A/N: Here's chapter three everyone! Wow, four reviews already? That's great! :) But I know we can do better, come on, it only takes about two minutes of your time. Anyway, this one should have all the events right because I literally read the book and then took jot-notes in my notebook. Also, thank you to the reviewer who reminded me that Katniss didn't have a bow and arrows yet! I completely forgot, so I edited that chapter and fixed it.
I saw the movie too, and let me tell you, I loved it! It was amazing, I wouldn't even mind seeing it a million times. The book was of course better, but the movie really wasn't that bad. I loved the scene in the launch room with Cinna and Katniss. I was a startled when he kissed her on the cheek instead of her forehead, but that made it better.
Question (answer in reviews if you'd like): What's your favourite Hunger Games song? Either from the books or the soundtrack? I love Rue's lullaby, it moves me. :')
Okay, on with the story!
The past two days have been full of anxiety. I would be sitting in the room with Haymitch and the prep teams, hoping Katniss would be alright and make it another day. The day we figured out Peeta had allianced with the careers, we also heard them talking behind his back, saying they should just kill him but he was their best chance at finding "her" who, of course, is Katniss.
Katniss has been getting worse and worse. She can't find any water, and she is becoming more dehydrated by the minute. Yesterday, she looked terribly dazed, dizzy, and the sun seemed to burn her eyes. All signs of dehydration. I feel horrible for her, and I'm praying my Girl on Fire doesn't die because of it. I had an arguement with Haymitch after seeing her like that. He could send her water easily! But of course he wont. I would in a heartbeat, if I was permitted to send anything, that is. I yelled at Haymitch, asking him why he wont just send her some water, and his reply was, "She's smart, she can figure it out for herself. Just watch." So I had no other choice but to do just that. But by the looks of it, she's not having much luck.
So, last night before going to sleep, she tried her last resort. Berries. Though, she wasn't sure if they were toxic or not. Before squirting the juices into her mouth, she squished one and noticed the inside was bloodred. She seemed to realize they were poisonous and decided to drop them and move on.
She then climbed a tree, and hopped around for a few minutes, probably trying to find water. She found nothing for miles. Poor, dear Katniss. She settled in her tree, and they announced the District 8 girl was the only one who died last night.
Now, today is the time I'm dreading. She is probably worse, maybe even dead and...I don't want that to happen to her. She should be here, where she can have water and anything she wants. But no, of course she had to get thrown into the Hunger Games.
I walk downstairs, where I will meet Haymitch, Venia, Octavia, Flavius, and Portia to watch this dreaded day.
"Hello Portia." I greet her as she begins walking alongside me.
"Hi...so, Katniss can't find water huh?" She says.
"Yes, and I'm extremely worried about that. She's getting more dehydrated probably as we speak. How about Peeta?"
"He's still with the careers, though I really don't understand why." She replies with a frown.
We enter the small room and find Haymitch and the prep team already seated. Haymitch is doing his best to stay sober as possible for Katniss and Peeta's sake. I say good morning to everyone, and I sit down with Portia as the anthem plays and Capitol seal appears on the screen.
The camera shows all the tributes that are still alive. The careers are at the camp they set up beside their enormous food supply. They act like being thrown into the Games is a vacation. It's really anything but that. The cameras then show Katniss, the sight of her makes me cringe. Her eyes are hallow, her skin is paling, and every time she walks she seems to slightly stumble. She even fell out of her tree instead of climbing down it. Oh, Katniss, the pain you must be in.
She stumbles, falls a few times, and completely collapses on the ground. Her eyes are barely open, she looks exhausted, and even half-dead. She looks like she could die any minute. I suck in my breath, tears threatening to form in my eyes. I wait for the cannon, thinking she's given up.
"She's not dead...right?" Portia asks, her voice shaky.
"I'm not sure. I-" I begin to reply, but I am cut off by Haymitch.
"No, no! She's not dead. I know she's stronger than that. She can't be dead. Come on sweetheart..." He says, muttering the last part more to himself.
I'm temporarily relieved when I see her fingers making the slightest movemnt, tracing circles in the mud she's lying in. Wait, mud! Mud means water is nearby. Sure enough, she notices this immediately and begins half crawling, half walking. She makes it to a lake. Yes! My Girl on Fire hasn't flickered out after all. She plunges her head in, savouring every gulp and filling up her canteen.
"Oh, good. She found some." I say, relief in my voice.
Everyone gives brief cheers and sighs of relief. Haymitch merely nods.
"I knew she could." He says, a slight smile on his face.
She's settling in a tree, as night in the arena is settling in. The anthem plays and they show that no one has died tonight. Though one almost had. There wasn't much action today, most of the tributes were just in hiding, finding food and water. The Gamemakers wont like that. They will surely put in some brutal obstacle soon. My only hope is that Katniss ma-
My thoughts are cut off as we hear the hissing of fire spreading throughout the arena. Most of the tributes would be asleep at the moment, making it the perfect time for them to strike. I bite my lip as the fire rages. It could easily kill anyone in it's path.
"Of course...should have seen this coming." Haymitch hisses.
They show the careers first. One of them was awake keeping guard, and is waking them all up in a haste. They're grabbing everyhthing they can in their hands, shoving it in their bags and carrying as many bags on their backs as they can. They take off, running into the forest. Knowing them, they'll make it with minimal injuries.
Then they show the little twelve-year-old from District 11, Rue. She's actually quite a clever one, having made it this far in the Games. She's gathered her things in her arms, climbed out of her tree and is running for her life. She's also a speedy one. With her tree climbing skills, she's probably going to be fine too.
Now they show Katniss. The moment I've been dreading to see since the fire started. She's untied herself from the tree, gathered her things more neatly than the others, and has fallen out of her tree. She's now running, breathing heavily. She's running blindly, crashing into branches, which are leaving scratches all over her, and she's sweating and choking from all of the heat and smoke. I feel terrible, maybe even a little responsible for this particular obstacle, I did make her the Girl on Fire. The announcer makes some cruel joke about, "Now she really is the Girl on Fire!" and then they're laughing. I don't find it funny at all.
"That's horrible!" Portia screams.
We all agree, watching intently. Katniss must be the most interesting one right now, as the cameras are still on her. She's come across a burning log, hopping over it. But apparently not high enough, as the tail end of her jakcet catches flame. I hold my breath, as that can easily burn her. She does the right thing though, as she rips off her jacket and stomps out the flames. She then shoves it in her sleeping bag and keeps running, looking tired and ill.
She stops abruptly and convulses, throwing up anything in her stomach. I look away at this. At least she's ridding herself on the toxins from the smoke though. I turn back once I'm sure she's finally finished. She's sitting down, breathing heavily. Run, run! Come on Katniss, please! She stands up, as the flames seem to be dying down. I sigh with relief. She's OK, she's still alive. As I'm thinking this, the hissing of fire returns and fireballs fly out at every angle. Everyone in the room, including me, gasps in horror.
Katniss runs again, faster this time. A fireball gets flung at her, then another, and another. She's dodging them every them every time, flinging herself to the ground and rolling to avoid them. As she comes to a stop, she notices at least a few good inches of her beautiful braid has been burned off. She runs her trembling hand over it and closes her eyes for a brief moment. Bad idea. A fireball flies out of it's spot right towards her, hitting her square on her calf. She screams, and I cover my ears. It was a blood-curling scream, full of pain and despair. She's batting at her leg, which stiffles the worst of the flames. Then she cuts the fabric away and runs desperately to find some water.
"Oh, dear...sh-she could die from that. It's one of the worse burns I've seen, it looks like half of her calf is charred off!" Octavia yells, tears flowing down her face.
I look around. Haymitch has a sad look on his face, probably finally feeling sympathy for her.
Falvius and Venia also have tears flowing from their eyes.
Tears are forming in my eyes, but I will not cry. I can't cry. I need to be strong for my Girl on Fire.
The cameras go off Katniss and focus on Rue briefly. She's made it to a tree with only a minor burn on her right arm. Well, at least she's OK. They then show the careers, they have made it deep into the forest. Only one of them has a burn on their cheek, and it's so minor that it's hardly visible. Of course, they're always the ones that get hurt the least. The cameras show almost everyone, and no one has gotten a burn as severe as Katniss's. A boy got a fairly bad one on his arm, but it's nothing that can't be treated quickly.
They go back to Katniss. She has found water. Well, at least that's something good for her. She has her leg carefully laid out in it and has her hands in too, I guess they also got burnt. Her eyes are open, but are stiff with pain. Oh, Katniss, if you were here I would've had that taken care of already, and I would have held you in my arms for the pain to go away.
She is standing in the water, rinsing the blood and ash from her face and hands.
"Oh, sweetheart..." Haymitch whispers, gentleness in his tone.
"You know what you should do. Send her some burn medicine, it would help." I reply.
He agrees, and arranges for it to arrive for her as soon as possible.
Portia and the prep team have already left the room, the tears have subsided but they still have some in their eyes. My poor, dear, sweet Katniss. She doesn't deserve to go through this. She shouldn't be subjected to such pain and torture. I feel terrible about it all.
I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and let my mind wander with all of my thoughts.
That's it for chapter three! Please review! It's right there. ;) Like it? Hate it? I would love some feedback!