CHAPTER SEVEN

TO THE GUT.

The two girls didn't get so much as a few seconds to breathe in their new loss before they were being ambushed once again.

Coral, Mizzen, Treech, and Tanner. The quartet giddily ran up to the two mourning tributes, taunting them.

Celia could barely make out the feeling of Lucy Gray's shaky hand holding her own. The sight of Tanner following behind the pack was gut wrenching.

"Lucy Gray," Treech started, sliding in front of Celia as she tried to pull Lucy Gray from their sight. "Stay right there."

The two halted as Lucy Gray pushed her way in front, putting her arms up to guard Celia. Stuttering breaths of air escaped Celia as she slowly came to the realization that this was it. They were outnumbered.

Celia ignored the feeling of eyes on her, knowing that the District Seven female was still perched above the fighting grounds. Mizzen slapped his net against the floor, pushing the two to huddle even closer together. Celia tried so hard not to meet Tanner's gaze as he stared her down. She knew the boy was torn.

With Coral's command, Tanner spun the chain in his hand, heaving it towards the girls. The harsh metal bit into Celia's stomach as she dropped to the ground in pain. She struggled to suck in a breath of air after the blow. Lucy Gray soon found herself on the ground after a being knocked back by Treech. Celia helplessly kicked at the ground, trying to pull Lucy Gray along with her as the other girl threw rock after rock at the pack.

"Hey Coral," Treech smiled, "do you mind if I take this one?" He stepped closer, landing his foot harshly on Celia's hand with a chuckle.

"Not a chance." Coral scowled, raising her pitch fork and aiming for Lucy Gray.

The sound of a distant whirring startled the group. Eight drones, all carrying water, flooded through the arena. The robots caused enough of a distraction, kicking up dust and hitting the attackers, for Celia and Lucy Gray to drag themselves away.

Celia clutched her stomach, the bite of the chain leaving her nauseous and dizzy. She let Lucy Gray lead her to a hidden spot below a pile of rubble, similar to her earlier safe space.

Once out of sight, Lucy Gray grabbed Celia's face, surveying her for injuries. Tears creeped down each of their faces. Celia quickly nodded in reassurance before turning away to hide a violent coughing fit. The slabs of rock muffled the sound, keeping them hidden from the tributes.

The crook of Celia's elbow was speckled in blood. It hurt to inhale the polluted air, which surely did not help after being hit in the chest with heavy chains.

"No," Lucy Gray's voice cracked. "What's happening?"

"I'm okay, I'm alright." Celia reassured the girl, "Just knocked the air out of me." Her voice was raspy, tears blurred her vision as she tried to suck in more air.

Lucy Gray wrapped Celia in her arms, letting the girl lean against her. With Celia's back to Lucy's chest, the two listened to the other tributes in the arena.

"- and then when you're done, you two can watch that beam while we get your little friend from back home up there." Coral snapped at Treech, holding him by the collar.

Celia could feel Lucy Gray shift. A thought seemed to have appeared in her head as she pulled a small compact case from her person. She clutched it tightly, gently moving Celia to lean against the rock. "Don't move."

Their four attackers seemingly went after the District Seven girl. The sounds of struggle were hard to hear, but Celia tried her best to try to gauge where they'd be next. Lucy Gray snuck from their spot, compact in hand.

Celia watched on in worry as she found the pile of water bottles. Lucy Gray quickly emptied the bottles, leaving one full as she dumped a mysterious powder into the liquid.

Coral quickly turned around, catching Lucy Gray as she made a move to run away. Celia noticed how Lucy drew the others away from her. With baited breath, she struggled to make a decision.

"No," She groaned in pain, heaving herself to a stance. Celia stepped out from behind the pile of debris. Catching the eye of Mizzen, who made Celia's presence known to the others, Celia limped into an unsteady run.

With Mizzen and Tanner now on her tracks, Celia was finally able to give Lucy Gray enough leeway to get ahead of Coral and Treech. The two girls eventually met after running in a circle. Lucy Gray practically threw Celia inside of the abandoned vent and closed the spinning fan behind her. The four tributes banged at the fan blades in frustration.

Their chests both rose and fell, hands shaking, and hearts racing. Lucy Gray bit her tongue, "I told you to stay."

Celia looked at her hands, shakily picking at her nails. "I couldn't let them get you, Lucy. I can't do this without you."

Lucy Gray sighed, placing a warm hand on Celia's. "There's only one winner, I want it to be you."

Celia sputtered, fresh tears now freezing to her heated cheeks. "No."

Lucy Gray decided to stay silent, knowing that this conversation was useless as the games were truly unpredictable. Still, it couldn't hurt to tell Celia what she truly thought.

The tunnel grew silent. Both girls could hear Coral berating the boys. They grew more silent as they made their way to the center once more.

Through the slits in the opening, Celia and Lucy Gray were able to watch the group argue. "You really think you deserve that water now, Tanner?" Coral challenged.

"Look, you just said watch the beam." Tanner stepped closer to Coral. He laughed in her face.

Without another word being said, Coral grabbed his shoulder and forced her pitchfork into his stomach.

Celia stilled, a pathetic squeak traveled up her throat at the sight. Her eyes burned, her stomach twisted, and her vocal chords came back to life.

"No!"

Lucy Gray was quick to wrap the girl in her arms, forcing her head to her chest. "Shh, shh." She soothed, petting her hair. Lucy's breath stuttered as she spoke quietly into Celia's ear. "Don't look."

Lucy Gray watched as Coral tore the weapon from Tanner, the noise traveling to the pair. Celia jumped at the squelch, trying to cover up the grieving screams bubbling from her pained chest.

Coral looked towards the vent, chuckling as she unknowingly made eye contact with Lucy Gray.

••

Celia's cries soon died down as the time passed. With her head on Lucy Gray's chest, she was lulled into a soothing sleep.

Lucy Gray was just glad Celia was not awake to witness Dill's death, ultimately brought upon by Lucy herself.

With a furrowed brown and creased facial expressions, Lucy Gray took notice of the way Celia's skin grew clammy and cold. The girl kicked in her sleep now, struggling to catch her breath as she surged forward.

Lucy Gray didn't quite know what to do as Celia turned to face her. "I feel dizzy," was all that was spoken.

Now brainstorming, Lucy thought back to all the times she nursed members of the Covey back to health. She placed the back of her hand to Celia's forehead, startling at how damp it was.

"You may be in shock." Lucy Gray spoke softly. "Your blood pressure is low. We need this to end, soon."

Celia nodded sleepily, she fondly watched Lucy. "You're so beautiful."

Lucy Gray flushed, attempting to now slow her breathing as she grew flustered. "You're the prettiest cowgirl I've ever laid my eyes on." Her accent peaked out as she struggled not to smile.

Now it was Celia's turn to blush. "Maybe when this is all over, I can introduce you to my dad."

Lucy's heart dropped. The reminder of the games quickly sobered her. "Yeah, maybe, sugar."

••

NOTES
I know this is so
short, I apologize.
It's so hard to write about
the game from memory.
1.3k, unedited.