What If

Chapter Eight:

Part Two: The Games
Katniss

"....and may the odds be ever in your favorite. Now....let the 75th Hunger Games begin!"

The horns blared and my mind went into overdrive. I immediately jumped off of the small platform and plunged into the icy cold water. I started to swim towards the cornucopia, thankful I had learned to swim at the lake.

Once I reached the cornucopia I was able to clump up onto the base. I immediately rushed to the bow and arrows. I slung the quiver over my shoulder and slipped a few knives into my belt.

Then I started scanning for Peeta before realizing I wasn't alone. I thought I'd been the first to reach the cornucopia, but I had stupidly forgotten about Finnick. Of course he'd be the fastest swimmer, he was from four. This arena was for him.

A trident was in his hand, another one tucked into his belt. He was grinning, but I reached for an arrow from my quiver and loaded my bow, my arrow aimed straight at Finnick's face.

Finnick raised his hands in surrender. The sleeve of his jumpsuit fell down and revealed a flash of gold which I knew to be Haymitch's bracelet from Effie.

I lowered my bow slowly.

"Good thing we're allies or you would've killed me there," Finnick decided. I nodded weakly. "I've got the tributes over here. You guard."

My eyes returned to the water. I looked for Peeta, but he was no where to be found. Then I turned and saw him.

He was barely afloat in the water and I knew he couldn't swim. He was brawling in hand to hand combat with some tribute.

"Peeta!" I screamed. After seeing how closely together the two were I knew I couldn't shoot in fear of hitting Peeta.

Then I slowly lowered my bow to the ground. Once I started to take off the quiver of arrows Finnick joined me.

"Wait—I'll go," Finnick reassured me. "You stay here."

I watched as Finnick gracefully jumped in and towards Peeta. My heart raced in my chest as Finnick approached them.

Then someone grabbed me from behind and pulled me down by my hair, slamming my head on the hard floor of the cornucopia.

"The water is no place for a girl on fire," they whispered sweetly and creepily into my ear as they pushed me down.

I screamed and kicked and fought for my life, but I was no match for this tribute. They were strong, way stronger than I was.

Before I knew it I was completely submerged under water, their strong hands pushing me down and threatening to drown me.

Water filled my lungs. I couldn't scream or move. My vision went hazy and all I could feel were the strong hands of the tribute.

Right around when I was preparing to hear my cannon, the strong grip released me and sent me flying upwards.

I saw Finnick, who had successfully rescued Peeta. He had speared the tribute in the back, causing him to heave over and into the water, on top of me.