Crouched low and silent, Otto observed. Every move he made was thought out, from the position he assumed to the steady rhythm of his breathing. His nails dug in the dirt beneath his feet, his eyes wide and alert as he watched his prey. But it wasn’t a rabbit, nor a deer, or any other creature that he was waiting on. It was a boy.

 I loathed the way he watched the boy from 12 with eager eyes, his tongue sliding across his lips sickeningly as though hunting a child was sport. It was fortunate he was injured, the arrow wound that Elianna had given him slowing him down, sending waves of sweat pouring from his forehead, and in the process buying District 12 time to run. But he didn’t. I sat in my room, feeling frustrated as I willed the boy to run, but he stayed. District 12 stayed put, idly skinning a rabbit with his knife, his back against a tree. A twisted grin appeared on Otto’s face as he slithered forwards through the mist towards his prey. I lost sight of him, right up until the moment where he appeared behind District 12’s boy, a rope in hand. Quick as a flash, he tied the rope around the neck of the tribute and around the tree, tight enough that the boy couldn’t escape and dropped his knife in terror, but not tight enough to suffocate him. Because Otto wasn’t ready to kill yet. He wanted to have some fun.

 The boy from 12 looked up at Otto with pleading eyes, but Otto had never been a merciful boy. Otto’s eyes scanned over the boy’s impressive knife collection, laid out neatly a metre or so away from the owner. He picked one up and examined it carefully.

 “Knives, eh?” Otto said, pacing “I was never a very good knife thrower.”

 District 12 squirmed helplessly, letting out a strangled cry as his useless struggle caused the rope to dig into his windpipe. Otto frowned at the knife.

 “What do you say to a little target practise?” he asked the boy innocently. Suddenly, the knife was flying through the air, and a horrific cry filled the air as it lodged in District 12’s shoulder. Otto sighed.

 “That won’t do, will it? I have such bad aim. That wasn’t where I was aiming!” he moaned. Then his face darkened. He walked slowly towards the boy, grabbing another knife from the pile. I imagined being the boy from 12, whimpering as Otto knelt before me, his hot breath on my face. Otto teased the knife over the boy’s face, over his pale blue eyes, down to his chest.

 “You see,” he murmured “I was rather hoping I’d hit you…right…about…” He brought the knife to a stop, digging the blade in a little. Just above his heart “…here.”

 I switched the channel to watch Riley as the boy began to scream. It was too horrific to watch. At least seeing Riley unscathed and back on the move was a reassuring sight. She was marching boldly, though a little blindly, through the dark, her torch attached to her belt for later use. Elianna walked a metre or so behind quietly, talking even less than usual. They were an odd pair, Riley and Elianna, though not ill-suited. Since Milo’s death, they were ever closer, watching one another’s back constantly and keeping each other safe. It had been two days since I sent Riley the torch and only one more death had occurred, the girl from 3 who’d been lucky to make it as far as she did anyway. She’d died of dehydration, apparently. This had left the betting placements a little stale, and the Capitol citizens aching for a big event. As that thought struck my mind, District 12’s cannon sounded, marking his death, and there was a cheer from the streets. The Capitol people had been hungry for action, and they’d got it. That’s what they like about Otto. He provides the excitement I thought bitterly. Riley and Elianna stopped, shuffling closer to one another. The death meant danger for them. It meant Otto was either going for the Career pack, or for them. And I knew which was more likely.

 “We have to keep moving,” Elianna said quietly “He’ll be looking for you.”

 “Let him come,” Riley said. Elianna put her hands on Riley’s shoulders firmly, concern in his eyes.

 “Riley,” she said sternly “I understand that a fight between the two of you is inevitable. I understand that only one of you can win, and you want to get your revenge for what he did to Milo. But have some sense. Don’t let me lose you simply because you want to pick a fight now! It’s not time yet,” she said. Riley blinked, a little surprised by Elianna’s outburst. Then she laughed and hugged Elianna’s waist.

 “Alright. Don’t you worry. I’ll stay right here with you.” Elianna’s features relaxed as she hugged Riley back, leaning her chin on Riley’s red mop of hair. But something struck me as odd. The end of the Games was creeping up fast. Why was Elianna so interested in keeping Riley safe? I rewound the television to listen to what she’d said again. I understand that only one of you can win. Did that mean she had simply assumed she wasn’t good enough to win? Or was there something more? Don’t let me lose you simply because you want to pick a fight now! It’s not time yet. Time? What did she mean? Something told me there was more to what she was saying than visible. But I couldn’t figure it out. I leaned back on my bed, propping my head against the pillow. I wanted to connect Elianna together, like a dot to dot. To figure out what was going on in her head. She wasn’t a fool. Everything she said and did meant something. I thought of her family, of the tale of her best day, her motherly protectiveness of Riley. There was something I was missing in the bigger picture. And it frustrated me.

 It was nightfall in the Capitol when Riley and Elianna settled down. Elianna took the first watch, her hand protectively rested on Riley’s forehead as she slept. She tucked her hair behind her ears and waited. I found my eyes drooping as several hours passed without incident, and I eventually closed them. Just for a while I convinced myself. But when they reopened, it was nearly morning. I sat up abruptly, but nothing appeared to have happened. Elianna had long gone over her watch time, and Riley was still asleep. It occurred to me that Elianna cared little for herself, and more for Riley. Was that what her actions were about?

 A wind was present that morning in the arena. It whistled past Elianna’s ear, as though whispering a secret as it passed. Elianna’s senses were sharpened. She sniffed, as though she could smell something in the air. Perhaps she could. As the wind picked up further, the fogs cleared, and Elianna stood, nudging Riley awake with her toe. Riley scrambled for her weapons, Elianna already with her bow in hand.

 “What’s happening?” she wanted to know.

 “Someone’s coming. Coming for us.”

 “Otto?”

 “No. Not Otto. The Careers.”

 Sure enough, moments later they arrived, the boys from four and one. They were both strong looking, but neither of the girls seemed fazed. Seeing Riley with a determined look on her face, the boy from District One laughed.

 “Is this the girl Otto made a fuss about?” he said, raising his eyebrow as he drew out a sword. His partner had a spear. Riley grinned.

 “I better had be,” she murmured. Then she ran at the boy from Four. Catching him by surprise, he threw his spear too early, and it landed in the mud uselessly. Riley collided with him and they tumbled to the ground in a mess of limbs. District One advanced on Elianna, who quickly sent an arrow flying. It hit his shoulder, but he didn’t stop, swinging at her with his sword. Riley had dropped her mace in the struggle and she and the boy wrestled to gain control of it. Elianna was managing to dodge the sword that District One wielded, and she threw a punch at him, knocking him back a little. She didn’t have a short range weapon to fight with, so hastily reloaded her bow. Riley’s fingers finally grasped the mace and with one almighty swing, she crushed the face of her opponent and his cannon fired. Wasting no time, she scrambled back to her feet and ran with a battle cry to assist Elianna, swinging the mace into District One’s side. He fell to the ground, groaning, and Riley and Elianna stood back.

 It was clear that District One was defeated, but he made no attempt to try and fight again, to gain back some of his pride. He let his face sink into the dirt, tiredly, before reaching for his sword and plunging it into his own stomach. Riley gasped a little, and District One smiled.

 “I’d rather do it myself,” he said “I thought I’d speed up the process of my death a little. Riley? Is it Riley? I’d like you to sit with me.”

 Cautiously, Riley sat down beside the boy. Elianna had her bow trained on the boy still, but he waved her away.

 “I have no interest in killing either of you. I don’t want another sin to die with,” he said. He turned his face to Riley.

 “You’re brave. I shouldn’t have underestimated you,” he said, wincing and he reached to pat her knee “And I believe you have the chance to win. But there is something you must know about Otto.”

 “What? What is it?” Riley asked eagerly.

 “When he was with me and the others in the Career group, there was a moment. We were near the edge of the arena. He made us steer clear of the edge. He’s afraid of heights. It’s his only weakness. If you want to beat him, you need to get him to the edge of the arena, out in the open. Then you’ll be on level grounds.”

 “Thank you,” Riley whispered. “What is your name?”

 “Cornelius,” he replied.

 “Cornelius. I thank you again. You have potentially saved my life. And if there is a God, he will not condemn you for your sins. You have a good heart,” she told him. They grasped hands as Cornelius’ final breath sounded and his cannon fired. Riley slid her fingers onto Cornelius’ eyelids and closed them gently. Then she stood, looking at Elianna nervously.

 “Only three of us left,” she said quietly. Elianna didn’t seem too fazed. In fact, she looked incredibly calm and collected. Which in their circumstances, appeared very odd.

“It’s time,” Elianna whispered to herself softly. Riley looked as puzzled as I felt. Time for what? Elianna dredged up a smile, and Riley seemed to relax “Let’s go this way,” Elianna said. Riley was all too happy to oblige, not bothered where they went. What she probably didn’t realise was where they were headed. In the arena, as I remembered from my own experiences, it was often hard to know which direction you were headed. And Elianna was leading Riley to the edge of the arena with a definite sense of purpose. My heart thudded hard against my chest. Was she planning to kill Riley? Her intentions had always been good, but I didn’t know what to think at that moment. Had she deceived Riley and I all along? Led us to believe she was caring for her, when really she was waiting for the “right time?” I really didn’t want to believe it, especially when Elianna slid her hand into Riley’s. I chewed my thumb, waiting. But I never expected events to play out the way they did.

 They reached the end of the arena. Elianna looked a little sad as she let her backpack fall to the ground. She discarded her bow. Removed her jacket. Tucked her hair behind her ears out of habit. Then she hugged Riley to her chest quickly, pulling away as quickly as she had pulled her friend in. With confident strides, she stepped forwards, until she stood right by the edge. I’d never seen her stand so tall, never seen her so sure of what she was doing. She looked as though her mind had been freed of cobwebs. She had vision.

 “I’m ready,” I thought I heard her say. She spun to face a confused Riley, her hair blowing in the soft wind.

 “Eli…” Riley said shakily, taking a step towards Elianna. In response, Elianna took a step backwards. She was one step from falling.

 “Don’t come any closer, Riley.”

 “What are you doing?” Riley said, shaking her head and making to move again. Elianna allowed her foot to hover over the edge and Riley thought better than to move.

 “Do you want to know, Riley?”

 “Yes. Yes of course,” Riley replied “You could win, Eli. Why would you kill yourself?”

 Something inside of me snapped. Of course. She was committing suicide. But no. There was more. A word sprang to mine.

 A sacrifice. She was making a sacrifice.

 “Riley. Do you remember how I told you that story? About the day of the tournament? And I said it was the best day of my life.”

 “Of course I remember.”

 Elianna’s sigh was carried by the wind, tears pricking her eyes “Don’t you think it’s a little sad? Milo said the best day of his life was meeting you. Falling in love. Having someone love you. But the truth is, Riley. The best days of my life have been right here. In this arena, with you. Because life at home is unbearable. My parents abuse me. You are my only friend. I can’t see past the present, never thinking of the future. I don’t want a future. I don’t want to go home. I want to be free. And Riley, you have been the best friend I could ask for. I love you so much. Which is why it makes it OK for me to die now. I want you to live,” she whispered. Everything finally fitted together. Everything made sense. Her strange parents, the constant shyness that could be the result of having no friends or family to ever confine in. And knowing the truth was heart breaking. Elianna turned to face the drop before her, then looked back at Riley.

 “Don’t forget me,” she said softly. Riley reached out a helpless hand, before letting it fall limply back to her side.

 “I love you,” she told Elianna. Elianna smiled. She didn’t look sad. She looked happy. She turned her body back around to completely face Riley. She outstretched her arms, straining her fingers. She reminded me of an eagle, wings spread, ready to fly. She closed her eyes.

 “I love you too, Riley.” She pressed a hand gently over her heart, before putting it back into position “My home is in your heart,” she whispered. Then, gracefully, she allowed herself to lean backwards into the emptiness. She fell without a sound. No scream left her lips, no cries for help, no sudden change of heart. Perhaps, in a way, the Games had been a blessing to her. She could find a way to die. Riley sunk to her knees, waiting for the thud of her friend’s body with her hands covering her ears. Somehow, no tears came to her. I think she was too sad to cry. The Games had broken Riley, shattered her heart into millions of pieces. At some point, her hands still muffling sound from her ears as Elianna’s body was collected, she began to mutter.

 “Milo. Elianna. Mum. Dad. Jordan. Maia. Max. Flora. Antonia. Arrian,” she recited. She repeated the names over and over, lying on the ground, while in the Capitol, the sun rose on a new day. She was reminding herself what to fight for. I knew she was ready.

 And then there were two.

Choo choo. Here comes the feels express. Bye Elianna :(

 OK, hello dudes! I haven't left an AN for a while so I thought I'd do one. So. Riley's time in the arena is coming to an end, one way or another. Will she live or die? Who knows! Anyway, I thought I should explain that the reason the time in the arena has been so short is partly because for this story, the Games aren't particularly important. Which sounds weird for a Hunger Games fanfiction, I guess. But stick around, because we'll be hearing plenty from Raven and Pandora soon. I have a really cool idea for the end of the story. Which also leads me to another thing. I was thinking of writing a third book to the Silence series called Battleborn. I won't do it if no one is interested, so let me know if you are. The name of the book should give some clues as to who the story will follow... ;)

 Anyways, it's my birthday in a few hours, so I'd love if you could read, vote and comment! It means so much to me, it honestly does. Have a great day everyone! I love you <3