I do not own the Hunger Games.
Chapter 9: The Victor
We both jumped. I realized we weren't really paying much attention to our surroundings. Anyone could have just snuck up on us at any time.
Boom! Another one.
"The Careers must have found another alliance." I said.
"Yeah." He agreed.
Boom!
Boom!
"Do you know where they are?" Warnende asked.
"No. They're not near us. A few miles away, maybe?" I said.
"Maybe." He said. It was hard to believe we were just kissing a few minutes ago.
Boom!
"They're killing each other off." He said.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
It was silent for at least ten minutes.
"I… I think that was it." I told him.
"We'll see who died tonight." He said. "Probably in another hour or so…"
"Warnende, does your arms still hurt?" I asked.
"No." He said.
I paused before I said, "yeah it does. I may be blind but I'm not stupid."
"Okay, you got me. It hurts a bit."
"Yeah, Vince, now's a great time for that parachute of yours." I said to no one. It was silent for a few seconds until Warnende said, "Cecilia- he actually sent it." He sounded really surprised.
"That's good! Thanks, Vince!" I said. I was actually surprised, too. Thought he was lying when he said he was going to help us. His thoughts sure said so. Maybe he had a change in heart.
Then again, I was underestimating the power of Mandy.
Warnende put the medicine on and then said we should eat the remainder of our food. Which wasn't much. Just the fruit. We haven't really eaten much throughout the games. I could feel the hunger eating away at my stomach. Or something like that. He split the fruit into two piles and gave me a handful. After that, he gave me a canteen. I drank some. It was warm, but at least it tasted like water. I drank the whole thing, fully realizing how thirsty I was. It was silent. Like always. Why was it quiet all the time? It got kind of boring sometimes. Though I wouldn't quite label the Hunger Games as 'fun'. I tried not to go deep into thought, in fear that I'd end up crying again. I can't keep shoving my problems on other people. I always did that to Maylee. I'm glad she was a good listener, though. Never thought of me as annoying once.
"Here it is." Warnende said after a while. "Both tributes from District 2 died. The girl from District 3, the boy from District 4, both from District 5, and the boy from District 6. That means… there is only one Career left. The boy from District 9 is also still alive."
"Hello to the last four contestants!" a voice boomed from all over. "Now, I see that every one of you needs something. Whether that be food or medicine. You will each find a backpack at the cornucopia with your district's number on them. I advise you all to be there. One hour."
"Should we go?" I asked.
"Of course!" he said bravely. "We are all out of food. Besides, this could be the only chance we get to meet the other tributes. Any other time we might really be starving. These games could last for more than a week. I honestly don't think we have that long."
"It does sound like the smart thing to do…" I said. The faster these games end, the better. Though, I'm really going to miss talking to Warnende. I've grown to really like him. Really like him. I don't know… it's a weird feeling. I've never been in love before. Boys never talked to me. Thought I was weird or something. Girls never talked to me, either. I was very lucky to have a friend like Maylee. I remember when we first met… I was eleven. I bumped into her. She was a new student at our school and was nicer than everyone else. When I'm walking, I tend to space out. So I can't tell where people are by there thoughts, because I tune them out. I bump into a lot of people. They never help me up, most end up saying "watch where you're going!" very rudely. But when I bumped into her, she helped me pick up my books and helped me up. She said sorry to me. We were pretty much unseparatable since then. I wonder what she's doing now. Probably scolding me because I haven't killed anyone yet, like I promised. I probably won't kill anyone. At least I'm trying my best to win. Trying hard not to be a pessimist.
"I'm surprised that much food lasted so long." I said, snapping out of my thoughts.
"Yeah, me, too." He said. "If we could find the lake, we could refill these canteens. But with the feast being so close, I don't think that's the best idea."
"Maybe we should head there?" I asked.
"Great idea." He said. He took my hand and we started walking in a direction. Yes, we were probably heading to our doom, but I was glad I was with him. He made me feel calm. Peaceful. It really was. I couldn't help but not worry. He had the effect on me.
It was at least a twenty minute walk. I really did come to love spending time with him. Just think, a few days ago I was thinking about his death… it felt so long ago that I was reaped. And it was so hazy. It feels like it was just a dream. But I knew it wasn't. Dreams don't go on for this long. They aren't this vivid. I mean, my feet are still sore from running into the spring.
"We're here." He whispered. This was the climax of the games. Who would get out alive? Which three will die?
"The other two are here." I whispered to him. We were most likely still concealed in the trees. If we weren't we'd most likely be dead right now.
"Here, take this dagger. If you hear anyone run at you, just slash out with it, okay?" he asked.
"Yes." I said, though I didn't really enjoy this plan too much. Oh well.
A few minutes later, there was a shaking in the ground.
"Now!" he said, running towards the cornucopia. I ran after him. The other two were running, too. Warnende slashed the dagger at the District 9 boy while the career just ran for his backpack. The District 9 boy's thoughts disappeared.
Boom!
He was dead. The career must have just seen me standing there, because he ran at me. I froze up. He swung out at me, but it never hit me. Instead, I heard someone collapse in front of me.
Boom!
It took a second for me to fully understand what happened. Warnende. He jumped in front of me.
"Warnende!" I yelled. I bend down and found his hand.
"I'm not done with you!" the Career said. He slashed his dagger again.
"No!" I yelled and slashed upward with my dagger. I felt the dagger pierce his skin, making a line across his body. He fell down. But not before his dagger sliced my shoulder.
Boom!
I wasn't dead. I was still very alive -and bleeding- holding Warnende's cold hand. He's dead. I won. I don't even care anymore. I let tears run down my face.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to present the victor of the 42nd Hunger Games- Cecilia Emerson from District 7!" the voice boomed from all around.
I wasn't going to leave Warnende. Why did he do it? He wanted to get me home that badly. He was willing to have himself killed so I could see my family again. Why couldn't we have just died together?
"Warnende!" I sobbed. I didn't want to leave. My shoulder was throbbing. I felt lightheaded.
I fainted.
Okay, guys! The next chapter is the last one! Can't wait to type it up!
Maybe tomorrow…