Katniss's POV
"No, no, no..." Peeta's face comes in an out of focus as he cradles my body in his arms. His eyes shine down at me like stars in the darkness as I meet his gaze. I'm not dead, though I thought I was a moment ago. I struggle with all my might to move from my lax position. I don't know exactly what has just happened, other than the fact that the pain and sight of the blood makes me want to puke. Johanna pounced on me and I'm lucky that I'm alive. They're going to finish us off for sure. Peeta has to get away.
"Peeta... Peeta, I'm f-fine..." My voice slurs as I force myself to sit up. His strong hand supports my back to help me. Tears brim the surface of his eyes as he strokes my face. He rips the sleeve of his wetsuit and pats the blood off of my neck and arm.
"Go-get out... get out of here." I stammer, slouching against a nearby tree for support. Peeta brushes my hair behind my ear before shaking his head. He then turns to the other tributes, his expression dark. He has already gone after the three of them before I can speak another word. His sword raises high as he attempts to slice Finnick and the others to bits. I can hear his voice yell in rage as his weapon cuts through the air.
"Peeta! Peeta, listen! Johanna had to! Katniss is going to be tracked!" Finnick yells, his trident now in his hand as he defends himself from Peeta's blade.
Tracked? Of course, I have to be tracked. Why would Johanna cut my tracker out? No, she-she didn't. I force myself to look down. I gag.
She cut my shoulder instead.
"I don't care! Shut your mouth Odair, Johanna was going to kill her!" Peeta shouts back, continuing to fight. I want to yell at him that it doesn't matter, that he needs to get away, but bile ends up rises in my throats as orange spots dance across my eyes. I turn to throw up into the bushes nearby.
My throat burns as I come up for air. I try to force my wobbling feet to move towards Peeta. My shoe gets caught under me and I stumble over the coil connected to the tree and collapse, getting a mouthful of dirt. My cheek presses against the jungle floor as I stare curiously along the long line I had just tripped over.
The wire electrocutes the beach. Lightning hits at twelve. I remember. My eyes follow the coil, up the tree and into the dark sky. The force field takes up all the energy. Something insane clicks inside my mind. I glance over at Peeta and Finnick, who are now talking forcefully, rather than yelling, at one another. Yet, both of their weapons are still raised high. Peeta's nostrils are flared and his face is smoldering with anger as he spits words at Finnick, while Johanna and Beetee stand close behind.
I have to do this fast. I force myself off the ground, though my body hurts terribly. My hands shake as I yank out an arrow from my sheath. I cut the coil with the tip of it and begin to wrap the end around the base of the arrow, my fingers moving fast. Clouds are beginning to form overhead. I pause to puke once more.
C'mon, c'mon!
I tie the wire at the end and load my bow quickly, aiming it straight into the sky. I hold my breath as I wait for the electricity to surge into my veins and join my already racing adrenaline.
For one moment my eyes break away from the sky as I catch Finnick staring at me. He and Peeta have stopped their heated conversation.
"Katniss, get away from there."
I force my eyes away, ignoring him and waiting for the lighting to strike.
"I said get away from that tree." Finnick repeats, his eyes flicking from me to the sky nervously. Peeta's eyebrows furrow.
"Katniss, what are you doing?" He asks hastily.
"You all need to leave." I answer firmly. It doesn't matter if we are allies or not, I'm blasting us all out of here. I'm done trying to decide who I'm going to kill and who I trust, when I already know who the real enemy is.
The wheels turn inside Peeta's head as he begins to figure out my plan.
"No, you'll be electrocuted!" Peeta yells, running to me.
"Get back Peeta!" I reply.
Don't you think that's what I want?
I don't have time to push him away from me before the lighting cuts through the clouds. His hand brushes my arm just as I release the arrow into the force field.
A crackling sound rumbles in the distance until it climbs towards me, blaring into my ears. I shriek as the world around me explodes and I am thrown backwards into oblivion. The arena has caught on fire.
