Birthday Quell

4

Tyson lies on his stomach, hand clapsed on the back of his head, his fingers in his black hair.
My hand is covering my mouth as I giggle, my green eyes amused.
"Oh, you think thats funny?" Tyson asks, lifting his head up to meet my gaze, his eyes piercing mine. I stop giggling instantly, but keeping my mouth covered. He's mad... Ive really done it now.
"You think thats funny?" He repeats, a stern look on his face, his voice deep and unreadable of what emotion he was feeling.
I stay silent, crouching back more under the bed not moving my gaze from his. Who knows, the minute I look away, could be the minute he kills me with a single shot.
Wait, he cant kill me. Not yet anyway, we all had to wait till the games.
My eyes beging to get teary once more, his gaze still looked on mine. He hadnt even blinked. Just stared with serious scary eyes.
In one quick motion, Tyson grabbed me by my foot and slid me out from under the bed. I dig my nails onto the floor leaving scratch marks, like a cat when you pull its tail.
In an instant, I was back in the bright light of the room, the sun shining through the window.
My heart was racing, feeling Tyson's tight grip on my ankle and soon his arms aroud my waist being picked up. He held onto me, as I squirmed and cried.
"You want to giggle?"
"N-no..." I murmur, letting tears fall on his arm.
He drops me onto the bed, his stern face now having a warm smile, and gentle eyes.
"I will give you something to giggle about." He chuckles, his fingers soon wiggling on my sides, under arms, and neck.
I no longer cry, but laugh. My small laughing squeals echoing the room.
"S-stop it." I laugh, a smile on my face. My hands trying to push his tickling hands away. He moves his hands down to my bared foot, his fingers tickling it. My weakness!
My laughs turn into laughing screams, as I try to breathe. My eyes gleaming with humor and joy.
"I-I cant breathe!" I laugh out, him taking a break.
I continued laughing slightly, catching my breathe.
"Thats what you get, for smacking me with a shoe!" He smiles gently at me.
"Youre not going to hurt me?" I ask, sitting up.
"Why on earth would I hurt a little 12 year old?" Tyson asks raising an eyebrow and folded his arms.
"Because.. guys are dicks.." I say in return. He raised both eyebrows, going over to me.
"Do I have to get the tickle monster?" He asks, wiggling his fingers at me again.
"No! no." I laugh backing away.
"Besides im not like the other two. I wont kill anyone unless its in self defense. and I would NEVER hurt a child." He explains, sitting next to me.
Damn hes even a mountain to me when sitting down.
"As you know, I am Tyson. Tyson Maderios. 17 year old, former victor." He introduces. I begin feeling comfortable with him. He was nice, unlime the other two.
"Maddie.. Maddie Clarkson. 11 years old."
Tyson raised his eyebrows.
"11?" he asks confused,
"My birthday. It lands on the day of the games, so they put my name in the reaping." I explain solemnly. He knits his eyebrows.
"Thats bull!" He snaps. "They just want a show! Sure lets put an 11 year old in the games, just because her birthday lies on the day of the games." He continues, obviously annoyed. I just stay silent, letting him rant.
"The capital is so stupid. Just wanting to kill their citizens, wanting to see blood shed of young kids." He sighs, rubbing his face.
"Are yo-" I began but was cut off.
"F THE CAPITAL!" he yelled holding up both his middle fingers. Nice language around a chid Tyson.. oh well, Im mature.
"Are you done now?" I ask a giggle escaping.
He looks over, looking like he forgot there was another person in the room.
"Oh yeah. Im done. Sorry for the rant..." he says sort of embarrassed.
"It alright. I can handle it." I chuckle, my eyes bright. Silence hangs over us for a whole, but I break it.
"Am I going to die?" I ask, a frown looking at him. He instantly turns his gaze to mine.
"No. I'm going to protect you." He says in a serious tone.
"really?" I ask a smile on my face. His eyes soften, nodding.
"Even if it costs my life. You will go home."