{SAIL. [gw vs ggs]

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The mood change in Soyala was almost immediate. Shocking, even. It changed everything even if I didn't want it to. The tension was going to arrive at some point. There was no way we could go through this without having the awkwardness between us or feeling that they would be the one person to keep us from everything we still have to live for. If I had it my way, everybody in the arena would live. They would live another day to eat another dinner with their family. Or maybe to feel the exhaustion from work and not from swinging a weapon around at another person their age. And if they were like me, to see the one they care about and to see what could become of a friendship that had just passed the line. A friendship that was ended by a kiss when I had to be dragged away from one of the only girls who had been able to actually dig through the wall I held up to block out anybody who might want to hurt me or cause me pain again. There was only one other who could do that. I don't like thinking about the girl who at this moment was also fighting for her life in these sick and twisted Games.

My hand enters my pocket slowly, being careful with the soft piece of fabric that was sitting there. Taking it out and turning it around a bit, I was reminded of the moments prior to being shipped off here. The weakness I showed after getting off the stage when I nearly emptied everything in my stomach with one burst of vomit. Entering the room that was just there for me to say my goodbyes in. The long embrace that Dashica and I had shared. When our lips touched for the very first time, announcing that the feelings that were building inside of me must have been bubbling inside of her as well. She had to leave. I had to leave. But not before her soft hand brushed against mine as she passed over the piece of the scarf she was wearing. I had seen her in a scarf so many times that just looking at the piece reminded me of her. Reminded of the warmth of her eyes and how she seemed to fit in my arms with such ease and perfection.

Passing the fabric through my fingers, I try and remember the soft feeling of her lips. Even when we were having to survive in the wastelands of Panem, we never let any feelings of romance show themselves. Maybe the occasional glance at the other or the tension between us as we spoke but nothing else. Holding hands as we pulled each other along under the blazing sun was purely a platonic thing, or at least that's how I imagined it to be. Even in a life or death situation, the emotions didn't come out. So how come this was any different? We believed that we would make it to the Capitol in one piece, alive. Did she believe that I couldn't make it back to her and my home in District Three? "No, you can. You're strong, you're smart, you think quickly. People like you can win the games, Gage." She had said that to me before I had to leave. Did she actually believe that?

It's true. The most recent winners weren't strong Careers. Topaz was the only Career in the past few years, actually. The rest were from District Twelve and weren't much competition. There was Arbor. He was blind. Really didn't seem like much competition. I was younger then, obviously. But then came the Petros girl. She was small and she looked like she would be one of the first to die. But she won it. She won the Games. Topaz hadn't been much of a strong competitor either. And Heron? I don't like to think about those final moments. But had it been a fight, Katie would've won it with ease. There was no way a girl without legs would be able to fight Katie Morven and win. She wasn't even close to dying. She would've won. She could have. People like her win the Games.

It's actually difficult to push the thought away and to forget about the girl this time around. I was sitting around and doing nothing, of course my mind would wander. Looking up, I caught Soyala getting to her feet. Hawthorn did the same too. I followed closely behind, pushing myself up to my feet and following close behind to some trees. Soyala pointed out two kinds of plants right away. I assumed they were safe, reaching out and yanking them from the ground. Pulling off the roots part, I added them to my bag. One appeared to be a bit brighter, so I made a mental note to ask what they were for. But I could tell by the way Soyala had looked at them that one of them was beneficial in some way. And then she explained. One was to heal, the one with the fuzzy leaves. I took half of them and immediately ate them, grabbing another handful to put in my bag.

We all made our way back to the 'campsite', which was basically the fire. After taking a seat, Soy tossed a few feet of bandage towards me, which I immediately used to cover the gash. It felt better to have it protected from diseases or something like that. I wasn't sure if it actually did help but I did know that it would aid with helping it heal. Keeping it safe and protected would help with that. And I could use as much help as poss- oh okay, bye Soyala. She quickly dives towards a rabbit in the distance. Hawthorn follows after her too, leaving me alone. The smell of blood fills the air, forcing me to turn my head away from the dogs. Get rid of them. I think to myself and immediately get off the ground and over towards them.

Slinging them over my shoulder, I struggled to bring them off towards the bushes. They weren't too heavy, just enough to make it difficult for me to bring them both far away from our campsite. I finally find a place, surrounded with swamp plants that do look beautiful despite their location. I gently lay the first animal down, being careful with it's wounds. Then I lay the other down, making sure the two were close. Their protective nature made me believe they were close. I wouldn't take a blow for anybody but Dashica. Maybe Pilot. Definitely Katie if she was still alive. These two animals must have cared for the other. Like I cared for Dashica and like I cared for Katie. They would be safe here. Until the Capitol took them out of the arena and probably used them for some sick thing. At least they'd be together there.

I stopped at the small water pond near camp, a bit away from the fire. I looked out at the water, trying to keep my thoughts under control. My eyes are slightly stinging as I try and fight back the tears. I need to make it home. I think to myself, looking out across the water at the forest behind it. I need to live. Keep it together Gage. You're almost there. And a cannon goes off as if to confirm that. I can do this. I look up towards the sky, hoping that Dashica's watching. The scarf is still in my hand as I move it around through my fingers. And then I place it in my pocket and relax by the water. God knows I need to relax. And I had nothing to worry about now. No mutts to fight or no tributes to face. I could just focus on making it out alive. That's all I wanted and that's all I'd do. No more Mr. Nice Tribute. It wasn't a game anymore. Now, I play by my rules.

[gage ate some medical plants. he has collected two days worth of both healing and edible plants. gage also bandaged his deep gash.]

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