Hunger Games : The Covey

Chapter 4

By the time we made it back to Lucy Gray, the Covey had brought her to our house and laid her on her back on the grass. Aracelia was panting but she got straight to work on Lucy Gray. She brought out some morphling and a bunch of other mysterious liquids in different bottles and jars. I don't know what Aracelia did to Lucy Gray before she bandaged her up but clearly it helped as she had stopped whimpering. She slowly carried her into our house, placed her on the floor and wrapped her up in a bundle of blankets – making sure she was comfortable.

It was nearing 8am, Aracelia had stayed, and we were talking about what we think happened to Lucy Gray.

"Maybe it was just a wild animal?" I asked.

"No, it was a perfect hole, and I found the bullet anyway"

"Could it have been the mayor? Sure, he's busy today but maybe he sent out a peacekeeper to kill her."

"Surely it wouldn't have been a peacekeeper. Sejanus is dead and the other one disappeared. The base has their hands full anyway."

"Exactly though, he disappeared. It could be a link."

"Yeah, but he got sent to 2 I'm pretty sure."

It was just back and forth, theorising, but we couldn't come to a conclusion. As I stared at her, I notice how pretty she is. I mean, she's always been pretty, but this was different. She wasn't just pretty, she was gorgeous. Beautiful. I looked into her eyes, and I could see her pain. Her guilt. But also, her love. She has such a big heart. I think she was evaluating me too. She smiled, that big smile I saw the first day we met. I was lost in her eyes for minutes until she finally said,

"Oh, uhm, my Ma wants me back for mealtimes" she giggled. I smiled and walked her to the door.

"See you tomorrow?" I asked.

"Tomorrow." she replied.

I watched her walk away, but she didn't look back. Thats not Aracelia.

"Ooooh what was that?" CC asked. I blushed and announced I was going to the lake to relax.

But I didn't go to the lake. Instead, I went to the bakery. A really nice couple work there, Petiniya and Aldouis Mellark. Their bread is to die for, and they charge cheap. I know I can trust them with anything, and they will listen to me if I need help. It might be because I'm only 11 and they have a sweet spot for me, or they know what I've been through. I was born during the war, so I was very malnourished as a baby. Lucy Gray was merely 6 and she couldn't take care of me. So, Peti and Aldouis helped. They fed me their bread and forced me to drink when I didn't want to. They saved my life.

Even though it was only 7am, they opened the door as soon as they saw me running towards them. I was there for hours. Crying, laughing, and sitting in silence. I told them about Lucy Gray, my nightmares, the peacekeepers, Aracelia and anything else that popped up into my head. They didn't talk,they listened, and they gave cake as I was leaving.

"Thank you. For always being there. I really wouldn't be here if it weren't for you." I thanked them.

"We are always here darling." Peti replied.

"Always" Aldouis repeated.

I smiled genuinely and ran back into the meadow.