Landon:
"All of those kids… they got voted in because of their actions in their districts. Or because of their strength, or because of their certainty in winning. But me… I got there because I was mad. I got there because I volunteered out of anger." Sophia stares at me with sad little eyes that I know are begging for forgiveness. Actually, I can't even call them little. Because she's proven that she's not little anymore. She grew up days ago, when she was pulled from that arena.
I throw my arms around her, and wait patiently for that one kiss that she used to always plant on the back on neck when we hug. The kiss she gives me when she knows times are tough. Or the kiss she gives me when were both mourning over something on one of the many sad days in 11. But it never comes. Sadly, I guess she grew out of that some time ago too.
"Sophia. I love you. And you know very well that anyone would have done what you did to survive. I watched you all the way, and you were goanna come home regardless." Tears form a river of thankfulness straight down my face, and I bet Sophia feels the same way to.
"If you paid so much attention to my games, then when did you ever find the time to associate with these people?" We look around to six people walking busily around the place were we sit. Sarah and Harold keep watch on the ground, Tomas and Weeded watch from the trees, while Venice and Arnie just kind of sit and do nothing. I guess the same can be said for Sophia and me, but technically we have an excuse. While Venice and Arnie really just kind of, well… sit and do nothing.
"If it wasn't for this nice lady right here, and this wonderful-choice words- girl here, I would have surely died in the spot you saw me last." I motion for Sahara and Venice to come over, and I can here Venice's obnoxious grunting from seven feet away as she lazily stands up on her feet.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Sahara joyfully says, my names Sahara Green. Landon's spoken so much about you." I blush as my sister and the woman shake hands. Then it's Venice's turn.
I hold my breath knowing that this could be a bad experience, as the dark haired girl makes her way to Sophia and us.
"I would've visited you to tell you about Landon when I went to say goodbye to Josh, but I didn't really feel like it at the time. I did tell him some things though, but he's dead now so I figured I should probably tell you." Sophia gives her a confused look, and Venice sighs.
Before she can continue, our ears all move to our heads as the leaves from a nearby tree blows into our direction to the sound of a loud buzzing. It's gets louder and louder, and when I stare up through the small openings in the cracks of the branches, I spot it. A hovercraft. Looking for the band of runaways otherwise known as us.
"Hide!" Sophia, Venice, Sahara and I make our way to the large wiled berry bush. Were mostly concealed by its brightly covered berries blending us with the leaves, and we watch as the others scramble to a hiding spot.
Arnie scoots in next to me, and his low mumbling tests my patience. I try to stand it, but I can't, and I ask for him to quiet down. He usually has his moments out on the fields, and I don't really remember anyone knowing how to quiet him. Oh wait, Venice.
"Venice, could you get Arnie to quiet down, I whisper, I don't want to startle him or…"
"Arnie, SHUT UP!" Now it was Venice who was the loud one, and I look up hoping that the hovercraft didn't pick up the noise. Arnie was nothing but a mouse compared to her demanding shrieks. But it worked. He stopped.
I grab Sophia's hand and whisper softly into her hair. "Are you scared?" I ask. She squirms her hand from my grasp, and stares at me.
"No, I'm fine actually." She says. And I quickly look away. I know I screwed up in the first place for not voting, but I can't stand the pain of watching my sister shove away my brotherly love. My brotherly care. I can't believe that this is the girl that once slept tucked up against me at night in bed, or the one that used to ask me to help her with her color paints. One crazy week apart from me has changed her drastically, and she's still the same age as when she left me.
Tomas and Weeded hide in the light green leaves of the tree, and Harold stays out of view by leaning up against the trunk. One false scoot sends Tomas tumbling from the branch, and we all watch in shock as he meets the realization of being spotted.
He bolts down the pathway made of fallen leaves, tripping and stumbling along the way. His pleads for one of us to help pains my heart since I refuse myself from doing a thing. The hovercraft is above him in no time, and a thin metallic spear shoots from doors that open on its underside, and Tomas ends up speared mostly like the boy who met up with the careers at the wrong time of day.
"He's gone," says Sahara. "Just like that." But I'm still too shocked to look. The hovercraft has to know were all down here, but it does something unexpected. Instead of landing to further search the area, it leaves. With Tomas with it.
We wait a while until were sure that it's safe to come out. And when we do, were still cautious. Weeded holds in his tears turning his simple freckled face red, and Harold and Sahara walk over to comfort him.
"The hovercraft was just like in the arena, Sophia exclaimed, just without the spear thing."
"I'd say he deserved it. Running out into the open like that, drawing attention to his dumb self. If anything, he saved our butts by running away from us." Says Venice. As much as I'd hate to admit it, she's right in a way, as in saying that he unintentionally led the hovercraft. Or was intentional?
We come to the conclusion that it's no longer safe here. We pack our things, and prepare for another short hike for a new place to crash as were nearing our first night into the wilderness. I slip my hands across my belt to tighten it, noticing my bloodied knife.
I still have trouble believing that I killed Kale, and I'm sure he'll be in my dreams to bother me tonight.
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