Becoming Adamant [#1]

Chapter 31 - Last of Blight

Even though we’ve had that one and good talk in my bedroom that day, they still treat me differently than before the Games. It’s like their still scared of me, no matter how hard I try to convince them otherwise. I need them to believe me, otherwise, who will? They don’t even barge in to comfort me when I wake up from the nightmares, which are now even worse than before. Now my family is involved as well. That’s just so freaking disgusting and horrible that my entire body shivers just by the thought of it.

Since the Games I haven’t touched a knife or an axe. I’m scared I’ll get even more associations with the Arena if I even as much as touch them.  What I do however, is spend time with Blight. Over the last month, he’s been getting much worse for each day. It’s only a matter of time these days, perhaps even hours, but that’s something I think every day, and yet the next day, I still catch him breathing on the sofa. My mother makes him some soup to eat, but he rarely has an appetite. I try my best to feed him, but I usually end up eating it all up myself.

Today is no different. I get down to the kitchen just in time before my mother leaves for work. She hands me the food for Blight. “How is he doing these days?” She asks me. I simply stare at the food for a little moment. “He’s getting worse…much worse.” I say as I look back up at her. She gently touched my face and bends down. “Well, you keep getting him to eat. It’ll make him stronger.” She said as kissed my forehead. “Give him our best.” My mother says as I walk towards the door and head towards Blight’s house.

I walk straight to the kitchen and put the food down on a counter as I hear him coughing from the living room. I stand by the end of the kitchen and look out at the living room where I see him lying on the couch. The scary thought keeps creeping in on me as I watch him like this – he could die at any point these days. It’ll be sad because I’ll be left to live in this ‘village’ all on my own. Being the only victor alive for this district, who has to learn on-the-go regarding the mentoring of tributes. I won’t get any tips as to what I should or shouldn’t do…I’ll just do what I think is right, and hope they don’t die because of me. Sad, isn’t it?

I walk over and remove all of the empty bottles in front of him. I remember when he said I’d have to provide him with this stuff. Hell, I don’t even have the age to drink it, let alone buy it! Good thing he kept stashes all over the house with liquor hidden in places you’d never imagine. I don’t argue with him about it, though. The drinking, I mean. He’s close to his end, with nothing left to lose. “You gotta be hoping I die soon…so that you don’t have to…come back.” He says in his heavy breath. “Well good morning to you too, brainless! Is that your way of saying ‘thank you for bothering to show up?’?” I let out as I take the empty bottles out to the kitchen and return to the living room with the food.

If I get him to take one bite these days, I consider myself pretty darn lucky. He doesn’t cough as much as he used to, but he’s been getting trouble breathing. It’s been getting so bad I have to help him to sit up straight to get him to breathe properly. I do the same now, for the mentioned reason, because face it I want to keep him alive for as long as possible. Secondly, I have the food set out in front of him, but he immediately starts shaking his head. “You’ve got to eat something, brainless.” I say I fill one spoon with soup. He still shakes his head. “I’ll make you eat if you don’t do it…you know I will.” I say to him. I’ve been force-feeding him a lot lately. Doesn’t really matter though, an hour later it comes right back up. “Fine….one!” He says. Well, this is a good day. “Okay…” I say as I hand him the spoon and help him keep it steady before he leans back against the pillow

“Why are you doing this, Feisty? You wouldn’t want any attachment here?” He then lets out weakly as I sit down on the chair opposite to his couch. I actually find myself smiling as I know that tone from anywhere. “I don’t know…I guess there must be something wrong with me for spending time with my mentor who’s about to take the high road in a matter of days.” I answer back slightly sarcastic. “Beats me, that’s for sure…” Blight lets out as he turns quiet for a moment. It’s almost too quiet as I turn insecure on whether he’s stopped breathing or not. I sit closer and start shaking him. “Hey, what the hell are you doing?!” He then barks at me. I surrender as I back away, slightly…well, I don’t like being yelled at. “I thought you stopped breathing, brainless! Sorry for caring so much.” I then let out annoyed as I bring his food to the kitchen and come back.