Disclaimer: I do not own The Hunger Games. They belong to Suzanne Collins.
Note: Hello all! So, this time I have a very special announcement! Those who have visited my Deviantart page will already know, but for those who read this story and are not on DA, listen up! I have been thinking and...why should Urchin be the only 'nameless tribute' who gets his time to shine? Why indeed! And so, Hot Water is now the first of a series of stories that shall be called 'The Nameless Chronicles'. There are fifteen tributes who never received focus, depth or even a name. Well, I intend to give every single one of them their own starring role! :D They will all have the same names as in this story, for the District 8 Girl is the exact same Lacey as seen here, just with her as the POV lead and much changing. So, the characters are all the same per story, but a simple what-if assigned to the lead changes everything. Stay tuned for more! With that, here's chapter seven! :)
How long was I asleep? All night? No...as I look around, some fatigue still in my eyes, I can see that it's still very early. The sun has not yet risen over the horizon of the Arena, but I can still see around me just fine. Based on this...perhaps just before six?
I'm still in the tree balanced on the branch. The knot I tied my jacket's sleeves into is worryingly loose, but it's held well enough during the night. As it's a chilly morning, I put the jacket back on, zipping it up. Ok, time to get down.
Wait, wait...wait. Glimmer! And...the other Careers? No, it's just Glimmer. No signs of Marvel or Clove, or even that they had been here. Though if they had been here, I guess the sign left would be my corpse…
"Glimmer...Glimmer," I say just below my normal tone of voice.
Glimmer does not respond. She's lying on her side by the remnants of the fire, using her hands as a pillow. If I strain my ears, I can hear a very faint snoring, if it can even be called that. It looks like she is asleep. I guess staying up and keeping watch wasn't something Glimmer was trained in? Then again, after such a long chase I guess in the end she was just as tired as I was.
"Ok, time to get down," I say, nodding. "Though, if the branches creak she could wake up. And then I'd be back to square one. And a branch broke...so I'd have to make a bit of a jump. Hmmm..."
This presents a big of a problem, or as some say back in District 4, a 'Minnow'. Just a bit of home slang. How do I get down without waking Glimmer? She could easily be a light sleeper, as really, what do I actually know about her? She likes to kill, she tried to sneak in am illegal token, she seems to enjoy flirting...not much, really.
"Can't really get her with a knife. If I try and throw it, I might make myself fall," I mutter, running my hands through my curls. "I don't have anything heavy enough to knock her out with...and I can't just stay here and hope Katniss and Rue show up. It could easily be Marvel who arrives. Hmmm..."
It's tricky, knowing you have to do something, but having no idea what to actually do. No option is coming across as obvious.
What's that buzzing? Sounds familiar…
"...Oh no, not more of them," I whimper, glancing up to a higher part of the tree. Sure enough, a nest of Tracker-Jackers hangs up there.
Right above Glimmer.
"...One of the knives was serrated," I mutter quietly.
I could cut the branch and drop the nest onto Glimmer. If it didn't kill her, it would surely put her out of action for a good few hours, if not a whole day or two. Plenty of time for me to run.
...No, a bad idea. Even if I had the nerve to get near the nest and try to do that, the Tracker-Jackers might sting me first, which would make me fall...or make me scream and wake Glimmer up. Either way, I'm likely to die. And, even if it did work...what's to stop those nasty things coming back up here and getting me? I don't exactly blend into the background of the forest or anything.
No, not doing that. I need to think of something else...question is, what exactly? Maybe something is starring me in the face ,and it's so obvious that it makes me look as thick as the branch I'm sitting on.
Branch…
I grin a small smile, an idea building up inside me.
I carefully take off my backpack and reach into it, taking out the serrated knife that came with the set. Once my backpack is securely on me once again I shuffle forwards on the branch. My stomach feels light and full of butterflies, and my knees are shaking a bit from the distance to the ground, but I try to ignore it as I get to work. Slow and steady, that'll be how I do it. Looking at Glimmer, she seems like she's in a deep sleep. I should have at least half an hour to do this.
Back and forth, back and forth. I focus only on moving the knife and keeping my balance. All else does not matter right now. I have a time limit, and I have utterly no idea how long it is, as I can only truly estimate. Still, after only two minutes I'm about halfway through the branch. No reason to stop now.
"Careful now. Reel it in," I mutter, trying not to show how scared I am.
The branch is almost cut. Ok, now for the hard part. Putting the knife into my pocket slowly, I now grab the mostly cut branch in both hands, and pull. I only have one chance at this, so I can't afford to lose my grip. Who could truly pay for something with their life? Not me. The branch cracks a little from the force. I have to pull hard, but not hard enough that I fall backwards and...break my neck.
It's just a matter of seconds before I have the branch in my hands...and almost fall.
"Crap, that was close," I whisper, taking a few breaths. "Calm, calm..."
It's almost five minutes later when I feel calm enough to scoot back along the branch. It's slow going, with my dominant hand occupied holding the cut branch, but soon enough I'm back by the tree trunk and have the branch in my hands. It feels weight...should be enough.
I glance down and I can see that Glimmer is still sleeping. She looks peaceful. Ok, I need to aim this right, she's more or less right below me currently. I need to be accurate, but also throw with a good bit of force. Ok, it's time.
"Easy, easy..." I mutter, narrowing my eyes and rearing back my right arm while clutching the branch I am sitting on with my left.
I adjust my position a little and try aiming once more. I have to be perfect. I didn't train with spears...not that this branch can really compare to an actual spear...so I'm not as confident as Marvel would be.
Wonder where he and Clove are. Hmmm…
Doesn't matter yet. I have to do this.
Soon enough, I feel I've got my hold, stance and aim right. Gripping the branch I am sitting on hard, I rear back my arm…
...And throw hard.
The branch hits Glimmer in the head. Not anywhere near enough to kill her, but based on the way she has slumped my plan worked! She's knocked out, so now is my chance to quickly get down.
I feel nervous as I make my way down the tree one branch at a time. I really have no idea at all how long Glimmer will be knocked out for. The branch was a good size, but it wasn't like a brick or a club. I may not even have a minute. Still, as I descend and fret, she just lays there totally out of it.
That's when a branch beneath me breaks.
"Aaarrggh!" I scream, hitting the ground. "Owwwww..."
I landed on my backpack, so my fall was slightly cushioned. Even so, it's a lucky thing none of my knives pierced into my back. I try to grit my teeth and ignore the pain, getting to my feet in just ten seconds. I'm about to make a run for it, when as I glance at Glimmer my eyes land on her sword.
That sword makes her more dangerous than normal. She seems to have been holding it while she was sleeping...but with her being knocked out, her grip may have loosened.
I cant even tell myself how risky this is before I kneel beside her and take hold of the sword. Thankfully, in her state now it's like taking a small salmon from the sea with a strong rod. I hold the sword in my hands and look it over.
"Hmm...not bad," I say to myself. "...Can I do it?"
With Glimmer knocked out, it'd be easy to stab her with this sword. I don't know where the vital areas are, but with her unconscious I could easily get her ten times in a row.
My arm trembles...after how I feel about Cato's demise, can I do this?
I can't even decide any further as Glimmer groans. Nuts! She's waking up! Her sword in my hand, I turn and flee in a random direction. I sprint as fast as I can go, but I do try and make sure I am not being too obvious. I weave between trees hoping to make myself as hard for Glimmer to spot running as possible.
Even unarmed, I am certain she knows at least a dozen ways to kill me…
(A bit later…)
I kneel by a pond. I know stagnant water is dangerous, but I'm not here to drink. Thirsty as I am, I'm just splashing it on my face to keep myself awake and alert. It's gonna be another long day in the Arena.
You'd think, just by watching, that it'd be simple. The Careers are all scattered, and I just need to find Katniss and Rue...and with only eight people left besides myself, I have less chance of coming across trouble. If I was safe at home, watching this on TV...I'd feel the exact same. But being in the Arena, you know how hard it is. Not just the fear most tributes feel, but the fatigue, the hunger, the thirst...and of course, getting lost.
Where exactly am I?
"Well...I'm nowhere near the lake, and I think that's to the North...so, I might be nearer the South of the Arena?" I ponder as I sit on my knees. "So, if I head...maybe that way...I might come across the river."
Water is important for any person, but in here it's precious. Being from District 4, this is the driest pace I've ever been to. I bet for at least some of the others it's wetter than their District, not that'd I'd know for sure, so it could be the one relief they have. For me, my only relief right now s that if Glimmer catches up, at least I've got her sword.
"Should I keep this," I ask myself. "I didn't train with swords, but...it's just like a big knife, really. How different could it be?"
Yeah, how different indeed. In theory, it seems pretty much the same, exact same in fact, just on a larger scale.
"Perhaps I could practise on those trees over there?" I decide, getting up to my feet. "Glimmer is awake now, and she's not come through here...I might have five minutes to kill."
I can't stop myself flinching.
"Ok, note to self, less use of the K word," I mutter, rubbing my arm awkwardly. I clear my throat and try to strike a sponsor winning pose. "Ok viewers, ready for a show? Here's what I can do with a sword!"
I attempt to make a good stab at the tree, but...I have no idea how it happens, it was just so fast, but...seconds later the sword is out of my hand, and has now sunk to the bottom of the pond. Yeah, I won't be getting that back…
I can only stand awkwardly for a few seconds. I can almost hear the Capital citizens laughing their rears off. That was...a Hunger Fail, well and true.
"Um…," I try to say, before I just try and cover myself up as I jog onwards. "Katniss? Rue?"
I whistle the tune Rue taught me and the Mockingjays repeat it. It sounds really serene and nice...but, I don't get a response. Wherever the girls are, it's nowhere near here.
"Maybe I should go back to the Cornucopia, just to check," I say as I jog along. "But first, the river."
It may be strange, but I'm starting to enjoy the forest. If not for the Games, running through here would be quite relaxing. Hmm...winners can sometimes go between Districts, so maybe when I get home, if I get home, I could spend a day or two hiking in District 7? I'm sure Ula would enjoy it.
...I miss my sister. She's so young and innocent...six more years, and it'll be reaping time for her. Frankly, the thought makes me very ill. Very ill indeed…
(Time passes…)
I've been dragging my feet for a while now. My throat feels like...like sandpaper. I'm not in pain, yet, but if I don't get a drink soon then I know I'll be in for a very rough day. It'd be nice to be sponsored a drink, but I suppose Finnick is conserving the funding for something good. It's a well known fact that as the games go on the sponsors get more and more expensive. Like, I don't know this for sure, but...some say that in one Game that lasted thirty days long before I was born, well, somebody was sponsored a single slice of bread on the final day and it cost more than double the average house in District 1. I...really have to wonder how the Capital citizens think to blow away so much money on a piece of bread. I bet it wasn't even white bread either. Let alone the wonderful, salty fish bread we have in District 4. I can almost smell it now.
"...I think I've been here before," I say quietly. As I peer around, this areas just looks...vaguely familiar.
And that's when it hits me. This was where Myself and Katniss, Rue and Lacey got chased by explosions back on...I think it might have been day four? Hard to say, really. But, this means one very important thing.
The river is nearby.
And that means so is water!
My throat is scratchy and my muscles tired and achy, but with water so close I manage to find the strength to run forwards. Not at my full speed, but quick enough to ensure I will not be thirsty for long.
Sea boy that I am, I'm thankful that there is no saltwater in this Arena. That would really be a cruel twist...huh, I guess the more surprising thing is that the Game-Makers did not do that. Guess I was lucky to be reaped for an Arena that has nice, normal water.
...Did I actually just think that I was lucky to be here? Here, in the Hunger Games? This thirst is messing with my head more than I thought.
I jump through the bushes and on the other side, I can only smile as I lay my eyes upon the glorious river. So cool, so chilled…
...So exactly what I need right now!
With childish glee, which I feel is fair given my age, I run to the river and began drinking out of it like a thirsty dog. Ah, the feel of the water flowing down my throat...it's pure bliss right now. Exactly what I needed.
"Feels like home," I say. Though, as my mouth is still in the water it just comes out very bubbly and nothing like actual words.
It's a few minutes before I feel I have had my fill and, after washing my curly hair, hands and face a bit, I take out the bottles I have, filling each on right to the top with water. Ah, shaking them once they are full...it may be very silly, but...it feels so right.
"Might I trouble you for a sip, son?" says a voice from right behind me.
I yelp in alarm, falling into the water. I have my knife out in an instant, but by that point Rammy has already pressed his foot hard onto my chest, pinning me. I try to slash at him, but he simply knocks the knife from my hand with a hit from the flat of his axe.
"Aaaahhh..." I whimper, flinching. He may not have used the blade, but that still really hurt!
Rammy is silent for a moment, just looking at me. This is it, I'm about to die...I hope he makes it quick. What would be quicker, an axe to the head or heart? I can barely feel anything but the awful frail feeling in my chest.
"...I have to admit, I'm impressed you made it this far, son," Rammy says. Is he trying to stall, or is he the kind to make people 'go out smiling'? If it's the latter I appreciate the thought, but I'm not in the mood for smiling… "Not many twelve year olds last this long."
"Well, um, I'm n-n-not most twelve y-y-year olds," I say, stuttering and trembling.
"Oh really? Why's that?" Rammy asks. He seems lightly curious...if I keep him talking, maybe there is a minuscule chance that Katniss and Rue might show up and save me?
If I a going to die...I'll die without holding anything back.
"Most twelve year olds don't become murderers," I say, closing my eyes. "I'm a murderer..."
"For serious? Damn, that's...not what I expected to hear," Rammy admits, seeming rather surprised. "So, who was it you, as we say back in Ten, took to the Stockyard?"
"...Cato," I say quietly. "I...I covered a knife in Nightlock juice...I threw it at him. It...happened so fast, but because of me he's dead."
I let my arms float in the water and I lay back, trying to relax in my final seconds. I don't want to die as a terrified kid...I'll try to face it with my eyes open. Though, as I open my eyes I can see Rammy now looks...very uncertain. I think the pressure of his foot has relaxed a bit as well.
"You killed Cato," Rammy asks, his expression now very serious.
"Yes. If you see Katniss or Rue, they'll tell you the same that I just did," I say, my heart betting so hard it hurts.
"Cato...as in, the brute from District 2?" Rammy continues, hate in his eyes. That's...whoa, that's a lot of hate…
"Y-y-yeah, that's the guy," I say, my breath shaky as Rammy's hold on his axe tightens.
Rammy stares me in the eyes for a few seconds...and then, just like that, he takes his foot off of me and walks a few steps away, kneeling on the bank.
"Thank you..." Rammy mutters.
Did...did I hear that right? Did the guy who was about to kill me just thank me? What?...Am I not the only one who was in serious need of water, or something?
"Um...did you just thank me?" I say, just to make sure I am not going crazy from too much Arena madness.
"Aye son, I did." Rammy says, lightly nodding. "...I hate this place. I hate it so much. I know how to bring a lamb to the slaughter, but this...this is much more. Day one...that was the worst day of the 'Game' and my life."
"Whoa, really," I say, murmuring. "Why…?"
"...It was the day my District partner was killed by that Career bastard," Rammy says. He may have his back to me, but I know he is scowling deeply. "Sable...my District Partner...my closest friend..."
Rammy sounds like he is holding back a choke sound.
"...My girlfriend..." Rammy finishes.
Rammy gets to his feet, gripping his axe tightly in one hand. He looks me in the eyes...
"Just this once. This one time, I'm letting you go free. Next time we meet...if we ever do...sorry son, but next time you'll die like anybody else."
Rammy takes a few slow steps backwards, before he turns and sprints off into the overgrowth of the forest. He's out of sight in moments, the sounds of his footsteps vanishing soon afterwards.
Oh my heart...that was close…
I flop backwards into the water, laying still and taking a few deep breaths.
"...That was nuts," I say after a time.
After hauling myself to my feet and wringing out my cloths a little, I pick up my fallen knife from the water and run onwards in the direction I think leads to the Cornucopia. Hopefully whatever awaits me there is a bit less lethal.
...Ok, maybe a lot more than a bit less...
(Not too much later…)
I'm crouching in the bushes, right by the perimeter of the forest. The Cornucopia is just over there...it looks like nobody is here. There's still some wreckage from the explosion yesterday, but other than that the area is...empty. It feels odd, wrong even, for this place to be so deserted...after the bloodbath at the start and the explosion yesterday, it's really surreal to see the whole clearing empty.
Well, maybe there might still be a mine or two buried in that minefield, but I really do not want to go and check. No way.
"Looks empty...but, I may as well check," I say quietly as I lightly whistle the four note tune.
The mockingjays repeat the tune, but only silence follows. I'll have to look for the girls somewhere else. Though, while I am here...maybe there could be something inside the Cornucopia? Every few years the Careers overlook an item or two, so it might be worth a quick look.
I pause for a few moments, just to take one last look around the area, but seeing no signs of life I nod to myself and jump out from my cover. I sprint up towards the Cornucopia, slowing as I reach my destination. As I walk around the side of it, heading to the mouth, I stop.
I can here a voice from inside the Cornucopia.
Who is that though? That's not a voice I'm very familiar with…
"Urrgh, my ears are still ringing." Moans the voice. "Good thing those three savages went after those other three. N cannons yet though...either those three are tough, of the Careers are losing their touch. Either is fine."
...It's Weldar. Looks like he evaded the Careers just fine before they came for us, and now he's taking shelter in a safe zone. I'm just as surprised as you are that this clearing is now safe.
I can hear him loading an arrow into his bow-gun. How many arrows does he have?
"I've not spoken to anybody in days. Even the Careers hardly spoke to me." Weldar says to himself. "This whole place is dead. Dead as Gadget is...she'd have been fun to have around. At least I could have gotten her to do anything I wanted. I can't wait to go home...I can't stand being away from real technology like this."
I can hear Weldar getting up to his feet and, I think, picking up a bag, perhaps?
"Nine left. I think I can make it eight by sundown," Weldar say as he starts moving.
I catch myself before I yelp, as I run quietly behind the back of the Cornucopia. After a few moments I risk peering out. Sure enough, there goes Weldar, off into the forest with his bow-gun pointing ahead of him. Of course, I'm not jumping the gun. I'm gonna wait until he is totally out of sight before I do anything.
"...I wonder how expensive that bow-gun was? Anywhere near Finnick's trident?" I say to myself. It's a curious thing.
I shrug, heading to the front of the Cornucopia. While it was truly the 'Horn of Plenty' on the first day, now it is all barren and empty. No sign of the bounty it once contained.
Well, almost no sign.
At the very back of the Cornucopia is a blanket, a small bag containing a still wrapped loaf of bread and three arrows. It seems Weldar must have left these here while he went hunting. I'm sure, with how well equipped he is, he won't mind if I take these. Well, I guess he won't as long as he does not know who was the exact one to do it.
"Hmm, bread looks good," I say, feeling how soft the bread is within its pack. That'll be dinner tonight.
I put the bread and blanket into my backpack, and then look at the arrows. I have no way to fire them and I have knives for stabbing anyway, plus...it may just be me, but these do not look like quite the same type of arrows Katniss has, so she might not be able to use them. Hmm…
Only one thing for it then.
I pick up the trio of arrows and snap them in half one by one. If nobody else can use them, at least this way Weldar cannot use them either.
Just as I start to zip up my backpack I hear footsteps behind me. Light steps, but somebody is here. Not Weldar, please no!
I turn around with my knife in hand...but I lower it, chuckling in sweet, sweet relief when I see that it is just Katniss. It takes all my strength to not run up and hug her.
"Good to see you're still alive," says Katniss, smiling as she lowers her bow. "I won't lie...it's kind of a surprise."
"It was a close thing," I say, putting my backpack back on and approaching Katniss. "I had a bit of a dangerous run in with Rammy..."
"You're ok, right?" says Katniss in concern. "Any injuries?"
"No, none." I assure. "He could have easily killed me, but he let me live."
I gulp at the memory of Rammy standing above me, axe in hand, as myself and Katniss head off towards the forest side by side.
"Why did he let you go?" Katniss asks. "Did you trade him some supplies in return for your life?"
"Not quite...he let me go because I killed Cato," I say, feeling uncomfortable at the topic. "Rammy...his District partner was his girlfriend. Cato killed her, and...well...because I killed the one who caused Rammy such pain, he let me go. He did say it was a one time offer though."
"Being reaped with your lover...poor Rammy," says Katniss, faltering in her pace for a moment. "The odds were not in their favour."
"Yeah..." I say, unable to think of anything else I can say in response.
For a few minutes we walk through the forest. It's the exact part where we hid as we blew up the supplies. It looks nice here, the early afternoon sun casting a glow upon the ground and the trees. But more to the point, I remember which way Rue had ran off as Marvel chased her.
"...So, um, I don't suppose you're going to tell me that you found Rue and she's just up ahead waiting for us?" I say, already knowing what the answer is gonna be.
"I'm afraid not. I looked for her, but...it took a while to get away from Clove. I almost got hit in the back a bunch of times. Once she was out of knives I shot her in the hand, and she ran away," Katniss says as she whistles the four note tune. The Mockingjays repeat it, but there's no response from Rue. "Hopefully Marvel didn't get her."
"Well, there was no cannon," I say, putting on probably the most forced smile in the history of Panem. Even President Snow's fake smiles do not compare. "...So, guess we'll be spending the whole day looking for her, huh?"
"Looks that way," Katniss says. "Think anybody else is nearby?"
I shake my head.
"Weldar left the other way, and Rammy headed to where I came from this morning. Lacey is not a fighter or a cruel person, and the Careers are all spread out. I, well...I don't want to jinx it, but I think for the next hour, if that, we should be safe," I say, daring to risk a tiny bit of optimism.
"Good," she replies, nodding. "I think Rue would try to escape in the trees, so...let's head to where the trees are thickest."
"Right. Um, where is that, exactly?" I ask. After all, the Arena is quite big.
"About an hour that way," says Katniss. "C'mon."
(Some time passes)
I think it's been about two hours, and so far we've found nothing, nothing and, a surprise to us both...more nothing. Our legs tired, we're both sitting on a fall tree for a snack of water and bread. The loaf may be getting eaten quicker than I'd have liked, but...the taste of the bread really makes me care less.
"This would be better with the marmalade," I say to myself after I swallow. "Still good though."
"What's marmalade?" asks Katniss.
"Wait, you don't have that in 12?" I ask, surprised. "Well, um...its like jam, but...made with oranges."
"Mmm, jam. Only get that twice a year," says Katniss, looking longing. "You must have it good in 4."
"...It's alright," I say after a pause. "Still, it's nothing to 1, 2 or the Capitol. They have brownies."
"If not for the fact saying it in the Games would make me look crazy...I'd say chocolate is to die for." says Katniss, chuckling. "But, 12 has a nice community...sometimes. A friend of mine gave me my token."
"May I see it?" I ask politely.
"Sure," Katniss nods. "Here."
Katniss unzips her jacket and unpins something, passing it to me. It's a pin-on badge. Gold in colour and shaped like a circle...and with a Mockingjay as the main part of the build. I lightly feel it in my hand...cool and metallic, but like all tokens a bringer of hope and a reminder of home.
"I like it," I say as I pass the badge back to Katniss. "You must have a good friend."
"Greasy Sae is a friend of many," says Katniss, looking fond. "So, what's your token?"
I reach into my pocket and pass my starfish to Katniss. She looks at in in intrigue. Reminds me of how fascinated I felt when I found it years ago.
"What's this?" Katniss asks.
"A starfish. Well, it was once. Now it's all dried up and kind of ancient...I think they used to be delicacies, though I've never taken a nibble," I say, smiling as the thoughts my token bring to me. "This little guy lived before the Dark Days. Can you believe that?"
"Quite the story," Katniss remarks. "You know, Rue has a nice token too. A necklace made of flowers, not sure what type, that looks beautiful. When we find her, maybe she can show it to you."
I nod, swallowing another mouthful of bread. We start to pack up our stuff and get back to our feet.
"So, which way now?" Katniss says to herself.
I'm about to point in a random direction, as really they're all as good as each other, but a shout decides for me.
"URCHIN! KATNISS!" Rue screams. She sounds panicked...and nearby!
Without a word, I sprint off in the direction she screamed from, Katniss right on my heels. That scream sounded full of fear...oh dear, I hope were not too late…
I rarely feel hope, but now it's the only thing I am focused on. That and running faster than I knew I could.
"We're coming!" Katniss yells.
(One minute later…)
"URCHIN! KATNISS! HELP!" Rue yells.
She is much closer now. Right ahead of us, and we're closing in. Just over the small hill ahead of us and we'll be there.
"Hold on!" Katniss yells. Hopefully we're not too late…
We both run over the little hill and sprint down into a clearing. The whole area is thick with trees, and the ground is covered in a layer of small plant life. Out here, I cannot see the dirt floor of the forest.
However, I can see Rue. She's caught in a net trap on the ground, and it looks very tight. She struggles and kicks, but clearly is making no progress.
I say nothing as I run over, kneeling down as I quickly open my backpack and, after a second or two of fumbling around, yank out the serrated knife. I then quickly work on cutting one of the main parts of the net, tied to a tree. Katniss follows my lead, taking out a knife of her own.
"We'll get you out of there. You'll be fine," says Katniss, her tone gentle and soothing.
I nod, giving Rue what I hope is a warm smile. She manages to take a breath and smile right back at me. I...really like that smile. It's lovely. I avert my eyes to the rope, focusing on cutting it. The sooner I cut through it, the sooner Rue will be safe.
Thankfully, it's only a few more seconds of cutting from Katniss and myself before we are able to get the net off of Rue. She then takes me into a hug. My expression must be funny looking.
"Thank you Urchin," says Rue softly, very grateful. "Thank you too Katniss."
"You're welcome," says Katniss, smiling.
For a few moments we're silent like this, kneeling and hugging. I open my eyes...and over Rue's shoulder I see Marvel holding a spear a distance away, grinning as he rears back his arm.
"NO!" I yell, throwing myself to the side, and pulling Rue over with me.
The spear flies past Katniss, missing her by an inch, and then through the space myself and Rue had been just a second prior. The spear hits a tree, digging into it. Marvel curses, looking disappointed for a moment.
Rue and me are back on our feet quickly as Katniss reacts fast, notching an arrow and letting it fire. But a second before she fired it Marvel had jumped to the side. He seems a little nervous, but has a cocky and horrible look on his face. I don't like it!
Punching Katniss aside, he smacks both myself and Rue with the flat side of his second spear. We both let out screams of pain as we fall on our backs.
"Two kills? Nice, double points!" Marvel exclaims, jolly in tone.
"No!" Katniss yells, back on her feet, as she tackles Marvel.
As I lay there, groaning from how shaky everything feels, I can make out Rue beside me, similarly pained. But most of all, Katniss and Marvel are fighting, trading blows and attempts as stabbing with knife or spear. I make an attempt to get to my feet, but in moments I fall back down again.
A scream, mixed with a gasp, fills the air. I look up to see what happened.
...No.
No…
NO!
Marvel smirks, nodding to himself, as he yanks his spear out from Katniss' gut. She falls backwards on the ground, looking pale and faint. She's not dead yet, but...nothing can be done for her…
And we're next…
I try to reach for my knife, but for the second time today I am pinned by a foot. Marvel stands above me, also pinning Rue with the other end of his spear to keep her in place, and smirks a nasty smirk at us.
"Triple kill, huh? I'll take it! That puts me in the lead," says Marvel, chuckling. "Woo! High score of the year! Woo!"
Marvel briefly holds his spear up and pumps it up and down a little before putting in back in place to keep Rue pinned. He gives us a shrug, winking.
"Don't feel too bad, it was always gonna be this way. You kids lasted longer than I expected though," says Marvel, before looking around. "You people at home ready for what you tuned in for!?"
Both myself and Rue are struggling, but it does no good. The boy from 1 has us at his mercy...no, not even that. He just has us.
"So, who first?" Marvel asks us. "C'mon, don't be shy. Whoever speaks up first gets a quick and painless death. Either of you interested?"
Rue struggles more, and I quickly do the same. How strong is this guy? I know he's tall and trained, but he's not that muscular. Not compared to most Careers over the years.
"Nobody? Okay, I'll choose for you," Marvel shrugs, holding up his spear and gazing down at us. "Eenie...meanie...miney...oh, hey, what's that?"
Before we can really react, Marvel bends down and stands once more. He's now holding something in his free hand...wait a second…
...That's my tribute token!
Marvel's curious look at my token is broken by my renewed struggling. He smirks.
"Ok, is this your token? It must be mean a lot to you, Ankles," Marvel teases.
He then smirks wider.
"Or maybe...you just want it in one piece to be bought back to your family," he continues.
"Let us go! Katniss needs us!" Rue pleads.
"That token is for my family and District!" I yell.
"Katniss is basically dead 11," Marvel says, snorting. "Oh, and Ankles? This is what I think of your family and your District."
With that, Marvel takes a big bite out of my token. I feel part of me die as he tosses away the damaged token and, after a few seconds of chewing, swallows what he bit off. He grins, twirling his spear and holding it up.
"It's show time!" Marvel declares as he holds his spear right above my heart.
I close my eyes tightly while Rue screams, waiting for the end...but, it doesn't come. After a few seconds, I open my eyes to see why Marvel has paused. Does me want to look me in the eye as I die?
Marvel is staring blankly.
Suddenly, he begins choking and wheezing. He drops his spear, which lands beside me, and continues gasping and choking. He holds his throat, soundlessly screaming as he hacks and gags, his mouth foaming horribly. And just a few seconds later the sounds all stop, his face a sickly colour and the foam dripping down his face onto the ground. His eyes stare at me and Rye, but they see nothing.
BANG!
I stagger up to my feet and, with effort, help Rue up. For a few seconds we are silent.
"I didn't know your tribute token was poisonous Urchin," Rue says quietly.
"...I didn't either," I say. I had no idea...maybe it was so old, from so long ago...that even the Capital was unfamiliar with what was inside of it?
...Oh. Will the Capital be angry I unintentionally snuck a dangerous token under their noses?
One look at Marvel's corpse though, and thinking of how close he was to killing us...I can't say I regret the fact my token was poisonous. So lucky, so damn lucky…
I'm taken out of my thoughts when I hear weeping. Rye is kneeling next to Katniss, tears in her eyes. One look at Katniss' bloody wound...I feel like crying too. I fight back a small sob, and kneel beside Katniss, on the opposite side of Rue.
"Finnick! We need supplies, now!" I yell to the sky, pleading.
"Seeder! Please!" Wails Rue desperately.
Katniss weakly takes hold of Rue's hand, and then my own. She slowly shakes her head.
"It's ok...I'm done..." Katniss says, her breathing light and soft. "I...had a good run..."
"Katniss..." Rue says, sniffling.
"We did well together...now it's up to you both...I just want you to promise...that one of you will get out of here," says Katniss, her face pained even as she looks at us both with gentleness.
"We will," I say. I'm not sure how much I believe it, but if I cannot survive I'll do all I can so that Rue will. "I'm sorry...I'm sorry this happened..."
"It's ok...it even makes sense," says Katniss softly. "I...was here to keep Prim safe...I kept you two safe too...now you need to...keep each other safe...okay?"
We both nod, tears in our eyes as we hold Katniss' hands tighter. But suddenly Katniss weakly removes her hands from ours and unzips her jacket. Fumbling, the life leaving her body, she takes off a badge. Her Mockingjay badge. She gently presses it into Rue's hand.
"I want you both to have it...this Mockingjay badge will...protect you...as long as you have it...nothing bad will happen...to you..." Katniss says, sounding weaker by the second. "If you see Prim...and mother…on the Victory Tour...tell them I love them..."
I take Katniss' hand and squeeze it tightly. Rue does the same with the other. We both make an unspoken promise we intend to keep.
As we hold Katniss' hand, staying with her until the end, Rue begins to whistle a tune. Sure enough, the Mockingjays repeat it. It sounds...beautiful. I don't know the exact melody, but I try to mimic what Rue is doing. The Mockingjays sing louder. Katniss manages to smile as she listens to the song.
"Make them burn...little Mockingjays..." says Katniss as, smiling one last time, she takes her final breath and goes still.
For a few seconds Rue and me are both utterly silent. How...how has this happened. What has just happened? Katniss...the Girl on Fire...our ally, our protector...our friend...she's gone.
BANG!
Rue bursts into tears, crying up at the sky. I try my best to hold my own tears back, but soon they are flowing freely. I get up and then kneel beside Rue, gently hugging her. I don't know if it'll do any good, but...we're all each other has in this Arena. Rue hugs me back, and we stay like this for a minute or two.
Rue gets up to her feet. She's still sad, as am I, but she now looks determined.
"Come on Urchin, we have a job to do," says Rue, wiping her tears away.
"You mean...hunting down the other five?" I say anxiously. Is...is Rue talking about what I think she is?
"No. I mean...we can't leave Katniss like this, dead and left to be taken away by a hovercraft. It'd be mean, and sad. She helped us a lot...we should respect her...body," Rue says as she points to a nearby patch of flowers. "Come on, let's be like her stylist...let's make her pretty."
And so we do. The Hovercraft will not come down until we leave, so we have no time limit. Nobody is arriving to attack us...in a way, despite how sad we both feel, and how funny we probably look to the Capital, this is kind of relaxing...a way to show care, and gratitude. I gently tidy Katniss up...straighten her hair out a little, zip up her jacket, close her eyes...she looks like she's just taking a nap.
A long nap…
Rue lays down many flowers upon Katniss, arranging them into a beautiful pattern. It's like a funeral...full of loss, respect and memories never forgotten. Rue whistles the four note tune. I repeat the action. Rue takes hold of my hand. I look at her, and she looks back. She then looks up into the trees and raises her hand in a certain way...that symbol...I think...I think it means unity? I quickly follow her lead. What is this but unity? Districts 4 and 11, working together to remember their fallen friend from District 12.
I can't help but cast a brief look of pity at Marvel's corpse as well. If not for training for the Games for so long, like almost all kids in 1 do, apparently...what kind of person could he have been?
"...What do we do now?" Rue asks me, looking very unsure.
"...We hide," I reply. I run my hands through my curls, trying to be brave. "And...I know a place where we can. You ok with a long walk...like, a very long one?"
"If it ends in safety… lead the way," Rue says, nodding.
I nod and, with the two of us looking back at our fallen friend one last time, we walk away, me picking up my damaged tribute token along the way. Rue holds my hand, her nervousness very clear.
I don't let go for a second.
(Several hours later…)
It was a long walk across the Arena. My legs feel so tired and achy, but we made it...and, without any incidents either. It was a silent journey, with much holding of my hand from Rue, but we're finally here.
I'm back at the area Foxface and I battled against Thresh. The trees are marked with the simple fish carvings, just as I left them, and just over there is the den underneath the large tree. It looks plenty big enough for the two of us to hide in. Not too exposed, but...if we could cover it with some plants then it'd be almost completely hidden from sight.
Rue enters the den, and I carefully follow. We both sit down side by side at the point of the den furthest from the entrance.
"So, what do we do now?" I say after a silence.
"I guess...we hope the others do not find us," Rue says quietly. "We're in danger now."
"And we haven't been for the past week?" I reply. "...It looks bad, but we cannot give up. I mean, would Mr Sockosaurus give up?"
Rue giggles a little.
"He wouldn't," Rue agrees. "...We should put something over the entrance."
In silence we get to work. It doesn't take long until we've got some plants set over the entrance. For now, we're safe. The way Rue set them out, they look like they naturally grow where she placed them, so unless there was somebody else skilled at Agriculture, we should be fine. Rue is the only person from 11 here after all.
...As Thresh is dead.
I glance at Rue. I never did ask her how she felt about Thresh dying. If...if we're gonna be allies in this, I should come clean.
"Rue, I think I owe you an apology," I say nervously.
"Oh? What for?" Rue asks in surprise.
"...I may not have been the one that did it, as truly it was an accident, but...I was involved in the fight that killed Thresh," I confess, wincing. "He just..grabbed me, and started hitting me against a tree...then Cinder came to help me...it was a brawl and, well...he went off a cliff. It happened just out there...I'm sorry."
Rue is quiet, looking down at her feet. She draws her knees up.
"I'll miss Thresh," Rue says softly. "He was a nice guy...back home I knew him well. He sometimes gave me and my siblings sweets, if he ever had any. I'm sad, but...I forgive you. He did attack you first, and I know only one person can win. It's alright Urchin."
Relief washes over me like a wave hitting the beach. I let out a big breath I hadn't realsied I was holding.
"Thank you," I say as I take off my backpack. "...Want some bread?"
"Gladly!" Rue says, clapping a little bit.
I open my backpack and pass out a few slices. After just a few bites though, I look up. I can hear a beeping. Rue hears it too.
"Looks like one of us has a sponsor," Rue says.
We both crawl out into the open. The sun is setting, and from the orange sky a parachute slowly comes down. I don't know why, but the way they float is kind of nice to watch. It comes down to a gentle stop outside of our den. Rue grabs it and quickly stops the beeping, before we both get back in our cover with the gift.
Once we are back in the deepest part of the den, Rue passes it to me.
"It's for you. It has a number four on the parachute," Rue says, smiling.
True to Rue's word, the parachute has a clearly marked 4 on it. It's not a huge gift, but I'm grateful, so grateful, for any help at all.
"Let's see what we've got," I say as I open the gift up.
Instantly a wonderful aroma hits our noses. Inside the gift are two packs of crispy, sweet waffles and two small bottles of cherry juice. A piece of paper is also included, certainly a message. I give Rue a smile, passing her half of the waffles and one of the bottles of cherry juice. She looks like her birthday has come early and squees. How it is even possible to sound that cute? I have no idea. None…
As I munch on a crispy waffle and sip the cherry juice, little by little, I pick up the small piece of paper.
-Gathering money is becoming hard, and the prices are going up. I'll do what I can for you, and right now what I can do is give you this nice meal. Hope you both enjoy it.
Haymitch sends you, and Rue, his thanks for what you both did for Katniss. Not everybody was happy, but trust me on this. Stick with Rue.
I think I've been the youngest victor for long enough. I think you'll be a worthy successor to that title. Good luck.
- Finnick
I pocket the message. This has given me a lot to think about…
So, some people were not happy with what we did? Okay, but...what does that have to do with me needing to stick close to Rue? Would somebody try to sponsor me a time bomb? Um...is that even allowed?
I push it from my mind for now. Maybe it'll make more sense when I feel less tired? I take the blanket I got from the Cornucopia out of my backpack...it seems big enough for us both...but before I can suggest we settle down the Anthem begins.
"This'll be a hard one," Rue mumbles.
I can only weakly nod in agreement as we poke our heads through the plant-life cover and look up at the sky. It seems that while we were eating night has fallen. The Capital Seal is up there, and remains in the sky for just a second before The Fallen start to show.
First up is Marvel, his face looking slightly smug. I wonder how Glimmer might feel seeing his face in the sky...I never knew if they were close or not. Whether they were close or distant, Marvel's face disappears and I bet the audience have mostly forgotten him already.
I swallow bile in my throat as Katniss' picture appears in the sky. Her face looks so...emotionless up there. Not like the big sister figure I knew. I glance at Rue...a single tear falls from her eye. I sigh sadly as I look up at Katniss picture for one more precious second. And then, in a blink of an eye, her picture is gone.
The Anthem finishes and once again all is silent. Rue heads back into the den and, a few seconds later, I do the same.
We settle down side by side under the blanket, trying to keep the nightly chills away. We're both tired, but with Katniss on our minds…sleep may not come for a while yet.
"...We're gonna have to fight the others eventually. Some of them at least," Rue say quietly.
"Yeah..." I reply, closing my eyes. "Katniss got us this far. Now...now we have to get ourselves to the very end."
"I'll do my best for us both," Rue promises.
"I'll try to as well," I reply, nodding. "...But what then...what if we're the last two?"
Both of us are very silent.
"...I don't think I could ever lay a finger on you," I admit. How can I kill this girl who has...become my best friend?
"...You know what? I just cannot see how I could hurt you either," Rue says, looking at me with a small smile. "There's just...no way."
We sit together in silence. I can't read minds, of course, but I know Rue has the same thoughts as me. We do not want to be without the support of each other, but if we made the top two...we'd not be able to fight, and that'd make the Game-Makers...very angry. Very angry indeed…
"By the way..." Rue says after a silence. "...Thank you. If you'd not pulled me over earlier, I'd be dead right now with a spear through me."
Before I can assure Rue it's not a problem...she leans over and gives me a little kiss on the cheek. My chest feels very warm right now. Like a sunburn from being on the beach too long, but...no pain, just a very nice feeling. I try to say thank you, but I can't get the words out right.
Rue just nods, as if to say she understands what I mean She lays down on her side of the 'bed area', ready to sleep. I look at her for a moment, and smile. I have no idea what Finnick meant in his letter, but...I wouldn't mind staying close to Rue.
I settle down, smiling a little. As I start to drift off, I think of Katniss. I think...if she saw what just happened, she would have smiled.
I'll never forget her. I'm certain that Rue won't either.
Poor Primrose...
END OF DAY 7...
REMAINING TRIBUTES
Glimmer (District 1 Female)
Clove (District 2 Female)
Weldar (District 3 Male)
Urchin (District 4 Male)
Lacey (District 8 Female)
Rammy (District 10 Male)
Rue (District 11 Female)
THE FALLEN
8th- Katniss (District 12 Female) - Speared in the stomach by Marvel, and bled out.
9th- Marvel (District 1 Male) - Poisoned by Urchin's tribute token.
10th- Cinder / Foxface (District 5 Female) - Impaled by shrapnel propelled via explosions.
11th- Thresh (District 11 Male) - Thrown off a cliff by Foxface and broke neck.
12th- Peeta (District 12 Male) - Leg cut by Cato with a sword, and bled out.
13th- Cato (District 2 Male) - Stabbed with a throwing knife covered in nightlock juice.
14th- Marina (District 4 Female) - Beaten by careers and neck crushed by Glimmer
15th- Jason (District 6 Male) - Tripped and then slashed to death with a scythe by Cato.
16th- Nettle (District 7 Female) - Speared in the heart with a spear by Marvel
17th- Sparky (District 5 Male) - Pinned to a crate and stabbed in the abdomen with a knife by Glimmer.
18th- Sickle (District 9 Female) - Knife to the lung by Clove.
19th- Wood (District 7 Male) - Slashed in the throat with a crescent sword by Thresh
20th- Miller (District 9 Male) - Knife thrown into back by Clove
21st- Tamora (District 6 Female) - Stabbed with a knife by Glimmer
22nd- Gadget (District 3 Female) - Slashed in the forehead with a sickle by Sparky.
23rd- Sable (District 10 Female) - Skull hit with an axe by Cato.
24th- Callico (District 8 Male) - Stabbed with a kukri by Marvel.
TRIBUTE NOTES
Marvel: I'll admit, I think I underused Marvel a bit. I mean, with the fact we are only seeing what Urchin sees and how he is logically not going to hunt the Careers it makes sense we'd see less of Marvel, but I still think that in retrospect I could have used him more. But even though he was mainly a 'number' for the Career Pack, I think his death scene sure left an impact! He is the boy who extinguished the Girl on Fire...and through his own arrogance and pleasure in kicking his victims while they are down, he poisoned himself by a tribute token of all things! Even the Game-Makers are not perfect, and they will not be happy this happened, at all. And so, with a small role but a big plot impact, Marvel has fallen.
Katniss: With somebody else as the lead and many things changing, not even Katniss was safe from death. :( But I loved writing for the Girl on Fire. It just felt so natural, her role within the plot as the big sister figure and leader of the alliance. My logic is that given she is so protective of Prim and Rue … why not Urchin as well? After all, he's just as young as the two girls are, so I feel Katniss would be willing to watch out for him as well. Katniss played her role and went down stopping Marvel from killing Urchin and Rue...so with her fire extinguished, a void has been left that will be felt. What that void entails though...well, you'll all find out sooner or later. :o
