— NATALIA RIGGS —

EUNICE SEYFIELD stands over the dead bodies of the Hale siblings, and basks in the glory of the sun. 

We hear footsteps echoing farther over in the arena, but suddenly, the live feed gets cut off by Felicity. Something is fishy here. 

Byrok hasn't been stable since Zoey Sinclair's death. We are only able to watch the live feed because of the connection Felicity is able to maintain for us. Gwyneth Anderson is back in the Adelaide Woods. 

The people of Rochbok are being called out, and the Aurore officials have taken over all reign of the country. Byrok has been enveloped with "anti-James" who are calling for him to be brought back as a war criminal, and that's exactly what we're going to do. 

— EUNICE —

What's happening? Aren't I the victor? I saw Cadence and Aiden fall dead to the ground with my own eyes. I heard their cannons go off with my own ears.

I want to fight, to struggle against these games. Cadence killed Kunboss. And her friends killed Zoey.

I want to do all of that, to lunge towards her and charge, but Aiden stops the fight, and I wonder what the sensible thing to do in this situation actually is. In the real, brighter patch of sky, a hovercraft materialises, and we are brought up by a claw, albeit Cadence's scowl - "I'll get you next time".

The claw ascends higher and higher, finally dropping us into a medium-sized room set up like a living room. There's a couch, and there's a TV in front of that. The TV screen flickers, and Felicity? Was it? 's face appears in a video call.

"Hello, Eunice, Cadence, and Aiden. Nice to see you again," she says, "After Zoey's death, the viewers in the Capitol broke out in a discussion, and the first signs of an uprising began."

My eyes widen in shock as I try to take in all the information.

— AIDEN —

"The connection from the arena to the Adelaide Woods was lost on Day 3 after chaos overtook the Capitol City, and since it wasn't safe for people to stay here, Gwyneth and the crew have evacuated back to the Adelaide Woods right after the connection was cut," Felicity says.

"The Capitol is protesting against the New Regime, and especially in times like this, we need your help. Cadence and Aiden's death was a false alarm because the cannons are manually operated - the special monitors for vitals have been destroyed."

So Tristan.. Andy.. they might not have been dead? They might still have had a chance? I realise what this means and my eyes automatically fly to Cadence, who meets my gaze with the same astounded look on her face.

Felicity explains everything, including our plan. To stop the confusion, Eunice will be announced the victor and her allies Zoey and Kunboss will be brought back to life.

Meanwhile, Cadence and I will be hiding until the victor's interview is over, and we will return to the Adelaide Woods to assist Gwyneth, along with Eunice, Zoey, and Kunboss.

"Is that clearly understood?" asks Felicity once again. Eunice, Cadence and I look at each other, still processing what was just said. It's time to leave all the grudges in the arena behind. Gwyneth is still in the Adelaide Woods. She needs our help.

Now is truly the time to test our teamwork ability, and to leave everything behind and not hold grudges. Cadence still looks hesitant and furious. Eunice killed her allies, and though she killed Eunice's friends too, they will be brought back, and Cadence's allies won't.

"They will find a way," I say, remembering what Cadence and I talked about on our last day in the arena.

Cadence whirls to me, eyes wide, asking me for judgement. I nod curtly, and slowly, she nods too, sighing. 

— EUNICE —

Cadence and I gingerly look at each other. This wasn't meant to happen. The Hunger Games.. it never was meant to be. But still, Cadence holds her piercing glare at me.

"Uh," I open my mouth. I really need to say it now, or I might never get the chance. "Cadence, look. Everyone needs to survive in the Hunger Games. I'm truly sorry. But Gwyneth needs us. Our families need us. We really need to unite right now."

Cadence's eyebrows arch up before her lips slowly break out in a forced, sarcastic smile. We look back at the TV. "Yes," we reply, our voices echoing in the room.