Prim and Rue woke up with a start.
Prim looked over to see a huge forest fire. The Gamemakers must have had enough of us.
Prim and Rue quickly jump from the tree they were rested on, and ran to the opposite direction of the fire. Prim caught sight of a fire ball headed straight for Rue. She ran over to Rue, and pulled her down to the forest floor, saving her from the fire ball. The two stood up, and continued to run, but their path was cut off by a burning tree.
Prim mentally cursed the Gamemakers. The two of them went to the left, and continued to run, coughing because of the smoke. Prim was used to the smoke, because of her District, but Rue was having a harder time. Prim and Rue kept on running, stopping by a big boulder rock. Prim sat down, and examined herself; she was covered in smoke and ashes, but so far, no serious burns. In the far distance, she saw a huge fire ball hurling toward them.
She grabbed Rue's arm, and yanked her in front of herself, knocking her out of the way. She dodged the fire ball but just barely. She gasped in pain, seeing a huge gash on her right leg. She screamed in agony.
Rue tugged Prim to come along. She stood, biting her lip, not wanting to call attention to themselves. They ran towards the nearest stream, and jumped in it.
Prim sighed in relief, but something something suddenly caught her attention; why did the Gamemakers lead us to a river after almost burning us?
A sudden look of realization took over Prim's features, and she quickly alarmed Rue.
"Rue, the Gamemakers must have lead us here for a reason. We have to go, now." Rue nodded in understandment, and climbed out of the water. Prim followed Rue, and climbed the nearest tree.
After a few minutes, they heard laughter and giggles. They looked at each other, knowing that the Careers were coming. Rue put a single finger to her lips, telling Prim to be quiet. She nodded, and grasped her knife.
She handed another to Rue, knowing that she would need it sometime or later. The Careers came upon the tree, grinning wildly when they discovered Prim and Rue.
Glimmer said, "Mine!" She grasped her bow, and shot an arrow at Prim.
Prim remembered how skilled she was with a bow and arrow; she remembered her during training; she couldn't aim. Cato grabbed his mini-sword, and started to climb the tree. Fear clouded boh Prim and Rue's eyes, both not daring to speak.
Cato had grabbed an unsturdy branch, and had fallen back. He huffed in anger, and turned to the rest of the Careers.
"Set up camp. We're waiting them out."
Prim and Rue let out a breath they weren't aware of holding,
They waited until all of the Careers were asleep to try and leave.
Prim winced while she tried to move her leg. Her arm was still hurting her, and she knew that she needed to treat her arm fast, or it would become infected. Rue handed her their canteen, to clean the burn wound on her leg.
Prim poured a little water on the wound, gasping at how much it stung. Prim shut her eyes, trying to block the pain out unsuccessfully. She knew they would have to move in a few hours, and she didn't want to hold Rue up. She looked up at the 'sky,' praying that Haymitch would help her by getting her a sponsor.
Her prayers were fulfilled when she heard a beeping sound above her. Rue shushed her, and went to get the parachute herself, and bring it back for Prim. Prim opened the container, seeing a small rectangular paper.
APPLY GENEROUS AND STAY ALIVE. -H
Prim slightly smiled, and opened the can to find medicine. She took gently applied some on the wound, sighind contently at how cold the medicine was. She handed it over to Rue, and let her use some for some of her wounds. They decided to stay in the tree until dawn, and then attempt to leave unnoticed.
Prim sighed, and said to the 'sky', "Thank you." She knew what Haymitch had done to get her sponsors. He had to socialize, telling the sponsors about her skills; Like I have any. I can barely walk without getting hurt.
Once dawn came, Prim woke up to find Peeta on the ground, gesturing for them to come down. Prim quickly woke Rue up, and jumped down from the tree, falling in Peeta's arms. Rue did the same, and was gestured to follow Peeta. Once they were out of hearing range, Peeta smiled.
"I'm glad I found the two of you. When I saw the campsite, I knew you guys must've left." Prim nodded, suddenly remembering her leg. She looked down, and saw that her wound had closed, and showed only a small mark in place.
She turned to Peeta, and said, "Thank you for helping us." Peeta nodded. The trio trekked through the forest, and found a small spring.
Prim took that as an oppportunity to clean her arm wound, wincing at thie sting. She put a few herbs on it to relieve the pain, and tore another part of her shirt off, tying it on her arm wound. She looked over to see Rue treating a gash on Peeta's forehead.
She refilled their canteen, and went to gather medicinal herbs. She made a small basket out of vines, and put the herbs in it. When she returned to the spring, she found Rue leading Peeta into a shady spot, next to a tree. Prim followed, and set the basket next to Peeta. She took her knife, and sliced a part of the herb open, exposing a liquid substance. She poured it onto Peeta's forehead wound, and then covered it with a leaf. Peeta winced as the liquid stung his wound, squeezing his eyes shut.
Rue and Prim helped Peeta while they climbed the oak tree, settling him on the top branch, while the two of them occupied the one beside his.
After a few minutes, the sun had just started to set, and Rue and Peeta were already asleep. Prim sighed, knowing that she was only two days into the games. She knew how long the games normally were; about a week, or until the Gamemakers got bored. She had counted the cannons; 13. She fiddled with the hem of her jacket, unsure of what to do.
She hated what the Hunger Games had done to her, and her family. She hated that she would lose her sister, and her mother. She hated that she would lose Rory. She hated that she would lose Gale. She hated that she would lose Lady. She hated that she would lose Buttercup. She hated that she would lose Haymitch. She hated everything about the games.
She fell asleep, thinking about how her father would tell Katniss and her about a different world; a world without the Hunger Games.
Katniss' POV
Eight days have passed since Prim has left.
The Hunger Games had started three days ago. Prim had already been stabbed in the arm, and burnt from a fire. I knew the fire had happened because pf the Gamemakers; I saw the Careers round the corner when Prim and Rue had been in the spring.
I hate knowing that my sister won't become a healer. I hate that she won't grow up, and marry. She won't find love like she has always wanted. She won't be able to start a family.
Seeing my sister during the Chariot Rides and Interviews made me see my sister seem more grown up. She looked beautiful in her dress that caught on fire; the Capitol has started to call her 'The Girl on Fire.' And when she stepped on stage for the interview... she looked gorgeous. She barely had any make-up on, but the stylist focused on her natural beauty more-so than her dresses; still looking her dresses glorious.
When Peeta confessed his love for me, it bothered Gale more than me. Gale had left our home, sulking in the woods.
I remember seeing her interview; manners. I know she hadn't learned them from mother or me. I was barely around for dinner; I was either hunting or with Gale. She had walked onto the stage with such grace and poise. I had tried to give her the childhood I never had. She didn't need to grow up so fast; I guess that's what the Hunger Games does.
I can't believe this has happened to my little sister. She doesn't deserve this; no one does. After everything that has happened to our family, the least thing she needed was to be reaped for the f***ing Hunger Games.
I wish I could rip Snow's throat out. He has taken my childhood, my father, and now he has taken my sister away from me. If I ever have the chance, I'll make sure that he won't be able to walk.
A/N: Thank you so much to the story's FIRST review: ShimmerGlimmerCloverx.
