Athena spent the last couple of days in silence. During the feast she had shot another girl, a kid from Five who was only thirteen. We were in the final three but I saw no desire or desperation in her as is common in tributes. I was really worried about her. This situation was far from perfect.
I wanted to laugh at life's joke. All my life I thought I was living in perfection. That nothing mattered. But now, in my final days, I knew otherwise. Perfection was impossible to acheive. Nobody was perfect and especially not me. No, I had to thrive for it. Now when I'd make sure that Athena goes back home... that would give a meaning to my useless life. That would bring me closer to perfection.
But it seemed as if Athena wasn't interested in winning.
She didn't speak much. She didn't hug me or sought out warmth. She just lied on the cold sand, staring up at the starless sky silently. She had aged at least ten years in these two days.
I knew this wasn't going to last long. The Gamemakers would soon arrange our meeting with Demetrius, the guy from Nine. I never thought he'd make it this far, to be honest. Although seventeen and tall, he was fairly weak physically. I didn't know how he survived for so long.
But I couldn't let him survive longer.
"Athena, want some water?"
"No Dove, not thirsty."
I was about to speak when I spotted Demetrius eunning towards us. No, he was running from something. But what was it?
"It's time Athena! Get up!"
In a second my friend was beside me, holding her bow and arrow, a look of fierce concentration on her face. I narrowed my eyes to see exactly what Demetrius was running from but only saw ton of sand following him.
Oh... he must be running from a sandstorm! I gritted my teeth. So this is what the Gamemakers came up with, huh? Well then, I should be ready too.
He had a trident with him.
Before I could register what was happening, he was already attacking me. Athena's arrow hit him in the arm but with some inhuman determination he took no note if that. His eyes were crazy and savage and I knew he had lost his sanity. This made me feel really bad. The Games robbed the tributes of everything that made them human! Every single thing! How could they do it? They had children too! Why didn't they understand?!
I got pushed away and fell on the floor, sinking a bit in the sand. The katana was tossed away from my hand and I knew this was going to end. Demetrius smirked as he raised his trident. I shut my eyes.
The blow never came.
What came was a gasp.
I opened my eyes instantly.
Athena was standing over me, swaying on her spot. The trident was sticking out of her back. Demetrius stared wide eyed.
"NOOOO!" I screamed as I jumped to my feet, even as Athena fell in the sand.
"Dove..." she wispered, "You have to win. Th-thank you for- for everything..."
"Athena! ATHENA!" I cried. The cannon sounded, its deafening roar echoing throughout the arena.
This couldn't be happening! The girl for whom I fought, the child I wanted to protect... was dead.
Dead.
"Athena..."
She was dead. I couldn't protect her. I couldn't save her.
My hand tightened on the katana. Looking up, I saw Demetrius stepping away.
In one swift motion I was on my feet and beheaded him.
The cannon rung.
And now I was back on my knees, cradling my friend Athena's corpse. I barely registered the announcer's voice. All my senses were only for Athena.
"Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for your victor... DOVE SAVAGE!"
Victor? What victor? I had failed. I had failed in protecting the young girl. Athena gave up her life for me.
"Athena!" I cried and finally, finally tears came crashing down, "ATHENAAAA! ATHENA NO!"
I didn't care about the hovercraft that descended. Strong arms grabbed me and started pulling me away from my friend.
"NO! STOP! ATHENA! ATHENA!"
One of them thrust a needle into my arm and within seconds I had passed out, the only person on my mind being my best friend.