1 - Uncharted Waters [Hunger Games]

26 - To the Sea We Return

Chapter 26

"Fix You" by Coldplay

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞

Stone stepped out of the Cornucopia with eerie confidence. She was spotless, her red hair neatly tied back, her bow slung across her shoulder. Mira's stomach twisted as she counted the arrows in Stone's quiver. Two left. Two chances for death.

Stone smirked, her eyes glinting with malice. "Well, well. Look at this. District Four, served up on a silver platter." She drew an arrow leisurely, her expression savoring the moment. "It's like Thanksgiving dinner, and you're the main course."

Mira's grip tightened on the spear in her hand, her knuckles white with tension. Behind her, Destan sagged against a rock, blood dripping steadily from the branch embedded in his abdomen. He was pale, trembling, barely holding on. The odds couldn't be worse.

"You won't last long, Destan," Stone sneered, her voice like ice. "And you, Mira? I bet you can't even curse me without stuttering. Pitiful." She raised her bow, aiming directly at Mira.

Mira's breath caught, her body paralyzed with fear. If this was how she was going to die, at least she would go with Destan.

But then, movement. A shadow emerged from the trees, striding into the clearing. Slate.

"I guess I'm just in time—"

THWACK.

A cannon fired almost instantly. Mira gasped as Slate collapsed, an arrow buried in his chest. Stone sighed theatrically. "Great. Wasted an arrow."

Stone didn't flinch as she reached back and grabbed her final arrow, her nonchalant demeanor more terrifying than rage. She rolled her eyes at Mira. "Don't look at me like that. He was in the way. If I didn't kill him, he would've killed me. That's how this game works, sweetheart."

Her voice shifted to a disturbing, almost giddy tone. "And so far, I'm leading with the most kills. I'll go down in history as the highest-scoring victor. Isn't that exciting?" She twirled the arrow in her fingers like it was a toy, then pointed it at Mira and Destan.

Mira's heart hammered in her chest.

"Here's the dilemma," Stone said, voice mockingly sweet. "Two of you. One arrow. If I go retrieve my other arrow from Slate, you might stab me in the back. But if I shoot now... well, only one of you dies."

Stone raised her bow, the tip of the arrow flicking between Mira and Destan.

"Eenie..." Stone's voice was laced with mockery, the arrowhead gleaming as it pointed toward Mira. Mira froze, her chest rising and falling rapidly as dread rooted her in place. Even Destan's weak, trembling hand gripping hers couldn't anchor her. She felt as though she was staring straight into the void, and the void was staring back.

"Meenie..." Stone sang, her tone light and mocking, a sick contrast to the deadly tension. Mira's fingers tightened around the spear, but her hand shook uncontrollably. Her mind raced. What was she supposed to do? What could she do?

"Miny..." The tip of the arrow wavered slightly, and Mira flinched, certain the next movement would be her end. Her thoughts spiraled. She didn't have enough time. Not enough strength. Not enough courage.

"Moe..." Her breath hitched. What if she missed? What if she threw the spear and failed? What if she died, leaving Destan alone and too weak to defend himself?

"With..." She should have trained harder. Should have been stronger, faster. Should have been anything but this—terrified and paralyzed.

"My..." The memories of her family back home flashed in her mind. The laughter. The warmth.