Disney Hunger Games

Chapter 35

Ariel's POV

When I woke up that morning, Eric was gone.

I had heard the hovercraft coming as I slept, but didn't want to see them carry him off.

I was alone now.

I woke up and forced myself to get up and get myself going. Usually by now, I had a small parachute with a roll in it, but the skies looked clear.

I trudged through the forest with my trident, looking for an animal or a fruit bush. With no luck, I started to head back. Luckily my dinner last night had given me enough energy for today.

I heard a crackling noise behind me but dismissed it, it was probably just a fire a tribute had started. I didn't really pay much attention to it until I felt the heat and the crackling continued as I walked away. I turned around and saw a tree engulfed in flames and started to pick up my pace. A ripping sound sounded from behind me and I turned around to see it coming down, about to collapse on me. I jump out of the way just as it slams to the ground.

I need to take control of my life. Right now Eric is taking over. I love him and I will miss him, but I need to do this for myself. To prove to my family and myself that I can do something right for once.

I look into the sky and blow a kiss, as if waiting for Eric to come down and tell me it's all going to be okay.

But I don't live in a fairytale, in fact this is more like a nightmare.

I've watched time after time, the girl stops trying to live and gets easily killed because of her ignorance over a boy. I will never get Eric back, and sitting here doing nothing will get me nothing.

I pack up my stuff and try to move on from our old hideout, and honestly try to move on from him.

*Belle's POV

Adam and I have been living happily, if that's even possible in the Hunger Games.

But even in the happiest times, I have my darkest thoughts.

I look at the sky, wondering how soon it will be until one of us goes. The leaves crunch under Adam's feet as he walked over to me. "What are you thinking about?"

"Sad stuff," I say and chuckle. I'll put the subject off as long as I can; even if that means that I die first and never have to talk about it.

"Not again." He groans. I push him jokingly.

"Okay, I won't say anything then."

"Let's talk about happy things instead, for once." he says.

"Like what?"

"I don't know, tell me a happy story."

"Hmm," I wrack my brain for something. It's hard to take your mind off the games when we're so close the end. "I have something." I looked up at him.

His eyes are filled with curiosity. "I'm going to tell you a story about my dad." He nods. I haven't told him much about my dad because I just miss him so much.

"I remember the first time one of his inventions worked. He's been going to all these conventions to try to sell one of his products to the Capitol's army."

"Like weapons?"

"Yeah, he doesn't usually get too into details. He said the Capitol likes to keep it confidential."

Adam looks into a camera planted into one of the trees we found. "Well you sure are doing a great job keeping this private now aren't you!" He screams. I don't know whether to laugh at him or scold him, but life is too short so I go with the former.

"Anyways when my dad came home that evening, I've never seen anyone so happy." I look into the distance reminiscing that night.

The day I was reaped he told me I would live to see his invention. I look forward to that day, and I know it will come.

"He had bought us a beautiful cake and made me the best hazelnut soup. We spent the night laughing, with not a care in the world. How I wish I could go back to that." Adam's hands find my back and rubs circles in them.

"You'll see him again. I just know it."

My eyes well with tears. "But that'll mean that I won't see you. I don't know if I'm willing to sacrifice that just yet." I don't know what to think anymore. I didn't want to have to choose between Adam and my father.

"Belle, you barely know me." I shake my head.

"I don't care about that though! I love you."

Before Adam can say anything, a small bag falls from the sky. I recognize it but can't place my finger from where I know it from.

And the last thing I hear is Adam screaming my name.

*Maurice's POV

After finishing selling my bomb to the Capitol, I run to one of the local bars to give it to a sponsor for Belle. I take a seat, and watch the television.

For once, Belle and Adam are on. I don't know if I should be worried or glad that she's happy in such an unfortunate situation.

The bartender walks up to me and asks for my order. "I was wondering if I could also add this to Belle's sponsor jar?" I say.

"Sure, the peacekeepers should be coming by tomorrow to pick up the money." I put a twenty dollar bill in the mason jar. That should at least buy her a nice meal.

I refocus my attention on the screen when I hear Belle telling Adam the story of when my first successful invention worked. Belle has always been my motivator and I work hard everyday for her. I don't know what I'd do if I lost that.

I'm watching the small TV, when a small object falls from the sky and a loud explosion erupts on the screen. My thoughts are frantic, and I wonder whether or not this could be real.

Is that Belle? Or is it one of the other tributes?

Moments before I lost focus, I didn't know who died. I hear Adam scream: "Belle!" And I collapse in my seat.

Not my baby.

Of all people, she does not deserve this.

I hear for the cannon, there's hope that's she still alive.

When a boom fills my ears I run out of the bar. When I reach my home there's a letter between my door.

I rip it open quickly and inside it reads:

Maurice,

Thank you for the bomb bag. It will work perfectly for a very special tribute.

I couldn't have done this to her. They told me it was for self defense against future attacks.

I told Belle she would live to see my inventions, she did, but they are the reason she is dead.

I am to blame for her death.

I rummage through the house and find my gun, tears streaming down my face.

I deserve the same fate as her.

***

Sorry I haven't written anything in a while! I kind of dropped off the face of the earth for a while but I'm back!

XOXO,

-belle-of-the-ball-xo