One last time

Chapter 3

Dim white light fills the room as the door slides across the floor, revealing a silhouette. The strong frame of a familiar body enters quietly. They gently push the door to a close and sit on the end of my bed. It is Mason. His eyes red and puffy from crying and his hair tousled from sleep.

"What are you doing here? Are there not guards?!" I whisper hoarsely

"Yes but he is asleep against the wall. I just walked past him. Anyway, I need to talk to you." I see worry and pain in his expression but also great determination. His eye brows creased and his jaw tense. I cannot think of what he would want to discuss at this hour alone.

"Then do so" I respond insistently. Curiosity is one of my worst traits.

"These games are going to be different." His voice is hard and serious, it would be intimidating if he did not look so innocent the ways he sits beside me. "They won't play by our rules, they will have their own. I'm pretty sure that if I trust anyone to be smarter than them it's you. I want to be with you in the arena." I take a long breath as I take this all in. I know for a fact I trust Mason but I've never felt like I needed an ally. My plan I guess was to just die. What use will living for nothing be? However if there is any possibility that my survival can inconvenience our new government, I will try my very best.

"I understand what you mean Mason and if you are asking for an ally, my answer is yes but we have to think. What possible skill do either of us have that could possible save us?"

He responds quickly as if he did not even need to check if it fit my question.

"Your eyes" I look down at my lap shy and confused. It sounded out of place.

"What?" I speak this as if his accusation were absurd.

"You had that enhancement surgery right? Well that gives you a great advantage and you're smart and brave. I'm no brute but I'm strong. All I know I can't be alone any more." Tears surface in his eyes. "I'm sorry about your family. " the last thing I want to think of right now is what I have already lost. Allying with Mason will mean I will have someone to lose. It would be easier to die not caring and not hurting anyone. He continues struggling to fight tears while he pours out his words . "I saw it on TV... My family died the day before we lost. Me and my family were heading to a safe house in the city centre when the pod went off. The street opened up and they fell in. I held on only to hear their screams as they died. Katniss Everdeen ran right past me. She watched as our blood split." This confession left me speechless. No wonder he hates the girl on fire. Yet those pods were created by Capitol scientists. We are guilty too.