'District 13'
Chapter 3: Rivals
There was a small thump behind him. Owen's jaw tightened, twisting an arrow between his fingers. Just a few meters away, Bianca sighed heavily.
"Don't." He grumbled before she could say anything.
"Owen, please…" Bianca breathed, shaking her head. "We had a deal with Adam!" She reminded him once again. Owen clicked his lips in frustration. "We were supposed to stick together!" Bianca said, shoving his shoulder with her foot. Owen glared back at her.
"I was doing us a favor! He was going to join them anyway!"
"No he wasn't!"
"Did you see the way he slaughtered that kid then came running at me?"
"He ran after you during the bloodbath to take you to the west highlands! Not to kill you!" Bianca shouted over him. Owen gulped hard.
"No he didn't." He uttered.
"Owen, he did! The other tribute just got in the way of him!" Bianca defended. She sat back against a tree. Owen focused hard on the pile of leaves in front of him. It was dark already, but Haymitch advised them not to light a fire. "Adam killed that kid to save you, and you just…" She trailed off, shaking her head. "You ruined the entire plan! You really screwed up on this one, Owen!"
"What do you want me to do about it? Give you ladies another insincere apology? Is that it?"
"No! It's not!" Bianca bellowed. Her voice echoed through the windows as silence took over. Owen fidgeted irritably. Bianca glanced back at the small girl whimpering in the dirt, and looked back up at the sky. "Maya's been crying for hours, Owen. She already thinks he's dead." She whispered shakily, licking her lips. Owen gulped hard. He slowly turned and looked over his shoulder to where Maya was. Maya lay on the forest floor with her back against a rock. She was curled on her side with a sweater covering her face. Owen heard her gasping, watching the sweater shake as she cried into her hands.
"Well, she's making herself look stupid." Owen grumbled. Bianca kicked him again ferociously. "What? The people of Panem are watching our every move, you know that." He grunted. Bianca folded her arms, looking back at Maya sympathetically. "Wait, so why aren't you crying?" Owen asked through his lips. Bianca paused at the question.
"I don't know. I should be." She shrugged, bringing her knees into her chest as she looked up at the sky. She rocked back and forth softly.
"I'm sorry about Adam. I thought… I thought he was going to kill me. I guess I was – "
"Intimidated. Scared." Bianca finished for him, smirking. Owen grinned slightly.
"Whatever." He grumbled, embarrassed.
"You just admitted it to the world. Might as well say hi." Bianca laughed. Owen threw his head back as he chuckled after her.
"Hi, world." He uttered, looking down at his hands. Bianca giggled, pressing her foot against his back playfully. He smiled, looking back at her. A branch snapped meters away. There was somebody there. Owen's grin quickly faded and so did hers. He spotted a silhouette hovering behind Bianca and quickly pressed a finger to his lips. Bianca's eyes widened.
"Girl or boy?" She whispered, slowly reaching for the knife just inches away from her hand. There was the sound of something thin slicing through the air, and then a gurgling scream. Bianca jumped, facing the slope. A girl came stumbling from behind a tree, grasping her throat. There was an arrow straight through her neck.
"Just wait for the canon's bang." The attacker muttered softly. Bianca and Owen turned at the voice. Maya Matlin lowered her bow, a weapon Bianca had snatched from a dead tribute at Cornucopia.
"You shot her?" Owen muttered. The girl with the arrow through her neck fell to the ground. She struggled violently, tearing at the forest floor with her fingernails.
"Maya…" Bianca breathed as Maya strode towards the girl, who was gasping and choking, drowning in her own blood. Maya stared down at her emotionlessly and raised the bow again. The girl squirmed in fear as Maya pulled an arrow back. "Maya!" Bianca exclaimed seconds before the blonde launched an arrow into the girl's chest. The screaming stopped immediately. The sound of the canon roared loudly over them. Bianca and Owen jumped, staring up at the sky where the girl's face appeared. She was from District 3.
"Straight through the heart." Maya muttered coldly, staring down at the girl. Bianca and Owen looked up at her. Bianca's trembling lips opened at last.
"Maya, you just – "
"I know what I did." The Matlin snapped in a soft voice. Bianca looked down shakily, startled by the sudden change of atmosphere. Maya tossed her bow aside. "Someone had to." She breathed, finally tearing her gaze away from the lifeless body. She sighed heavily, swooping down to grab a backpack as she hopped onto a large rock. She sniffed, wiping the tears from her face with the back of her wrist. "We should climb the trees if we want any sleep tonight. That's what Rue told me she'd do." She said, unzipping the main part of the bag, going through its contents. Owen and Bianca glanced at one another worryingly. "Well? What are you waiting for? Come on." Maya murmured, pulling out a lengthy piece of rope. Bianca sighed, shutting her eyes. Owen looked back at the girl lying just meters above them, bleeding out into the dirt. He turned away, looking back at Maya who was already getting a head start up the side of a tree.
In the Capitol, Haymitch Abernathy took a large swig of alcohol from his glass, staring at the screen before him. Caesar Flickerman shook his head.
"That Maya Matlin was so sweet when I interviewed her, you know? You all remember that? Looks like their lack of Adam in their Fantastic Four was a real critical hit. Look at her now! No playtime, no mercy." Caesar sighed, shrugging. Haymitch bitterly turned away, shaking his head. He didn't even have the time to tell the District 13s that their school back in Toronto had been broken into by the police. Not a single police officer was able to find the door leading to Panem. But the point was that their families were safe and had access to the footage of the games. And Haymitch didn't even tell them that right then and there their family, friends, and police, could be watching their every move.
"Do you see that?" Adam muttered, peering over at the smoke breaking through the night sky.
"See what?" Cato asked, quickly rushing to Adam's height. He followed Adam's gaze to the vertical line of smoke.
"Looks like someone's having a campfire." Clove sang, pulling out a knife. Cato grinned, smacking Adam's shoulder proudly.
"Well spotted." He sniggered, rushing to Clove's side. He glanced back at them. "Come on!" He jeered, gesturing for the rest to follow them as they chased up the hillside. Adam and Peeta lagged behind the pack in front of them. They slowed to a halt as they saw them reach the campfire, seeing a girl huddled up there on her own. She begged for mercy as Glimmer stepped forward. With a pitchy scream, they launched at her. Adam looked away quickly. Peeta watched as Adam's eyes fell upon the night sky, just waiting. There was a final thud, then the sound of a canon.
"There goes District 8's female tribute." Adam murmured softly, watching as the image shone above them. Peeta nodded, sucking on his bottom lip.
"This wasn't part of the plan you made with your friends, now was it?" He asked.
"No."
"Me neither."
"Then why are you here?"
"To help you." Peeta uttered, focusing on the sky as the girl from District 8's face faded. Adam glanced at him. Peeta could feel Adam's eyes and returned the gaze. "Trust me." He said. Adam stared at him in confusion.
"Peeta! Adam!" Cato called from the fire.
"What?" Peeta asked, grinning up at him. He sure was a good actor. Marvel and Cato held up what looked like two rabbits. Only less alive and a little more… cooked.
"Look at what the District 8 left unattended!" Marvel sniggered, nodding for them to come over. Peeta patted Adam's back as they hiked up the path.
"Was she alone?" Adam asked, looking down at the food she had left behind. Glimmer giggled as she kicked the girl over a small edge, letting the body roll down a slope. She clapped her hands in a feminine manner, amused by it. Cato smirked, watching her.
"Yeah, she was alone." Marvel muttered, digging in to a piece of meat.
"And she had all this food all to herself?" Adam murmured thoughtfully. He chuckled softly, shaking his head. Peeta raised an eyebrow, looking up at him. "What a fatty." Adam spat, taking a seat on a tree stump. Marvel snorted with laughter, almost choking on his food. The rest of them roared with laughter alongside him. Adam smiled momentarily before giggling a bit to himself. Even Peeta was huffing slightly as he handed Adam a part of the rabbit. Adam didn't care what part, he was just hungry.
"Aw, good times…" Marvel chuckled, red in the face. There were tears in his eyes from laughing so hard. Adam didn't even think it was that funny. Perhaps it was because they had just killed her and all Adam cared about was her food consumption.
"You're funny, Adam." Peeta commented softly, biting into a piece of rabbit.
"Thanks. I uhh… hosted a show back home."
"You're a show host at 16? Was it a popular show?" Glimmer gasped. They all looked up at him in surprise.
"Yeah, but it's, uh… not really a big deal." Adam said, shaking his head. Cato grinned from his food.
"No, actually it's impressive." He said, nodding.
"Thanks." Adam said, watching as Cato handed some food to Glimmer. She took it with a smile. Suddenly, Adam felt warmth against his shoulder. He looked down to find Clove resting her head against him. "Oh, hey." He muttered.
"Hi." She responded. Adam looked up at Peeta uncertainly. Peeta blinked for a moment then shrugged.
"Adam!" Cato whispered. Adam glanced at him across the fire. Cato bit his lower lip, nodding at Clove teasingly.
"I, uh – " Before Adam could say anything more, Cato shushed him. He giggled, tapping Marvel, who blew a kiss at Adam.
"Really?" Adam muttered to Peeta under his breath, looking anywhere but at Marvel and Cato. He gazed at the trees.
"It's how they operate." Peeta said back nonchalantly, trying to not raise any suspicious. Suddenly, as Adam looked up at the trees, he noticed a pair of eyes. His own eyes widened at the sight of the face staring right back at him. Katniss Everdeen. She wasn't too far away. She looked frightened when Adam caught her. Katniss licked her lips nervously.
"No. Please." She mouthed, shaking her head. Adam gulped, glancing at Cato and Marvel, who were roaring with laughter in a world of their own. Adam looked back up at her slowly. He nodded once very subtly and sent her a quick wink. Katniss's muscles loosened as she watched him. "Thank you." She whispered, even if he couldn't hear her. Katniss's gaze fell upon Peeta, who was cheerfully listening in on Marvel and Cato's conversation. Nodding and grinning from time to time. She looked at Peeta longingly before pressing her back against the tree, disappearing from sight. Adam stared back down into the fire. He didn't realize that he had just saved her life, he just bit into his food as if nothing had happened.
"You know who we should go after tomorrow?" Cato asked loudly, breaking Adam's train of thought.
"Who?" Peeta asked, grinning.
"Katniss Everdeen. The volunteer from – from your District, right?" Cato asked, chewing loudly. Adam watched the smile fade from Peeta's face momentarily.
"Yeah, sure, definitely. The less competition the better." Peeta coughed, trying hard to bring back a faint smile.
"Where do you think she went?" Glimmer asked thoughtfully. Clove looked around for a moment, taking a guess. She picked up a rock.
"That way, maybe." Clove suggested, tossing it in the direction where Katniss was. From the tree, Katniss saw the rock fumble onto the ground below. She sucked in her breath shakily. Adam's eyes widened.
"No, I don't think so. I, uh… saw her go that way when we were at Cornucopia." He said quickly, pointing in another direction. Katniss breathed out slowly, smiling gratefully.
"Ah, yeah, you did have a late start, didn't you?" Cato recalled with his mouth full.
"What was the hold-up?" Clove asked from Adam's shoulder.
"That Owen Milligan." Marvel grumbled, tossing a rabbit bone into the fire.
"Owen Milligan? He's from the same District you're in, right Adam?" Glimmer asked.
"Yeah." Adam responded bitterly. "Okay, so," He sighed, shaking his head. "Us District 13s had this plan where we'd all run up to the… East highlands and regroup there, but Owen… He just…"
"He turned against him. At Cornucopia. Within the first minute." Marvel emphasized, rubbing his jaw where Owen had kicked him. They gasped. Even though they would have to turn against each other in the distant future.
"He's from the same District as you and he attacked you first?" Cato asked. Adam nodded. "I'd never do that to Clove." He huffed, shaking his head.
"Thankfully Marvel got him off me. But took a boot to the face." Adam explained. Glimmer gasped, looking up at Marvel.
"Such a wonderful face!" She sighed.
"I know." Marvel shrugged stretching an arm over her. Peeta and Adam glanced at one another.
"We should track him down." Cato grumbled, tossing a rabbit bone into the fire, making a loud sizzle. "Adam should get to kill him, it's only right." He murmured, leaning forward, looking into the fire. Adam stared down at his shoes, realizing now what Cato was expecting from him. Nothing but heartlessness. Peeta nudged Adam's knee, muttering to him that he'd be fine. "And Adam," Cato called. Adam glanced up at him over the fire. Cato's playful smirk shone against the orange flames. "Kill him slowly." He said. Marvel sniggered from Glimmer's side, looking up at her.
"Yeah, definitely." Adam nodded slowly, looking back down at his feet. He gulped. He knew that he couldn't do it. He still couldn't even believe that he had killed another tribute earlier at cornucopia. He hoped that he had just injured him but deep down he knew that he'd ended his life. He thought about it after they moved to a darker area in the forest to rest. On their way over Adam subtly told Peeta that he had seen Katniss in the trees. Clove slept next to him on the forest floor, with her head against his shoulder, holding his arm softly. He fell asleep uneasily next to the killer. It was Peeta who didn't sleep that night. He was staying up, watching the trees around them at different angles, searching for her. No matter what he did, it was hopeless. He couldn't see her anywhere. So he stayed up, waiting. Just waiting. That was it.
Time went by. They weren't exactly sure how much though. The nights and days had started to blend within 48 hours or so. The sight of someone they didn't know dying became easy on the eyes. When the time felt right, Owen, Maya and Bianca headed back to Cornucopia.
"Doesn't look like there's anyone around." Bianca murmured, stepping out into the open field.
"Bee." Owen said, grasping her arm.
"What?" She snapped.
"We can't just waltz out there." He reminded her.
"Why not?"
"Do you realize we're in the Hunger Games right now? Has that not occur to you after all these days?"
"Ladies, if you're done quarreling…" Maya sighed. Bianca and Owen looked up, seeing Maya already walking towards the Cornucopia.
"Maya, don't you dare!" Maya didn't even looking back once. Owen cursed under his breath as Maya strode to the Cornucopia fearlessly. "You know ever since we lost Adam she's been a real rebellious idiot." Owen grunted through his teeth. Bianca stared at him, displeased.
"You mean, ever since you lost Adam." She corrected him in a dark voice. Owen glared at her. But all she did was roll her eyes and step away from him. "Come on." She ordered, strutting through the dirt and clumps of torn grass. Owen felt his muscles tighten, watching Maya leaning against the Cornucopia, staring blankly at the border of trees. He shook his head, storming out into the open. He chased Bianca and Maya to the Cornucopia quickly, glancing around to see if anyone was watching. He got there and searched the ground to see if there was anything left.
"There's a fire." Maya said suddenly.
"What?" Bianca muttered. Maya pushed herself off the Cornucopia, gazing forward with wide eyes.
"A fire. There's a fire in the woods." She uttered. Owen and Bianca followed her stare. She was right. Raging flames engulfed the forest ahead of them, burning leaves to ash and blackening the wood of the trees. "I wonder who started it." She said thoughtfully. It was the most Maya had spoken in days.
"Seneca probably." Owen murmured, picking up a bloodied sword. "Ugh." He wiped some of the blood on the grass, cringing slightly.
"You're dead!" Came a shout. From the woods emerged two tributes. One with a sword and another with a set of throwing knives.
"Jesus, Owen, do something!" Bianca said, quickly backing away.
"It's two of them against three of us! Who do they think they are?" Owen laughed, twirling his sword around playfully as he grinned back at Bianca. The female tribute threw a knife forward abruptly from afar. It slammed into the side of Owen's leg. He squirmed in pain and stumbled back against the Cornucopia.
"Maya get them!" Bianca shouted as she ran to Owen's side. Owen cursed loudly, looking down at his wound, now oozing with warm crimson blood. Maya quickly pulled an arrow from behind her and aimed. She was far too nervous and she sight was playing tricks on her. Nevertheless, she let go and hoped for a headshot. Her shot fell flat and hit the female in the abdomen instead. She crumpled to the ground. The canon fired.
"Bianca!" Maya screeched, turning to run back as the male tribute approached them rapidly. Owen looked up, seeing the male tribute's hands covered in blood and the look of anger in his eyes. He came running at Bianca who backed up against the Cornucopia. Thinking that she only had one word left to say before her death, she used it for him.
"Adam!" She screamed as the male tribute lifted his sword. Owen didn't think, he just pulled the knife out of his leg and threw it with all his might, screaming as he did so. He was hoping to hit the guy in the heart. But instead, the knife hit the male tribute straight in the eye. There was a shrill scream as he toppled onto the grass right before Bianca's feet. The boy squealed and writhed on the ground, twisting and turning in pain. Bianca's eyes widened as she watched the blood pouring from his face. "Maya… Maya, do it, please…" Bianca breathed. Her hands were shaking violently against the Cornucopia as the tears poured down her face. Maya was going a queasy pale as she stared at the boy. At the boy with the knife lodged in his face, but not deep enough to kill him. At the boy screeching and flailing in the grass.
"I… I'm scared. I don't want to." Maya whispered.
"Kill him!" Owen shouted desperately. Maya snapped out of her trance and shakily tried to take out another arrow. "He's suffering!" Owen urged.
"But I don't want to!" Maya yelled, shuddering with her bow and arrow in hand. Bianca slammed a fist against the Cornucopia in frustration and stormed to Owen's side. She grabbed the sword near his hand and marched towards Maya.
"Do it! Just do it! Maya! For god's sake! We've all killed before including you so you can easily do it again!" Owen persisted. Maya shook her head. "You've done it before! You know the drill! Kill him!" Owen screeched. Bianca elbowed Maya out of the way and brought the sword up. She swung it at the back of his neck, silencing him. Bianca dropped the sword in horror as the canon roared above them. She stared down at the boy on the ground, bleeding dry in the dirt.
"I didn't want to!" Maya bellowed, glaring at Owen. She threw her bow at Cornucopia and shook her head, digging her nails into the back of her neck as she shook with tears. "I didn't want to!" She repeated in a tortured voice.
"I'm sorry!" Owen screeched. Both Maya and Bianca recognized it as his first real apology. He stared up at them shakily as Bianca approached Maya and pulled her into a tight embrace.
"Maya, it's alright."
"No it's not! I was scared!"
"Maya! It's alright!" Bianca exclaimed as she pulled at her. Maya's hands grasped at Bianca's back as she cried hard into her shoulder. Bianca looked down at Owen. He stared back at her while putting pressure on his wound. "We have to get moving." Bianca muttered, pulling away from Maya. She grabbed the smaller girl's shoulders, looking down at her. "Alright, Matlin? We need to get going. We're at the Cornucopia, it won't be safe for long." She said, looking through Maya's glasses and into her red eyes. After some hesitation, Maya nodded unconvincingly, putting her hands to her face to wipe away the tears. "Good. Don't think about it." Bianca uttered, letting go of her carefully. Maya stumbled for a moment, trying her best to avoid the dead boy in front of her.
"Owen, is it bad?" Bianca asked urgently, kneeling down next to him.
"I think so." He uttered. His face was pale. Owen reached down to his leg and tried pulling at the cut open in his pants to get a glimpse of the wound. The very movement made he grunt in frustration.
"Oh god." Bianca breathed, running a hand through her hair. "Oh god. Okay. Okay, umm… You need to try and stand." She murmured, glancing down at his wound again. Owen grasped the side of the Cornucopia to help him but it didn't do much. Maya sniffed, wiping a tear from her cheek. She grabbed Owen's arm, and tugged it over her shoulder.
"You can do this." She whispered. Owen stared up at her with a furrowed brow, wondering just why she was helping him anyway.
"Hello there!" Came a cheer. Cato smirked with his hands in the air, playfully galloping into the sun.
"We're dead." Owen muttered instantly. Cato's disciples skipped out after him, brandishing their weapons.
"Adam." The three District 13s whispered in chorus. Yes, Adam. He had a cut above his eyebrow, and one through his lower lip. There was a bruise at his cheekbone and some along his forearms, along with the scattering of scratches. His muscles were tight and his lungs heaved for air. The rest of Cato's group was equally damaged but he and Peeta had those same soft eyes. Bianca blinked away.
"We need to move. Now, Owen." She said into Owen's ear before standing to her feet. Cato and his lot approached them at an agonizingly slow pace, taking baby-steps to tease them. "We have to get back to our base." Bianca said, grasping Owen's other arm.
"But the fire – "
"The fire hasn't reached it, and it won't. Seneca has to be interested in one of the tributes over there. He must be, he wouldn't set fire to an empty forest." She persisted. Both her and Maya hauled Owen back onto his feet. He grunted in pain as he walked on his injured leg. Cato, Clove, Glimmer and Marvel roared with laughter. Peeta unwillingly joined in, hitting Adam's arm so that he could to. He didn't. He just stared bitterly at Owen in silence.
"Squirrel!" Glimmer gasped, watching the little animal crossing near them.
"Try not to think about the pain." Bianca said as Owen limped between her and Maya. He grunted through his teeth, forcing himself to walk onwards.
"He's injured pretty bad, isn't he?" Adam muttered.
"Who? Owen?" Cato grinned, watching the squirrel as Marvel kneeled down next to it in amusement.
"Yeah, Owen." Adam returned as the District 13s stumbled away.
"Yeah. Good, isn't it?" Cato smiled. Marvel stabbed the squirrel with spear. He held it up, smiling as the blood trickled down onto his hand.
"Food." He chuckled, looking up at Glimmer.
"Yay!" She giggled. Adam rolled his eyes, looking down at the grass. Peeta's eyes widened as he reached out and hit Cato's shoulder. Cato grunted, spinning around.
"What?" He growled.
"They're getting away!" Peeta informed him. Cato looked up, seeing the District 13s on the other side of the open field, limping away into the trees.
"Damn it!" He cursed angrily. "Come on!" Cato shouted, glaring back at his group. He turned for the trees, charging across the grass.
"Oh, uh – " Adam was unable to finish as Peeta grabbed him by his shirt. He tugged Adam and started running.
"You need to learn to play along!"
"I have been!"
"Do it better!" Peeta let go of his shirt, running after Cato. Adam licked his lips, frustrated. He chased after Peeta and Cato, pounding his feet into the dirt. He heard Clove, Glimmer and Marvel beside him, if not behind him.
"Where you at, District 13?" Cato shouted through the trees.
"We will find you!" Marvel taunted. Adam's heart was racing. He was going after his own District and he knew he wouldn't have a clue what to do if they found them.
"Guys! A fire!" Glimmer announced suddenly. Their heads snapped in the direction of where she was pointing. Indeed, up ahead there was a fire, spreading fast. Peeta's eyes widened.
"Well, if it isn't little miss Everdeen…" Glimmer sighed, smirking at the girl, far away in the woods, rushing through the flames. Cato chuckled darkly, watching as Katniss disappeared from sight.
"Katniss." Peeta whispered to himself, staring at a tree as it fell. There was a shout, followed by a set of screams. Her screams. "No!" Peeta shouted defensively, jolting in fear. They turned to face him. Adam stared at him. His eyes told Peeta that he really should have kept his mouth shut. Peeta cleared his throat, covering for himself. "We were supposed to kill her. Not some stupid fire." He grunted, shrugging. Adam sighed in relief. Cato patted Peeta's shoulder hard.
"Don't worry, the canon hasn't gone off yet. She's probably just injured." He said, looking back at the fire far away.
"We need tactics, guys! Lets split up!" Marvel announced suddenly, "Glimmer and I will go that way to cut Katniss off. Cato and Peeta, you go behind so that she can't go back. Adam and Clove, you stay here and look for the rest of District 13." He ordered.
"Got it. Go!" Cato nodded at him and looked back at the fire. Marvel took Glimmer by the hand and pulled her in the direction Katniss was headed, disappearing into the trees.
"We'll find them." Clove muttered darkly to Cato. He glanced back at her.
"Good. We'll find Katniss." He breathed. Cato looked up at Peeta. "You! What are you waiting for? Lets go!" He grunted, nodding towards the trees. Peeta glanced up at the fire worryingly, terrified of hearing the canon's blast at this point.
"Okay." He uttered unsurely, catching up with Cato, who had already vanished through the bushes. Peeta looked back at Adam for reassurance. Adam nodded at him, unable to say anything regarding Katniss's safety in front of Clove who was wandering away from him, searching for District 13. Adam breathed out carefully, looking at the fire. He hoped Katniss wasn't injured. She had been alone all this time. "I wonder if they'll find her." He sighed.
"Probably." Clove grunted absent-mindedly, with a grin. Adam gulped, hoping she was wrong. Then something happened. Something… odd. Clove searched over the trees and bushes, and she found them. District 13. She identified Bianca, who was far away by then. Bianca gasped in fear as they made eye contact. But oddly enough… she didn't call her out or charge at her. Instead, Clove merely stared her down. A smirk spread on her lips. "Hey Adam!" Clove called playfully.
"What?" He asked, still staring up at the flames. Clove turned to him.
"Now feels like a good time." She said, strutting towards him, biting her lower lip.
"A good time for what?" Adam muttered, chuckling slightly. Clove placed her hands softly against his collarbones.
"Bianca! What are you doing?" Owen grunted as Maya found the opening to a base they discovered on their second day. Adam raised an eyebrow and tore his gaze away from the burning trees.
"Clove, what are you doing?" He asked, looking down at her in confusion.
"Pleasing the people." She uttered, pressing her lips to his. Bianca's mouth shivered open and her muscles tightened.
"What?" She uttered shakily.
"Clove, I – " Adam protested, but Clove hushed him against her lips.
"The Capitol's watching. Just kiss me." She reminded him in a whisper. Adam uneasily accepted another kiss, shutting his eyes tightly to forget that this was Clove. Bianca swallowed hard, stepping forward angrily. Owen grabbed her ankle from the ground.
"Bianca!" He scolded.
"What are you staring at?" Maya hissed from a few meters away. Clove pulled at the collar of Adam's shirt, urging him forward. He obliged hesitantly and softly pushed her against a tree, pressing his lips onto hers.
"Oh, for god's s – "
"Bianca, come on!" Maya came up from behind her and grabbed her arm. She caught a glimpse of what Bianca was staring at and shook her head, pulling her towards the base. "What? Jealous that your boyfriend's of with a psychopath?" She grunted through her teeth. Bianca shook Maya's hand off of her, watching as Clove slid her arms around Adam's neck, dropping her knife into the leaves behind him. He held her small waist in his hands, pressing her against the tree. Bianca's jaw tightened. "You're wasting time!" Maya tugged her backward, hauling her towards the underground base. As Bianca was forced into hiding, she caught a final glimpse of Adam and Clove, locked in a fiery passionate kiss. Bianca was suddenly engulfed by the darkness of the cave.
"God damn it, Bianca! You almost got us found out and killed! What's wrong with you?" Owen huffed from the ground, pressing his back up against the cave wall.
"Cl – Clove and Adam were…" She trailed off, staring down at the floor through her stinging eyes. Owen groaned loudly, running a hand over his face.
"Who cares?" He whined. "I've been stabbed! Maya had to drag me down here on her own!" He exclaimed. He flinched and grunted as Maya slowly poured some cool water onto his wound. He shook at the pain. "You had every right to leave me there! So why? Why'd you help me?" He whimpered. Maya just looked at him nervously and shrugged.
"You said sorry. That's what matters." She breathed softly. Bianca sat next to Owen, curling her legs up into her chest. Outside, Clove pulled a leg up to Adam's waist, signaling exactly what she wanted from him.
"Clove, I really – "
"Shh…" Clove smirked, running a hand along his neck sultrily. Adam blinked. "You don't need to say it." Clove played his protests off like he was going to do something romantic and as if it was forbidden. Adam frowned in confusion for a moment but Clove made herself clear, grasping his shoulders, pulling herself up against him. He officially had no choice and pulled her legs around his waist with a soft grunt. Clove smiled against the tree, playing with the back of his hair. Adam sighed as their lips met once more. She kissed him deeply, forcing their bodies closer together. Marvel came running through the trees.
"Hey, guys we found – oh! Whoa! Hello!" He exclaimed as a wide grin spread across his face. Adam pulled away quickly, almost dropping Clove onto her back.
"What? No! I – we – um…" He trailed off, watching as Cato, Glimmer and Peeta sifted their way through the bushes.
"We were going to let you know that we've found Katniss, but you know, if you're too busy…" Marvel muttered teasingly. Glimmer was pink in the face and sent a wink at Clove. Adam looked down at her nervously. "You know what? I'm going to have to drop you. Sorry. I'm sorry but I just… I – " Adam stuttered, setting Clove down on her feet. She giggled, pulling at his hair. "Yeah, no, we – " She kissed him again, playfully. Adam hummed in disapproval and pulled her away at her shoulders. "Okay, can we go now? They've found Katniss." He asked, trying to laugh it off so that Clove wouldn't get angry with him.
"Of course." Clove smiled. She bent down for a moment by Adam's knees, giving him the fright of his life, but she stood again having retrieved her knife from the forest floor. "Come on." She giggled, running a hand down his chest and abdomen. She pulled away teasingly, turning back to Cato and the rest of them. Adam shivered, shutting his eyes. He shook his head. "Hey Katniss! We're coming after you!" Clove taunted, running to Glimmer. Adam sighed and slowly walked away from the tree.
"Hi." He said softly as he passed Cato.
"My man! My man!" Cato grunted, shaking Adam's shoulders playfully as they ventured into the bushes.
"That is what I call a hot kiss, is it not?" Marvel teased as they strode forward.
"Guys." Adam uttered, shaking his head.
"No, no, no, we've seen it all! Don't try and deny us! She's my wing-woman so you better treat her right! Lucky bastard." Cato laughed, smirking down at Adam. Adam's cheeks reddened. He gave up on trying to convince them otherwise.
"We can see Katniss, she's crawling out of the river!" Clove called from up ahead. Cato raised an eyebrow, patting Adam's back a final time.
"Looks like your lady's calling us." He teased, grinning.
"No, we're not actually – "
"Lucky, lucky, lucky…" Marvel sighed, starting to run ahead. Cato smirked, following after him. With a heavy sigh, Adam shook his head and jogged after them.
"Enjoying yourself?" Peeta muttered jokingly from his side. Adam glanced up at him, unamused. "Wow, someone looks like a basket of fun."
"At least I'm not a basket of bread." Adam grunted as they caught up with the rest of them.
"Hey!" Peeta whined, slowing to a halt.
"Up here!" Glimmer called from up a slope. Adam groaned, unwillingly digging his boots into the dirt, climbing up towards them. Peeta followed him. Once they reached the top, they saw Katniss trying to climb up a tree. They got a glimpse of her leg wound. It looked bad. Real bad. Peeta stared up at her, not having seen her face for several days. She caught his eye as well, watching him softly. But then Glimmer's arrow hit the tree. Peeta and Katniss jumped in shock. She swung around slightly, trying to avoid Glimmer's hits. Cato grunted, grabbing hold of the tree. He climbed it in an uncoordinated fashion. But he almost reached her, as another one of Glimmer's arrows plummeted into a brand nearby. A brand snapped and Cato slipped, falling to the ground. Adam, Peeta and Katniss grinned slightly as he cursed in frustration. Cato stood to his feet, rushing at the tree again.
"Wait!" Peeta called out as Cato grabbed a branch. He turned back, glaring at him. "Maybe we should wait for her to come down. We can kill her then. She can't stay up there forever, you know." Peeta suggested. They all looked up at Katniss, who, like an animal, waited above them and made herself at home.
"Seems reasonable." Marvel sighed, dropping his bag down by the tree. He looked back at Glimmer. "What'd you say to a little break?" He asked. Glimmer grinned as Marvel took a seat on the forest floor.
"Sounds good to me!" She giggled, sitting by him. Cato nodded, tearing his gaze away from the tree.
"I'll go hunt dinner." He grumbled coldly. Cato pushed passed Peeta, shoving his shoulder as he did so. Adam practically collapsed to the ground in fatigue, causing both Marvel and Glimmer to giggle slightly. He grinned, rolling onto his back. Peeta looked up at Katniss, who had straddled the tree, examining her wound. She gasped and cringed in agony. Peeta looked away, feeling her pain pulsing right through to him. He gulped, sliding down the side of a tree onto the ground. He watched as Clove lay next to Adam, pulling a leg over his waist. She pressed her forehead into his shoulder, shutting her eyes, grinning. Adam sighed in irritation, looking back at Peeta. Peeta just shrugged back at him. Adam rolled his eyes and put an arm on Clove's back, snugged in the curve of her waist.
"Going to be a long wait." Marvel teased, winking at him. Adam sighed again, shaking his head slightly. As Clove pulled him closer he imagined someone else next to him. He wanted what he imagined so much that he pressed his lips to Clove's forehead and shut his eyes. He almost said the wrong name. Almost.
Early in the morning, Katniss was awake before her attackers were, and her wound had healed thanks to the medication Haymitch sent. She heard a soft noise amongst the trees and peered around. Only to find little Rue just trees away. Katniss mouthed her name and stared at her. Rue pointed up at something above her eagerly. Tracker-jackers. Of course. Katniss smirked, quietly scaling the tree until she reached their nest. She pulled out a knife and began sawing through the branch. It was tough wood to cut through, and the vibrations from her knife were causing some disturbance within the nest. One stung her, hard. She gasped slightly in pain. Peeta, already half-awake, blinked at the exclamation. Katniss looked down in fear, scared that she had woken them up. But thankfully, it was only Peeta. He looked up at her. She stared back.
"Katniss." He mouthed. She smiled faintly, watching him with soft eyes. Peeta returned the grin. But it faded as she nodded to the tracker-jacker nest.
"Run." She mouthed back at him. Peeta looked at Adam frantically, who was sleeping nearby Clove on the ground. As Katniss continued to saw on the branch, Peeta carefully stood to his feet. He avoided any surface that would make a loud noise and picked up a small pebble. He glanced around at Cato, who was fast asleep. Taking his chances, Peeta tossed the pebble at Adam's chest. The boy blinked awake, staring around the area groggily. Peeta waved enthusiastically like a child to get his attention. Adam frowned, confused at why Peeta had woken him from his slumber. He was about to say something but Peeta put a finger to his lips then pointed up at Katniss. He had no idea what a tracker-jacket nest was, and looking back at Peeta, shrugging carelessly. Peeta licked his lips and pointed at the nest. Adam raised an eyebrow. But then Peeta drew his hand across his neck violently, waiting for Adam to understand. Adam's eyes widened.
"We have to go." He whispered, barely audible. Adam nodded, placing a hand on a tree to haul him up. But Clove stirred next to him, making he paused instantly. Clove rolled her body onto his, clinging to him. Adam glared down at her, then looked up at Katniss, who was nearly done. He looked at Peeta.
"Go." He mouthed. Peeta gasped softly at the proposal and shook his head quickly.
"No."
"Go!" Adam glanced down at Clove, who was thankfully still asleep. Peeta and Adam stared at one another. Adam lifted a hand and pointed in a far away direction. "Go." He repeated. Peeta anxiously looked up at Katniss, who scratched at her neck from another sting. She was drooping against the tree, obviously suffering from the quick side effects of the tracker-jacker poison. Katniss's blade sawed at the branch, which was now slouching downwards, on the verge of snapping.
"Take care of her." Peeta whispered, gesturing to Katniss. Adam nodded. Peeta took one last look at him, and started stepping back slowly.
Crack.
"Adam, now!" Peeta bellowed as the branch snapped clear off. He darted away into the trees. Adam shoved the awakening Clove off of him as Katniss grunted in relief from above. The nest came crashing now near Glimmer, Cato and Marvel, who awakened instantly. The screaming began. The tracker-jackers exploded from their home. Adam scrambled to his feet, grabbing his bag. Glimmer was screaming the loudest. She squealed, crumpling to the floor and the tracker-jackers attacked her violently.
"Katniss, run!" Adam shouted up at her drowsy figure. Clove, who was in the midst of running away, turned back to stare at him.
"You and Peeta knew!" She accused, glaring at him in fury.
"We made an alliance with you both!" Cato roared, grabbing Clove's arm, escaping the tracker-jackers.
"Adam, you should be the one running, not me!" Katniss groaned from the tree.
"What?" Adam yelled back blankly, confused. Then… He felt a sudden pain in his neck. "Ow!" He grunted, grasping the area. There was a fading buzzing noise as the tracker-jacket flew away. "What?" He breathed, with widening eyes. And then there were two more, stinging him at his forearm and the back of his neck. "Ow! God! What the…" He blinked hard, as his blue eyes started to blur.
"Adam." Peeta muttered, observing the scene from afar.
"Katniss, you have to try and get down, alright?" Adam yelled hoarsely. Katniss drowsily, crawled forward on the tree.
"I... can't." She grumbled.
"Peeta… Peeta wanted me to take care of – ow! What? What the hell…" Adam mumbled groggily as he received another in sting his left arm. He stumbled against a tree, grasping it for support. He couldn't feel his feet. "Katniss, we have to…" Another sting, on the side of his wrist. He merely grunted in pain.
"Adam…" She whined, trying to lift a hand up and point to something behind him. He tried to turn and face it but he was no match for someone who hadn't been stung yet. The furious Cato swung at Adam's face, slamming a heavy rock right into his jaw excruciatingly. Adam screeched and groaned, stumbling as hot red blood poured from his lips. The metallic taste in his mouth made him feel even sicker. And with a wheeze, Adam fell face down onto the forest floor. Cato threw the boulder at the remains of the tracker-jacket nest and stormed off, disappearing from sight.
"Katni… Ka…" He trailed off, staring at the blurry leaves as he lay lifelessly on the floor. He thought of the way Peeta drove his hand over his neck, signifying that tracker-jackers could kill. Adam lay there as his blood mixed into the dirt. His eyes flickered, feeling another sting in his back. He grunted in agony, but was unable to reach back fast enough anymore.
"Adam…" Came a strange voice. He felt hands on him. The world around him flickered in bright flashes as he was pulled from the area. He wasn't sure what was going on, but found himself choking in a pair of arms. "Come…. Come on, we… we've got to…" It was Katniss. She was tugging him along, away from the sight. "We… the… the tracker-ja… Peeta…" She murmured. Her feet dug into the ground, but her consciousness was slipping. With a final gasp for air, she collapsed into the dirt. Adam's back hit the ground again and he stared up at the sky. It looked like it was shaking. As if the sky was having an earthquake.
"What?" He asked slowly, blinking hard as the ringing in his ears grew. Suddenly, several blurry faces came over him. When they spoke, it sounded like humming. Like they were underwater. But it was just the tracker-jacker's poison setting in.
"He's been stung 6 times." Peeta muttered urgently, peering into his eyes.
"Is that dangerous?" Maya asked. Peeta looked at her briefly, but didn't reply.
"Can you hear us? Can you hear me?" Bianca asked, pushing in front of the others. At the sound of her voice, Adam felt his stiff lips briefly twist into a smile. But it faded as a low, agonizingly groan crawled up his throat. Bianca placed a hand to the side of his face, cupping his cheek. "Adam?" She breathed.
His name was all he needed to hear. Adam blinked slowly, giving in to the darkness.
A/N: Thanks for the reviews, I live for them haha. Excited for the next chapter? Yes/No/Maybe? :)