Chapter 28: Final Three

Blaine rubbed more ointment on his eyes. He was sure it would work. If it came from the Capitol, it would be better quality than even his District! He rubbed more and more on his bare eyeballs. He didn't feel any pain. He'd felt too much pain since he was reaped. He couldn't feel any more. Like most of the other Tributes, he guessed.

He closed his eyes tightly. It might work quickly. Or slowly. He didn't know.

Quinn felt like she could win these Games. With one Tribute practically dead already, she'd only have to kill the other one. She didn't actually know who and where he was. She thought of killing Katniss there and then, but an annoying maternal instinct kicked in.

WHY SHOULD I CARE ABOUT HER? She yelled at herself inside.

She raised her knife, feeling like a priestess performing a sacrifice. No, it was more like a rite of passage. She had got rid of the thing inside her body and this was the first act of her new, liberated self. Goodbye, Girl on Fire.

She brought it down on Katniss' throat, but a bloody hand stopped her. So she was strong too. Katniss kicked Quinn's chest, using the momentum to get up. She clawed the hair sticking to her face and got her bow out, notching an arrow on. Quinn recovered quickly, running for a thrust. Katniss shot close by Quinn's head, scaring her and distracting her from her bloodlust. Quinn had to duck, but she instead slid along the floor and wrapped her arms around Katniss' legs, hoping to trip her up. Katniss planted a boot in Quinn's face and sunk an arrow deep in her back. First blood felt good to draw. Now the battle could begin.

Quinn ripped the arrow out of her body, sending it flying back in Katniss' direction. She countered with another shot, missing this time. Quinn's knife came for the kill. Katniss countered again. Quinn thrust. Katniss knocked the knife away with her forearm. No time to get the knife now without losing. She curved her fingers into claws and tried to literally rip Katniss' eyes out.

One final shot. She is in the perfect position.

She loosed an arrow, wanting it to avenge the deaths of everyone close to her and every misfortune that she's sustained. Wanting it to stop the Capitol controlling them. Wanting it to stop her misery of an existence.

It hit its mark. The cannon went.