Torn: Sequel to Ruthless

Chapter 12

Turns out, we stayed up until midnight tonight, getting caught up in caring for Bark. When we arrive at Platform 8, we set up the blankets again, but this time we assign two people to a longer watch so Bark can rest the whole night. He's already asleep when we're done, so we leave him. Not long after Seena and Apollo go to sleep, the anthem plays. Surprisingly, none of them wake up. 

First is Rubie, then the girl we killed this morning, from District 9. And that's it. Twelve tributes left. I count them off on my fingers. Wonder. Me and Apollo. The District 3 pair. Kai and Seena. Ashlee and Bark. The girl from 8 and Taylor. The girl from 12. I wonder what happened to Taylor. He wasn't there at the bloodbath. Maybe Snow killed him, for liking Cassia.

"What are you thinking about?" Kai asks. 

"The tributes," I respond simply.

"What about them?" he pushes.

"There's eleven of us left," I reply, purposely leaving Taylor out.

"I know, but what about them? You haven't answered my question."

"Can you just leave me alone with my thoughts for a while, Kai? I need some time."

"Alright."

His voice is soft. True to his word, he does leave me alone. He only speaks an hour after I've gathered all of my thoughts. At least according to the train. 

"I'm getting tired. Could I switch out with Apollo?" he asks. 

He truly does look tired. 

"Sure," I answer, "but I'm staying up. I won't get a wink of sleep and I'd rather have Seena rest more. She's had a long day."

"Suit yourself," he shrugs.

Then he slips off, leaving me alone on the bench with my sword. On the inside, I'm desperate for his presence. I want him to sit beside me, sleep beside me if he's tired. On the outside, my face is a mask of boredom. Soon enough, I'm joined by my district partner. 

"Hey," he greets.

"Hey," I echo.

"Tired? Kai said you didn't want to sleep." 

"No, I'm not tired. Besides, Seena needs her rest." 

I inch closer to Apollo, the distance between us shrinking. Slowly, steadily. The cold bench presses against my back, a harsh reminder of the reality we're in. But for a moment, as I sit beside him, the darkness doesn't feel quite as overwhelming.  

"I feel like we should go farther than this," he whispers to me. 

"You know," I whisper in his ear, my voice low, "they expect us to like each other. More than friends, even. I feel like we've shown them that so far. But think about Missy and Rowan at home. How do you think they would react if we did something more?"

"I know, and I know you like Kai. I've seen how you act around him."

I freeze. 

"You do?"

"Yeah, you get all shy and embarrassed."

"Fine, I like him."

"You know what? I know you won't like this idea, but what if we pretend to be star crossed lovers and make it out together? Then we can pretend to not like each other anymore a bit after the games and you can still have Kai."

"But he'll be dead!" I whisper outrageously.

"I know a guy who can revive him as soon as they can get their hands on his body."