A Dangerous Game

Chapter Nine: Arrowhead

They dared not return to their cave, despite the fact that it was becoming frightfully cold. Chelsea had the blanket wrapped around her shoulders, but was still shivering.

Without the added heat of the blanket, Kurt and Blaine were even colder that she was. They had their arms around each other, but shared body heat did nothing for them when there wasn't much body heat to share.

"W-we should stop," Kurt's teeth were chattering, "build a f-fire."

Blaine shook his head, "They'll see the smoke." His stomach rumbled, reminding him that he had not eaten since before the Games had begun. Kurt and Chelsea had already snacked on some of the jerky, which Kurt had declared to be "absolutely disgusting" but eaten nonetheless.

"You should eat something," Kurt said quietly.

"I'll be fine."

Kurt dug the remaining jerky out of his backpack, "Take it."

"I'm not hungry," Blaine said, traipsing on.

"Blaine…" Kurt said forcibly, "I can hear that you are hungry. We'll find more food later, but if you faint from lack of food you won't be much help to Chelsea and me, will you?"

"Fine," Blaine snatched the packet of jerky.

They continued walking for about two hours, the snow falling heavily. Although it was already freezing, Kurt feared how they would survive the night in this weather. Kurt's jacket was thick, but he was still shivering and he knew that they would need to find a warm shelter to avoid frostbite. The snow started to thicken, making it hard to even see where they were going. That's when the first arrow whizzed by Blaine's ear. He gasped, his heart beating fast after the close call. "Run!" he grabbed Kurt's hand, dragging him away from the attackers. He knew Chelsea was somewhere up ahead, but she had disappeared into the blizzard. Another arrow shot by his ear, embedding itself in a nearby tree.

Kurt tripped, bringing Blaine down next to him. Blaine scrambled to his feet, trying to help Kurt to his feet. Kurt grimaced, feeling faint as his ankle sent unimaginable pain up and down his leg at the slightest touch to the ground. It continued throbbing as he tentatively lifted it up again. "I can't, I can't… leave me here. I'll catch up," he said after unsuccessfully trying to take a few steps with Blaine's assistance.

"I'm not leaving you here, come on. We need to find Chels," Blaine put his arm around him, trying to help him retreat from their hunters, who were quickly approaching.

"Blaine," Kurt gasped, "my ankle really hurts. Just go."

Blaine shook his head, "I'm not leaving you." He half-carried half-lead Kurt behind the tree. Thankfully it had large roots which could hide the two from view. He set Kurt gently on the ground and stifled a gasp; Kurt's injury was not a mere sprain, there was a deep cut across his ankle. The arrow which hit him must have been covered in blood, red against white an obvious sight to the hunters, but Blaine dared not retrieve it.

Kurt whimpered as another shot of pain went up his leg. He had been injured before in the factories several times. A cut like this shouldn't have been causing him as much pain as it did; something was very wrong. Blaine shushed him, gently placing a kiss on his forehead.

A tribute ran by, but Blaine couldn't make out who it was as their face was obscured by the falling snow.

"Is he the only one?" Kurt whispered, just loud enough to be heard over the wind, which was starting to blow more intensely now.

"I don't know, quiet so they don't hear."

They sat in silence for several minutes, huddled in each other's arms for heat and comfort, until they were sure that the coast was clear. The wind was picking up, whistling by their tree, which thankfully sheltered them from the most of it. The snow had stopped and on the ground it seemed to be vanishing. Simply dissolving into the ground; not even leaving a puddle.

"We need to find Chelsea," Blaine said, helping Kurt up and almost completely supporting him. The ground was now entirely clear of snow and visibility had cleared up despite the leaves blowing in the wind.

They almost walked right past Chelsea, as she was lying in a ditch, almost completely hidden from sight. "Blaine?" her voice was weak and quiet.

Blaine hurriedly set Kurt on the ground, and slipped down into the ditch to his sister. There was an arrow embedded in her rib cage and every breath she took was shaky. "I'm so sorry," Blaine whispered, cradling her head. "I promised I would protect you," tears ran down his face.

"This… this isn't your fault," Chelsea managed to say. She coughed blood, moaning. She lay in his arms until her cannon shot rang out.

Blaine brushed the hair away from her face, "I'm so sorry," he whispered. Her eyes were still open so he gently closed them, holding her in his arms.

Kurt slid down the slope to them, grimacing as his injured ankle hit the ground. "Blaine, we can't stay here." He tried to pry the girl's body out of Blaine's hands. "There was nothing you could have done."

Blaine looked up at his, tears clouding his vision. "I promised…" Kurt kneeled next to him, taking Blaine in his arms. Blaine's tears dampened his shirt.

Gently the two laid the girl's body out flat, removing the arrow from her chest.

"Blaine," Kurt said gently, "we have to go now." He tried to pull him away, limping on his injured ankle.

"No, no!" Blaine exclaimed, trying to cling onto his sister's body. "No! I can't leave her."

Kurt swung him around, his hands on his shoulders. Kurt softened his grip on Blaine's shoulders and sunk down to his knees so they were face to face. Kurt gently took Blaine's cheek in his hand, "We can't stay here. I'm sorry, Blaine. We can't."

Blaine blinked, looking down at his sister's body for a few more moments before solemnly nodding and getting to his feet.

As soon as they had gotten far enough away the ship came and took her away.