The lethargy that had once threatened to engulf Hazel was now obliterated, chased away by a fresh flood of adrenaline. The cave, their sanctuary against the night's terrors, morphed before her eyes into a daunting trap. The gargantuan form of a being continued to hover at the mouth of the cave. It did not proceed forward, but it did not retreat either.

She nudged Silus, whose eyes had been resting for the last hour. His gaze darted to hers and then to the cave entrance. They both tensed, rising to their feet as they heard the unmistakable sound of a screech. Wait, a screech?

As Hazel edged closer to the cave's mouth, her eyes narrowed against the muted light, and a slow, creeping realization unfolded within her. A familiar green light hovered in the air at the opening, where the shadow continued to float. Suddenly, the light flickered, shifting into a brilliant blue that cast an unearthly outline around the being before her. It was not just any animal, but one with vast, majestic wings spread wide, poised for flight—a falcon. The size of it continued to astound her as she let out a breath, relaxing her shoulders.

The falcon, its feathers catching the first light of dawn, seemed to shimmer with a life of its own. With a sudden, vigorous flap of its wings, it launched itself into the air, stirring up a whirlwind of sand that danced like golden dust in the emerging sunlight. Hazel shielded her eyes, watching through the veil of sand as the bird ascended, its form shrinking into a speck against the turquoise sky, eventually vanishing from sight.

In the wake of its departure, Hazel stood motionless, her attention shifting to the world beyond the cave. She listened, holding her breath. Gradually, she became aware of a profound silence. The menacing growls and unsettling shuffles were gone. Relief washed over her in waves.

With Silus by her side, she approached the entrance. Near the opening, a large bundle rested, wrapped in dark green burlap cloth tied with a deep mahogany ribbon. A light tan card was attached to the package.

"Festus?" Hazel questioned, her hand trembling as she reached down to pick up the package. It was lumpy and awkward in her shaky grasp.

Returning to the cave's depths, Mia and Aaron were all wide awake now, their attention fixed on the newly arrived gift.

Mia leaned forward, "Is it from Persephone?"

Silus examined the package, "Let's see.”

Hazel loosened the ribbon, her eyes straining in the scarce light to make out the words written in a bold, hasty hand on the card: 'Fill your belly, not the air. The air will fill itself. - F.'

A soft chuckle escaped her despite the situation. It's definitely from Festus. Sharing a knowing glance with Silus. He's probably a little less than thrilled about our fireside chat last night.

Mia's shoulders slumped slightly, her initial spark of hope fading into a resigned sigh. She diverted her gaze, a subtle bite to her lip betraying her disappointment.

Catching Mia's downtrodden expression, Hazel offered an encouraging smile, "Hey, there's still a chance Persephone's gifts are on their way."

Mia provided a half-hearted shrug in response, "Maybe."

"Well, let's see what we've got. Maybe Festus decided to indulge us with some cheesecake." Hazel's eyes twinkled with mischief as she glanced at Silus.

The mere mention of cheesecake caused Mia's demeanor to brighten, a hopeful glimmer touching her eyes, her lips twitching upwards. "I'd love that.”

Silus recoiled as if the idea itself was offensive, his face scrunching in distaste. "Gross." Their mother had made countless attempts at making the dessert but had only been met with his unequivocal rejection. The memory of him choosing the backyard over the scent of baking cheesecake brought warmth to Hazel's heart.

Undeterred, Hazel joked, "Well, if it is, you can happily forfeit your share to Mia."

Mia, unable to contain her amusement, let out a soft chuckle, her eyes lighting up, "I'll take that deal.”

"I could definitely go for a little dessert in the desert." Hazel’s attempt at humor hung in the air, inviting light laughter from Aaron and Mia.

"Always with the lame jokes," Silus groaned, but the corners of his mouth betrayed him, curving into a reluctant smile. He gave Hazel a gentle nudge on her arm, steering clear of her bandaged areas, "Enough with the guessing games. Let's see what's inside."

The trio huddled closer, with Hazel wrestling with the knot, her fingers clumsy with eagerness.

"Here, let me," Mia interjected as she produced a knife and sliced through the burlap with practiced ease. Hazel was impressed. Mia's skill with the blade undoubtedly had been honed in the harsh environment of District Ten's slaughterhouses.

As the package unfolded, revealing its contents, the floor of the cavern was adorned with a modest feast—almond bread, hearty slices of salted jerky, ripe plums, and an additional bottle of water. The sight was nothing short of a banquet.

Mia's voice was soft, almost dreamy, as she gazed at the spread of food before them. "I think I could cry."

Hazel dug through the items, pulling them out to lay them before the others. Her fingers brushed against something unexpected amid the assortment of provisions. What’s this? Reaching to the bottom of the package, she pulled out two pieces of fabric, each folded neatly. Each had an earthy tone that seemed to blend perfectly with the desert surroundings. The material was lightweight yet felt durable to the touch.

"What do you suppose these are for?" she mused, unfurling one to reveal its full extent. Each square of fabric revealed itself as a lightweight headwrap, the material boasting a discreet sheen.

Silus flashed her a cheeky smile. "They're most likely to keep you from turning into a lobster out here," he teased, "Festus probably knows what happens when you bring a ginger into the desert."

Hazel elbowed him, "Very funny."

Mia chuckled, and Aaron covered his mouth. Silus beamed at their reactions, "See, you aren't the only funny one in the family."

Hazel rolled her eyes, "Sure." Upon closer inspection, Hazel noted the fabric's exceptional weave—tight and even, the headwraps were versatile, capable of being worn in multiple ways to cover the head, neck, or face. She paused as she held up the headwrap, "Maybe Festus thought we'd talk less if our mouths were covered. Don't tempt me, or I will try one of them out on you."

Silus raised his hands in mock defeat.

As breakfast continued, Hazel carefully folded the wraps and slid them into their backpack.

"What do you guys think those things were last night?" Aaron changed the subject as he paused, a piece of almond bread halfway to his mouth. He tapped his chin thoughtfully while still managing to chew, "There must have been at least twenty of them."

Hazel shuddered, "They must have been huge; they sounded unlike anything I've ever heard before. The closest thing I can even think of is an elk or a moose."

Silus leaned forward, "But since when do elk or moose growl like that?"

"Must be some kind of muttation Dr. Gaul cooked up for the games," Mia suggested. Hazel's thoughts drifted to Snow's comments during their initial tour of the arena, mentioning Dr. Gauls' preference for the 'wildlife' aspect of the Games. God knows what she created to make this year 'special.' Hazel rolled her eyes, the food souring in her mouth with the image of Gaul's shiny white teeth.

"Whatever they were, I don't think we should stay here another night to find out," Silus commented.

Aaron countered, his forehead creasing, "Where do you propose we go? We can't just wander the arena aimlessly."

Stolen novel; please report.

"I didn't say we should, but I don't think we can risk another night here with a herd of beasts mere feet from us."

"We could find a different cave?" Aaron suggested, his shoulders shrugging upward as he pushed his disheveled hair out of his face, looking around the alcove.

"I think we still risk that herd finding us," Silus argued.

Hazel interjected, "Maybe we should look for our other alliance partners from Eleven."

The suggestion prompted Aaron to glance at Mia; his expression clouded with concern. "Mia's not in any shape to travel far.”

Mia shifted uncomfortably; her pant leg was still stained a rusty brown, and the spear fragments stuck out grotesquely from her thigh, "Aaron is right.' her eyes were cast in shadow, but her chin quivered slightly, "Maybe you should leave me behind."

"No," Aaron interjected, his voice firm, "I'm not leaving you here by yourself.”

Mia shook her head and looked away from him, "I know why our mentor hasn't sent us anything." She looked down at her leg, "I am a lost cause. I know it, you know it. We all do." Her eyes searched the faces of her three alliance partners, "It's just that no one wants to say it."

"It's not going to happen." Aaron's face was unflinching, "Persephone can choose to help us or not, but I am not abandoning you. Don't even bring it up again."

Mia seemed poised to challenge his suggestion yet chose restraint, her attention shifting to her injured leg with a grimace.

Silus studied Mia, "We managed to carry you here. We can do it again."

"And take her where exactly?" Aaron’s frustration was evident as he threw his hands in the air. "Where are we going to go? We don't even know if Kai and Iris are even still alive."

"Perhaps the District Seven or Six tracts?" Silus crossed his arms over his chest.

Aaron shook his head, the strain in his voice mirroring the tension in his shoulders. "Those are on the opposite end. It means crossing the central zone. Districts One and Two are probably waiting for us to pass through." Aaron caught Hazel's eyes, "And they have more than enough reason to hunt us down specifically."

Hazel tilted her head; the angry shouts of Elara and Caleb replayed in her memory. They would like nothing more than to kill all of them, particularly her, with their own hands.

"What's your plan, then?" Silus's gaze bore into Aaron.

"I say we stay put for tonight; formulate a solid plan," Aaron proposed, taking another bite of the pillowy almond bread.

Silus's rebuttal was swift, and his disagreement was clear. " We're easy prey if those animals from last night decide to return."

Hazel intervened. "Hold on, everyone. Let's not rush into anything. We need to eat, rest, and then think this through. Maybe there's a middle ground. Silus and I could scout ahead to see if we can find Kai and Iris while you two stay and find a safer spot nearby."

Mia, wincing with discomfort, "I'm on board with that. But, um, I need to... step outside for a bit." She again searched their faces, "You know...to relieve myself.'

An awkward silence fell over the group, with Aaron and Silus exchanging uneasy glances.

"I've got her," Hazel volunteered. I’m the one who suggested she drink so much water, after all. "Just give me a hand getting her up, and I'll take it from there." Together, the three lifted Mia to her feet.

As the group emerged from the cave's shadow, the dawn's light bathed the desert in an almost peaceful radiance, the golden rays painting the dunes in soft, welcoming colors. The morning air, tinged with the promise of the day's heat, carried a gentle breeze that stirred the sands, weaving through Hazel's copper hair with a tender caress.

Aaron and Silus stood vigil near the cave's entrance, both with their backpacks strapped on and their silhouettes etched against the growing light. Aaron rested his hand on the compact sword's hilt while Silus cradled the red-bladed axe.

With her own axes securely tucked in her belt, Hazel scanned the landscape for any sign of danger as they moved to a more private area.

"How's the leg feeling today?" Hazel' questioned.

Mia grimaced, "It's a bit better than yesterday, but it still hurts... kind of a burning, throbbing sensation." She sighed, the disappointment heavy in her voice, "I was hoping for some kind of relief from Persephone—painkillers, maybe an ointment. I would take her sending a bloody piece of toast at this point. But it looks like that's not happening." Mia looked up into the arena's sky as if to make her point to Persephone herself, uncaring of the consequences. Persephone presumably viewed Mia as a lost cause and would not waste valuable resources on a tribute so severely injured.

"I wish there were more we could do," Hazel murmured.

Mia looked up at Hazel, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "You know, you and Silus sticking with me... it means a lot. I wouldn't have blamed you if you'd decided not to."

Hazel's grip tightened around Mia. "Leaving you behind was never on the table."

Mia's eyes locked with Hazel's, "I'm not sure what I would do if our roles were reversed."

Hazel mulled over Mia's words, feeling the weight of the Capitol's twisted game on her shoulders. "They want us to see everything in extremes—right or wrong, black or white. As if those are our only choices." She sighed. No one should be forced into these decisions.

Behind a clump of dense brush, she found a spot for Mia; it offered as much privacy as the open desert could allow. Hazel turned her back as Mia completed her business. The arid desert breeze continued to pick up around her. Her skin and soul finally began to defrost from both the chilling fear and actual physical coolness of their restless night in the cave. She closed her eyes and let the breeze massage her face; it was almost soothing, even though it seemed like the wind's force had gradually grown rougher over the last several minutes. The sand around her was pulled up into the air in little swirling clouds, covering the toes of her boots.

Once Mia had finished, she called for Hazel. Hazel hurried to help her adjust her clothing and de-tangled her legs from the rough desert bushes.

"Not too squeamish, I see," Mia commented as they prepared to head back.

"Working at the hospital really toughens you up to just about anything," Hazel replied with a half-smile, "Though I imagine working in a slaughterhouse has a similar effect."

Mia nodded, her tone lightening "You don't get hung up on blood or bodily fluids much when you spend most days slitting throats"

Hazel blanched, an uncomfortable laugh escaping her. Sounds like a nightmare of a job. "Remind me never to complain about cutting trees down all day, ever again."

Their laughter wobbled their already precarious balance, forcing a brief pause to steady themselves. Supporting Mia, Hazel helped her navigate the sandy terrain back toward the cave.

Approaching Aaron and Silus, they noticed the two engrossed in an intense discussion, pouring over something in the sand. The distance they'd managed to cover felt significant, marking their brief journey away from the temporary shelter of the cave.

"What do you think is happening there?" Mia nodded her head toward the boys.

"Hopefully, they found that common ground they were looking for," Hazel whispered back, offering Mia a smile.

Mia smiled back, eyes crinkling at the edges, "Let me know if you need me to break up a fight."

Hazel laughed again, her eyes searching Mia's face, "I'll let you know if I need to tag you in, boss."

As they drew closer, Mia's black hair danced in the wind, framing her face in a wild, carefree manner. Hazel caught herself admiring the resilience and vibrancy of the girl beside her. In another life, she mused, they might have been friends outside the confines of the Games.

Once Mia was comfortably seated in the scant shade offered by a large bush, Hazel moved to join Aaron and Silus. The day was warming rapidly, the desert wind stirring the brush into motion and kicking up small dust devils that danced across the landscape. Despite the desolation around them, there was a tension in the air, one that had nothing to do with the heat or the wind.

"What are you looking at?" Hazel asked, crouching beside them.

Aaron glanced at Mia, noting her relaxed posture before returning his focus to Hazel. "We've found something.”

Silus turned, beckoning Hazel closer. "Take a look at these tracks," he said, pointing to the peculiar prints in the sand.

The tracks were bizarre, a hybrid of hoof and claw that Hazel couldn't reconcile with any animal she knew. The size and the additional pointed indentations suggested a creature of considerable mass.

As they pondered the tracks, the wind gained momentum, its gusts erasing the last traces of the night's visitors. Hazel fought to keep her hair at bay, the wind's insistence turning a simple task into a battle. "Holy cow," Hazel squinted down at the sand and continued to pull her hair out of her face so she could get a better look.

"Those aren't cow tracks. I would know..." Aaron's voice carried across the desert despite the escalating wind.

"Maybe the cows around here have claws." Her words were nearly lost to the wind that now whipped around them, sending sand swirling at their feet, burying each of their boots. She looked down at her feet and noticed the tips of her bootlaces were barely visible. The wind's intensity grew, and the tracks before them faded rapidly, yet their path extended into the distance, hinting at the astonishing number of animals that had passed by during the night.

"This is why I say we can't stay here," Silus declared, rising to his full height. His shirt and hair billowed wildly in the wind.

"What's to say the other tracts don't have something worse?" Aaron’s tone was skeptical, even as the breeze tugged at his hair, casting it into disarray.

"We won't know if we stay here and are killed by whatever these cow monsters are," Silus retorted, his eyes narrowed against the sand that the wind hurled at them. The sky, though still predominantly blue, now harbored wisps of clouds that danced and twisted in the turbulent air.

"Guys," Mia called out, her voice barely rising above the wind's fury, yet it carried a note of unmistakable urgency. All heads swiveled towards her. The group's attention snapped to where her finger trembled against the backdrop of the desert, pointing towards the horizon.

Aaron's face drained of color, mirroring the grave concern in Mia's as he followed her gesture. What had been a gentle morning breeze had transformed into a voracious beast, whipping up the desert sand into violent eddies that lashed against their skin with a thousand tiny, stinging bites.

A cold knot of fear formed in Hazel’s stomach as her eyes landed on the horizon. It seemed as if the very apocalypse had been summoned from the bowels of the earth. A massive wall of sand towering high into the sky dwarfed the landscape and reduced the vast desert to a mere footnote in its path. It was a colossus, a moving mountain of dust and grit, roaring towards them.

"What in the world is that?" Silus questioned, his tone mirrored the disbelief etched across their faces as they all pondered the oncoming wall of dirt and sand.

"That," Aaron managed to reply, his gaze shifting momentarily back to his companions, sharing a look of grim understanding, before returning his focus to the looming disaster, "is the biggest sandstorm I’ve ever seen."