"CATO!"

It's her scream. It's a panicked scream.

She won't be in danger from any of the other tributes. Fire and redhead are too scrawny. Lover Boy is probably still immobile. So -

Oh my god. Oh my god.

Thresh is still out there.

"CLOVE!"

I'm running now.

"CATO!"

"CLOVE! I'M COMING!" I don't even care that probably everything within six miles can hear me. I promised her. I promised her.

I'm almost there. She's still alive. She has to still be alive. I promised her. I promised her.

There's a long pause, some indistinct yelling, and another "CATO!"

"CLOVE! CLOVE!"

A loud thump and a scream. And nothing.

My stomach seems to drop right out of my body. "CLOVE! CLOVE! CLOVE!" I'm screaming.

I promised her.

The Cornucopia is in sight.

There's nothing moving.

Nonononononononononononononononono

There's a small dark shape lying still beside it. No-one else in sight. It has to be 12.

Not Clove. Not Clove. Not Clove.

It's Clove. It's Clove. It's Clove.

I promised.

With shaking fingers, sitting on my haunches, I gently untangle her hair. Long, dark, and soft. Pretty.

I spread it out on the ground around her, so it encircles her head like a halo. I wipe a thumb over the blood around her mouth and draw stripes along her cheeks. Three on each side.

War paint.

I pop her favourite knife in her little clenched fist and rest it on her chest. Carefully, carefully, I stroke her eyelids down over her intense brown eyes. Beautiful. Glassy. Unseeing.

I stand, and I walk away.

I PROMISED.

I've got Lover Boy in a headlock.

"Go ahead," I say to Fire. My voice is unsteady, even to myself. "I promised her and I failed. Kill me."

Fire is trying to look emotionless, but her eyes look terrified.

"We made a pact," I say. My voice is outright shaking, but I ramble on. "When we were kids. That we'd protect each other, no matter what. We wouldn't kill each other, even if we were the last ones left. Guess what? I failed. I failed her. I failed her. So kill me. Do it." I suddenly bellow. "DO IT!"

And she shoots my hand.

There was a lot of pain, in my death. A lot. I just want to die. Clove, I'm sorry. Oh my god, I'm so sorry. I failed you and I'm sorry.

It's around dawn when a head pops over the side of the Cornucopia. She's practically sick when she spots me. No wonder. I'm a mess.

"Please," I whisper as best I can.

I see her raise her bow, and my last thought is I promised her before the darkness claims me.