Finally! Now the chapters will probably be better quality. Sorry. I always want everyone to get in the arena so bad. Bye for now!

Blight's POV
-----------------------

The cold metal bench nips at my thighs as I tap my foot impatiently.

The outfit the Gamemakers had left me consisted of a light yellow tank top and camouflage shorts. The shoes are hard to describe, but they seem good for running. I guess it's going to be a desert biome. Mom puts her hand on top of mine. She uses her other hand to stroke my dark brown hair. She is crying.

"My boy. My beautiful boy. I couldn't save you. I ruined everything."

I put my hand on top of hers. "Mom, it wasn't your fault. It's okay." I say to her. It's not okay, but it's not her fault. I know she doesn't want history to repeat itself. Neither do I.

"No, no. It's not okay. I should've- should've tried to do something. I should've kept my big mouth shut."

My breath catches in my throat. What did she do? As if reading my thoughts, she replies.

"During the crowning, I said something to the President. I think he considered it an act of rebellion. I always wondered why he never punished me. I should have known never to have children."

"But I was young and stupid. I had you. Blight, you being in the Games is my punishment. " 

I open my mouth to say something- anything- but a booming voice comes from the loudspeakers.

"ONE MINUTE TO LAUNCH"

As I go into certain death, I embrace my Mother for presumably the last time. Her tears stain my shirt. It will go soon, but at least I can take something with me into the arena. I don't have a token, I never thought to get one. Now I regret it.

"THIRTY SECONDS TO LAUNCH"

I give my mother one last kiss on the cheek. She slips her fingers out of mine and I turn to the glass tube.

"TWENTY SECONDS TO LAUNCH"

I walk into the tube and press my hand against the glass. Mom sniffles a little extra and does the same.

"TEN SECONDS TO LAUNCH"

Mom starts to cry again and I have the urge to cry, too. But I push it down and focus on looking confident. I'm indescribably anxious right now. It feels like there are snakes writhing around in my abdomen.

"10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1"

The plate starts to rise. I catch a last glimpse of my Mother's face as I go up. The tears are still there. I have something to hold onto.

A hot wind catches me off guard and I almost slam into the wall. I straighten up just in time because the glass is receding and I'm forced to stand up. I was right. It's a desert.

59,

I look around to spot Megaera. She is two pedestals to my right. I between her and me is a tribute from Five. I don't remember his name, but he doesn't seem like much of an opponent.  The snakes in my stomach seem to have doubled in size and are thrashing around wildly.

45,

I spot Lakelyn two pedestals to my left. The tribute directly to my left seems to be frantically trying to calm herself down. "Hey buddy!" I yell to her. She sees me. I can't read her face. "Just breathe and run, okay?" She nods.

30,

The snakes start to somersault. I quickly catch Megaera's eye and nod to the scrublands behind us. There seems to be a forest of sand dunes. Beyond that we think we see the sea.

27,

Some physic sense wills me to turn my head toward Lakelyn. A small wooden ball- probably her token- rests in her hand. She drops it. Time slows as it falls to the sandy ground. The nervous tribute to my left curls into a ball on the floor of her podium. It lands. BOOM! An explosion pops my ears and practically knocks me off my pedestal. I get splattered in blood and guts.

25,

A cannon sounds. My stomach twists into knots. Lakelyn is dead even before the Games start. I calm myself down and get ready to run.

15,

I take one last glance at Megaera. I'm not a fast runner. I can start fast, but the distance gets me in the end. This worries me.

9,

I gulp and wait for the gong to sound. I try not to think about Lakelyn.

2,

My muscles tense and I get ready to run.

1

I have one last thought before the games. Oh my god.

BONG!!

"LET THE 52nd ANNUAL HUNGER GAMES BEGIN!"