The stars twinkle coldly above. She shivers. She can feel her life slipping away, draining out with every heartbeat. It's tomorrow. She can only think about it as a vague monster crouching on the horizon. She can't bear to think about it in more concrete terms.
Her heart thunders and her breath comes out in shaky gasps. She grips the edge of the balcony, trying to keep herself tethered to life. Maybe, she thinks, this is all a dream. It doesn't seem real, just a blur of color and noise. Maybe she'll wake up and smell porridge and find that her little brothers put a toad in her bed.
She wraps her arms around herself and sways back and forth. I'm fast, she chants. I'm fast, and if they can't catch me, then they can't kill me. She'll be okay.
"Oh. Sorry. Didn't realize you were out here."
It's Thresh, his silhouette blocking all the light from the doorway.
"It's okay," she says quietly. "I could use some company."
He shuffles over to the edge of the balcony and stares over the edge. She wonders what he's thinking of. She only vaguely knew him before. But he was one of the best workers, and now…
"You ready?" she asks.
He grunts.
"You'll be fine," she assures him. "I was watching you during training."
He shrugs his massive shoulders.
"You think of home often?"
"Yeah."
"Me too. I miss them so much. They gave me this necklace. But then the Capitol had to examine it. I don't think I could kill anyone with a necklace, though. Anyways, they said they'll give it back tomorrow. What's your token?"
"Pocket watch. My father's."
"Oh," she says. His father's dead. She can't remember how.
They watch the lights of the Capitol glitter and the stars in the sky sing. Silence drifts down between them.
She feels calmer now, her heartbeat steady. Maybe it's being with him. His steadiness wears off on her.
"I think I'm going to sleep." She bounces on the tips of her toes. "Um, good luck tomorrow."
He smiles this time, his eyes glowing. "You too." He pats her on the shoulder firmly, and she drifts back inside.
As the little girl leaves, he feels himself crumble, sinking down on the balcony floor, his head in his hands.
He's not going to die.
He knows that.
He can make it out of the bloodbath.
But the little girl—she might not.
He doesn't want to see her trampled at the Cornucopia, crushed like a flower beneath their feet.
His heart pounds as he tries to imagine tomorrow. Protect her, Thresh, Grandma says. I raised you with honor and courage.
He thinks of her when she stole Cato's knife and hid on the ceiling. She's smart, smarter than most give her credit for.
He curls his hands into fists and concentrates on his breathing. In and out. In and out.
And his heart keeps beating.
Sorry it's been so long. What with the SAT and college apps and Christmas it's been crazy. So I hope you enjoy this chapter and the next one! I must offer a hearty congratulations to you all for having survived the apocalypse. Also, Merry (Belated) Christmas!