The Hunger Games: Retold

Chapter 16

The sun has started its climb into the clear, blue sky by the time I've gathered the strength to try and find my hiding spot. I need to stay close enough to the water that dehydration doesn't make me do something stupid, but I also can't be where someone will easily find me. By some stroke of luck I still have the packet of dried fruit Cato handed me under the tree when we were waiting for Katniss to come down. Thinking about eating makes me squeamish but I know I can't go any longer without food. With several handfuls of water to soften it, I force myself to swallow a few pieces of fruit. It comes back up almost immediately and I gasp and lean on the rock to stop the blackness from closing in on me. After about 15 minutes I try again, taking mouthfuls of water slowly first. The food stays down this time, and I very slowly make my way through the packet. Eating is so exhausting I need to close my eyes and rest to keep from passing out.

Opening my eyes, I watch the sun rise above the trees and think wearily of how many times I've thought it was my time to die in the last few days. At the Cornucopia, it seemed like giving Katniss a chance to get out was going to cost me my life, but I made it through that. And my joining up with the Careers as well. I was certain when they treed Katniss I would go down fighting them off to try and give her a chance to run, but I avoided it long enough to anticipate a swarm of angry tracker jackers taking me out. Again, I somehow survived. I can only hope it's been enough. My leg is a screaming, throbbing blaze and the flesh is blackened and oozing horrible smelling pus and I have no idea how to treat it. I have no more food and no way of getting any. I can't fight if anyone finds me. I'm done. I only hope for two things. I don't want my family to have to watch me be killed by another tribute. And I don't want Katniss to kill me.

I can only think of one way to be sure those things don't happen. But if I don't hurry, that chance will be gone. Setting my teeth and gripping my leg with one hand, I blow out three quick, hard breaths and then haul myself to my feet. A dark tunnel closes in on my vision and I bite hard on the sleeve of my jacket to keep from screaming out with the pain. After a moment, I feel dizzy and numbness overcomes my leg. Panting raggedly, I start hobbling along the stream. The huge rocks and marshy ground make it ridiculously hard to travel and I stop every three or four steps, leaning against the rocks to keep from collapsing. Stupid! I gather my sleeve in my hand and scrub away the bloodstain left on the rock. All this, and then a lovely trail pointing them straight to me. "Careful, Mellark," I admonish myself sternly.

I look around at the dim and foreboding forest. It's as if the arena had been made for Katniss. She would know exactly what to do right now. Even with everything that's happened, she's still going strong. She even armed herself with a bow! I feel a ridiculous surge of pride and I smile at the woods, thanking them just for existing for her. The strong trees, strong like her. The long grasses, like her long, braided hair. I wish I had touched her hair. Just once. I smile warmly at the long grass of the stream bank and reach down to stroke it.

A streak of pain rips up my leg and I gasp, my befuddled mind clearing immediately. I rub my hand fiercely over my face. What was that idiocy? I have to stay in control of my thoughts, I can't get caught out in the open mooning over the weeds! I take three more tottering steps and close my eyes, fighting the nausea. Three more, and I slap at the lump of the tracker jacker sting on my wrist so the sharp pain clears my vision. Three more and I spell the name of every person in my family to focus my thoughts. Three more and I reach out unsteadily to try and wipe the smear of blood from a rock. Three more and I recite the names of all the teachers I've had in school. Three more and my leg gives out and I collapse in the mud of the streambed.

Pulling in great, shaking breaths I close my eyes and try to slow my pounding heart. This is as far as I can go. I lay my head on my arm and cup my other hand to gather some water to drink. I sip slowly and gradually my breathing slows. Looking around, I see that I have everything I will need right here. I nod to myself groggily and rest up so I can begin.