Chapter 3

I'm sitting there with my face buried in my hands for what seems like an eternity. I wipe my tears from my undoubtedly red puffy eyes. I lay back into the grass and stare up at the sky. What I should be seeing is blue and white. But I see coal dust and grey clouds and not a bird in the sky.

I sit up and hunt around for dandelions. Whenever Katniss takes me here to hurt for herbs or medicinal plants I can't help but pluck a couple dandelions here and there. I find a patch of 30 something of them just sitting there, waiting to be blown away by the wind.

'30 wasted wishes,' I think. I begin to pluck them, not wanting to let them dry up in the sun and wind.

I pluck one, make my wish, and blow on it, watching the seeds fly away as if they were going to grant my wish. Just the way Katniss taught me.

The cycle repeats itself over and over.

'Please let Katniss come home. Please let Katniss come home. Please let Katniss come home,'

After I finish at that patch I walk towards the edge of the fence, careful not to touch it. Here I find another patch of dandelions, and to my surprise, a bow and a sheath full of arrows. It's tucked away under the patch. I hold it and glance at the sheath. It has three dots in a row with an oval them carved into it.

It's my sister's.

She has so many it's hard to count where she hid them all.

I wrap it inside the blanket I brought, making sure to add a few flowers to the top to make it look like a bouquet. Truth be told, the Peacekeepers
don't like us going into the Meadow, but it's the woods that's off limits. I'm not sure why though. This is truly the only place I probably will ever be happy.

I put the bow and sheath neatly wrapped in blankets next to me as I pluck more dandelions. I hear shuffling and footsteps coming towards me and tuck the bow and arrows underneath my legs. I don't want to risk anyone seeing them.

I pretend to be engrossed in a dandelion when a dark shadow casts over me and the patch. I look up and see Rory.

He doesn't say a word to me as he sits down next to me. He plucks a dandelion and mouths something I don't understand to it and finally releases it into the world. I take one, make a wish, and blow. He takes one, makes a wish, then blows. The cycle repeats. It's actually quite peaceful, sitting there, making wishes.

I decide to stop. I've done 77 (her favorite number is seven) dandelions and I think that's enough, atleast for a day or twoin the arena.

I cringe. When did I start thinking horrible thoughts like this? And the thought of her being killed in millions of ways floods my mind. Swords, traps, animals, knives, tridents, spears, drowning, suffocating, natural disasters, and finally the worst two of all.

1) Getting killed by your own ally

2) And Katniss being killed with a bow and arrows. Her own weapon.

Tears well in my eyes before I can stop them. But it keeps playing over and over. An arrow. Deadly and silent as it buzzes through the air. Piercing her heart. Ending her life. Ending my life.

Because if Katniss dies I have no reason to live any longer. Our mom can get by on her own. I have no real friends. What's to live for? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Once my beautiful amazing perfect sister leaves this planet I might as well die too. Less of a disgrace to the planet.

I fall hard on the ground as I stare up at the depressing sky. Rory looks at me, and after finishing one of his wishes he plops down next to me.

"Hey Prim?" he asks, turning so he can face me.

"Do you ever wonder what life would be like without the Games?"

"Yeah, but it's not like we can change anything. Nothing we say matters anyways," I say softly, wishing the clouds would clear.

"Prim," he sighs, "there's nothing we can do about her in the Games. I'm sorry,"

"You don't need to be sorry Rory. I just.. It should've been me, you know? I just don't know what to do anymore,"

He slowly rests his hand on mine and says "All you can do is be strong for her,"

I turn and face him, looking into his deep gray eyes.

"How?" I ask, not expecting an answer. He doesn't give me one.

Instead, he yanks me off the ground and puts his arms around me and hugs me.

I hug back, letting the tears flow. I'm waiting, but I'm all dried up. I feel tired, but I feel so happy and protected and warm at the same time. I lean on him, putting my head on his shoulder. I feel happy. Safe. Content. A tiny little flicker of candlelight during a downpour.

He pulls away for a second and brushes a strand on hair was from my face. He speaks.

"Prim, no matter what happens, I'll be right by your side. Okay?"

"Okay," I smile, hugging him again. I feel protected.

We don't say anything. We're just standing at the end of the Meadow, hugging each other like the world might end tomorrow.

And who knows? Considering we live in Panem, it could easily end tomorrow.

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Love you chickadees

~DramioneForever123~