Ariabella: The Tribute Who Danced (A Hunger Games Fanfic) Book 1

16.

When I wake up, Grayson is awake. Mallorie must've woken him up and went to sleep.

"Morning," Grayson says when I sit up and kisses my cheek.

"Morning," I say back.

"How's your leg?" Grayson asks.

"Better. It doesn't hurt anymore," I say with a smile.

"Good. I can't stand seeing you in pain," Grayson says and then gives me a quick kiss.

I hear Ferryn stir beside me and then she sits up.

"Good morning," I say.

"Morning," Ferryn says. I can't help loving her with her dark brown curls, blue eyes, and freckles.

Right then Mallorie sits up and looks at us all.

"Well, since everyone is up, what should we do now?" Grayson asks.

"I don't know. Go for a walk?" I suggest.

"Why not. Let's walk to the beach," Grayson suggests.

The beach. Where I'm leaving tonight.

We each take our weapons just in case and head towards the beach. Grayson takes my hand and Mallorie walks beside Ferryn.

After a little bit of walking, I hear somebody crying.

"Did you guys here that?" I ask.

"Hear what?" Mallorie asks.

I hear the crying again.

"That," I say. I let go of Grayson's hand and run towards where the sound is coming from. I come into a clearing and find a girl trapped under a net.

She sees me and her eyes fill with fear.

"Don't worry, I'm not gonna hurt you," I say and kneel down. I take out the knife from my boot and cut at the net. Eventually it loosens enough that she can get out.

"There you go," I say. I hear Grayson, Mallorie, and Ferryn come up behind me.

"Thank you," the girl says. She has beautiful light brown waves and green eyes and some freckles.

"No problem. What's your name?" I ask.

"Willow, from district 4," she says.

"Oh. I'm Aria..." I start to say but she interrupts me.

"I know who you are. And that's Grayson, and Mallorie, and Ferryn?" Willow says.

"How did you remember all of our names?" I ask.

"I don't know, good memory I guess," Willow answers.

"Hey, do you want to be in our alliance, just for a little bit?" Mallorie asks Willow.

"Um, I guess so," Willow answers.

I take her hand and help her up. She brushes herself off and steps towards us more.

"We're just taking a nice walk to the beach," Grayson says.

"How old are you?" I ask Willow curiously.

"14," she answers.

"Let's go," Mallorie says then turns back towards the beach. Grayson once again takes my hand and Willow walks on the other side of me.

We mainly walk in silence for a while until we get to the beach.

"Have you ever seen the beach?" Willow asks.

"No. But I've imagined it. It's just as beautiful as I imagined," I say.

Willow smiles at me then hurries towards the water.