No homework. That's all I can say. Now, I could've been grounded because I was with my friend at a restaurant and my parents weren't home. Now, I HATE being grounded, so I avoid it as much as I can. But right as I ended up back home, maybe 5 minutes after I got home, they pulled up! Thankfully I can update for you guys.
So, I'm going to keep this short. Thanks for the 9 reviews. Thank you for all of your support. Now, enjoy!
Katniss POV
My eyes fluttered open to the accustomed warmth of the day, as per usual on the island. Everyday was warm... and I'm loving it. Back home, every day was wet and cold, giving us little to no protection from infection. The food here is... interesting yet satisfying; who am I to judge? My rule is never let food go to waste.
Maneuvering my legs off the pad, I slowly stand up, stretching my joints in the process. It cracks and aches, but then an immediate release comes and I'm in bliss, happily moving around the cabin.
Normally, I've been waking up at abnormal times, much like early afternoon or to extreme measures, evening, because of my midnight stargazes. I just can't help it; the moon is so captivating. The size of it is gorgeous, mesmerizing me, enticing me. The gleam of it usually reflects off the usually calm water, which makes the sight even more so enduring.
And then the stars come out, millions of them surrounding the sky, illuminating the dark emptiness. Every single one was unique, a different brightness in it's core. The lot of them were mixed with cloud like mists that would float around, making them look dreamy. They were, in fact, too beautiful to be true.
Moving around the hut with drooping eyes, I notice Cato must've been out hunting, for his presence didn't appear in my vision. Extending my legs and arching my back, I stretch like none other, trying to get that certain ache in my back. It's not painful; just mostly irritating and uncomfortable. Once it pops, I sigh, knowing that it's long gone, at least until tomorrow morning.
Slipping on my slightly beat-up jacket, I walk out the cabin and carry myself to the beach, a place I'm willing to visit after yesterday's kick-off. I've been waiting the whole night to be able to go back and see the water, wanting the peace to come back to my mind. The coral was beautiful... the fish were so different. Everything was from another world out of this cruel reality that I'll never see Prim. It just calms me down, and with all my heart, I hope she makes it safely out of the kingdom. Snow will try to track her down.
The water tickles my toes yet again, the closure so bliss and serene that I almost melt inside. I keep walking, feeling the knee deep water lick my thighs. I finally open them to see the familiar sight of the schools swimming and doing their thing.
With a lowering of my body, I'm submerged in this wonderland, the knowledge that my family, my Prim, is on the other side, somewhere west.
Oh, Prim, how I wish you could see this.
The fish are a bit frightened at my first appearance, but once I start swimming, they act like I belong, once in a while brushing up on my skin. I glide and take a breathe back up, taking a deep gulp of air before diving under once more. They are acting like I'm one of them, that I have a family. The small things that are these bright creatures are friendly, acknowledging the fact that even though I'm different, I have no evil intentions.
My next gulp of air surprises me how far out I am.
The very edge of the small, harmless reef drops off about ten feet away, the darkness clear and foreboding. I swim back, keeping my head above water while using my arms and legs to propel myself through. As I get closer to the normal homing area for the populated fish, I can observe that they're gone or hidden, not a single one surrounding the coral or anemone.
What's going on?
A movement is sensed to my right, making me turn as abruptly as I can in the clear liquid. A dark presence looms, not human. Definitely not human.
As I'm about fifteen feet from the water rise, something slaps my leg. It isn't painful, just a slight nudge that moves it a bit. I freeze immediately. I look around even more and see a strong tail moving from side to side gracefully; dangerously. It wasn't a shark; the features were all different. Its head was narrow, the eyes a cold, ugly green with a wide pupil. The scales were a metallic silver, along with the distinct underbite that can tell the difference. And when the face is right near my leg, nudging me again, I feel the slight sharp edge of a predatory tooth.
Katniss, hold yourself together. Don't freak out.
The large dorsal fin followed by a small one follows in the same glint of silver, and I try moving slowly through the water. By the time I've moved about five feet in the last ten minutes, the fish turns around, its eyes meeting mine. I quickly look away. The animals back home were triggered with eye contact.
I move a bit more before it heads towards me again. Soon, I stand still again, hoping to drive it off. But it lingers in one spot, the light current acting as a pulling force against its tail. And just as I think it's lost interest, the fish dart out at me.
Monstrous teeth barred and gills slightly ruffled, the enormous predator ounces, while everything unfolds in slow motion. It's that period of time where each event is so livid and slow, as if I'm watching it from a film. The spear that pierces the animal is long and sharp, the blood immediately filling the water. The predator has become the prey, and I sigh in relief and victory. But if there's one, there is ought to be more, setting me on alarm as if I'm back in my woods and the king's carriage rides by.
An arm yanks me out of the water and a body engulfs me, the strong arms wrapping firmly around me.
"You okay?" Cato asks. I exhale and laugh shakily.
"Yeah. Happy and whole." He laughs and releases me. Small water droplets cover his arms and torso, clear that he's the one who speared the fish. Another question that looms in my mind. "What was that?"
Blondie looks over as the blood clears, yet the red hue mixes with the blue, creating purple. The creature's face comes into view, the jaw open and the teeth in ful view.
"Guinean Barracuda. It's pretty common 'round here." He pauses. "I'd recommend that you watch where you're going when you swim. No where on this island is truly safe, okay?" I nod.
"Yeah," I say, a bit lightly. He looks at me before we reach the foliage lining, and from then on, his focus is ahead. My mind wanders to the spear that he held in his hand earlier and I stop following. Cato keeps walking yet notices my presence has become stubborn, pausing in the middle of the jungle.
Cato stares at me. "Well...?"
I gulp. "Where'd you make the spear?"
He smiles. "Palm tree wood. Not the best but it's all I have. Why?" This is your chance Katniss. You can feel the bow in your grasp already. Do it. Do it!
"Um..." I start out. "Do you know how to make bows?" Cato looks at me before laughing.
"What would you want it for?" I glare at him for laughing and he stops on command.
"I had one back home that I hunt with. Or at least used to hunt with..." I stop talking, fading out slowly.
Cato grins and nods. "Yeah, I can make a bow. With a little help of course." I smile and we begin our trek to the hut. By the time we arrive and how long it took us to get me out of the water, the sun is shining brightly on the right side of the sky, signaling the time to be around six o'clock in the afternoon. Cato has gone hunting and shot a bird he classified as 'groosling', a turkey-like bird with about a thousand feathers. It wasn't very big once we've skinned it, but the juices are flavorful and satisfying.
Before I know it, it's that time of day again where I watch the stars. But I'm not alone. The fire is stomped out and Cato sits to my left, asking me questions about my home, my family, the kingdom, the woods... everything. It's a nice talk, bringing up good memories, yet I'd rather try to convince myself I'll never see them, despite how much hope I've gathered to keep Prim safe. Cato's last question surprises me.
"Did you love her? Your sister that is." I stare up openly, seeing everything unfold and hoping my little duck is looking at the same sky.
"Yeah, I do. More than anything."
We sit under the stars in silence, reminiscing the memories that may never be recreated.
Okay, I'm soo sorry for the slightly short chapter/update! And the time it took! Homework. Holidays. Friends. Social Life. Fanfiction. Not a great mix!
Now, thank you all for your supportive feedback and I hope to see you soon (:
~HeyoMyFellowReaders101
