Looks like I'm finally getting to the chapter 5... sorry for the wait, I was backpacking, I've been busy with rehearsing for a show, I graduated from middle school, and my internet was down for a few days... In this chapter we return to Rue's POV. I do not own Hunger Games.
My head is finally clear up, how long has it been since I blacked out, I wonder? I hope I didn't trouble Thresh too much. I blink open my eyes, it seems to be early after noon; I slowly sit up, it's easier to move than I thought. When I see Thresh the first thing I notice is the blood caked on his tunic, some of it must be his own, judging from his bandaged shoulder. It crosses my mind that this is too much blood to be just Thresh's blood, some of this blood must be from some other creature, or one of the other tributes, maybe even Katniss...
"Thresh?" I murmur, I want to add 'What happened? Who's blood is that? How long have I been out?' but the minute his name escapes my lips I find myself in his arms, he's crying. I can't say anything more, this is the first time I've seen that boy cry, he didn't even cry in front of any one when his friends disappeared, when his parents died... It's just too much.
"I'm so sorry... How could I have let you take a watch by your self... " his voice is hoarse, I want to ask him what he used to treat the snake bite, I want to apologize for causing him to worry but showing emotion like this is so rare for him I'm at a loss for words.
After a long silence I manage to conjure up my voice. "I-it's fine, Thresh. I... I'm okay now." My voice is weak and faltering, I wish I could by strong enough to steady my voice at times like this, but I'm not someone like Katniss who is strong in spirit. I wonder, where is Katniss right now? is she even alive?
Thresh releases me from his embrace, he gazed at me awkwardly insecure about how he's expressed himself. I really don't know what to say so I just give him a reassuring smile, I'm really grateful for all he's done for me. I gather my words before I speak, I need to know everything that's happened while I was out.
"How did you treat the bite?" I ask Thresh, I start with a simple question I'm not ready to express my curiosity at the blood on his tunic.
"A feast was held. Each district of tributes was in dire need of something. They had medicine for you there." His voice his still a bit hoarse, but normal for the most part. The feast must have turned bloody and I'm guessing at least one tribute must have been killed, I need to know if Katniss is alive.
"Did any of the other tributes... you know, die?" I force the question out I'm terrified of it's answer, but all I can do is pray and hope.
"The pair from two. The girl from twelve and I teamed briefly to kill the boy. I killed the girl." Relief floods over me, not only is Katniss alive, we don't have to worry about the tributes from two anymore! I immediately feel ashamed for rejoicing at their deaths, what have the games done to me? how can death be the cause of my happiness? because of this I am despicable. But Thresh teamed up with Katniss, for however brief the alliance was, I know he at least won't be quick to kill her.
The day is uneventful and passes slowly due to Thresh's silence. The sunset is exceptionally beautiful, the sky is a wonderful orange and the sky is a muted pink, I wonder if the sunset back in district eleven is this gorgeous, I wonder if the people who work in the orchards are glancing briefly up at the sky just now. But like many things in this world the sunset is beautiful but short lived, just as the last of the sunlight is leaving the arena I sing softly to myself.
Sister, is that you?
Where have you been, if you're leaving again may I come too?
We've all been waiting for you, our bright eyed sister,
What have you seen in your travels sister?
Was the grass greener than it is here?
Were the trees taller than the oaks in the meadow, sister?
We're all waiting to hear of our sisters travels,
How long will you stay here with us, sister?
Can I come with you to that place were the sun shines all day long?
My precious sister
Back in district eleven we sometimes seen this song to wake young children from there dreams, but customarily we don't sing them awake with this song after they're old enough to start working in the fields or orchards. The last time I sang this song was the day of the reaping, when I woke Peigi, my little sister; she's probably going to bed just about now.
The next day is equally settled, the capitol must be getting bored... I find myself thinking at midday, but the sound of a cannon interrupts my train of thought. One of the other tributes is dead, my head whips toward Thresh and is gaze meets mine, we both let out sighs of relief. My thoughts wander, Katniss, is she still breathing or was her death marked be the cannon just now?
Might as well keep you guessing... buuuut you can probably figure out who the cannon was for. The song was something I just spontaneously thought up, interpret it however you want. I just sorted out how this story is going to end, I thank everyone who reviewed my last chapter for their opinions. The next chapter will probably be called 'Final Confrontation'. Please Review!
