Hey guys! I have been absolutely loving the warm weather we're getting up in the northeast. I actually went to the beach yesterday, crazy! Something even crazier to me is that I turn 18 in just a few days, yay! Everything feels like it's been sped up lately, with my birthday and final project and AP tests, life has been a wee bit stressful lately, haha. Now, enough about me, let's get into some reviews!
Guest- I love what you are doing :) I just wanted to say that I think the story would be better if lily learned about the games a little faster. The suspense is killing me haha. Amazing story though, I get goosebumps every time Lily learns about it! Keep It up :)
Thank you! And I kind of agree with you that the story would be better that way, but it's been harder than i thought it would be to get these chapters out and include everything described in the Hunger Games. Thanks for your review!
Everlarks75-O My gosh I have goosebumps! I was so happy when I found out you updated again. I can't wait till next time!
PS. - I'm dying to find out what Lily's reaction will be to Peeta's interview at the Quarter Quell! PPS.- i love this story!
Thank you! And yea, if I get to that, which hopefully I will, that will be super fun to see. Thanks again!
Counselorofcabinsix- Well, she knows. And now she's definitely gonna watch the tape. This is gonna be interesting… *insert evil cackling*
Ahahaha, this right here is exactly how I feel. Thanks for reviewing!
Now, let's get into the story!
~Jillian
Xoxo
(Lily's POV)
"I think today's the day," I whisper during lunch, receiving confused looks from my friends sitting in front of me, and from my boyfriend sitting next to me. We are clustered together at the end of Devin's table, my voice low as to not catch the attention of Devin's friends. We'd all been a little more quiet today, especially me given the amount of sleep I got. Or rather, lack of sleep.
Finn and Aunt Annie are going to stay for a few more days, both to catch up with my parents and to help answer any questions I come up with. And while I appreciate their offer, it feels strange to have so many people around me that have been hurt by these Games. It's stranger still that I guess I could technically be roped into that category myself.
But for now, I sit in lunch, my sandwich and fruit forgotten in front of me. "I think today's the day we finish the tape!" I clarify to my group, struggling to keep my voice from squealing.
Celia's eyes go wide, "Do you really? Oh that would be great, we can finally be over and done with those awful things."
Adrian nods from his spot next to her, "I really don't know how much more death I can watch before I start getting sick. Thresh's was brutal."
"I really don't know how you guys are doing it," Devin comments, running a slightly shaking hand through his wavy hair, "I mean, I could barely stand the small bit I've seen, and you've been watching these tapes for how long?"
I shrug, "A couple nights a week since the first day of school, it's unfortunately taken precedent over homework some nights. First I dragged these poor kids into all this madness, and now you Devin," I chuckle in amusement, "I wonder who's next."
"You didn't drag us anywhere Lily, and you know that," Adrian says, "It was a choice, we weren't forced."
"I know I know," I admit, not wanting to drag an emotional pep-talk out of him for the millionth time, "Doesn't mean I don't feel bad though."
"Anyway," Celia says, reigning us back in, " So you really think we could finish it tonight?"
I nod, finally talking about the Games with a smile on my face, "There's only four tributes left and things have been winding down. My guess is that they have another day or two left in the arena. If we all commit to going right after school and watching until we finish, I'd bet on us doing it."
Celia and Adrian share an excited high five, and Devin squeezes my hand, a glowing grin on his face. "I'm happy you're happy. You need a break from all of this drama. I honestly think some boredom would do you well," he jokes, making me giggle at his exaggeration.
In a second, the small freezes on my face, replaced with a cringe. One which everyone instantly notices.
"Oh no, what's that face for?" Adrian whines, "That's the face you make when you realize you forgot to do the homework and the teacher's already collecting it."
Though tempted to let out a snort at Adrian's example, I can't bring myself to it. "Guys," I begin, my demeanor shifting to one of timidness, "There is something kind of important that I forgot to mention."
"Noooo Celia, just let us bask in this for a little and then break the bad news like a normal person. No need to ruin it now," Celia begs, letting her head fall onto Adrian's shoulder.
"I'm sorry guys, I was told last night and then this morning it just totally slipped my mind to tell you all." I had been running late this morning, having slept late and then barely having enough time to throw on a sweater and some jeans. And Kaden was no help, yelling at me for taking up the bathroom and running around like a maniac trying to pack his lunch.
"Just...just tell us Lily," Devin encourages.
I let out what sounds like both a sigh and a groan, before slouching my shoulders, "We have to watch another tape…" I mumble.
"What was that?" Adrian asks, all three of them leaning closer to hear me.
"We have to… there's another tape, okay? The 75th Hunger Games, the 3rd Quarter Quell? My parents were reaped for that one too." My voice is almost menacing as I confess this, hating the man who made my family suffer so much: President Snow.
"Are...are you serious Lily?" Celia stuttered, sounding as stunned as I felt when I found out. Adrian looks deeply disturbed by the notion my parents had to go into two death arenas, and Devin looks both relieved and upset.
"When did you find out about the Quarter Quell?" He asks, surprising me.
"Well I knew that it existed, I just had no idea that my parents were tributes." I quirk an eyebrow, "You don't look surprised, did you know about this?"
"Um, well I-" Devin slumps under my gaze, "Yea, yea I knew. But-! He hisses, seeing my mouth open, "I did think you knew about it before now.
Huffing, I decide to let it go. I can't expect Devin to be up to date with everything I learn, especially since our relationship is still so fresh.
"So, we have to watch another tape." Adrian's voice is both hesitant and accepting, but the dread on his face shines as clear as day.
"Another Games," Celia's voice cracks slightly.
I feel anxiety bubbling in the pit of my stomach, I can't do this to my friends. Not when they've been with me this entire time, straining their own mental health in the process, just so I wouldn't be alone. "You don't have to. Watch them, I mean," my voice is shaky with emotion, hating this, "I won't force you into this, not like last time. That was wrong and I'm sorry. I won't make you do something you don't want to do."
"No, it's okay," Celia rubs a tired hand down her face, "I'd rather be there with you than hear about all that awfulness in class."
"That's true, we'd learn about it eventually," Adrian agrees, "And we said we were with you at the beginning and that hasn't changed."
Devin's lips quirk up, "I'm with them."
Pouting my lips out, I can't help but smile, "You guys are the best."
"Anything for you, Doll," Celia coos, rising from her seat with the rest of us as the bell rings.
Quickly, I lean into them, "Straight to the cabin?" At their unanimous agreement, we break our huddle, and head off to our last few classes, the anxiety from before sitting like a stone in my stomach.
A mere few hours later, we meet in the Cabin as planned. Celia and Adrian sit together on cushions in front of the couch, where Devin and I take our spots.
"Oh Celia, did I mention my cousin Finn is in town?" I ask, last night's visit coming to mind. Celia's gasp of excitement is almost completely muffled by Adrian's loud groan.
"That guy? Mr. tall, dark, and handsome? Thinks he's the son of a greek god? Calls me pretty boy?" Adrian drone, listing off his grievances.
I can't hold back my laughter, "You are so dramatic Adrian, Finn is a really good guy! You just can't stand Celia finding another guy attractive." At this, our eyes automatically go to a blushing Celia.
"What?" She shrugs, "He's gorgeous, I'm not apologizing."
"Who's this guy? Your cousin?" Devin asks, pulling me against his chest.
"He's not technically my cousin, but our parents are really close friends so that's just what I call him. He's uh," I quickly look over to my friends, who are currently playfully fighting over Celia's childhood crush, before looking back to Devin. "He's Finnick and Annie Odair's son." Devin draws in a breath, looking shocked, "Do you know who I'm talking about?"
He nods, "I've heard of them, Finnick especially. My dad said he was also in the Quarter Quell, and he fought in the war with him. Good guy."
I smile sadly for a man I never knew, "Well if he was anything like his son, I wouldn't be surprised."
"Hey losers," Celia calls out, catching our attention, "I'm starting it!"
I giggle at her insult, "Alright alright, hit the lights too babe." Getting comfortable in my spot against Devin, I prepare myself to get uncomfortable emotionally. Let's do this.
The tape had been stopped when Katniss and Peeta switched watches, but now I'm guessing it cut forward a bit because Katniss is already shaking Peeta awake. What's the first thing he does to greet her? Well, practically make out with her of course!
"Eugh, really?" I whine quietly, hearing my friends snicker at my annoyance.
"We're wasting hunting time," Katniss notes after a bit, leaning slightly away when Peeta sits up and stretches.
"I wouldn't call it wasting," Peeta adds cheekily, "So do we hunt on empty stomachs to give us an edge?"
"Not us, we stuff ourselves to give us staying power," Katniss gets to work, opening up the tureen holding the stew.
"Count me in," Peeta says, but his eyes widen in real surprise at the serving Katniss sets in front of him. "All this?"
"We'll earn it back today," Katniss assures, leading to the pair of them immediately plowing into their plates, and they aren't exactly classy about it. Katniss abandons her fork half-way through and finishes her plate with a wipe of her finger. "I can feel Effie Trinket shuddering at my manners," she says.
Peeta smiles, "Hey, Effie, watch this!" Throwing his fork over his shoulder, Peeta loudly licks his plate clean, finishing with blowing a kiss out to Effie, "We miss you, Effie!"
I laugh, matching Katniss' own laughter as she covers his mouth with her hand. "You know," Celia begins, "I keep forgetting they're teenagers here. Like my brain can see that they look younger but it's still thinking of them as your parents now. But I mean, it's pretty obvious that they're just kids."
The short moment of levity I had disappears in the truth of her words. They are just kids. It's very strange to really think about.
"I do the same thing Celia, I just can't seem to get it through to my own brain that right now they are just about two years younger than us."
I feel Devin nod from over my shoulder, but he stays quiet. I'd guess he doesn't have the same issue since he's never really been with my parents now, not more than for a few minutes at most.
Katniss and Peeta don't waste time getting their packs together, and before I know it, they
have left the cave, faces serious. Katniss hands Peeta a knife, which he slips into his belt, before counting her arrows. Seven. Her face hardened, she knows she can't afford to lose anymore.
"He'll be hunting us now," Peeta says. "Cato isn't one to wait for his prey to wander by."
If he's wounded-" Katniss defends.
Peeta cut her off, "It won't matter. If he can move, he's coming."
My mind flashes back to the fight between Cato and Thresh. Though Thresh definitely got his licks in where Cato is concerned, there was nothing to really prevent him moving and fighting.
After refilling their water, Katniss suggests they head back to her old hunting ground. "Your call. Just tell me what you need me to do," Peeta says, ever the gentleman.
"Keep an eye out," she advises, "Stay on the rocks as much as possible, no sense in leaving him tracks to follow. And listen for both of us."
"Oh yea, didn't her hearing get all messed up?" Adrian asks, voicing my own thoughts. I had admittedly forgotten about that particular injury. I've never known her to have bad hearing so either it was somehow fixed or she's a really good faker.
As the terrain around them changes from boulders to pebbles to a pine needle-littered floor, Katniss starts to get a little irritated. Even I notice it, that being how loud of a walker Peeta is. Katniss turns to look at him.
"What?" he asks.
"You've got to move more quietly," she tells him, "Forget about Cato, you're chasing off every rabbit in a ten-mile radius."
"Really?" Peeta says, looking slightly embarrassed, "Sorry, I didn't know." After that he is a little bit better, but not by much. Adrian chuckles, and I swear I can feel Devin grinning.
"What's so funny?" I ask, watching as Peeta can barely stay quiet while walking barefoot. I don't know why I asked what they're laughing at, I mean, it's pretty obvious.
The tape jumps forward a while, a few hours possibly, and Katniss is still empty handed. But they've made it to where Katniss had hunted before. "Katniss," Peeta says, "We need to split up. I know I'm chasing away the game."
"Only because your leg's hurt," Katniss offers, but I can see she's only saying that for his sake.
"I know, so, why don't you go on? Show me some plants to gather and that way we'll both be useful." Aw, he's trying. He really is trying his hardest to be helpful. But with his injury, and what I'm guessing is a lack of experience in the woods, he's struggling a bit in this department.
"Not if Cato comes and kills you," she fires back.
"Damn, she doesn't think much of him right now, does she?" Adrian smirks, earning the finger from yours truly. I smile at the sound of Celia telling him to shut up.
Peeta laughs off Katniss' prediction, "Look, I can handle Cato. I fought him before, didn't I?"
"Not a great example Peeta," Celia says, and it's obvious Katniss is thinking the same thing.
"What if you climbed a tree and acted as a lookout while I hunted?" Katniss suggests, putting great effort into sounding as though that is a very important job.
"What if you show me what's edible around here and go get us some meat?" He shoots back, the way he mimics her previous tone causing a stream of giggles to burst from both me and Celia.
Katniss sighs, showing him some roots to dig, then teaching him the whistle she shared with Rue. Then, leaving the pack with him, she heads off. It's almost funny how the further away she gets from him the more animals appear. Every once in a while the two of them exchange whistles, and in no time Katniss has shot two rabbits and a large squirrel.
But this time, when Katniss whistles, there is no response. She doesn't wait, breaking out into a run. She makes it back to where she left him, finding a pile of roots, the pack, and a plastic sheet with a pile of berries, but no Peeta.
"What the hell?" Devin mumbles, as confused with his disappearance as I am.
"Peeta!" Katniss calls out, voice panicked. There's a sound of rustling in the brush near her, and in a second, Katniss has an arrow poised to fly. Her fingers twitch, releasing the arrow just as Peeta-
"Peeta!" I echo Katniss' previous cry, watching in stunned horror as Katniss jerks to bow at the last second, narrowly avoiding Peeta, who jumps back in surprise at nearly being skewered.
"What are you doing?" She yells, the panic in her voice making her sound a but more shrill than usual. "You're supposed to be here, not running around in the woods!"
Peeta is openly confused, "I found some berries down by the stream."
Katniss glares up at him, "I whistled. Why didn't you whistle back?"
"I didn't hear. The water's too loud, I guess." He crosses over to her, placing his hands on her trembling shoulders.
"She was really terrified," Devin notes, and I nod in agreement quietly.
"I thought Cato killed you!" Katniss nearly shouts.
"No, I'm fine," Peeta attempts to comfort her with a hug, but it has no effect. "Katniss?"
She pulls away from him, her face an array of emotions, "If two people agree on a signal, they stay in range. Because if one of them doesn't answer, they're in trouble, all right?"
"All right!" Peeta says, getting the tiniest bit defensive.
"All right. Because that's what happened with Rue, and I watched her die!" Katniss turns away from him, choosing instead to grab a fresh water bottle from the pack. That's when she notices the food. The rolls and apples are untouched, but it looks like the cheese has been picked at.
Katniss, never being one to let the opportunity to scold someone slip past her, I would know, yells over her shoulder, "And you ate without me!"
"What?" Peeta says, "No, I didn't."
"Oh, and I suppose the apples ate the cheese," this time it's the boys laughing at their mocking.
Peeta rolls back his shoulders in the same way I've seen him do a million times in his life, "I don't know what ate the cheese," he says slowly, "but it wasn't me. I've been down by the stream collecting berries. Would you care for some?"
"Ooo he's mad, I've heard that tone a million times, usually after I've been a brat or get into a fight with my mom. Also that one time I said his cheese buns were too dense."
"Ha!" Devin laughs, squeezing me around my waist.
Katniss doesn't respond to his offer, only scooping up a few berries, examining them. For some reason she stares at them, long and hard, eyes widening when-
The cannon fires.
Katniss whirls around, looking strangely surprised to see Peeta still standing. The hovercraft appears only a short distance away from the pair, picking up a girl with fiery red hair.
"It's Finch," I state. I had forgotten about her, about the threat she might have posed. Well, unfortunately for her, she's no longer an issue.
Peeta quickly grabs Katniss by the arm, pushing her towards a tree, "Climb. He'll be here in a second. We stand a better chance of fighting him from above."
Was it Cato? I feel like the tapes would have shown a fight between Cato and Finch, but all we saw was her dead body.
A calmness washes over Katniss, and she stops Peeta, "No, Peeta, she's your kill, not Cato's."
Each and everyone of us makes a sound of confusion, "No way Peeta just killed that girl, he's not like that," Adrian declares.
"What? I haven't seen her since the first day," Peeta states, "How could I have killed her?"
Katniss holds up the berries.
She tells him they're poison. Incredibly deadly and fast working poisonous berries. So deadly that you'd hit the ground before they hit your stomach.
"Holy shit," Adrian curses, "imagine if Peeta was the type of person to snack while he gathered."
I shudder to think about it. How one berry, one tiny black berry, could have changed everything.
Katniss tells Peeta "Foxface" must have gone through their pack while Peeta was at the stream, and must have assumed the berries were safe if they were preparing to eat them themselves.
"I wonder how she found us. My fault I guess, if I'm as loud as you say." Peeta guesses.
"And she's very clever, Peeta," Katniss adds, trying to be nice, "Well, she was. Until you outfoxed her."
"Not on purpose. Doesn't seem fair somehow," Peeta says, and it seems sort of strange he would be fixated on fair play in a death arena, but we all have to keep our heads somehow I guess. "I mean, we would have both been dead, too, if she hadn't eaten the berries first." He reconsiders, "No, of course, we wouldn't. You recognized them, didn't you?"
Katniss nods, "We call them nightlock."
"Even the name sounds deadly," he says, and I have to agree, "I'm sorry Katniss, I really thought they were the ones you'd gathered.
"Don't apologize. It just means we're one step closer to home, right?" Katniss asks.
Peeta makes his way over to the remaining berries, "I'll get rid of the rest." Carefully picking up the sheet, making sure to trap all the deadly berries inside, Peeta goes to toss them in the woods.
"Wait!" Katniss says, stopping him. She grabs a leather pouch from inside the pack, filling it with a few berries. "If they fooled Foxface, maybe that can fool Cato as well. If he's chasing us or something, we can act like we accidentally dropped the pouch and if he eats them-"
"Then hello District Twelve," Peeta finishes.
"That's right." Katniss secures the bag to her belt.
After a small argument over where to spend the night, one resolved with a kiss from Katniss, the pair make the difficult and long hike back to their cave, practically collapsing when they finally make it.
Peeta starts to nod off during their small dinner, and Katniss orders him to the sleeping bag, which he falls asleep in immediately. She pulls up the sleeping bag to his chin and places a kiss on his forehead, a real, caring kiss. I guess the memory of her thinking he was dead is running through her mind once more.
The tape skips forward some more, cutting to Katniss waking up, "Any signs of our friend?"
"No, he's keeping a disturbingly low profile."
The pair of them make the same statement I made earlier this morning, today feels like the day.
"I wonder what;s going on with Cato? Did Thresh actually injure him badly enough that he can't search for Peeta and Katniss?" Devin asks.
"I did expect him to be more aggressive," Celia admits.
The pair of tributes exit the cave, an air of finality around them. Hopefully they won't have to spend another night in this horrible arena. Katniss makes a beeline for the stream, wiping her now greasy hands against her clothes. But when they get there…
"Uh, where'd the water go?" Adrian asks dumbly.
The stream is empty of all it's water, the soil looking dry. "Not even a little damp," Katniss says, feeling the bottom, "They must have drained it while we slept."
"Why would they drain the stream? Are they trying to kill them through dehydration?" Devin asks.
I shrug slightly, as best as I can in my current position, "I'm not sure. They obviously need water. Maybe the gamemakers want them to find it in another spot."
"The lake," Peeta answers, "That's where they want us to go."
"Maybe the ponds will still have some?" Katniss asks hopefully, trying to avoid the inevitable conflict. They do end up checking the ponds, but it's a waste of a trip.
"You're right," Katniss admits as they stare down at the bone-dry hole, "They're driving us to the lake. Do you want to go straight away or wait until the water's tapped out?"
"Let;s go now, while we've had food and rest. Let's just end this thing." Adrian and Celia let out small woops, while I chose to snuggle deeper into Devin's arms, feeling much safer in them than if I was sitting here alone on the couch.
Peeta walks up behind Katniss, wrapping his arms around her, "Two against one. Should be a piece of cake."
"Next time we eat, it will be in the Capitol," she answers.
"You bet it will."
The trek back to the lake and the cornucopia takes them back through spots they've had to fight throughout the Games, specifically the tracker jacker incident.
Katniss' eyes linger on both the tree and the ground, her eyes haunted.
"I bet she's thinking of Rue again," Celia comments.
"Or maybe Glimmer," I note, "that was a pretty gruesome way to go."
After hours of walking, they make it to the Cornucopia, first circling it to make sure no waits inside, then crossing over to the lake to fill their water bottles.
Katniss frowns at the sunset, "We don;t want to fight him after dark. There's only one pair of glasses.
"Maybe that's what he's waiting for. What do you want to do? Go back to the cave?" Peeta suggests, carefully dropping iodine into the water.
"Either that or find a tree. But let's give him another half-hour or so. Then we'll take cover."
The two of them sit by the lake, not bothering to hide anymore. Katniss watches a flock of mockingjays flitting about, bouncing notes and melodies off eachother, before opening her mouth to sing Rue's four-note run. The birds stop and listen, until slowly but surely they all begin to sing. The air fills with beautiful songs, all coming back to Katniss.
"They still do that you know," I mention, "the birds. Sometimes when my family is out by the lake or the woods she'll sing to the mockingjays, and it's like the whole world is singing."
"Sounds magical," Celia sighs, and I nod in agreement.
Peeta looks at Katniss in slight wonder, "Just like your father."
Katniss' fingers brush the metal of her pin, "That's Rue's song. I think they remember it."
The birds go on, filling the air with their wondrous voices, unti something starts to disturb the song. Notes get cut off or added, the run cuts off in jagged places. Then, horrifyingly, all the bird's voices start to rise in a terrifying cry of alarm.
Peeta and Katniss are on their feet in a second, weapons in hand, when Cato breaks through the treeline. He's running straight towards them, yet he holds no weapon. In fact, when Katniss shoots an arrow straight to his chest, it bounces off him like nothing. He must be wearing the armor he got during the feast.
"He's got some kind of body armor!" Katniss shouts. They brace themselves for a fight, but instead watch in confusion as Cato runs right between them.
"He barely looked at them. Is he running from something?" Adrian asks.
Katniss' eyes scan the treeline, watching as some sort of creature leaps out, followed by what looks like nearly a dozen.
"What the hell are those?" I hiss, watching stiffly as Katniss sprints ahead of Peeta as they run away from the large creatures.
"They look like wolves," Celia suggests, "extremely fast and big and strong wolves."
Katniss makes it to the Cornucopia just after Cato, having the slight advantage of being a naturally fast runner and two completely working legs.
"Uh forgetting someone Katniss?" I say, annoyed at her abandoning Peeta.
As if she heard me, as soon as Katniss' hands touch the surface of the Cornucopia, she turns back to find Peeta about 15 yards behind her. This can't be good for his healing leg.
She turns in time to shoot down a creature that had been gaining on him, but a few more quickly take its place.
"Go, Katniss, Go!" Peeta yells, waving at her to climb the horn. She scales it quickly, but the gold metal looks blistering to the touch, having spent the whole day in the hot sun. When she reaches the top, she finds Cato laying on his back, gasping for air. Now's her chance.
"Do it!" We all yell. She strings an arrow, but a cry from Peeta has her turning away. He's reached the tail of the Cornucopia, and Katniss keeps the creatures and their terrifying nails off of him long enough for Peeta to make it to the top.
And so the three of them, Katniss, Peeta, and Cato, stand at the top of the Cornucopia, staring down at the snarling creatures. In a way that looks almost eerily human, a few of them stand up on their hind legs. I take a moment to actually look at the creatures for a second, taking note of how each of them differ in appearance.
Not only are they different sizes, ranging from small and lean to large and burly, but each having their own coat texture and color. They yip at each other, making room for a creature with a sleek blond coat., who takes a running start in order to leap a mear ten feet below the tributes.
"Am I the only one super creeped out by these things?" I ask, hating the way they almost look human.
I hear murmurs of agreement around me, but none of us can take our eyes off the screen. The creature's green eyes lock with Katniss' gray ones, and she reels back, a small shriek escaping her lips. Hands shaking slightly, Katniss shoots the creature in the throat, killing it.
And while I am a bit creeped out by the things, Katniss has a look of complete horror on her face, gaining Peeta's attention. He catches her arm, "Katniss?"
"It's her!" She spits.
"Who?" Peeta asks, looking confused.
"Who? Celia asks, "Who is she talking about?" But none of us have the answer, only the lingering feeling that something is definitely wrong.
Katniss looks overwhelmed, eyes raking over each and every one of the creatures, until landing on a small dark one with dark glossy fur and large brown eyes. Something catches my own eye, a woven collar of some sort around its neck that reads 11.
I gasp, covering my mouth.
Peeta shakes Katniss by the shoulders, bring her out of her terrified trance, "What is it, Katniss?"
"It's them. It's all of them. The others. Rue and Foxface and… all of the other tributes," katniss chokes out.
The rest of my friends cry out in disgust, and I think I actually hear Adrian gag.
Peeta lets out a gasp of recognition, "What did they do to them? You don't think… could those be their real eyes?"
Any answer Katniss might have had is lost as the creatures start their assault of the Cornucopia, launching themselves up the sides. A pair of teeth narrowly misses Katniss' hand, but Peeta isn't so lucky.
I let out a scream, feeling my eyes well up at the sight of a creature clamping down on Peeta's bad leg and pulling him hard. Katniss barely keeps the two of them off the ground, thankfully having been gripping onto his arm.
The creature is dangling from Peeta's mangled leg, and there's only more of them coming.
"Oh my god," I whisper, "That has to be how he lost his leg."
"Kill it, Peeta, kill it!" Katniss cries, her grip straining. Peeta quickly stabs it in the throat, making it fall off him and back to the ground. My eyes flit down for a moment as Katniss hauls them back onto the top of the Cornucopia, and I spot the vice grip Celia has on Adrian's arm, but it looks like he barely notices, too captivated.
Cato has almost fully recovered, but Katniss takes a second to move with Peeta up the Cornucopia, trying to get away from any more attacks. But in a moment of distraction, Cato reaches out and grabs a now weakened Peeta, placing him in a headlock.
"Poor Peeta can't catch a break," Adrian mumbles.
Cato and Katniss stand across from each other, Cato backed up nearly to the lip of the Cornucopia with Peeta, and Katniss having one of two remaining arrows strung and pointed at him.
Cato actually laughs, "Shoot me and he goes down with me."
Cato's headlock is choking Peeta, keeping him from breathing. I see Katniss' mind moving a mile a minute, trying to come up with an answer, a way to win this.
Peeta's lips are turning blue, he's dying and Katniss has no plan. I calm myself, reminding myself that they survive and they'll be okay, which is honestly a little hard when one of them is gasping for air.
At the last second, Peeta raises a blood soaked finger, and draws an X on Catos hand. Katniss understands one moment before Cato does, sending an arrow flying into the back of his hand, causing him to let go of Peeta in reflex. Peeta slams back against him, but loses his balance.
The whole room collectively takes in a breath, when Katniss dives forward and catches a hold of Peeta's shirt while Cato goes tumbling to the ground.
The creatures don't waste a second, instantly crowding around Cato and attacking. It's awful. The sound of the creatures growling and snarling and they tear away at Cato, his own painful cries. As bad of a person as Cato was, this is a long and drawn out death. Cato is overwhelmed, unable to escape.
We watch as the sky goes dark, the anthem plays, and still there is no canon. Cato is still alive.
"How is he not dead yet?" Devin asks incredulously.
"It's that body armor," I remind him, "looks like it's become more a curse than a blessing."
In the arena, hours pass, and Katniss makes a tourniquet out of her shirt to stop the flow of blood escaping Peetas calf.
"Don't go to sleep," she tells him, obviously worried he may not wake up.
"Are you cold?" He asks her, opening his jacket in invitation. The pair of them sit huddled together for what must be hours, their breath coming out i white puffs and accompanied with the sound of Cato being torn apart.
Cato's moaning turns to begging, which then turns to whimpering.
"This is awful…" Celia whispers, hiding her face in Adrian's chest.
"Why don't they just kill him?" Katniss asks.
"You know why," Peeta answers, pulling her closer to him.
It goes on and on, forever. The sun rises before Cato dies, illuminating how pale Peeta has become from his blood loss.
"I think he's closer now. Katniss, can you shoot him?" Peeta asks.
"My last arrows in your tourniquet," she reminds him, staring at the blood soaked fabric.
"Make it count," Peeta says, unzipping his jacket and releasing her. She frees the arrow, rubbing her frozen hands together before leaning over the edge.
The camera zooms in on the absolutely decimated face of Cato.
"Oh god," I whimper, letting out a shaky breath. She releases the arrow, sending it into his skull. He must be dead now
Peeta pulls Katniss back, "Did you get him?" The canon finally goes off, answering him. "Then we won Katniss."
"Hurray for us."
Xoxo
I know I know, pleeeeease don't hate me but i felt like this was a good place to stop. I hope you guys liked this chapter, we will definitely see the end of the 74th Hunger Games in the next update! Until then, review and follow to keep up with chapter updates! The next chapter should be up by May 29th!