1 - Uncharted Waters [Hunger Games]

24 - Edge of Madness

Chapter 24

"Dark Paradise" by Lana Del Rey

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞

Time felt distorted in the arena—days dragged on, but the constant weight of death's proximity made every moment feel like an eternity. Three days had passed since the boy from District 10's death, and nothing significant had occurred since. The Careers stayed in their pack, hunting down other tributes. Yet, Mira couldn't bring herself to rest. Every night, she slept with one eye open, haunted by the fear that the boy who had violated her would return, finish what he started.

She lay on her side, facing the edge of the cliff, the sounds of the sea below her. The fake night sky stretched above, and she tried to count the stars, hoping the mundane task would lull her into exhaustion. Her body ached for sleep, but her mind wouldn't allow it. The memory of the assault lingered like a shadow, tormenting her in the dark corners of her thoughts.

The touch on her arm startled her, a gasp escaping her lips before she could stop it. Her mind flashed back Ash's hands on her, the groping, the violation. Her body stiffened as panic gripped her.

"Hey, it's just me," Destan's voice cut through the tension. His words were calm, soothing. She relaxed slightly, sensing him sit behind her, his presence a quiet comfort amidst the storm of her thoughts. Mira didn't move, keeping her gaze on the vast, empty horizon.

"Trouble sleeping?" Destan's voice was low, but not unkind.

"Yeah," she whispered, the weight of the word hanging in the air. She closed her eyes, inhaling the cool sea breeze, trying to find some peace in the chill of the night.

"You look tired," Destan observed softly. Mira turned to face him, lifting her eyes to meet his.

"I do?" she asked, her voice a faint murmur. Destan was close now, only a foot away, sitting cross-legged with his arms wrapped around his knees.

"The dark circles under your eyes kind of give it away Jelly," he said, his smile small but genuine.

"Oh." Mira looked down, suddenly feeling more self-conscious than she'd like. She focused on the grass beneath them, its blades swaying gently in the breeze.

"You still look beautiful, though." Destan's voice was almost a whisper. "Tired, but still beautiful."

The silence stretched, but it wasn't uncomfortable—just a quiet, shared moment of vulnerability between them.

"How long has it been like this?" Destan asked, his words careful, measured.

"Three days," Mira replied quietly, the weight of those words sinking in. Three long, restless days, and the pain still felt fresh.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Destan shift closer. His broad chest filled her view, and she tensed instinctively. But instead of advancing, he paused, waiting for her to decide. His respect for her space was a small but significant comfort.

"Is it okay?" he asked softly, asking for permission.

Mira nodded, silently granting him the space to move closer. Slowly, carefully, Destan wrapped an arm around her. For a brief moment, she stiffened, her body reacting to the sudden touch, but then she relaxed, reminding herself it was just Destan—her district partner, her only ally.

"Go to sleep, Jelly," he whispered, his voice gentle but firm.

And just like that, Mira's exhaustion overtook her, the sleep she'd been craving finally coming over her like a wave. She closed her eyes, allowing the tension to melt away, and for the first time in three days, sleep claimed her peacefully.