Blaine Abernathy: A Canary Caged
Disclaimer: I do not own the Hunger Games
Warning: This Chapter mentions suicide.
Chapter 22: The fox that ate the berries.
Blaine's POV
Seeder gave me a hug. Deep down, I honestly did not want her to go. Yes, we haven't gotten a chance to talk in the last week since Rue's death. All the interviews and talking with sponsors. Seeder has been a mother figure when I needed her. She was the one who gave me the talk about the female body before I was in Reaping age.
Seeder pulled back, "You are almost there."
"I'm sorry about Thresh," I apologized.
Seeder gave a sad smile, "I know. But now he is going home."
I nodded.
Chaff made his way over, "It's time to go before the interviewer hunts us down."
Seeder nodded. Other than the paperwork is the interviewers. The final interviews for the mentors. One way for the Capitol to remind us that we have failed our tributes. Chaff patted me on my shoulder.
"See you at the victory tour," Chaff said.
"Placing bets already?" Haymitch grumbled.
Chaff laughed at that.
"Both of you behave," Seeder warned.
"I still don't know how you handle these two knuckleheads," I told Seeder.
"A lot of patience," she answered. "And smacking them behind the head."
I chuckled at that.
With nothing else said, the two left, leaving Haymitch and me in the private room.
And now there were four, I thought.
.o0o.
The Gamemakers had decided to have the remaining mentors stay at the Gamemakers' headquarters. Rooms have been arranged. I was surprised, but Haymitch assured me this was protocol since the Gamemakers would try to get the tributes closer together. I sighed, dreading the next few days. Cinna offered to get some clothes and toiletries. I appreciated it.
Once he was gone, Haymitch went to the lounge, plopping himself down. I shook my head, amused, while keeping watch on the monitor. Katniss and Peeta were enjoying their meal as they kept looking for the anthem. They were in deep discussion on who was their mentor's favorite. Peeta pointed out that Katniss was Haymitch's favorite. Katniss did the same on Peeta, stating I was the baker's favorite.
"They got that right," Haymitch grumbled.
I sighed, sitting down next to him.
They continue their discussion, wondering how Haymitch won his game. My dad frowns, lost in memory. Not hearing the part when Peeta said, "He outsmarted the others."
That was true; however, it cost Haymitch his family and girlfriend.
"Yeah, and Blaine murdered her way," Katniss added.
I frown at that.
"Have you watched her game?" Peeta asked.
Katniss shook her head, "I saw some of it."
Peeta sighed, "I would rather die when I least expect it. That's what Blaine did."
Katniss stared at him, not understanding what he meant. I took a deep breath. The Tributes from District 9 and Leo were mercy kills from sleep to making out. Lapis was the final death, and I used distraction. But Static…was murder.
Soon the anthem played, and the announcement of Thresh's death solidified how close they were to win. They were the only District to have both their tributes. Now the question is, will there be two victors, one victor, or two bodies returning home.
.o0o.
Day Sixteen…
Death was a cruel experience in the life of a child. Many who reached the final four wish to never experience such adversity. Life is not fair, and I would know from experience. To understand what it is like to be stabbed, battered, weather-beaten, and starving, you practically wanted death instead of the tortures that come with survival. It was survival of the fittest, and you have to be strong. Cowards were frowned upon in the arena. Disdain from the Careers and the Capitol. But if you are from an underdog or middle-class district, depression would consume your judgment. To escape the pain and hunger incompatible…suicide.
Suicides are rare in the games and discredit. Suppose the person committed this act to protect somebody. In that case, it's accepted…but for personal reasons, it's just a waste.
One date I had was an author discussing classical literature from the Renaissance period. One, in particular, was the Divine Comedy written by Dante Alighieri. What caught my interest was Dante's Inferno, where the seventh circle in hell was the Suicides? They turn into trees while these harpies scratch their barks and can only weep their sorrows through their blood. Life is valuable and shouldn't be treated as nothing. Well, look what was happening in this era of society.
Religion holds a perspective on suicide. How it was a sin. Then again, religion hasn't been a thing for the districts and hardly in the Capitol. All washed away when nature tried to destroy what was left of North America.
I know from experience that ending one's life could end the suffering.
I danced around as a marionette who wanted her strings to be cut.
How I wanted the nightmare to end. The screaming to end. Basically, kill the monster I have become for eternal sleep. However, it's never worth it as you discover those who love and protect you. I had people…. but I know not everyone does.
I don't know why I was thinking such dreary thoughts; it just came to mind as I watched the game on the balcony with Haymitch. There was nothing we could do other than watch. Peeta and Katniss were on their own until the end. We were fortunate enough to get food to them before all sponsoring was foreclosed.
"We know Thresh is dead," Peeta announced as he followed Katniss. "Cato's gonna be by the Cornucopia. He's not gonna go someplace he doesn't know. Foxface, she could be anywhere."
"We should probably hunt around here," Katniss said, looking around the area to find prey. "We don't have any food left."
"Okay, I'll take the bow," Peeta said, looking seriously at Katniss's face, ready to grab it.
The expression on Katniss's face was lethal, yet humorous as she thought he would take her bow.
But Peeta chuckled, giving his signature smile. "I'm just kidding. I'll go pick some stuff."
When Peeta walked away, Katniss smiled at his joke, shaking her head. She hunted from a short distance, catching some rabbits and a squirrel. Suddenly a cannon fired. Instantly Haymitch and I were on red alert. I grabbed my tablet to check on Peeta when Katniss was running back, calling his name. On the ground where his jacket lay was a pile of blackberries. Haymitch scowled, "Nightlock."
"Nightlock," I heard and read about nightlock. It was a poisonous berry that was actually lethal. Once consumed, it'll impetuously kill the victim before reaching the stomach. Worse than its cousin Nightshade which causes narcosis and paralysis.
Katniss knelt on the ground picking up a handful of nightlock. Panic was written on her face as she stormed up, calling Peeta's name. Fortunately, she found him while he grabbed her, terror and relief on his face. "Are you okay?"
"I heard cannon. I thought…." She cried, touching his face to be sure he was alive. When she looked at his hand to see the black berries, she smacked them out of his hand, furious. "That's nightlock, Peeta! You'll be dead in a minute!"
"I didn't know," Peeta apologized.
"You scared me to death." Katniss cried, hugging him. "Damn you."
Peeta wrapped his arms around her. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
If it's not Peeta who ate them and Cato's at the Cornucopia, then that leaves Jacqueline. Foxface as the two call her. It took a while, but they found Jacqueline on the ground dead. Caesar went over the reruns to show her watching Peeta from afar, seeing him collect the berries. Peeta mumbled about them being the same berries that Rue collected. Jacqueline tilted her head cautiously. When Peeta left his gatherings, Foxface crawled towards the pile and examined them thoroughly. She held a poker face. Impossible to read her motives. Only she grabbed a handful and ran away from a reasonable distance.
Deliberating the situation and wary at hand. She was holding a nightlock, yet it does resemble blackberries. At the end of her internal debate, she ate them. Why? Jacqueline Fynch, the girl from District 5, was among the smartest, trickiest, and most clever tributes in the Games. She demonstrated this several times throughout the game, from stealing supplies from other tributes, letting herself become forgettable in order not to draw attention to herself, and so much more.
"I never even knew she was following me," Peeta said with sympathy.
"She's clever," Katniss complimented.
"Too clever," Peeta replied, looking at Jacqueline sadly.
Katniss grabbed the berries from the dead tribute's hand, putting them in a small pouch.
"What are you doing?"
"Maybe Cato likes berries, too." She replied, giving a frugal look.
Peeta's face was subtle at the comment. It was wrong for Katniss to make a joke in front of the dead. A debate made me wonder why Foxface would take the risk in fate. Her mentor talked about how much of a genius she was, especially in the plant station, swiftly completing a computer matching game with no problem. A five in training score, making it mediocre. Her odds of winning were 7-1, which is a good statistic. Why?
To escape.
Guess we'll never know what went through the mind of the sly fox?
.o0o.
Day Seventeen...
And then there were three.
Katniss and Peeta were making their way back to the Cornucopia.
So far, they have not crossed paths with Cato. Then again, District 2 and District 12 were on the opposite side of the arena. All were making their way back to the Cornucopia. Things were getting tense, and anything could happen at any moment.
And there were nonstop interviews.
It was a way to get the Capitol Government money. None of the Citizens were aware that the donations were closed. And whatever money we have left is done. The store was closed, and no more supplies will be sent. District 12 was fortunate for Katniss in knowing how to hunt and knowledge of plants.
Once the interviews were done, I took a break going to the balcony to get some fresh air. Any day now, the 74th Hunger Games will be over. The question is who will be the victor or the Victors. I do not know, and the stress and anxiety were getting to me. Was this how Haymitch felt when I was in the arena?
I took a deep breath, remembering when it was the final three. The arena killed the final tribute, and thus the hunt began. Three days on the run with many encounters with Lapis. I placed my hand on my hip, feeling a slight phantom pain where Lapis stabbed me. Even though the scars were erased, I can sense a slight ache in that spot. Phantom Pains. That is what Chaff calls them.
Shaking my head, I turned around only to stop to see Seneca making his way over. He smiled proudly, and I forced one out for his benefit.
"Seneca, what a pleasant surprise," I greeted.
"It is," Seneca said. "How are your tributes?"
"They are doing well," I informed.
"That's good," he replied.
"I want to thank you for providing the medicine for Peeta," I thanked him.
Seneca sincerely smiled, "It's the least I can do."
I nodded. We were quiet for a moment, watching the scenery. Until Seneca spoke again.
"Have you given much thought about my offer?"
I mentally groaned, for I did not have the time to think about a relationship. I had a feeling that President Snow no longer wanted me to be an escort because of Seneca. The Head Gamemaker probably paid a lot of money to have an actual relationship with me. Especially when President Snow has encouraged it as of late.
"Seneca," I breathed. "Why me?"
Seneca smiled, "Because you are beautiful."
I mentally frown at that, "Is beauty all that matters?"
"No, it was a start," he continued as he took my hand. "Your singing captivated me, along with your confidence and compassion. You are also smart and preserved. Any conversation we have has been entertaining. And I want you to feel safe and welcome."
"Seneca," I whispered in shock.
He leaned down, whispering into my ear, "If you chose me. No other man will have you. Our children will be safe. And most of all, you will be around people who understand you. Not District 12."
He then pulled back, tucking a strand of hair off my face, "Think about it."
He kissed my hand before leaving.
Once he was gone, I sighed, contemplating on the offer. If I chose Seneca, then the only man I would sleep with would be him. My future children will be safe from the Reapings and the Hunger Games. To avoid history repeating itself. But it comes at a price of never coming home except for the Reaping. I won't be able to see Haymitch all the time.
I would be living on a stage for the rest of my life. The mask I wore as the Lady of Ashes will be forever sealed on my face, of constant smiles and complimenting everything Capitol. Even to my possible husband will all be an act.
I would be a canary caged.
.o0o.
Day Eighteen...
Watching the monitor again to see the star-crossed lovers heading towards the Cornucopia when day turned into night. This wasn't a good sign as the two kept going.
"What time is it?" Peeta asked.
"A little after noon," Katniss answered.
"Why is it getting so dark?" he asked.
"Must be in a hurry to end it," she said, drawing her bow while knocking an arrow.
I looked at Haymitch and knew what this meant. The Gamemakers were rallying up the tributes for another bloodbath. Like Katniss said, they were hurrying to end this for the climax. I grabbed Haymitch's hand and prayed for our tributes to make it. We need both of them alive to win this game…if not one.
A growl was heard, and the two stopped.
"Did you hear that?" Peeta asked, grabbing his knife.
The sounds of growls, rustling leaves, and branches breaking continued to surround them. Whatever it was, the suspense. It was killing everyone. What was Seneca playing? The sounds of wolves howling echo throughout the controlled scenery. Peeta and Katniss stop cautiously.
"What was that?" Peeta asked, wary.
"It's the finale," Katniss answered.
Mutts
What do you all think of the changes and the scene with Seneca?
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