Sea Of Secrets [1]

Thirteen

   I slump down against Rue's body, weeping and sobbing at how she will soon die.

   "Shh, it's okay" her frail voice soothes me, giving me hope that she will be okay. Her weak arm reaches and touches my hair, my face. "Tell me a story Coral" I know that she will die, and I know that this is a loss that will take some time to get through. She was my ally, she trusted me. She knew damn well that I could have killed her, but I didn't. She taught me things that I never thought imaginable.

   I lift her small body onto my lap, pressing her small head against my shoulders. Katniss took the spear out, and her blood is slowly seeping through into my clothing. I wipe the tears from her eyes, knowing that this is the last moment that I have with her.
"Once upon a time, there was a beautiful girl, with beautiful hair, and beautiful eyes. She grew up in a small town, prancing down the streets in her long dresses. She gave the towns people hope that one day they will be free of their oppression, their misery and suffering. She smiled at the kids as they road their bikes to school each morning, saying a gentle hello to them as she walked her way to the fields. Her hands had become strong, and hard from the day's work. Her heart began to yearn for freeness, for love and sunlight. She yearned for the day she would be free of the Presidents hold on her small town. She yearned to fly high. And one day, she got her wish. It wasn't like she hoped it would be, but it happened. She was free, she was loved, and the sunlight shined down on her glistening face. She could now fly high"

   Katniss hugged us , crying and screaming for her to come back. I held onto Rue's body, not wanting the hovercraft to get her. I held her so close and for so long that my pants were soaked with her blood. Her hair swayed back and forth with the wind, and her eyes didn't hold the glimmer in them as they once did when she talked about something or someone she loved. I screamed for her, I yelled for the Capitol to take me.

   Katniss held me close and I sobbed into her chest like a little baby wanting their mom again. I cried for Rue, I cried for the situation I'm in, I cried for my brother and parents. I cried for death to come, for I could not hold it together anymore.

   I didn't realize that Katniss had left to get wild flowers until Rue's body was no longer on mine. She was now placed on her back, with beautiful reds, yellows and oranges surrounding her. Katniss has placed them over her wound, over her arms, and around and in her hair. She added some mint leaves around her body, symbolizing our friendship. We all loved mint.

   I sat there numb and motionless as I watched Katniss weave the flowers in her hair, braiding and folding to make it look beautiful. This is how you should honor the dead.

   When done, Katniss stood, helped me up and stood watching Rue's body. She looked so beautiful. The flowers brought out her skin tone, making it shine. She is now safe and away from the cruel world we live in. She can now fly high. Katniss draped her arm around my shoulder, and with her other she raised it to the sky. Her three middle fingers were brought to her mouth before extending them to the sky. In her District, it's a sign of great respect and honor. I lifted mine to the sky too, and cried into her shoulder.

   "Goodbye my beautiful mockingjay" I whispered to Rue as Katniss dragged me away from her body. I was silent the whole walk, grasping onto Katniss's hand as my support.

   She dragged me to a small pond, undressing me and bathing my cold and frail body. The water was cold, but I didn't care. My warm tears flowing down my face kept me warm. Katniss rubbed the blood from my skin as well as the dirt and grim that I had gotten over the past days. She washed my face, and washed my hair. At that point, I was not ashamed to show my body to anyone, especially the people in the Capitol. She draped my blanket over me, and started to braid my wet hair. In that moment, she felt like my mother. I leaned against her and felt the love radiate off of her. She was my friend, my only friend. My ally.

   She set my clothes in the pond and sat next to me, hugging me. I feel bad that I am not talking, that I am no comfort to her. She has done so much for me, and I am the one who is weak, vulnerable. Katniss at this point is my life source.

   She takes out some dried meat and I refuse it, not hungry for eating. "Coral, please, at least eat this" her eyes are pleading, getting wet by my state. "I can't loose someone else" her tears are now falling and I open my mouth for her to put the dried beef in.

   The flavor explodes in my mouth, and I watch Katniss put my clothes on a nearby branch. I chew slowly, and once done, I curl up against Katniss, and once again cry. I know that Rue will never get to eat again, to never bathe, to never get her hair braided.

   My sorrows are interrupted by a soft whistle, and I look up to see a silver canister floating down to us. Katniss opens it quickly, probably hoping its something for her ear. I look and see a loaf of bread, and a small letter underneath it. I take the bread in my hands and split it in two, breathing in the sweet scent. The bread I recognize is from District Eleven. They must be grateful that me and Katniss paid our respects.

   "Thank you" I look up to the sky, knowing that my grief will be shared by many. Her family will earn for her, and her friends will be devastated.

   "The letter is for you" Katniss hands me the letter and I tuck it under my leg, knowing that I will read it later.

   We eat the bread slowly, enjoying and savoring the sweet taste. We chat about things that Rue loved, talking about what she taught us, and what about her that we will always keep close to the heart. I talked about her smile, and how she always thought of others. Katniss talked about how she taught her how to trust , and how to use many useful resources around the environment. When we grew quiet from our talk, it was dark and my clothes were now dry.

   I put on my night vision glasses and changed into the sun warmed clothes. I sat back down, wrapping the blanket around Katniss and I. The letter is tucked in my hand now, and I am dreading reading it, I hope it isn't from Snow again.

   The anthem plays and I look up at the sky, seeing the boy from District One and Rue's beautiful face smiling back at me. She is finally flying high in the sky. When the anthem stops, I lay down and begin to open the letter, but the sound of trumpets stop me. I sit up, alert.

   "Hello to the six tributes left! I have a special announcement to make to you all" I look at Katniss as Claudius Templesmith's voice echoes around the arena. "For the first time ever, in all of the Hunger Games history, two tributes can win. They can be from different Districts, or from the same one! Congratulations you six left, and may the odds be ever in your favor" his words sound over and over in my head as the night sky once again becomes dark. I smile and hug Katniss, knowing that we can both win.

   I quickly open the letter to find that it is not from President Snow, but from my mentor , Finnick.

     'My Dearest Coral,
   I am saddened for the loss of your brother, knowing that it has made life in the arena hard. I know now that two tributes can win, but be carful for there might be a catch. The game makers might add some sick twist to the games, and maybe only one can survive. Be carful out there in the arena, and remember your skills. You are very strong and talented. Stay strong, love, for me.
Love , Finnick'

   I smile down at his words, knowing that he believes in me, that he wants me to win.

   "He really cares for you" Katniss says over my shoulder, she must have read what he sent me. I smile up at her, knowing that maybe there are two people that are worth fighting for.