DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything.
A/N: Sorry for the lack of updates, school taken over O: I know that's a lame ass excuse but it really is true. I'm in Honors Prep classes and I barely have time to write, except in the wee hours of the morning when I shouln't be awake. So, anyway, this is a one shot about the death of Rue in The Hunger Games (The trilogy that I have recently fell in love with.) This part in the book really made me want to cry and I decided to switch it up and write it as Rue's point of view (switching POVs seems to be my thing...) So please enjoy. It felt a bit weird writing this, since I'm used to writing Harry Potter or Twilight fanfictions. I decided to write a one shot for another book series that I'm in love with.
I sing out the four note melody that would assure Katniss that I was alright. I hear the mockingjays repeat it and was sure that she'd hear it in no time. I decide to scout the area before I lit the signal, just in case any Careers were near. I climb up a tree and jump from branch to branch, singing the melody to the mockingjays. I hear a rustle below me and stop immediately.
I jump down, being careful that the leaves wouldn't crunch or rustle when I walked, and pull a knife from its sheath and stand on guard.
"Katniss?" I call out, "Is that you?"
It was a stupid question. Katniss would have returned the mockingjays call. I would have heard it.
I carefully walk into a clearing and immediately regret it. The hair on the back of my neck stood on end and I got the eerie feeling that someone was watching me.
I was just about to turn around and run back when the net dropped from above. I scream as I'm pulled to the ground, dropping my knife trying to fight my way from the net.
"Katniss! Katniss!" I scream, trying to wrestle my way out of the net.
"Rue!" I hear Katniss call. I try to find my knife when I remember I dropped it when the net fell and I am now hopelessly tangled in the net. It doesn't take long for me to start panicking.
"Rue, I'm coming!" I hear her call again. She's close, but is she close enough to beat whoever dropped the net?
I see her break into the clearing, her bow and arrow drawn. I reach from the tangle of mesh.
"Katniss!" I cry. Then a stabbing pain erupts through my body, it being the worse in my abdomen. I curl onto my side. I hear an arrown fly and my attacker groan.
"Are there more?" Katniss asks, drawing another arrow, "Rue, are there more?"
"No, Katniss," I cry, "There aren't any more."
She cuts through the net and crouches beside me, staring at the spear. She's struggling with what to say. I reach up, shakily, and clutch her hand.
"You blew up the food?" I ask.
"Every last bit."
"You have to win."
"I'm going to win. Going to win for the both of us."
A cannon blast is heard throughout the arena. My attacker is dead.
"Don't go," I say, gripping her hand tighter.
"Course not. I'm staying right here."
She pulls my head onto her lap and tucks my hair behind my ears.
"Sing." I whisper.
She hesitates, coughs and takes a deep breath. Then she starts 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 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
I close my eyes, feeling myself grow heavy and tired. My breathing begins to slow and I hear Katniss begin to cry, but she finishes the song.
Deep in the meadow, hidden far away
A cloak of leaves, a moonbeam ray
Forget your woes and let your troubles lay
And when 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
I feel myself get sleepier and sleepier. I try to open my eyes and mouth, I want to say goodbye but I am too weak. I hear Katniss crying and feel her kiss my cheek, then I fade away as the last breath leaves my body.