The Quater Quell: 50th Hunger Games

Chapter 28

                                                                  Haymitch's P.O.V.

          I watch as the girl from 10 walks away from me and disappears. I really liked Raven. She was sweet and strong. She was pretty cute too. I'm going to miss her, that's for sure. I felt lonely. I have felt lonely this entire day because I knew that when we finally reached the edge of the arena that I wasn't going back. I knew that Raven would probably leave me.

       She's a fighter weather she knows it or not. She is smart too. She is probably heading in the opposite direction of me and is going to go find a big tree to stay in for the night. I really hope it doesn't come down to the two of us. I think as I kick a rock down into the canyon. I turn my back and start to walk away to make a camp for the night when I am hit in the back of the head.

       I unsheathe my sword and pivot around. "What the hell?" No one was there. Nothing was there. Not even a bird or a bug. I look down and see a rock, very similar to the one I kicked. "No way." Did this rock really fly back up here? I walk over to the edge of the canyon and throw the rock into the dark abyss below.

       Sure enough, the rock bounces back and I catch it in my hand. So that's what's at the end then. A force field. Just like the one at the training center that threw that girl back onto the roof. I spin the rock in my hand and shake my head. Here I was, thinking that it would be some high, electrified fence guarded by peacekeepers. But they opt for a puny force feild. Cheap-o's.

      A scream interrupts my thoughts. Was that Raven? It had to be. "Raven?" I raise my voice, hoping she would reply. I drop the rock and sprint down the small slope and into the clearing that I think the scream came from. I see Raven drop to her knees and reach for her throat. I can see from here that it is slashed open. "Raven!" I cry out and run to her. She has fallen on her back now and is clawing at her throat.

       Where was the culprit in this? I glance up and look around. Raven must understand what I am doing and points to the trees above. A small, pink bird was watching. That makes two allies, two friends that I have lost to those damn birds. I'll kill em all! But first, Raven needed me. I look down at her pale face ,splattered in her own blood. She was crying, and I could tell that she was in immeasurable pain. The poor girl whom I had started to fall for, was drowning in her own blood. "It's gonna be okay! You're gonna be okay!" I shout to her.

     I want to cradle her in my lap but I don't want to move her and cause her even more pain. Raven smiles and squeezes the life out of my hand. She stops gurgling and lays peacefully before me. Her cannon goes off. "No! Please don't die!" I cry and rock her body back and forth. "Raven!" but I know it does no good. The pretty girl from 10, named Raven, was dead.

      I sit there for a few minutes not knowing what to do next. I don't know how to say goodbye to her. She saved my life after all. I rub my eyes and force myself to stand. "Good bye Raven." I whisper. With one last tearful glance at my fallen ally, I leave her body for the hover craft to claim.