I'm back! And my writer's block is finally gone! ^_^ And, since I haven't updated in a while, I decided to type this up for you guys. So, enjoy!

Gemma's POV

I'm shaking. It started when I watched Emory kill Vanny, and it's been going on ever since. The pile of leaves that lay in front of me is dry, unburned. I'm so hopeless! I kick at the pile of leaves at my feet. I can't even start a fire! My head falls to my knees, and I try not to cry. If only I hadn't dropped my backpack on the way here. I could have food, water, matches, my needles. Everything I had is gone, and it's all because of my fears of this game, and of Emory. I'll never get sponsors like this. It's a wonder I'm still alive at all. The people in my district must hate me. I'm no use to them. I'm a disgrace to district two. I wouldn't be surprised if they wanted me to die. My death will mean nothing to them, anyway. Emory will win, and not a single person will mourn me, maybe not even my parents. No, they will mourn me, right? They care about me. They love me. Right? My throat tightens, and I stare down at my feet bitterly. The tears aren't far away now.

A bird calls somewhere near-by, and a flash of color jumps from the branch of a tree above my head, making me jump. I hate it here! I just want to go home, and sleep in my warm bed, knowing my parents are near-by if I need them. Why do I have to be a career? I'm only thirteen! The tears start to fall now, and I push myself to my feet, starting to walk. With my luck, all the cameras will be showing me, crying my eyes out like a baby.

"No," I mutter. "Oh, god, why is this happening to me?"

"Now that is a question I'd love to have answered," says a voice to my left. I scream, my gaze shooting to the trees, my cheeks wet with my tears. This is it, then; I'm going to die. I can't seem to find the words I need to say, can't bring myself to fight, run, anything. "You need to be quiet, Gemma!" A hand shoots out from some bushes, grabbing my leg and yanking me to the ground. I'm pulled into the cover of the leaves, and through my tears I see Kiwi, a frown on her face.

"Kiwi," I say, wrapping her in a hug. "Thank god you're alright!" She pushes me away.

"I can take care of myself," she mutters. "It's you I'm worried about." Kiwi hands me a knife and some bread from her backpack. I just stare at her.

I thought the alliance was off," I say quietly. "I mean, with Emory killing Vanny and all…" Her eyes harden.

"I'm going to kill him for that," she says seriously, her eyes narrowing. "It was only a matter of time, anyway. I have to win." The bread drops to the ground as I quickly get up, stepping out of the bushes. "Gemma?" I hold the knife up in front of me as she emerges as well, shock clear on her face.

"I won't let you kill me," I whisper, wiping my eyes. Kiwi holds her hands up in front of her.

"Gemma, I didn't mean it like that," she says. My mouth opens, but before I can speak, a knife shoots past my ear and into a tree. Kiwi's eyes widen, and she sprints away into the forest, leaving me to fend for myself. My heart picks up speed, my breath coming out in gasps. No. Please, no. A boy emerges from behind a tree, tackling me to the ground. Without thinking, I stab my knife deep into his shoulder, causing him to gasp. He grabs the hand holding the knife, snapping my wrist. I scream, kicking at him with my legs, but he's too strong.

"Kiwi!" I shriek, begging her to come back. "Kiwi!" The boy jams his elbow into my mouth, cutting off my desperate screams. I resist the urge to cry, knowing that I won't be able to see through the tears. Please, someone help me! I don't want to die!

"The more you struggle, the more you'll suffer," the boy hisses in my ear. "Behave." 'Never,' I think, but I don't move. "Gemma Barnes." My eyes widen as he whispers my name, shivers shooting down my spine. Why has he taken the time to learn my name? Is it because I'm a career? What does he want" I bite down on his elbow as hard as I can, tasting dirt, sweat, and now blood. "Bitch." He removes his elbow and slaps my in the face, hard. Tears well in my eyes as my cheek stings.

"What do you want with me?" I scream. It's a stupid question. Obviously, he wants to kill me.

"You haven't seen the girl from five, have you?" he asks, and my eyes widen once again before narrowing slightly.

"Why do you want to know?" He slaps me again.

"Just answer the damn question!"

"I've seen her," I say, and I feel him smile against my shoulder.

"Great. Do you know where she is now?" I frown.

"No," I reply. "Her and her friends ran away into the woods." The boy sighs, and moves into a kneeling position above him. I can finally see his face, and I recognize him immediately. It's Kesar.

"You're really no help, you know that?" he says. My lip quivers a bit, and I meet his eyes, pleading with him to let me live. I don't want to die like this, laying on the ground at the mercy of this boy. I don't want my family and friends to have to watch my final moments, so far away, unable to comfort me. Then again, maybe this is better. It will be quick, painless, and I'll finally be free.

"Kesar," I whisper. My throat is tight, my words strangled. His expression remains impassive as he gazes at me. "Make it quick, okay?" I let my body relax, knowing that this really is the end, after all. There's no way I could fight him off. He's too strong, and even if I somehow managed to get to my feet and run, he would just catch me again. Something flashes in his eyes for a second. Guilt, perhaps? Or maybe it was understanding. I'll never know. Slowly, Kesar nods and raises his sword, positioning it above my heart. My gaze travels the length of the metal, finally resting on his face. I won't close my eyes, but I won't watch the blade sliding in, either. He sees me watching him, and swallows.

"I-I can't kill you with you looking at me like that," he says. I stare at him a minute longer before letting my eyes close, my hands clenching into fists. My whole body is shaking again, and I'm suddenly cold. I already feel dead. "I'm sorry."

"Better you than someone else," I whisper. "If you win, tell my family and friends that I love them. I love them so much."

"I-"he chokes out. "I promise." I feel myself smiling.

"Thank you." Everything is silent now, but instead of feeling fear, I feel strangely peaceful. This is the best way to die, everything said, painless. The blade slides into my chest, piercing my heart, but I barely feel it. It's like a slight pull, a soft feather sliding through my ribcage. Everything goes permanently black. I feel like I'm floating, as light as air.

Peace.

Peace at last.

I know I promised to have three POV's this chapter, but I have limited time. I'm actually kind of banned from the computer. I can only use it for homework, so this is the "homework" I'm doing. If I stay on too long, my mom will get suspicious. So, for now, it's just one POV per chapter, but I'll start up again with two POV's a chapter again soon. Please review and let me know how I did on this chapter.