And then the day of the games came. None of the mentors got to see their tributes again; they'd been brought to the arena early in the morning, around the same time the remaining mentors had been sent to the Academy where they'd been assigned a place with a small screen, always ready to see their tributes' odds, sponsors and what gifts they could send. Each mentor was handed a badge that said 'Mentor' as well as a communicuff to control their tributes' sponsor gifts.

Being responsible for the District 1 tribute, Livia sat on the far left. She felt herself shaking and nervous, almost as if she had to go in the arena herself - and if she was feeling like this, how must the tributes feel?

"Here we go, everyone!" Lucky's voice echoed through the hall. "Come on. Come on, let's go. Sit down, Festus, come on." he demanded. Festus hastily sat down next to Persephone - who looked on the verge of a breakdown. Most mentors didn't look better. Vipsania was pale even under tons of makeup, Hilarious nervously chewed his nails and Lysistrata barely was able to sit still. Even Coriolanus barely managed to sit down. The only ones looking less bothered were Arachne - who chatted her way through Lucky's instructions with Domitia - and Clemensia, who suddenly was back and showed no signs of her apparent flu. Or actually, she did look different. She looked like a snake almost, colourful schemes appearing on her skin despite she tried to hide it with her uniform and makeup. Livia didn't dare to ask what happened; it wasn't just that Clemensia's looks had changed, no, her behaviour was odd too. Earlier she'd nearly gotten into a fight with Coriolanus and when Festus had tried to step in, she almost lost it.

"No yawning" Lucky reminds them as the cameras are adjusted, ready to start filming the mentors once the games had started, "no gum chewing" he pointed at Festus, "Keep your chins down, heads up, shoulders back. And smile" he said, directed at Arachne, "It's why we have teeth."

Arachne gave Lucky her best smile.

But he was already busy with rushing through the rows, "Okay. Ready? We're gonna start guys. We're starting everyone, We're starting. Happy Hunger Games, happy Hunger..." he briefly stopped as he saw Diana walking in, or rather limping in, taking a seat in the back. Although her tribute was already dead, she was allowed to have a seat in the back rows and watch, just like all Academy students. "Remember" Lucky spoke to the remaining mentors, "When your tribute dies, get out of here."

The mentors watched as the tributes were brought inside of the arena; some just walked politely and some had to be dragged. A peacekeeper dragged Teslee by her arm and the poor girl couldn't even stand up; all she could do was laying on the ground as she sobbed. Her mentor, Urban Canville, groaned and muttered something under his breath. Livia tried to spot Facet - he stood close to Teslee as the tributes likely had been sorted by their district and District 1 and 2 didn't have anyone else left.

"Enjoy the show!" a voice blasted through the speakers. It was the same voice that they'd heard during the arena tour, the same voice that had gone off after the bombing. "Enjoy the show!" 

Enjoy the show... only a sick mind could enjoy watching this.

Livia tensed in her seat, biting her lip til it hurt just so she wouldn't scream. From somewhere in the crowd she could hear a whimper though - it was the same sort of whimper she'd previously heard in the arena too. Diana had covered her ears and was weeping silently as the robotic voice was on nonstop repeat. It was true, Diana wasn't the same anymore; she wasn't the cheerful girl anymore that sometimes seemed to have her head in the clouds. Apollo still hadn't woken up and as a result, Diana had retreated to her own little world. Lucky gestured to her to keep quiet, only to focus back on the screen. But even his smile briefly vanished as he saw what now everyone else saw; a sight likely none of them could ever forget again.

Marcus, the tribute from 2, hung from the side of the cornucopia.

Everyone gasped and even Diana stopped to cry as if she was too afraid any sound would cause Marcus to jump through the screen. No one dared to speak and, as Livia looked at her classmates, everyone seemed shocked. Even someone like Arachne who couldn't care less about the tributes looked bewildered. So this was what would've happened to whichever tributes would've tried an escape. Velvereen and Sabyn likely were lucky they didn't met that fate - not that theirs had been a better alternative - but seeing Marcus being hung at the cornucopia was horrifying and was even more horrifying was that he seemed to be alive still, being placed there for some sick minds' viewing pleasure. 

All of the sudden, Sejanus jumped up and ran to the front. He grabbed a chair and threw it towards the screen, then taking another chair and throwing it into the camera area. "Monsters!" he screamed. "You're all monsters here!" he shouted before dashing off, the sound of the door slamming shut being heard. Then silence.

If the gong hadn't went off, this silence likely would've lasted for an eternity. But now they were brought back to reality, everyone trying to find their protege in the chaos. Coral and her pack immediately claimed the cornucopia to themselves, fighting off everyone in their way. Circ, the boy from 3, climbed onto the concucopia too in a desperate attempt to grab a weapon too. It was useless. Tanner grabbed his knife and threw it right into Circ's chest, causing him to drop backwards. Facet took the knife that Circ was hoping to reach and kicked the boy off the cornucopia. Livia bit her lip to stop the nauseous feeling that rised in her chest. It didn't get better by the sound of someone actually being sick, which was followed by Juno - the District 8 mentor - apologising hastily.

Circ's buzzer immediately went off and Io Jaspar cursed, leaving her place as she was told. Circ's district partner Teslee still knelt on her place and cried, likely not able to move due to her broken leg. Coral jumped from the cornucopia and ran towards her, ignoring as Teslee literally sobbed at her, "Please don't, no, please-", but Coral was left unimpressed. Teslee's buzzer went off just mere seconds later. And with that, District 3 was out.

"And with that we say goodbye to Circ and Io Jaspar, as well as Teslee and our very own..." Lucky stared at Urban, "That would be our very own..."

"Oh, make an effort." Urban cursed.

"Our own Turban Canville!" Lucky finally exclaimed. 

"Urban, not Turban!"

Livia had to hide her grin, glad about the momentary distraction. But that distraction was short-lived as the cameras switched to Jessup and Coryo's songbird running through the tunnels underground, seemingly being chased. Whilst Coriolanus looked horrified, Livia leant back in her seat. Finally, some fairness. Finally someone would wipe that smile off Coriolanus' face. Singing wouldn't get that songbird out of this trap.

"They've gone underground very quickly, but we're prepared for this" Lucky announced. "What you're seeing now is a live feed of security cameras."

Close behind the tributes from 12 were the ones from 5, muffling and screaming as they followed them. "Hy and Sol from the other side, pincering on Lucy Gray" Lucky kept commenting. The mentors for District 5, Dennis and Iphigenia, both leant forward in their seats upon watching their tributes finally making an impact. Both hadn't turned up to the interviews and so far had made zero impression. Lucy Gray dragged Jessup through the corridors before they sneaked into a side room, hiding behind a door. "And here comes the pack, surprising Hy and Sol!"

Coral was at the front, closely followed by Mizzen. Behind them were Facet, Treech and both from 10. Livia sighed with relief, glad Facet was okay for now. She knew from now on it would be a constant nerve-wracking situation but at least Facet was okay and safe with his pack. He held tightly onto his rather impressive knife.

Coral nodded at them before Tanner threw his knife into Hy's chest, similarly to how he'd done with Circ, immediately causing Hy's buzzer to go off. While Festus cheered - earning a look of disgust by Persephone - Dennis cursed and got up to leave.

Sol, horrified by the scene happening in front of her, tried to crawl through the small entrance of the door that would've led to Lucy Gray and Jessup - but just as she stuck her head through the door, Coral rammed her trident into Sol's back. The scream was unlike anything Livia ever heard. It was horrifying and caused her to shudder, making her certain that scream would forever haunt her.

Sol's mentor Iphigenia got up and was about to rush out, only held back by Lucky who wanted to question her. Iphigenia shrugged. "Her name was Sol, or maybe Sal. She had a funny accent" she bit her lip and looked up at the screen where Sol's picture had already disappeared. "Not much more to tell."

"Nice job getting her there, Albina!"

"Iphigenia!" she practically snapped as she left.

And for now that was it. District 3 and 5 out in no time, now joining the likes of District 6 and 9 who already had been out pre-games. Alongside Velvereen and Sabyn that meant that a total of ten tributes were dead already and the games had started less than an hour ago. This wasn't unusual but normally, all tributes were still alive pre-games. 

"To the children watching" Lucky said. "That was violent, horrific, and disgusting" he grabbed a tissue and patted his forehead as he looked over at Juno, the mentor for the District 8 boy, "Ms. Phipps, please, if you're going to vomit, do it off camera." 

While Juno looked offended and ashamed, some of the other mentors chuckled. Juno wasn't known for taking such things well - not that Livia blamed her, it really hadn't been a pleasant sight and she doesn't know how she'd react if Facet had been the one getting a trident to the chest. For now however he was fine and that was all that counted. 

For a while everything was silent. Most tributes were just hiding underground; even Coral and her pack had claimed a spot that shielded them from any possible opponents. They had some sort of picnic consisting of the food that Persephone and Festus had sent them. Livia was surprised Coral was sharing but supposedly she was in need of her alliance for now. And a quick glance at Facet's sponsors was devasting - it was barely enough to send a water bottle. Stupid Coriolanus and his songbird, he's ruining it for us all, Livia cursed. 

Lucky took over again as he began presenting the weather, speaking of the high temperatures in 9 and 10, before switching to speak about 12 - for once not about Lucy Gray but about the weather in the districts. "And finally in District 12, a..." he stopped and looked up to the screen where a small figure approached the cornucopia. 

"Lamina!" Pup exclaimed. "That's Lamina!"

Lucky was quick to hurry over to be the center of attention; he nearly crashed into a camera doing so. "Now we see 15-year-old Lamina from District 7, mentored by our own Pliny Harrington."

Whatsever Lucky said next - no one paid attention to him. Everyone watched as Lamina climbed onto the concucopia, her eyes not leaving the spot where Marcus was hanging from. He was still alive, it was clear by the way his chest still moved. Barely hanging onto life but still there. Lamina slowly moved towards him, her shaking hand reaching out to make Marcus look at her. His eyes briefly opened which barely was visible because of how swollen his face was and Lamina sat by his side, seeming to consider what to do. Spare him? Kill him? Either option wasn't pleasant. But then Marcus' lips moved and, considering that you could've heard a pin drop from how silent it was among the students, his words were heard loud and clear. "Please."

Lamina tilted Marcus' head to the side - lip trembling but she wasn't crying - before she swung her axe into his chest. Most mentors looked away immediately to avoid the horrible sight. Lamina however slammed the axe against the chains Marcus was tied up with, releasing him from their grip and making him fall down a few metres til he hit the ground. His buzzer went off and the camers switched onto Pup who gave a fist pump. "That's my girl!" he shouted. "That's my tribute, Lamina from District 7! My communicuff is open for business! Never too late to show your support and send a gift!"

Livia caught herself having stared at the screen nonstop. Was this what Facet had to do? Killing someone to get food? The way Lamina's odds and sponsors now literally skyrocketed was the only answer Livia needed. This was what people wanted to see - and worse, this was what Facet had to become. She looked at the sheet of paper that consisted of all tribute and mentor duos and, as much as it hurt her, it was time to start crossing out the dead ones... including her dead classmates.

After a few Interviews - mostly with the 'more important' mentors, everyone was glad it was time for lunch break; despite most people didn't feel too hungry. The only positive was that Livia's friends, or rather their tributes, were all still in; that way she at least didn't have to sit alone. Arachne was the only one speaking, mostly about her boyfriend and their upcoming wedding. Vipsania stared into nowhere, Persephone looked at her food with disgust and Livia hid her face behind her hands. Diana had left a while ago, as a mentor without a tribute she could come and go as she wanted. "Livia" Arachne said, shaking her. Livia wondered whether she'd briefly dozed off. "Lucius is picking me up later, shall he drive you home?"

Livia shook her head. "Father won't be pleased if I return home now. With the games still running, he likely expects me to bring my own bedding to Heavensbee Hall and stay there til the games are over."

Vipsania briefly looked up as if she had some sort of realisation but Arachne ignored her and continued, "Why not come to mine? You can't stay awake all night" she said, also looking at Vipsania. "The same goes to you, Vippie. The best mentor won't be of an use for Treech if you lack so much sleep. How many hours of sleep did you get those past few days?"

"I can't sleep now. What if something happens and I can't help him?" Vipsania croaked. She sounded just as she looked - like she hadn't slept in days, with dark circles under her eyes that were red and puffy from crying. Seeing this, Livia felt as it was for the best to never fall in love - true to her words, people were fools and she didn't want to get hurt. Maybe, if she ever had to marry, it would be someone she didn't love. Just to avoid getting hurt. Ashamed by this sort of thinking, she wondered if anyone shared the same thoughts. Clearly none of her friends - it would only be a matter of time til Persephone and Festus were married, Vipsania was unlucky in love, and as for Arachne... by the time the 11th Hunger Games came, she'd likely be married and have her first child. 

Vipsania groaned and rubbed her temples. "All our tributes are in the same alliance - but we know that realistically there can be just one victor."

"It's what the rules say" Arachne shrugged. She hit her fork into her strawberry which made Livia think of Coral killing Sol and with a face of disgust, Livia put her plate away. "You can't just change the rules and suddenly say that there'll be, let's say, two victors of the same District."

"Who knows" Vipsania argumented. "Maybe one day that's gonna happen."

"Oh I'd love to witness that" Arachne laughed, "Just to see the president's face." 

"He wouldn't be pleased." Livia told her. Not that she could ever see that rule change happening but she couldn't imagine a president being delighted with someone messing up his rules. President Ravinstill maybe wasn't the most cruel person around but he ruled Panem with an iron fist and once Felix would follow in his footsteps- Felix. The thought of her classmate hidden away in hospital, gravely injured and not responsive, took away Livia's last bit of appetite.

As none of her friends seemed hungry either, they decided to go back to Heavensbee Hall and continue watching. Livia kept her fingers crossed that they didn't miss anything important. 

They hadn't. Several mentors were slumped in their chairs with boredom and the only thing shown was Lucy Gray and Jessup hidden in the tunnels. Lucky for once didn't comment, being too busy to cancel his reservation at the restaurant for him, his wife and their son - little Caesar who would follow in his father's footsteps without a doubt. It made Livia wonder for how many years the Hunger Games would continue - 50 years? 100 years? Would Felix, as future president, cancel them or, worse, would make them even more of a cruel, sick spectacle? 

All she knew for now was that today wouldn't be much more eventful. The first wave of cruelty was over, the tributes had gone to rest and recover and most of what was shown had gotten boring - Lucy Gray and Jessup resting, Lamina hidden underneath the rubble at the cornucopia, Reaper and Dill hiding whilst Dill's coughing would probably give away where they were anyway. The rest of the tributes weren't shown and Livia cursed silently at how badly this would inflict Facet's chances. How was he supposed to get sponsors when he didn't even get the opportunity to be seen? Fair enough, not showing Facet also meant that none of the tributes from 4 or 10 were shown and neither did the camera show Treech which almost caused Vipsania a breakdown. By the end of the games she'd be a mess.

For now Vipsania was close to falling asleep, a proof to Livia's guess that her classmate hadn't slept in days. Persephone didn't look any better, she'd been resting her head on her hand and dozed off; only for Festus to shake her awake every now and then. After a while however he allowed her to rest her head on his shoulder, putting his arm around her sleeping form.

Livia looked over to Arachne who was still bright awake, same for Coriolanus who must've been delighted at his songbird getting shown nonstop. Livia decided that it was enough for today - Arachne was right, no mentor was much of an use if they were on the verge of breaking down from exhaustion. So she walked over to her friend, asking if her offer of letting her stay over was still possible. "Certainly" Arachne nodded, "I'm just gonna call Lucius."

By the time Livia and Arachne left, only Coriolanus, Lysistrata and Vipsania were still there. The remaining mentors had decided it was for the best to catch up on some sleep and even the trio that still stayed in Heavensbee Hall was closer to sleep than being awake. 

Lucius drove them home in silence, he looked totally different to what Livia had imagined and all she could think about was his weird beard. But if he and Arachne were happy, so may it be. Livia accepted the fact that she likely would never find true love.

When she and Arachne arrived at the Crane family's huge mansion, Arachne's parents were in the living room and catched up on Capitol TV. They greeted warmly and Arachne's dad asked how their respective tributes were doing while her mother asked Livia how her injuries were healing. After a brief conversation, Arachne interrupted and lied that they both needed to catch up on some sleep as they had to be up early tomorrow. Livia lied along