CHAPTER SEVEN
Cato was giving me a break by helping Peeta hobble along. Before anyone could settle down to make camp, the sound of a sponsor package rang through the little forest clearing and a metal container landed in a tree. Due to being the smallest, I climb the bark and drop the container into Katniss' hands waiting below.
"What is it?" Finnick asked as Katniss pulled a small object out of the container.
"It's from Haymitch."
"It's called a spiel. You put it in a tree and it gives you water." Cato explained, his arm wrapped around my waist as soon as my feet had landed on the solid ground.
"Let's give it a shot then." Finnick turned and stabbed it into the nearest tree.
As our small group reached a safe clearing, Finnick decided that we should set up camp here as it was getting dark.
"That's a good idea actually. We'll be safe if our backs are protected." I agreed, causing everyone to look at me. "We should take turns to sleep. I can take the first watch."
"Not a chance. You'd kill us the first chance you get." Katniss protested.
"Look, sweetheart, that thing I did back there was called saving Peeta's life. Yeah, I saved the guy who killed me. If I wanted you dead by now, you'd be lying on the ground somewhere back there." I hissed at the ungrateful girl from District 12. "If it makes you feel better, you can take the first watch with me."
Agreeing, Katniss walked back to Peeta to tell him to get some sleep. Rolling my eyes, I reassured Cato that I wouldn't slit her throat whilst everyone else slept.
"I'm proud of you. Saving his life instead of making sarcastic comments." Cato teased as he leant down to kiss me.
"Shut up and get some sleep, you ass." I gave him a small smile before turning my back on him and walking off. Once everyone had fallen asleep, I sat by the fire in silence with Katniss just staring at the flames. Booming resounded throughout the arena; a sound that wasn't the Fallen tribute cannons.
"I counted twelve." Katniss broke the silence.
"Midnight?" I suggested, looking at the darkness around us.
"Or the number of Districts. But, why?"
"No idea."
After that, we both fall back into silence just staring at the fire once again. The sound of a cannon caused my guard buddy to jump but we didn't talk about it. Despite the fact that I was exhausted, Katniss needed the sleep more than I did and I almost managed to convince her until an abnormal fog started drifting towards us.
Placing her hand out, Katniss screamed in anguish as it touched her skin.
"Run!" The pair of us screamed, rushing to wake the rest of our group that were sleeping on the ground as blisters started to form on our skin.
"The fog is poisonous." Katniss warned, trying to pull Peeta on his feet.
Nudging Cato, I point towards Peeta, gesturing that he should carry the blond boy to safety.
As the six of us start to run, the fog closes in us catching us a little bit at a time. The one who suffered the most was Finnick, with Mags on his back, he was slower than the rest of us. The thin fabric of our suits offer no protection as I feel blisters forming on my back. Limbs start failing and that's when it becomes difficult for Finnick to continue.
"Mags. Please, come on. Come on." Finnick pleaded, begging Mags to jump back on his back.
The kind, old woman placed a kiss on his cheek before rushing into the fog; sacrificing herself to save us.
Finnick didn't even scream, he just turned away from the horrific sight and continued on, pulling me with him.
As we burst through the trees, I collapsed onto the sand and Finnick landed on top of me. The pair of us falling from the weight of trying to help each other.
I barely have the strength to look at who's dragging me across the sand and let out a scream once the salt water touched the fog burns. Eventually the pain recedes replaced by a soothing sensation as the burns begin to fade.
"I got you, baby. It's okay." Cato soothes, holding me afloat.
Peeta and Katniss wandered off to search for a tree to get some fresh water from whereas Finnick dives under the water. Cato holds me close as we stand in the water, as if he's afraid I'm going to disappear. A constant worry in this arena where there's something to worry about at every corner.
The three of us followed Katniss into the forest to help Peeta but we're greeted by a group of the monkey's that we spotted earlier. Peeta is too busy trying to get water out of the tree that he doesn't notice them, or notice us adjusting our weapons.
"Peeta." Katniss said calmly. "I need you to come here and take a look at something for me."
"Hang on a minute. I've almost got it."
"Move towards us quietly so you don't startle them." Katniss continued in her calm voice and I resist the urge to roll my eyes.
Peeta walked towards us casually, not noticing the monsters perched on the tree branches but due to his strong build, he's not very quiet or gentle. Luckily, the monkeys stay where they are. The blond boy only glances up for a second but suddenly, the monkeys are pouncing on him. Despite the fact that I have never seen monkeys before, their behaviour is too animalistic and aggressive; Katniss seems to realise at the same time as I do.
We both shout to the rest of the group. "Mutts!"
Notching arrows, I let them fly with accurate precision and many orange bodies fall to the ground around me. Cato is fighting as many as he can with his sword and despite how much his muscles tense, I don't have the time to admire him.
I turn to look at how my companions are doing and notice that everyone is preoccupied but Peeta, who has a monkey lunging at his chest.
Knowing that I wouldn't be able to shoot the monkey in enough time, I charge at Peeta, causing the others to look at me in alarm, and place my body in front of his. Expecting to feel monkey claws in my back, I am shocked when the pain does not come. Turning, I spin just in time to see the monkey sink its fangs into the morphling from District 6. The cannon booms as her body dropped to the floor. Her life sacrificed to save mine and Peeta's.
