I smiled at the thought of my other tributes cowering as the time drew nearer to the bloodbath. I wasn’t scared, but I wasn’t excited either like the more bloodthirsty tributes would be. Excitement was an emotion, emotions led to mistakes and mistakes led to death, and dying would seriously ruin my plans for world dominance. I understand that world dominance has been attempted by many men, all which lead to their undoing. I feel the urge to point out that a woman’s never attempted it.

My point is that I was calm, I was as calm as the forest in the early hours of the day. I wasn’t afraid because I knew I’d live through the bloodbath, I’ve been training for this my entire life and careers rarely fall now. I wasn’t a moron though, I knew as the games went on I’d need to keep up my guard. In these games even the strongest can fall in a heartbeat, its the smart ones who make it out alive.

And so I stepped into the tube gracefully, with no emotion whatsoever. I looked over my shoulder at my stylist who waved goodbye. I plastered a smile on my face and waved back. Ew, I hate that stupid bitch. Like I said during my interview; I am going to kill her family once I get out of here.

The plate jerked upwards I slipped and fell, banging my head against the wall of the tube. Pain shot through my body and I cursed loudly, I hadn’t even gotten into the arena yet and things were trying to kill me. I rose into the arena sitting on my ass and looking like a complete moron.

The sun hit my eyes, piercing them and evoking more pain in my scalp. I bit my lip to keep from screaming bloody murder and cursing the entire dahm world. I couldn’t do that, it would blow my cover. Stupid cover. Stupid world. Stupid life. Luckily most of my anger could be solved by inflicting pain on others and in about 50 seconds I could hurt anyone I wanted.

Instead of swearing I looked over at Tyber and forced a giggle. “I’m on my butt.” I said as if the fact wasn’t self evident. Ugh, I’m sorry little brain cells for killing you from acting this stupid, it will all be worth it when we dominate the earth though.

Tyber frowned with a look of concern, his face almost looked as if he was doing a double take. I wondered if he was starting to question if I had ever actually been smart back home. Wonderful, my plan was working. “Phae… What are you doing? Get on your feet! It’s about to start!” He hissed.

Who hired you to act like my father, man-bitch? I thought irritably while still smiling and getting to my feet. “Haha, okay.” I giggled innocently, as soon as I don’t need you I’m going to burn your testicals off and laugh as you scream in pain.

I tore my eyes away from him and scanned the arena. The sun beat down onto the ruins of an ancient city, Rome, I realized as my eyes set on the infamous shape of the colosseum. Of course it was probably a replica, the likelihood of being in the actual Rome was very slim, alas nonetheless disappointing. Rome seemed like the perfect arena for me to claim my victory, in the rubble of an old powerful nation, the head of a new one would rise.

I smirked, my eyes scanning the circle of tributes surrounding the cornucopia, I wondered how many of these uncultured swines even knew what Rome was.

In front of the many crumbling buildings sat a gold cornucopia that glimmered at the suns ray bounced off it, making the silver weapons at it’s base seem slightly dim in comparison. My eyes locked on the long silver claws that extended from the knuckles of the fingerless gloves- my weapon of choice. They weren’t the most delicate weapon, but in my opinion the deadliest for brawling, which was exactly what the bloodbath was.

My ears perked up as I heard the countdown begin to wind down.

5,

Deep breath, stance yourself to run.

4,

If you let yourself get killed this early on in the games, Phae, I will never forgive you.

3,

Do this for your future nation.

2,

A thought hit me, I decided instantaneously that I wanted the first kill.

1,

Poor, poor district 12 boy. You’re closest to me.

Go! A loud gong sounded, ricocheting off my eardrums and electrifying me with adrenaline making me feel alive. Everyone bolted forward except for me. I launched myself at the tall frame of the boy. I used my momentum to compensate for my lighter weight as I tackled him to the ground. His grey eyes widened in shock as he hit the ground and I straddled his chest. He started to shove me off as I dug my long feminine nails into his eyes, the orbs exploded with gooey tissue and blood that gushed from his sockets, he shrieked reaching his hand up in front of his face.

This had always amused me, whenever someone is injured they always find the need to look at it, or hover their hands over it tenuously as if that would make it go away.

Barely hesitating I wrapped my hands around his neck, jerking it to one side and cracking it. I watched the life drain from his eyes and his body stiffen slightly in my hands. I grinned, energy alighting my body, as if all the energy that had drained from him had entered me.

I shot to my feet feeling renewed and plunged into the whirling mess of scarlet and gore. I leapt over a corpse with a dagger in it’s back as if someone had thrown it. I looked up, dodging an arrow as grazed my shoulder. I’d have to kill the little wrench that shot it after I took care of the girl with the vibrant red hair who was sprinting toward me to reclaim her dagger. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw me, her face remained scowling but I saw her eyes flicker with fear. She turned and ran the other way, ducking and dodging various fights nimbly. I sprinted after her, my feet pushing off the ground with each step I took sending me flying a few feet closer to my prey.

When I was about to overcome her she spun around without warning, swinging her dagger at my stomach, I jumped backward. The dagger barely missing my stomach. My brain whirled, quickly compensating for her unpredicted move. I grabbed her small wrist that clutched the dagger in my fist, I spun inward with lightning speed so my back was against her stomach and I bent forward flipping her over my head. Her body slammed into the cobblestone and I let go of her wrist, sending my boot pummeling into her windpipe.

Then I was running again, my heart pounding in my chest as I tore past Valerie who was laughing giddily as stabbed a corpse that was so bloody and decapitated I couldn’t even tell whether it was male or female.

I reached the cornucopia’s mouth and my eyes scanned the piles of weapons for my gloves. They weren't here. That meant someone had stolen them. My face tightened, nobody took my things and lived. Someone was going to die very painfully.

I crained my neck around to see that the blood bath was rapidly dying down…. and I didn’t see anyone holding my gloves. My face darkened as I watched Ula shove the male from 5’s corpse to the ground. My scowl deepened as I watched Ula’s hair get tossed by the wind framing her perfect face. I hated anyone who was prettier than me. She was going to have to die soon, but not quite yet.

I watched Eden precariously step over a body and walk over towards me, Aissalyine, Nixie and Fuse trailing behind him. Tyber strode towards us confidently from another direction with Adam following much more sheepishly a few paces behind. Ula jogged up to us. “Now what?” Una asked placing a hand on her hip confidently.

Revenge, I thought.

“We need to sort through supplies, since we have secondary careers this year though we can have them do it.” Tyber said to my delight. I’d subtly thrown him several hints the previous night, I’d been worried that he didn’t take them, but apparently he had.

I watched Fuse and Aissalyine exchange a look, Nixie was the only one who nodded her head agreeably. Fuse stepped forward furrowing her brow, “Whoa Tyber. When you accepted us into your pack you accepted us as equals!” She growled, shoving her pointer finger into his ribcage. Ula let out a mocking, “Oooooh.” Fuse turned to look at Una, her brow furrowed.

Tyber suddenly shoved Fuse and it was about time too. I wanted to slap that whiney bitch. With a train.

I watched Fuse fall to the ground with a ‘umph’. Tyber sent her is worst bad-boy glare (which has been known to scare small bunnies and puppy dogs) and hissed, “No. When we accepted you into our pack we agreed not to kill you until you become useless!” He yelled, his face flushing a light red.

I realized as much as I wanted to beat Fuse senseless, now was my time to be everybody’s best friend. I inwardly shuddered, I hated friends. I leapt in between Tyber and Fuse, “Come on Tyber, go easy on her! No need to be that big, sexy bad-boy we all know you are.” I giggled tapping his nose playfully. I hope I’m not infected with something now.

I turned to Fuse, offering her my hand to help her up, there, not you can have some of Tyber’s germs too! “And Fuse, you know sorting isn’t that bad of a job.” I pulled her close to my ear. “Besides, I doubt Tyber has the brains to do it himself.” I smiled warmly taking a step back. “You can be incharge.” I added doing a ditzy little twirl. “Twirl with me!” I said, just to solidify them thinking I’m stupid.

Fuse let out an uncomfortable laugh and shook her head. “I think we will get started with the sorting, thanks Phae.” She said beckoning for Nixie and Aissalynne to follow her.

I turned to face the rest of my pack, Eden was the only one who looked suspicious. “What did you say to her?” He asked slowly, squinting at me. I suppressed my irritation, I volunteer the one year we get a smart tribute from district 2.

I ran up to him and grabbed his shoulders, making sure my eyes lit up with excitement. I watched his face turn red the second my fingers touched his biceps, he was such a virgin. “I sang the friendship song!” I squealed, jumping up and down a bit.

“The… what?” He asked, his face flushing the color of the blood beneath.

Tyber suddenly pushed me away from Eden, sending a death glare in his direction. I resisted the urge to slap Tyber, he was hustling me away from Eden like he was a cow herder, and let me make something clear: I am not a cow.  He leaned toward my face and whispered, “I’ll take care of this.”

I nodded and smiled, biting my tongue to keep from snapping at him that I took care of my own problems. Besides, I reasoned with myself, tension in the pack was exactly what I wanted. I glanced at Adam and Ula who were quietly whispering among themselves and Valerie who was on her own kicking some dead bodies and laughing. Valerie scared me on some level.

I walked over toward where Nixie, Fuse and Aissalynne were sorting supplies. I casually picked up a stylish brown leather jacket that was lined with knives and slipped it on. “Didn’t you get a weapon at the bloodbath?” A voice asked startling me. I glanced over to see Nixie peering at me curiously. How dare she have the nerve to speak to me?

I pasted a smile on my face and shook my head, “No. Someone must have taken my weapon of choice. They were the gloves with the knives coming out of the knuckles.” I said airily, picking up a silver bow and arrow accompanied with a quiver full of arrows. I slung the quiver over my shoulder and clutched the bow in my hand.

Nixie nodded, her eyes widening with recognition. “Yeah, I think I saw the guy from district 9 grab them. Sorry.” She shrugged her shoulders and went back to what she was doing.

My eyes widened, “Did you happen to see what way he went?” I asked, I forced myself to blush. “Don’t tell anyone I told you this but I think he’s hot!” I whispered under my breath.

Nixie nodded looking surprised that I would reveal  something like that to her. Ha. Jokes on you, bitch. I’d never reveal what color my socks are let alone if I like someone to anyone let alone you. “I think he headed south….” She said seeming slightly elated with the attention.

I smiled excitedly, “I’m going to go ask him out! …..Wait, we’re in a fight to the death. Shame. Maybe he has a brother.” I frowned as Nixie put a hand on my shoulder as if I needed to be comforted. As. If.

“Don’t worry Phae, you have both Tyber and Eden. Thats a hard enough decision as it is without adding a third party.” Nixie giggled and awkwardly went back to sorting. No. They are not love interests. They are hardly interests at all. They are my chess pieces that will help me kill you all, I corrected her in my head.

I slowly rose to my feet and began walking south, passing Ula who seemed to still be talking to Adam. I grabbed her shoulder and she jumped, spinning around and glaring at me. “Hey, Don’t sneak up on me like that! I might have accidently stuck you with my sword!” She growled making it sound more like a threat than a warning. Think you sound tough, do you? Trust me, you won’t be the one spearing me.

I laughed giddily, “Oh sorry.” I waved my hand at her as if it was no big deal. “Anyway, just wanted to let you know I’m going to gather firewood.” I said, skipping off without waiting for a response, I thought I heard Ula yell after me that I was an idiot and that there was not going to be firewood in an arena that was an ancient city, but I kept skipping like a ditzy moron until I was out of her sight, along in the rubble if the fallen city. My eyes scanned the dust from the rubble for footprints.

I noticed a very faint outline of small narrow feet leading into one of the hundreds of crumbling buildings that lined the street. I hesitated, briefly debating whether I should enter the building and kill it’s occupant but decided against it. I had come out here to find the male from 9 every second I wasted on whoever was in the building it gave him more time to get further into hiding. it wasn’t time to hunt- yet. I passed the building by loping in the shadows of the street, my eyes scrapping the thing dust of the other doorways.

I sensed a quick movement behind me, I spun around my bow raised- a raven cocked it’s head at me. I let out my breath that I had been unaware that I had been holding.  I watched it switch feet a few times as it studied me before flying away.

I turned back to the hunt, the raven quickly deteriorating from my memory as my focus on my hunt reinstilled. After a few minutes of creeping through the shadows of late afternoon I saw it- one large masculine footprint in the doorway of a large building. Cautiously I stepped into the gaping doorway into an empty clay walled room. At some point i imagined it might of been colorfully tiled and filled with elaborate furniture.

I also saw the sleeping form of a boy with straw colored hair. Next to him lay my beautiful claws and at once I knew that I found my quarry. I stared at his sleeping form for a second, watching the gentle rise and fall of his chest. The boy should have known better than to take my claws, he undoubtedly saw me training with them.

My eyes flitted to his backpack, silently I walked over to it. He had left it open, a few of his supplies spilling out. I picked up his rope and ran my fingers over the course entwinement, an idea for revenge beginning to unfold in my mind. Should have known better than to mess with my weapons, I thought a smile dancing across my lips.

I knelt down beside him, his hands were folded very conveniently on his chest. Gently I slid the rope under his wrists. His body jerked and he moaned. I bit my lip, “Shhhh, it’s okay honey. It’s just me.” I cooed, knowing the chances of him having a female in his life was high, I relied on his drowsiness to keep him from remembering he was in the hunger games.

I watched his body go slack again as he nodded off to sleep, these would be the last peaceful moments of his life. I quickly finished binding his hands together and moved onto his ankles. It only took me a few seconds to finish. I smiled gently touching his face, “Honey.” I cooed in that same velvety tone, slowly removing a knife from my jacket. He moaned drowsily his eyes opening into little slits.  “You’re in the Hunger Games.” I said with a sudden ferocity, driving my blade into his stomach. He cried out as stomach acid mixed with blood poured out over his stomach. I jerked the hem of his shirt up, exposing his flesh.

“Oh God, what? Oh God!” He cried out tugging at his bondage. His eyes were wide with tears starting to pour from their rims. “Please don’t do this! I have a family!”

I stared at his pleading eyes coldly, wondering why people begged for their lives, it wasn’t like I was going to be like, ‘Oh, you have a family? My bad. I can’t kill anyone with a family.’ I would prefer to go out with my dignity. “Those gloves were mine. You took them, now you're going to pay.” I said with a rock like hardness in my voice.

His breath caught in his throat as he realized there was no reasoning with me. I leaned forward and made a surgeon like slice on the side of his stomach muscle. The razor sharp knife cut through it as if it was no more than butter. I dug my fingers into the slit and wiggled them around the gooey tissue a tad, they boy from 9 screamed, it ripped from his throat like mother being taken from her child. I curled my fingers around his skin and yanked with every inch of force I could muster. The skin tore backward, ripping every fiber as of it was cloth. His body shook from the pain that radiated in his wounds, his screams turning into sobs.

I let the flab of skin drop staring at the intestines that lay inside the bloody mess of a stomach. I slowly reached inside my finger’s wrapping around the slimy snake-like entrails. I yanked them out, one length at a time. The boy shrieked with each knew yank, he screamed until all that came out was a strangled gag, he desperately tried to roll out of the way but it was already too late. I knew that, he knew that and now the whole of Panem knew that. That sense never stopped them from struggling though. It wasn’t going to be long until he passed out and I wanted him to be conscious when he died.

A sardonic smile played across my lips as I wrapped the entrails, most of which were hanging half out of his stomach around his neck. I started squeezing, tighter and tighter. His face turned red and his jaw fell open. His chest started contracting as he tried to get in just a little more air.

Why was it that we looked so ugly when we died?

After a few more seconds his eyes rolled back in his head and his body went slack. I stared at him for a second feeling the familiar energy I got after killing someone seep into my body. I let go and slowly rose to my feet, pocketing my knife  and reclaiming my beautiful silver claws. I slipped them in my hands, they fit perfectly. I started to exit the bloody room when I noticed a camera. I grinned, “I may not be quite as dumb as I made myself out to be.” I said with a snarl.

With that I left the room and walked back into the warm sunshine of late afternoon. The wheels in my brain wheeling with my explanation for my reclaimed weapon and my blood soaked hands.