The pain is enough to make me die right here and now, but I have to stay alive just a bit longer. For Katniss.

I stare at Marvel's dying eyes as the blood from the arrow in his neck bleeds out onto the ground. I want to cry, to hold his head in my hands, but I don't have the strength to do either. I see him whispering something, but I can't catch it, and Katniss is next to me, pushing Marvel away. I reach my hand toward Katniss, and she grips it. I think he said I'm sorry. I search out his sky blue eyes, and I see them slowly closing.

I love you, I mouth, something I truly never got to say to him before all this, and I know he catches it because he gives me a ghost of a smile and he closes his eyes. I turn most of my curled up body toward Katniss.

"You blew up the food?" I whisper.

"Every last bit," she murmurs, tears threatening to spill from her gray eyes.

"You have to win," I say, my voice a bit stronger.

"I'm going to," she says, gripping my hand tighter. "Going to win for the both of us now."

I hear a cannon. My eyes finally water up. Marvel is dead.

"Don't go," I whisper, squeezing her hand tighter. She's the only friend I have nearby right now.

"Course not. Staying right here," she whispers as she pulls my head onto her lap. As she brushes some hair out of my face, I can already feel myself capitulating to numbness. My body is growing cold.

"Sing," I murmur, barely audible. I know Katniss has heard it though, because her face twists into apprehension. I open my mouth to request it again, but nothing comes out.

A brief moment passes, and she coughs. I faintly see her swallow, and then she begins to sing.

Deep in the meadow, under the willow

A bed of grass, a soft green pillow

Lay down your head, and close your sleepy eyes

And when again they open, the sun will rise

Here it's safe, here it's warm

Here the daisies guard you from every harm

Here your dreams are sweet and tomorrow brings them true

Here is the place where I love you

My eyes flutter shut. I take small breaths, relishing every one. I wonder why she never sings more. I hear Katniss gasp, and water drips down on my face. A second passes, and she continues.

Deep in the meadow, hidden far away

A cloak of leaves, a moonbeam ray

Forget your woes and let your troubles lay

And when again it's morning, they'll wash away.

Here it's safe, here it's warm

Here the daisies guard you from every harm

Here your dreams are sweet and tomorrow brings them true

Here is the place where I love you.

I know that this is my last moment. I think I hear something else, but my hearing has shut down. I can't feel Katniss's tears anymore. I take my last breath and

fin

Note from the author: Short drabshot of Rue's last moments in the arena. Words of song and dialogue are from The Hunger Games.