Third Person's POV
Haymitch ran his hands through his greasy hair as he watched the events unfolding on the large television. All his tributes had survived the Bloodbath and were all resting peacefully.
Shade and the boy were up in a tree on the northern part of the island. Both of them were safe and he watched as Shade sat up most the night, watching for any dangers. He was proud of her. She had taken everything into her own hands and gotten out safely.
She had even killed Blight, which he wasn't extremely happy about but he attacked her so he should have seen if comig.
The mentor's stomach dropped when Shade had finally fell asleep and only minutes later, the Careers had found them and quietly set up camp. Glimmer had protested heavy and just told them all, she could kill them now. Haymitch was shocked though, when the blonde boy told them to wait until morning. He claimed that he wanted it to be light enough out to see the blood.
When she woke up the next morning, Shade stiffled a yawn and instead opted to take a deep breath instead. She arched her back and stretched her arms over her head. She had gotten about half a night's worth of sleep. She had become paranoid.
Animals had kept her up all night. Russling trees. Insects. Thunderstorms.
The warm lump at her side stole her attention away from her thoughts. Kaz was still resting peacefully and she hadn't felt him move at all in the night. He didn't even wake up for the thunder from the storms.
Looking down at the blanket covering their lower half, she noticed it was extremely damp. Shade was pretty sure it hadn't rained last night so, why were they wet? Glancing around she noticed an odd white substance near their feet. She untied her midsection and inched over to it. It was cold and melted.
Snow. It had snowed while they were sleeping but she couldn't see any of the white stuff anywhere. She poked at the small pile for a few more moments before leaning back. But then, a familiar smell filled her nose. Fire and smoke.
Cato tore his eyes away from the fire and looked up to the branch. He could see the outline of the two tributes from his spot. He suddenly saw the right side shift and it moved around for a few moments. He held his breath and waited, hoping that Shade would just wise up and leave. He wanted her to just silently pack up and get out of here. Marvel suddenly stirred and Cato frowned.
The dark haired boy sat up slowly and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. Almost as if he could sense that the two tributes were awake, he looked up. He smiled eeriely before kicking Clove's boot and nudging Glimmer in the side.
Both females woke up immediately, making a huge rucas as if they weren't really in the Games. They made a big deal of stretching their arms above their head and yawning. Cato only growled before rubbing a hand over his face. Upon looking up, Cato watched as Shade heard them and her head suddenly appeared over the edge of the limb. Her lips were turned down into a frown and she pulled back.
"Hey guys, she's up!" Smoke was billowing up to reach her branch. The black substance lazily grazed Shade's skin and she coughed before swipping at it. She grumbled before leaning back against the base of the tree. Her plan just got a whole lot more complicated. Kaz finally stired by her side and he yawned loudly before stretching.
"Cato you were right! He is with her!" The feminine voice called up from below them and Kaz froze. His green eyes darted up to Shade's who slowly nodded her head.
Well, damn. Things were way more complicated right now. Kaz couldn't climb a tree, let alone jump across to another one.
Peering over the side once more, Shay was able to dodge a knife that came flying up at her. It landed in the tree branch above them with a thud and she laughed. She looked back down at the group and smirked. Reaching up, she pulled the small knife from the wood and waved it down at Clove.
"Thanks for the free knife!" Shade fingered the blade before she heard another blade coming at her and moved her head to the side slightly. Looking over at Kaz, she could see her own reflection in the silver of the blade.
"You missed!" She reclined back and played with the two knives.
"Hey, Shay-Shay! Why don't you come down here and we can have some fun?" Glimmer yelled up to her and she glanced over the edge before frowning. She shook her head before standing up.
"I'm not really in the mood to play..." She grumbled and stretched her back out. It had gotten a bit stiff sleeping up against a tree and she slung her bag across her back. She took a couple steps out onto the tree limb and it sagged beneath her weight.
"Shay, what are you doing?" Kaz asked quietly, his eyes wide with terror.
"Leading them away from you..."
"Kaaaaazzzz!?" They both peered over the edge at Clove who was beaming up at the thirteen year old. He looked back to Shade and she only shook her head.
"Kaz, come down here, please? I want to get to know you a little better..." She said, her voice sickly sweet and she frowned. In his green eyes, she could seriously see him considering if he should go down there.
"Kaz..." Shade said quietly but he couldn't take his eyes of Clove.
"I want you to join our alliance. We could use your skills..." She lied and Shay felt her stomach burn in anger.
"I want to be with you..." Lie. Before she knew what was happening, Kaz began climbing down the tree. She sighed and shook her head.
"Kaz, stop! She is lying to you!" She yelled and her voice echoed throughout the forest. He stopped descending down the trunk and looked up at her. Shade shook her head and he glanced back at Clove.
"Once your feet touch the ground, they will kill you..." She said and his face suddenly paled. Looking over the Careers below them, her eyes found Cato. He was starring up at the both of them intently, his face slightly hopeful. Like he was waiting for his prey to descend into his claws.
"You can't trust a Career because in the end, they'll just stab you in the back..." Shade told him, her voice dripping with acid. She meant it, too. When Peeta had joined the Careers last year, they had turned on him and slashed his leg. He had been lucky to stay alive.
Cato's eyes suddenly darted up to the aggitated female above them. She was no longer smiling, she didn't even look like the female at the dance the night before the Games. She looked down at him angrily, her body rigid. He noticed the light reflecting off the throwing knives in her belt and for the first time, noticed the long sword also hanging from her side.
Upon further inspection, he noticed she didn't have a bow on her. But, he watched as her eyes fell on Glimmer and the slender bow on her back. She eyes her spitefully, probably wishing she had to bow right now.
"Kaz, she's just telling you that because she doesn't want us to be together..." Clove's voice brought Cato from his thoughts and he looked at her for a moment. Right, just play the Game to get the kid out of the way. He would definately be a problem, for Shade at least. For the group of Careers, he would only be another kill. Cato watched as Shay's nose wrinkled up and her fists clenched.
"Haymitch, I'm trying to protect an idiot!" She yelled up to the sky, knowing that her mentor was watching her at that very moment. He was indeed watching and he was laughing. He couldn't agree more. This kid was an idiot. Haymitch chuckled quietly before taking a sip of his scotch.
Looking down at her feet, she tested the strength of the branch. Taking a few steps back, she ran full speed and threw herself across the gap to another branch. She wrapped her arms around the wood, letting her legs dangle. With a grunt, she hoisted myself up and sat perched on a different branch now.
"Kaz, whatever happens. Don't think it was my fault that you died..." Her voice was poisinous and without looking back, she proceeded to jump from tree to tree.
"Hey! Shade wait!" She stopped and looked back. Cato came through the undergrowth and jogged up to the trunk of the tree she was in.
"Why don't you join in on our alliance?" He asked and she laughed humorously.
Shade swung down onto a lower branch and the leaves russled as she landed gracefully on her rear. He watched her, his blue eyes intent on her figure. She hung her legs over the side of the branch and swung them back and forth.
"You're really going to try that with me?" She asked, bring her face closer to his in an almost teasing fashion. She was just out of reach of his sword so she knew that she was safe. Shay bent down and rested her chin in the palm of her hand. He smirked up at her and ran a hand through his hair.
"It's not the same..." He suddenly sobbered and she could see him tense up.
"How is it not the same?" She asked, her voice hard once more. Looking up into her hazel eyes, they were once again like a dark brown wall, not letting any information slip about her feelings. Cato didn't reply, instead his gaze was downcast towards the ground. Standing up, the branch swayed slightly and she began to climb back up the tree.
The others joined us and Shade was wary of the bow and arrow in Glimmer's hand. Not wanting to risk a chance, she brought a knife from her belt and twirled it in her hands. Glimmer and Marvel let out a noise of unapproval and took a step back. Cato contained a laugh and Clove looked up at her with an unfamiliar expression. What was that? Admiration?
Exactly.
"Well, I hate to leave now but I really must be off! And may the odds be ever in your damn favor!" Shade said over her shoulder in a fake Capitol accent. She only got a couple steps before there was a loud rumble. The ground shook underneath her feet and she was barely able to keep her balance on the limb. The shaking stopped for a moment and she looked around.
Just as she was about ready to open her mouth and say something, the ground shook again, more violently this time. With a startled yell, she dropped from the tree like a leaf and landed hard on her back with a thud. Haymitch flinched as Shade landed on the ground. He heard the loud crack and watched as her face distrorted up in pain.
"Come on, sweetheart..." He said and took a sip of his drink. She groaned and slowly rolled over onto her stomach.
Looking around, she saw the others were on the ground was well and they were looking around, shocked.
There was another rumble and in the distance, she heard a low howl and her eyes met Cato's for a second. Animals began racing past the group and she had to duck out of the way as a deer jumped over her. Something bad was coming.
Wihtout thinking, she climbed to her feet but that was a big mistake. Anyone could tell that something was wrong with her back. It was stuck at a weird angle and a lump protruded from the right side down low. Shade winced as she placed her hands on her lower back. She gritted her teeth and swallowed thickly.
Counting to three, she shooved her hands forward, thrusting her back into place. A loud, pain filled scream came out of her throat and she collapsed to her knees once again. Her chest moved up and down at a more natural pace. She slowly stood up, making sure to favor her back slightly as to not hurt it again. Without a doubt, it would hurt again tomorrow but the pain had been lessened greatly.
She began to jog away, slightly hobbling and dared one last look over her shoulder. Cato was slowly getting up from the ground. He bent down from his tall height and picked up the sword that lay in the leaves. He looked extremely intidmidating right now and for the first time ever, Shade's mind was clouded with fear.
Cato looked over at the girl in the leaves. Her back lay at an odd angle and loud whimpers escaped her throat. She had effectively put it back into place though but her screams still echoed in his ears. She reminded him so much of Emily in that moment.
They both had long flowing golden hair and the only difference was their eye color. Emily's had been a striking green like their father's eyes but that was the only difference between the two siblings, besides age.
When he had risen from the ground and she had been running, she turned back to look one last time. Cato didn't know if he was pleased or disappointed with himself that her hazel eyes shone brightly with fear. Fear of him. Guilt immediately filled his gut and he bit the inside of his cheek to keep from asking if she was alright.
Both tributes were drawn from their own thought processes as another howl sounded in the distance except it was much closer this time. Cato watched as her hazel eyes drifted off into the distance and widened. She grabbed her pack from the ground and spun, taking off into the distance. Her feet kicked up leaves behindd her which flitted to the ground in her wake.
A couple yells sounded from behind her and she glanced over to see the Careers in the trees. Kaz was with them. Traitorous little bastard.
Sprinting off, Shade didn't need to see the wolves to know they were after her. They easily picked up her scent on the breeze and were soon on her tail. Her boots thundered across the ground as she raced through the foliage. Her breathing was rapid and her eyes scanned the surrounding trees for a low branch she could climb up onto.
But of course, the Gamemakers wanted none of that.
The adrenaline coursed through her veins and she pushed her feet to go faster. She jumped over a log, her feet barely clearing the top. That should slow them down a could hear them coming after her. She could feel them breathing down her neck. The blonde girl was fast but she wouldn't be able to outrun them.
Haymitch shifted in his seat nervously as he watched the pack of wolves descend upon his tribute. He wanted to call out, to tell her to pick up the pace but as she pumped her arms, he knew that she wouldn't last very long at the pace she was going.
Pulling her sword out of her belt, she almost cut herself mutliple times before she was able to free it. At the moment she freed her blade, Shade was tackled to the ground. Haymitch watched as she fell to the ground, the large grey beast pushing down on her back. She fell in slow motion, as if the Gamemakers were toying with the audience.
Haymitch had a plan though. He had a "gift" coming to help Shade at it was due to arrive at any moment now.
A heavy weight was pressed down onto her back and Shade could feel the claws rake against the coat covering her. Lashing out at anything, she managed to hit something and a yelp echoed off the trees. Her attackers haulted for a moment and she was able to scramble up from the ground. Pulling out the dagger in her boot, she held it in her left hand, sword in her right.
The mutts had backed off and were now moving through the underbrush. They were waiting to strike and they continued to snap twigs, making her spin around to see nothing but air behind her.
A loud howl came from the girl's right and she turned just in time as a wolf lunged at me. Out of reflex, she screamed and swipped at the mutation. It yelped as my blade sliced through its neck and she was tackled from her other side.
Haymitch gripped his glass tightly, the glass groaning slightly under the pressure. Where was the damn thing?
She continued to fight furiously, getting nipped and scratched at a couple times. Hearing another crack, the large black dog/bear smashed into her chest. She tumbled backwards, rolling over herself a few times before coming to a rest on my back. Sitting up, their growls alerted her that they were close. Shade inched back from the creatures, trying to get away from them.
My heart dropped when my back pressed against a tree stump and she shut her eyes. Her sword was on the other side of the clearing, behind the wolves. The dagger lay next to it and her arms were sagging under their own weight.
This is it.
"God dammit, Heavensbee!" Haymitch yelled as he rose up from the white leather couch. His grip was so tight that the glass in his hand shattered and his eyes were bulging from anger. Shade was going to die because the damn Gamemaker didn't get his "gift" there in time.
Shade shut her eyes tightly, waiting for death but when she felt nothing she opened her eyes. All I saw was a white blur and I heard a snarl and the snapping of jaws. A few yelps broke out into the silent air and the wolves rounded on their heels before bolting off into the trees. White fur stood on end as the animal's hackles raised in defense. A rumbling growl sounded from deep within the beast and it caused her spin to tingle.
The beast turned to her and she was met with the most beautiful amber eyes. They seemed to move and ripple when ever he blinked. Shade had to look away because of the intensity inside them and with a snort it turned and trotted off into the trees.
She watched the white form disappear and then swallowed. Her eyes darted around the clearing before she quickly crawled over to her bloodied blades incase the wolves deicded to return. She had somehow managed to kill a couple of the bear wolves and she finally got a good chance to look at them.
They were huge but they weren't extremely tall. They were more stocky and square instead of tall and lanky like a normal wolf. One of them was brown while the other was a pale silver, nothing comparable to the white creature she saw only moments ago.
Standing up, her legs shook slightly and the blonde girl whipped the blood from her swords before putting them away.
Her stomach growled loudly as her boots crunched across the fern covered ground. Stopping, Shade pulled the jerky from her bag and finished the small amount inside. Her stomach still grumbled with hunger and she knew it wasn't satisfied. It took a lot more than a couple pieces of fake meat to fill her stomach.
Growing quiet, Shade stood completely still for a moment, not even breathing. The only sounds around her were the quiet chirps of the birds above her head and the quiet russling of the trees. Other than that, nothing.
Relaxing, she pulled her jacket off and stuffed it into the big pocket of her bag. It was rather hot out and it still baffled her how there was snow on their blanket this morning. It wasn't even realitively cold out when she woke up and now it was blazing hot. Sweat dripped from her brow and she whipped it away. The butcher's daughter needed something to hunt with and knives would not do.
She needed them for more important things, like killing people. Woah. She shook that thought from her head the moment it appeared. Where did that just come from? She asked herself and was a little terrified. She was turning into one of them.
She was turning into a Career.
Her growling stomach was what brough her back into reality. She needed a bow and that was the one thing she couldn't get her hands on back at the Cornicopia.
She grumbled and kicked a nearby tree, causing her foot to throb slightly. She cursed before raking a hand through her hair. She mopped a hand over her face and just began walking.
The encounter with the wolves had left her extremely shaken and she was more paranoid, if even possible. At every little noise, she would spin around, throwing knife in hand and ready to kill if the need called.
I'm thinking about changing the name of this story but I don't know what to call it. Review and tell me what you think it should be called.
Okay, please review. No one has reviewed for the last couple chapters. Sure, I have gotten a decent amount of views but please, review. Or else, I might just stop writing and I mean, I love this story and I picks up a little now that they are in the arena.
