We neared where the screams were echoing from - the river. The Horror camps on the opposite side, so maybe Hawkpaw and Ashfoot got attacked? 

Icepaw got down into a crouch and I copied her, lowering myself to the ground. Can they see me? I can't remember what Streamclaw said anymore! All that sticks to my memory is 'don't talk or you'll both die eternally'. Better safe than sorry, I guess!

Soundlessly, Icepaw stalked toward river. From behind a thick bush we could hear the sound of claws scraping flesh. We rounded a group of thick trees and halted when we caught sight Hawkpaw and Ashfoot attacking each other only whisker-lengths away from the bush we were hiding behind. The young she-cat flexed her claws and her fur bristled up. 

"I figured... These two can't stay away from a fight if their life depended on it!" Icepaw muttered.
In this case, their life does depend on every little thing they do. 

Backing up as quiet as a mouse, Icepaw wrapped her tail around her paws and waited with her claws unsheathed. Her eyes were flooded with unease and impatience. I bet she just wants to get it over with... "We should stay back and wait... I'll kill the last one alive and I'll win..." Icepaw glanced over at me. Touching my nose to her cheek, I gave her a sympathetic gaze.

I don't know... Hawkpaw is pretty strong and bloodthirsty. He'll do anything to win!

As if reading my mind, the apprentice blinked at me with affection. "Don't worry. I'll either be free or I'll be with you for eternity." There was a pang in my chest, and it actually surprised me. Oh, Icepaw! I hope it doesn't come to that... You deserve the freedom. It took everything in me to keep my mouth clamped shut.

Icepaw and I lay down flat on our bellies and waited cautiously for one of them to drop. I narrowed my eyes and concentrated on how they clawed so neatly at each other. I remembered briefly of the training and how their mentors strictly wanted neat claw marks; deep and neat. They'd be attacked if they didn't do it right or do it in time.

Ashfoot hissed at Hawkpaw, dodging a huge blow that was bound to make her fall. Her grey pelt was speckled with pink scratches, dark spots staining where blood had seeped out of her wounds. Hawkpaw had a long gash from his ear to his chin, making his teeth glow pink as he let out a snarl. Ashfoot came back at him by hitting his front legs with one hind leg, making him hit the ground face first. 

Icepaw was watching more carefully through narrowed eyes. Her tail tip twitched on her front paws. "I'm watching to see Hawkpaw's weaknesses. Poor Ashfoot doesn't stand a chance with him," She whispered to me while keeping her eyes locked on the battle. I nodded and kept watching as Ashfoot managed to pin Hawkpaw down. The young tom seemed to be growing tired. I wondered how long they had been battling for. Ashfoot immediately raised her paw, her chest puffing in and out as she panted heavily, to give the final blow. 

Before we could even see what had happened, Hawkpaw let out a triumphant yowl. Cutting deep into Ashfoot's stomach, she let out a terrified shriek. Immense pain and shock was shining in her draining, widened eyes. Hawkpaw pushed her off as her blood began to gush out of the wound and onto Hawkpaw. Her blood was sent flying as she crashed to the ground. It sprayed the plants nearby, some even landing a whisker-length away from Icepaw's paws. Ashfoot let out a whimper and stared off into the distance. The she-cat didn't bother to hold her paws to her wound, only lay there with her flank rising and falling fast, knowing there was no way she would survive such a deep cut.

Blood pooled around her and began to drip from her open jaws. Within moments, her eyes glazed over and her exposed hind leg gave a final twitch. Icepaw... don't pin him down. If you're smart, you'll know not to... I inwardly pleaded and watched through horrified eyes as Hawkpaw kicked dirt over the dead she-cat and lifted his chin to the sky. Is he waiting for Poison to announce he's the winner?

With Hawkpaw's back turned to us, Icepaw left the shelter of the bushes and started stalking toward him. His tail tip twitched, but his ears didn't move, showing no sign that he could hear her. Silently, she gained up on him.

Don't make a sound... Don't make a mistake... You can do this.

I watched through narrowed eyes as Icepaw got so close to Hawkpaw that she could literally touch him with her nose. But instead, she leaped up onto him and pushed down hard onto his back. The tom let out a squeal of surprise. With her claws unsheathed, she raked his face and his throat.

Frozen to the spot, I hadn't of realized I was holding my breath. Hawkpaw let out a growl and bucked her off. Icepaw landed on her paws gracefully and charged at Hawkpaw, hitting him with her shoulder. Stunned, Hawkpaw hit the ground and rolled a few whisker-lengths away from the she-cat. His blood dripped onto the stained forest floor. 

Icepaw avoided pinning him and went around him. Hawkpaw stood up, his legs shaky, and went to attack her, but Icepaw jumped from one side to the other. She jumped left twice then right, then left and then right. She jumped forward, lashing him in the nose, and then back and then skidded to the left again.

Hawkpaw gave her a confused look, his eyes glimmering with exhaustion, and let out an annoyed growl. He pounced at her, but Icepaw was prepared. He was only to be met with leaf litter and dirt in the face when she hit his head straight into the ground. 

Hawkpaw let out a battle cry and stood up once again, eyes burning with rage and hatred. Icepaw gave him a look of satisfaction. The wore out tom jumped at her and managed to get her onto the ground. Icepaw grunted as Hawkpaw sunk his claws into her shoulders. She grabbed at the ground and tried to push him back with her hind legs but Hawkpaw was too strong. Even though the tom was weakened, he still had strength to him.

I urged myself to run in and save her, but I wasn't sure what that curse would do if I did. Streamclaw hadn't said anything about not fighting others, but I wasn't willing to risk Icepaw's life when she was this close to getting her freedom. 

The bleeding tom let out a ferocious yowl, jolting me from my thoughts, as Icepaw scratched his eyes again and again. Screeching, he stumbled back and rubbed his eyes with his paws. Icepaw took the opportunity and gave him a hard shove. "You dirty foxheart! I'll kill you!" The stunned tom spat toward the ground. Icepaw followed him with slow strides as Hawkpaw staggered and tripped over a rock, landing on his back with a groan. She went around to his side and grabbed his neck as quick as a snake.

Sinking her teeth into his wounded neck, she lifted the dying tom up and a snap echoed through the quiet forest. An eerie feeling sent a shiver down my spine as the only thing that could be heard was the sound of the river and the birds singing above. Dropping him, she stood over him. She did it! I wanted to cheer her name, to celebrate, but as I realized I felt joyous for the she-cat and the murders before Hawkpaw's, I knew I had become no better than Poison himself.

Hawkpaw's paws fell from his eyes, his neck at an awkward angle; blood had dripped down the sides of his face, staining his dark tabby pelt. All of his wounds stopped bleeding in a matter of heartbeats.

Standing up, I hurried to meet her half way. Icepaw looked up with so much joy in her eyes I could have sworn she had actually gotten her warrior name. I had seen her around in camp and in patrols but I had never seen her or anyone look as happy and joyful as her.

I hopped up and down with her as she screamed, "I won! I'm alive! Feathertail, we did it!" I nodded and together, we hopped around. 

Then Icepaw stopped. Turning to me, I tipped my head to the side as her eyes drained of happiness. "How can I be happy when you died? When Loudbelly and Frostfur died? When everyone else is in misery?" She rasped quietly.

I wouldn't of thought of that. If I could speak right now, I'd tell her, 'You're the only one that matters right now. You just won something huge and you should celebrate. There's nothing that should make you miserable. Those cats, they'll have their chances. The dead? They're with - hopefully - StarClan.' I hope she knows that soon, none of this will matter.

I stifled a sigh as she looked to her paws. I poked her and gave her a bright look. Smiling for her, I hopped away. She followed. "Where are we going?" Icepaw croaked.

I shrugged, pacing down to a trot. We came across a wolf, but for some reason it didn't notice us. As we came to trot behind it, the tall wolf kept its head forward and ears perked up. I halted as Icepaw and I exchanged confused glances. "Hey! Wolf, over here!" She called and I shoved her. What is she doing? She won but what makes her think she'll win against that huge wolf?

The wolf didn't even turn around, just kept going North. I watched it go and decided to head North, too. Within moments, we came across the huge lizard; it too was going the same way as the wolf. It didn't turn to us or even let out a rumble, it just kept slithering on. 

Poison's call rung in my ears from above. "The dead: Hawkpaw and Ashfoot. Congratulations, Icepaw. You've won your freedom." 

The Horror passed by, stomping his way to the front. It dipped it's head to us and I was taken aback. We came to the tree we had camped in and while I paused to glance up at it, Icepaw kept going. "Let's follow them, maybe we'll find the way out? Or someone to show us the way out?" Icepaw insisted. Blinking up at the tree, I noticed the same transparent cat with huge eyes was watching in the tree. My heart jolted, suddenly feeling vulnerable, and without a second thought I rushed after Icepaw. I could feel its wide, mysterious eyes burning into my pelt as I hurried away.

The Horror, two wolves, - another had showed up - and the lizard all followed each other to a huge cave. Guards were waiting there. The guards closed the cave up with some kind of wood mesh, like the silver mesh in Twolegplace.

After it closed up, Lostface, Crowfeather, and Brambleclaw came toward us.

They looked at me and then to Icepaw. It didn't seem to faze them that I was with her. "Congratulations, Icepaw, you've won the BloodClan Hunger Games," Brambleclaw mewed dryly with a nod, "Your reward is to leave the territories with someone of your choice. You will come back to the BloodClan camp to announce that you had won and to choose your partner."

The young she-cat dipped her head while I eyed Crowfeather. He didn't even glance at me, his eyes dark and emotionless. A growl threatened to creep up my throat. 

Icepaw was safely guided away; I began to follow her. The tunnel came in sight and I sighed in relief. I'm going to be free! Poison was at the end of the tunnel waiting. He disappeared first and then Crowfeather and Brambleclaw with Icepaw at their heels and Lostface following in Icepaw's tracks. 

Just as I began to go into the tunnel, I was forced back by an invisible force. I whipped around, but nothing was there. 

Whats going on? Why can't I leave? 

Then I realized that no one really leaves the Arena, your mind always sticks to here, even if you're alive. Panic welled up inside of me, a feeling of desperation washing over me. I glanced to my paws and watched them fade until I could see through them again. Icepaw glanced over her shoulder, only to be pushed onward by Lostface. 

"B-but, what about Feathertail? I was going to bring her with me!" Icepaw whimpered, her voice echoing through the tunnel. 

It was Crowfeather that replied, "Keep moving. She's dead, Icepaw," His voice was rough and showed no sign of emotion toward me. "Every cat who dies in the Hunger Games will suffer there for eternity."

His voice echoed in my ears, and for a moment, I stood there unable to move. Fury boiled in my stomach until I couldn't hold it in. By then, Icepaw and the Guards had disappeared behind the door that had kept me in a horrific cage. I let out a screech and tore at the ground with my claws until the anger faded to loneliness. With my head hanging, I let out a sob of defeat. What am I going to do?

Streamclaw's voice came from behind, a purr of evil making the fur along my spine spike up, "Well, well. Icepaw did win. I had a bet with Vixontail that she'd die." I whipped around. I glared at him as he held his front paw up, examining his claws.

"Oh! I forgot to mention to you that this curse stays forever. And that you're stuck with us. What a shame, right?" Streamclaw purred, circling me.

Rage pulsed through my veins as a ball of emotion caught in my throat. No. This can't  be happening. I need to find StarClan. StarClan has to exist still...

Streamclaw gestured with his tail to follow. "Come along now, the fun has just begun."
I hesitated. This was the last place I wanted to stay.