He saw relief and remorse and triumph flash in Everdeen's eyes as the arrow met its mark and then he was falling. He rolled his tongue behind his teeth in preparation, and hit the ground a lifetime later. He pulled his sword from his belt and began to thrash about in the claustrophobia of snarling mutts. Occasionally blade would meet with animal and a howl would sound. He kept slashing and stabbing and cutting until her eyes caught his. Clove's eyes, burning at him from the face of an animal. He stopped for a moment, and that was all the mutts needed.
He let himself drown in them and soon he was drowning in his own slick blood too. His body was being ripped apart, but he barely registered the pain.
Because he had already been ripped apart when her shuddering chest had ceased. She had already torn him apart.
This was just a physical manifestation of his shredded insides. And to be pulled apart by her eyes – oh, it was blissful feeling the pain he deserved. For not getting to her in time. For not listening to her. For not telling her when he should have. He savoured his punishment because he was feeling something and it would end soon.
Hours passed. He felt his flesh in a million pieces. He felt nothing else.
"Please."
Not pleading for release. Pleading to have her back. Pleading for forgiveness.
The mutt with her eyes ripped his chest open just like she had. The arrow sailed towards his skull.