Rue's Games

Survival

I stare at the lifeless light-skinned boy. He lays motion less...killed by Thresh.

"Look away Rue!" Thresh orders.

I obediently listen and look away, facing the dark and damp cave wall.

I hear the girl scream in fear, and then the cannon. I turn around and see Glimmer laying right next to Marvel;dead.

I look at Thresh in amazement and somewhat fear. He just nods at me, signaling me to get out of the cave.

We walk for about ten minutes until Thresh whispers to me.

"We can go back, that's our best place for shelter." Thresh kicks a small stone across the grassy area.

I look up at him, "We should go back, I mean it is the safest place , plus it's hidden behind trees and bushes."

Thresh smiles, "Let's head back then."

My stomach groans in hunger.

"Thresh? Can we find some berries or game to eat? I'm starved and exhausted!" I grab out my knife.

Thresh nods, also hungry.

We look around, finding no edible berries for our supper. Discouraged, Thresh and I start to head back to our hideout.

That's when I see her.

I stop in mid tracks.

It's Clove.

Cato, the District 2 boy, comes running out and talks to Clove silently.

I stop Thresh, signaling him towards the career.

Thresh smiles, thinking of cruel ways to kill the last two career tributes.

I grip onto my knife, keeping my eyes on the two tributes.

"I'll take the boy." Thresh whispers.

I nod. I'm finally going to fight her.

She's made me so angry, she's made me feel small and helpless. I'm not.

I am strong and lethal.

Thresh and I spread apart, going around them to surround them.

I silently walk across the dried up grass, meanwhile Cato and Clove talk to each other.

"I haven't found District 11 or 12 yet." Clove pouts, crossing her arms across her chest.

Cato just snickers, "They aren't our problems. They'll die on their own. For now we have to find Marvel and Glimmer, they haven't come back from finding us food." Clove rolls her eyes.

"You just like Glimmer because she's prettier than me." Clove scoffs.

"Glimmer is pretty...but you're beautiful,Clove." Cato compliments.

I was about to gag again.

Does the Capitol actually believe this fake crap? I mean it's all played out, Cato is playing Clove and Clove is playing Cato.

"I love you Ca-" Clove starts but gets cut off by the sound of rustling in the bushes.

Thresh. He's so loud, it's embarrassing.

I see the careers grab their weapons.

I stealthily sneak out to the open, in plain sight. If either of them turn around then I'd be dead.

"Is this 11 or 12?" Mocks Cato, swaying his sword in the air.

I know I don't have much time to get rid of Clove, but it's horrible to think that I actually have to get rid of her.

I just close my eyes and throw one.

I hear a sickening groan from her, but she's not dead yet.

I open my one eye and see Clove laying on the ground, almost paralyzed.

"Clove!" Cato screams, not caring that Thresh and I are there.

Cato kneels beside Clove, hand in hand. Cato has streams of tears going down his face.

I feel a tear go down my face also, but I quickly wipe it away.

They're just kids.

Thresh doesn't care about what's going on, I could tell by his facial expression. He just wants them gone.

I can't stand watching this.

This is too sad and depressing...

I slip behind a tree and let a few tears fall, sliding down my face.

I tune out everything, not caring if Thresh sees me.

Finally after five minutes I calm myself down. I look back and see where Clove,Cato, and Thresh were.

I see Clove laying peacefully on the grass,her face looking up at the sky.

Thresh has his hands around Cato's neck,strangling him, and Cato has his sword into Thresh's side.

All of them are dead.

I lost my ally.

I lost my District partner.

I lost my only friend.

Thresh is gone and I'm going to have to survive all by myself.