The 100th Hunger Games [currently being edited]

Arena: Day 2 - The Earthquake

Bronze Cayne's POV

Ever since I first met Ruby, I have changed. I used to be a vain man, who was determined to win the games and not let anything stand in his way. Now, I am experiencing something very different. Not only love for myself, love for someone else. That someone is my district partner - Ruby.

As the weeks went on, it became clear that I was in love with her. Fortunately when I anxiously declared my feelings for her, she felt the same. However we have decided to keep it quiet. If Alec knew he would kill us, painfully. To him, love is his the devil.

I gaze up to the sky, through the hotel window. The sun is starting to appear in the brightening sky. Ruby and I slept on the floor because Alec claimed the king sized bed for himself. He has made it clear that he is the leader and what he says goes.

I turn my head to look at Ruby. She looks so innocent when sleeping. Her golden locks brush against her face. Her fists are clenched. For a moment everything seems peaceful. Then I remember I am in the hunger games - what used to be my dream to be in and now it doesn't seem as fantastic. Obviously, it is still a great honour.

Soon, Alec and Ruby awake from the slumber.

Alec walks over to our mountain of supplies, which took a while to heave over from the cornucopia which is a few streets away.

He picks a random pack and tugs it open. He grabs two rolls and throws them over to us and then gets one for himself.

"What are we going to do today?" Ruby asks, her mouth full of bread.

"What do you think? Hunt tributes, duh!" Alec snorts.

"Just asking." Ruby mutters.

Secretively, I put my hand on hers protectively. She smiles gently at me.

"What is if with you two? You keep smiling like you have some kind of secret!" Alec smirks.

"We're only smiling because we are so excited!" I lie. "Why aren't you?"

Alec grins at me. "That's more like it. Course I'm excited to let the blood spill!"

We finish our rolls and then grab some weapons and backpacks.

"Which way should we head?" Ruby questions as we depart the hotel.

Alec thinks for a moment. "Let's go south. I saw those pathetic twins run that direction. Let's try and kill off the weak first and then deal with the stronger."

Ruby and I don't object so we head south.

Thalia Miracle's POV

When I awake Heather is already sitting up braiding her hair. For a moment I watch her, her dainty fingers twiddling her hair into two innocent braids. Heather smiles gently at me when she notices I have awoken from my slumber.

"Mornin, Thal." She whispers. Tears spring to my eyes as she calls me Thal. Always what my Father used to call me.

"Thalia? Are you okay? Have I said something wrong?" She says, in a hurry and rushes over to me.

Suddenly all my emotions overwhelm me. My mother and father's death. Being reaped for the hunger games. Being in the hunger games. The tears that I have been holding for so long spurt out and stream down my face.

Without saying anything Heather wraps me into a comforting hug as if we have known each other for ever. All my emotions flow out of me like uncontrollable rapids. For a moment I forget where I am and let my sadness run out of me.

Heather waits patiently until I calm down a little and then pulls out of our embrace. I look at her, expecting questions. However she doesn't.

"Sometimes it's good to cry." She says out of the blue. I glance up at her and see her in a completely different light. This time I don't see her as the weak tribute who I thought would be the most trustworthy ally. I see her as friend; more than a friend, a person who is still kind even in the most terrifying of situations.