My skin pales with dread. After years of running, They have finally caught up to me. All The Sniper has to do is pull the trigger and I die. There is no way I can dodge in time. I scan the crowds of people.

What was it that led me here? What has made me so careless that I walk straight into a trap and ultimately die? Maybe it was the hope that I could help others like me. Save them. Protect them...

Crystals float around her and Amaris’s skin sparkled in the harsh, cruel moonlight. I could see the diamond tears covering her cheeks; she knew as well as I did that we wouldn’t survive this. The refractions hadn’t been in our favour this time.

Two Weeks Earlier

“What if we are chosen?”

Amaris speculates as she lays in ...

“Hey! Need a ride?”

The man and woman on the side of the road turn and nod.

“Hop in.”

They climb in and immediately start laughing hysterically. I frown, suspiciously.

“What is so funny?”

“You giving us a ride.”

“I don’t see what’s funny about that.”

“No one has ever given us a ride before. Normally we’ll just take one.”

“Oh. Well I’m glad I could help.”

They start to laugh again, even ha...

“To complete the prophecy, we need to travel to Silverstone Tower. Be prepared at 7 o’clock sharp.” I’m

marched to my room where food and new clothing await me. I eat and dress in my new clothes quickly. I

plan to go to the library and try to figure out what King Theron was talking about. How come I was chosen

to be the Ancient queen’s host? There is nothing special about me.

I slip out of ...

I’d always dreamed of flying. What was above us had always been something that intrigued me. The sky

seemed so free and inviting. One day I decided to hike up the mountain that sheltered the city of Inkridge.

I had heard of a cave that gave a splendid view of the city and my grandfather had said that you could

touch the sky at that height.

I was exhilarated that I, Toni Bridges would be the...

The men stare open mouthed at me. Frankly, I’m suprised at myself. Then the men do something else that is completely surprising. They jump off their horses, kneel, and bow their heads.

“Queen Cassiopeia.” Their leader says. “We are sorry.”

I stare coldly down at him, emboldened by his meekness.

“You killed my boyfriend.”

He stands and meets my gaze.

“With good reason.”

“Really? What good rea...

“You have ninety seconds to hide. If you are found you will surely die. Good luck.”

Whispers echo through the Great Hall of Odyssey Castle.

“It’s just a game.”

“What if they’re serious?”

“What do we do?”

Eros grabs my hand and we run.

“We’ve already wasted thirty seconds. We need to move.”

‘Eros…”

I start, fear starting to crawl into my mind. He looks at me sadly and kisses me swiftly. Te...

“Come on, Sierra!”

Seventeen year old Willow Carter calls to her best friend Sierra Willis. Sierra laughs and sweeps her chocolate brown hair behind her ear.

“I’m coming. It’s not my fault you have longer legs.”

Willow grins and turns around to face her breathless friend. Her short blonde hair is curly and unruly. Whereas Sierra is shorter with pale skin, Willow is tall and tan.

“What do you ...

Sirens wail and flashing lights loosely surround the lake casting reflections of blue and red into the valley. Crime scene tape blocks of a little section of the lakeside and officers in a boat are dragging for bodies. A couple; man and wife, went missing yesterday evening. Now it’s late at night the next day. The police had picked up on some clues and they had found dried bloodstains where the cr...

The Capitol train moves with breathtaking speed. Since I live in District Two the train ride is even shorter than the rest of the districts. Alexandra calls us to dinner and we eat like kings and queens, not like we don’t but the food is still scrumptious. After dinner we head into the lounge car to watch the recap if the reapings. The tributes from One and Four look fit and will be good partners....