Reaper ~ THG AU

Ch. 34: Win

Augustus hits my scythe away, grabbing my throat with one hand before slamming us both down. His anger clogs the air around us, choking me up as his hands wrap around my neck. My breath leaves me as he squeezes tight.

"You dumb bitch! All you had to do was die! Die so I could win! And now look! You handed the win to me on a silver platter!?!"

Smoke wafts off of him, intensifying the image of his rage. Burns cover his face and hands, no doubt from him freeing himself from my trap. A burning red coats his features in an angry glow. His eyes show nothing but the need to kill.

My lungs scream for air, my hands and legs hitting and kicking in an attempt to break free. My actions seem to only amuse him as he continues to choke me out. A delirious laugh leaves him as a smirk forms on his lips.

"All I gotta do is kill you and I win! I go home! I get all the glory and pride that comes from winning! You hear me! I win!"

My hand finds a familiar handle, one I've felt so many times before. My vision becomes spotty as I fumble around, trying to get a grip on it. It takes a moment, but I finally get it.

"I'll bring pride to my family! Make my mother proud! Bring honor to my father! Bring honor to my district! I wi-"

Blood rains down on me, pouring from his now slit throat. Shock fills his eyes as he reaches up to stop the bleeding. My mouth opens, taking in the deepest breath I've ever had. A bitter taste follows the sweet air, causing me to gag and cough.

A cannon sounds as Augustus's body falls to the side. My throat hurts, my head pounding as I roll over. The gaging and coughing continues, the taste of iron making me sick. I heave and gasp, hunching over as my throat waters. I drop the knife Acacius gave me as bile travels up my esophagus.

Everything in my stomach leaves my mouth, landing in a sick pile beside Augustus's dead body. His lifeless green eyes stare back at me, sparkling in the light from the fire. My shaky hand reaches up to wipe my mouth, my eyes just now seeing the blood coating my fingers.

Another wave leaves me, more barf joining the pile mixed in the tall grass. My throat burns and stings from the assault it went through just moments ago.

I gulp, leaning back as my sleeve moves to wipe my mouth. The only sound now being the crackling fire and the birds hiding in the trees. It takes me moment to realize that a few minutes have passed. A quiet whimper fills the quiet night, barely audible over my pounding heart.

"I-I-I can't move..."

I stand, staggering a little as I move towards the sound. Jovie lays on her stomach, her arms flat against the tall grass surrounding her. Her eyes stare into the lifeless ones of Caraty, the body-less head just a foot or so from her face. My feet topple the daisies below as I step over.

My bloody hands reach for her side, rolling her over onto her back. Her brown eyes stare up at me in a form of shock that I don't think I can ever forget. Her chest heaves as tears flow freely from her unblinking orbs.

"I-I can't feel anything..."

My face stays neutral as I step back from her body. I spot Caraty's spear laying nearby, the silver shining in the low light of the flames. It only takes me a second to grab it and step back over the unmoving girl. Her eyes seem to widen even more as her pleading grows.

"No! Please! I-I'm sorry!"

"Sorry, Sweetie...there's only one winner..."

She screeches as I raise the spear, plunging it down into her chest. The final cannon sounds, leaving me alone in the arena. No other beating heart remains, just mine and those of the wild animals misfortunate enough to be placed here.