"Well this is interesting." Commented Donnie as he and Katrina emerged from the forest, tall stone grey buildings laid out in front of them looking like blocks thanks to their rather simple structure. Glass windows dotted around, reflecting the light of the fake sun and it was rather strange that there was windows for no doors were present- in their place was simple archways.

"They don't go very high." Commented Katrina, her eyes sweeping across the new landscape,"the tallest they seem to reach is six stories. The forest's trees just manage to hide them." 

The two of them walked into the city in silence, the pair of them tense as they tried to look out for traps as they went through the narrow gaps between each building- replicating alleyways. The only noises that could be heard was their footsteps as they touched down on the pavement with each step they too with their heavy breathing to accompany it.

"Do you think we should stay in one of them?" Asked Katrina, wanting to hear his ideas on what they should do. 

"I think we should." Came his reply,"it would be good shelter and there might be food or supplies in some of them."

"Then why don't we stay over there?" She asked, pointing over to a simple one story building that didn't seem to be all that big, "we don't need a lot of space and it'll be easier to escape if we get ambushed."

Donnie nodded, liking the idea and with that the pair of them slipped into the flat where they found out that the whole building only had one room with very little in it. Some cans of food were tucked away in a corner, a pile of blankets laying in the middle and a stove on the left side of where they entered.  

Both tributes were slightly disappointed by what they saw, but none of them could really say that they weren't expecting it.  Deciding that it would best to set aside their disappointment, they went over to the cans of food deciding to ration it out, both not uttering a sound as they did the rather mundane job. They were still trying to get over their new situation, still trying to get over the tragic idea that was still looming over their heads. 

Night then fell over the whole arena, the capitol symbol being projected up into the sky where it joined the orbs of light that represented the stars. A familiar tune played, pictures of the fallen tributes now replacing the symbol. Head shots of Cedric Bush, Alexandra Queen, Yami Kimoto, Chase Smith and Coral Moon were broadcasted, few tributes feeling sorry for their deaths, few tributes not wanting to think about it. Meanwhile at home several families and friends had their TVs turned off, curtains closed as they were absorbed by their own grief and depression that had made it's nest in them. None of them knew how to function after what they had saw that day.

The national anthem turned itself off, the pictures disappearing to leave the nineteen of them to try and sleep. 

Then in came the morning, a rather bleak sky blanketing over the whole area to show just how early it was when the careers rise to carry out their plan.  They grabbed what they could carry, dumping food in the two remaining packs that were left. In one was mainly food supplies, sleeping bags and rope, in the other was canteens, some weapons and a make-shift first aid kit. 

"Are we all ready?" Asked Caleb, taking the role as leader in their small group. His fellow careers nodded and with that all six of them ventured north of their sanctuary, Sarina and Shadow carrying the packs as they walked in the middle with the district one tributes in front and the district four tributes behind. 

"Be sure to look out for any other people." Added Caleb as he lead the way, gripping the weapon tightly in his hand. 

They walked onward, quiet chatter being created by Tyler and Shelby as they talked about a random topic that Tyler had brought up, finding interest in it. Sarina and Shadow went at a moderate pace, keeping up with the two at the front and being sure that they causing any inconvenience to those behind. The straps of the bags dug into their shoulders causing slight distress for the cyborg and the snake. But they continued on, not complaining about the weight they had to carry  for they knew there was no point to it- especially as they were going to swap with district four later on. 

Leaves spread out above them as they walked into the forest, the emerald green leaves catching the sun light as the rays touched the floor with delicacy, revealing the carpet of twigs, stones and soil that they tread on. It only continued to be like this for a while before the trees stopped growing and the stones and dry dirt increased, steep slopes and dangerous looking cliffs being revealed. 

They stopped there in between the rocky terrain and the forest, the six of them taking the opportunity to drink and eat a little before they continued onward once more.The sun beat down onto them, it positioned straight overhead to mark midday and to mark the timing for the intense wave of heat. Sweat trickled down all six faces, five of them wanting to race more but due to Caleb's need of getting to higher levels they were all forced to move again. Much to the relief of Sarina and Shadow the packs were swapped over to Shelby and Tyler, putting the siblings in the center of the formation.

They continued on, some of them stumbling on as they tried to get their footing in order, tripping over loose stones and kicking up dust. Sarina and Shadow trailed around the back, waiting for Shelby and Tyler to climb up a ledge that they had just encountered. 

"Hey can I ask you something?" Whisper Shadow, her eyes flickering to the people ahead before back at her district partner. Sarina followed where Shadow's eyes went before going back to the mutant's face, her blue eyes flashing before she nodded- letting the mutant to speak. 

"Do you... Trust them?" Asked Shadow, still in a hush tone

"Who do you mean by them? Our alliance?" 

Shadow nodded, "I don't really trust Caleb," she continued, "I think he's planning something." 

"That is a very good assumption but we can't be sure if he is or not. But I agree with you, there certainly appears to be something... Off about him."

 "Do you think we should do something about it?" 

Sarina bit her lip, focusing on the her thoughts that were trying to get their attention. She mulled over the question her partner had just asked, wondering if it would be a good idea to do something now opposed to later. 

"We'll come up for a plan later. Perhaps when we've stopped for the day." Concluded the cyborg. 

"Okay then." 

And that was the end of their discussion, Shadow turning to lift herself up on the ledge before following the Bradfords and District one, Sarina not that far behind. 

They spent a few more hours climbing and night came over them once again. The capitol symbol and it's anthem came and went, without any deaths to show. The Careers had managed to find a rather small cave which they camped in front of, they ate and drank water- discussing tactics before some of them decided to retire for the evening. One of the few people that was still up was Shadow, who was looking down at her turquoise mask- memories running her mind.

"Hey Shadow?" 

The girl looked up, her eyes travelling to Caleb who had just asked for her. 

"Yeah?" 

"Can we go somewhere for a moment? I don't want anyone hearing what I have to say to you." 

A puzzled look came over the snake's features, slightly skeptical for why he wanted her. But she obliged, wanting to find out what exactly it was that he needed. She got up from her rock and with that the two went a little away from their camp, Caleb leading her to a slightly higher spot on the mountain they were on. He just stood there- looking out at the whole arena, looking rather peaceful as he glanced up at the navy sky. 

"What's up?" 

"Do you know what I really care about?" Questioned the red head, not tearing his eyes away from the scenery. 

"No, what do you care about?" 

"This alliance." He said, causing the snake's heartbeat to quicken. Did he notice her talking to Sarina earlier?

"R- really?" 

"Yes." He replied, his tone rather calm, "this alliance is going to make it's way to the final ten and I would just hate it if something bad was to happen to it." 

"Y- yeah... That would be bad..."

"So that's why I want you tell me what you and the cyborg were talking about earlier today." 

"We... We were just talking." Said Shadow, feeling slight panic gripping her heart, "we weren't planning anything." 

The boy turned to face her, his eyes cold and hard to indicate that he was very mad. "You're lying to me."

"I'm not lying!" 

"Yes you are!" He hissed, looking closely at her, "you know I don't think I would want to work with someone who's lying. They're not trustworthy. 

"Hey, wha-" 

A scream ripped itself free from her for she was falling off the edge of the cliff thanks to Caleb pushing her. The air rushed past her, her hands desperately clawing at the face of the cliff in order to break her fall, to save herself from death. But that wasn't to happen, the ground rushing up at her, rocks piercing her body making a cannon to sound off. 

Caleb looked down, seeing Shadow's mangle body which brought a scowl on his face. She should've told him the truth, then things might have gone differently.