I don't really remember what happened that day before I went to the tube. I was so stressed that I couldn't speak.

The tube rose and I looked around. It was hot and bright. I recognized this place, I think it's called the Great Canyon? It definitely seemed to be it.

I looked at the Cornucopia being filled with supplies as usual. I spotted the spear and a bow with arrows.

The horn sounded.

I rushed to the Cornucopia while pushing George from 9 on the though ground made of rocks. I'm sure he broke his hand.

I got the bow that was near,
"Ryan catch!" I threw the weapon to him along with arrows.
"Thanks!" He started shooting tributes that were near the podiums or were about to run away.
William and Ethan also began killing, I had to do it too.
I spotted a kid from 3 getting a pack of food, I threw a spear at his head. When I got left without my spear, Aldo also from 3, wanted to attack me with a knife. I managed to break his neck and get my spear. Then I found Cooper from 5 and I smashed him into the ground. I watched as Ethan and William had fun while killing, I didn't. The last person that I killed during the Bloodbath was Caleb from 10. I'm not sure how many people died, I wasn't able to count because of the nerves.
"12 boys dead. Not bad." Ethan said.
"Let's see what we have." He added.
We all put the supplies that we had on the ground.
Five bottles of water, a bag of sausages and matches.
"Cool, let's rest for now. Then we will move on." William said and we all sat on the ground.

I don't understand one thing. Why are they having fun? Why am I not? Is there something wrong with me?

I looked at the blood on my spear and slowly washed off with my shirt.
"Hey, you're okay?" Ryan asked.
"Yeah, I'm good."
"We will leave those two soon and then it will be just you and me." He kissed me on the neck. That kiss felt so warm, like the only nice thing that I had right now was Ryan.
With Ryan I felt safe. I felt like he accepted who I am and that he loves me for me, not for being a career.
"I love you." I whispered to him.
"I love you too." He replied.

...

Next day we started walking around the arena. I saw scorpions, walking around. They are definitely poisonous.

"Psst." Ryan pointed at bunch of rocks that one shot could make them fall.
I knew what Ryan wanted to do and before I could stop him, he shot an arrow at the rocks.
"Run!" He yelled and that's what I did. I started running but I felt something hit my head.
My vision became blurry, I tried to get up but I didn't have energy. I just closed my eyes and was ready to die.

...

Is this how am I going to die?

On day 2 of 250th Hunger Games?

No, I can't let Chloe go on the games.
Not her or Ernest or any siblings that I would have in future.

...

Bright light came to my eyes and the heat was hitting. It wasn't afterlife, it was still the canyon. I was still alive.
"Mason?" Ryan's voice came to my ears.
"Ryan?"
I felt huge pain in my the back of my head.
"You're awake, I was worried." He said.
My counciones came to me completely and I realized that we were in a cave. Just me and Ryan.
"What happened?" I asked.
"So, a rock hit your head and it was bleeding. We got separated from other careers and I got medicine from sponsors that made you be okay now." He explained.
"Did anyone died?"
"No. It had been two days."
"Should we change that?" I smiled. I don't have fun killing but I know that Ryan kinda has.

...

We started walking around and looking for tributes.
"Hey, Mason?"
"Yes?"
"I'm sorry, the idea with pushing the rocks was bad, I should have thought more about it."
"It's okay, at least we left William and Ethan."
Our talk was interrupted by a canon which made our two alarmed and we took out our weapons.
"Do you think they did it?" Ryan asked.
"For sure." I answered.
We soon noticed Ethan near a dead body of Ryder from 10.
"Is he alone?" I asked.
"Now, he is." Ryan answered and quietly as possible took out an arrow. He shot the arrow in the back of Ethan's head and with almost no sound he fell into the ground.
"The canon sounded, they'll probably start looking for him soon. Let's go." I said and we left to the cave.

...

The nights were surprisingly cold, it was a relief from the hot days. Me and Ryan were sleeping next to eachother.
"There are ten boys left." He said.
"I know."
"You know, from all people that I could get here with, I am glad that it's you." Ryan smiled.
"Yeah, me too."

...

On the next day we were walking around but because of the heat we quickly got tried.
"So, Mason" Ryan started.
"Why did you volunteered?" He asked.
I was thinking if I should answer, I trust Ryan but millions of people are watching. I decided to talk about it, not like it matters anyway.
"It's a tradition in my family. My mum wanted at least one of her kids to win because had a fatal injury and couldn't volunteer herself. Each year no matter what age, she forces us to volunteer. First it was Alvin at age 16, then Tris age 15 and Janette age 18." I explained.
"And now it's you?"
"Yes. If I die, my sister Chloe will go and then Ernest."
"That's horrible. I really want you to win."
"What about you Ryan? Tell me something about yourself." I tried to light up the mood.
"Well, I was training sometimes for the games but it was never something I loved. I would like to be a writer."
"A writer?"
"Yeah. I want to to write romantic novels."
"I'm sure that it would be the best one."
"Thanks, Mason."