That night, the faces of the fallen appear in the sky. Among them, his female tribute. He knows he should feel something, but all he feels is another weight pressing down on him.

The days pass in a routine of hunger and vigilance. He stays hidden, stealing water from leaves and watching the others. Then, he notices something strange: the Arena’s barrier, a barely visible energy dome in the distance.

And then, he sees the key to his survival.

When a tribute throws a weapon at the barrier, it bounces back with force, returning at a lethal speed.

Haymitch smiles.

He has just found his advantage.

Fifth Part: The Price of Ingenuity

The Arena is a trap, but Haymitch has found the flaw in its design. He watches as the barrier sends objects back with deadly force. If he can use it to his advantage, he could change the game.

But survival requires more than intelligence. He needs food, allies… or bodies.