I become so outraged at the simplemindedness of the argument, I scream louder than all of them, finally making some headway.
"We're wasting time! I'll go finish her and let's move on!" It's silent for a while as the rest of the group thinks it over. Then Cato finally speaks.
"Go on, then, Lover Boy. See for yourself." I hiked the backpack higher up on my shoulder as I turned to find her. At first, I didn't get a good look at her face and I prayed to God it wasn't Katniss. I'd stood idly by as Clove sliced through her back, seemingly killing her. But when the gong didn't sound they became anxious. It was then that my eyes wandered up into the trees and my prayers were answered.
Katniss. She always was one of the smartest. She was strapped to a tree, camouflaged by her sleeping bag, blending into the night. If we didn't move fast, someone else would get bored. Their eyes would wander and they'd find her. That's when I'd silenced them with my proposal of murder. Obviously impressed, and clearly doubtful, they let me go. I was already halfway back before I realized what I had just agreed to. The complete opposite of what I'd promised myself. To remain unchanged by the games. But of course, I should've known better.
I made slow, glacial steps towards her, trying to buy myself as much time as possible. When I could make out her faint shadow once more, it became apparent that she was from a smaller District. Her skinny, sallow face was splattered with blood and a few bits of spit from when Cato had disgraced her. Out of all of them, I think it's him I hate the most. I crouched down and tilted her chin up. Her eyes slowly opened and the pain that was visible was almost unbearable. They nearly begged for me to put her out of her misery. She opened her mouth to speak but the only thing she could manage was a muted cough. I brushed a piece of hair away from her face and wiped the spit away from her cheek. She closed her eyes tight and awaited my kill. I unhooked the knife from my belt and ran a finger over the blade.
"It'll be over soon, you'll be in a better place," I whispered, hoping she had heard. Her lip quivered once more before I plunged the knife into her back, causing her last breath to fall short. It was over. My first kill. Surely not my last, but I didn't care to dwell on that thought. Once was enough for a lifetime of nightmares. I pushed myself off the ground and watched her, unmoving. I pursed my lips before fastening the knife to my belt once more and hanging my head. I let out a brief sigh before turning to make my way back over to the rest of them. An idea flashed across my mind for a split second, daring me to leave them altogether, but I knew I couldn't. I had made my pact with them for a reason. To keep her safe. She was my only importance from here on out. I will forever be in debt to the girl on fire. If I couldn't protect her, I was useless. My mother would be right in saying I had no chance. And I would never let that happen. Katniss Everdeen was my one and only mission. Katniss Everdeen was my one and only hope