𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐅𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐍 𝐏𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐒 | hunger games ✓

chapter 19

━━･❪ 🌸 ❫ ･━━

It was all happening so fast.

Caelum had noticed Theron sneak out while supposedly on watch for the third day in a row now, and he'd finally decided to see for himself what really was going on. He'd tailed Theron through the night, weaving through paths between houses, footsteps light and hurried.

Theron had broken into a jog upon arriving at the convenience store, heading straight towards a feeble-looking shadow crouched at the front of it. Caelum had strained his vision, watching the figure crumple like a ragdoll, Theron crouching in front of it.

Not it. Her. It was Azalea.

Caelum had listened to their conversation in a quiet shock. His blood had gone ice cold at Theron's last words.

"I'm going to kill Caelum."

Caelum, hands shaking, had drawn his bow from where it was strapped across his back. Then he'd made himself known.

And before he knew it, Theron had thrown himself into the air. The bow was knocked from Caelum's hand, his teeth rattling as he found himself slammed to the dusty ground hard enough that his brain seemed to ring like a gong. The quiver of arrows strapped to his back knocked against his spine.

Theron was on top of him, spittle flying from his mouth as he wrestled Caelum to the ground. Caelum struggled upward, his own face twisted in a sneer. Though Caelum was taller, Theron had a few more pounds of muscle.

Caelum jammed upwards with his knee, nailing Theron dead in the groin. Theron gave a strangled grunt of pain. Caelum used that split second of vulnerability to explode upwards. He sprang to his feet, throwing Theron backwards.

Theron was upright immediately. Caelum lashed out with his fist. Blood speckled the gravel underfoot, dribbling down Theron's chin. Caelum struck again before Theron could recover. Theron stumbled back against the wall of the convenience store, bruises already purpling around his face.

Caelum poised to attack once more, but Theron raised his hands in surrender. Caelum froze, his heart cracking with every pained breath that Theron took. Azalea was silent a couple feet away, her golden eyes wide with horror. She was trembling, too weak to help.

"Caelum, I'm sorry." Theron rasped, wiping a stream of blood that trickled from his nose. "I'm sorry."

"'Sorry' doesn't fix your betrayal," Caelum spat. His knuckles ached. Tears welled up in his eyes.

"What can I say, then?" Theron choked out. His fingers inched towards his stick, strapped around his belt. Then, he lunged.

Caelum was ready. He sprang backwards, Theron's stick slashing through the air where Caelum's face had been not even a second earlier. Theron snarled in frustration. Caelum dodged Theron's blows, until the fourth one connected with his jaw. Thankfully, only the blunt end of the stick hit home, though pain still exploded along his mouth. The metallic tang of blood tickled his tongue.

Caelum went low, barreling into Theron's torso and slamming him against the wall of the convenience store. The air was audibly knocked from Theron's lungs. Caelum landed a couple more lightning-fast punches before Theron caught his fist and struck back.

Theron's fist connected with Caelum's nose this time. Caelum reeled backwards, blood gushing into his mouth. Theron swiveled around and pinned Caelum against the wall, his arm pressing against Caelum's windpipe.

"Azalea, run!" Theron bellowed. "Get out of here!"

Azalea opened and closed her mouth, no doubt about to protest.