Skinny Love

Chapter 38

Chapter 38

~Katniss's POV~

Last night, three tributes died. The canon went off, three times in the row. Had to be by the same cause. I tremble in the cave. Not from the cold, because actually it's quite humid out, it's from fear. Each moment inches toward the moment that I give birth in this arena. I try to forget but I just can't, I can't even look down at my feet. Peeta went out to gather berries. Good thing I taught him what's night lock and what isn't. Madge went to help him and Gale is hunting.

Leaving me alone.

Who the hell's idea was to leave the pregnant woman alone? They told me to just relax but honestly, I can't sit here. It is boring and I'm not letting them risk their lives while I'm sitting here sleeping. Uneasy, I wobble up and climb out of the cave. I gulp as I'm exposed to everyone. I have to be careful and quiet.

Some of the tributes have hunter ears like Gale and I, they can sense a presence, animal or human. In this type of situation I'm very grateful I developed that sense. I decide to look for more food, we can't only eat berries and there is at least a few eatable plants around here. As I'm walking around the wooded area, I keep looking around just in case no one jumps out.

I can't risk anything like that. Well, I'm already risking my baby girl and I's life. At least I have a knife in my pocket. Peeta, being the overprotective boyfriend he is, wouldn't leave alone without some protection. I finally find a batch of wild mushrooms and I smile, happy that I was in success. As I am pulling him out of the ground, collecting them one by one, I hear a noise.

I stop in my tracks and immediately freeze.

Cursing under my breath, I try to walk back to the cave. But a knife gets thrown in my direction. I eye the knife to see its curved it a small handle. Only one person knows how to use these.

Clove.

The black haired girl comes bursting out and I start to bolt. She tackles me and pins my hands over my head. Her dark eyes stare into mine. She pulls out her knife with an evil smile.

"Poor baby," She mocks, grazing the blade against my stomach.

I squirm but she puts the knife on my throat now. "Hush, Katniss. Let me swell into this enjoyable moment."

"What did they do to you Clove?" I croak out. I know this isn't her. It can't be.

"They made me like you." She smiles and throws the knife then puts her hands in my neck.

"Manipulative." She adds pressure onto my neck. I let out a whimper as she cuts off my windpipe off.

"Who's first? You or the baby?" She smirks. "Let's it make a more painful death and kill your precious baby first."

She picks up her knife again and holds it up in the air. I get ready for the compact but I see another girl tackle Clove. Taking a glance, I see FoxFace.

"Run." She says and I stumble to my feet, sprinting to the way where the cave is.

They're probably back and scared. As I am almost there, a sharp pain is felt on my stomach. Water trickles down my leg. I fall onto my knees in pain as tears blur my vision. I try to get back up but the pain is unbearable.

Stars are filling my vision and I cry out.

~Rue's POV~

I look down, hearing a cry. Katniss is there clutching her stomach. I have to find Peeta and them. I climb down from my tree and rush to their cave, seeing it a while ago. Gale is shouting at Madge and I quickly jump in the middle of them. "Help. Katniss is in labor!" I stress. "Get Peeta." Madge orders her boyfriend and follows me into the woods.

"Kat." Madge gasps and Katniss's eyes fill with relief.

Her gaze shifts to me and gives a small smile as I return one as well. A minute later, Peeta and Gale come out. Peeta rushes over to Katniss and plants a kiss on her forehead while helping her up. She mumbles inaudible things to Peeta while starting to cry. She's most likely in pain.

They help her to the cave as I quietly tag along. They set her down and take her pants and such off but keeping her shirt on. She gasps in pain and shifts irritable as a contraction comes. I hear a small ring and see a sponsor sent some supplies to help with giving birth. I hand them to Madge and she applies the medicine that will numb the feeling of pain. She places the towel under Katniss incase any blood.

"It's time." She confidently states.

Peeta grasps her small hand and places a reassuring kiss on top of it. Katniss gives a faint smile at her lover. "Ready?" Madge asks.

"Push." Katniss pushes and gasps in deep breathes.

"Push." She does harder then before. "I can see the head!" Madge fangirls.

Everyone stares at her in this serious moment as she defends saying, "It's an Everlark baby. How does one chill during their favorite ships' birth."

Katniss rolls her eyes and says, "Just get the goddamn baby out!"

She pushes hard and we hear a baby cry. Madge holds a brown haired baby girl in her eyes and she cleans her with a towel. Another ring is heard and a sponsor gave us baby bottles, blankets and some clothes. I give the items to Madge as she dress her then hands her to Kat.

"Arabella."

A/N: SO VERY SORRY I TOOK LONG TO UPDATE. BUT IRIS IS HERE!