The first thought I have when I am raised up into the arena is Finnick Odair has arrived. This is your zone. But then I look over to Katniss and think the exact opposite. I'm pretty sure the Capitol planned this as yet another threat to her. Water and fire do not mix. I look down at the gold bracelet Haymitch gave me. Hopefully this will be enough to make Katniss my ally that is if she figures out how to swim.
I jump off into the water when the countdown is over and begin swimming. I'm over quickly to the island, pulling myself up in only a few easy strokes. Katniss comes up too, so she must know how to swim. She underestimates herself. I pull a trident and a net from the huge pile of stuff at the Cornucopia, this time not worried about people coming up behind me. I know what I'm doing and I'm first. It will still give me a head start as some people struggle. Katniss points her bow at me. I smile but I'm ready to kill or defend if needed. I clutch onto my trident harder.
"You can swim, too. Where did you learn that is District Twelve?" I ask, delaying the moment.
"We have a big bathtub," she replies. I want to laugh, but that would be weird. She must not want anyone to know.
"You must. You like the arena?" I ask again, without really a purpose. I wonder what the Capitol people think.
"Not particularly. But you should. They must have built it especially for you," she says bitterly. I size her up. I don't think she's ready to kill me yet, but she could if she needed to.
"Lucky thing we're allies. Right?" I ask her, grinning. I move my wrist, letting the bangle shine. Trust me, I hope she figures out. It's too early for me to die. Please let her figure it out!
"Right!" She agrees and I sigh to myself.
"Duck!" I shout to her. I hurl my trident over her head and it hits the man from District 5. I walk over and pull it out.
"Don't trust One and Two," Finnick tells me as he comes back over.
"Each take one side?" She offers. I nod and she goes to the other side. I see Enobaria out of the corner of my eye. No one else is coming.
"Anything useful?" I ask her. There is a pause, I assume she is looking at the pile and not dead.
"Weapons! Nothing but weapons!" She shouts back to me.
"Same here. Grab what you want and let's go!" I tell her. She shouts but misses and shoots another at Gloss, hitting him in the thigh, pretty brutal for having to walk. I grab a couple things and meet up with Katniss back at the front.
"Do something about that, would you?" I say, meaning Brutus. She shoots at his belt shield at he falls releasing a purple liquid. Other people have gotten here, I can hear.
"Let's clear out," she says. But when she sees Peeta still not having left his plate, she runs toward him. She can't risk herself like that. I put a hand on her shoulder as she starts drawing knives.
"I'll get him," I promise.
"I can."
"Better not exert yourself. Not in your condition," I say patting her abdomen. I'm trying to help her and she doesn't seem to figure that out.
"Cover me," I ask her and dive into the water. I'm back in my element. I swim quickly across the water and notice Mags still on her base. She jumps off and paddles toward shore. I reach up for Peeta and he lowers himself into the water after a glance at Katniss, keeping her bow ready to shoot. I keep one arm across his chest while using the other to bring us back to safety without resist. Katniss helps me bring him ashore and I come out myself.
"Hello, again. We've got allies," Peeta says greeting her with a kiss.
"Yes. Just as Haymitch intended," Katniss responds. I had a feeling they weren't going to ally with any one any other way.
"Remind me, did we make deals with anyone else?" Peeta asks.
"Only Mags, I think," Katniss says. Mags is still slowly swimming.
"Well, I can't leave Mags behind. She's one of the few people who actually likes me," I let them know.
"I've got no problem with Mags, especially now that I see the arena. Her fishhooks are probably our best chance of getting a meal," Katniss tells me. Peeta won't argue it and I consider it done. Mags may not be the most fit ally but she does have a lot to offer. A nagging voice in my head tells me that she will die here, but I push it away.
"Katniss wanted her on the first day," Peeta adds in.
"Katniss has remarkably good judgment," I say, helping Mags out of the water. I spot Johanna a couple spokes away as I also notice Katniss looking at Beetee failing to keep himself afloat.
"Look, she's right. Someone figured it out," I assure her. It doesn't seem to work. We have to move and I'm not going to get them.
"The belts. They're floatation devices. I mean, you have to propel yourself, but they'll keep you from drowning," I try again. She seems to give up on the idea. Katniss distributes weapons to Peeta and Mags. I carry her as we run away. I stop for a moment, catching Johanna's eye. She is about ready to flee too, the other way. I jerk my head to Beetee. She rolls her eyes.
You're going to have to prove youself. I mouth and she gets the point, jumping in the water to help them. I hope she will be okay. Hopefully we will meet up again. We have too.