Through the Struggle (Through the Eyes Sequel)

Chapter 11

I stand slowly, revealing my spot to the enemy. Kyan tries to stand, but my hand snaps quickly to his shoulder and I push him back down. He remains unnoticed.

"You thought you could outsmart us didn't you?" Nikon taunts.

I roll my eyes as I make my way towards them. "Who said the plan isn't working?" I ask, stopping next to Laney. She looks at me with wide, worried eyes.

"Where's your lumberjack friend, huh? Still hiding or grieving over his dead sister?" Marilee fake pouts, and I can basically hear Kyan's body tense from here.

"Why don't you look behind you and you'll get your answer."

Marilee falls for the trick, but Nikon doesn't. She snaps around with wide eyes, and I throw and knife quickly at her. Unfortunately, it only lands in her upper arm. She screams and snaps around.

"Now!" I scream and jump at Nikon, swinging a knife. Luckily, I have the advantage and land my knee in his gut. He coughs and doubles over. and I strike him in the jaw, then again in the side. Laney pulls out her small dagger and swings uncertainly at Marilee. Kyan jumps from his hiding spot and charges to help Laney with Marilee.

Nikon regains his balance and begins to fight back. He swings at me, but I duck underneath and sweep kick his legs. He trips alittle and I kick him straight in the knee. He cries out in pain and draws his sword. He tries to bring it down on me, but I roll out of the way and jump to my feet, bringing out another dagger. He swings again, but I block with my dagger. He had the advantage in this situation, but luckily I've been trained to fight with such a small weapon against such a big one. But it's been a while...

He swings with all his force and he hits the dagger out of my hands. It goes flying out of my hands and I instantly go diving after if. Nikon grabs my ankle and stops me, slamming me into the hard ground. I grunt on impact and turn to avoid him, but his strong legs pin my down. He begins to bring his sword down on me, but my hands meet the handle and stop the blade right before it enters my stomach. My shoulder screams in pain but Nikon has no luck in pushing the sword any further.

I look over to Laney and Kyan and see that they're actually winning against Marilee. They've scratched her a few times but she seems to be handling herself.

I could give up right now and let them win, but that would be fifth place, way too low for someone who just won. Plus, I'd be leaving Laney and Kyan to deal with Marilee and Nikon. They would both die and Nikon would kill Marilee and win. I'm tired of this. I just want to be with Asher, but I need to finish things here first.

I turn back to Nikon and push the sword with all my might. The butt of the handle stricken his nose and his grip loosens. I crawl out from under him and grab the sword quickly. I slash it across his chest and he screams. I stand above him and pant.

He looks up at me as his breathing slows and smirks.

"Congratulations, Two. You're gonna be another career winner." He says. I clench my jaw and watch as his eyes glaze over and a cannon fires.

"Ariston!" Kyan yells and I turn around just as Marilee drives a knife through my side. I scream in pain and punch her straight in the eye. She stumbles backwards and Kyan comes at her with his sword and drives it through the back of her chest. The point pokes out in the front and I almost throw up at the sight.

My hand covers my wound but I manage to remain standing. Kyan rushes to my side and loops my arm around his neck, supporting my weight.

We're the last three. I didn't think it would come down to this.

"Oh my goodness, I could win! Or at least get second!" Laney exclaims, a smile across her face.

"I'm not dead yet." I spit at her, any liking of her now gone.

"But it won't be long," She says. She picks up a sword from the ground and holds it.

"Laney, you don't have to do this." Kyan says.

"I have to go home. I have a family, a boyfriend, a life. Kyan, your sister was just murdered and all Ariston does is grieve over her dead boyfriend." She says.

"Screw you." I say and feel a knife in my belt loop. I didn't know it was there, and I don't remember putting one there, but I'm so glad I did. I pull it out and hide it behind my arm.

"I need to win. They didn't have any winners from Eleven to choose from, so I can be the first one," She grins. "Just gotta get you two out of the way." She says to us and begins to pull back her sword.

"Why does everyone betray me?" I ask, rolling my eyes. I step forward quickly and throw the knife. It impales in her chest and she chokes alittle. She drops the sword and falls to the floor, limp. A cannon follows.

My legs get weak and I fall to the ground. Kyan rushes to my side and lifts my head into his lap.

"I can go be with him." I smile and look up to the sky. Suddenly, I see Asher on the other side of me, smiling down at me. I smile back and close my eyes shortly. I open them and see Kyan again.

"Finally, someone who deserves to win." I say and reach up and touch his cheek.

"Thanks for being amazing, Ariston. I wouldn't have made it without you." He says.

"Thank you, Kyan." I say and look up. The sky gets brighter, and eventually, everything turns white.

*************

Once I open my eyes again, my stab wound is gone. All of my wounds are gone, and I'm healthy again. Everything around me is white, even my dress. I walk forward, trying to find someone.

"Hello?" I call out. My voice echoes around me.

"Ariston?" A familiar voice calls. I turn and see Asher, dressed in white. I smile. The last time I saw him he was covered in blood. He looks real, but that's because this is. We're in eternity together, forever.

I run into his arms and he lifts me up and spins me around. I laugh and place a kiss on his lips. Behind him, I see my family. My mom, and my dad and brothers. So what President Snow was true. He did blow up my house. But I'd rather them be here, than back home grieving for my death. I run towards them and hug all four.

Tears of joy slip through my eyes as I see Lawson, Malia, Amma, and Hummer waiting for me. I release my family and walk towards them.

Malia runs towards me and wraps her arms around my waist.

"I'm so sorry I couldn't save you guys." I say.

"It's okay, Ariston. Kyan won, and he's going to avenge all of us. I know it." Amma says and places a hand on my shoulder. I look over at Hummer and he nods at me. I nod back.

Asher comes up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist. I smile and turn towards him, looking into his gorgeous eyes that i've been craving for so long.

"I don't think I ever got the chance to tell you this," I begin.

"What is it?" He asks, his face now serious, like he's worried I'm going to say something bad.

"I love you." I say and he leans down and kisses my lips.

I sink into this one, not worried about waking up; this all being a dream. But it's not. We're in our infinity. Now we can live without pain, hurt, sadness, or the Games. We will be here, happily, forever.