Since the chapter I posted earlier was so short, I felt like I should give you something else for the time being. Sort of like a light snack when you're super hungry before dinner. I know this is short too, but consider it an add-on for Chapter 4. Enjoy!
I watch the wisps of smoke from Rue's fire rise above the trees from the bush I hide in. Clove sees it and taps Cato on the shoulder, who's talking to the boy from District Three. He turns around and before Clove can explain what she saw, Cato takes notice of the smoke.
The two of them head off towards it, and when they leave, Finch emerges out of the woods towards the other side of the pile where the boy from Three can't see her. She cautiously hops along over to it, aware of where each foot is placed when, and it amazes me that she remembered how to do this.
When Finch steals the food and runs back, I try to shoot something and set off the trap. Finch reaches the pile, and takes as much as food as she can fit in her arms. She turns, hops out of the trap again, and sprints in to the trees. Rue taught us a tune to whistle or sing that the mockingjays will spread so we all know we're all safe. I hear Finch whistle the four notes that mean success.
I load my bow with an arrow and stare at the pile for a few minutes. What can I shoot? How can I make it go off?
"Katniss!" a voice whispers from behind me. I turn around to see Finch.
"What happened?" I ask.
"On my way back to our camp I heard Rue screaming. I didn't know what to do, so I came to find you."
I jump to my feet. "Where was it coming from?"
Finch turns and runs and I run as fast as I can behind her. The further we run, the easier it is to hear Rue's cries.
"Where is she?!" I hear a voice scream. It's not Rue's. It's female.
It's Clove's.
"I don- I don't know," Rue whines.
Me.
She's talking about me.
I keep running as fast as I can towards it, and when I see Clove's black hair, I press my back against a tree. Finch copies me.
"I think Cato is here, too," Finch whispers.
I peer around the side of the tree and I see Rue is pinned to the floor by Clove's body with a knife pressed to her throat. Cato is standing next to them with his sword in his hand.
"Tell us where she is," Clove growls, "or we'll kill you too."
"I told you!" Rue growls back. "I. Don't. Know."
I watch as the blade slowly slides a little across her throat, revealing torn skin that drips with blood, and Rue lets out a blood-curdling scream.
I don't know what I'm doing. I know there's a fair chance that I'll be killed, but there's also a chance that I won't. I can't let Rue die. Not now. If I allow her to die without even trying to defend her, I will never forgive myself.
Cato is keeping watch while Clove tortures Rue.
He knows I'll come and defend her.
He's waiting for me.
He's correct.