Authors Note: So guys this is not written by me it is written by my cousin or Kitty-Wolf-Chan if you want to look her up: D

Chapter 20: Protect

We go back to Joe's room. I give him a light peck on the cheek before I flop onto my bed. Boy was tonight exhausting. This whole thing is exhausting. If I don't have Joe, I probably won't be able to pull through. That's exactly why I plan on letting him win. I'll help him get to the end, and then just…go.

A bullet of pain shoots through my heart as I realise the Hunger Games are really close and the reality that I won't be able to live long hits me like a train. My features sadden and a small tear rolls down my face.

Joe catches this and wipes the tear away with his thumb. "Hey, what's wrong?"

"N-nothing," I sniffle, my voice wavering.

"I know you're lying Eve," he says.

I look into his blue eyes and my heart melts. I must be strong, for his sake. No matter how hard this is, we will pull through. Death may be inevitable, but it sure as Hell must be better than living in this world.

"I-it's nothing, really," I assure, giving him a soft smile.

"Okay," he says, still unsure. "But if anything's up, be sure to tell me, kay?"

I nod and he wraps his arms around me, lightly pressing his lips to my hair in an affectionate gesture. We silently savour the moment before the games, the calm before the storm. There are no words to describe how safe I feel, but that will all change soon. Soon, it will be bloodshed, death and tears, the things I despise. To think the Capitol was doing this just to enforce discipline and for entertainment made my stomach churn in disgust. Setting kids against each other in a fight to the death was like a torture, but I guess that's their target anyways.

"We better get to bed," I murmur.

"Yeah," Joe replies.

We solemnly take our turns to get into some comfortable pyjamas and slip under the comfortable covers of the double, king-sized bed. I can't sleep though. Too many thoughts are invading my mind. I toss and turn and not even Joe's gentle snoring can soothe me. Finally, I fall into a slumber. However, it is worse than being awake. My sleep is crowded with terrifying nightmares and I can feel cold sweat running down my body as I try to awaken from my restless sleep.

A mockingjay calls sweetly, its voice echoing through the dense forest. I can't help but relax at its beautiful call. I soon snap out of my trance though and continue running, pushing my legs to take me farther. A burning in my throat reminds me of how long it has been since I have had a drink, but I have to ignore it. They're coming. I must escape.

A rustle in the leaves indicates someone coming and I quickly duck to avoid a spear which narrowly misses my head and digs itself into the tree beside me. I huff and push on, dodging the many weapons that shoot towards me.

Suddenly, I come to the edge of a cliff and all 22 tributes corner me, grinning sadistically with blood red eyes and blood splattered across their bodies.

"Where's Joseph!" I scream, bearing my knife.

"Here," Crousie smirks, tossing over a lifeless body.

It lands at my feet and a look of pure horror etches onto my face as I see Joseph's face, pale and sickly with blood dripping from his mouth. I let out an ear-splitting shriek and fall to my knees, sobbing profusely.

"JOSEPH!"

"Eve! Eve! Wake up!"

I shoot upright, banging someone's head with mine, sweat dripping down my face and my clothes sticking to my body. I groan and rub the mark where I bumped heads, shaking somewhat noticeably.

"Hey," Joe grunts, rubbing his head. "You okay? You were screaming in your sleep and stuff."

"Ah, sorry if I woke you," I apologise, smiling sheepishly. "And that I undoubtedly bruised your head."

"Nah, it's okay. Must've been one Hell of a nightmare though," he chuckles.

"Yeah…" I murmur, recalling the dream.

I shudder noticeably and hug Joe. No matter what happens, I'll protect him.

No matter what happens…