The 750th Hunger Games

Day Three (Lily's POV)

I go down the tunnel cautiously, just in case it's full of mutts or something. At the end of the tunnel, there is a cave, and we all lay our stuff down. Down here, we can have a fire with no one seeing, so Caspar cooks the three birds he and Saxon caught the other day. Except Saxon isn't here to enjoy them with us. We also have some roots and seeds. We all eat ravenously, not stopping to taste. The birds are plump and juicy, and I can't manage any of the seeds. I hear the Capitol anthem, and rush out to watch. The faces of the 5 careers are up there, Quartz from 1, the only girl from district 2, 2 dead from district 4, And Carrie from 5. None from 6 or 7, 3 from district 8, and one from district 10. Nine deaths today. The hunger games are nearly at a close.

After telling the others about the death toll, I lie on my side, listen to the thrumming of rain on the roof of the cave. I feel ill, and go out for some fresh air. I'm suddenly gripped with a cramp, and I double over, retching. I must have made more noise than I thought, because Emilé appears from the tunnel, his eyes heavy with sleep. He looks concerned.
"Are you ok?" He asks timidly as I retch again. I suddenly feel faint, and collapse to the floor. The last thing I hear is desperate voices calling to me as I black out.