Scars That Never Fade- A New Generation of Hunger Games

Chapter 20

I woke up again, Volker shielding himself from the snow that threatened to whip his face. Romy, beside me, rubbed her eyes and sat up.

"Are you feeling okay?" I asked her. She nodded, smiling faintly at me. I gazed around, and noticed that both Althea's and Kav's bodies were both gone.

"Fern?" asked Romy.

"Yeah?"

"I don't want to kill anybody anymore." I looked up, snowflakes landing on my face. What could I say?

"You have to win this, Romy. I need you to get back to your family."

She looked up at me, a look of despair etched across her young face. "But, why not you? You have a chance. You're fast, and you're good with the bow. You don't need to be strong to win."

"I haven't even killed anyone yet," I replied, "and you have. The Capitol wants a show, and I'm not giving it to them. You can."

She shook her head. "I'm not going to kill anymore. I can't bring myself to do it." I sighed. I tried so hard to think of ways to even grasp this idea. Of me dying. How? But I knew I'd never live with myself if Romy died. I suppose I'd die either way.

"Fine," I sighed, "I will protect you till the end. If you don't make it, I'll protect Volker. I'm not going home. I'd never be able to look at myself the same way again." Romy wiped tears away, trying to be strong. She knew the Capitol didn't like crybabies.

"Okay," she said, breathing shakily, "but can we please just hide for today? I don't want to face anybody." I nodded. That's exactly what we needed to do. But how would we make it? Just simple crusts and soup wouldn't cut it. And I hadn't eaten either.

"Congratulations, all remaining tributes in the Hunger Games!" boomed that familiar announcer's voice, "We have a special treat for you. There is a feast prepared, right near the cornucopia! All tributes are encouraged to join in this feast, where there will be an abundance of food for all!"

"No," I demanded immediately. "There's some kind of catch. We can't go. It's too risky." Romy agreed. Volker stood up, and put his hand to his chest, then reached it out toward the cornucopia.

"Volker, you'd go?" Romy asked.

"It might not be a good idea," I warned, "maybe we should just hunt." He shook his head defiantly, then ran off in the direction of the cornucopia. I crossed my fingers, worrying hard about what could happen to Volker. Cassian would be there, I'd bet. Maybe Wake too. And those other careers, Phoebe and that crazy girl from 8. Maybe Epsilon, but he was too smart. Not Ivo, no, I don't think so.

Romy and I climbed a tree, directly above our sleeping spot. It wasn't too high, but high enough to get a clear view of any enemies below. We said very little. After all, it was a bittersweet time. I used the lighter Haymitch sent to warm our hands a little. It didn't help much, but when it's freezing and you're starving to death, it's best to accept any gift, no matter how small.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a sort of earthquake shook the ground. Rumbling noises sounded off in the distance. Romy whimpered.

"Shhh... Romy you don't want anyone to hear you." Then, BOOM! I paused. Oh no, don't let it be BOOM! Gasp. It could be, but I...BOOM! The rumbling got louder and louder. Romy and I screamed in unison when we saw it coming straight towards us- an avalanche.