Games

We eventually get to the elevator. I wasn't in the mood for one of her huge blowups so I stayed silent. She on the other hand was making small jerky movements, her face was flushed red.

Maybe I'll try to make her feel better, she needs a good night sleep. " Don't let them-"

She snaps her head towards me," He's not getting to me. I want him dead but either way I wanted them to be one of the lasts. If we give them a good show we'll-I'll win favor. I-I."

She pauses, her breathing quickening. She was on the verge of tears.

I stare for just a moment before pressing the 'STOP' button on the elevator.

She looked at me confused. " No one is going to see your cry." I say.

A tear slips, " I'm terrified Kaylaya." She half whispers.

" I know." I wrap her in a hug. I let go of her quickly squeezing her shoulders. " Listen here ok? I need to tell you quick, you remember, you talk to Fero after this ok? bring him on here."

She wipes her face nodding, I continue." Stay with 2 until you two decide all the competitors are gone, or you two are capable to taking them down. Don't announce your breaking the alliance. If you announce it they'll let you leave or you'll fight right there. You say you need to go, take what you need and you run."

She nods.

" Stay with Fero as long as you can. You guys know how to hunt. And you both have brains, 2 doesn't-they just know how to kill. They'll need to eat hopefully they'll eat something poisonous. Volunteer to hunt, both of you eat as you hunt. Bring back small amounts that'll weaken them."

" they're stronger then us.. they're always stronger then us." She whimpers.

I know I shouldn't.. 2 is my home, but I was volunteered to help 12. They're my kids.

I want them to win.

" They don't have a strong bond, they fight. I guarantee they'll break and want to kill eachother. You guys leave before that happens. They'll take care of the other. Dom is only good with big weapons take that and he's as good as dead. Dezzy is good. Smart too. Both of you should be able to take her down, let her starve a little bit, she can't hunt to save her life."

I take a breath. " Trust me. Show your worth it and we'll do the rest." I assure.

She nods. " Ok."

When we get to the room I go in mine, Evie goes to talk to Fero. When I go in, Cato was passed out on the bed. I chuckle putting on clothes to sleep in, sleeping surprisingly well.

In a couple short hours it'll be the 76th Hunger Games.

We'll see how good I trained them. And who will be the 76th Hunger Games Victor.

                **********

The alarm rang loudly through the room. As soon as my eyes peel open I feel the weight of worry on me instantly.

" When did you get back?" Cato mumbles next to me.

" Shortly after you guys got here I guess."

" She didn't kill anyone did she?"

I chuckle, " Threatened to."

We both laugh, in the dim light I see Cato studying my face.

" Todays the day." He says.

I swallow. " Hey.." he says. " Just for another hour ok?"

I stand up. " I know. I'll come back in here when I'm dressed." I say walking out.

I go to my room, turning on the light. I go in the mirror looking at myself. I seemed to age so much from last year.

Who I'm looking at now isn't who was competing last year. She's gone, I'm now looking at a mentor, a mentor who has kids going in the ring.

I need to keep myself together.

I throw on a 2 piece set, throwing my hair up. I didn't bother to do my makeup I know at some point from now until I leave I'll be crying.

I was reluctant to go back to Cato's room, when I do it'll be real. We'll need to see the tributes, this will be the last time seeing them.

I decided to rip it off like a band aid. I take a breath opening up the door walking to his room. He had on sweats and a shirt he was going through his hair when I came in.

" They should be in the kitchen by now, I told them last night to grab something very light before we left, it'll be an advantage." Cato says.

" We can;t get them those bars?" I ask.

He shakes his head. " Neff couldn't get 4, only two. I figured you didn't want to pick."

I nod, my nerves already sky-rocketing.

He turns " No matter what just know it'll be ok."

" Let's just get this over with."

He opens the door for me, we walk out sure enough there they were. They all look like deer in headlights as we walk out. They also know this is it.

" Come on." Cato tells all of us.

We go down the elevator, going to an armored vehicle. " This will be the last time we all talk as a group. Any questions?" Catos says.

No one says anything.

" 12 should collect most of the food, 2 you fight better. Together you should do well. Get 1 out first, worry about 4 later unless there's a perfect opportunity." I say.

They all nod, Fero and Evie give a weak smile helping them with the small plan.

" I'll take you two, Kaylaya will take 12, we can board together." Cato says.

This is my last time talking to 2.

I turn to 2, my home tributes, last year it was me and Aspen now I look at the next.

" You brought great honor to 2, I'm greatful for being your mentor. Whatever you do, stay together." I tell them.

" Thank you for mentoring us." Dezzy says sincerely. Dom nods agreeing.

I smile weakly, my heart hurts.

The truck stops.

I take a deep breath, " Good luck, no matter what happens I'm proud of you."

Cato takes them, " I'll come get you." He mentions, I nod as they walk off. They don't look back, they did well.

I look at 12, they look like they are from 2 " Evie told you the plan?" I whispered to Fero, which he nods.

" Use it. I want 1 dead after that it should be smooth sailing."

We walk towards the hover craft waiting in the private rooms to get boarded.

" You guys impressed me, you are totally different then when I first met you."

" When we first met us we were weak." Evie says.

I giver her a look," You were never weak."

" Thank you for taking the chance with us." Fero pipes in.

I feel a pit in my stomach, my tributes. Ones I trained basically by myself and I did a damn good job at it.

" I'm sorry." I mumble looking between the two.

" Don't be." Evie says quickly.

" Just do what you need to do to get out." I tell them as stern as ever.

A peace keeper comes in. " 12 can come with me."

We all look at eachother. They start to move but I stop them wrapping them in a tight hug.

" Good luck. Show them what district 12 is capable of."

They both smile going with the Peacekeeper. I watch them as the door closes leaving me in the room. Not yet, though I feel a tear fall I wiped it off taking a deep breath.

I walk out of the small room going quickly out. Cato was just walking up the hall. He looked rough to,nervous. He liked this group too.

" Let's go back and get settled it'll start soon after we get back." He says looking down the hallway as he intertwined his hand with mine.

We walk back to the truck in silence.

" There's a big room where all the mentors normally watch. We can go there if we want, or we can watch in our rooms. Whatever you want to do." Cato says.

" We're 2, I can manage. We need to keep our image up."

" Ok."

They'll be fine. They're careers they'll survive the first day, they'll kill the first day not be killed.

We arrive back at the tribute center, I compose myself walking out. A couple other mentors were pulling up getting out, some of the expressions the same, others had different.

I take a breath walking proud like there was not a worry.

Cato grabs my hand pulling me close to him. I look up at him. I realize we're passing 4 and 1 talking together. I guess they're not hiding anything.

" Shimmer." I greet as we walk pass. She smiles lightly.

" Good Morning to you too ally.. Great day for some bloodshed huh?" Poulter asks.

" I think it's a little to muggy for that but that's just me." I say plainly.

Finnick looks at me, while River rolls his eyes.

" Come on." Cato says.

" Save us a seat!" Poulter calls after us.

" Not happening!" Cato calls back making me chuckle.

On the first floor there was a door where Peacekeepers were guarding.

" District?" One demands.

Cato cocks his brow, " If you don't know who we are you shouldn't be working for the Games."

" District 2, Cato Hadley and Kaylaya Musak. Am I correct?" He says back venom laced in his voice.

" It's Kaylaya Musak-Hadley." Cato spits slightly smirking at him.

He steps to the side opening the door for us. Cato takes me hand possessively as we walk in.

" I didn't know Hadley was part of my Last name." I tease giving him a smile.

" I gave you a ring at one point."

" If that was my engagement, I'm breaking it off."

He laughs, " Your time is coming soon enough."

I hum in response.

The room had a huge TV along with smaller ones placed in different locations, seats and huge round couches placed everywhere.

We find a seat, Cato making sure I sit on the end so Poulter couldn't sit by me. I roll my eyes but listen, his dominance is annoying but assuring.

Soon everyone else trickles in, Poulter sits on the other chair as close as he could to me giving a wink which I ignored.

" That was a hard pass." I hear Finnick muse his smirk on his face chuckling at Poulter.

Shimmer was rolling her eyes, River was glaring at Poulter before we made eye contact.

He held it, his face was emotionless I couldn't tell what he was feeling or thinking. It just seemed void like a shell of what used to be a person in them. It kinda scared me, how he is not compared to how he used to be.

I finally looked away, grabbing Cato's hand. He looked over right away, looking at the couch next to us. He let go of my hand wrapping his arm around me glaring at them protectively.

I hear the Games Music, it's starting.

I clench my jaw looking at the screen, the Capitols Emblem pops on the screen before it flashes to Caesar.

" Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen! And Happy Hunger Games! Our tributes all arrived safely and are now in the arena! Let's see who will be our victor this year!"

The TV flashed to the arena, it was all Lakeland and swamp. The pedestals were all around an extremely small island where the Cornucopia was along with just enough land to fight on.

All weapons and supplies were in it looks like water proof bags. everyone had their eyes on something, some liked terrified, they probably don't know how to swim. Some districts didn't have any sort of body of water.

The timer began. 30....

I spot Evie looking all around trying to find someone . Her eyes landed on Fero who was looking back. They nodded at eachother.

Dezzy and Dom were looking at the supplies eyeing what they were going to take I suppose.

15....

I look at 4, they were smirking. This was just perfect for them they spent more of their time in water then actual land.

They were looking towards our kids making my skin crawl, nausea following. Cato lightly squeezed my thigh for reassurance.

10...

They all bend ready to jump.

Here we go...

3..2...1..

BOOM

I slightly jumped remembering the same sound last year.

They all dive, some more elegant then others. A few stayed on the pedestal deciding  what to do. Those must be the ones unable to swim.

The pedestal began to lower, some flailing their arms drowning.

2 cannons go off.

it flashed to 1 beating some of the tributes with a mace. Fero was running towards a bag of a double sided axe.

I see a girl from 6 have something in her hand heading his way, must heart was pounding it felt like it was in my throat.

Dezzy saw her running towards the two, Fero saw her before Dezzy could. He grabbed the weapon out throwing it, she tried dodging it but she was to late now it was lodged halfway in her head.

Fero took it out smashing it once more in her head. Cannon.

Dezzy went up to him throwing a knife in the process , killing a boy from 8.

Dom was beating a girl, killing her twice she was so mangled.

4 was killing another girl I think from 11.

The boy and girl from 7 were still scrambling around trying to grab stuff quick they had a decent amount. Evie spots them running towards the two Dezzy following.

Evie tackles the boy, the girl tries to get her with the sword. Dezzy pulls out a large knife attempting to stab her with it.

Sam had a spear throwing it at her, luckily she dodged it but it scrapes her arm making her grunt in pain.

The girl brought her knife down, Evie happens to roll  making the girl stab her district partner.

Dom was making his way towards 1 and 4 sword and a small shield in hand. They flee, swimming along with the stranglers.

Evie pushes the boy off, Fero managed to kill the girl taking all their stuff, pushing it in their bags.

" So much for alliances." Cato jokes.

Poulter smirks, " You really think we would've allied with you two?"

" You think we didn't know?" I ask.

Poulter, shimmer, Finnick, and River all looked confused.

" The parade you were all talking. And you conveniently were always close to eachother. The tributes knew too. We're not idiots. Your lucky they weren't with ours as soon as the blood bath was done they were going to kill them. They bought themselves another day."

Poulter glared at us. I smiled at him in the most cocky way possible. The other mentors smirked or chuckled.

" We'll see how long they last." River snarled.

" Which group just ran away?" I questioned.

River didn't have a response, instead he looked back at the TV, Shimmer was looking at me with a smirk.

I slightly smile before looking back too at the TV. The lesser district were running like crazy through the water.

I'm not sure exactly where everyone was suppose to sleep, I'm assuming up in the half rotted trees, or for our group in the island.

The Capitol got enough kills to be content for today, 1 and 4 were exploring trying to find tributes but mainly trying to find a place to call camp.

They bickered back and fourth on what to do, 1 suggested going back to the island but 4 refused saying they would give us the advantage.

Other tributes teamed up going in groups of 2-3 everyone had a group which could be a little concerning.

1 and 4 found a flat just high enough to set up though it was a tight squeeze.

The night quickly rose, some of the other mentors decided to go back for the night, after couple of minutes one wold go leaving us, 1, 4, and 10.

" Are you ready? I don't think anyone else is going to do much." Cato says.

" What if something happens?"

" Nothing is going to happen, all the groups are on night watch, they're all resting." Cato assures.

I look at the screen one more time looking at our 4 all sitting around, talking.

We go out of the room into the elevator. " You did good this week."Cato says looking over at me.

I give a half smile, " It's only going to go down from here."

" We'll get through it. Once it gets down we can watch it in our room."

" Wouldn't that taint our image?"

Cato gives a cocky grin, " We're 2..who cares what they think of us? We've brought the most tributes home and been winning the last 3 years."

Artemis, Cato and Me.

I remeber hearing about the fight between Cato and Artemis, in the finals for picking tributes it was Cato and Artemis. Cato was getting the upper hand when Artemis knocked him out taking his bracelet, seconds after he won his bracelet broke.

Cato threw a fit after that.

But he got his chance though I think he regrets it. I know he regrets volunteering, we both do.

" I suppose your right."

When we get back I fall asleep quite quickly sleeping soundly until early morning. I woke up around around 4:30 am from not being able to sleep.

Cato was lightly snoring next to me, I slowly got out of bed going into the living area turning on the TV.

The Channel was the first one on, I take the soft blanket wrapping it around myself. Frogs were croaking, and murmers from crickets were all you could hear.

Fero was on watch looking around, running his fingers on the blade he had in his hand looking all around.

It cut to the tribute, unsure what district it was, he had his wet suit tied around his waist. He was slowly swimming in the water, stalking towards a group I think consisting of 3 and the other tribute of 11.

He had a curved sword in his hand slowly going towards them.

I noticed all of them were sleeping, that was unwise and sure to pay for it shortly.

There were dense trees on one side leading to a swallow part of the arena, the water around them was much darker-deeper- he waded through silently.

I thought I saw something in the water, the trees were swaying so it was probably just a shadow. Still he waded I saw that shadow again though it was shaped way differently.

Mutt.

I wrapped the blanket I grabbed tighter around me, seeing mutts now make me uncomfortable.

The boy had a sick smile on his face feet away from the small part of land they were sleeping on. He stops for just a moment gasping as he looks down.

He screams waking up the girls, who were looking petrified. He was trying to swim on the shore  but something jumped over him-black snake-pulling him down.

It flashed to 1 and 4 all jolting awake grabbing their weapons looking wildly around, everyone was up now.

The boy comes up from the water, one of his eyes were missing making me cringe. He tried clawing to the shore but the mutt pulls him back.

There was a hiss, the snake eel mutt takes a chunk out of his body leaving him with no legs.

" HELP ME" he screeches.

The girl from 3 take a stick batting him away, he screams again before he sinks. Cannon sounds.

Cato runs in the room looking around wildly making me jump. " I though someone was out here." He says taking a breath. " You weren't by me."

" No, someone just died, there's a eel snake mutt it looks like it just killed a boy. A small group was sleeping,he tried attacking."

" At least we know that worked." The girl from 3 said smiling.

She knew they were there.

They must've crawled there using it as defense.

" 3 is always brilliant." Cato says. " Not the first time they used mutts to their advantage." Hecomes to the couch " Move over." Cato says laying on top of me, crawling in the blankets.

" Why don't you go in the bedroom if your tired."I ask scratching his back.

" Can't sleep without you." He says wrapping his arms around me.

" The sound is going to keep you awake."

He yawns " I'll manage."

It shows our group looking out, waiting. Luckily there was nothing to wait for. Everyone was looking around.

" I wonder who's cannon that was." Fero says.

" Doesn't matter as along as kids are dying it's less we need to deal with. We should go hunting." Dom says twirling around his sword.

" He's to eager." I say to Cato.

Cato nods slightly half asleep. I roll my eyes so I say my comments to myself.

" No, everyone will be up now, they're expecting something to happen." Dezzy objects.

" The darkness is the best way to ambush." Dom fights back glaring at Dezzy.

" We hunt when everyone is resting or they least expect it." Dezzy says slightly louder.

Fero and Evie look between the two before Evie interjects.

" Guys knock it off.. Dezzy is right someone or something just killed someone meaning people are hunting. We have the advantage,we can see anyone getting close, if someone wants to attack us they would need to swim here first. We wait. Take inventory, we should try to find a bow or make one." Evie says walking towards the two of them.

" I agree. Tonight we hunt, see if we can get anyone. Today we'll see people moving, figure out who we need to go after next." Fero says.

Dom scoffs, " Great 3 to 1 ."

" We're just saying, we need to be smart." Fero explained, quickly getting irritated.

" What we need to do is KILL people! That's what we need to do, that's what THEY want!" Dom yells.

" You need to quiet down." Evie cautioned.

" Or what?" Dom says getting in her face.

" Or your going to deal with me." Fero says pushing him back.

" And me." Dezzy says straight faced.—————————-This was surprising for someone from the same district not to side with eachother, siding with the other district.

Cato wasn't snoring anymore his head was turned towards the TV. He was watching.

" With that temper he's going to break the alliance sooner then later."

" He's a hot head." Cato says.

" And eager."

" If he's going to be irrational, it'll get him killed." Cato says. " Good thing Dez is sticking with 12."

" They're rational." ***********

Dom was looking between the 3 of them, " Really Dez?" He asks livid.

" Your being irrational." She spits. " Calm down and think."

" No, I'm sure 1 and 4 would love to know your plans." he spits.

Dezzy laughs, " You think they're going to accept you with open arms? I don't think so! But if you want to die such a stupid death, be my guest!"

Dom glare daggers at her.

" Everyone just needs to calm down, we're a team. We'll hunt at sunset, does that work for everyone?" Fero says.

Dom drags his eyes off of Dez to Fero. " Fine."

He turns sitting on the total opposite side of the small island stabbing his sword in the sand like a child.

Evie and Fero exchange glances, Dezzy sits by them muttering how he's such a child.

The sun rises quickly, their sky was pretty ranging from blue, pink and orange.

Everyone started to move around a little bit, the smaller groups searching for food and water. 1 and 4 went to 'hunt' depending on what hunting they were talking about they packed up everything and went through the shallow waters.

Our group stayed put, digging through the left over supplies finding small useful things like purification drops, lighters and a small vile with a skull on.

" What's this?" Fero asks.

Evie takes it from his hands inspecting it. " Acid."

" Why would they put acid in here?"

" TO kill." Dezzy says taking the bottle from Evie.

" Ho much food do we have Fero?" Evie asks.

" We don't have as much food, it'll last for a couple days but we'll need to portion."

" Then we hunt." Evie says. " Me and Fero can go."

" Your not going by yourselves, we'll all go. Or at least us 3, I don't know about Dom." Dezzy says.—————————————

" Good Morning Mentors!"

Neffy was coming through the doors, she was painted in Gold sitting on the couch " Couldn't wait to see all the action? I heard there was one death by a mutt,how exciting!"

" Did you see how he died?" I ask annoyed.

" No-"

" He was mauled, not a good way to go Neff, be a little more considerate."

She straightens looking at the TV. " What time do you need to wake to put all of..that on?" I ask easing some of the tension.

Her smile comes back, " 2 AM."

" How are you not tired?" Cato asks.

" Capitol's finest energy drinks!" She gloats.

" Lovely." I say half amused.

" How are our future victors doing?" She asks.

" Dom was fighting them, they'll be hunting soon." Cato says.

" I'll need to watch the replay, it seemed quite eventful!"

I roll my eyes, yes...what a treat watching this.

" Mentors will be going down to watch, if you want to go down there." Cato suggests.

" Yea, let me throw on decent clothes."

Cato gets up first making me shiver, he was a living heater all his warmth fades making me want to wrap myself around him.

" What are you doing today Neff?" I ask.

" Oh! I'm going to get some drinks with the other escorts then go talk to some sponsors."

" Make it count then I suppose, food would be nice."

She smiles, " Noted."

I go into my room throwing on a gray set.

I comb through my hair going into Cato's room, he was throwing on a tighter shirt making everything show under it.

I take time to get a good look. He smirks brushing past me " Stop drooling babe."

He's never called me that before.

" I wasn't drooling." I correct bluntly following him out.

" You were, right there." He points to something down on my shirt, when I looked down he flicked my nose.

" Ow!" I yell, he laughs, " That's the oldest trick in the book, come on Kay."

I glare at him walking past. He tries to grab my waist but I walk faster, I hear an annoyed sigh from him but he follows not saying much more.

Day 2.

I would much rather stay in our room to watch, but with " status" being in 2, we need to be down there watching though it's annoying. Hopefully 1 or 4 won't bother us.

We walk in, we were the first one in there, Cato made sure we were on one of the other sides by the smaller TV setting me on the inside by the wall so Poulter couldn't talk to me.

His protectiveness seemed like a blessing and a curse, when he doesn't want to be an asshole with it, it's useful not to talk to any guys you can't stand.

Our peacefulness didn't last long, River and Finnick came in soon after. Finnick flashing his white teeth "Morning, hear about the death last night?"

" Watched it." I said shortly keeping my eyes on the TV.

" What killed it?"

I roll my eyes managing to look at them, " It was a boy, there's eel mutts, the girl from 3 and some of her allies slept on a small flat surrounded by deep water, they're in there."

" Is there any other places?" Finnick asks." No idea." Cato butts in. He looks at Finnick with a cocky smirk.

Finnick gives him a look before dismissing himself going back to River, who was of course glaring at us clenching his jaw.

Cato wrapped his arm around me, pulling me closer to him. I see Finnick mumble something under his breath, River rips his eyes off of us and back to the screen.

I do the same, it was on some of the other groups around searching, all of them were decently close to eachother.

I take a breath shifting as ' Cooley' as possible, my heart was racing, I mean eventually they will need to see eachother.

I they don't do it themselves, the game makers will do it for them.