Pain. A hazy sense of blood, everywhere. If I close my eyes, I knew I wouldn't wake up. I must keep them open. But to close them would be so tempting… I see Katniss shoot the boy from 1. More blood. I'm drowning in it. I was hit, the boy from 1 was hit-it just goes in a circle. A circle of blood. I hear a cannon fire, and I feel confused. I'm not dead yet; am I? Then I realize it was for the boy from 1. 23 will die before 1 will go home…
Katniss is shouting at me, are there more, our there more? I say no over and over again, an endless stanza holding me to life, before she hears me. My body is curled around the spear, wishing for the pain to be over. I stretch my hand out weakly, and Katniss grabs it. "You blew up the food," I ask. "Every last bit of it," she whispers. "You have to win," I say, and I mean it. She has to go home. For her sister. For me…
"I'm going to, going to win for both of us now." She promises. I see her fading, and grip her hand tighter. "Don't go."
"Course not. Staying right here," she says, brushing back my hair. Before I go, I need to here one last song. "Sing," I breathe out faintly. I here her voice, so pure that the mockingjays stop and listen.
"Deep in the meadow, under the willow
A bed of grass, a soft green pillow
Lay down your head, and close your eyes
And when they open, the sun will rise
Here it's safe, and 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.
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, and 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.
Here is the place where I love you."
She wobbles on the last line, but for the first time in a long time, I feel safe.
Somewhere distant, a cannon fires, and now, I am at peace.