I awoke the next day to sweltering heat.

I quickly untied myself and climbed out of the sleeping bag. I took off my jacket, and tied it around my waist.

I remembered what Vulcan had told me; find water. In this biome, I'd definitely need it.

I climbed down the tree, and ate a few crackers for breakfast. Then I started my journey.

I wondered where Malcolm and Percy were, what they were doing. Malcolm was probably hiding somewhere, while Percy was off with the Careers, hunting either people or animals. The thought made me uneasy. I couldn't even imagine Percy killing anyone.

But then I remembered seeing him in the Training Center, wielding his sword like he'd been born with it in his hand. I suddenly hoped that I never run into him.

I wondered if Hestia was watching me back home. I'd assume not many of the cameras were on me; there must be more interesting things going on at the moment than me just walking through a forest. Besides the cameras cutting to me every half hour or so to show everyone I was alive, I probably wasn't getting much screen time.

I gripped a knife in my hand, ready to fight anyone if they appeared. I assumed most people ran towards the forest; the trees would provide more cover than the mountains, and the cactus' in the desert.

I walked for a few hours. The plants all looked like they needed more water. Back in district 3, the few trees we had were dead, mainly from the pollution in our water. Our factories abused the environment, and we had to get our water from other districts. Poor people would have no choice but to use the well, and many would die from it.

But in past games, the arena had been a forest, and I'd seen what trees were supposed to look like; green and lush. These trees were dry, looking like they'd never been watered before in their lives. The grass crunched under my feet.

My throat was incredibly dry, and the heat wasn't helping matters. I found myself wishing that they had filled up my water bottles before putting them in the cornucopia. How hard could it be, anyway? These people invested so much time in these games you'd think that they could fill up a water bottle.

A cannon boomed in the distance. I wondered who had died. Who was left, anyway? Well, there were the five Careers, of course. Malcolm and I. Both from District 5. Both from District 8. The boy from District 10. The girl from District 11. And the boy from District 12. One of us must've just died.

I still haven't found water by the time the sun starts to set. Dehydrated and exhausted, I climb another tree, and belt myself in. Another cannon goes off the second I finish.

I eat a few more crackers as the anthem plays. There's the girl from District 11, Katie Gardner, and the girl from District 8, Piper McLean.

My throat as dry as the grass and sand on the ground, I fall asleep. I dream of waterfalls. When I awake, I'm even more thirsty.

I untie myself and climb down. I feel weak. I eat a few more crackers, but my stomach, used to being full with Capitol food, wants more. I ignore it. I haven't come across a single animal besides the vultures at the Cornucopia, and the last thing I need right now is to run out of food.

As the day goes on, I start to get worried. No cannons have sounded. If nothing exciting happens for awhile, then the Gamemakers will make something happen. I imagine them, sitting in a room, with a digital version of the arena in front of them.

"You know what would be fun?" One of my imaginary Gamemakers said. "If we set the forest on fire!"

Then they all laugh.

Please, I beg. Don't listen to my imaginary Gamemakers, real Gamemakers. A burning forest is the last thing I need right now.

A few hours later, I come across a gecko.

It's the only living thing I've come across since the Cornucopia. I debate trying to kill it, just so I can have some more backup food. But I'm already weak, and I have absolutely no energy to kill it. It scampers across the trunk quickly, and I doubt I could hit it in my current state. Besides, it doesn't have much meat on it.

But then I stare at the tree.

I've heard of mirages. Apparently, in deserts, you can start to see things that aren't really there due to dehydration. The first thought I have is; I'm hallucinating.

But the tree looked greener than the previous ones. Which meant water was close.

I follow the trees, and they get greener as I go along. Slowly, sure, but noticeably. I breathe a raspy laugh. I'm close!

When I find the river, I collapse.

I cup my hands in the water and bring it to my lips, receiving the water I so desperately need. The river flows slowly, but quickly enough for the water to be somewhat clean.

I keep bringing cups of water to my mouth, before taking out my water bottles and dipping them in the water. I drown all of them, and have to refill them again.

I've never been so happy to drink anything before in my life. My throat is feeling better by the second, and by my sixth water bottle, I've drunk enough. My breathing no longer hurts.

I refill my water bottles again and stand up. I should find somewhere to stay that's close the river, but not too close. Other tributes could be coming here, and I don't want to run into them.

I put my water bottles in my backpack and stand up, knife in hand. I turn to walk the way I came, when they emerge from the trees.

The boy's blond, and the girl has spiky black hair. They both have the same electric-blue eyes. I recognize them immediately.

It's Thalia and Jason Grace from District 5.