The 53rd Hunger Games- Two Words

41. Hadrian

“Come on, Eight, we know you’re up there!”

The voice is almost lost amidst the crackling of the fire. The Careers strategy may not be the most ingenious, but it certainly works. The layer of smoke confirms it; they’ve been burning down the whole forest, trying to get us. Either to burn us alive, or make us fun prey to chase.

Whatever their aim, they’re certainly given us a wake-up call.

I feel a hand around my ankle, and for a moment, I think it’s one of the Careers come to pull me out of the tree. Or worse, one of the hands of the dead from my dream. Despite the lack of air, I start to scream, but choke on smoke, and almost vomit.  

“Eunia! Wake up!”  

His words are raspy, and he is obscured by the black smoke. I know his voice. Hadrian has come to save me again.

“I’m awake!” I say. Hadrian must hear me over the racket the fire makes, because he releases my ankle and begins his descent. I see the neighbouring maple is already being licked by tongues of red and yellow and orange, which makes my choice to follow easy. Besides, isn’t it meant to be easier to breathe closer to the ground?

A single insane thought forms in my head as I attempt a descent, which turns into a fall.

The Gamemakers must be enjoying this.

My left side hits the ground heavily. I don’t bother to get up until I finish retching.

The Careers aren’t visible. Hadrian isn’t either. I feel myself panic. He could be feet from me, or sprinting away. However far away he is, he must have assumed I was right behind him. It isn’t like him to be so careless, but maybe his sense of self-preservation has kicked in. Whatever the reason, I can’t see him. The leaves smoke like crazy, making both the Careers and myself invisible.

I stop thinking about Hadrian. My own survival comes first now. I have to assume that he’s running from the flames. The part of my mind that ensures my endurance takes over.

I left my axe by the base of the tree. Hadrian promised to look after it. I crawl around the stump, searching for my axe. By some miracle, my fingertips touch cool metal, and I have my axe again.

Luck seems to be on my side, for a moment.

Shadows sift behind the smoke, but nothing really makes sense. I inhale the wicked black coils while searching for fresh air. The crackling becomes louder as I stumble forward.

It’s harder and harder to draw in anything apart from smoke. My heart rises to my throat. In my panic, I cry for Hadrian. Hadrian. Find Hadrian. He’s my best chance of survival. He can fight. He can drag me away from the smoke and flame and Careers and danger.

I try to keep away where the crackling is loudest, but I still see flame. The smoke just keeps thickening. There was an awful lot of greenery, though perhaps the Gamemakers couldn’t resist helping Jem and Argus by adding more of the choking tendrils.

Finally, I can stand it no longer. I drop to my knees, and vomit.

For nearly a minute, I just kneel with my eyes closed, tears falling down my cheeks.

I force myself to get up. Hadrian. I need to find Hadrian. He will have his trident, or a sword. He will help me fight off Jem and Argus.

Now I can hear nothing but fire, coming closer, coming for me.

My feet move, taking small steps. I’m not sure which direction I’m heading in. If I don’t find Hadrian, I’ll find the Careers, and I’ll kill them