Into The Wilderness: A Hunger Games Story

18: The Final Chapter

Prim's P.O.V

It was entirely Cato's idea to go to the Cornucopia, not mine. I was perfectly content with where we were. But he wanted to go just to see if the last tribute would show up.

So, we went. Just because he wanted to and I felt so selfish that he always gave me my way.

It was pretty much a silent trip.

"What do you think's gonna happen when it's the final two?" he asks quietly, as if he's afraid to raise the question.

"I'm not sure...I hope they let us both win," I say, knowing this is completely ridiculous. The Capitol would never allow for two victors.

"I don't think we'd both make it out," I say quietly, wondering what kind of weight the eight words I'd just said bared. It worried me. I gnawed on my lip, fretting for my family and friends at home.

I sighed.

He suddenly twirled me around to face him. "Hey, don't talk like that!" His eyes screamed 'Are you stupid!?'

"I can't help it! I can't help but wonder what's gonna happen to...us...once there's only two people left!" My eyes retorted with, 'Yeah, obviously I am.'

He exhaled heavily out of his nose and glanced upwards at the sky.

"God, Prim, nothing's gonna happen. Don't even worry about it yet, okay babe?"

"Okay." I pecked his lips. "Love you."

"Love you too."

We continued walking in companionable silence until we reached the dark-colored steel structure laid out before us. Approaching it, it looked camped in. We began to examine the place, looking for the weapons.

Maybe District 6 or 9's old place? You never know.

A voice rang out form behind us. "Looking for these?"

We whirled, turning to face the sound. District 4....but wasn't she...dead last time I saw her?

Cato automatically took a tiny, unnoticeable step closer to my side in an attempt to shield me.

She chuckled, seeing the shock register on my face. "Don't try to protect her. She's a worthless little bitch who's only ruining my chances of winning this thing." She advanced another step. "Besides, it's highly doubtful that the Capitol would actually allow for two winners opposed to one." She sighed in contentment and anticipation, looking down and stroking her weapon lovingly. "Stupid, useless little airheads. Think the world revolves around them."

Cato emitted a low growl from the back of his throat. "Bad move, Four."

Another chuckle. She crouched ever so slightly and advanced toward us. "No. Bad move, Two."

And with that, she threw the spear with all the might in her body right at my chest.

Cato's P.O.V.

I watched my girlfriend die. How many people can say that in a lifetime?

Well, a lot actually, in the place I live in.

I couldn't save her though, but I had the chance to and I couldn't.

Let's rearrange the sentence. How many people can say that they could've saved their girlfriend, but instead let her die?

Probably not too many, I'm afraid. And the whole nation's watching. Not so bad at all, right?

Wrong.

As she collapses, the spear lodged in her body right near her heart, I fall with her, next to her. I slowly wedge the now-bloody spear from her body as she coughed blood and stared at a blank point in space.

"Prim? Can you hear me?" I asked frantically. She nods weakly, mouthing the words 'I love you.' Tears almost well in my eyes. "I love you too baby. Stay with me, please," I plead.

She tries to force the air from her lungs to form words, but she can't. She doesn't have enough strength. And it's right there I know she's going to die. So I spend the last few moments of her life with her. She pulls her finger up and crooks it, motioning me to come forward. "Tell...Katniss...Mother...Gale I love them." She struggles to speak. I look straight ahead and relay her message. "She said to tell Katniss, Mother, and Gale she loves you." Welp, someone's probably crying in District 12 right now.

"I...love you...Cato. I'll...see you...later." She strokes my cheek with a small smile on her lips. I kiss her forehead and her heart falters in her chest.

She's gone.

I set her gently on the ground, and turn to face my nemesis. I rise from my kneeling position, heading straight for her, sword bared.

Poised to avenge.

But, she's already sent the spear flying straight for my stomach.

"See ya later, alligator," she says, waving ironically.

I black out, falling to the ground gasping for air.

See you later, love.