Chapter Fifteen:

Ronan clutched my hand with his left, and Cedric's hand with his right, his breathing heavy and labored. "You," he choked. "You love...with all your hearts...Take care. I'll miss you." He shook Cedric's hand tightly, and looked up at my worried eyes. "Don't worry," he choked blood. "I'm going to be with Faren."

I felt my eyes tear. "You're so strong," I whispered. I felt my lips smile just a little with sadness. Then, I sang a soft lullaby to him. It was old, I wasn't even sure where I heard it. I just knew it was there.

"Sleep my child and peace attend thee,
All through the night
Guardian angles, God will send thee,
All through the night
Soft the drowsy hours are creeping,
Hill and vale in slumber sleeping,
I my loved ones' watch am keeping,
All through the night."

That was all I knew of the lullaby, but I loved it. It was beautiful, something the Capitol hated because of its gentle and sweet care. Ronan loved it too, he stared at my dark eyes. He said softly, "All through the night."

"Yes."

"Goodnight, Laurel."

The cannon shot went off. I reluctantly peeled myself off the ground and walked to the closest tree.

"They never took off that rule. About the two tributes from the same district being able to win. Do you think we won?" I asked quietly, not facing him.

Cedric said softly, "I don't feel like a winner. I think I'd rather be a loser."

"So did my mom. And my dad. And Haymich. And every one of those mentors behind all the kids who died in these Games." I felt my eyes tear up, but there was a loud trumpet fanfare, so I forced them clear.

"And now, presenting the winners of the 80th Hunger Games!" announced Claudius Templesmith. "The District 12 tributes, Cedric Hawthorne and Laurel Mellark!"

So much happened. The hovercraft parted us. I was set in the hands of my prep team, who all gave me huge hugs, their eyes tearier than mine. The doctors took quick care of me.

Doctor Smith muttered, "You're knees are going to be messed up for the rest of your life."

I nodded. Now that the adrenaline had passed, my knees had gone back to buckling pain. She put my left arm in a sling and bandaged my spider bites and bunny squirrel bites, and spread a soft cream on my skin.

I knew I was supposed to feel better, so why did I just feel worse? My prep team talked to me until the doctor was gone.

"Go," Adeon ordered, walked in with a swift pace.

"Adeon," I said, my eyes growing a little tearier.

"Don't cry," Adeon said gruffly. "I know nothing is going to be okay. But that doesn't mean you need to cry."

I nodded, holding back my tears.

His face relaxed in to a smile. "I told you. I knew you'd win."

I smiled a little too, and gave him a light hug. Once we'd gotten past hellos, he dressed me in a simple outfit. "Your parents want to see you."

What was I going to tell them? What would they say? Would it make me cry?

Mom nearly burst the door down with her energy. She threw her arms around me, crying silent tears. "My baby Laurel. I was so worried. My baby Laurel. She won the Hunger Games."

My Dad pulled my mom away to give me a hug too. "Shh, it's okay," he whispered to my tears. "I know, it hurts."

He was the only one that completely understood, besides my mom. "Cedric," I said, tears in my eyes. "Where is he?"

"You'll see him on the train, sweetheart," growled Haymitch. He was the only one not near tears. In fact, he seemed so blunt and realistic that I wanted to punch him, but I refrained from violence. There had been way too much in the past...what? How much time had passed between now and the time where I had nothing to care about?

"Let's go, the train's leaving," Dad said softly.

"So soon?" I asked, though I did not mind at all. I was relieved.

Mom nodded, taking my hand, and Dad taking the other. We walked silently out the doors, and were attacked by those insect reporters again. Cedric was standing there, waiting for us.

I freed my hands from my parents and broke through the crowds, rushing to his warm embrace. He was gentle, worried about my arm. "You okay?" he whispered, putting a hand in my hair.

I looked up at him, tears in my eyes. "I don't know."

"Let's go," he said softly.

The train ride was so short, that it felt like in seconds I was looking at my District-my beautiful home.

"Do...do you mean that?" Cedric asked quietly.

I was surprised, stuttering, "M-m-mean what?"

"You said that you promised I wouldn't lose you. Do you still mean that?" Cedric asked.

I replied, "Well, of course. We'll always be really good friends."

I knew those were the wrong words before I had even finished my sentence. Cedric's face fell. I had done it again. I not only had lost Ronan and Faren, I was about to lose Cedric too.

"Oh. Friends. Of course." He walked away without waiting for me.

"Cedric, Cedric, wait!" I shouted, rushing off the train after me. In the loud crowd, he could ignore me easily. He walked away, to his father and his mother, and they greeted him with smiles. I wanted so badly to rush up to him and kiss him, but something inside me paused.

"Laurel!" Hearth's voice, pulling me back to reality.

I urged myself to rush after Cedric, to tell him everything, what I had meant, the future I wanted with him. But he didn't look back. I was going to lose Cedric. I was just about to run up to him, when Hearth shouted again, "Laurel!"

I turned around to see my little brother, his dark Seam eyes stunning. They were so similar to Cedric's and Haymitch's it nearly made me cry. Hearth threw his arms around me, hugging me tightly.

"I knew you'd do it," he mumbled. "I knew it!"

"I couldn't've done it without...Cedric. And Ronan and Faren." I felt a tear drip out of my eye.

Hearth gave me another hug, comforting this time. His eyes said it all. He had seen everything.

"I lost Cedric too," I whispered. It was too real. I had lost everything that I loved. Cedric walked away from me. Ronan and Faren were gone, gone forever. Nothing would ever be the same again.

Now, though, I really did wish I could have been counted out.