One Last Word, chapter 3
A/N: Oh gosh! I am so so sorry for no updates! Nearly a month! I'm terrible, I know. I'm nearly blind right now because my glasses broke and I don't have anything to use, so I apologize if there are spelling mistakes. I can't see the computer screen!
By the way thanks for all the lovely reviews! Stay gold my friends!
Dear, Rue
I am so sorry. So sorry, Rue.
After the reaping, your father visited me. I was so surprised he would, as the only other people who had said goodbye was my family and none of my "so called" friends. He had sat down in front of me and asked me to protect you.
I was a little shocked, but then he explained you were the eldest of his six children, and that you were his first and he loved you. He told me about how you would give all the younger children your food in case they looked thin, or how you risked your life to steal extra food. You've never gotten caught, not once. It puzzled me why he was asking me, but then it became clear. He told me you were fast, but combat was not your strongest suit.
So he asked, no-nearly begged me to protect you. I had promised I would.
During training, I was reluctant to keep my promise, as I saw you swing from bar to bar, and climb the courses as if you were a bird. But when I saw you steal that Career's knife, I had to laugh. You were cheeky, and not everyone can get away with stealing a Career's knife. But then your father's words echoed in my ear. Of course I had to keep my promise. I may be 17, and too old for my age, but I knew what kind of tortures happened in the Games. You were so small and innocent; I just couldn't bring myself to leave you alone.
Interviews came and went, and when I saw you in that dress, I couldn't help but smile. You looked just like the mockingjays at home;
I never knew it was you that signaled those birds.
Later, in the Games, I tried my best to find you as soon as the bloodbath ended. Hiding in my grain field, I'd peek over trees and grounds to see any sign of you. Once I thought I saw a small boot. But if was just after I'd seen fire Girl. You were following you. She kept my promise for me. She took care of you and promised to keep you safe. I was jealous, but I couldn't complain and kept my distance.
Until the Career came.
When I saw your face up in the sky, I had to fight to keep myself silent. I had promised then and there, I would win for you, Rue. You were dead because not even Fire Girl could keep the promise I broke. I couldn't protect you anymore. So I did the next best thing…I saved her life.
During the Feast, I thought she was a goner, when that Career girl was ready to slice her up into ribbons, but then I remembered my promise. It was the least I could do to kill that girl. But when I saw that boy kneel next to her, pleading for her life, I knew I had done the wrong thing. He was protecting her, just like I had tried to protect you. And we both failed.
When the final hour came, and I lay upon the ground dying, I swore I could hear your whistle song in my ears. The earth became hazy and my breath was fading. All I could do was thro w my hand up in defeat as the cannon fired.
I'm so sorry. I'm sorry I broke my promise. I'm sorry I couldn't let another boy keep his promise. But now that we're safe, I'm not letting you out of my sight again. I couldn't keep my promise on earth, so maybe I can keep it here
Yours truly,
Thresh