Kendall looked around the grassy area, planning his next move carefully. The teens face and back were covered in sweat, and a giant cut on his cheek was starting to attract flies. Something had to give soon, or he was going to lose these games. And he had to win. For the family that needed him. A branch cracked behind Kendall and the teen looked around for some means of escape. The only way possible was to climb up a tree and hope the intruder was someone smaller than him. His only weapon was a sharpened rock. Terror made its home in Kendall's stomach. He threw his hands around the rough bark and started to climb as fast as he could.

Outside of the horror of the games, little Katie Knight sat on the dirt floor of her hut and held James's hand with all the force she could muster. Even though the older boy's hand was going numb from the pressure, he didn't dare to say anything about it. He was apparently her rock, and that meant that he had to let her smash his hand and cry on his shoulder. All eight pairs of eyes were focused on the small screen. No one cared about the work to be done or the starvation District Twelve was facing. One of their own was in the final five tribute category. This was spectacular. Someone had a chance of winning the Games! And the someone might be Katie's brother!

"Don't let it be Puddle. " Logan was mumbling next to Katie, talking about the biggest guy left in the Games. If the muscular brunette found Kendall, it was all over. Last they checked; he had a knife. A big and sharp knife. One that had already taken out another opponent. If Logan was a betting man, he would've bet on Puddle hands down. Yes, even against his best friend.

The blond teen seemed to feel the dread encompassed in this moment, and after he jumped from the tree and landed on the dirt, he sent a special message to his baby sister. Looking straight at the sky and hoping there was a camera where his eyes met, he signed her favorite lullaby. It was the one he sang his sister every night since she was a baby. It was the only thing that kept her from sobbing when their parents died. It was pretty much the only thing they had left together. As the older brother signed the words to Katie, she sang them in a hushed whisper. Her brown eyes were shut tight, as if nothing could get through if she just kept them closed. James was hugging her, but she could barely feel it.

Just close your eyes

The sun is going down

You'll be alright

No one can hurt you now

Come morning light

You and I'll be safe

And

Sound, sound

The brunette continued on with the second verse, trying to block out all other noises. The sounds of struggle. The sounds of anger. The yelling of both parties and the hissed words that no doubt sent spit flying onto her brother's face. The descending groan as life left the loser of the fight. And as the cannon for her brother went off, she got to the chorus again, and sang even louder, physically holding her hands over her ears so the crying of the boys would be muffled. If Katie didn't hear it, it wasn't happening. Tears threatened to spill out of her eyes. A scream hurt her throat as it fought its way through. She just kept singing. Focus on the words, she thought. Her mouth was going dry.

Just close your eyes

The sun is going down

You'll be all right

No one can hurt you now

Come morning light

You and I'll be safe, and sound.