𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐅𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐍 𝐏𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐒 | hunger games ✓

chapter 28

━━･❪ 🌸 ❫ ･━━

Caelum's groans of pain snapped Daphne back into action. She whirled around, finding him swaying weakly on his feet, feebly collecting the discarded supply bag. His left hand was pressed against his wound, looking awfully like he was holding his own rib cage together.

Daphne rushed forward, positioning herself beneath his arm as he began to slump dangerously. He braced himself against her, despite the fact that he was a whole head taller. Daphne was briefly concerned with the slightness of his weight, the bones jutting out along his spine. She swung his arm around her neck, wrapping her own around his waist.

"Can you walk?" She asked, trying not to stare at his blood gushing onto her own vest.

"Does it look like I can?" Caelum grunted, his eyes glazed over in pain. "It doesn't matter, we need to get out of here."

"Here," Daphne tightened her hold on his waist. "I'll take a step, and you match me."

She placed a foot forward. Caelum did the same, sucking in a breath. Daphne took another step. Caelum mirrored her. Again. Again. Again and again.

They heaved themselves across the plaza, dripping a trail of blood like a twisted Hansel and Gretel, stopping only so Daphne could pick up Theron's discarded crossbow and bolt. Daphne was on edge, desperately wishing they could go faster. If someone attacked them right now, Caelum would be done for.

He was obviously holding in his pain, if his gritted teeth and sweaty brow said anything. He couldn't suppress a hoarse moan as they made it to the cover of the nearest alley.

"Hey, you're safe now," Daphne said, forcing her voice to remain steady and soft.

"No," His eyes were screwed shut. "No, we have to get inside a building. We're still too exposed."

"Can you-"

"I'm fine, let's go before someone finds us."

They made their way down seven buildings, just enough to put a bit of distance between themselves and the Cornucopia. Even as another spasm of pain gripped his body, Caelum insisted on going further.

"Shut up, Caelum, you're literally holding in your own kidney right now." Daphne glanced down at his blood, the crimson stain seeming to spread rapidly.

"Well, you technically only need one to live."

Daphne rolled her eyes, prying open the door to the nearest tower and guiding Caelum towards the stairs. "I would smack you, but you're already in enough pain."

"That's so considerate of you."

"Don't get used to it, dumbass."

Caelum grunted a laugh, which just sent another pulse of blood leaking between his fingers. Daphne acted as a brace for Caelum as they made their way up the stairs. Her arm was beginning to ache from the pressure of holding him upright, but it didn't cross her mind to let go. Caelum was there when she was at her most vulnerable, but even if he hadn't, Daphne had a feeling she would've bent over backwards to help him anyways.

Caelum stumbled as they reached the second floor, nearly doubling over and taking Daphne down with him. Daphne remained on her feet, murmuring words of encouragement as she urged him upright. He was beginning to shake, sweat gleaming across his forehead. Daphne would've preferred to go up another floor, but Caelum seemed to be hanging on by a thread. She wasn't sure if he'd be able to make it up another flight of stairs.

So they walked together to the room at the end of the hallway, Daphne gentle and steady, Caelum weak and staggering. As soon as they got inside, Caelum slumped on the ground against the far wall, shrugging off his vest. He discarded his bow and quiver, taking care to lean them neatly against the wall despite his pain. Daphne swept around to shut the door, setting down the bag of supplies that she'd miraculously kept hold of the whole way back. She then lay Theron's crossbow and bolt carefully on the ground, as if they were a landmine that may explode at any given moment.