Chapter 11: The End
Finnick – The Game Room
We're already in his debt, Josie.
Josie walks through the forest, her three unused harpoons in her backpack – somehow found on the shore after the jump down the waterfall. I'd just gotten back from delivering the harpoon, cursing the head game maker for everything he'd done, when the volcano exploded. For some reason, that set off Johanna;
"Of all the dirty…that doesn't even look like a volcano you twerps! How is that fair!?..."
It'd gone on. I decided that I liked Johanna. I felt like she'd been on my side during Annie's games too – if we kept this up, Johanna would be among those that I call friends.
I'd spat out my own share of profanities as I watched my little sister run through the fire, jump off a waterfall and then get attacked by a childhood friend.
Damn you, Seaweed.
I'd have to go home and look his parents in the face.
You would do that, and look me in the eyes every day? Live across from me the rest of your life and remember that you murdered my little sister?
This game brings out the worst in everyone. Everyone, that is, except that boy from Twelve.
Ash is following Josie like a protective shadow, like I should be. She stares ahead, not speaking. Playing a part for the camera. I can see the tears that aren't there.
"Damn kid," Haymitch mutters suddenly. He drains the glass he's holding in one gulp. "Damn heroics. Now I've gotta…damn kid, damn your little dead sister, damn the ga…"
Everyone looks at him. His eyes are a bit red from the alcohol, but even drunk Haymitch remembers the unspoken rule – never insult the games, never insult Snow, play our part.
"Garden trees and waterfalls and volcanos," he finishes.
Ash – The Arena, with Less Trees Cause the Volcano Burned Most of Them
After walking for hours and finally falling asleep in a tree, I wake up for seemingly no reason. But I know there is a reason. Once you enter the Arena, there is always a reason. It feels like forever since I rose in the tube to come into this dreaded place, but now I have instincts I never knew I had.
Then I hear the whisper. I can't make out what they are saying but it is definitely there.
I place my hand over Jo's mouth to wake her but to make sure she stays quiet.
She opens her eyes, not moving a muscle. I'm surprised that she doesn't lash out. I smile a little to myself. She trusts me. My smile drops a second later as I'm reminded where we are.
The distraction is nice, even if it is for a second.
The whispering continues and we both strain our ears to hear what's being said.
As we strain to listen, the sun starts to rise – well, it gets lighter in the Arena.
I climb up a couple branches, looking. I see the two careers through a gap in the branches, whispering furiously at each other.
I climb back down to Jo and point in their direction and hold up fingers, telling her they are about sixty-five feet away.
She nods and starts gathering her things as quietly as possible.
We climb down and I grip my club thing that somehow has always reappeared at my side and pat my butt to check that my knife is in my back pocket before hopping out of the tree.
Jo jumps down after me.
Unfortunately, Jo's landing isn't as graceful and quiet as mine was and the Careers look in our direction.
I charge at the guy, now only one-good eye left, and he pulls out an axe from his belt.
I hear Jo growl beside me but continue running.
Jo cuts me off, going for the boy from One instead of the girl from Two like I had tried to get her to do.
I change a step and go after the girl who wields a sword.
I swing my club, trying to knock the sword out if her hand.
She drops the tip so my swing hits nothing and my momentum from not hitting anything but air throws me off. Two swings at my arms. She gets a slice in my right triceps and I breathe in a hiss.
I swing my club around meeting her sword in the air.
She gets a lethal look in her eyes and starts delivering blows and it takes everything in me to keep my club moving to block.
"Ash! Run! Left!" I hear Jo scream.
I don't question her as I leave my battle and take off to my left. I look over my shoulder to see the boy from One and the girl from Two collide. Then Jo joins me in running.
I hear the two Careers start after us, crashing through the forest.
Jo and I pull ahead of them a little more and Jo shouts, "This way!" before changing our direction a little bit to the right. I don't realize why until the ground starts getting softer and I realize we're going to the beach.
Of course. I thought. Duh! You idiot! Careers usually can't swim!
We reach the surf and stop, catching our breath as we turn back to where we came, waiting for the careers.
After about thirty seconds of a wonderful break, they come running through the woods.
They approach quickly and I see the girl, one hand holding the sword, the other raised and ready to throw a knife. Her eyes are on Jo, full of hatred.
The boy; arm raised to throw his axe at me.
My body acts before my mind registers what I do.
I whip my club at the boy then jump in front of Jo as I pull out my knife and throw it at the girl.
Not even a second later, I'm hit in the chest and I gasp out, "Joley," before everything goes black.
Josie – Alone
"Ash!" I scream. He collapses quietly with the knife in his chest, like a puppet with the strings cut, and the cannon sounds.
I shout angrily as I load another harpoon and the girl from Two falls with it sticking from her chest before she can take two steps.
The water is already stained red with blood.
I make a start for Ash - I don't even know why - when I hear a splash behind me. Before I can turn around, before I can load my weapon, I feel a searing pain in my back.
The boy from One laughs as I collapse…
Finnick – The Game Room
"No!" I'm on my feet without noticing, across the room without being aware of walking.
She's collapsed on the shore of the lake. The boy from One threw his axe again. It is this that is sticking from Josie's back.
"No! Josie! Josie! Damn, damn!" I fall to my knees, shouting. My heart heaving. I'm too shocked for tears. Too angry.
"Finnick! Finnick!" Johanna kneels in front of me and slaps me in the face. "Get a hold of yourself!"
"You don't understand!" I yell at her. "This is my fault..."
This is all my fault…
Authors' Note: Da Da dum! So if you are totally unwilling to part with the storyline of the books, our story ends here with Josie's and Ash's death. HOWEVER, if you think that these Games deserve a happy ending, please keep reading! (BTW: Disclaimer, we still don't own Hunger Games or Catching Fire).