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Most people would panic if they were in my place, but I'm not most people. I won't allow fear to keep me down. Onyx may be the real career here, but I'm a thousand times smarter of that I'm sure.
'' Onyx,'' I say his name as if it were a prayer.
'' Hello love,'' he greets, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he calls me ''love.''
He's looking at me as if I were his prey, a prey that was caught red handed. He won't win. I won't let my gaze waiver from his.
''Onyx let me explain-''
'' Explain what?'' He asks, almost as if we were having a simple conversation.
'' What I was doing with Valentinus, I want to explain before your mind runs wild,'' I say holding my voice steady.
No fear Anwyn. Be strong. Look his straight in the eye.
'' Well then, explain away,'' he says as he fondles his now bloodied sword.
Don't look at the sword. Don't show him fear.
'' I couldn't let him kill you. I know you said to trust you, but I can't not when you're life is in danger,'' I tell him.
He doesn't say anything, just arches his dark brow.
'' I needed him far from you-''
'' And what were you planning on doing? Kissing him to death…'' he interrupts.
'' Dagger,'' I say holding up my weapon, '' kissing me was his idea, not mine.''
'' And what was your idea?'' He asks.
'' To run off and get him alone, after that I'd take him out,'' I answer.
''…''
'' Onyx enough! I can't believe you still don't trust me. I was willing to get kissed by him and to kill him for you,'' I say. '' Onyx believe me please, that's all I ask,'' I continue moving my hand to touch his strong face.
'' How was the kiss?'' He asks pulling my hand away from his face, but not releasing it from his grip.
'' Horrible, absolutely horrible,'' I laugh pecking him on the lips. '' You owe me big time, I think my mouth is bruised beyond repair.''
'' That's all on you. If one had waited for the other's plan this wouldn't have happened,'' he tells me before the sound of a hovercraft interrupts him.
We both move as the claw drops to collect Valentinus. I look anywhere but at him, even though I needed him to die I didn't think it would happen so quickly. In seconds the body and hovercraft are gone leaving behind the familiar silence of before.
''What are we going to tell the others?'' I ask.
'' Does it matter?'' He says looking down at me.
'' Nerva won't be happy if we just waltz back and announce we-you killed her partner,'' I say pointing at his sword.
'' For now, we'll say we were attacked and he didn't make it. Tomorrow is a different story,'' he says pulling me to walk besides him.
'' Tomorrow?'' I ask, stopping in mid-step.
'' We're going to add two more to the fallen,'' he says simply.
I stop breathing.
Lake. He's going to kill him.
'' Lake and Nerva, you're going to kill them,'' I say softly.
'' We are going to kill them,'' he all but purrs.
I try not to show any emotion, but for the first time I think he can see through my act. He doesn't believe me anymore nor does he trust me. For now he will play with my emotions until I break, but I won't give him the satisfaction. He knows that killing Lake will somehow hurt me and he's making it his game now.
'' How? How will we get rid of them?'' I ask forcing my emotions into submission.
'' Split up tomorrow. You take Lake and I'll take Nerva. We'll say we are going hunting and then you can use that pretty dagger of yours,'' he says running his hand over my dagger.
I have to kill Lake. I can't kill Lake. I won't kill Lake.
His eyes are smiling. He knows I won't be able to do what he wants. I have to choose my words wisely here.
'' I can't kill him. If I do-''
'' If you don't Anwyn, then you aren't who I thought you were,'' he says, stepping so close to me that he can probably hear my racing heart.
'' Then you don't know me at all. In District 4 we don't kill our counterpart; it's not the honorable thing to do. And I thought 1 was about honor or is that just District 2?'' I say arching a brow.
I don't know if my words will work, but I had to try. I know he isn't about honor, if he was he wouldn't have stabbed someone in the back. The only honor he thinks he knows is the one that comes with being a victor. If he wins he'll have no honor no matter what, because being victor doesn't mean anything besides being a play doll.
'' Alright, if you can't take him out then I will,'' he growls.
'' It's not that I can't Onyx, it's that I won't. I assure you though, Nerva will be dead tomorrow.''
We glare at each other, both waiting for the first move. He wants me to run and shrink from him, but I hold my ground and I feel taller than I actually am. If I show fear, then I'm already dead.
'' Good,'' is all he says and then he walks off.
I silently follow at a good distance, but not at a big one. If I did he would think he had all the control and all I had was fear coursing through my body. No words are spoken, but in my head my thoughts are running wild. I try to figure out a plan, but all I could think of was that I had to warn Lake. I had to kill Nerva, she and I were nothing so her death was just one of the many. Lake on the other hand was home, I wouldn't let him die in the hands of a monster.
We make it into the clearing in no time, much faster than when I had tried to escape from it. As we make our way to the cornucopia a rustling grabs our attention. It comes from deep within the bushes, but looking closely I see it's an animal and not a tribute. Onyx doesn't notice though and soon, he's storming after it. I could tell him, but this is the chance I need to warn Lake so I don't say a word.
I quickly rush to where both Lake and Nerva are sitting, both staring at where Onyx ran off to. Nerva is the first to speak as she spots me, as she spots me and no Valentinus. I don't have to say anything, she understands already. The canon and her missing partner is enough.
'' He's gone,'' she states.
'' Yeah,'' I whisper.
She doesn't say anything else, her expression non-existent. I don't know if she blames me, if she wants to know who did it, but I soon realize she already knows. She might not be lethal, but she's somewhat smart. She already knows if was Onyx's doing and not all mine.
'' Okay,'' she says and then walks off.
I wish I was as strong as her. The blame I feel for his death and of those that have fallen to us is crushing me alive. But she's already seen enough to be strong, her mother's death and her drunken father have made her strong. I wonder if one day I would be strong as her.
Turning from her retreating back I look down at Lake. He suddenly looks so much younger to me, even though in reality he's three years older than I am. Perhaps, I'm seeing him like this because he's closer to death than he knows it.
'' It was Onyx, wasn't it?'' He asks, but I ignore his question.
'' You need to run, you need to leave,'' I say as I kneel next to him, making sure Onyx is nowhere in sight.
'' What?'' He asks confused.
'' He killed him and he wants to get rid of you next,'' I say all in one breath. '' He's planning for us to go hunt tomorrow, to split up and then you and Nerva will be dead. You need to leave.''
'' Come with me,'' he says after a moment of tormenting silence.
'' I can't. It'll be too much of a risk,'' I tell him. I couldn't allow him to die just like Valentinus had.
'' Anne you'll be danger once I'm gone. He'll know you warned me and-''
'' And you'll be safe. That's all that should matter to you Lake,'' I say interrupting him.
'' It should, but it doesn't. I can't run if you're not safe-''
'' Lake you have-''
'' I'm not a coward Anne, I won't run and leave you behind,'' he says throwing me a glare.
I growl and huff, wanting to rip out my hair at his stupidity. I shouldn't mean anything to him, but then again he shouldn't mean anything to me. He wants me safe and the reason I was telling him to run was same as his wanting to stay.
'' Don't be an idiot Lake, he hates you! Please, please go,'' I all but beg.
'' No,'' he says again, '' I love you too much to leave you.''
His words don't surprise me. I think I've known all long how deep his feelings ran. But I don't want to hear them, because I know I can't give him what he wants.
'' Lake-''
'' I've loved you since I was a kid,'' he says throwing me a sad smile. '' I know I shouldn't be telling you this now, but I need you to know.''
I should say something, but I don't what to say. I don't want to hurt the boy that was the closest male friend I had before being with Finnick. I couldn't hurt the boy that always gave me an extra pound of shrimp just because or the boy that always smiled at me as I passed by him.
''Then if you love me you'll go,'' I say once I find my voice.
'' That's not fair. You can't use-''
'' I don't play fair Lake,'' I say looking him finally in the eye.
He gives out a chuckle as if he were enjoying talking about his upcoming death and his feelings towards me, feelings I don't share. I do in a way care for him, but love is something I don't feel.
'' You're too kind Anne, the whole act doesn't really go with the girl I know you really are,'' he says.
'' And who do you think I am?'' I ask challenging him.
'' I don't think, I know. I know you'll do anything for your family, even if it means you get nothing in return. I know you're polite to the girls that pick on you at school. I know you wouldn't even hurt a fly, unless you had to of course. I know you won't tell me you don't love me back, because you're afraid you'll hurt my feelings. You're a beautiful girl Anwyn, you deserve a beautiful life.''
Once more I don't know what to say, but it's the closeness of his face with mine and his lips with my lips that has me holding my breath. I close my eyes and it's only a second, the soft touch of his lips. The kiss doesn't last and he doesn't try again, but he does give me a small peck on my forehead in an almost brotherly manner.
'' Come with me,'' he whispers against my forehead.
'' Go,'' I reply, my eyes still closed.
'' Come with me,'' he says again forcing me eyes to meet his.
'' Leave, you have a chance,'' I say.
'' No I don't. The crown is already yours, even I'm cheering for you to win,'' he laughs softly.
'' You're an idiot. He'll find us and then District 4 won't have a victor,'' I huff.
'' How do you know it won't be the other way around and District 1 will be the one left without the crown?'' He asks in return.
I stay silent and try to figure out a plan. Lake won't leave without me and I don't want him to die, but if I leave with him then we're both dead. A voice inside me says I'm already dead though. Onyx doesn't trust me anymore, and if Lake up and leaves I might as well just slit my own throat.
'' Come with me,'' he says softly, his breath and my breath mixing into one single breath.
For some reason I feel that I have no other option. I feel that I owe it to him somehow. I owe him this favor.
'' Okay,'' I whisper. '' Tomorrow, on the hunt you need to be fast. Distract Onyx with some kind of noise, he'll think it's another tribute and chase after it-''
I tell him the plan and where we should meet. The creek and the caves are the safest of places so we'll head there. If all goes well, we'll be out of reach from Onyx.
'' Or I could just kill him,'' Lake says once I'm through with my plan.
'' No. We can't take the risk of you getting hurt-''
'' I won't get hurt-''
'' You don't know that Lake,'' I whisper yell.
'' But-''
'' You do it my way or do it without me,'' I say giving him my iciest glare.
'' Fine, we'll do it your way,'' he says, holding his hands up in surrender.
'' Onyx is coming,'' I say quickly when I see the angry tribute.
'' Anne, no matter what we're in this together,'' Lake says as I stand up to leave.
'' No matter what,'' I reply.
I quickly turn from him and walk off towards Onyx.
'' Did you find anything?'' I ask stupidly already knowing the answer.
'' Does it look like I found something? Did you hear a canon?'' He asks angrily, pushing me to the side as he walks off.
'' I'll take that as a no,'' I mumble as I rub the shoulder he bumped into.
The day rolls on without anyone saying anything and without a single tribute wandering towards us. Dinner is simple, nothing like last night's rabbit. A stew and some bread fill our stomachs, but our hunger is forgotten when the anthem plays and we see the faces. Valentinus, my kill in a certain way is the only face lighting the sky tonight.
Onyx takes the night watch and we all sleep with our eyes completely open. In reality I don't really sleep though. My heart and head are racing with fear and adrenaline knowing what tomorrow will bring.
That inner part of me I hate is telling me something will go wrong, and I'm an idiot for even thinking it will be that easy to escape. I ignore it like always and try to get some sleep even if it's only a small amount. I wish it was already morning, because if I die I want it to be soon rather than later. I need to know my fate no matter what it is.
Morning is here. Breakfast is just as silent as dinner was. You can feel the tension and the knowledge that something big is going to happen today. Onyx is sharpening his swords as if with that action he is letting us know what he is planning to do. He looks like a cat ready to eat the small mouse, but first he'll use his sharp nails to torture it…to torture us. Lake and Nerva are quiet, both sitting by the now burnt out fire. One of them would be dead in a matter of minutes most likely…if not both and perhaps me too. Lake knows his life is in danger and Nerva is starting to put the pieces together of today's plan. How will I be able to kill her? Will I be able to kill the girl that so kindly taught me to skin a rabbit, and told me her story? What if I let her live…no! She needed to die and that was that. District 4 would have a victor no matter what.
'' Let's go!'' Onyx shouts out startling us all.
'' What's the plan,'' I ask even though I already know.
'' Hunt until we find one of those idiots. Nerva you're with Lake and Anwyn you're with me,'' he tells us.
I'm shocked. I was supposed to pair up with Nerva, what did Onyx have planned? Lake is able to hide his shock, but I'm not. Onyx throws me a smirk as if he knew what I had planned. He's going to kill me is the thought running through my mind. He must have found out somehow. He knows! The act, my act is over. I'm dead, but maybe if I beg a little he'll spare me the misery of a painful death. No, begging would only make it that more horrible and even more exciting for him.
'' Sounds good,'' Nerva finally replies when no one else utters a single word.
I'm surprise to still have the will power to shrug a shoulder in a non-caring manner. Lake stays quiet like always, but he's trying to figure out a way out. There is no way out, not one that will ensure both of our survivals.
'' Let's go then,'' Onyx says, his smirk even brighter than before.
Nodding we grab our packs and weapons, and follow an all too happy Onyx into the woods. All too soon we split up and I'm alone with him, but nothing happens. We just walk in silence as if there wasn't any tension at all. But I'm on guard, my body tense and ready to drive my dagger into him. Hours seem to pass under the burning sun that seemed to get hotter and hotter as we trotted on, but it's easy to ignore when your death could come at any moment.
'' Why so quiet love?'' Onyx asks in a sickeningly sweet voice.
'' You're quiet too,'' I reply back in a weak voice.
'' Just thinking about how much you love me, because you love me a lot don't you?'' He asks.
'' Of course,'' I say after a small moment of debating on what to tell him.
He lets out a chuckle, and it's there where it's clear he knows I'm nothing but a liar.
'' You're so honest Anwyn that's what I love about you,'' he says as we come to a halt in the middle of the woods, before he tells me to walk in front of him.
'' You can drop the sarcasm Onyx, just say what you want to say,'' I tell him as I walk passed him.
'' Well then, how about you drop the '' I'm a stupid bimbo in love act.'' He says throwing me a cruel smile.
'' I don't know what you're talking about Onyx, and truthfully I don't care anymore,'' I try saying through the dry feeling in my throat.
'' I have to admit though, you are an amazing actress. Who would have thought you were the snake in the pack,'' he continues as my breathing starts to come out in small gasps, while I clutch my dagger tightly.
'' Is there a point to this-'' I say, but I don't finish when I notice we've stopped in what seemed to be a dead end.
This is where it ends.
'' A dead end, just like all those silly love promises you made to me. Just like the ones you gave that idiot Valentinus most likely, though sadly those led to his death.''
I close my eyes and take a deep breath, but I can't calm myself. Nothing can calm me right now when I'm faced with him and his sword that gleams in the sun.
'' Don't worry I'm not going to do anything just yet,'' he whispers into my ear, before laying open mouth kisses on my neck. '' Oh look we have company.''
Lake and Nerva. No! Run!
'' Guess you guys didn't catch anything- '' Nerva starts speaking, but stops when she sees how his arm is wrapped tightly around me.
'' Well I'm glad you two final joined us. We have a few things to talk about, don't we love?'' He says, giving me a peck on the cheek.
Nerva holds her bow tightly in hand, her body probably just as tensed as my own. Lake is calculating the odds of getting out of here alive, but there's only one exit and Onyx is blocking it.
'' Why are we all so quiet?'' Onyx asks walking around each of us, as if he were a predator ready to pounce.
'' Why don't you just get the point,'' Lake says in his always honest voice.
I hate how honest he is. I hate that he never shuts up.
Onyx stops walking and turns to give Lake that frightening smirk. Slowly, he walks up to Lake until their noses practically bump into each other.
'' You're right fish boy. Let's get to the point, but first we'll play a game,'' Onyx says pressing his sword into Lake's throat. '' Oh, and don't even think about using that spear of yours Lakey boy. You're not as fast as I am, before you know it my sword will be deep inside of you just like it was in Valentinus.''
'' I knew it! You animal!'' Nerva shrieks and soon loads an arrow into her bow.
'' Now Nerva put that arrow of yours away or point it at our dear and beloved Anwyn,'' he says not at all afraid of her arrows.
Nerva glances at me and she immediately understands I had something to do in Valentinus's death. But her bow and arrow are still aimed at Onyx, and it might be because she sees the guilt in my eyes. She has to know I didn't mean for him to die the way he did. He had to die, but not like that.
'' You think I'm afraid of your little bow? Please, you're as frightening as a rabbit,'' he says, and in a blink of an eye grabs her bow from her and throws it into a tree where it breaks like a useless toy.
Nerva gasps and moves away from him, she's defenseless now. No bow to protect her from him. She's not strong or fast, and she'll be dead just like us.
'' Now let's play the game. I'm going to count to whichever number I want with my sword, and when my sword lands on one of you…well let's just say you're dead,'' Onyx says in a cheery voice.
I want to run, but my legs don't respond. There's nowhere to go. I won't see Finnick or my family. I won't see Mags or Pixie. I won't even see Vivia.
'' You know I really did love you Anwyn, but in the end I get the last laugh. You were a lying snake and you'll die like one,'' he says blowing me a kiss.
Why isn't my mind responding? I need to figure out a plan! But I can't. I don't know what to do.
He start's to count. His blade first points to me and then to Nerva before Lake has a turn. He does that for what could have been minutes when he finally stops.
The sword lands on Lake and Onyx gives him his smirk.
'' Lake run!'' I yell, but it's too late.
Onyx's blade cuts through his neck, as if it were a piece of bread.
It happens in slow motion.
His head falls and it rolls.
It rolls.
His eyes are still open.
His eyes are now blank.
A scream sounds.
It might be mine or Nerva's, but I don't know.
All I see is the blood, the stump where his head was.
I should run. I should run.
So I run and so does Nerva, but he catches her.
A scream, a snap, and the canon sounds.
She's dead, but I run.
I run and I run.
I leave the boy from home there and I run.
He's dead and I think something in me is too.
But right now all I can do is run.
My mind doesn't follow me.
But I run.
I run.
A mermaid can be cruel, but she can also be hurt. A fragile mind can be broken, but she will find the power to go on. She needs to survive so she will.
I'm so sorry for not posting in a month! I was on vacation in Brazil for the World Cup. Unfortunately the Netherlands didn't win, but Germany did and that was still great. Anyway poor Lake, but it was time to let him go. Annie will not go crazy, but she will be damaged! Next chapter alliances will be made and the games will soon be coming to an end. Please review guys and I'll post even faster.