Chapter 26! Finale Part One!
I end up staying over at the Mellark's to watch the Games from late closing on the bakery. We all head upstairs quietly and plunk onto the sofas. The anthem plays, and the recap plays. Apparently today, Gale dropped a tracker jacker nest on the Careers, killing both Glimmer and Pearl. He was stung, but didn't get knocked out somehow. Gale managed to grab a bow and some arrows from Glimmer's body before taking off. He stumbled upon Rue, who helped him find the nest originally. She healed the stings, and they formed an alliance. The Careers got medicine for their stings as gifts, then set off to hunt down someone. They left the District Three tribute there, and Gale and Rue go spy on their camp to blow up the food. Foxface go through intricate steps to the pile, showing them that there are mines buried all around the pile. When she darts off, he blows the pile up quickly. This causes them both to go partially deaf, and they manage to get away before angry Careers return. Cato blames the District Three boy, snaps his neck and they pack up for a long hunting session.
Marvel, Sara, and Cato head to the woods, opposite of where Gale and Rue are safely tucked away at. The camera flips to Foxface, who's sitting under a bush. A bit of her pack sticks out in neon coloring, giving her hiding spot away. A map pops up showing the Careers nearing the spot, and Marvel can tell too. They tiptoe into the clearing, and Marvel holds up his hand. Stepping forward quietly, his arm makes precise movements to stab her leg. Foxface lets out a glass breaking scream, thrashing hardly. Sara and Cato sit down, and snack on some peanuts while laughing. Marvel drags her up to the tree, and pulls out some knives.
"See these five? I am not killing you with all of them, they're going to pin you." He sticks a longer knife through the extra material of her jacket, pinning her arm to the tree securely. She doesn't utter a peep, but tears stream her face. He proceeds to pin the rest of her body to the tree, having one last knife to spare. "No noise huh? Tell you what, you scream, and I'll kill you quickly." Foxface lets it loose, and they all laugh harshly.
"Just kidding." He says, then slices across her stomach. She coughs blood immediately, and he slowly carves her body in intricate designs while she lives on. After what seems like hours, she chokes on her own blood and dies. A cannon sounds marking her leave. As if on cue, Sara stands and marches towards her, pulling out her handy bottle of blood. She gets some of Foxface's, and then secures the cap back in place.
I shudder, and lean into Peeta's side. His arm wraps around me automatically, and we both stare at the screen still.
"Well, it is down to six, half of them being us. We should probably split up." Marvel says casually.
"I am staying with Sara." Cato says, and exchanges a smirk with her. They both look at Marvel, who backs up slowly. "And that makes you the enemy, doesn't it Marvel?"
Before he utters another word, Sara slashes her sword through his legs. He lets out a yell, and Cato quickly silences him with a swift cut through the head.
"Nice job partner." Cato says to Sara, whose response is a grin. His cannon booms and they head off towards their camp. "Let's get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a fun day." They walk off together, and the camera flips to Thresh, who's silently eating grains again. It flips again to Gale, who's sitting in the tree together.
"What's Twelve like?" Rue asks while snacking on some groosling meat.
"Dreary." He replies with a snort. "Everything is covered in coal dust, people are dying of starvation. Just dreary."
"What about that girl you mentioned, Madge is it?" She asks with a small smile.
"I had no idea she loved me until I was pulled, it was kind of a wakeup call. I fell for her right then when she came to say goodbye." They both smile. "What is Eleven like?"
"We work all day, and it's horrible. People starve too, there are fields everywhere. Guarded heavily with peacekeepers all day long." She responds nonchalantly, and leans back.
"Tired?" Gale asks quietly. Rue nods and yawns, and they get in the sleeping bag together. He holds her close to him, and she snuggles tightly.
The television flicks off, and I quickly stand. "I'm heading home." I say quickly, and then run down the stairs. I don't even know why I'm running, I just feel really sick. Regardless of if Gale is in love with Madge, he's in an arena trying to stay alive while I'm having a care free time with Peeta. I run out into the rain, which is pouring in bucketfuls. I hear heavy steps, and take off running. Peeta is calling out my name, but I ignore him. All I can think is how horrible of a person I am. My feet take me to the meeting spot I have with Gale in the woods, and I collapse. The rain drips from my face as I lay in the dirt. I've got to quit enjoying time until Gale gets back. I decide I will keep working, but no more laughing, or smiles. Old Katniss. I must sit out for hours in the dark, because soon morning is shining. I drag myself back home, and see Prim sitting on the stool looking concerned. She takes one look, then gets up.
"I'll go run to tell Peeta you can't make it in today." Before she has a chance to leave, the anthem plays, and the television turns on. This only happens when a feast begins. Or when the end is beginning. Since they announced last night that there was a feast, I lean in. Prim's fingers find my hand, and I see Rory race through the door.
"I can't watch with mom and everyone. It's too stressful."He whispers, and Prim motions for him to sit with her. She gives him a kiss on the cheek, and they turn towards the television. Suddenly Claudius' voice booms through the arena.
"Attention tributes! A feast will be held in ten minutes! Something you may want will be in a pack with your number on it. Optional to attend, but all items will blow up after ten minutes! May the odds be ever in your favor!" The screen shows Sara and Clove, who agree to go to the feast. They immediately start walking towards the Cornucopia. They flip to Thresh, who's also packing up his stuff and heading out of the fields. The camera finally rests on Gale and Rue.
"Do you think it is something you really need?" Gale asks Rue.
"No. I have my slingshot and all I need. What about you?" She replies.
" Nope. Got wire and my bow. I'm set." He nods in confirmation, looking back at her.
"I say we just wait it out. Someone is bound to die at the feast, then we make our move." Rue says quietly, looking into his eyes for confirmation.
"We can. Maybe we should move closer to the Cornucopia to keep an eye out though. Whoever is left probably will camp out there." Gale responds, and grabs his bag.
"Let's move then, we have to hurry." They round their supplies, and Gale gets down out of the tree. Rue starts hopping through the tree line quietly. Gale jogs under the trees just as fast. Within seven minutes, they have reached the edge of the trees, and Gale hoists himself back into the tree. A bonging sound rings out loudly. Thresh, Cato, and Sara race out of their hiding spots.
Let the feast begin.
WOAH. Only five tributes left! What's going to happen in the next chapter? :3 Review lovely reviewers!