The first whispers of the morning greeted Hazel's ears as she shifted her weight closer to Silus. The sickening thrashing of the eels had faded. Even the crash of the waves had calmed, and the dawn's birdsong steadily grew more prominent.

A cloudless, blemish free sky stared back at Hazel as she rested her head against Silus still oddly damp shoulder. Taking in a breath through her mouth, she did her best to ignore the aroma of iron and sweat. The consequences of the night's events were rapidly catching up to her muscles. The adrenaline that once roared in her ears had faded to a whisper, and the tremors that shook her had calmed over the past few hours, yet now her body started to throb with ache. She adjusted her tender limbs as delicately as she could manage, certain her skin would blossom with purple and blue bruises by sunrise. But despite her soreness and deepening exhaustion, she couldn't bring herself to sleep. Even with Silus's presence beside her but rest was the enemy. He had advised her to sleep multiple times, but she resisted, afraid of her dreams but terrified of her reality.

Kai, Ruby and Ethan were caught in between moments of restful and fitful sleep, clearly on edge even in their dreams. At times they would even flinch and tremble in their unconsciousness.

Hazel eyed Silus as she rested against him. He stared straight ahead, his body fixed and rigid like a statue resting on the beach, as he had done for hours. His breathing was calm, collected, but almost too still. Her scrutiny drifted from his face down his body and to his hand, clenched shut. Every so often, he would glare down at it, briefly opening it to assess the damage before closing it again and looking away.

Hazel let out a soft sigh. "If neither of us is going to sleep, we might as well deal with that," she said, gesturing toward Silus's fist.

Silus's deep voice was hoarse. "What are you going to do, stitch me up with some sticks and seaweed?"

Hazel pulled herself upright and searched his face. "Tempting as that idea is, you will have to settle for some girly pink bandages."

Silus let out air through his nose but didn't object. In the blue-tinted light of early morning, the coppery splashes that coated him were more visible. He was covered from the fine tips of his hair to the stiff toe of his boots, as if he had been caught in a crimson rainstorm.

"You really need to wash off too."

Silus sent her a fake look of offense. "Are you trying to tell me I stink?"

"Well, you don't smell like roses," The comment slipped from her lips before she could stop herself. She offered a sheepish squint into the morning haze. God, I hope everyone at home is still asleep, especially him.

Silus sent her a curious look before she recovered. "And you probably should wash off all the..." Hazel's tone grew serious, searching Silus's features for a brief second before she gestured to his clothing, "you know."

Silus dipped his head and took in his appearance before quietly responding, "Right." His expression grew detached, and she noticed a hint of a tremor returning to his arms.

Quickly, she stood up and pulled him with her. "Come on, let's go wash up. The eels have been silent for hours; they are probably full." She wanted to gag at the thought.

Silus allowed her to pull him to his feet. He paused and picked up his axe while she grabbed their backpack before making their way toward the ocean. They dumped their items on the shore and shed their shoes before moving into the biting tide. Each of them waded into the water until they were up to their stomachs and began to scrub their bodies in the briny sea.

As she scrubbed, Hazel's necklace bobbed against the skin of her chest, massaged by the tide. She ran a hand over the jewelry absentmindedly as she stared out at the horizon. The blackness of night continued to fade into a murky morning azure.

Silus was watching her hand as he rubbed a handful of sand over the stains that coated the fabric of his shirt. "I would have never thought..."

"Me either," she replied softly, and they both swayed with the water around them.

"I always figured it would be a cold day in hell before I ever thanked Heath Marlowe for anything," Silus's voice was so soft she almost didn't hear him over the waves. "But I have never been more grateful."

Hazel's gaze drifted away from Silus, her thoughts as distant as her stare. She too was grateful, but a deep conflict still churned within her. Had he not taken the actions he did, perhaps she wouldn't have needed the necklace to save her. She pictured her father's face but quickly pushed the image aside. He was also the reason Silus was trapped here with her in hell. If he were here now, she wouldn't know whether to hug him or curse him.

"Maybe we should go," Silus's voice cut through her reverie.

Hazel hastily scrubbed at her skin, "I'm almost done."

Silus's expression tightened, "No, I mean," he glanced over at their three unconscious companions, "I think we should leave this place."

Hazel nodded, scanning the island. "You're probably right. We've been in this tract long enough, and it's only a matter of time until something else... happens."

"No, Haze." Silus took a deep breath, letting it out slowly as he carefully chose his words as he moved closer to her, "I mean, I think you and I should go out on our own."

Hazel arched an eyebrow at him. "What? And just leave them here?" She glanced over at their district partners. Ruby snuggled closer to Ethan in her sleep, her expression gentle. In slumber, she seemed so different; her face was serene and unwrinkled, devoid of the constant tension that usually marred it. Ethan lay spread-eagled, his snores resonating loudly, his arm thrown carelessly over the girl. A short distance away, Kai's quivering figure stirred in the sand. Hazel inhaled deeply through her nose. The thought of any of them hurting her or Silus was unimaginable.

Silus clenched his jaw, "Yes."

"Why would we do that?"

"It's inevitable, and best to do it now," he replied, studying his hand submerged in the water.

Hazel shook her head. "But what about Caleb? And Marina is still out there somewhere. We need to work together."

Silus avoided her scrutiny, he paused for a moment seemingly gathering his thoughts before looking back up at her, "I think we've seen where working together has gotten us."

Hazel stood still; her eyes shut tight. The sensation of the blade pressed against her neck and Ian's weight pinning her down lingered. She shook her head, attempting to dispel the haunting thoughts. Unconsciously, she took several steps backward until she sensed Silus approaching through the water. The sound of the waves gently breaking against the shore punctuated the quiet that hung between them.

"Haze, I'm sorry," he whispered.

She shook her head again, "It's alright."

"The only ones we can trust are ourselves." Silus grabbed her arms, holding her steady in the waves.

Reopening her eyes, Hazel stared at Silus. His eyes glowed like cast-ironed bronze unlike the soft umber she was used to. Their alliance partners still slept soundly, unaware of the conversation between her and Silus. A sharp pain twisted in her gut at the thought of leaving them, abandoning them without warning. But she also considered the possibility that if they did break apart, she wouldn't have to witness their deaths, and they wouldn't have to witness hers.

"Okay," she whispered.

Silus tilted his head, letting out a disbelieving scoff, "Really?"

Hazel took a deep breath. "Yes."

"No arguments? No fighting me on this?"

The very idea of danger befalling Ruby sent shivers down her spine. She couldn't bear the thought of Caleb harming her, Ethan, or Kai. A fierce desire to safeguard their small circle consumed her. Yet, Silus was adamant and almost desperate about leaving. Hazel locked eyes with him, tilting her head, but kept her silence. Her eyes narrowed, head swaying slightly as she pondered her next words. Maybe there is way to do both. The silence in the conversation lingered.

He studied her face briefly before stepping back, running his hand through his hair. "I knew it couldn't be that easy."

Hazel offered him a slight smile. "You know me."

Silus placed his hands on his hips and gazed at the sky. "Unfortunately, I do."

She flicked water at him with her fingers, and he softened. "Tell me what you're thinking."

She folded her arms. "I think you and Snow are right."

Silus choked, turning his head sharply towards her. "Excuse me?"

Ignoring his confused expression, she continued, "We can't keep running and we can't keep playing defense."

Silus looked around, bewildered. "When did he tell you that?"

Hazel nibbled on her lip, the flavor of salted seaweed invading her mouth, and she spat it out. Her cheeks flushed as she recalled the words were from her dreams. "Uh, well, it's more like what I imagine he would advise, or maybe Festus... But really what matters is we have the numbers on our side. Our group has the most tributes. It seems Marina isn't with Caleb and his group but even if she were, we'd still outnumber them five to four."

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

"Okay, so what are you saying?" Silus shook his head and resumed scrubbing his clothing, but noticeably rougher than before.

The waves lapped against her skin, her limbs felt dull and numb as the first light of the sun began to warm the cool tones of the sky. "I suggest we turn the tables and take the offensive. Let's hunt them for once. We'll set a trap, and after..." She sighed, casting a glance at their group. "Then we can part ways."

Silus ran a hand over his chin, considering her words.

"And if I agree, what exactly is our plan?"

Hazel paused, biting her lip again before quickly shivering and spitting out the disgusting taste once more. Ugh, I am too tired for this.

"Haze?"

She exhaled deeply. "I'm still figuring that part out."

Silus bit the inside of his cheek. "I don't know. The longer we stay together, the higher the risk one of them will turn on us." His voice was cold and unyielding.

Hazel's nose wrinkled at the thought. Ruby was diminutive and wounded, and Kai was meek. Neither seemed capable of aggression. Ethan was the only one who might pose a threat, but as Hazel listened to his loud snores above the sound of the waves, she doubted he could be harmful. After all, his goal was to defeat District Two and safeguard Ruby. Yet, Ian's eerie words echoed in her mind. She responded, "I don't think they will. But I want us to be on the same page. How about this? Give me until noon. If I can't think of a way to trap Caleb and the others, we'll sneak away before the eels return."

Silus regarded her intently for a prolonged moment. "Alright, but only until noon. If you haven't devised a plan by then..." He straightened up, scanning his hand. "We leave, without them."

Hazel met his gaze firmly and nodded. She knew she had a daunting task ahead. Her focus returned to Silus's clenched hands, and she suggested, "For now, let's fix up your hand."

Soon they were back on the beach, sitting across from each other as Hazel cleansed Silus's mangled palm as best she could. As she started wrapping his hand in cheerful pink gauze, Silus rolled his eyes. "I can't believe Festus indulged you on this joke with Ruby."

She leaned in and whispered, "I'm secretly his favorite."

Silus squinted at her. "It's not a secret. And in case you haven't noticed, you're everyone's favorite."

Hazel nudged him, her brows furrowed. "Favorite target, maybe," she said, attempting to keep her tone light, yet she shivered at her own words.

Silus subtly inspected her collarbone. "No, you're right. You're also some people's least favorite, apparently."

"Never thought I'd be this polarizing."

"Yeah, I never thought you'd be interesting enough to be polarizing," he smirked.

Hazel squeezed his hand playfully, and he flinched. "Best not insult the person bandaging your gaping wound."

Silus let out a soft laugh. Hazel finished securing the new bandage in place as Silus inspected it with mild annoyance but also appreciation. "Thanks, sis."

"Not a problem," she replied, focusing on gathering the scattered wound care items.

Silus looked up at her, a clear question forming in his mind. He hesitated before speaking. "Haze?"

"Yeah?" she responded, carefully packing the items back into the pack, mindful not to crush the few blue flowers within.

"Why do you think Ian attacked you?"

Hazel paused her movements, but her hands trembled at the question. The answers swirled in her mind and lingered on the tip of her tongue, but she felt wary of telling him everything. She stared hard at the backpack before her, "He gave a few reasons...."

Silus was staring at her, his face was hard, but his eyes grew softer in the golden sunlight peeking into the arena, "What were they?" he questioned, his deep voice almost a whisper.

With another shake of her head, Hazel murmured, "Like you said, I'm not everyone's favorite around here."

Silus moved closer and gently placed a large hand on her forearm. "Haze, tell me."

She nearly flinched but held herself still, eyes growing distant as she recalled the conversation. "He told me he was doing me a favor."

Silus let out a derisive snort.

With her eyes shut, she continued, "He told me death would be better than being a victor. And that killing me would help him achieve his goal."

Silus's voice was laced with confusion, "His goal?"

Hazel opened her eyes once more, "To get back at Augustus Trask," she paused, withholding the part about how he had suggested Ethan should have killed her had he known what Ian did.

Silus shook his head as his stare grew distant as if he was searching his mind for an answer that was not discoverable. "That doesn't make any sense."

"I know..." Hazel exhaled, "Perhaps he was just insane," or delirious from a lack of food or something."

Silus watched her quietly but didn't appear wholly convinced, "Maybe..."

They were both lost in their thoughts for several minutes, watching the warm light of sunrise greet the sea. Silus gripped Hazel's forearm, and she turned to look at him. His face had grown infinitely weary in the last several minutes, yet somehow remained stoic.

Hazel studied him before gently asking, "Are you alright?"

Silus closed his eyes and shook his head, stiffening his grip on her arm. "Careful, don't undo my handiwork," she tried to tease, but his expression remained solid, his eyes still closed.

"It happened again."

Hazel tilted her head, watching him. "What happened?"

He bit the inside of his cheek and straightened his spine. "Just like at the mill the day before the reaping."

Hazel sighed. She understood he was referring to, but the circumstances were entirely dissimilar.

"Last night was different," Hazel scooted closer to him in the sand and placed her hands on his forearms, gently squeezing.

Silus shook his head. "I lost it, Haze. I lost it. I can't let that happen."

Her grip tightened on his arms, her voice growing firm. "Listen to me."

When he opened his eyes, an overwhelming look of dejection tinged with anger met her gaze.

"You did nothing wrong. You saved me."

He turned away, looking down at the sand.

She reached up and placed a palm on his cheek, turning his head back toward her. "Silus, I'm serious. You're my hero." Tears formed in her eyes as she recalled the unfathomable relief she had felt when she heard him coming to save her. "Don't doubt yourself."

Silus watched her, so much like he had when he was just a little boy, following her around the woods. He bit his lip, his eyes growing glossy. "I'm not like you, Haze," Silus leaned toward her. "I look strong, and physically, I am. But...." He searched her eyes, then sent a dark look toward the group on the beach. "But almost losing you... It's only a matter of time before it happens again. I won't allow it. "

"You're not thinking clearly. Kai isn't an aggressor, Ethan just wants to protect Ruby and kill Caleb. And Ruby... she's so soft-hearted, she'd never hurt us."

Silus sighed, his expression hardening. "Maybe. Ruby's a good kid. But it doesn't matter. It's taking all my self-control to not just... I won't hesitate to choose between you and them."

Hazel's heart ached at his words as her brows furrowed. She watched warily as he looked back and forth between her and their alliance partners. Now she understood. This was why he wanted to leave. He was afraid—afraid of them or more likely, afraid of himself. She rubbed her thumb under his eyes, wiping the few tears that had leaked out, "I'm here with you, okay? I'm not going anywhere, and you don't need to worry. I promise, once the others are dealt with, we'll leave, just you and me."

His shoulders seemed to relax a fraction, and she pulled him into a hug.

He accepted the embrace and whispered, "I might be your hero, but you are mine."

"Let's just call it even, okay?" She pulled away, looking him over.

Suddenly, the moment between the siblings was interrupted by the much too chipper sound of Ruby's voice, "My favorite people from District Seven!"

Hazel and Silus turned as Ruby approached them with Kai trailing not far behind. Even without turning her head, Hazel could hear Ethan's persistent snoring.

"Good morning," Kai remarked in a gentle tone.

Silently, Silus rose to his feet, casting a brief look at Kai and Ruby before hefting his axe.

"How are you doing?" Ruby asked, searching Hazel up and down.

Hazel waved her off, "Never been better. How are you two?"

Kai rolled his eyes, "Can't sleep through all the snoring."

Hazel let out a small laugh, casting a look back at Ethan's sprawled form. He slept like a log on the beach. A very loudly snoring log.

"What were you two doing out here?" Ruby inquired, as she shot a look back at Ethan herself.

"Oh, you know, just a bit of sibling bonding over our latest near-death experiences and planning a trap for Caleb," Hazel responded standing up next to Silus.

Kai and Ruby's eyes widened. "A trap?" Ruby questioned, her eyebrows reaching her hairline.

"Yeah," Hazel confirmed with a shrug.

"What kind?" Kai asked.

"Well, we are still working out the details. What do you say? Are you in?"

Ruby nodded with conviction, while Kai stayed motionless. Hazel cocked her head towards him, "Kai?"

His gaze fell. "I'm not sure."

Ruby also turned to face him. "You can't always hide."

Kai suddenly met her eyes, his expression guilty and sullen.

"Rubes," Hazel spoke softly.

"She's right though" Silus replied in a cool tone, moving closer to the younger boy. "You vanish whenever it gets difficult."

Kai's eyes were fixed on the sand at his feet.

Hazel felt a need to defend the younger boy, "Not everyone is a fighter."

Silus shook his head. "Perhaps not, but when you're a tribute in the Hunger Games, it's time to learn."

Hazel placed her hand on Silus's arm. The expression on his face concerned her as he looked at Kai, "Silus—"

"No, he's right. I'm not like you guys... I..." Kai swallowed. "I'm afraid."

Hazel's heart ached at his youthful honesty. Silus stepped toward the boy, and Hazel flinched as he placed a hand on his shoulder. But Silus merely locked eyes with the boy, his features stern but open, honest, "Do you want to know something?"

Kai's eyes were wide open, and he nodded without words, "We're all afraid. We don't have much control here. This hand we've been dealt is terrifying. But you need to realize there is something you can control."

"And what's that?" Kai inquired blinking several times in quick succession.

Silus tightened his jaw. "How you're remembered."

Silus leaned back, giving him some space. "So, you must decide what you want: to be the boy who hides," Silus said, straightening his shoulders, "or the one who is brave."

Kai searched his face, a look of understanding settling over his features.

Ruby watched the exchange intently before chiming in, "So what do you say? Are you going to help us trap Caleb and his group?"

Kai looked at the three of them, then squared his shoulders as best he could. "Yes."

"No running away?" Ruby asked.

"No running away," he repeated, his voice stronger.

Silus patted the boy on the back and began moving toward their encampment under the palms. He sent Hazel a quick look, "Alright then."

They started making their way up the beach toward Ethan's sleeping form.

Ruby hugged Kai before pulling away. " Hazel, can I have some of the pink bandages?"

Hazel shrugged, "Sure, what for?"

"For Kai" Ruby replied with a small smile.

"What?" Kai asked, confused.

"You're the only one not wearing any. You can't be part of the team without sporting the team colors."

Hazel laughed out loud while Kai looked conflicted but eventually nodded in agreement. Silus merely attempted to hold back a smirk while looking down at his own pink covered hand.

Each one of them were sporting hints of pink. Hazel adjusted her left shoulder and peeked down at the bubblegum color visible from under her collar. As she stretched, the scratches along her shoulders and back tugged at her skin. It seemed like an eternity had passed since she rescued Festus and Snow from the falling tree. Visions of the grand redwood plummeting towards them, its limbs biting and chewing at her flesh. The sound of branches cracking and roots tearing from the earth, as if they were mere straw, still ricocheted in her ears. Wait.

Hazel halted, her thoughts racing as a whirlwind of images and ideas swirled within. She traced her lip with a finger, feeling the convergence of thoughts like a storm brewing within her consciousness.

The group approached Ethan, who was gradually awakening, when Silus appeared to notice she was no longer next to him, he turned to her standing still, tapping her lips as a smile grew. He cocked his head, puzzled by her expression.

"What's the matter?"

She let out a dry laugh, "It might be hard to believe—I can hardly believe it myself—but you won't have to wait until noon."

Kai and Ruby looked at her quizzically, while Silus's expression turned into a stern mask of recognition.

"Wait until noon for what?" Ruby inquired.

Hazel faced Ruby, Kai, and Ethan, her eyes alight with an almost sleep-deprived madness. "Have any of you ever played dominoes?"

Ethan looked around at everyone, as if Hazel had just spoken a different language. "What?"