Chapter 24: When The Screams Were Loudest

Ryder has been a lot more stable, but it doesn't calm my nerves whatsoever.

He's getting a good amount of water down, and even a bit of food that I've crushed up into crumbs. This is good, but he's still so vulnerable if someone else comes. I could never just leave him, and I can barely protect myself. If someone were to pose a threat, we would probably both die. At least for right now, we don't have to worry about that. We haven't seen anyone since Ryder killed Wheta. It still feels so weird that it all happened like that. He killed her without any hesitation, just because he thought she might hurt me. But we don't need to stress over that right now.

The sun is out marking the sixth day of the games. If we weren't in such a terrible place, it would be a beautiful day. Everything seems extra quiet and peaceful this morning. Usually I would just appreciate the moment, but something about this feels kind of eerie. It almost feels like this is the calm before the storm. It doesn't look like any bad weather is coming, but I would bet money that something bad is about to happen. I can only hope that it doesn't involve Ryder and me. There are thirteen of us left, and I hate to say it, but I hope whatever is happening occurs to someone else. Although I don't want violence to happen towards anyone, better them than us.

Regardless of worrying about the other tributes, it's nice to not have to worry about Ryder's life anymore. If he died in my arms that would be traumatic for me, but based on what I've seen he is going to be okay, it just is lonely not being able to talk to him. I've never really felt this alone before, I always had family and friends around to talk to if I was stressed out or upset. Now, it's up to me to get through this. The Hunger Games has without a doubt been the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, but at least I am still here. Almost half of the tributes that started are dead and Ryder and I are still here together which is something to be very grateful for.

A few minutes of silence go by when out of nowhere I begin to hear some high-pitched noises. They aren't the kind that are loud enough to hurt my ears, and they sound to be rather far away. This means it isn't something I have to worry about right now, but it's still scary knowing something is out there. It doesn't sound like a human, and that is the scariest part. In the Hunger Games, there has never been a dangerous animal in the arena, not until now at least. Based on the noises, I'm guessing it's a bunch of squirrels or something, as I wouldn't be able to hear the noises of one squirrel so far away.

The noises continue for some period of time until a cannon sounds. I jump at the noise and my heart drops. Oh my gosh, it's not Ryder isn't it? I thought he was doing so well, but maybe I was wrong. I can't have him leave me, not after all we have been through. I'm not ready to say goodbye right now. Please, somebody just give us a few more weeks, or even days. I've accepted that we can't have forever, but I can't let go right now. It just can't be right now. Tears roll down my face, is this the end? My hands are shaking and my breathing begins to grow unsteady. Please Ryder, not now, not yet.

I knock some sense into myself and finally check his pulse. He's okay! I don't need to worry anymore, at least for right now. The cannon must have been someone else, maybe it had something to do with those animals. There are now twelve of us left, and Ryder is luckily one of them. I was so worried for a moment, but he is just the same as he was before the cannon sounded.

"You're okay" I say quietly as I hug his limp body. No response, but I'm so thankful right now that I don't even need one. I feel bad for whoever just died, but I am still so happy in this moment because Ryder is still with me.

I hear a low voice scream, too low to be any of the women in the arena. There are six people that it could've came from, since I was with Ryder and he's not currently able to scream. It could have been Ajax from Three, Ash from Six, Shaun from Nine, or any of the three career boys - Victor, Homer, or Columbia. I never really payed attention to what any of them sounded like, so I have no clue who it was between them. Minutes of further screaming go by until a cannon sounds. That one must have been a painful death, whatever it was. I think it still had to do with those animals, so I am guessing that they are lethal.

I wish I was able to know somehow what was going on with these squirrel-like animals. At the same time, I'm glad to not know, considering they seem to have some sort of role in two deaths. This is where I feel like coming from the Livestock District I have an advantage. I know I'm not looking for something big based on the high-pitched sounds, so I need to be aware of everything, even what looks relatively harmless. Others that heard the noises might lose focus on the little things, which after this incident I definitely will not. After all, I'm not just protecting myself. I need to protect Ryder too.

Will the day ever come again where he is able to protect himself?

Hey everybody! Sorry for the wait between chapters. In this universe, these are the first official muttations in the Hunger Games! Hope you enjoyed the Chapter!

Yours Truly,

CuriousClove :)