That Fine Line

Chapter 18 - Day One

I sprinted as fast as I could down the path towards the Cornucopia. Halfway there, I spotted the Careers, Katniss, and a flash of distinct blonde hair in the sunlight. About twelve feet away from reaching the island, I stopped in my tracks as I watched the bloodbath unfold. 

Finnick had just stabbed a male tribute with his trident to protect Katniss, and before she could attack him, he raised his hand to reveal the golden bracelet that matched the hair clip I was wearing. Recognizing the symbol of alliance, she dropped her bow. The siblings from District One had just reached the island when they dove back into the water the second Katniss aimed at them. The same happened with another male tribute.

As the two began to run away from the Cornucopia, Finnick jumped into the water. I looked in the direction he was swimming in. Peeta was fighting in the water with another tribute. Katniss appeared to be covering Finnick as he made his way towards aiding our now waterboarded ally.

Turning my attention back to the mountain of supplies strewn on the island, I spotted the small thin knife I'd used when I was sparring against Finnick lying on the edge, near the knife rack that had been knocked over during a brawl between the other tributes. I quickly ran over to grab it while I still had the chance.

Then, I ran towards where Katniss was positioned in defense, yanking the clip out of my hair to indicate my alliance. Barely glancing at the accessory, she nodded and refocused on the fight in the water. Finnick had gotten ahold of Peeta, and the two were now making their way to shore.

"Come on." Katniss beckoned for me to follow her towards where our District counterparts were.

~

I lost track of how much time had passed, but we seemed to have ran for an eternity deep into the forest before we stopped. Everyone eventually grew tired, and we slowed to a walk. Our first order of business was to find fresh water.

Reluctantly, I decided to break the silence. "I think we're far enough. We should find a fresh water source at this point."

Katniss gave Peeta a questioning look for confirmation, which he returned with a nod of agreement. Finnick just kept his eyes on mine as if conveying that he was ready to do whatever I suggested.

"We need to find some place where the ground slopes down away from the lake and gathers eventually to a collection of water," I explained, "It should be somewhere that has dense foliage."

"Can't we just touch the soil and see if it's damp?" Peeta asked.

I shook my head. "This place is too hot and humid. Everything is wet, so that won't be much help." It was true. I couldn't even tell where my sweat ended and where the moisture in the air began.

I began to make my way to the front.

"What, so we're just supposed to trust you to lead us now?" Katniss asked suspiciously. I didn't blame her. I wouldn't trust a stranger on the basis of a hair accessory either.

"She spent the entirety of the first two days at the Training Center learning basic survival skills, and she won her Games by surviving out in the wild on her own. I'd say we can trust our 'pacifist' to find us some fresh water without getting us killed," Finnick retorted. Him defending me was unexpected, but I gave him a slight nod and continued our journey at the front.

I had just hiked up an abnormally greater incline, when I'd reached the peak to see if there would be some sort of pond or creek below. Unfortunately, I was only met with a pit of dried ferns on the ground.

I sighed, taking a step forward. "There's nothing he--"

Suddenly, I was repelled backwards, flying about six feet behind me into my fellow tributes. But I'd barely felt it. My neurons were preoccupied by the searing pain that coursed through every cell, no, every atom, of my very existence. It felt like I was being burned alive.

Everything went black.