Princess of the Sea

By: CyanideMuffins7

Chapter 24: Open your Eyes

Disclaimer: I own nothing of the Hunger Games, the trilogy or any of the characters Suzanne Collins has created. I only take credit for the characters I have created and the plot I have made.

I remember the day when I was about three and my birthday was approaching. Being that my family wasn't the richest in the District, we couldn't afford anything extravagant. Mom and Dad had to teach me the concept of birthdays because I would make little things for each of my family members. At the time I didn't understand that people are the ones to give you a present on your birthday and not yourself. My fourth birthday is where I finally grasped the concept.

Sometimes when Dad was out fishing, Mom used to take Evan, Ian, Valentine and I out to the beach once in a while. I used to hang around the shore to play in the water or to play in the sand, but I remember one thing had always drawn me to the beach. It was an old raft boat. Its cloud white paint was still intact but you could make out the chipping towards the edge of the boat. It was just sitting in the middle of the beach among the rotting seaweed. I used to play on top of it with Valentine. I would pretend it was an island where I lived in solitude with my sister. She would hop around on it with the biggest smile while I pretended that I would be fishing. I enjoyed that boat a lot.

It was a crisp and sunny day in 4. Mom had awoken me saying she was going to take me to the lake to fish. So she held Valentine in one arm and held me hand in the other and escorted us past the gate. But it wasn't far past the gate when we stopped.

"Happy birthday Pandora." Mom said in her sweet voice as she pointed in front of us. What Mom was pointing to was the boat I had so much loved, repainted. Evan and Ian were standing beside the boat with smiles. I dashed to the boat with the biggest smile on my face. I wasn't just happy that they got me the boat, I was happy that Evan and Ian had put so much effort to make it perfect.

That's what counts right?

After that, Evan, Ian, Valentine and I would play in the boat. Long summer days were spent inside that boat. It never left its spot. We were too busy just playing inside of it to move it into the lake. When we got older, we spent our time just sitting in the boat, talking. But after Mom died, I never wanted to go back to the boat. Everytime I would even head there, I would remember the moment Mom was taking me to show me the boat for the first time.

I never went back to the boat. I wish I did before I came here. I would spend hours and hours reminiscing and feel at peace. What if you knew you were going to be thrown into the Games before you were even picked? Would you spend the time with your family or doing what you couldn't? This whole system was just, wrong.

Dad told us that there was a time when there was no Hunger Games and everyone didn't have to live in a time where most of the districts were in poverty. Sometimes, I wish that we could have that world instead of the one we live in.

I crawl through a foxhole in a tree before I could be seen by a nearby Truman. Those creatures just love to bother me. They keep touching my weapon or even rubbing on my legs. One even tried to claw me. They're so annoying. I would rather be followed by an army of Mugakus then by just a single Truman. It's best if I stay hidden away from them.

I place my hand over my mouth to control my breathing, and I keep my eye through the roots of the trees to see the Trumans all waddling forward, making that odd noise they make when they're confused.

Once they pass the tree, I fall to the ground and let out a heavy sigh. I've been wandering around for days it seems. The sun and moon have passed over me dozens of times, it's hard to keep track. So far I haven't seen any Careers or Omega yet, which is good since I'm trying to lay low.

Speaking of which, how many of us are left? I think it's past a week now; almost a heading into two weeks and there is nine of us left, which includes me. It's not even the final eight yet. It's hard to believe that this will all end soon. I'm just eight people away from winning and about one away from dying.

I lean my head back to look up at the roots crawling over the hole. It reminds me of a bottom of an octopus as it is about to drift off further in the ocean.

But my mind shouldn't be on octopuses. My mind is still attempting to wrap around this whole Hei thing. He was secretly helping me, behind the Careers' backs. I understand that he did those things but I can't fathom why. He literally has nothing to gain by helping me, unless he only did those things so I could live until it's only him and I left to kill each other. It sounds like him, but that's just stupid. I think that kiss lingered too much. I feel like I almost threw up in my mouth a little bit, just the thought of it.

It's safe to say I'm ruling out trying to kill me off my list, so maybe Hei actually does want to help me. But Hei and the word, 'help' don't quite sound right together. It's just too hard to think about it! I've known Hei all my life and 'help' isn't what defines him.

The sounds of soft leaves crunch on the ground had caught my attention. I stand up quietly and peek through the roots to see what was out there. I then see two pairs of feet pass by me, slowly taking their time. They must be Careers out on a hunt for food, or more Tributes. Maybe it's best if I do stay here.

I sit back down on the ground until my eyelids fall heavy over my eyes. I dream that I'm in a dark room but there's light hanging over me like a spotlight. It's bright when I look up so I keep my eyes forward to avoid blinding myself. As I start to walk, the light follows me like I'm walking in one spot. Soon a chair was in sight. I feel like I'm tired so I sit down in the chair. Suddenly a couch is in front of me and I see Lena sitting on the right with her knives in between her fingers while Hei was sitting on the left with splatters of blood all over him. Then in the middle of the couch is President Snow and he says, "You must choose Miss Marshall."

That's when I wake up. I've noticed that dream is reoccurring; only the people change. I don't even know what it means.

I get out of the foxhole, thankfully no one was there. The air was thick and foggy, like any other day in the swamp.

I need to sort everything out right now, and I need to decide what I'm going to do.

I'm just so confused right now, and it's all Hei's fault. If it wasn't for Hei, I would be well on my way to becoming to being the last one standing. If Hei wasn't chosen at all on Reaping Day, I would be better off winning. No matter how many times I ask myself why he wants to help me, I still can't understand it. At the thought of the medicine, I feel something go up my throat and the next thing I know I vomit in front of myself. I use my arms to lean on my knees as I stare at the ground I had just vomited on, which was incidentally a Truman. It was looking up at me, standing on its hind legs only about one foot away from me. Its eyes were squinted and it was frowning with its mouth open. I could see the creases on its face as it looked at me with an expression of pure, unadulterated misery for what I had done to it.

I stand back up while wiping my mouth for any remaining vomit left on my mouth.

"See anything?" says a voice about a few yards from me.

I quickly dash behind tree before I am seen. Footsteps slowly pass behind me, "Eh, gross it's a Truman." Said a different voice, "And its covered in vomit. Why…"

"And it just sat down…It looks miserable. Disgusting."

"Leave it alone. It's going to end up dying anyway."

The footsteps became distant as well as the voices. I peek past the tree. Magnus and a boy I don't recognize walk a little ways north with their flashlights guiding their way.

Alright, even though after all that we have been through, I need to make things right. I'm willing to put my life on the line in order to win.

So I've decided that I will alliance with Hei.