Azrael peered through the blizzard, worry gnawing at his gut. Roxanne was holding onto his arm, shielding her face with her free hand. I can't believe I lost Meri, Azrael thought. I was supposed to protect her. Not lose her in some freak storm. There was no way to know where they were going or what was happening. The blizzard cut them off from the world, carpeting it with snow and walling them in with white that went as far as the eye could see. The roaring of the wind was all they heard, and it echoed in their ears, a raucous cacophony. 

Roxanne stumbled, her free arm flailing as she tried to catch herself. Her hand slipped from his arm, and she fell. Azrael stopped and hauled her back to her feet, unsure why he was still with her. But for whatever reason, he didn't want to lose her. He shouted over the wind, "You've got to keep up!"

Roxanne struggled to breathe, feeling as though she were suffocating in the wind. She held Azrael's arm in a vice-like grip and closed her eyes, only partially trusting him to lead her to safety. She shrieked, "I hate snow!"

In the distance stood Achmetha, his camouflaging cloak wrapped snugly around him. His wounds burned, but each had stopped bleeding. The sheer rage inside him had finally been replaced with utter exhaustion. The memory of him suffocating as the drug he took kicked in was still fresh in his memory. So for now he would stay behind and watch his ally and former ally.

Melody was just footsteps away from the two ravenous killers waiting on the edge of the woods, still oblivious to their presence. Far from the one at the opening ceremonies, absolutely radiant in her set of silver armor. This Melody was the real one, skin covered by the bravery that Anox had associated her name. But these games were no photoshoot, no names plastered in jewels on the backs of heads. These games were as real as the last tear on Michael's dying cheek.

Azrael had the distinct sense that someone was watching them. The hairs on the back of his neck rose, and prickles washed over him. He'd been in enough situations like this to trust his instincts, but when he looked back, no one was there. Is the snow playing with my mind? That thought terrified him. If he couldn't trust his instincts, what could he trust?

Achmetha laughed as he saw Azrael look back at him. What's the matter? Can't handle a ghost? He chuckled softly before wincing at the pain. He always loved to deal this kind of pain, but to receive it was another thing.

"Roxi, stop." Azrael held out his arm and put it across her chest to halt her.

"W-what? What's w-wrong?" Roxanne's teeth chattered uncontrollably as she spoke, and she shivered as she looked back over her shoulder, trying to figure out what had made Azrael stop.

Melody couldn't breathe any longer. The effort it took to escape the Cornucopia, all whilst escaping Demetriot, who would've surely made a clean cut through her gut if it weren't that boiling water. Only when Melody had entered the safety of the trees once more did she hear the unmistakable boom of a cannon, signaling his-undoubtedly painful-end. As she stumbled past the trunks surrounding her, she paused a moment to catch her breath, burying her near blue fingers into the safety of her wooly coat. Only then, did she hear the unmistakable hush of voices.

"Someone's following us. And they're probably up to no good. If they were on our side, they'd show themselves." Azrael waved back behind them. "We have to be careful. Whoever it is could be a problem. Thankfully, we know it's not Achmetha," he mumbled. "I'm fairly sure no one can survive a knife to the heart." Sadness washed over him. No matter how much he tried to rationalize his choice, he felt horrible. I didn't really want to kill him, he realized.

Roxanne trembled at his words and looked away. Achmetha had been her ally. Her ally! And Azrael killed him! Why? She wondered why she even trusted Azrael...

As if to answer her question, Azrael murmured in her ear, "I didn't want to, Roxi. I swear, I didn't. But I had to protect Meri. I had to."

Achmetha felt his gun in his hand a special bullet in it. A blade hung heavy at his belt. He aimed the hub straight up he fired it. Face your demons, like I have. Achmetha's cloak still protected him as the acid poured down around him. Blood trickled down his chest as he realized he was bleeding again. He took out a small case of boiling hot water, and poured it on his open wound, sealing it for a little longer.

Azrael started as the crack of a gun broke through the wind of the blizzard. "Run!" He tugged Roxanne forward. The person behind them definitely wasn't a friend. And he for one wanted to stay alive a bit longer.

    Roxanne stumbled ahead in terror, the sound of the gun vibrating through her bones and turning them to jelly. Azrael knew that there was only one person who had a gun in the arena. But it was impossible - Achmetha's heart had stopped, hadn't it? Could've sworn he stopped breathing too... He disregarded the notion. Anyone could've stumbled across Achmetha's body and taken the gun. They hadn't bothered with it. He and Meri had been a bit preoccupied, and she'd been busy getting him not to kill Alexander.

Roxanne's heart pounded. All she could think was, No one has a gun except... except....

Achmetha smiled grimly. Everyone thought he was dead. Well, except for Bellona, but she wasn't there anymore. Now no one in the arena knew he was among the living.

    Azrael sprinted for the forest, but he stopped short when he heard a sizzling, popping noise. The wind died out as the crackling became louder. It sounded like a broken power line. He stopped abruptly. That wasn't right. Now, they had to either face whoever had the gun or risk the new dangers of the forest.

    Suddenly a scream pierced the air, sounding as though someone were being fried to death. Roxanne stopped short, eyes widening as she scanned the area around them. "What in the world was that? Someone being electrocuted?"

    The cannon in the distance answered her question.

The sound of someone being electrocuted was far too familiar to him. Achmetha's breath came out in a deep sigh. 'This game keeps getting deadlier.'

***

The raging winds were the one thing Melody could appreciate, as she slipped down to her knees in the snow. She'd allowed her guard to stay down for the longest of times, and if the rapid flicks of snow were not there to conceal her footsteps, she would've been spotted for sure.

Slowly inching forward on her hands and knees, Melody braced her body against the cold and willed her limbs past the nearest bush, ducking behind the branches . The voices were louder now, almost magnified, like the game makers welcomed Melody into their conversation. She crept forward as a blast of sharp wind forced her onward, stumbling into the blizzard.

***

    "That settles it. A no to the forest." Azrael shook his head and faced toward the threat of the gun. As of yet, he still couldn't see the person. Perhaps they were camouflaging themselves? Someone streaked out of the forest and bowled into them. The person tumbled into him, knocking him down as a bullet flew over his head. Who on earth?

    A whimper sounded. Melody?

Achmetha could barely contain his surprise. Without realizing it he had a knife drawn, ready to kill Melody like he should've, but his injuries stopped him. He was barely staying conscious.

Melody's heart was in her throat as she slammed into something solid before her. The glistening blade of a dagger swept in front of her face, though it was not meant for her. Melody gasped, as she tumbled past the figure ahead, crumpling into the snow.

    Toby came running out after Melody, breathing heavily as he took in the scene before him. "What," he managed to say between gasps, "the hell is happening? The water--the water is filled with electricity and so is the-"

    Azrael didn't reply immediately. Instead he slashed down with his blade and caught Alexander directly in the chest. The boy yelped, cheeks flushing, and he let out one last wheeze, before falling dead in the snow. His outstretched hand went limp and landed over Azrael's boot. However, Azrael didn't seem fazed in the slightest.

He rolled his eyes at Toby. "Yeah, we figured that out." He gave Melody a hand up, ignoring the bleeding corpse of the tribute at his feet. The cannon was lost in the whipping winds. He couldn't pretend he wasn't extremely grateful to Melody from keeping their would-be assassin from blowing his brains out, although it was obvious, she was terrified. Even if she hadn't meant to save him, he was still here, bullet-free. "Let's get out of here. Otherwise, mystery dude is going to take another pot shot at one of us. Considering their aim last time, they won't miss again."

    "Crap," Toby said, "we better get on the move."

    Roxanne was clenching and unclenching her fists as she glared at Melody. "What is she doing here?" she growled.

Achmetha's ears strained to hear what they were saying, yet he knew that Roxi wasn't happy to see Melody. He also didn't like the fact that she was with them. If Azrael knew he was still alive; he wouldn't be for much longer.

"Someone has to investigate whoever's shooting. We need to know where they are and get rid of them." Azrael crossed his arms and glared at the other three. "I'm volunteering." He lifted his chin, daring them to defy his choice.

Achmetha's eyes widened as he heard Azrael. 'Please anyone but him', he silently pleaded. He silently hoped Azrael would be dead before he saw Alexander lying dead on the ground, blood staining the snow.

"No," Melody answered immediately, stepping forward. "I'd rather," she said. She silently hoped that if she could get within the tree line, she could make a quick getaway in the opposite direction. She eyed the trees and disappeared between the trunks before anyone could lift a finger to stop her. .

Azrael yelled after her, "Are you serious? I offered to take the suicide mission, but no... You want to be the hero? Fine! Have it your way!"

Roxanne, scowled looking as though she wanted to chase after Melody. "Idiot. Can't she tell that everything is electrified?"

***

Achmetha watched Melody through his cloak, ready to attack, or at least scare her senseless. 'Just a little closer.' "No sudden movements, or I will- end you." Achmetha breathed in her ear from behind.

Though Melody knew better than to let herself be recognized, she couldn't hold back the whimper that escaped her lips. A new blade was at her throat, glistening as the edge caught the light. She could feel the tip gently digging into her bare skin, and she fought back a scream of utter horror. The hand clutching the handle tightened its force around her, though it wasn't nearly as painful as she could've imagined.

Achmetha wished he could use more force, but he couldn't. Not if he wanted to live. He needed an inside person to get him the medical supplies he needed. He nearly dropped the knife as another spike of pain shot through him.

Melody couldn't understand the way the tribute holding her (if it really was a tribute and not some sick mutation the Capital created.) seemed to be fidgeting behind his rock hard grip on the blade. However, Melody knew better than to wait for the opportunity to vanish. Gathering an ounce of composure, she kicked back and slammed her foot into his shin.

That's all it took for Achmetha to collapse utterly exhausted. Undoing the small zipper in his cloak he turned off the camouflaging. Allowing the pain to win momentarily.

Melody stepped away, chest heaving in anticipation of his next move. However, he fell to the ground not a moment later, worn down by exhaustion. Melody didn't know where the sudden urge to stay came from, but she did not run. Instead, she got down on one knee and leaned in. She saw Michael again and couldn't resist the mother-like instinct engraved in her bones, calling her to him.

    Bloody scratches and gaping wounds seemed to cover every square inch of skin beneath the shoulders, and though he was fully clothed, she knew there was more under his coat.

    "Stop," he heaved at once, slashing at her with his blade. If she hadn't leaned back in time, the blade for surely would've split her cheek open. Melody slowly inched her way backwards, but the boy kept coming until the dagger's tip rested over her heart. "Don't. Move."

    Melody couldn't think of any pleading words. Her throat was dry. She fell backwards on her rear, as her weight shifted.

"If you move again, I'll kill you," he hissed.

Melody didn't know where the words came from, but they escaped, nonetheless. "I can help you," she murmured, voice cracking slightly as she spoke. She cleared her throat and tried again. "You don't have to do this," she said. 

      "Give me one good reason not to," he panted.

    "You're hurt. L-let me help you out." The stutter was obvious, no matter how hard she pushed it back.

    "You can get me medical supplies?" This was what he'd really been hoping all along. He narrowed his eyes at her and lowered the blade, his arm aching.

    Melody reached forward slowly, attempting to study the bandages that had been shoddily applied to his arm. He reared back, showering her in snow.

    "Hey, what's the hold up?!" came a voice from the opposite direction, calling Melody back. She shook her head in frustration that she hadn't been able to depart fast enough.

    "If you tell them I'm still alive, I'll kill you. Swear you won't!" Desperation shone in his blue eyes.

    Melody swallowed roughly, standing upright once more. He looked so weak. How easy he would be to take down. But this was just like the incident back at the Cornucopia. Melody didn't have the heart for such things. "I swear... I won't! I-I have to go."

    He needed to trust her. There was no other choice. So he let her go and watched as she scrambled to her feet. He sat there in the snow, letting her run back toward their meager camp, fully aware that if she betrayed him, 'He would die. And Melody knew it too.'