CHAPTER SIXTEEN
last moment of luck

THE MORNING OF DAY 2 STARTED WITH THE SOUND OF A CANON, WHICH SHOOK EVERYONE AWAKE IF THEY WEREN'T ALREADY. The realisation that none of this was a bad dream seemed to pierce all of those who were asleep. However, all Eleanor could focus on was who had died. Had it been August? Another member of the career pack? Maybe another person? Almost nervously, she scanned her allies, relieved to see all of them alive and breathing.

Marlene seemed to be the first to actually wake up, Sage too exhausted from her wound and both Jaime and Kai just appeared too groggy. Eleanor could already see the annoyance on the blonde tribute's face as she realised not once had Eleanor woken her up at night. It pissed Marlene off to no end that Eleanor hadn't woke her up because she should've at least tried to get a few hours of sleep. However, the blonde held her tongue as Eleanor checked Sage's wound, applying a thin layer of gel with gentle attention. The anger almost evaporated as she watched the attentiveness on Eleanor's face.

Jaime and Kai were too busy observing from the sidelines as Eleanor nursed Sage's wound, enduring Marlene's relentless questioning. The pair of boys snickered at the way the two girls spoke to each other, exchanging wide smiles at their behaviour. Eleanor couldn't help the bile that wanted nothing more than to escape her mouth at the sight of the two kids who definitely did not deserve to be here.

It was a sickeningly bittersweet scene to witness.

Marlene grabbed onto Eleanor's hand, preventing her from applying more gel to the wound. Eleanor's other hand slapped her's away, and the brunette turned to continue lathering the substance on. "Wait," Marlene interrupted abruptly. Eleanor paused, turning to face Marlene, who seemed too make out what exactly she needed to say. She ignored the burning cheeks she sported, finally asking. "How- how do you know those aren't some freaky mutt plants?"

Eleanor rolled her eyes, focusing once more on Sage's wound. She couldn't even care to spare Marlene a look, instead focusing on the crimson lining of the stab. She apologised quietly when Sage winced loudly, yelping. "I know because the patterns on the leaves are the same as the aloe vera back at home."

"Huh?" Marlene's confusion made nearly everyone groan, apart from Kai - who was too busy snickering.

Eleanor passed the plant to Marlene, who held it confusedly in her grip. She turned to give Eleanor a confused glance, who simply reached a finger out to point out each of the markings on the plant. "You see the spikes? The mutt hasn't got those."

"How do you know?"

"Because the game makers legit put the plants together." Eleanor deadpanned at Marlene. The brunette rolled her eyes. It seemed as though Marlene genuinely thought Eleanor was serious so Eleanor once again scoffed. "Obviously I studied the plants while we were training. Besides, aloe vera's common back in 4. I'd recognise a stupid mutt from a mile away."

"Good to know." Marlene rolled her eyes at Eleanor, extending an arm out for her. "Come on, we need to find somewhere less obvious for us to camp out, and we need to find water."

Eleanor had completely forgotten that they basically only had two rucksacks, the ones her and Marlene had snatched from the Cornucopia. Inside there were useful stuff, like empty water bottles, a few protein bars, and medical supplies, but they were virtually useless if they all died of thirst and hunger. It seemed as though the emptiness in their stomachs didn't bother the others as much it did Eleanor, who ate half her protein bar quickly.

Before she ate the other half, Sage gently tore it from her and placed it back in the bag. "Save it, or you'll starve." Her voice was so soft that it could have easily gotten carried away in the breeze, so gentle that Eleanor would not have heard it if she wasn't looking at Sage.

Eleanor sighed. "How are you guys not hungry?"

Marlene called over to Eleanor with a sarcastic smile. "Because we are used to starving, fish brain."

That shut Eleanor up. She didn't want to say anything because no matter what, it was clear that Eleanor had the most fortune in life. There was no point in arguing against someone when they weren't wrong.

The group had decided to move from where they had stayed the night before. Eleanor and Marlene had thrown the backpacks over their shoulders, both Kai and Jaime wedged between the older girls as they walked through the woods. Eleanor kept a close eye on the younger boys.

"What are we even doing?" Jaime asked with a confused frown. He turned to Eleanor, moving closer to her to tug her sleeve. "Because there is no way I'm going for the careers."

Eleanor deadpanned at the blond boy. A light smile coated her lips moments later and she reached forward, ruffling his blond curls. "Don't worry, I'm not suicidal." That was a sentence Eleanor doubted was true. Everything about this alliance was suicidal. "Those careers can go kill each other, then we'll be sorted."

Marlene cut in. "Then fishy right here," Marlene jabbed Eleanor's side playfully, making Eleanor stumble slightly as she walked. She pushed Marlene to the side with a small laugh. "Will have a genuine excuse to stay up."

"Why?" Kai tilted his head to the side, stopping for a brief moment.

Marlene grinned. "Because she'll have to keep an eye on me and my ax." She hauled the ax up, the shiny metal stained with the blood of her district partner. The sight alone made Jaime quiver, his lips trembling as tears pricked in his eyes. "Oh don't cry, pipsqueak, I'm not being serious." Marlene turned to Eleanor, side eyeing her. "Yet."

"Yet?" Kai's voice was stressed in a higher pitch, his pupils blown out in fear.

"Jaime, keep your voice down." Sage scolded, coming up to gently hold onto him. There was an unusual amount of maternity in Sage's eyes as she held onto his arm. Eleanor ignored it for a moment, knowing that there was a high chance that Sage had a younger sibling who was just like Jaime. There must have been, because why else would a sad smile coat her lips? "Marls quite scaring the kid. He need none of your shit, got it?" Sage pointed a finger at Marlene, a stern look on her face.

Giving a mocking salute, Marlene chuckled. "Yes ma'am." Marlene gave a cough, making everyone turn their attention onto her. "Now, I feel like we need to find shelter first."

Eleanor nodded. "That's our best bet."

"Then water."

Sage nodded.

"Then food." Marlene's face turned dark for a moment. "How many died last night El?"

Eleanor replied quickly, already knowing the answer since she continuously reminded herself of it all throughout the night. It was a tedious process, but she dedicated the night to recalling every name of the deceased. She never knew how hard remembering seven names could be until last night. Tonight, if no one else died today, she'd be remembering eight names. "8. No deaths after the blood bath, but one death this morning. 16 tributes are still out there."

Marlene nodded solemnly, her face downturned and her eyes void of any genuine emotions. It seemed as though Marlene Woods had experience suppressing what she truly felt, perhaps as a coping mechanism, or maybe because she didn't want to get emotionally attached to any of her allies.

Allies. That's all Eleanor will be to any of them if they turn out to be the lone victor. She accepted her identity rather quickly, though she didn't want it.

"When eight more canons go off, we split, okay?"

"But-"

Before Marlene could even say a single word, a soft voice interrupted. "Jaime," Sage's soothing voice practically cooed at the younger boy. His large blue eyes blinked up at the girl, welling with unshed tears. "I don't think any of us could kill the other." His blue eyes twinkled with tears. "It'll be best if we part, so we don't end up hurting each other."

"I-" Marlene was cut off.

"Shut up Marlene." Sage snapped quickly, glaring at her with harsh eyes. Her eyes were piercing, making even Eleanor quiver at the sight. "You cried in your sleep over killing your district partner, look me in my eyes and tell me you'd genuinely be able to live if you killed us." Marlene couldn't give a proper reply. "Just as I thought."

It seemed as though since, the group had been locked in silence. No one really knew what to do, simply because what else could you say? Eleanor hated the silence, she always had.

So, Eleanor walked besides Jaime and nudged him lightly. "You okay?"

He gave a hesitant nod. "I miss home."

"12, right?" Eleanor smiled softly down at him, watching him gently as he nodded. They watched the pathway, keeping an eye to make sure they didn't fall or stumble into anything that could possibly hurt them. Mutts or tributes... "What's it like?"

"Grey..." Jaime whispered softly. "But, the bakery is nice."

"The bakery?" Eleanor cocked her head to the side curiously.

He elaborated. "My uncle owns it. Sometimes I help, but my little cousin's more useful than me and that says a lot." He snickered lightly.

Eleanor gave a small laugh. "So, what do they make?" She asked him once again.

"Cakes and bread." Jaime smiled to himself, perhaps relishing in the memories of those said cakes and bread. They seemed like such simple things to Eleanor, things she's used to receiving as a gift for assistance. Sometimes, the elderly who Eleanor helped back home would leave her a teacake they had made. It was a gift of thanks, sometimes Eleanor had always overlooked for years. Now, she wanted nothing more than to enjoy those teacakes again.

"Do you get to eat them?"

Jaime nodded shyly. "Sometimes, my mama buys them for me. Only when its an important day though." He smiled. "Had one the morning of the Reaping. Best thing I ever ate."

Before Eleanor could respond, her eyes widened at the sound of running water. It was faint, so subtle that she wouldn't have heard if she hadn't been listening so carefully to Jaime. The stream of water seemed to be so loud in comparison to his faint voice, something the others hadn't noticed. Eleanor stopped dead in her steps, making Kai turn quickly to focus on her.

"Ellie?"

"Shh." She whispered to him, her voice barely audible. She looked around, hearing the chirps of birds and the sound of the unfound water. Where was it? Eleanor couldn't focus on anything else, wanting simply to find exactly where it was. That seemed to grab Sage and Marlene's attention, who now focused on Eleanor with a confused look on each of their faces. Eleanor's head turns around in every direction, her eyebrows furrowed.

"You gone nuts, Fishy?"

"Shut it, Marlene, or so help me that ax won't be in your hands!" Eleanor snapped, her eyes finally fixing on a small gap in the trees. She moved forward in an almost hypnotic way, each step gentle with calculation. Everyone else seemed less gentle, the sound of twigs snapping under harsh boots loud and clear.

Then, they all heard it.

Water.

It was concealed from them, hidden by a large willow tree. The leaves were bright and drooping, acting as a perfect canopy for them. Eleanor brushed away the leaves, her eyes filling with unshed tears as she saw the large body of water ahead of them.

"Holy-" Marlene gave Eleanor a shocked look, her eyes wide but filled so deeply with gratitude. "Fishy, are you like connected to water or something?"

Sage laughed, her eyes filled with so much happiness as both Jaime and Kai darted for the stream. Kai seemed more excited than Jaime, practically jumping into the body of water with laughter which sounded just like wind chimes. Jaime watched Kai with wide, slightly frightened eyes.

"Come in," Kai practically yelled up, though no one cared on how loud he was being.

Sage sat on the edge of the stream and dipping her hand into the water. She brought a bit of water to her mouth, before turning to Eleanor and Marlene with a nod. "Fresh water."

Marlene moaned out. "Thank god." She nudged Eleanor with a subtle smile. "You see why I wanted you as an ally, Fish? You and water have some weird ass bond or something."

Eleanor rolled her eyes with a playful laugh. "Yes because you totally knew I had a psychic connection to the water." She breathed out happily as she took her boots off, finally moving to the ledge and placing her feet in the cool water. She watched both Kai and Jaime, keeping a close eye on them just in case someone unexpected appeared. Eleanor feared that the moment she looked away from them, something bad would happen and simply just watched them. She watched as Jaime shook as Kai held onto him, tense as he finally settled in the water. She only took her eyes away when Marlene splashed her.

Marlene gave her a genuine smile, something that seemed both uncanny and just right on her face. Her usual scowl was replaced by an uplifted, relieved smile which Eleanor never thought she would have seen. "Come on! Relax!"

Eleanor finally got off the ledge, feeling the comfort of the water around her body. She quickly splashed her face with the water, sighing happily as she finally felt the coolest she had felt since she entered the games. Cupping her hands together, she took a sip and breathed out happily.

Water had never tasted so good in her life. Everything about this lake was perfect and it made Eleanor relax. She leaned back, looking up at the willow tree branches, which wept into the water.

She grinned once more, happy that something good, even if it was small, was coming out of the games.

Eleanor unwrapped the bandage on Sage's arm carefully, gently pouring some water on the wound. She rubbed into it gently, apologising for the pain she was doubtably in. Night had already fallen, though the heat was still horrific. Thankfully, the water from the lake was cool and so whenever the heat got too much, the group took to bathing for some sort of relief. It had taken a lot of debating from all of them on whether it would be wise to set up camp here, but an unanimous vote concluded that being here, underneath the willow tree, was better than being out there in the unknown.

"Are you sure we're safe?" Marlene was still very hesitant about staying by the willow tree, keeping her ax in arms length just for comfort. Eleanor reached to the side and grabbed onto the bandage, carefully wrapping it around Sage's shoulder.

"Yes, for the hundredth-" Sage took a sharp intake of breath, wincing. "-time, it's better we are here than out there."

"Well, do you think anyone else knows about this place?"

Eleanor sighed, her eyes looking away and watching Kai and Jaime sleep comfortably. Eleanor had placed her rucksack underneath Kai's head so that he wouldn't be sleeping entirely on the mossy ground, Marlene copying for Jaime. Her eyes wandered to where the two kids were. Jaime and Kai were practically knocked out, laying besides each other just inches from the water.  Unfortunately, they didn't have blankets to keep themselves warm, but it seemed as though the humidity kept them warm enough. Eleanor wished Finnick could have sent them a blanket to keep the kids warm, however she was grateful for the bread he had sent them just a bit after they had finally come down from their happiness at finding water.

Eleanor shrugged. "Does it matter? Being here is better than being in the open without water." Her eyes trailed to look at the large body of water which seemed to be the item of their success. She stared at it with a sudden sense of unease, her stomach dropping slightly. Eleanor sighed, pulling her knees up to her chest. She leaned her head on her knees, shutting her eyes momentarily. Her eyes snapped open the moment she felt Marlene move next to her, nudging her. "What?"

"Go sleep." The blonde bluntly said.

Eleanor's eyebrows furrowed together, her head tilting to the side. "What?"

"Don't make me repeat myself." Marlene gritted out, huffing ever so slightly. She brushed her blonde hair behind her ear, sighing at Eleanor. Her hand reached out and gripped onto Eleanor's forearm. "You haven't slept since we got in the arena. Just... try and sleep."

Eleanor nodded, sighing. She gave a wary look to Marlene. "Me, you, and Sage will take turns. Okay?"

"I should be asking if you're okay with that, fishy." Marlene gave a small grin, shaking her head. "Night." She tilted her head to turn to Sage. "You too, Sage, you look like shit. Get some sleep."

Sage hummed out in agreement. "That sounds good." She rubbed her eyes slightly, yawning as she laid down.

Eleanor smiled faintly, sitting up with the palms of her hand pressing her upwards. "Night Marls. Night Sage."

GUYS WE HIT 10K IM SOBBING

CRYING

THROWING UP

I LOVE U ALL SO MUCH

THANK U ALL SO MUCH FOR READING THIS SHITTY STORY <3

MAKES MY LIL HYPERFIXATED HEART GO BOOM FR