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Chapter Eight
The 74th Hunger Games: Here Comes a Lullaby
"Who's left again?" Katniss asks Foxface as she was probably awake for the list of the fallen last night. Rue and herself fell asleep before they had the chance to see it.
"Marvel, Clove, Cato, Thresh, Alden from District 3, Rue, myself, your boy toy Peeta and you of course." Foxface says with a smirk on her face.
"What happened to Bantu, do you know?" Rue asked.
Foxface grimaced looking at Katniss with hesitation, "Thresh, Peeta, and Bantu were ambushed by the Careers last night. Thresh got away unscathed, Marvel tried throwing a spear at him, but Thresh batted it away like it was nothing. He used it to knock Marvel unconscious before taking off. Clove killed Bantu, she was pretty sadistic. I really don't want to cross her path. Cato and Peeta fought, I was surprised that your boy toy was as well matched as he was when fighting a Career but…..Cato did slice up his leg pretty bad. He's alive and hiding somewhere but….it didn't look good, firefly."
Katniss let out a shaky sigh, "We can't focus on that, if anything this motivates me more to continue with the plan to take away the Careers supplies." Katniss said with a fierce look on her face before noticing something in Rue's hands.
"What do you have you got there, little bird?" Katniss asked kindly.
Rue smiled sweetly, "Breakfast." She holds them out revealing three big eggs.
"What kind are those?" Foxface asked impressed by the younger girl's find.
"Not sure. There's a marshy area over that way. Some kind of water-bird," Rue answered with a shrug. It'd be nice to cook them, but none of the girls were going to risk a fire not when they had a huge chance to mess with the Careers.
The three girls suck out the insides of an egg, eat a rabbit leg and some berries. It's a good breakfast anywhere.
"You know the funny thing is that my Aunt Gemma sent my first sponsor gift after I decided to ally with you. Isn't that an interesting coincidence, huh, firefly?" Foxface asked with a sly smirk.
Katniss rolled her eyes but Rue looked at her curiously, "Aunt? Your mentor is your Aunt?"
Foxface nodded, "She's really my Great Aunt but both my parents are only children so she's been the only Aunt I've ever known. Aunt Gemma won her Games around my age."
Katniss smiles darkly.
"That seems how it works in families, it seems like an Everdeen curse to be reaped at twelve." The past Victor said bitterly.
Rue and Foxface exchanged uncomfortable glances but didn't say anything in response.
The girls were silent as they watched Katniss hunt, both younger girls were both awed and intimated by the deadly grace Katniss possessed when holding a bow in her hands.
"Katniss, even if you could get to the food, how would you get rid of it?" Rue suddenly asked. Foxface wanted to hear the older girl's answer before telling her allies about the mines.
"Burn it. Dump it in the lake. Soak it in fuel." Katniss pokes Rue in the belly, just like she would with Prim.
"Eat it!" Katniss joked, trying to get a smile out of the younger girl. Rue giggles. Foxface smiles.
"Don't worry, I'll think of something. Destroying things is much easier than making them." Katniss said getting serious once more.
Foxface snorts, "Especially since Alden from District 3 retriggered the mines. All you need to do is shoot at something in the pile that will set of all of the mines at once. I'll come with you but from another direction to show you were they are located and besides I would like to steal some supplies before you destroy them."
Foxface smirked at her allies' stunned faces.
Katniss grinned, "Nice, little fox. They don't stand a chance without their precious supplies."
The three allies trade huge grins as they dig roots, gather berries and greens, and devise a strategy in hushed voices. Katniss and Foxface learn more about Rue; the oldest of six kids, fiercely protective of her siblings, who gives her rations to the younger ones, who forages in the meadows in a district where the Peacekeepers are far less obliging than District 12's.
"There's Aloe she's ten and my best friend, Buxus he's the only boy he's eight, Liriope is six, and Calathea and Callisia are twins they're four."
Katniss smiled, "All plant names, just like how my siblings and I were named after flowers."
Rue bounced, "Katniss can be a plant too!"
Katniss and Foxface laughed at the younger girl's excitement.
"Right you are, little bird." Katniss smiled softly at her.
Foxface pouted, "I hate being the youngest and I'm the only girl! Having two protective idiot brothers is really annoying, even more so since I am the smartest out of the three of us."
Katniss and Rue snickered at this but Vixen ignored them.
"Crevan isn't so bad he's sixteen and we are pretty close but Todd is a nightmare and not as cool of a brother, he thinks since he's the oldest at eighteen he can order us to obey him….I never thought I would miss the jerk but I would give anything for them to be able to tease me again." Foxface whispered tears running down her face, Rue hugged her and Katniss rubbed her back in comfort.
"I'm not a fighter like you, firefly. My plan is pretty much to hide until the remaining imbeciles get their idiotic self's killed out of sheer stupidity."
Katniss chuckled lightly at that and Rue giggled.
"Little fox, listen to me I didn't fight the other tributes during my first games and I won by outsmarting them. There's no reason you or little bird can't do the same thing."
Foxface huffed, "It's not like I can trick them with poisonous berries, and I'm terrible at identifying plants because well I don't like admitting it but I'm color blind so berries look the same to me."
Rue looked at her quizzically, "So, you can't tell the difference between a blond or brunette?"
Foxface smirked, "Sure, as long as I talk to them, it's pretty obvious when someone is blonde." Vixen said snidely.
Rue giggled thinking of Glimmer asking Marvel what 'repugnant' meant after Cato turned down the blonde beauty rather harshly during training.
Katniss looked at Foxface with an expression that reminded Vixen the time her mother scolded her after tricking her brother Todd into thinking that a Peacekeeper was actually a close friend of her mother's and to demand candy from the Peacekeeper. Sinopa Ripley had never been so ashamed of her only daughter.
"That's not a correct or nice thing to say little fox. Both of my sisters are blondes and they are the smartest little girls their ages." Katniss said sternly.
Vixen blushed, "Sorry." Foxface said her voice contrite. Rue bit her lip to stop her laughter from bursting out because to the little girl from District 11. It was too funny to see the slighty haughty girl from 5 looking so sheepish.
However judging by the glare that Vixen Ripley was shooting Rue Jarvis she wasn't entirely successful at keeping her amusement a secret.
Katniss shook her head at the two younger girls but with a fond smile on her face.
By lunch, they had a plan worked out and by early afternoon, they are poised to carry it out. Foxface and Katniss help Rue collect and place the wood for the first two campfires, the third she'll have time for on her own.
They decide to meet afterward at the site where they ate their first meal together. Before the older two girls leave, they make sure Rue's stash was well stocked with food and matches. Katniss insists she take her sleeping bag, in case it's not possible to rendezvous by nightfall.
"What about you? Won't you be cold?" Rue asks.
"Not if I pick up another bag down by the lake," Katniss answered.
"You know, stealing isn't illegal here," Katniss said with a grin. At the last minute, Rue decides to teach them her mockingjay signal, the one she gives to indicate the day's work is done.
"It might not work. But if you hear the mockingjays singing it, you'll know I'm okay, only I can't get back right away." Rue explains before giving her a hug.
Foxface unexpectedly pulls the other girls into a group hug. Katniss and Rue let out surprised laughs not having expected that.
"You two be careful," Rue tells to them.
Foxface uncomfortable with the growing attachment she feels for her allies, nods then takes off to start her part in the plan.
"You too, little bird." Katniss whispers.
She turns and head back to the stream, feeling somehow worried. About Rue being killed, about Foxface being killed, about Rue not being killed, about Foxface not being killed and the three of them being left for last. About leaving Rue & Foxface alone, about leaving her siblings alone back home.
About her kind boy with bread slowly dying from Cato's wound. No, her siblings have their mother, Haymitch, and the Hawthorne's. Foxface can take care of herself. Rue only has Katniss and its unlikely Peeta would even let her help him.
Katniss Everdeen sighed
It doesn't matter if I die or don't die I'll never be able to leave this Arena but hopefully I will find peace if it wasn't for my kids I'd have had a mental breakdown like Annie.
"Come on," says Cato. He thrusts a spear into the hands of the boy from District 3, and they head off in the direction of the fire.
"When we find her, I kill her in my own way, and no one interferes." Cato said ominously.
Katniss shudders not liking the phrase 'my own way'. As the leave, Foxface creeps up and she begins to approach the pyramid with strange little hops, sometimes landing on one foot, teetering slightly, sometimes risking a few steps.
Katniss bites her tongue trying to hold in a terrified gasp as Foxface slightly missed a step and let out a startled squeal.
Foxface fills her pack, taking a few items from a variety of containers, crackers from a crate, a handful of apples from a burlap sack that hangs suspended from a rope off the side of a bin.
Then she's doing her odd little dance back out of the circle, smirks and nods to the vague direction where Katniss is and scampers into the woods again, safe and sound.
Nice going, little fox. Katniss' eyes light up as she spotted the burlap bag of apples.
I could sever the rope in one shot, didn't I do as much in the Training Center? It's a big bag, but it still might only be good for one explosion. If only I could free the apples themselves . . .
Katniss places her feet carefully, blocks out the rest of the world as she takes meticulous aim. The first arrow tears through the side of the bag near the top, leaving a split in the burlap.
The second widens it to a gaping hole. Katniss sees the first apple teetering when she lets the third arrow go, catching the torn flap of burlap and ripping it from the bag. For a moment, everything seems frozen in time.
Then the apples spill to the ground and Katniss Everdeen is blown backward into the air.
Cato has finished the first phase of his tantrum and takes out his anger on the smoking remains by kicking open various containers.
The other tributes are poking around in the mess, looking for anything to salvage, but there's nothing.
The boy from District 3 has done his job too well.
Alden Tennant only has time to turn and run before Cato catches him in a headlock from behind.
Katniss can even see the muscles ripple in Cato's arms as he sharply jerks the boy's head to the side. BOOM.
It's a long time before Katniss risks moving, the first thing she does is dig out her own glasses and put them on. Which relaxes Katniss a little, to have at least one of her hunter's senses working, she drinks some water and wash the blood from her ear. Fearing the smell of meat will draw unwanted predators — fresh blood is bad enough — Katniss makes a good meal out of the greens and roots and berries Rue, Foxface and she gathered today.
"Let the Seventy-fourth Hunger Games begin, Cato. Let them begin for real." Katniss said out loud a smug grin on her face.
With that, Katniss begins her walk back to their meeting place, own her way she lets out Rue's signal. She smiles as she hears it but it is quickly wiped of her face as she hears Rue scream, "Katniss!" The older girl panics, and breaks out in a run, screaming out Rue's name.
"Rue! I'm coming!" Katniss screamed. When Katniss breaks into the clearing, Rue's on the ground, hopelessly entangled in a net.
Rue just has time to reach her hand through the mesh and says, "Katniss" before the spear enters her body.
Without second thought, Katniss releases and aims her bow at Marvel's neck.
BOOM
"Oh my god, Rue" Foxface cries out as she enters the clearing. Katniss reloads, shifting her aim from side to side, while she shouts at Rue, "Are there more? Are there more?" It takes both Rue and Foxface a while to convince Katniss to calm down. Foxface and Katniss crouch down on either side of their little ally.
There's no point in comforting words, in telling her she'll be all right. She's no fool. Her hand reaches out and I clutch it like a lifeline. As if it's me who's dying instead of Rue.
"You blew up the food?" Rue whispers.
"Every last bit," Katniss croaks.
"You have to win." Rue said looking at Katniss pleading with her.
This doesn't even bother Vixen, who was in shock at seeing a little girl who she has grown fond of die slowly and painfully before her eyes.
Katniss holding back sobs just nods.
"Don't go, either of you." Rue begs. "I'm not going anywhere, little bird. We're staying right here aren't we little fox?" Katniss looks towards Foxface who nods, silently crying.
"Sing for me?" Rue asks her voice weak yet thick from pain.
"Since you love music so much, little bird. I'll sing you eleven songs for the District that gave us you." Rue smiles softly at that.
Katniss exhales heavily, her voice thick with sadness but still so enchanting:
Blackbird singing in the dead of night take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life you were only waiting for this moment to arise
All your life you were only waiting for this moment to be free
"Please…keep…singing…it's peaceful." Rue choked out.
Katniss let out a pained sob before singing another song:
For you, there'll be no more crying, for you, the sun will be shining
And I feel that when I'm with you, it's alright, I know it's right, to you I'll give the world
To you, I'll never be cold 'cause I feel that when I'm with you, it's alright, I know it's right.
And the songbirds are singing, like they know the score, and I love you, I love you, I love you
"Love…you….Katniss….always…wanted a….older….sister" Rue croaked out through the pain. Foxface sobs noticeably in the background. Katniss' voice became thick with emotion but she continued to sing.
Like never before and I wish you all the love in the world, but most of all, I wish it from myself.
And the songbirds keep singing, like they know the score, and I love you, I love you, I love you
Like never before, like never before…
Once, Katniss started singing, it was like she couldn't stop. She had to keep her promise to Rue, so she sang:
This could be the end of everything, so why don't we go somewhere only know
Somewhere only we know. Oh simple thing, where have you gone?
I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin and if you have a minute, why don't we go
Somewhere only we know
Rue smiled at Katniss as she continued to sing:
There's only one thing you should know I've put my trust in you pushed as far as I can go
For all this, there's only one thing you should know I tried so hard and got so far but in the end
It doesn't even matter I had to fall to lose it all but in the end it doesn't even matter
Katniss sobbed before continuing:
So just close your eyes. Oh, honey here comes a lullaby, your very own lullaby
There's no need to go and blow the candle out because you're not done, you're far too young
Katniss voice broke on the last line but as Rue squeezed her hand for her to continue singing Katniss voice grew strong again.
To let you know that you're not alone and if you can't tell, I'm scared as hell
So just close your eyes oh, honey here comes a lullaby, your very own lullaby
Oh, honey here comes a lullaby, your very own lullaby.
"Katniss….sing…don't stop" Rue whispered weakly, both Foxface and Katniss couldn't stop crying. But Katniss kept singing:
In every truth that you deny and each regret and each goodbye
Was a mistake too great to hide and your voice was all I heard, that I get what I deserve
So give me reason to prove me wrong, to wash this memory clean, let the floods cross
The distance in your eyes give me reason to fill this hole, connect this space between
Let it be enough to reach the truth that lies, across this new divide
Foxface wrapped her arms around herself shaking with silent sobs as she watched Katniss comfort the slowly dying girl.
If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late. Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last? Reminisce old memories. Would you forgive your enemies?
Would you find that one you're dreamin' of? Swear up and down to God above? That you finally fall in love
If today was your last day….
Katniss choked up before singing another song:
If I die young, bury me in satin lay me down on a, bed of roses, sink me in the river, at dawn
send me away with the words of a love song, lord make me a rainbow, I'll shine down on my mother
She'll know I'm safe with you when she stands under my colors, oh well
Life ain't always what you think it ought to be, no, ain't even grey, but she buries her baby the sharp knife of a short life, well
I've had just enough time if I die young, bury me in satin, lay me down on a bed of roses,
Sink me in the river at dawn, send me away with the words of a love song
Katniss choses a song that she always loved next to sing to Rue:
I remember tears streaming down your face, when I said "I'll never let you go"
When all those shadows almost killed your light, I remember you said "Don't leave me here alone"
But all that's dead and gone and past tonight. Darling everything's on fire, the war outside our door keeps raging on
Hold on to this lullaby, even when the music's gone, gone Just close your eyes, the sun is going down, you'll be alright
No one can hurt you now, come morning light you and I'll be safe and sound, just close your eyes, you'll be alright, come morning light
You and I'll be safe and sound
Katniss then decides to sing one of her favorite songs, as she could tell Rue's breathing was slowing down and wanted this song that meant so much to Katniss to be the last comfort for Rue.
Deep in the meadow, under the willow, a bed of grass, a soft green pillow
Lay down your head, and close your sleepy eyes and when again they open, the sun will rise.
Here it's safe, here it's warm, Here the daisies guard you from every harm
Here your dreams are sweet and tomorrow brings them true, here is the place where I love you.
Rue's eyes have fluttered shut, her chest moves but only slightly. Katniss' throat releases the tears and they slide down her cheeks. But Katniss has to finish the song for Rue.
Deep in the meadow, hidden far away, a cloak of leaves, a moonbeam ray
Forget your woes and let your troubles lay, and when again it's morning, they'll wash away.
Here it's safe, here it's warm, here the daisies guard you from every harm
The final lines are barely audible.
Here your dreams are sweet and tomorrow brings them true, here is the place where I love you.
Everything's still and quiet. Then, almost eerily, the mockingjays take up her song. For a moment, both Katniss and Foxface sit there, watching each other's tears drip down on their faces. Rue's cannon fires,BOOM. Katniss leans forward and press her lips against Rue's temple.
Slowly, as if not to wake her, Katniss lays her head back on the ground and release her hand.
Foxface goes over to Marvel, takes his pack and retrieves the arrow that ended his life. Katniss cuts Rue's pack from her back as well, knowing she'd want them to have it.
I want to do something, right here, right now, to shame them, to make them accountable, to show the Capitol that whatever they do or force us to do there is a part of every tribute they can't own. That Rue was more than a piece in their Games. And so am I.
A few steps into the woods grows a bank of wildflowers.
Foxface realizing what Katniss was doing goes and helps her. Perhaps they are really weeds of some sort, but they have blossoms in beautiful shades of violet and yellow and white. Rue's allies gather up an armful and come back to Rue's side. Slowly, one stem at a time, they decorate her body in the flowers. Covering the ugly wound. Wreathing her face. Weaving her hair with bright colors.
Katniss realizing she never sang an eleventh song starts to sing:
I came to win, to fight, to conquer, to thrive, I came to win, to survive, to prosper, to rise, to fly
I believe I can touch the sky, I believe I can fly, fly, I believe I can touch the sky, see I was on the verge of breakin' down
I am not a girl that can ever be defined, I hear the criticism loud and clear
That is how I know that the time is near, see we become alive in a time of fear and I ain't got no time to spare
Cry my eyes out for days upon days, such a heavy burden placed upon me, I came to win, to fight, to conquer, to thrive
I came to win, to survive, to prosper, to rise, I believe I can fly, fly, I believe I can touch the sky, I believe I can fly
They step back and take a last look at Rue.
She could really be asleep in that meadow after all.
"Goodbye, little bird" Katniss presses her three middle fingers of her left hand against her lips and holds them out in her direction.
"Bye, Rue," Foxface whispers, and copies the older girl's gesture out of instinct. Then they walk away without looking back.
"You want to break the alliance, don't you little fox?" Katniss asked emotionlessly.
Vixen looked at her sadly, "It would be for the best, firefly."
Katniss doesn't voice any objection just nods her head in agreement.
"Try to win, little fox." Katniss said emotionally.
Foxface stares at her intently, "You have to win, Rue would have wanted it….be safe, Mockingjay." Katniss looks at her bewildered at that.
"Mockingjay?" Katniss asks.
Vixen Ripley smirks in a sad way and quotes Katniss, "It suits you."
Katniss yanks her into a rough hug and kisses her forehead, with that the two part ways.
AN: Rough chapter...hope you guys liked it. Again theres a poll on my profile asking whos your favorite Orginal Character in this story please vote!
Rd, Enjoy, Review!
SONG LIST: Blackbird (Glee Version) Songbird (Glee Version) Somewhere only We Know (Glee Version)
In the End (Linkin Park) Lullaby (Nickleback) New Divide (Linkin Park) If today was your last day (Nickleback)
If I Die Younng (The Band Perry) Deep in the Meadow(adrisaurus youtube it) Safe & Sound (Taylor Swift) Fly/I Believe I can Fly(Glee Version)
I OWN NONE OF THESE SONGS!