For a brief, heart-stopping moment, the entire cornfield was bathed in an otherworldly radiance. Once the ball of light from the flare had reached its peak, it exploded into a shower of crimson sparks before it began its descent. The group fell into a hushed silence as the glow of the flare sizzled out to nothing.

Eve let out a nasal deep snicker, shifting her focus from the sky to Hazel, her expression alive and crackling with excitement.

Hazel's breath caught in her throat as the remnants of the flare turned to wisps of smoke. So, this was how it was to be. Caleb was inevitably on his way, with Elara and Julian in tow, no doubt. He's not the type to hold back, and if he finds us here, outnumbered or not, it won't end well. We need a plan and fast.

Eve's gaze clouded as she glanced towards Grace, "Oh, by the way, go ahead and kill her," Her thumb caressed the knife in her hand, "It'll save me the trouble."

"What?" The question erupted simultaneously from Owen and Grace.

"Hazel, please. It's not what you think-" Grace's body trembled with her words.

"Come on," Eve taunted as her smirk widened, her gaze flicking between Hazel and Grace. "Let's see if the favored girl from seven has what it takes to actually be a victor."

The sickle's handle slicken beneath Hazel's palms as Grace stiffened her grasp. A soft whimper fell from the trembling girl's lips.

"Please, don't," Owen implored, his voice breaking as he discarded his weapon to the ground, distancing himself and holding his hands up. Aaron pulled his blade back from Owen's ear.

Hazel raised an eyebrow. "So, you'd have me eliminate one of your own?"

Eve's scrutiny shifted to Grace, a smirk forming on her lips, "She's deadweight if you will. Sometimes, you need to lighten the load. So, what are you going to do?"

Grace held her breath, tilting her head as far back from the blade as she could manage.

"I don't take orders from you," Hazel retorted.

Eve's grin widened, a gleam of mischief in her eyes. "Just from Snow, right?"

"Jealous?" Hazel questioned as she loosened her grip on the sickle.

Eve's demeanor hardened into something more serious. "Don't flatter yourself," she snapped back, "What could Snow possibly see in you?"

Hazel felt a surge of anxiety at Eve's words. She masked her unease with a soft chuckle, leaning in as if sharing a secret. "Can't help who you fall for."

Eve scoffed, her scrutiny sweeping over Hazel with disdain, from the fiery red of her hair to the stained boots she wore. "Please, a district girl? From district seven, no less?" She shook her head, amusement clear in her voice. "It's laughable."

"For someone unconvinced, you seem awfully determined to hunt me down," Hazel pointed out. "Sounds like you're taking it quite seriously. What is the point of you all going through all of this?"

"Perhaps we're just eager to expose you for who you really are," Eve barked, "Ordinary and weak."

Silus took several careful steps in her direction. "She is just baiting you," he warned. Hazel almost prayed he was right and that it was all just a bluff, a way to antagonize her.

Eve shot back, glancing towards Silus with a smirk before looking up at the arena sky, "He can't save you."

Hazel was unsure which "he" Eve was referring to, but in the end, it really didn't matter. Her own gaze lifted to the top of the arena, urging herself silently, Sell it, Hazel. "Perhaps you should reconsider before disparaging our Senator so publicly. Two. It might not seem so laughable when all is said and done."

"Tough words for someone holding a bargaining chip she won't use," Eve taunted, locking eyes with Hazel.

Silus's low murmur drew Hazel's attention. "Come on, we need to leave. She's stalling, Haze."

Grace's voice quivered as she pleaded with Hazel. "Hazel, it's not what it seems," she implored, desperation coloring her tone. "We could align with you and your group."

Eve's sneer cut through the air, brimming with confidence as she dismissed Grace. "As if she has anything worthwhile to offer," she scoffed, anticipation clear in her demeanor as she awaited the arrival of her allies.

Hazel's breath caught as she leaned closer to Grace, her words a whispered confession tinged with uncertainty. "I made the mistake of letting you go before... and you still went back to help them... you hurt my brother."

"I didn't mean to...." Grace's voice faltered.

Eve's laughter drowned out Grace's words. "Empty promises from a cornered mouse."

"I wish I could explain it," Grace murmured, ignoring Eve, her voice barely above a whisper. "I wish I could help you understand why..."

"Shut up, nine," Eve spat.

Hazel's heart pounded with conflicting emotions at Grace's plea. A nagging sense of something larger at play gnawed at her instincts. "You are on their side," Hazel stated, though uncertainty clouded her logic.

Even without seeing Grace's face, Hazel sensed the tension in her body, the calculated calm in her voice, "I swear..." Grace's voice was cut off by a loud cry escaping her lips, followed by a deep gurgling sound. A shriek from Ruby caused Hazel to jerk, and she pulled the sickle away. As she looked down over Grace's shoulder, one of Eve's knives met her eyes. It was embedded in Grace's chest, just above her heart. Thick, burgundy blood was pooling around the blade, and Grace began to go limp in Hazel's arms as she moaned.

"What did I just tell you?!" Eve yelled toward the rapidly weakening girl, her expression wild.

"What the hell?" Hazel gasped, lowering Grace to the ground as the girl's strength rapidly failed, allowing the sickle to clatter beside them. Instantly, Hazel understood the gravity of the wound; it was undeniably lethal beyond intervention.

A blue-fletched arrow suddenly sliced by Eve's forearm, cutting it open as she screamed. "Drop the knives, or the next one is going in your eye." Ethan barked.

Grace's complexion faded rapidly, her breaths shallow and labored. Words escaped Hazel as she witnessed the girl's life ebbing away, as did Hazel's anger toward her. The shock of witnessing her dire state stirred a profound disturbance. Silus was soon kneeling next to her, watching Grace fade away before them. Ruby hung back, her eyes wide, tightly gripping her weapon.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Owen's complexion had paled as he retreated several steps back. He paused, giving Grace one last glance, then hobbled off, unarmed, into the corn's expanse. No one gave chase; Aaron simply observed his departure, then shifted his focus to Eve. Approaching her, Aaron rummaged through her pockets for more knives. Upon discovering several more, Aaron pocketed them.

Ethan stood solemnly, his bow still trained on Eve. Eve, however, wore a look of self-satisfaction.

Grace's fingers, cold and weak, clutched Hazel's hand, her other arm lying in the blood that pooled around the embedded knife. "My coin... please."

"What?" Hazel questioned.

Grace released Hazel and tapped her pocket with her weakening hand.

Hazel hesitated before whispering, "It should stay with you, Grace."

With the last ounce of her strength, Grace shook her head. "No, it... it's for my family. Please..." she insisted, tapping her pocket again with a trembling hand.

Sighing deeply, Hazel complied, reaching into Grace's pocket to retrieve the coin. As she held it before Grace, the girl managed a weak smile, tears mingling with the dirt on her cheeks. Grace grabbed Hazel's hand that held the coin and pressed her lips on the cool metal surface, her tears wetting its surface.

"Promise me... you'll give it... to my family," Grace's voice broke, gradually losing focus.

Hazel nodded, the confusion in her eyes giving way to a deep, empathetic understanding as well as a growing ire toward Eve.

Grace's lips parted, a struggle evident in her attempt to form words. "I'm not... the person they think... I did what I had to..."

Hazel watched her; confusion clouded her mind at the girl's insistence. Grace continued to stare above Hazel as if seeing something that was not there. Hazel glanced at the sky but saw nothing but the cloudless blue expanse.

"I never... wanted... to hurt anyone..." Grace continued, her voice fading. "Please... believe me," Grace assured through streaming tears before her breathing grew ragged and more blood pooled so severely it was running off her chest and abdomen as if it were one of the Pantheon's fountains.

Grace's breathing became increasingly rapid, each inhalation more labored than the one before it, as her chest heaved with the effort. Her once lively eyes began to lose their focus, becoming distant and unseeing, gazing into a realm beyond the present.

Her skin, once flushed with warmth, now took on a ghostly pallor. Her mouth fell open, and with a final, ragged gasp, Grace's breathing ceased altogether.

Hazel was reeling. One moment, she was holding the living, breathing Grace before her, and the next, her lifeless body lay out in the corn. Grace's words twisted inside her mind, leaving a trail of cold confusion. There was a piece of the puzzle missing. But it was like an unclear picture where the edges were too blurred and damaged.

Hazel ran a finger over the coin, taking in a deep breath. Slipping the cool metal into her pocket, she acknowledged the slim chances of honoring Grace's last wish. She cast another glance at the girl's pitiful form. With trembling fingers, Hazel pulled Grace's tender eyelids closed. Hazel took a couple of deep breaths before she turned to Silus, gently taking his bound wrists into her palms. Grace's blood smeared on his skin as she worked to free him. Once he was released, she pulled him into a tight embrace, clinging to him as she let out a shuddering breath.

"Are you ok?" she murmured.

"Yes, nothing I can't handle." He replied as he grunted slightly when her arm bumped the wound on his back.

"Don't think this means I'm not still mad at you," she whispered into his shoulder.

"Missed you too, sis," his voice was muffled as he spoke against her hair.

"How touching," Eve's mocking voice cut through the moment.

Hazel released Silus and straightened, her stare sharpening as she turned to face Eve, closing the distance between them. "He's going to kill you to win. You know that, don't you?"

Eve snorted. "Concerned for my welfare, seven?" She shook a lock of unruly hair out of her face. "Don't worry about me. I'm not planning on coming in second."

Silus, rubbing his newly freed wrists, interjected, "He's going to be here any moment."

Ethan, the arrow still aimed and ready, nodded in agreement. "We need to hurry. Facing Caleb isn't on my list of things I want to do today."

Hazel watched Eve, who looked like she was ready for more, with not a trace of doubt or regret on her face. She then looked at the lifeless form of Grace lying among the shattered stalks. "I agree." Hazel approached Eve, silvery handcuffs still gripped in her palm. "I think I've had enough of District Two for one day." She jerked one of Eve's hands forward and looped the silver handcuff around it, clicking the cuff until it was snug and locked into place. Eve's eyes widened for a fraction of a second before they narrowed into a simmering anger tinged with fear.

Nodding toward Silus, Hazel gestured, "Bring her over," indicating where Grace lay motionless on the ground. Silus and Aaron grasped Eve by the arms, guiding her stumbling steps until she was forced to kneel beside Grace's lifeless form.

Hazel secured the free end of the handcuffs to one of Grace's wrists, effectively tethering Eve to her deceased ally.

"Just lightening our load," Hazel muttered, wiping her hands on her pants, "Enjoy being shackled to your own personal consequences."

Eve's eyes widened in panic. "I will scream," she threatened, tugging at the metal binding her to Grace.

"We can't just have her yelling her bloody head off while we try to escape," Ethan commented, dislodging his arrow from the ground and dropping it in his quiver. Ethan was right, leaving Eve cuffed to Grace, eliminated the possibility of her following them. However, the risk of her screaming was another issue. Hazel sighed; she would have to do something more drastic to keep her quiet.

"You won't stand a chance; not even Snow will be able to stop it." Eve seethed as she pulled at her bound arm. "Tell me, Hazel, how do you plan to protect Silus when Caleb gets here?"

Hazel only hummed in response, her fingers diving into her pocket. She retrieved a worn piece of mask fabric and a stretch of rope, pausing momentarily. With a deeper reach, she brought out several cerulean flowers. Laying them carefully on the fabric, she wrapped the blooms tightly, tying the rope around the makeshift pouch to secure the deadly flora.

"What are you doing?" Silus whispered, eyeing her.

"Following your advice. Keep her steady."

Together with Aaron, they gripped Eve's arms. Hazel inhaled sharply; no turning back now.

As they held her, Hazel forcefully shoved the pouch containing Sapphire's breath between Eve's lips. Eve tried to pull away, but Hazel secured the ends of the rope behind her head. "Go ahead and scream all you like," Hazel said, her eyes burning as she glanced over at her brother's bloody shirt and then to the peacefully still face of Grace, "Although you might not live long if you do. You should probably breathe through your nose. Honestly, if I were you, I would heed the advice you so kindly gave my brother and to Grace...." Hazel said the next words in a cold whisper, "Shut up."

Eve's struggle was evident, air hissing through her nose as she tried in vain to dislodge the gag.

Silus glanced at Hazel; his expression wavered as he looked at Eve. Leaning in, she whispered, just loud enough for him to hear, "You asked me to fight... remember..."

Silus opened his mouth to respond but then closed it slowly, seeming to agree. Ruby watched Hazel with veiled concern as well, adjusting her bandaged arm, but kept quiet. Aaron shifted his feet, casting glances into the corn as if the pending danger would appear at any second.

Ethan, eyeing Eve's futile attempts, voiced his doubt as they started to leave the clearing, "You think that's going to keep her quiet?"

Hazel cast a final look back, noting Eve's frantic efforts to dislodge the gag, her muffled protests echoing through the clearing. "It should shut her up," she remarked, sharing a glance with Silus, "one way or another." She has a better chance than she gave Grace.

They soon retrieved Silus's axe and their hidden backpack from the field. With that, the group dashed through the corn, eager to distance themselves from the clearing.

In her mind's eye, she could almost see Snow, his deep blue eyes and an approving nod. A small, knowing smirk played at the corners of his mouth as though her decisions were exactly what he had predicted. The thought invaded her senses, and she recoiled internally at the image.

No more than a few minutes into their desperate sprint, they were halted by the sound of others bulldozing through the field in their direction.

"Wait, get down," Aaron hissed, signaling for everyone to drop and remain silent. They crouched low, blending with the earth as the sound of their pursuers intensified.

The approaching noise of breaking corn and rustling stalks grew louder.

"Don't move," Silus cautioned.

They paused once more as the sounds blazed past. A recognizable glimpse of dark, curly hair made her stomach churn—Caleb. She swallowed hard and held her breath. But just as soon as the curls met her eyes, they disappeared into the swaying cornfield.

Ethan whispered with a hint of exasperation, "If we start running, they'll hear us and chase us down."

Hazel ran a hand over her sweat-drenched brow, glancing up at the sun. A dry breeze worked through the strands of her hair, but it did little to cool her face. They needed to get out of the tract and quickly. We need a diversion to delay Caleb and his entourage long enough to escape.

At her feet, a crushed ear of corn amidst the broken stalks caught her attention, its golden kernels scattered across the soil. Hazel met Ethan's curious stare, "Anyone in the mood for popcorn?"