Forever in the Games- UNDER EXTREME EDITING

Chapter Twenty-Seven

The sun is starting to rise, and when I'm positive that the mutts are gone, I slide down the cornucopia, without saying goodbye to Katniss or Peeta. I can't bring myself to do it. 

"Luce, wait" I turn around, both have their feet on the ground. I smile.

"Congratulations, you've survived" 

"Please Lucinda, I'm sure we can figure something out" But before I can reply, there's another announcement. But I don't understand, what could they possibly have to tell us now? 

"Attention. Attention Tributes. There has been a slight, rule change." A rule change?! They've already switched the rules once! How in the name of Effie has Snow let Seneca change the rules twice?! I start to walk away from them both, knowing it can't be meant for me. Looking at those two, they're Victor material. They won't be able to cope with the nightmares for long, but they'll get through it, I know that. 

I believe that.

"The previous revision, allowing for two victors from the same District has been, revoked" I halt. Did I hear that right? I'm not so sure I did.

"Only one victor may be crowned" Wait, what?

"Good luck, and may the odds be ever in your favor" I slowly turn around, my mind filling with nothing but confusion. Why would they do this? They've fought for their lives in a game they are forced to play. But then I remember it's the Capitol we're talking about. 

I turn to face Katniss and Peeta. Completely lost for words. Katniss has her bow loaded with her last arrow, she too, is facing Peeta. 

"Go ahead" He looks to Katniss. "One of us should go home" He looks to me. "The other two have to die. They have to have their victor" My gaze flickers to my boots. What does he mean? That he wants Katniss to kill him. And why did he look at me? Does he want me to join him in leaving this earth?

"No" I snap out of my trance to the sound of Katniss' voice. "They don't" She slams her bow to the ground, grabs hold of my arm, and pulls us into a triangle. "Why should they?" She pulls out the left over poisonous berries from her pocket. My heart slams into the ground. This is it. 

"Trust me" She looks at Peeta, who's covering the berries with his hands. "Trust me" She pours some into Peeta's hand, then into mine, and finally her own. We both hold our gaze for a second, and then give each other a sad sad smile. 

"Together?" Peeta whispers.

"Together" I nod my head, but don't take my eyes off the ground. 

"Okay" Peeta begins the countdown to our death. "One"

Katniss looks at me "Two." Peeta touches her braid, ever so gently. And then they both look to me.

"Three" We all look to our hands, and bring the berries to our mouths. This is it, what I've been waiting for. A chance to escape my hell of a life, a chance to finally escape my nightmares with two people I finally consider friends.

"Stop! Stop!" No!

"Ladies and gentlemen, may I present the winners, of the 74th annual Hunger Games!" NO! 

So, as Katniss and Peeta drop their berries, I try one last time, a small tear appears in the corner of my eye.

"Luce!" Katniss slams my hand away from my mouth, and just hugs me. "Shh, It's okay, It's okay" We hug each other tightly. She understands. And so does Peeta, so when he joins the hug, I'm grateful.

They both know what I've been through. Well, they know a small percent of what I've been through. I finally have someone to share my pain with, as bad as it sounds, I'm glad they're finally going to know what it's really like to be a victor. 

The hovercraft appears from the sky, and finally lifts us out of the arena. I don't think I've ever been so upset to be out of there. I wanted to die, so why didn't Katniss let me? 

But I suppose, in the end, it's fate that controls our life.