A/N: I wanted to let everyone know about something I've been planning to do for awhile now. Before I release the last chapter of this novel, I am going to completely edit the whole thing. I will adjoin chapters and add/delete some scenes. Reading back some of my work, I was not completely satisfied (and what writer truly is?) with all the chapters. Each update I submit is merely the first draft of the chapter it will be when this novel is complete. So, keeping that in mind, read on!
(14)
I gaze into her eyes. They are open wide with fear. The camera slowly pans out of her face and shows a bit of her surroundings. I'm still confused as to what is going on. Morrison stands behind Prim and grips her shoulders, holding her back from something I can't see. The wails seem to grow louder with each attempt she makes at breaking free of his hold on her.
Then I see what she's desperately trying to reach. It's my mother's frail body. She is lying on the ground on her stomach, but her head is tucked under her chest. A mace is lodged into her shoulder. I struggle to believe that she is still alive, because I haven't seen my mother so immobile since my father left us. I look over to Leanore for confirmation.
I stare at Leanore for a few seconds, my sister weeping in the background, and she eventually turns to look at me. My eyebrows ask the question my lips never want to voice and her head slowly, almost indiscernibly, nods. It takes a while for it to sink in. Somewhere deep down inside of me is a small bit of comfort. I think that my mother died the day my father ran away. The sadness of losing her was more present the first time she slipped away from us. These past few years, she'd risen out of her stupor, but now, she was returning. I can only imagine how my father is reacting.
I watch silently as Prim sobs, my heart breaking more for my sister than for anyone else. She screams and yells out to her, "MOM!" Morrison can no longer handle her struggle and he lets go of her. In an instant, she is at my mother's side, on her knees, combing away the hair from her eyes. I can hardly look at the mace that is in her shoulder.
Blood slowly pours out of the wound, spilling over my sister's hands. She grasps my mother's hand and the cameras cruelly intrude on my sister's goodbye. For a moment, Prim does nothing but hunch over and weep. Then, there is a moan from my mother. Prim stops her tears at once and looks into my mother's eyes.
She struggles through her speech, but soon, my mother utters her last words, "Prim. When all the hurt is over…"
"Yes?" Prim encourages her frantically.
"When all the pain has been endured…"
Prim nods slowly.
"Remember that one day… we will all go home as victors," she smiles and her mouth shuts, her eyes close and my mother falls into a permanent sleep. The cannon sounds.
Prim lets go of my mother's hand and stands up. She hastily wipes away her tears and meets eyes with the other members of the Career Pack. They are all standing in a circle around my mother's fallen body. Peeta and Jamie are bowing their heads in respect. First, she glances at Johanna. She clenches her teeth. Then, she looks at Morrison, who dismisses her feelings by looking away. Peeta gives Prim a small smile. Jamie rushes over and embraces Prim.
"I'm so sorry," he says, holding her tight.
"It's alright though. Katniss wouldn't have wanted me to give up," Prim returns his hug.
Peeta slowly steps over to Prim and the three of them participate in a group hug.
Peeta is the first to speak, "You're the bravest fourteen-year-old I know."
"Thanks," she replies.
The group is quiet for some time.
Finally, the silence is broken by Morrison. "Alright. The moment is over. Let's get hunting before Merrow comes back and kills us."
Johanna, who is perhaps the most unemotional person I know, walks right up over to Morrison and slaps him in the face. I can't believe how insensitive this guy is!
Morrison at first looks stunned that she would hit him. "What?" he acts like a ten year old boy pretending he didn't do something everyone knows he did.
Prim steadies her breathing and Peeta offers to hold her hand as they begin walking. She declines and starts to run in front of the group. "Hold on!" Peeta calls after her. He hands her a small knife. "Take this and make sure you don't run too far ahead so that we can't see you. If you aren't in our sight at all times, something might happen to you and we won't be able to reach you fast enough."
"Alright," she mumbles, taking the dagger and sprinting off ahead of the group. My guess is that she needs some time alone.
I can tell by Peeta's face that he is uncomfortable with letting Prim go on her own. He looks up into the skies and sees clouds beginning to form overhead.
I take this as the perfect time to ask Leanore what happened. Naturally, I want an explanation for my mother's death. She does not disappoint.
"The Careers had decided to change direction, this time, going closer to the stream. They were looking out for some animals to hunt and they didn't see any in the direction they were going. Anyway, they stopped to eat some rolls and drink some water. That's when they heard the scream. Prim knew it was her mother, so she ran toward the sound.
"Annie, Effie and your mother hadn't gotten very far. Your mother was going to get some kind of plant for Effie's burns and she went off on her own while Annie and Effie dropped their packs and rested for a bit. As soon as your mother was alone, Merrow snuck up on her and swung the mace into her shoulder. She just… collapsed. Annie and Effie heard her, but they also heard two pairs of feet running closer to them. So, they just took off. Couldn't risk their lives to go check on her," Leanore finishes.
"Well, didn't Merrow see Prim?" I ask.
"I'm sure he knew that she was coming, but maybe he was hunting someone else. I don't know, but he ran away quick as lightning in the opposite direction from Prim," she sighs. "I'm really sorry, Katniss."
I don't respond for a few seconds. "She was right," I say finally.
"Who?"
"My mother. She was right about what she said. Right before she… died," I state.
"Yes, I suppose so," Leanore trails off and we both redirect our attention to the television.
All of a sudden, there is a burst of lightening and it strikes a tree in front of Johanna. The Mellark boys are trailing slightly behind her. She jumps back and advises them to run. They do so. It doesn't take much time for them to catch up with Prim. She stayed within sight just like Peeta told her.
Suddenly, the drops start pouring. "Rain!" Jamie exclaims, opening his mouth for the drops to satisfy his thirst.
Peeta screams, "No!"
But it's too late. Jamie swallows the liquid and looks woozy for a second. Then, he doubles over and throws up all over the ground. It takes him forever, but eventually, I can't imagine anything could be left in his stomach.
Jamie stands up and looks over at Peeta. "What is that stuff?" He points to the drops falling down.
Peeta seems incredibly relieved that Jamie is still breathing. Then, he touches his already wet clothes and brings a finger to his nose, "It's that Capitol drink that makes you throw up so you can eat more food."
"You mean those glasses they had at the engagement party?" Prim speaks up.
"Yes. Now, don't let any of it get in your mouth. It's meant to make us starve," he announces.
I disagree with him, though. I don't think the drink is just there to make people hungry. The Capitol is trying to throw in everything they can to showcase my rebellion against them. Why? I'm not sure. But between the arena's shape, the berries, the fire and this vomit-inducing rain, I'm beginning to think they are using my rebellion against me.
The sound of the cannon stops my train of thought and I notice the camera is now showing a very elderly woman who must be Thresh's grandmother. She probably starved to death. She lies in her own vomit. Yula's death drops the number of tributes down to fourteen.
Morrison gets into several fights with Prim. Of course, she is defenseless against him, so Jamie defends her every time. Successfully, too. After about three instances, Morrison finally shuts up and leaves Prim alone. Jamie also helps Prim hunt. He helps her set up a trap that captures two rabbits. She refuses to eat her kill.
It's mid afternoon. I haven't seen all of the coverage because Leanore turns it off when I start having intense stomach pains. It seems like every time she turns the television off, the pain gets worse.
"I think we should get you to the hospital wing," she announces.
"No! I'm fine," I assure her. If she takes me to the doctors, they'll strap me down to some chair and I won't be able to get out. They'll stop me from getting to the arena. "Do they even know I'm here?" I say.
"Well…" Leanore sighs, "Not yet."
As the third day unravels, I hardly pay attention. My mind is in another place. I try not to think that tomorrow will be the day that we break into the Games. Tomorrow will probably be the death day for many of my friends. I just don't know what to think about all of this. On one hand, I wanted nothing to do with the rebellion. I just wish it didn't have to come in my lifetime. But on the other hand, I realize that it is a gift. I will probably make history if our country has a future. Not that this matters any to me. It's just a difficult concept to grasp.
There are so many people who I care about, quite a few I'd give my life for. That list begins with Peeta and ends with Leanore, but there are several people in between. I know what I'm doing tomorrow will be wrong. Everyone who will be entering the Games tomorrow never intended for me to come with them. Then I get this feeling like I've wet my pants and I remember why.
I'm very uncomfortable to say the least. Awkwardly, I stand up and say I have to go to the bathroom.
Leanore looks at me funny, "What's wrong? Do you need me to come with you?"
"Uh, no," I bite my lip and furrow my brow at her.
"Well, I think I should come with you anyway," she starts to get up.
"No!" I yell a little too loudly. "I'm fine, really. I'll be right back," I then shuffle out of the room.
I reach the bathroom without seeing anyone. I walk into the stall and lock the door, breathing in deeply. Here we go.
About twenty minutes later, I make my way back to Leanore. I'm surprised she hadn't come looking for me after five minutes away from her. Then I look at the screen. There is an action-packed chase going on between Merrow and Greasy Sae. She uses all her strength to run, weaving in between the trees to help throw him off. Finally, she reaches a clearing and spots the Career Pack. With no other choice left, she runs for them, hoping they can protect her.
"Help!" she yells at them from a distance.
They see her with Merrow right on her tail. She appears to be losing her strength very quickly. Just yards before the Career Pack, Merrow reaches her. The spear pierces her heart. Her body falls in a weird position and Merrow kicks her onto her back, retrieving the bloody spear and wiping it off on a tree.
Morrison has out the group's weapons in an instant. They're one short though.
As Merrow waltzes over to the group, Jamie goes over to Prim, handing a knife to Johanna. "Listen," he whispers in her ear, "As soon as he makes his first move, I want you to run as fast as you can in that direction." He dares to point a finger. "Don't even think twice about us. It's important you get out. Now, get ready." He gives her a pat on the back before returning to his place in line.
Morrison and Jamie take the lead, holding their spears out to Merrow. "Take one more step and you'll be dead before nightfall," Morrison threatens.
"Oh? Is that right?" It's the first time I've heard Merrow speak. His voice is deep and gravelly.
"You want to find out?" Morrison incites him.
"I think so…" Merrow seems to actually be contemplating stepping closer. "Hmm… alright. I guess it's worth a try."
Prim sees him take his step and runs for her life. He lunges at Morrison first. Morrison blocks Merrow's hit easily and with the aid of Jamie, it doesn't take long to get him to the ground. They point their spears at his chest. He quickly flicks them away and jumps back. Peeta and Johanna come up from behind, but Merrow sees them. He swings his swear around his back and my heart stops. It hits Peeta's side and he collapses, head hitting the ground.
Merrow cackles and Johanna drops to the ground to look at Peeta. His breathing is heavy. My heart reaches out to him. I know he's had worse pain. Surely he'll be alright. I promise myself that he will. Johanna places her weapon on the ground and tries to stop the bleeding without success.
"Katniss…" he looks up into the sky, "There's no more hope. I'm coming to see you again."
Morrison manages to hit Merrow, but the pain doesn't make him fall. He counters back and slashes Morrison's right arm. He hits the ground. Jamie looks from Morrison to Merrow with a look of surprise on his face. Then, he fights. He swings at Merrow every chance he gets. I can tell he's not very skilled in combat with weapons. Several times, he tries to knock the spear out of Merrow's hands, but he has no success. Soon, Merrow does that exact thing to him. Jamie's spear goes flying and Jamie backs himself into a tree. Merrow laughs and hits Jamie's skull, apparently knocking him out. Both of Peeta's brothers are on the ground, fallen and defenseless.
Merrow smiles at Johanna. She grabs her knife and is about to fight him when a voice calls out to her. "Johanna! Come quickly!" I see from a distance that it's Prim. Johanna looks from Morrison to Prim. She glares at Merrow and makes a choice. Johanna runs toward my sister.
Merrow turns around in a circle and places his spear at Peeta's chest. It's not a very clear target, so Merrow gets his hands dirty to sit Peeta upright. Then, he smiles and takes a stab. I close my eyes, telling myself that he's alive. He will always be alive. Then I hear the cannon and my heart sinks. Leanore sees me and says, "Katniss, look."
I open up and cannot believe that Jamie is lying in front of Peeta. It looks like threw himself between the spear and his brother. Morrison stands up and Merrow's smile just has time to fade before he drops to the ground, pierced by Morrison's weapon. A second cannon sounds.
There is a brief moment of triumph. Then the horror of the situation sinks in. Morrison rolls Jamie over and yells at him, "Get up Jamie! Come on! We've got to go find Prim and Johanna. Jamie… come on. Don't just lie there!"
Peeta looks over to Jamie and it only takes him one second to assess the damage. "Jamie's dead, Morrison."
"No, Jamie… GET UP! Get up Jamie! Come on! Breathe!" He yells at him hopelessly.
Peeta grabs Jamie's hand and sticks two fingers on it to find a pulse. He releases the hand after a minute without finding one.
Peeta looks at Jamie's face. It is frozen, almost as if he is sleeping. But it's very evident that he is not just sleeping. Jamie Mellark has been murdered. I realize that this could have been Peeta, but Jamie gave his life to save him. If I had a choice of a few people I'd want to get out from the arena, I think Jamie would be on that list. He'd been so kind to my sister, a natural leader, quite independent, but still, at the same time, nurturing. Up until the very end, he was only thinking about what was best for everyone. He knew that no one wanted to see Peeta get killed, so he gave his life with the hope that Peeta would survive.
The pain on Morrison's face is quite palpable. I didn't think it possible that he could be moved by any death, any trouble at all. But as he realizes that his brother is gone, his hard shell cracks. I feel like an intruder watching him have his private mourning.
"Alright. The moment is over. Let's go find Johanna and Prim before they get killed," Peeta says to spite Morrison.
It takes Peeta all his effort to stand up. He takes off his shirt and holds it against his wound. Morrison does the same. Both brothers wave good-bye to Jamie and the hovercraft takes him away. Together, they walk toward the next death.