As soon as the countdown begins, I can already feel my heart beating like crazy. There's about a sea's worth of water surrounding the cornucopia. I can't dive in there! What if I get pulled under by another tribute? The question races through my mind like fire. Before I know it, the countdown stops. All I can hear is the beating of my heart. Then a tribute dives into the water. I know by knowledge to not go into the cornucopia, but my instincts get the best of me and drive me into the center. As I swim through the water, I can feel myself get slowed down. Katniss, what were you thinking?! You won't make it in time! My mind scolds. I force myself to push away the thought and keep on driving towards the center. Gale is already gone somewhere. I then feel my hand hit the edge of the rocky platform that keeps the cornucopia above the water. As I try to pull myself over the ledge, my clothes get caught on the ledge and rip open a hole on my leg. I then realize what a mistake it was for me to get to the center. Tributes are already fighting to the death. Its just a matter of time before one gets me, for I am in the center of the fighting. I'm frozen to the ground like ice. I try to move, but can't no matter what. Think of the baby! If you don't move, you'll die and so will the baby! My mind urges. I then prepare myself to dive into the water when I feel the back of my suit pulled on. I turn around to get knocked square in the face with a fist. I fall to the ground to recieve a cut on the arm from someone. Blood begins to flow down the wound. As if the odds hated me, I get another cut on the arm. I force myself to not cry in pain. I bite down on my lip as hard as I can. Before I can even get a chance to stand up, I'm picked up by the neck and then thrown to the ground, landing on my side. Another cut mark is made on my forehead while I'm on the ground. I then get kicked into the water. I thrash in the water, my mind whirling. I start to swim away from the center, trying to reach the shore line that leads to the wooded areas. I make out the shape of someone waiting for me on the shoreline I am approaching. My arm that had been cut open bleeds into the water, making the wound possibly getting infected. I then feel the sand bellow me with my hands. At this point, I'm so weak I can't take another step. I fall into the water, landing on my back. The water level is up to the back of my head.
"KATNISS!" Gale gasps, running to my side. I just barely have enough energy to keep my eyes open. I close my eyes and drift into sleep. As I sleep, I hear voices and the water coming upon the shoreline in waves. This goes on for what seems like forever. I then open my eyes slightly to see that I'm in a cave. I make out the shape of Gale's body. He looks to be preparing some sort of remedy for something. I try to sit up only to wheeze in pain. My body hurts like I had just finished fighting a war. Gale runs to my side, placing one of his hands under my head. His other hand rests on my belly.
"K-Katniss?!" He whispers in disbelief. I smile as best as possible.
"T...That's me.." I whisper hoarsely. He smiled and hugs me tightly. His body feels like a ton to me. I try to get him off by gently nudging his hand off of me. He gets the hint and lets go. His eyes are full of worry.
"I-I saw you go into the center! Tributes were fighting you like you couldn't stand a chance against them!" He said, sounding like he was in a state of shock. He then glared at me angrily. "What were you thinking?!" He demanded.
"I...I thought I could g-grab something..." I rasp tiredly. The wounds were already taking their toll on me. "H...How's the...the baby...?" I ask. Gale looks better at the mention of our child.
"The baby's fine. I checked on it after I carried you into this cave." He replied gently. I smiled. A wave of sleep then washed over me. I hugged Gale as my mind drifted off into the world of sleep