The Hunger Games

Rue's Death

I ran and ran into the woods, hoping that the Careers wouldn't follow me. But no matter how far and how much I ran, I could still feel the ringing in my left ear. I put my hand next to it and it came away covered in my blood. After I blew up the supplies, maybe the explosion could've somehow permanently damaged my left ear. But who cares? If I win, I'll be so rich, I can pay someone to fix my ear.

Now to find Rue...

The mockingjays! That's how!

(Katniss whistles 4 times and the mockingjays repeat and pass it on)

That's weird; Rue hasnt answered yet, but at least she'll know that I'm alright.

I walk on for a little longer to try and regain my balance. I hope the explosion didn't harm that too!

Then...

"Katniss!"

I heard my name. Could it be Rue?

"Katniss, help me!"

I drew an arrow, put it on my bowstring, and ran to help her, calling her name.

"Rue! Rue, where are you?!"

"Katniss!"

"Rue, I'm coming!"

Then I found Rue. She was trapped in a net, probably set by one of the Careers!

I took out my knife and cut her out, freeing her.

She hugged me, like Prim when she can't sleep.

"Shh. Rue, it's OK. It's gonna be alright."

"Katniss, watch out!"

It was the boy from District 1, Marvel, throwing a spear! I ducked out of the way, and the next thing I knew, was that my arrow was straight into his heart.

Rue then fell to the ground, but I caught her just in time to lie her down gently.

"Did you blow up the food?"

"Every last bit of it. Soon, those Careers will know what it feels like to starve."

"Good. You have to win, Katniss."

"I promise, Rue. I promise I will win for the both of us."

(Marvel's cannon booms.)

"Don't go, Katniss."

"I'm not going anywhere."

"Please sing."

"OK."

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...

And before I could sing to her anymore, her cannon went off. She was gone.

"No, Rue! Rue! NO!"

I snapped Marvel's spear in half and threw it away, then I took out my knife and before I could think, I was lashing out on Marvel's corpse. Of course, the Gamemakers would think of it as revenge and a symbol of rebellion, but I saw it as a message to the Careers - Mess with me and you're dead.

Then I used my blood-splattered knife to cut some flowers nearby, to bury Rue in them, as if she was sleeping in the meadow.

"Goodbye, Rue."

My name is Katniss Everdeen. I am 16 years old. I have watched Rue die before me. I sent a message to the Careers, and I am going to win."