THE TOKEN
(Day 1, Night)
The treetops whisper softly, far overhead. Only the occasional call of a bird breaks the quiet of the night. And yet. Staring out into the shadowy forest, Merida can't get the last echoing notes of the fanfare out of her head.
Ten dead. Ten, out of twenty-four tributes.
It would have been nine, if it weren't for Merida's arrow. Guilt lays its cold fingers on her neck. No, she reminds herself. It would still be ten dead, either way. But thanks to that lucky shot, Emma is alive. She'll see another dawn. It was worth it. Wasn't it?
Merida shivers and pulls up the hood of her jacket, tugging the laces tight. Her curly hair spills out on both sides. It's nearly as good as a scarf on a cold night like this, and she'll be sitting watch for a few more hours yet.
They've found shelter for the night on a rocky ledge, tucked under a couple of twisted pines. It was a tricky climb up the cliff, but even if the Careers do spot them in the dark, they'll have the same difficult climb to contend with and Merida shooting down at them from the high ground.
They'll have to move on in the morning, though. Staying anywhere for too long is asking for trouble.
A brilliant full moon floats into view over the looming mountains. Merida tilts her face up to the cool rays, and sighs. Trust the Gamemakers to give the Careers extra light to hunt by...
"It's not the real moon."
Startled, Merida twists around and peers into the shadows. Jack is awake, watching her from under the fringed branches of the trees. Bathed in the silvery moonlight, his face is pale and luminous, though he's got his hood up to hide his hair. There's still a touch of wariness in his eyes.
"I know that," Merida mutters, pitching her voice just above a whisper. "Shouldn't ye be sleepin'? Ye've got next watch."
"Yeah, uh, funny thing about that," Jack whispers back, making a face. "I'm having some trouble drifting off. Can't imagine why."
Merida chuckles. There's a rustle of pine needles as Jack sits up a little, taking care not to wake his sister. The sleeping bags in their packs are standard-issue, and Emma managed to zip them both together into one larger bag while they were making camp. Laid out on a heap of springy pine branches, they make a comfortable bed for two. She's a clever lass, and no mistake.
She's fast asleep now, snuggled close to her brother for warmth. Merida can just see the head of her wooden bear token peeping out of Emma's fist, tucked against her cheek. Emma was fascinated with its tiny carved paws, and asked all about Merida's mad old granny, who gave her the carving at her farewells. Half of District Seven figures she's some kind of witch.
Jack glances down at the little charm, too. "You're going to have a tough time getting that back, you know," he says, with a wry smirk. "I think she's adopted it."
Merida shakes her head. "Ach, she's just holdin' it for safekeepin'." She smiles at the little girl, curled up like a wee bear cub in its den. "Ye never know. Maybe it'll keep her safe. Gran said it would protect me."
Jack's playful smile winks out like a snuffed flame. "Well, it can't do a worse job than me," he mutters. "I should have been there. I promised I'd take care of her...but..." He trails off, hanging his head.
Unsure what to say, Merida reaches out and pats his foot, awkwardly. It's the only part of him she can reach without getting up. "Ye did everythin' ye could, Jack," she says, then winces; she might as well have pointed out that it almost wasn't enough.
Jack doesn't seem angry, though. He just stares at her for a moment. "You know, I almost forgot to thank you," he says, at last. "For saving her. You didn't have to."
Merida can't help rolling her eyes at that. "Of course I had to, ye great numpty. I gave my word, didn't I?" Turning her back on his startled expression, she settles back into her watch position - not too comfortable, bow laid close to hand, ready for anything. "At least try to rest," she tells him, over her shoulder. "I'll wake ye when it's yer watch."
He doesn't answer, but she hears the branches rustling as he lies back down for the night.
Well. At least he trusts her that much.