Nightmares

I run towards the noise. Prim screaming. I can't seem to find her. The jabberjays- it must be them, but it can't be. There were no jabberjays in the forest arena. I hear her shrieks of pain and I know that I have to find her. But where? I run and run 'til I reach the Cornucopia. The monkeys are surrounding it. Relief flows through my veins when I realize that it isn't Prim being attacked. I have enough time to wonder why the monkeys are in the forest arena, but then the figure turns around. It's Rue.

I reach for my bow and arrows. I have to protect Rue this time- she will not die. But every time I try to shoot one of the beasts, my arrows melt and turn into blood on the ground. The monkeys are finished with Rue. She is dead; I have failed. They turn on me and in an instant all I see is orange and fangs. Suddenly everything goes black.

Light returns and I am in the hovercraft. Mother is next to my bed; she attempts to comfort me. Gale sits on the other side of the room, terrified. My screaming must have been awful.

Prim returns with a cup of tea. After finishing it, I feel drowsy. Prim must have put sleep syrup in to it. I soon fall asleep, but this time it is worse.

I am in the launch room with Cinna. He kisses my forehead.

"Remember girl on fire, I'm still betting on you"

Oh no. This is one of the worst memories I have. I don't want to relive it. The glass comes down, separating the two of us, but the men in white don't arrive. I am confused, and then the doors open and the men enter. They have brought an extra person with them. Gale. Cinna's skin melts away to reveal the puffy lipped face of President Snow. He smiles at me. The men begin to beat Gale. It is even worse than seeing Cinna attacked. I try to look away, but my neck won't move. I can't turn away. I start to scream. And then I see President Snow on floor. What is he doing? I look closer and I understand. He is licking Gale's blood off the floor, hungry as a starving child receiving a huge piece of meat. I almost vomit. I want to look away. Up, down, somewhere else- but I can't. I still am unable to move. I am forced to watch this revolting display of brutality. My cylinder starts to rise and the bright light of the arena hits my eyes

I am in my bed. Haymitch stands over me. My limbs continue to tremble from the horror of the last nightmare. He offers me a drink. I know by the taste that it is some sort of alcohol.

A window in the hovercraft allows me to see the sunrise. I have made it through the night. Barely. Without Peeta, the dawn is my only consolation. The daytime is but a short reprieve from the terror of nighttime.


thanks for reading! this story was written for the July Writing Challange on Starvation...its a really cool forum...and my lovley beta is a moderater so go check it out! But before you do that press the little button at the bottom of the screen. I believe it says "Review Story/Chapter" yeah. that one...do it.

Yours and c.o. (fancy closing from Jane Austen times)
thecolorsof twilight.