FRAGILE GIRL || THE HUNGER GAMES ¹

17.

"YOU'RE GOING TO DIE, ATHENA..."

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I didn't know how he had done it. But, Ares had managed to track me down. The last I had seen of him. The real him was this afternoon, when he said he wanted us to split up. Even though that had been hours ago, I could still remember his last words, "There's three of us left, Athena. I know that you don't want to, but we need to split up. It's better for both of us. The odds are better, it⎯we won't have to kill it each other."   What a lie. What a lie.

As the sun was setting last night two cannons went off, making my stomach fill with dread at the realization that it was the final two already. In the matter of three days it narrowed down to just me and Ares. Twenty-two children were dead in a matter of three days, with me and my partner alive and soon to be battling it out until one of us lives. Twenty-two kids dead. In the freakin' days.

"Athena! Athena! Come on, where are you?" Ares shouts, his voice echoing against the trees.

Finding a huge tree, I hid behind it, praying to whoever would listen that he would not find me. Placing a hand over my mouth, I held my breath as I could hear Ares walking past me, leaves crunching loudly. Feeling the tears build up, I know that I have no choice but to confront my district partner. If I didn't do anything, the Gamemaker's would get involved.

Pulling my dagger out from the holster, I took a deep breath remembering Klaus's advice. "Remember those you left behind, use them as motivation.."  I needed to go home. I needed to see my Mom again. I had to do this. Stepping into view, I stood tall and confident masking the fear of my demented partner, I could do this.

Taking a deep breath, I grip onto my sword, keeping the grip comfortably. Rough rubber, then smooth metal. I have to go home. I can't die here. I don't wanna die. Clearing my throat loudly, he turned around with a look of excitement on his face when he saw me. Let's get this over with.

"There you are." He said, twirling his axe.

Wasting no time, I attacked him, managing to slice his left cheek, before he could even process what had happened. He winced, giving me the chance to go in for another attack, but this time he was ready. Our blades clank together, echoing loudly through the silent Arena. He went for a jab at my head but I ducked low, going for a swing at his feet with my sword. He was quick though, jumping into the air and dodging my attempt at a lower attack.

I thrust my feet out, kicking him in the shins to startle him; but he didn't flinch. I was in trouble. Pulling out a small dagger from his waistband, he stabbed my leg making me scream in pain. Shoving me back, I was pressed against a nearby tree as the pain in my leg intensified. Reaching for my discarded sword, he swatted it out of my hand, leaving me defenseless.

"YOU SAID THAT YOU WANTED TO GO HOME ATHENA! YOU MISS HOME?!" He said, wrapping his hand around my throat.

Tightening his hand around my throat, I gasped for air clawing at his hand. I could feel my lungs curling up inside of me, begging me to take a breath of air. Wiggling my feet around for solid ground, my foot connects with his thigh. Hitting him, he doesn't budge like he didn't feel a thing. Kicking him again, I managed to kick him in the groin hard making him groan out in pain.