𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙋𝙏𝙀𝙍 𝙏𝙒𝙀𝙉𝙏𝙔-𝙏𝙒𝙊
—𝘩𝘦'𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘦—

𝘼 𝙎𝙃𝙐𝙁𝙁𝙇𝙀 𝙀𝙍𝙍𝙐𝙋𝙏𝙎 in the trees of which we look, a wave of wariness hitting me square in the chest. I lift my axe, River shuffling to my side with his trident.

"Hide," I say to Rue.

The small girl hesitates before climbing high into the tree, her eyes focused on us. I stare into the forest, trying to find any trace of a tribute. But I'm only met with silence, of which I grow confused.

"That had to be a tribute," River furrows his eyebrows. "There's no way that was an animal."

"It could've been a mutt," I suggest. "Should we go check it out?"

"I'll do it," he states plainly, moving forward without another glance at me. "Stay here."

I bite my lip, watching as he disappears into the trees. And soon enough, I no longer hear his footsteps. But as the moments pass by, I begin to worry, my heart pounding in my chest.

"River?" I call out, taking a step forward as a shuffle is heard.

"It's Katniss," he says, emerging with a girl in his arms. "I don't know what's wrong with her— she was just laying in some bushes back there."

"She can't be dead, her cannon didn't sound," I step forward as he places her stiff body on the ground. "Unless that was her cannon earlier."

"No," he shakes his head. "She was moving after the last cannon went off. She's alive, she still has a pulse."

"Tracker Jackers," Rue says from the tree, jumping down from the branch. "See those stings on her neck and hands? She's been stung by Tracker Jackers."

"Do you know how we can help?" I question, turning to face the girl.

"There's a plant that can help drain the venom," the small girl nods. "I saw some earlier when I was passing through."

"Will you be okay here by yourself?" River questions. "Casey and I need to get going. Do you think you can trust Katniss if she wakes up?"

"Of course."

"Come find us if you need help," I tell her, placing a knife in her palm. "Please be careful and watch out for yourself, okay?"

"I will," she smiles. "Thank you, Casey."

"You're welcome," I nod, returning her smile. "Come on, River, we need to get some water."

___♕___

The day went by quickly after that; River and I filled our water canisters successfully without running into a single tribute. After that was finished, we found a cave to reside in.

And in the span of the day, only one other person's cannon had fired. Deep down, I hoped that the cannon wasn't Rue's as it echoed through the arena. But I was happy when River assured me it wasn't hers— someone would've killed Katniss at the same time or just seconds or minutes apart.

I still couldn't help the dread that rested inside of me, though. It always seemed to linger, no matter how distracted I got.

So now River and I rest in a cave we found, buried deep in the woods. We happened to run across it as we were hunting earlier, which was convenient. River's plan had worked out well.

Too well.

Worry settles in my gut in realization. Would the gamemakers do something to rattle us? I hope not.

The Capitol seal splays across the sky, the anthem playing for all tributes to hear. But I gasp as the first picture pops up, fading a little too quickly for my liking.

"Was that Glimmer?" I question, nudging River. "Or am I seeing things?"

"You aren't seeing things," River says in astonishment, agreeing with my words. "That was Glimmer."

"H—how?"

"Maybe Cato got tired of her," River shrugs with a chuckle. "I'm sure I would."

Shaking my head, I focus back on the pictures. An unfamiliar face crosses the sky, before turning into Aspen's picture. I stiffen in my place, grasping River's arm tightly.

"He's really gone," I murmer, biting my cheek. "He's not coming back."

"I'm sorry, Case," River frowns. "I couldn't protect him."

"It's not your fault," I shake my head again, placing it on his shoulder. "At least now he's out of this hell hole."

"True," He nods, placing his jacket over me. "Get some sleep, I'll keep watch tonight."

"Okay. 'Night, River."

"'Night, Case."

___♕___

I awake to a soft snore beside me, coming from a sleeping River. Rubbing my eyes, I chuckle at the boy. I sit up, pulling my backpack over to me, and grabbing the berries I had picked two days ago.

It was hard to believe that I had already been here for two days, trapped in an arena to fight to the death with twenty three others. It was even harder to believe that I had actually made it this far.

I take a look at my side, smiling to myself when I see that the gash had already faded into nothing.

Placing another berry in my mouth, I glance out of the cave. The morning air is crisp, but warm as the fog outside fades. The sun shines brightly through the cave entrance, the shade of a thousand trees looking tempting outside.

With a sigh, I lay the berries aside and grab my axe. I'm careful to not wake River as I slip my jacket on, making my way out of the cave with caution

When darting off into the far forest, my eyes wander to the high tree tops in search of Rue. The girl isn't where she was yesterday, and neither is Katniss. Where could they have gone?

I focus on the soft sounds around me— birds chirping, squirrels moving, and a slight noise in the distance. But as I listen closer, I notice the slight noise is the shrill scream of a familiar little girl.

Face contorted in pure horror, I look to the sky to spot smoke— something burning out from a large fire. Without a second glance at the cave, I take off in the direction of the screams, my legs burning at my quick pace. The ground begins to rumble under my feet, an explosion sounding from halfway across the arena.

"Oh my God, Rue," I whisper to myself, not stopping my sprint to the small girl. "Please don't be Rue."

But of course it had to be Rue— no one else was as young as her. And it certainly did sound like the girl. I can only hope I won't be too late.

As the screams grow nearer, they begin to yell for someone in particular— Katniss. Yells sound in the distance, to my very far right. I breathe heavily, coming to a stop at a clearing in the woods.

"Rue," Katniss says with a sigh of relief, breaking into the clearing. She says something else, but I don't quite hear it because of the footsteps beside me.

The small girl lays underneath a net, Katniss hovering over her in an attempt to peel the rope away from her. I glance to my right, Marvel placing his hand on his knees in exasperation.

"What are you doing here?" I snap quietly, gripping my axe in my hand. "Shouldn't you be with Cato?"

"He's dealing with the boy from five," he informs me, glancing around us. "Someone blew up the food and weapon supply at the cornucopia and Cato is pissed. He sent me to find Katniss because he thinks she did it. I thought I heard footsteps coming this way, but maybe I—"

"She's over there with Rue," I step in front of him. "But you can't do anything, I won't let you. Katniss is my ally, and Rue is a sweet girl. You can't kill either of them, no matter what Cato says."

"Casey, Cato is a mess right now," Marvel sighs, staring past my shoulder to watch Katniss cut the rope on Rue. "He tried to find you last night after the cannons went off. He went to the same spot you were at before, only to find blood and weapons on the ground."

"He should've saw that my face wasn't in the sky," I state. "And I'm fine. I just can't stay in the same place the whole time. After Aspen . . . we just couldn't stay there. River and I have a cave not too far from here. We're fine. You can tell him there."

"I'm trying to make this easier for you," Marvel insists, holding his spear intently. "Do you really want to kill these two yourselves? Or would you rather me do it now and get it over with?"

"I won't win anyway," I huff. "Don't you guys get it?"

"Cato told me what I'm supposed to do," Marvel sighs, his eyes averted to the ground. "And I agree with him, Case. We're getting you home, and we have to kill people to do it."

"Marvel, what are you—?"

"I'm sorry, Casey," he glances back up, a sincere look in his eyes. "I really am."

Before I can respond to his words, I'm shoved to the ground forcefully, my head connecting with a tree stump on my way down. I groan loudly, only to look up and find Marvel break into the clearing.

Right where Rue and Katniss are.

In a quick movement, Marvel makes the mistake of stepping on a twig and catches the attention of Katniss.

"Katniss, Marvel, no!" I yell, shoving myself onto my feet.

But it seems I'm always too late.

Marvel launches his spear into the air, and Katniss' arrow slams into Marvel's chest. I choke out a sob as the boy falls to his knees, blood already beginning to pool from his wound.

Looking back over to Katniss and Rue, I notice that Marvel's spear didn't reach Katniss. Instead, it had impaled Rue in the stomach.

The small girl falls into Katniss' arms, Marvel's cannon exploding overhead. I fall to the ground, my hands over my mouth as I stare down at Marvel.

And for the first time since Aspen's death, I allow my tears to finally escape.

_______