitement? I wonder in the darkness. I settle on the ground next to Silver and Nate. I'm unable to sleep. Then suddenly when I'm about to fall asleep the ground thunders under me and I bounce up landing face first on the hard as rock ground. "Aah." I grunt getting up. There was an earthquake apparently. Then I look around to see everyone gone but Silver, and Tyler. "Huh? Where are the other guys?" Silver motions for me to talk quieter. "Briar, Nate, and Gryffon, are spying on the career camp for Savera."
"The careers are actually closer than I thought. Just a quarter mile down." Gryffon adds. My stomach tightens. "Come on." I grab my axes and sling two of them across my back. I hold the third one. "We'll guard our supplies, you can go up if you'd like." Silver says. I quickly but swiftly get up and grab my axes. Then I walk in between trees to get to a clearing where I saw the career tributes. Next to them in some trees I spotted Briar, Nate and Gryffon. Briar turns around, so quick and silently. "If you keep blundering along like, every creature in the forest is going to hear you." She's annoyed. But now, I have to admit, I am quite loud. Especially when we all go trekking down. Briar and Gryffon are in ease with the woods. Their sandy skin, and luscious brown hair give them the appearance of being able to melt into the background. They're quiet. Like really quiet. Nate has that thing too. I don't. My blonde hair literally shines out of the night. And I'm loud. After everyone shushes me for the millionth time, I stop listening to them. "Okay, here's a view." Briar says, then draws her voice back in. Savera is there.
Chapter Fifteen
She's chained to the tree, in an uncomfortable way. Impossible to sleep in. Painful gashes are on her, and if I thought I was hurt before, I'm nothing like. I don't want to even think about it. The careers were right. They will stretch out her death as long as possible. They've already started it. Her death. I stop focusing on Savera, and look at the camp, about forty or fifty feet from her. I can't concentrate. Savera won't leave my mind. I don't realize we're walking back, until I hear Nate say, "Well, would ya look at that." Althea's body is sprawled across the cold ground. In her left hand, she's clutching a fancy silver spear with a ribbon of beaten leather circling the hilt. Nate unexpectedly jumps from his perch and kneels by her body, gingerly brushing the hair off her pale face. Then he cups his hand over her jugular and mouths to us, She isn't dead. Then he pads back to our safe place. He opens his mouth to speak but is interrupted by Gryffon. "Leave her alone. She'll kill us, if she revives consciousness. Just kill her." Gryffon is firm. Nate stands up defiantly. "She'd be a useful prisoner," he counters. "Okay, kill her, or you're out of our alliance." Gryffon says, annoyed. "WE WILL!" Nate thunders, and storms away, marching towards Althea's body. I silently follow him. What else can I do? Silver and Tyler follow him too. Nate slides one arm under Althea's shoulders, and the other around her knees. He attempts to get up off his knees, but strains to even lift her. Finally giving up and depositing her back on her resting place, he sighs. "Let's leave," he says, defeat, for once, in his words. "What about Savera?" I ask. We turn our attention to the Careers' latest prisoner. Savera is out cold, her pitiful form pale. She’s hardly breathing and I'm getting scared "Wait, I Tyler does something that I don't expect: he pries apart the metal chain links with his bare hands. I realize he is either extremely strong, or the chains are extremely fragile. I didn't exactly think of Tyler as the bodybuilding type.
We slump down near a rock. It's been a long time since we started walking. "I say, we use Claire's idea. Plus, anyone who wants to join us, is free too. What do you say?" Nate adds. "Wait, I have an adjustment to the plan," I say before I'm too scared to. "We group up with every single tribute who wants to get out of this place." I suck my breath back in. No way they'll follow my idea. When I look back at them, they nod carelessly, trying to find a way. He asks, catching up to us. "If they don't want to they don't have to. They can still fight to become the victor." I say shrugging as if it's the most obvious thing. "Huh, I see." Nate seems confused, then Silver takes this opportunity and whispers something to him. He nods. Then he smiles, a bit creepily.
"Let's go hunt down some other people. They'll probably want to be in this." Silver announces, grabbing her knives and slinging a pack on her back. "I'll go with you, but what about Althea?" Nate says. "She isn't going anywhere anytime soon. I'll come too." I hop up and wince tightening the bandage on my shoulder. Nate rolls his eyes and mutters, "Why not bring everyone on Panem with us?" We swiftly run through trees. It all seems quiet for a moment until Tyler is shaking me. "Hello? Ding-dong any one home? We are in the games, you freak. Be quieter." He takes lead and Silver mimics him. First there are tiny giggles, then I can't hold them in. I burst out laughing, but only for a second. Then I realize I'm defeating the purpose. I'm about to get a telling off from Tyler, when we all stop when we hear a strange sound nearby. It sounds like a muffled yell. Nate slowly creeps forward to check it out, but freezes in his tracks. I sneak up next to him and stop, my heart stops for a second. Right in front of us, a figure is hanging upside down by her knees from a tree branch. Hands tied and her mouth bandaged shut, is none other than Althea.
Her eyes shine with fury and pain. She realizes she's scaring us, and her expression softens. Althea is pleading with her eyes, begging us to free her. I step forward, a knife in my hand, but I feel Tyler's hand grip my arm, stopping me.
"No," he states firmly. I wriggle away, surveying Althea's face. She just stares me down defiantly, her eyebrows arching.
"I'll let you talk, as long as you don't scream for your friends." I emphasized the last word, and she nods as best as she can, not breaking eye contact. Nate quickly catches on, staying in the shadows but letting his voice ring clear.
"If you try anything slippery, I will personally give you an arrow in the back." Nate whispers loudly, and I can just imagine the massive smirk on his face. Althea's eyes dart around, but she stays composed. I slide my knife under the bandage, and for a moment she panics, but relaxes when I unwind the gauze from her head.
When we finally cut her free, she gives us a shaky smile. She places her hands on the ground and flips, legs over head, onto the ground. She falls onto the balls of her feet, and I see the tendons in her thighs stretch. She arches in a bridge shape, or tries to, before she drops flat. Then she gets up on one knee and winces as she stands and stretches, the joints in her back popping
"So, I suppose I'm your prisoner, then." She says slyly. "Let's hope none of you wake up to find a dagger in your back." She states, her face unreadable.
"If any of us find a dagger in our back, it'll be you. You're not our guest." Nate says, as if without a care in the world.
"For now." Althea challenged, mirroring that same devil-may-care voice. Nate frowns at her, and Althea scowls back. Silver stands next to Nate, and murmurs something I can't hear. From the looks of it Nate said no. Althea flips her braid over her shoulder, but somehow she makes it look dangerous, not prissy and princessy like Velvet. She stands her ground and dares us, "Hey, so where are you gonna bind me up or something? Or in other words, where's the next place where I'll escape from?" She gives us a crooked half-smile before throwing her spear against the pine. "So... Where's William? Thought he'd be here now. Oh, well. He's probably going off and killing people." We're puzzled.
"What's been going on?" Nate's the one who asks. If holding a blowgun to a throat is considered asking. Althea flinches and shivers, visibly trying to calm herself down. She opens her mouth, but a strangled noise comes out. Then her cheeks flush and she settles down. Althea starts nonchalantly, like it was everyday life for her. Then again, it probably was.
"So, the careers got annoyed of me, and decided that I wasn't worth it. They laid me off. Obviously, I came back. But then, they booted both of us out. What else should I have expected?" She chuckles bitterly. "Will's looking for the careers. Especially Septimus. It was his idea. But they had a bit more creativity this time. Hanging me from a tree like a chicken. So original," she finishes sarcastically, kicking a tree root. Feeling sick, for some reason, I go off into the area I sleep, trying to recall the events of the day. But I haven't slept last night so my head hits the ground, and my eyes close, transporting me somewhere else. I nearly wait for something to come, something to happen, but. Nothing. Just the blissful feeling of sleep. I wonder if this is the last time I'll ever have it.
Chapter Eighteen
It's been three days since Althea joined the alliance. I can't believe it. Althea. A career. A deadly opponent. An even more deadly ally. A career. A career. Deadly. A career is part of our alliance. Nate's the only one who likes this, but he's Nate. He doesn't care if everyone but him dies. "We're getting out of here." Silver's voice sounds in the back of our shelter. "I'm done hiding."
"That's what I'll be doing, but we're taking Savera with us." Tyler throws in the rest of his stuff in a bag made out of tree bark. He's good at making stuff out out of bark. I grab my bark bag, and help Silver carry Savera. We go through the fir bushy thingama doodle, the only thing to give us privacy, nearly complaining, at the needles scratches. Bumping into something large, I assume it's Nate. I shouldn't assume anything. Silver gasps, bringing her weapon at throwing distance. I turn around to see William Portshore, knife in his hand. He aims at me, and I duck just in time. I hear a dull thud, not the rush of wind I'm supposed to feel over my head. A cannon booms. I can't think about anything else. Everything goes black.

Welcome to our corner of this story! People w/permission may chat
—Tanishka, Vaidehi, Anushka, Tyler, & Landon
Please use your respective font or else we won't know who's talking. Sorry. These

Hey tanishka I got Ibbu and askshat not to be mean :)
Yay
Wooooooooooooow.