Catching Fire (Billdip AU)

Chapter 13

(Dipper pov)

We sit in silence as the hovercraft takes us to the arena. Bill sits next to me giving my hand a gentle squeeze of reassurance.  I manage to give him a weak smile back.

I wince slightly as a guard injects the tracker into my forearm before moving on to the next person. I look at Bill, seeing the worried expression he's giving me.

"I'm okay, don't worry." I tell him quietly. He says nothing as he brings my hand to his lips and softly kisses my knuckles.

The hovercraft lands as they separate everyone into different rooms. I look back at Bill one last time before the doors close behind me.

Tad helps me change into my outfit for the games. It's a white t-shirt with light blue jeans. The material is lighter than normal jean material. He hands me my hat with a small sad smile.

"Took a lot of work to sneak that in."

I look up at him as I pull the hat onto my head. "I.....I-I can't do this. Not again...."

He holds my shoulders and I realize that I'm trembling. "Yes you can. We all believe in you. I believe in you."

I take a deep breath in and out to calm myself down as I step into the tube.

Tad and I look at each other, both confused since the platform isn't moving at all. The doors behind him open, guards storming into the room. In the blink of an eye one punches Tad square in the jaw knocking him to the ground, blood pooling from his lips.

"No no no!" I pound at the glass, helpless as they proceed to beat him. All he can try to do is curl up but that isn't enough to stop the impact of their punching and kicking. "Stop it! Leave him alone! Tad!"

I watch in horror as they beat him until he's knocked out. The platform starts moving up as they drag him away.

The sunlight blinds me as I try to get my emotions under control. I hear the voice counting down.

10
9
8

In front of me is a waterway that leads to the cornucopia, it on a rock island.

7
6
5

Behind me is a beach and a dense jungle. Fuck, it's so hot.

4
3
2

Bill and I make eye contact as he gives a small silent nod to me.

1

Not wasting a second I dive into the water, swimming for the cornucopia.

I climb onto a rockway, shaking the salt water out of my eyes as I bolt for the cornucopia. I grab a quiver of arrows pullit it on, grabbing a bow and instantly nocking an arrow. I turn around and shoot an arrow into someone's knee, causing him to fall into the water. Hopefully to drown.

Hearing sand shift behind me I quickly nock another arrow and I turn around taking aim, Finnick standing there trident in hand and showing off his wrist. On it is a gold bracelet similar to Bill's.

"Good thing we're on the same side."

"Where did you get that?"

"Where do you think? Duck!"

I drop to the ground as his trident goes over me and into someone else. He walks over to the body pulling his trident out of them. "Don't trust 1 or 2. You cover that side and I'll look for Bill."

I stand up keeping an arrow nocked and it isn't long before I hear Finnick's voice again. "Dipper, over here! Mags found him!"

I follow him onto a rockway where Bill is fighting hand-to-hand against someone slashing at him with a knife. I try to aim at his opponent but I can't get a clear shot.

He manages to get their knife, digging it into their throat slicing it wide open. He glances back at me before grabbing the machete from their belt.

I look back at the cornucopia seeing all the careers gathered on it.

"Come on." Finnick gently nudges my shoulder. "Let's get the hell out of here."

He carries Mags on his back as the four of us leave the cornucopia behind and run into the surrounding jungle.

We run for a while before we all take a seat on the ground leaning back against trees as the cannons go off. Bill holds my hand tightly in his.

When the cannons finally stop, Finnick smiles dryly. "So much for holding hands."

"Is this a fucking joke to you? You think any of this is funny?" I snap at him.

"Yeah, I do. Because the more that fucking cannon goes off means less people trying to fucking kill us."

"Guys, cool it." Bill says wiping the back of his hand across his forehead. "We need to keep going and find some fresh water. I'll lead clearing a path. Finnick can hold up the rear, Mags and Dipper in the middle. Does that sound fair?"

We all seem to be in agreement about this at least.

We stand up following Bill further into the jungle. I catch a glimpse of a shimmer up ahead and realize too late what it is. "Bill, wait!"

His machete hits the force field and bright sparks light up sending him flying back.

I rush to him and dread sets in as I realize that he isn't breathing.

"No no! H-He isn't breathing he isn't breathing!"

Finnick shoves me out of the way. I'm just about to nock an arrow when I realize that he's giving Bill CPR.

He stops as Bill coughs. I hug him tightly, feeling him weakly hugging me back.

"There's a force field there."

"You died...."

"Dipper-" I pull away feeling myself trembling.

"Your heart stopped! You died!"

He smiles gently as he cups my cheek in his hand. "It's okay, I'm right here. We're okay." He sits up softly connecting his lips with mine.

I help him stand up as Finnick looks at me curiously. "How did you know the corce field was there?"

"I could see a small shimmer. It's hard to see unless you're looking for it."

"We should keep going."

"Hang on." I go to a nearby tree and start climbing it.

"What are you doing?"

"Trying to get a better layout of the arena so we know where the force fields are better."

I get to the top of the tree, overlooking everything. I shoot an arrow up and my theory is confirmed as it hits the force field above us: They have us in a dome.