Chapter 9

2 days later, that has been no change in the tribute deaths. Peeta and Justin are still captured, while Clove and Cato is still trying to hunt Rue, Thresh, Katniss and Alex down.

From Alex's close to death experience in the river, almost drowned, yet could have been killed by Clove and Cato, Alex has gotten really sick.

Alex hasn't been eating or drinking because she would just bring it back up... she tried eating a day ago, but brought it back up.

Katniss made sure Alex is by the fire to keep warm, while in Thresh's sleeping bag that he gave Alex.

That night, while Thresh and Rue slept, Katniss is wide awake, next to the sleeping Alex.

"I'll make sure you are ok Alex." Katniss whispers stroking Alex's ice cold cheek, yet warm forehead.

Alex coughs harshly and when she pulls her hand away, Katniss sees blood.

Katniss goes into a panic moment and quickly pulls out Alex's water in the water bottle. She opens it and wakes Alex up.

"Wh...?" Alex rubs her eyes.

"I need you to drink this." Katniss puts the bottle at Alex's mouth while using her left hand to tilt Alex's head up. Alex drinks some of the water and when she doesn't want anymore, Alex weakly pushes Katniss' hand away.

Katniss closes the bottle and hands Alex a strawberry. Alex weakly eats it and rolls onto her side so her head is in Katniss' lap.

"Am I dying, Kat?" Alex asks Katniss tiredly.

"I'm not letting you." Katniss whispers stroking Alex's sweaty hair from her face.

"But am I?"

"No. Don't say that Lex. You have Justin, Max and your dad to live for. They need you."

"At the end of this, it will only be Max and dad."

"But you will be home safe and sound. I will make sure of it."

Katniss begins to sing softly a song that she heard, but don't know where.

Everybody's waiting
Everybody's watching
Even when you're sleeping
Keep your eye, eyes open

Alex stares up at Katniss as she strokes her hair, kissing her forehead every once in a while.

The tricky thing is
Yesterday we were just children
Playing soldiers, just pretending
Dreaming dreams with happy endings

In backyards,
Winning battles with the wooden swords
But now we've stepped into a cruel world
Where everybody stands up,
And keeps score
Keep your eyes open

Katniss rubs Alex's stomach soothing her.

Everybody's waiting
For you to breakdown
Everybody's watching
To see the fallout
Even when you're sleeping, sleeping
Keep your eye, eyes open
Keep your eye, eyes open
Keep your eye, eyes open

So here you are,
Two steps ahead and staying on guard,
Every lesson forms a new scar
They never thought you'd make it this far

Katniss kisses Alex's forehead as Alex closes her eyes slowly.

But turn around
Now they've surrounded you
It's a showdown
And nobody comes to save you now

But you got something they don't
Yeah, you got something they don't
You just gotta keep your eyes open

Alex reopens her eyes and laces her right hand with Katniss' on her stomach.

Everybody's waiting
For you to breakdown
Everybody's watching
To see the fallout
Even when you're sleeping, sleeping
Keep your eye, eyes open
Keep your eye, eyes open
Keep your eye, eyes

Keep your feet ready
Heartbeat steady
Keep your eyes open
Keep your aim locked
The night grows dark
Keep your eyes open

Katniss runs her left hand over Alex's forehead discovering Alex's fever is getting worse.

Keep your eye, eyes open
Keep your eye, eyes open
Keep your eye, eyes open
Keep your eye, eyes open

Everybody's waiting
For you to breakdown
Everybody's watching
To see the fallout
Even when you're sleeping, sleeping
Keep your eye, eyes open

Keep your eyes open
Keep your eye, eyes open
Keep your eyes open
Keep your eye, eyes open

Alex quickly falls back asleep, surprisingly keeping the water and strawberry down.

Katniss hears the familiar beeping that gave her the medication for Alex's burn. Katniss lifts Alex's head off her lap and gets up. She walks out of the cave and notices; on the left is the EXACT same ball that helped Alex before. She opens the ball and pulls out a container with Alex's name and directions.

Katniss walks into the cave and takes her spot again.

Medication for Alex's fever. Don't worry, she's not dying. Just really sick. ~Coin

Katniss opens the container and sees medication that quickly breaks fevers, pills to help with coughs and colds, and they are fast reacting.

"Alex, wake up." Katniss shakes Alex awake making Alex groan.

"Kat..." Alex groans yawning.

"Take this." Katniss opens the liquid medicine and holds it to Alex's mouth. Alex takes the medicine and takes the pills that Katniss hands her.

Katniss puts the medicine in her bag and holds Alex to her. She falls asleep happy, knowing that Alex is perfectly fine.

~K&A~

That morning, Alex is feeling much better. Her fever is broken and her cough is almost gone. She is able to eat and drink perfectly fine.

As Thresh, Rue, Katniss and Alex leave the cave, they are shocked beyond belief. There is Clove.

Clove has a smirk on her face and a knife ready.

"My final knife. I have to make it perfect." Clove turns the knife in her hand.

Before anyone can breathe, Thresh runs at Clove with a rock in his hand. He smashes the rock into Clove's head, knocking her to the ground.

He beats Clove's head in until Rue, Alex and Katniss pulls him off.

"Let's go." Katniss makes Alex get onto her back and Thresh gets Rue onto his. The two of them runs away from Clove's dead body and crosses the river.

A cannon goes off, telling them that Clove is fully dead.

Katniss hears Alex sniffle along with Rue. Both 12 year old girls still can't handle death, or killing someone.

I don't think anyone can handle killing someone or see someone die in front of them. Well besides Cato, Clove and Glimmer. Katniss thinks.

They arrive to the edge of Cornucopia, but turns around so they can see who is there, yet they can't be seen.

Katniss puts Alex on the ground and makes her climb the tree, with Katniss directly behind her.

Thresh does the same with Rue and they climb up the tree next to Katniss and Alex.

Katniss straddles the tree branch and wraps her arms around Alex's waist.

"Are you feeling ok?" Katniss whispers to Alex, as Alex hides her face in Katniss' neck.

"Ya. Just scared about what is to come." Alex answers in a whisper.

"Whatever does come, I will protect you. I will not let anything happen to you."

"I love you Katniss."

"I love you too Alex. Go to sleep. I'm not going anywhere." And Alex does just that.

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