A/N: Ah, it's good to be back! I was reading over you guys' amazing reviews and I thought that it was time for you to get the chapter you deserved! Sorry for the incredibly long wait and thanks for sticking with me! :)
Also, I want to inform my readers that I have created an account on , fanfiction's sister site, under the same penname, Drew Demeter. So far I have posted 3 stories, including my pride and joy, Fionn, which is currently still in progress. It would mean a lot to me if you had time to check those out, but now without further ado, chapter 8!
Chapter 8
For a moment I feel as if the whole world has gone still for a moment. My ears aren't working right and everything comes out muffled, as if I stuffed them with wax. My vision is blurry and the bright sun startles and blinds me. I put up a hand to shield myself from the glow, and that is what brings me back to life.
The first thing that comes back is the awful sound, like the wailing of fifty hungry cats. It's high-pitched and full of sorrow and pain, and it takes me a moment to realize that it's Prim who is making those noises, paralyzed where she stands next to me, staring wide-eyed at Rory's lanky frame planted on the stage. It takes me another second to realize that she's completely cut off circulation in my hand, which is white and bloodless and limp when I try to move it. Gently, I wrench myself out of her grip and try to get a strong hold on my emotions at the same time. Rory doesn't need pity now. He needs us to be strong for him.
When Rory and the female tribute shake hands, the cold reality of the situation really hits me. This is no stupid practical joke. Rory, my big brother, is going into the arena.
He might not make it out alive.
For the second time today, I want to pass out, but luckily the reaping is over and before I know it, Mom and Gale are here, hugging me and pulling me towards the Justice Building to say our goodbyes. Then comes Vick, who wears a look of pure guilt with a splash of regret. A tear drops down his face as Mom takes it into her hands. "I could've saved him."
Vick is shell-shocked from the recent turn of events, and we have to drag him into the Justice Building. Although I don't blame him for not volunteering for Rory, and I know no one else does either, it's clear that Vick blames himself. I wonder fleetingly what I would have done if I was in his place, but that thought quickly leaves my head because the truth is, I honestly don't know what I would do. Even now, I feel like a confused little lamb in a field of wolves disguised as other sheep- completely insecure and not sure who to confide in.
The door to the room where Rory is being kept is locked, and we wait patiently outside while whoever's in there finishes saying goodbye. Finally the door opens and out comes Prim, white and tear-stained, holding something small in her hand that she keeps fiddling with. It must be some token from Rory. I know he's going through a carving faze at the moment. What's really sad is that he could have had a good job, carving. He and Prim could have had a family.
But now the future is completely uncertain for us.
When I peer around the door frame, I see my older brother in a state of sadness that I've never seen him in before. His head is in his hands, and from the slight shaking of his shoulders I can tell he's crying, or not too far from it. When he hears the door creak closed behind us, however, he lifts his head and attempts a fruitless smile which none of us can return.
It's Gale who finally breaks the silence.
"I told you not to take out that extra tesserae," he scowls, but I know he's not really mad; he's trying to lighten the tension that has settled over the room like a thick blanket in summertime. "We would've gotten by."
"I know." Rory hangs his head before peering up at Gale, who he's always looked up to. "But now we have to make do with what we have to work with."
This snaps Gale out of his faze, and he takes our brother by the shoulders, shaking him slightly. "Listen, Rory," he says in all seriousness, "the first thing is to find a knife. You whittle; you're good with those tools. Make sure it's long though, dagger-like. And don't forget water. You know how to hunt, but none of that matters if you don't find water. Look what happened to Katniss." I think that's the first time he's been able to mention her name in a long time.
Finally, Gale pulls Rory into a rough hug before practically shoving him at the rest of us, stalking towards the door to keep guard, I guess. It wouldn't matter anyway; we're already right where the Capitol wants us.
Rory pulls Vick into his embrace, muffling Vick's attempts at an apology. "Shh," Rory says, soothing him in a way only a brother can. "I'd rather me than you, Vickie. I know you're strong enough to take care of Posy, and Mom, and help keep Gale out of trouble. You hear me? Just stay safe. I'll be back before you know it." We all know this is an empty promise.
Vick mumbles something and goes to stand with Gale while Rory hugs Mom and exchanges some words with her that I cannot fully make out. And then he's here in front of me, pulling me into a rough embrace that reminds me of all the times in the past that he's done so.
"You be careful," I choke out, my tears blurring my vision. Rory nods mutely.
"I love you guys. I'll try, really try, to come home."
And then the Peacekeepers are pushing us out the door and we're all shouting and Mom's crying and I'm crying and then I must have fainted because it's all black.
##
When I come to, I am laying on the kitchen table, Mom dabbing my forehead with a cool cloth. "The exertion is overheating her," she's saying, conversing with the Everdeens who must be here somewhere. "She's come down with the fastest fever I've ever seen in my life."
Mrs. Everdeen's hazy image swims into view, looking concerned. She puts her hand to my head. "Yes, Hazelle," she murmurs, "she's dehydrated. Better make some broth."
She looks closely down at me and smiles meagerly. "Why hello there dear. You passed out for a while, but you should be fine with some hot broth and rest. Too much exertion isn't good for a young girl." AS if I didn't hear everything she already said to Mom.
Posy is suddenly in focus too, holding some broth in her trembling hands. I feel terrible for all of us. What have we done to deserve this fate? Not just once, but twice, we've had family in the Games. Thinking about it makes my blood boil.
And apparently my skin boil too, because Mrs. Everdeen is saying, "there now dear. Your fever is going back up. Take it easy."
As Prim spoons some broth into my mouth, I lie there useless, thinking up ways to take down the Capitol and bring Rory home.
A/N: how was it? Sorry, my writing is a little rusty of late, but I think it turned out pretty good with maybe a few spelling errors. As always, don't forget to review and I'll try to have another chapter to you in a week or so.
