Justice, the 4th hunger games book, the story after mockingjay

Chapter forty-three

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Chapter forty-three

What feels like minutes later when actually it could only have been a matter of seconds we are dropped back onto the ledge and left gasping for air

My instant reaction is to turn to my left and check Peeta is there and OK.

“Peeta?” I ask as I roll onto my side to get a good look at him.

“I’m fine. Are you?” He asks cupping my cheek in his hand.

“I’m fine, little short of breath but fine.” I confirm smiling weakly at him. “Marc?” I ask remembering the others.

“I’m alright, don’t let go of the rope. There are often more than one.” He warns as he shuffles to the edge of the ledge. Ali! I hear a cannon fire signalling another tributes death. Please don’t let that be for her.

“Is she?” I choke out as I roll back onto my stomach and peer over the edge of the ledge. To my surprise Ali is still holding on but looking very weak. She looks up at us and just shakes her head.

“I can’t.” I hear her say. What does she mean? She can’t, what? Hold on, climb up, survive another battering from another wave? Any of these can be prevented. We just have to get her up here and quickly.

“We need to get her up here now!” I order. I can’t lose her, I just can’t! She is so much like prim, she brought me back to Peeta, kept him safe. I need her to survive this, I never even got to thank her! Yet another person I am indebted to. What about Gale? Having to watch his tribute die, having to watch us as we do nothing to help her. He managed to persuade both Ali and Marc to die for us, that’s what must have happened but how? Why? Questions I can’t ask or have answered in the arena with millions of people watching including Paylor.

I begin to fumble with the end of the rope still attached to me. I turn to Peeta and then to Marc, neither of them are helping me. “Why aren’t you helping?” I scream. “Peeta please help! Marc, that’s your daughter down there!”

“There’s not enough time.” Answers Marc sadly. “We won’t get her up before the next wave hits.”

“We can at least try!” I whisper as I begin pulling the rope by myself. Peeta covers my hands with his and forces me to look at him., I try to silently plead with my eyes, conveying the message that I have to save her.

“You don’t understand Peeta, I need to save her.” I beg. “I can’t let someone else die for me. Rue, Prim. She’s too young Peeta. Just too young, please?”

“Katniss, listen to me. Lay down, we have to make sure we stay on this ledge otherwise it won’t just be Ali in trouble.”

“Peeta, no, please. We have to help her.” He’s now pushed me back down to the ledge arm slung across my back in an attempt to keep me down and in place. I press up on my arms and pull at the rope once more.

“Katniss, please. Stay down!” He begs.

“We can pull her up before the next wave hits. I know we can! She’s not that far below.” I sob, tears now streaming down my cheeks. I push up again trying to get a grip on the rope.

“Ali hold on!” I scream. “I’ll get you up here in no time!”

“Katniss no!” Peeta shouts, this time flattening himself on top of me just as the next wave hits. I am caught off guard and from the impact the small amount of air is forced out of my lungs. I begin to panic wriggling around as Peeta fights to keep me under him and both of us on the ledge. I need air and I need it now. I can’t hold on much longer, beginning to feel lightheaded from the lack of oxygen I begin to relax and allow Peeta to hold onto me.