I'm back with a very overdue update.
I know you know that I'm sorry!
But I'll say it anyway. I'M SORRY! I JUST STARTED SCHOOL AND BLECH.
Anyway I hope this chapter is worth the wait.
THEY ARE FINALLY GOING INTO THE GAMES!
Enjoy!
"No" Was my immediate response
"We have to; the less time you're alone, the better." He stood firm
"All he said was that he loved her" Rue interrupts.
"Rue, why don't you get the blankets ready? I'll meet you there in a few minutes…Thresh can we talk about this somewhere else?" I say curtly
"Okay, but don't pin him to a wall" she warned. I smile at her and she leaves.
I pull Thresh to the upper level of the room.
"We can't move up the plan. We have to get as many people out of that arena as possible. And, that means convincing the careers not to kill everyone. That is Marvel's job and we can't rush him." I state
"What do you mean 'get as many people out as possible'? We are supposed to stay alive until the break, and even that will be difficult, we can't risk ourselves trying to save the weak." he exclaims
"They are not 'the weak'! They are humans and they deserve a chance of life outside the arena!" I retort and he shrinks back.
"I understand that, but how could we even do it? They won't trust us!" at least he's entertaining the idea…
"The bloodbath in the beginning is inevitable. But, afterwards we can try to round up the tributes and stay alive. Strength in numbers. That is why we can't move up the plan. The careers will be the hardest to convince! Not to mention how difficult this will be to hide from the capitol. We can't just say 'Hey, we are going to break out of the arena and live in District Thirteen, which was supposed to be destroyed, and rebel against the Capitol and President Snow. Care to join us?' That won't work! It is hard enough for me to think about how I actually have to kill people in the bloodbath to survive! I don't need any preventable deaths. I won't let them die and I won't abandon them." I say sharply
"You make it hard to argue with you. And I do believe that Marvel can convince the careers but, how will we get the others?" he questions
"I don't know! If you didn't know, people don't like me very much!"
Sad but true.
"You don't give yourself enough credit. I like you, Rue likes you, Marvel likes you, apparently Peeta loves you, the girl from five respects you, and so do the rest of the careers. You can see it in their eyes." I stiffen at the mention of my District partner.
"Haymitch told me what really happened, which is why I wanted to move the plan up. Peeta is going to lose his mind in the arena when he realizes you ditched him, for us." He smiles
"I hope he does" I say coldly. I walk down to the living room and I'm greeted with a…amusing, sight.
Rue is on Marvel's shoulders and they're running around with their arms out like they are hovercrafts, with sound effects to match
I'm not one for sentimental moments but this…this is fucking adorable.
I can't help the smile that grows on my face.
When the duo finally notices me, awkwardly standing there, they freeze. I thought that they would stop and pretend it never happened but, instead they just looked at each other and then back at me.
I don't like the cheshire grins that are on their faces and the glint of mischief in their eyes.
Before I can react, they charge.
The duo makes their way over to me, and in seconds, they are upon me; tickling every part of my body that they can reach. The laughter bubbles up my throat and out into the room.
"Hey, why wasn't I invited to torture Katniss?" Thresh enters
"H-Help!" I get out between laughs. He chuckles and walks over to us.
He picks up Rue and, in turn, begins to tickle her.
Why are the girls being picked on now?
God, it's like middle school all over again.
"Okay guys, I believe it's kind of important to breathe, so why don't you lets the girls do that" a humored voice calls out.
The tickling ceases after five straight minutes.
"Okay Freesia" Thresh says to District Eleven's female mentor.
"Thank you" I manage to say between deep breaths
"No problem, I have four older brothers so I know what its like" she smiles.
Freesia won the Hunger Games four years ago. She was sixteen, just like me. I remember watching her game, and it really was her game. She was unstoppable. The arena was set in a desert; the only food that was available was either lizards or questionable fruits that were hidden in freakishly tall trees. The only water available was in the numerous cacti that were strategically placed next to the homes of poisonous snakes. Not to mention that the cacti's needles were poisoned and some of the fruit was home to deadly insects. The only people who could tell the difference between safe and unsafe fruit, was Freesia and her district partner. They used that to their advantage, at least, Freesia did. Her partner was a pathetic leech and stood in the background. But, Freesia would pick the booby trapped fruit, careful not to disturb it's residents, and when the time came, she would launch the fruit at the enemy. Successfully setting a swarm of insects on its victim. She would also use the cacti needles. During the initial bloodbath, she had acquired a slingshot. She would gather the needles with gloved hands and launch them at the remaining tributes.
That Game only lasted four days. Freesia took out eleven tributes herself, including all of the careers. Her partner was killed by a snake. It took only minutes for him to die.
My thoughts were interrupted when the male mentor entered the room. He was ancient, a bit older than District Four's female mentor.
I never saw his games.
"Hello Jethro; how was your nap?" Rue asks sweetly.
"It was lovely, thank you" he smiles.
A comfortable silence stretched out between our group. Now was as good a time as ever to tell Marvel his new role in our plan.
"Marvel, you have to convince the careers to stop killing" I say simply
"Oh wow, I didn't know you had a sense of humor" he jokes.
"I'm not joking" I say with a stern face. His smile falls.
"Are you insane or something? The careers are built to kill! If you take that away from them, I think they'll break or something." He exclaims
"You were a career!" I retort
"That's different and you know it" he's getting angry but, I can't seem to stop. My stubbornness is getting the better of me
"How do you know that their not different? Do you want me to leave them in that arena to die?"
"Of course not! You know how much I hate unnecessary deaths and death in general. But, please tell me how the hell am I supposed to stop three bloodthirsty careers?"
"Don't curse while Rue is here and I don't know! We will figure something out." I hate fighting in the presence of Rue.
"What happened to just staying alive until we are able to break out?" he asks
"I can't just leave the other tributes! Just like I said during my interview 'Everyone has something to go back to' and I intend to get them back to that special something"
"So what, you won't kill anyone? It's inevitable Katniss! Not everyone is going to make it out."
The room goes quiet.
"Thresh take Rue to her room" I say in a scarily calm tone.
"Someone is in trouble" Rue snickers. I offer her a smile and as soon as they leave the room I turn back to Marvel.
"I know I shouldn't have said that in front of Rue. I'm sorry but, it is true. Not everyone will live"
"Do you think I don't know that? Do you think that I don't know that I will have to kill children to keep people safe? The only reason I'm trying to save the remaining tributes is because they have to have a chance to live. I will kill anyone who is trying to hurt my family. And I mean my family here; You, Thresh, and Rue. You guys are my family and I will protect you with my life but, other than that, no; I will not kill anyone."
"When did I become part of the family?" he asks
"From the moment I stepped out of my room and saw you sitting on Peeta. I was in debt to you and that is how family works. The people, who are your family, are the people who make you smile for no reason at all and bring you happiness; and you want to pay them back with equal or more happiness. It's a never ending cycle of debts that you want to repay. At least that's how I see it."
He sighs
"I'm not sure that's how it actually works but, anyway, I'll try to convince the careers to stop killing or at least, trick them into not killing. But, when the time comes to truly convince them to join the rebellion, you have to do it" he smiles
"W-What?" I stutter.
How the hell do I even-
"See; it doesn't seem so easy, now does it?" Right now I want to wipe that smile off his face…with a hammer.
"Shut it" I growl "How would I even convince them?"
"Well, I have no idea" he takes a seat on the couch and pats the place next to him. I take a seat.
"Well, aren't you just so helpful" I say sarcastically.
"No one said that this would be easy" he says sympathetically
"I really wish it was" I say as I put my head in my hands
"If anyone could convince the careers, I'm sure it would be you. You have no idea the effect you have on others" he smiles as he playfully bumps his shoulder into mine.
I offer him a weak smile.
Such nice words; too bad they don't mean anything.
"Yeah, okay, let's just get some blankets and start making the fort. I'll get Rue and Thresh." I stand and go to Rue's room. I softly knock on the door and hear a small voice telling me to come in.
"You guys can come out now" I say as I walk through the door.
I freeze.
This night is just full of sentimental moments.
Thresh is drinking from a tea cup while he sits in a small chair, across the table from Rue.
A tea party.
"Rue, how do you get the boys to do the most adorable things?"
"I ask" she says simply as she sips from her own cup.
"Well…okay then. You two wrap everything up, we are starting the fort." I say as I walk out, shutting the door behind me.
At the rate Rue is going at, she'll be having me dressing up like a fairy by the end of tonight.
I can try to deny it all I want but, if she asked me to do anything, I would not be able to say no.
"Katniss! Can you please jump down from cloud nine and help me?" Marvel calls. I see he is carrying way to many blankets for one person and he is goings to fall ov-CRASH- er.
I rush over to my fallen comrade and try moving the large amount of blankets covering his entire body.
Once I uncovered his face, he smiled.
"Thanks!"
"You're welcome. Next time, don't try to take on all the blankets at once" I grin
"Men only take one trip" he deepens his voice as he tries to sound manly.
"Oh you're a guy?" I ask with the most innocent face I can muster
"Would you like to check?" he smirks
"How about no" I cover his face back up and walk away
"Katniss, don't leave me like this!" he mumbles under the blankets
"What's the magic word?" I taunt
"Eskimo?"
"Nope"
"Fine…Please?"
"Ding ding ding and we have a winner!" I remove the blankets from his body.
I can see why he couldn't move. These blankets are ridiculously heavy.
"Thank you and, for the record, I am a man" he sits up
"No you're not" a sad smile grows on my face
"Excuse me?" he scoffs
"You are just a teenager, like Thresh and I; like most of the people in this game"
"You can't just let me think I am a man? It's not like I'm going to have much time to become one" he laughs
I laugh too, until I realize what he said.
"Wait…What?" I look at him in shock
"I realized that I would gladly give my life for you, Thresh and Rue. And I probably will have to" he looks down
"No you won't. I won't let you die for me. If I'm captured, you are going to leave me and find Rue and Thresh and get out of the area. I won't be a weak link." I fight back
"Who said you could boss me around?" he smirks
"This isn't a joke Marvel" I say seriously
He honestly thinks that I'll let him die for me?
"I know, sorry, I'm just trying to lighten the mood"
"You can't talk like that. Our family will survive" I am pretty confident in that.
"Whatever floats your boat" he sighs
"I don't own a boat" I say confusedly
"It's an expression of speech" he smiles a fake smile. "Let's get building. Where are Thresh and Rue?"
"Having a tea party" I grin
"And I wasn't invited?" he feigned hurt
"Why would they want you?" I joke
"Well…I'm devilishly handsome, funny, strong, smart, nice…did I mention handsome?" he grins
"Yeah yeah yeah… Oh I forgot to ask…Why are you here?"
"I saw what Peeta said and I wanted to check if you were okay. Then…well…Rue came for me."
"I'm fine, so don't worry. I can handle myself." I bite back a groan of frustration.
Why does everyone think I need protection?
"I never doubted that" he smiles
"Is Marvel sleeping here too?" A melodic voice calls from behind me
"It's up to Marvel" I smile at Rue
"Marvel would you like to spend the night with us?" I ask
"How can I say no when Rue is looking at me like that" he smiles and points towards Rue, who looks like a begging puppy.
"Yay!" she runs over and hugs him.
"Okay let's get building" I say as Thresh walks into the room
We are, once again, in the warm embrace of out blanket and pillow fort.
Rue and Marvel are already asleep, so Thresh and I are the only ones awake.
"Katniss, we can't ignore what will happen tomorrow" he says bluntly
"For right now we can. For Rue." I smile at her sleeping form
"She is precious, isn't she?" he asks
"Yes she is" a sliver of light peeks through our fort and makes her face glow. She looks like and angel.
The silence is pierced by a scream.
Rue's scream. Her once peaceful face is now contorted into one of pain and anger, she is mumbling and screaming.
"Nightmares" Thresh and I say at the same time
I crawl over to Rue.
Much to my surprise; Marvel is still passed out.
I reach her and shake her shoulder.
"Rue! Wake up. It's only a nightmare" I whisper in her ear.
Chocolate brown irises appear from behind closed lids as the small girl woke up.
"Katniss?" she sobs as she latches on to me
"Shh… It's okay…Everything is okay" I whisper into her hair
"Y-You a-and M-Marvel a-and Thresh, w-were k-killed b-by" she bursts into another fit of sobs
She is more afraid of us dying than her dying?
"We are all right here, none of us are dead" I reassure
"Yea but, for how long?" she looks up at me. Her big brown eyes are filled to the brim with tears.
"Forever" I say sternly "Rue, do you want to sleep in my sleeping bag?" I ask
"Y-Yes please" she whimpers
We both crawl into my bag.
"C-Can you sing?" she croaks
"Of course" I smile as I begin to sing my dad's old lullaby 'Deep in the Meadow'
Soon, Rue is whisked into a peaceful slumber.
"You have a lovely voice" Thresh compliments
"Thank you" I yawn
"Goodnight Thresh" I close my eyes
"Sleep tight Katniss" he replies.
"If the bedbugs bite, torch them" Marvel says
That little shit has been awake this whole time!
I was about to retort but, the smoky tendrils of sleep pulled me into a deep slumber.
I can faintly hear Thresh's deep laughter and Marvel's light chuckling.
Then, all is quiet until, I hear the screams of children being slaughtered in front of me. I can see the red that spills from each of them.
Marvel and I wake up early and go to the roof. I leave a note for Thresh and Rue and hop into the elevator.
There is a sinking feeling in my gut. Like I have to throw up but, I know I can't.
Today I'm going into the arena.
"M-Marvel" My voice cracks
He looks at me with fear in his eyes and I know; he is just as scared as I am.
"Yes?"
"I just want to say goodbye, just in case I don't make it through the bloodbath"
He doesn't try to reassure me this time. For that, I am thoroughly grateful.
"Goodbye" he sighs.
The elevator dings as we reach the roof. As the doors open a rush of crisp morning air billows in.
"I hate that we have to spend what may be our last days in this hell hole." He says as he looks over the artificially colored Capitol in distaste.
I nod in agreement
"How long were you awake before you revealed yourself last night?" I ask as I try to change the subject
"I know what you're doing" he chuckles "And I woke up in the middle of your song."
"Oh sorry" I don't know whether or not I'm apologizing for waking him up, or, changing the subject.
"Katniss, there is a good chance that we won't live through the day" he becomes serious "And I just want to say…Thank you."
"For what?" I didn't do anything
"For not judging my because of my district, for letting me help you when I went to your floor, for saving me from the life of a career, and for letting me join your family" he smiles but, it doesn't reach his eyes.
Family.
That one word causes me to break down.
Not the gut wrenching sobs that you see on television but, the silent tears that fall from my seam gray eyes.
For me that is breaking down.
"Marvel" I whisper as I turn towards him.
He looks at me and I can see his pine needle eyes are filled with tears as well.
"I don't want to die. I need to do something with my life. I-I need to get back to Prim, Gale, Madge, my mother. I don't want to lose you, Thresh or Rue. Coming here for the first time, I was so sure that the world didn't need Katniss Everdeen. People would take care of my responsibilities when I die. But, You, Cinna, Haymitch, Effie, Rue, Thresh and the Victors; you guys gave me something to come back to. I don't want to leave all of you guys behind" I sink to the floor and pull my knees up to my chest. He sits down right next to me and pulls me into a bone crushing hug.
I feel water drip onto my shoulder and I realize that he is crying now too.
"I'm glad I gave you a reason to come back. You guys gave me a reason to live as well. I am going to stay alive just so I can see the smile on Rue's face every day, just so I can joke with Thresh daily, and just so I can see the fire in your eyes go on." He breathes into my ear
"Good Morning Tributes! Please Report to your Designated Floors for Preparation. Have A Happy Hunger Games, and May the Odds be Ever in your Favor" I speaker voice calls out.
"Oh god" I choke out "It's time" I feel something in my chest shatter and drop into my gut. My breathing becomes rapid and shallow as Marvel helps me stand up.
This could be the last time I see him.
We step into the elevator and hit the '12' and '1' buttons as a tense silence falls between us.
I can identify the feeling in my stomach now.
Pure helplessness and utter desperation.
The elevator dings. My floor.
I turn to Marvel and hug him tightly.
"I'll see you later" he tries to smile as I step out of the elevator.
The next few hours go by in a blur.
People talk and congratulate me. Haymitch tries to drill in more survival techniques. Beetee teaches me about 'kinks in the armor' whatever the hell that means. Effie is crying. She is crying so much. Then I'm ushered onto a hovercraft and a chip is implanted in my arm.
Marvel, Thresh and Rue are in the same compartment and it's killing me that, I can't even look them in the eye. Cato is staring me down but, I ignore him.
Peeta takes my hand but, I can't find the strength to take it back.
Desperation.
I always hated being desperate.
I blink and I'm suddenly in a white room with Cinna.
He's dressing me in the outfit that we are issued for the arena.
Everything is thick so I know it will be cold.
Please don't be high in the mountains.
He pins my Mockingjay pin to my jacket and I'm reminded of Madge.
"I'm not allowed to bet but, if I could, I'd bet on you" He hugs me and I know that it's times
"Tributes please step into the tubes" a monochromatic voice rings
I do as im told and a glass door slides in behind me. I'm freaking out as I bang on the glass calling for Cinna. The plate starts to rise and I can smell earth.
Thank god I'm not in a snowy climate.
The first rays of sun peak into my vision. A few moments later, I am fully out of the tube and I can take in my surroundings.
THANK WHOEVER IS UP THERE!
There is a forest, much like the one that is back home. There is also a field of wheat that I see Thresh eyeing up. And lastly there is a lake.
I hear a faint sobbing and I look towards the source.
The scrawny boy from four is two plates down from my right. He makes eye contact with me and mouths some words.
Before I can register them, he steps off the plate.
A large explosion rocks the ground and all that was left of the boy from four was blown sky high.
When the sound of explosions settle I can hear the gong.
I bolt.
The bow is right in front and I make my way towards it.
By the time I get there, it's gone.
That incompetent girl from one got to it first.
I go for my next choice.
Morning stars. I grab a medium one just in time to knock down the girl from eight who was trying to stab me.
I bolt for an outlying orange backpack when I run straight into Thresh.
"Wheat" he growls before he runs toward the Cornucopia.
I bolt to the backpack and I reach it the same time as the male tribute from six.
Now it's a fight.
The male is bigger than me but I am quicker. I go to punch him when I feel a warm liquid spray across my face: blood.
The boy falls over and I see Clove aiming a knife at my head.
I move the bag in front of my head just in time to catch the knife in it.
I grab the knife out of the boy's back and bolt towards the field instead of the forest.
Now I have two knives.
I grab a stalk of wheat and run into the forest where I collide with Foxface.
We both just stare at each other before we bolt in the other direction.
I run for two hours before I find a safe place to sit.
I empty out my small bag and find minimal provisions. Good thing I brought wheat. But, I need to save two tufts of it.
Already the plan has been messed up.
I didn't get to tell Marvel the meeting place, which, is why I took the wheat. If and when, I run into the careers I'll slip him the tuft and he'll hopefully understand.
Same with Rue.
Oh god, Where is Rue? Did she make it? Did Thresh make it? Did Marvel?
I'm alone In the Hunger Games.
I walk until night. I've already found water and I'm going to be sleeping in a tree so that covers shelter. I climb up a tree gracefully and tie myself to the trunk. I'm about to fade into sleep when I smell the smoke.
Some idiot had lit a fire.
I peer around my trunk and see that it's the male from three. He is right next to my tree!
"Hey you boy!" I whisper but loud enough for him to hear and jump five miles out of his seat.
"Look up, I won't hurt you" he does "What's your name?" I ask
"D-Damian" he mutters
"Well, Damian, if you don't put out that fire you'll get us both killed"
"W-What do you mean?" he glares at the fire as if it's poisonous as he stomps it out.
"The careers will smell it and see it and then they will find you. Can you climb?"
"Sort of. Why?" he asks
"You don't have any supplies, do you? Or weapons?"
"No" he sighs "My mentor told me to run as far away from the Cornucopia as possible"
"Well then get your butt up here" I order nicely
"W-What, why?" he asks suspiciously
"Because the careers have probably already seen that smoke and are coming here, we can't run fast enough, and I won't let you freeze. You can share my sleeping bag but you have to promise me something"
"Anything"
"Come up here first" He slowly but, surly makes his way up the tree and next to me
I lean in close and whisper in his ear
"Do not kill any tributes unless completely necessary. There is no time for questions now but, all will be explained soon enough. Can you promise me this?"
He nods
"Welcome" I hold out my hand for a shake. This should get the sponsors to like me a little more. Not to mention I saved another life. "Katniss Everdeen"
He shakes my hand
"Damian Kopier" he grins. Even though it's dark, I can barely make out some details of Damian. He is tan and about five foot seven. His eyes are a golden yellow color and he has glasses. His black hair is fluffed out at all angles.
I tie him to the tree and we fall asleep almost instantly.
I am woken by the sound of the careers barging by. They're the only ones stupid enough to make noise.
Wait, Marvel!
I look down just as the parade of careers goes by.
I quickly grab a tuft of wheat and I drop it in time for it to land directly in front of Marvel. I made it look as if I was going to eat it but, accidentally dropped it.
I can see the tuft of wheat fall into his line of sight.
He still needs to know that it's me.
I whistle the Meadow song quietly and I see his head nod in understanding.
Perfect.
Marvel: Check
Thresh: Check
Katniss: Check
Rue:….
Her face wasn't on the fallen list so I believe she is safe.
Then the boy from four words' makes sense to me now.
'Tell them, I'm sorry'
I feel an intense sorrow when I come to this realization. He will never make it home. I fall into a dreamless sleep with the boy's words ringing through my head.
I survived my first day in The Hunger Games.
I really hope that this was worth the wait!
The voting is still going on!
I know it may look like straight up Karvel but, just wait, you'll see some Catoniss soon.
Please review and vote!
Karvel or Catoniss
All of my love!
~*~Momo