The Girl Of War

Six

         I woke and immediately sat with Cole. His arm draped across the back of the couch. He was fifteen, so was I. But back in the Seam, he had it worse than me. He worked at a small shop, I went by often. I remember when I went in at thirteen years old.

"Hey, Katherine?"He said, as we traded items.

"You got it right this time! Hey, Cole."I smiled. It was like that every week that I stopped by. Cole and I were summoned to the hovercraft. I was dressed in green cargo pants, brown lace up boots, and a black v- neck tee shirt. My hair was in an inside out ponytail and I proudly wore the Mockingjay pin. I sat with Cole in the hovercraft, a lady came by with a large injection tube.

"What is that?"Cole asked her.

"It's your tracker."I answered for her.

"Cole."I mutteredn

"Yeah, Kate?"

"What if one of us dies?"

"None of us will, you remember what your mom did?"

"Yup." I muttered.

"That'll get us out. I won't let you die, I promise."He looked me in the eyes. We reached the arena and I stood in the launch room. I gulped down a full glass of water. Erin gave me a black jacket.

"Don't let the games change you. Happy Hunger Games, and May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favour!"She said.

"Keep my mother alive."I said, not knowing if it was possible.

"I will."She nodded. A robotic voice chanted,"Ten seconds."

I shakingly stepped into the tube and it moved upward. I reached sunlight. Around me were the forest, mountains and a lake. I spotted a bow just in the cornucopia. Grab the nearest thing. I knew I shouldn't run to the cornucopia, but I just had to! A robotic voice counted down sixty seconds. Gong! I sprinted to the cornucopia, but was pushed. I looked to see Elaine hovering over me. She punched my bruised ear and laughed. Somehow, she had quickly gotten  a few knives. She held one to my face, "Slow or fast?"

"Don't hurt her just yet, we'll make a show later."A voice came, she moved away to reveal Brock. I ran off, I missed the bow. I picked up a backpack and a knife, then stuffed it into my belt. I ran off, I ran fast into the woods. My feet gave out and I fell. I was breathless, and stared around. Once I gained breath back, I scaled a high tree. I reached pretty high, then I took out a full bottle of water. I gulped down half of it. Night drew and the anthem played. I looked up into the sky and saw faces flicker by. Cole is alive, thank goodness! I tied rope around my waste and the tree so I wouldn't fall. I pulled out a blanket and fell asleep.

        I woke and heard screams,

"Katherine! Miles!" It was Cole. I jumped down from the tree and sprinted near the screams. I found a boy hunched over him, knife to his face. Lodged a knife to the boy, hitting his back. He moaned and slumped to the ground. After minutes, the cannon sounded. I pull Cole to his feet.

"Thank you!"

"Where's Miles?"I asked. He shrugged,

"I saw him run for the mountains, but I dare not go up there!"Cole pulled me in for a long hug.

"We'll find him."I comforted. He nodded and sat down. We fixed wounds and ate.

"I'm glad you are alive."He took my hand, I nodded,

"Me too."

       We finally decided to take a days journey to the mountain. We walked, taking breaks here and there. A drop of water hit my forehead. I looked up to see grey clouds forming above. Thunder rolled and the air got chilly. I crossed my arms, shivering. We eventually reached the mountain, breathless and tired.

"Miles!"Cole screamed. I put a hand to his mouth, signalling for him to be quiet.

"Sorry, Kate."We walked forever until someone jumped onto me from behind. I faught the strong arms, I rolled to face my attacker. By then, a machete was slashed against her back. The girl from seven. She was mousy haired and short, it surprised me that she was that strong. Miles tucket the blade back into a leather cover. The cannon sounded, and us three waited for the hovercraft. We ran off as soon as it arrived. Miles lead us to a cave where we rested. I sat beside Cole, squeezing his hand. Miles sat across from us, cross legged, throwing pebbles down the cave. The rain still hit hard. I layed out a sleeping bag and fell asleep, still holding his hand. When I woke, Miles sat at the edge, it was day but still raining. Cole was fast asleep, I pried away from his cold hands. I sat beside Miles. He was very quiet.

"You alright ?"I asked. He nodded. I unloaded my backpack and handed him cooked beef on bread. He refused but I shoved it to him. He ate quickly. Cole moved over beside us and watched the rain.

"May the Odds be Ever in your Favour,Katherine."I turned to see Cole holding a knife, aiming at his arm. I screamed and knocked it out of his hand. He was laughing hard, but I don't find it funny.

"I'm kidding, Kay!"

"Kay? And no, it's not funny!"I screamed, pushing him gently.

"Well I do. It's a nickname."

"I thought 'Kate' was my nickname?"

"I'll just call you Katherine. It's a pretty name, who chose?" I blushed.

"My father."I replied. He smiled and tossed an arm around my shoulder.

"How many are left?"We were surprised when we realized that Miles had said that.

I shrugged, then shivered. Cole was just plain cold. Cold Cole.

"Gosh, Katherine. It's got to be sixty degrees, not that bad."

"It's you, Cole."I said. He laughed,

"I know." I stood up,

"I'm going hunting."I noted. Cole kept refusing to let me go alone, but I shrugged and left him with Miles. I spotted a bird and aimed, shooting it. I raced over and stuffed the bird in a sack. A rock whizzled at my head, I fell to the ground, coughing. I couldn't lift my head, the pain. I heard multiple sets of laughter. My vision was blurry, I could make out a large blond figure. Blood gushed from my forehead, down my nose, onto my clothes. I coughed up blood.

"The Young Girl On Fire must burn."Came Brocks voice. I moaned and tried getting up, but my muscle failed.

Jasper.

Mom.

Dad.

Cole.

I'm sorry I couldn't win, win for me, Cole. I heard a blade and blacked out...