Author's Note: Hey guys! I know it's been a few days since I've posted, life's gotten really crazy lately and I've haven't had very many chances to write. But don't worry! I'm still working on writing this story and I'll definitely see it through to the end. :) Well, I've got another chapter for you! Enjoy! :)
Disclaimer: No copyright infringement intended. I don't own the Hunger Games or the characters.
Hiraeth
Chapter 9
The shimmering sapphire ground was undulating steadily all around me. Or was it the ground? It was bright, so bright, I couldn't see.
I couldn't stop thinking about Cinna.
But Claudius Templesmith's loud booming voice began to bring me back to reality.
Water. It was water that surrounded me, that surrounded all of the tributes.
Most of the tributes wouldn't know how to swim, they'd never had the chance.
I forced myself out of my mind so I could focus on my ever spinning surroundings.
The Cornucopia sat on a circular bit of land with twelve spokes reaching from it in even intervals with two tributes on pedestals in between every pair of spokes.
Everything in between was water. I'd never seen so much water in my life.
The scent made it clear that it was saltwater, and therefore not drinkable. In a circle around all the water and tributes was a jungle.
When the gong sounded I stood there for a moment before I realized that I was able to go.
I jumped off of the pedestal diving into the deep water, thankful, for a brief moment, that I knew how to swim. Most of the tributes were still on their pedestals, carefully toeing the water.
By the time I got to the land strip in the center of the arena, Finnick had already gotten there, picked through the supplies at the horn, and was leaving. He gave me a quick wink.
Even though his hands were full of weapons, he didn't go after me. He could've easily taken me out, but he just dove right back in the water and swam past me.
I watched him dumbstruck for a moment before I shook my head and turned back to the supplies.
I ran, fast. Even though I didn't see any other tributes nearing the land strip, I knew that the Cornucopia blocked a good portion of my view. Letting my guard down for a split second could be the greatest mistake.
There was a large pile of weapons at the Cornucopia, as well as a couple spare objects. But there were no backpacks.
The Gamemakers definitely wanted the Games to be exceptionally bloody.
All of the supplies were tossed in one big pile and not spread out like they were in the last games.
I grabbed a golden bow and quiver full of arrows, twenty arrows. If I used it right, I could make it last an awful long time.
I also grabbed a sharp looking dagger and slid it underneath the belt on my jumpsuit, it rested comfortably there.
I scanned my surroundings, searching for Haymitch. I hadn't seen him yet so he must've been on the other side of the arena.
I sprinted around the edge of the Cornucopia, keeping my bow drawn, and eyes sharp.
It was then that I saw him.
If I hadn't looked for another moment, I would've missed it entirely.
A familiar man with a straw colored head of hair disappeared into the thick of the jungle. He left without even looking back. I should've known that Haymitch's survival instincts would kick in…
It felt as if I were punched in the gut, thinking about it.
But I couldn't stop to dwell on it, the other tributes were beginning to reach the Cornucopia. Several of the Careers got to the center land strip first but Seeder came paddling up not too far behind.
Cashmere locked her gaze upon Seeder, who was struggling onto the sand a few feet away.
"Seeder!" I screamed, and not a moment too soon. Seeder ducked just in time to avoid the knife that was thrown at her. Cashmere howled as my arrow punctured her foot. I grabbed Seeder's hand and helped her up.
"Thank you, Katniss." Her words were drenched in gratitude. I nodded.
Suddenly someone crashed into me, pinning me to the ground with my arms trapped beneath their knees. It was Gloss.
I couldn't move, I couldn't breathe, I couldn't reach my dagger and I definitely couldn't shoot an arrow.
He held his dagger above me, just another few inches and I would be dead... Then his eyes rolled back into his head and he crashed down upon me. A dark red stain spread across the back of his jumpsuit and a spear protruded from his back.
I looked up. Beetee was standing not too far away and it was clear he had thrown it.
"Thank you." I mouthed, not having enough breath to actually call the words out. Beetee nodded with a small smile and then continued on his way.
I grunted and rolled the dead Career off of me. I stood up, shaking, gasping for breath, but alert.
I shot an arrow Enobaria who was quickly making her way towards me. She dived back into the water, narrowly avoiding the arrow.
I dove out of Brutus's way, he'd had been racing towards me.
I ran to the other side of the Cornucopia. It was time for me to remove myself from the bloodbath.
I heard the clanging of weapons colliding behind me, but I didn't look back. I swam as fast as I could, racing towards the thick jungle that surrounded the center of the arena.
I climbed, dripping, up onto the sandy beach and I raced into the thick trees.
It was very hot. The sun poured in over the tops of the trees and the thick humidity only accentuated it.
I hadn't even done that much walking and sticky sweat was clinging to my skin.
The air smelt of something sweet, a perfumey flower maybe. If so, it was a flower that I'd never smelt before. But it smelled so good. I inhaled deeply.
My feet sunk slightly into the dark, spongy earth with every step that I took.
I cut away at vines and foliage blocking my path. There seemed to be no obvious path, so I just forged one.
Time seemed to be falling away from me, the sun that started out so high in the sky was then beginning to lower itself. And it was so hot. I fanned myself.
I wondered why I hadn't found any water, it seemed like there should've been some by then.
I looked around and found a nice tree to climb and I quickly scaled it, wanting to get a better view. But I immediately wished I hadn't.
Near the golden Cornucopia there was a lot of blood and a few bodies, surrounding the Cornucopia and floating in the green tinted water.
Nausea rose and I quickly climbed back down the tree. I knew one of those bodies was that of Gloss, but what about the rest of them? Seeder? Beetee? I didn't want to think about it anymore.
So I continued walking, not really sure if I was going in circles or not. It all looked the same.
I was sweating profusely from the heat and humidity, I knew I was dehydrating myself, but there was nothing I could do about it. I just kept wandering, hoping I could find some water.
Suddenly someone barrelled into me so quickly that I nearly crashed to the ground. I caught my balance, throwing out my hand and catching myself on the nearest tree.
It was Seeder. She didn't look like she wanted to attack me. I eyed her carefully, but she just laid her weapons down.
Her hair was strewn all over, a tangled mess. She was panting, and her jumpsuit was very blood splattered, yet she didn't look too hurt, more shocked than anything.
"It was… was raining blood." She said, gasping for breath.
"What?" I asked, looking past her but seeing nothing.
"It just started suddenly, I couldn't see anything, I couldn't breathe…" Seeder drug her hands absentmindedly along the bark of the nearest tree trunk, staining it a dreadful, dark crimson.
"Over there," She gestured behind her, into the thick Jungle.
"It just started coming down and it wouldn't stop."
"That sounds awful." I said truthfully.
And then we were silent. I didn't know what else to say. What do you say in that situation? Over the time I'd spent in the Capitol, I'd grown fond of the woman. But there was only one person coming out of the arena alive. There was no way to win.
"Allies?" She asked quietly. It was clear from the tone of her voice that she had no intention to kill me, whether or not I agreed.
When I looked at her I saw a mother, coaxing in her child for a hug. She smiled at me gently, softly. I sighed.
I looked at Seeder and nodded tentatively. I'd never wanted to have allies, especially with how painful it would be to lose them. But in that moment, I didn't mind the thought of another friendly face. I just hoped that if she died, it wouldn't be by my hands.
Seeder embraced me abruptly.
"Oh!" I said, hugging her back. For a moment I was confused but when she started speaking, I understood.
"He told me to give this to you." Seeder whispered in my ear, so quietly that I would be surprised if any cameras picked up on her words.
She placed a small, very circular nut into my hand. I stared at it, confused for a moment before I noticed very fine etchings on it.
I squinted and drew the nut close to my eyes. I wished for a moment that the lighting was better so I could read it clearer. It looked as if there was a small, crude etching of a key on it. A key with wings? It was hard to tell. Underneath the picture were three simple words.
Find it, Sweetheart.
I had a very strong feeling he didn't want the viewers to see it even though I didn't understand it myself.
Haymitch was always trying to convey messages to me in the previous Games, trusting that I would understand. But that one was little more difficult.
Still, I couldn't stop the smile that flashed across my face. Haymitch hadn't abandoned me. And he had a plan, even if I didn't understand it at the moment myself.
I gave the nut a light squeeze, and to my surprise, it crumbled instantly into a fine dust. He definitely didn't want anyone else to see it, yet for some reason he had entrusted Seeder with it.
We started to walk deeper into the jungle and Seeder quickly fell into step with me.
"So what's the plan?" She asked.
"Find water." I said, stepping over a rather large root.
"All the water we've seen so far is saltwater, which we can't drink."
We walked farther and farther. We didn't find any water but we didn't find any other tributes either. My throat was starting to ache and my lips were cracked.
What I really wanted was an ice cold glass of water like the cup Cinna gave me before the Games. Cinna… I blinked my eyes steadily trying to banish the images of his last moments.
"Oh, look!" Seeder said, pointing up at the trees around us. There was some large, golden fruit.
"How do we know it's safe?" I asked doubtfully. My stomach growled and I really wanted to eat it, but then again, I didn't know the fruit and the Gamemakers could've easily tampered with it.
"It's alright, it's from my district." She said, smiling. She climbed lightly up one of the trees, picked a couple, and dropped them down into my arms.
And then we ate. The fruit was delicious, sweet, and juicy. I quickly forgot any doubts I may have had. We ate until we were both so stuffed we had a hard time moving.
The sun faded away and the sky grew steadily darker.
"Why don't we just stay here for the night?" Seeder suggested. I didn't argue. We stayed there on the ground, not bothering to climb any trees or try to hide ourselves.
If trouble came, we'd face it.
The anthem began and the pictures of fallen tributes flashed across the top of the arena. There was Gloss, Cashmere, Blight, The female from district 5, and the male from district 10.
Haymitch's picture wasn't up there, that meant he was still alive. Somewhere in the arena. I wasn't sure what to think, what to feel. I was drained, exhausted, spent.
I kept picturing them dragging Cinna's bloody body away. Haymitch wasn't dead yet, but he could be killed at any moment, and so could I.
I pictured Peeta, watching, hoping, I couldn't stop the thrill of fear and anxiety that ran down my spine as I imagined him watching as I was killed.
I couldn't protect him. I couldn't protect anyone.
And the more I thought about the Haymitch's message, the more frustrated I was. I couldn't understand it. I had to find a key? A bird? Something…
I sniffled, fighting back tears. I didn't want to cry, especially not for all of Panem to see.
"Get some rest." Seeder spoke softly, resting her hand on my stomach for a moment, reminding me that I was supposed to be pregnant.
"You need it." I nodded and didn't question it.
The lush vegetation beneath me made a rather comfortable bed, although not a safe one. I curled up into myself trusting that Seeder would awake me if needed. I quickly fell into a restless and fitful sleep.
Author's Note: Alright, guys, I hope you enjoyed that one! :) Please leave a review and let me know what you think.