“You can do this,” Gale assures me.
I breathe and squeeze his hand one last time before I let go. Stepping forward and away from him, the loud noise of the cheering crowd grows louder and fills my ears. Everyone’s eyes are on me, watching me.
He is looking at me too. President Snow. His snaky gray eyes try their best to enter my soul. His mouth coils into a cruel smile. His hands are tied securely behind him and his legs are immobilized, so I shouldn’t be scared. But I am. Fright is taking over my whole body and Gale’s words float out of my mind.
“Breath, Katniss,” I whisper to myself.
I take a deep breath and close my eyes. Opening them, I slowly get the single arrow in my quiver. The tight grip I have on my bow loosens a bit as I breathe out.
My eyes search the crowd and I see them.
Prim, looking so innocent in her white dress, smiles at me. Seeing her smile always boosts my spirits. Her blonde hair in two braids, flower petals entangled in them makes her stand out from the rest of the plain and dull District 13 children.
At my little sister’s side, my best friend is giving me the same re-assuring look. His dark brown hair has grown longer but not enough to cover his calm gray eyes. I don’t know how he can be so calm about this, but it is a good thing he’s calm.
Finnick stands not so far away from them, not in the crowd but alone in the shadows. He’s a pitiful sight when his bronze hair so messy, and his eyes red from crying. I remember how upset he was when the news that the soldiers couldn’t find Annie, Peeta and the others arrived. But I couldn’t blame him, I was upset too. Him actually coming here to see me do this is a huge honor on my part.
I take my aim at President Snow’s heart. It’s time to end this monster’s life. I fire. The arrow flies and hits its target.
“No,” I gasp.
My arrow had hit his heart but it didn’t do anything. No blood is spilling out, his eyes are still open and he’s still smiling. He’s still alive. But how?
He laughs and stands up. Somehow, he had freed himself and is now walking towards my direction. He pulls the arrow out of his chest and throws it at my feet.
He looks me in the eyes and out of his mouth come the words, “You can’t kill me!”
