Chapter 13: Rye Everdeen Mellark
I don't have time to stop Ara before she thrashes out. I shouldn't really anyway. She should be allowed to do just this.
"You son of a bitch!" She spits out at him, scratching his face. Blood runs in 4 neat lines down his cheek, collecting at the opening of his mouth.
"You killed my brother you worthless piece of shit!", Decimus does nothing though, he just stands there taking the blow.
"You killed him!" She cries.
He gives a twisted smile, laughing in Ara's face as she throws him a punch, bringing a satisfying cracking sound to my ears.
"Your brother didn't follow his orders, sweetheart! I had to do the necessary thing, and you wouldn't believe how much he begged and pleaded! It was adorable."
She screams at him, slapping him firmly around the face leaving a red mark. "I hate you!" She yells, and keeps repeating it until it doesn't sound normal anymore.
I notice for a moment that the other side of his face has scarred over from scratches too.
People must really hate him.
Just like I hate him.
At that moment all I can think of is Willow. I can't help but think he's done the worst to her, if he's taken her.
Once I think Ara's had enough, I pull her back, restraining her arms as tries to harm him just a little more.
I know I'll regret this later, because he deserves all the pain he can take, and more.
Once she calms a little I pull her close to me, scowling at Decimus.
"Where the hell have you taken my sister? What have you done her?" I yell.
He folds his arms, throwing his head back to finish off his laugh.
"Your sister's back home in twelve, Rye." He glares at me, a sadistic smile on his face. He knows exactly what I'm thinking.
"Bull shit!" I yell. "You took her! I know you did! She can't be in twelve! Mom and Dad would have found her by now, they would've phoned and told me!"
He whistles, a familiar tune.
"Katniss and Peeta Mellark! I can see both of them in you. You've got your father's strength, don't you? Oh but you've got your mother's fire, don't you?"
He touches my shoulder, looking into my eyes, but I shrug him off.
He is nothing but dirt to me.
"You're a lot like your sister aren't you? She's a lovely girl. Very beautiful, just like your Mother. Extremely beautiful, in fact." He laughs to himself.
That's when I go crazy.
"If you have touched Willow in ANY way, I will kill you! Nobody touches my sister, you sick son of a bi-"
"Ah ah ah!" He shakes his finger at me, "I've had enough of your bad language, young man."
Then he grins at me.
"Time to teach you a lesson. Boys! Tie them up."
Decimus snaps his fingers, and men in dark suits with shades covering their eyes come in every direction, each of them grabbing hold of one of us, separating me from Ara.
"Rye!" She screams, crying hysterically.
"Ara it's okay!" I say calmly as I try to release myself from the mans restraint. "I promised your brother I'd keep you safe, nobody is going to hurt you. Look at me." I say, as she sniffs, trying to kick back at the man behind her. Once she realises that it's no use, she looks up at me through teary eyes, but before she has a chance to say anything, Chris steps in.
"I have a gun!" He yells, sending an echo throughout the abandoned square. It seems we have all forgotten about the heartbroken boy until now. We all know who won't shoot anyone, and it's even more heartbreaking to watch him crumble.
He holds the gun in both hands, which are nothing shaking uncontrollably and he points it towards Decimus.
"Go ahead then, boy. Shoot!"
Chris clicks the gun into place, readying it, but then lowers it quickly when he comes to the realisation that he is not evil enough to do something like that.
And low laugh comes from Decimus' throat, sending a chill down my spine.
"That's right. Too cowardly. Just like the rest of your family." He goes up to the boy and places an arm around his shoulder as Chris shakes, lowering his head in shame.
"Oh it's okay," Decimus says, soothing him, even though it isn't genuine.
"You know, you can end all of this." He whispers, "you don't have to suffer anymore. You can be with your mother again."
Chris looks up at him with innocent eyes and sniffs, "I can?"
"Oh, yes, yes, yes. My dear boy."
Chris looks down at the gun, and I suddenly realise what Decimus is getting to.
He crouches down so his face is level with Chris'.
"My dear boy, I want you to take this gun, and aim it right here on your head."
Decimus points to his temple and a couple of times and Chris obediently raises the gun to the desired spot, closing his eyes.
"No!" Cliff shouts, who is still being restrained by another man in shades. "Chris, think about it! Your Mom would never want this!"
Suddenly the man holding him brings a flannel to his face and gags him, rendering Cliff speechless.
"You can be with your mother again, Chris. Do it."
"I can be with my mother again. I can be with my mother again." He keeps repeating.
That's when he pulls the trigger.
I lower my head, blocking out the horrific sight, and Ara does the same. Blood spatters at my feet, and I hear Cliff's muffled yelling through the gag.
The echo of the gunshot rings through the square. I know that I will never be able to shake this from my memory.
That's when I hear the laugh again.
"Well..." He says, "now that waste of space is dealt with, we should probably deal with you three!"
I look up as a tear rolls down my cheek, and the last thing I see is Chris lying on the floor, surrounded by blood before darkness surrounds me as the bag goes over my head.
And the last thing I hear is Ara's scream.