I wake up abruptly, gasping for air, trying to reach for something. I don't even remember stopping to get some sleep; I probably collapsed from exhaustion after the horrible night I just lived. It's already the morning, the air is slightly hotter, but still pretty cold, and the arena's artificial light allows me to see my surroundings. I'm still in a field, probably the same one Adenias died in. The only different thing is the flowers. It's the same type, but the colour is different. It looks a lot like wolfsbane. Each of the delicate white petals ends with a line of a dark red, the colour of blood. I reach out to the flower, but I'm stopped by something. I raise my hand to my eyes' level. It's covered in dried blood, in Adenias' blood. I thought I cleaned it, but the darkness must have fooled me. I take a leaf on the ground and frantically rub it against my skin until it burns. It doesn't work; I can't get rid of it. I furiously throw the leaf away and watch it whirl in the air, two feet away for me. I try to resist the urge of emptying my last water bottle on my hands; I need to find a water source to get cleaned up and wash my clothes. I try to pull myself back together and grab one of the flowers that I then put between my two hands, closing them over it. I make sure to leave a small opening for me to peek inside. In the dark, it starts glowing just like earlier. I crush it until it doesn't look like a plant anymore and throw it away. I must not have been able to walk for a long time if I'm still in the same field.

I don't know how much time I've been asleep; it probably hasn't been long because I don't feel rested. I punch the ground, mad at myself. No matter if it's been minutes or hours, it could have been enough for another tribute to find me and slit my throat open.

I exhale loudly and get up, throwing the bag on my shoulder. I pick up another flower that I delicately put into my bag. To remember, I tell myself. Not that I need help for that, but I have the impression that constantly carrying this around will make me want to get out of here faster and that it will give me the courage to keep on fighting.

I make a list in my head of the things I need to do to survive this hell: find water, make a weapon, hunt, kill. I haven't seen any river or lake since I arrived so there is either none or it's on the other side of the arena. There needs to be at least one source of water, otherwise we'd all die from thirst and it would be boring; I just have to find where it is. At least, it's not hot; it's quite the opposite actually, so I don't lose as much water as I would do back at home by sweating. I'm quite lost so I try to head in the direction where I think the Cornucopia is. I don't know why I decide to go that way as this is where most tributes will be and it's a pretty dangerous place to stay at. I try to count how many people are left. Eight died from the bloodbath, then the girl from three, another two died later, someone else was attacked during the night and finally, my four allies; leaving 8 tributes, including me and the three remaining Careers. Sixteen deaths in less than 24 hours, it must be one of the deadliest Games.

🔱

I manage to reach the metal structure in a little less than five hours. I changed directions quite a few times, but I finally to found it. I try to hide in a bush, hoping that it won't move and try to kill me like the vines. Before crossing the field, I want to make sure it's empty and that I won't get killed by doing so. I might lose a few hours by walking around it, but if the Careers are there, it will be worth it. After a few minutes, I start to relax a bit. The bushes don't seem too eager to kill me and even if someone passed right by me, he couldn't even see me through the leaves. This is actually a pretty good hiding spot for observation. However, I know I'm far from safe so I try to stay alert as much as possible. I don't know how much time I plan to stay here; maybe I'm just using my surveillance mission as an excuse to take a break. I haven't taken any since I slept. I didn't even take the time to eat. Even if I don't feel hungry, I open my bag and get a fresh fruit and my water bottle. Anthos is the one who picked it. It was just a few hours ago. It's crazy how much things can change in such a short lapse of time. When I bite into the fruit, the sweetness takes me by surprise. It looks like an apple, but I've never seen it before. It's so good and juicy. Maybe I was hungry after all.

"I wonder who died during the night. Maybe it's this stupid guy from four. How do you think he got such a high score?"

I immediately stop moving and try to listen. It must be the Careers coming back. It was a deep voice, probably coming from the district one boy.

"I don't know, probably by showing his pretty eyes to the judges. This guy has no real talent, I'm telling you." answers a girl, laughing.

"Look at me, I'm so good looking! My face is so perfect! I'm gonna get so much sponsors!"

I don't know what he's trying to do, probably mimic me. I bet he looks stupid. I frown, trying not to laugh as this would give away my position.

"Have you seen him lick Caesar's ass. It was so pathetic."

It's definitely the Careers. I recognize the third voice as Ayana Laurelcove's, the girl from district two. I put my hand over my mouth and hold my breath as they walk right by me. The boy bumps into the end of the bush, less than a foot away from my leg; for a second, I'm scared they're going to see me.

"Do you think they put back more water in there?" asks Ayana.

"I don't know, maybe. If we keep control of the Cornucopia, the other will just die from thirst, it'll be an easy win." answers the boy, still laughing.

I wonder what they meant by that. Is there still water over there? Do they replace the empty bottles? If it's the case, it can only mean one thing: there is either no other source of water or the water is not drinkable. I guess I'll have to find out myself.

Iwait until they reached the Cornucopia to start breathing normally again. Ifinish the fruit as fast as I can before putting everything back into my bagand getting out of my hiding spot discretely.