Safe and Sound || Hunger Games

Chapter Thirty - The Finale

NOTE: Thank you ever so much to my amazing fans and readers that encouraged me to get this far in the book! Thirty chapters is a massive achievement, I think, and we all deserve a pat on the back. Go on, pat your back. You deserve it.

PS: This is not the final chapter!  There is a couple more to go after this, then it will be the ending. Thank you! Now, please go ahead and enjoy the chapter :)

Chapter Thirty - The Finale

Grayson and I were woken up to the sound of the anthem of Panem, which caused us both to jump and head butt each other. It hurt our heads and our chests, but we had to listen to this (most likely) very important notice.

"Congratulations to the final three tributes who have fought through many battles and enemies to get here." Claudius Templesmith boomed down to us, his odd, Capitol voice echoing slightly. "We must thank you for providing us with such an eventful, nail-biting and tense Games so far, what with the ups and downs and the rollercoaster rides. It has been most enjoyable to watch-" Grayson growled like a dog. "-and we hope that it continues this way. However, we can't let you just die off, for that would be ridiculous-"

"Your accent's ridiculous." Grayson muttered so quietly I didn't think that anyone from the Capitol would have heard. I had to try my best not to laugh, because that would give it away. This was the announcement for our most certain death, after all.

"-so tonight, the Gamemakers are inviting you to the final feast. It will take place at sunset and it will be most...entertaining. There will be one hundred per cent attendance, as it is the finale and the chance to have one, worthy tribute crowned victor. Thank you, brave tributes, and may the odds be ever in your favour." Claudius Templesmith's voice went silent and the anthem played one last time, before it eventually died down and all went silent and still.

I looked over at Grayson and his expression must have reflected my own. It was the finale in a matter of hours. In a few hours, two would be dead and one would be free. It was day eighteen and it was most likely the last of the Games, if not, certain. I remembered my dream from not that long ago and shuddered at the thought, the horrific, terrifying thought. I felt my eyes start to go blurry. My bottom lip started to tremble slightly and my throat felt clammy. Before I had had a chance to let out a sob, Grayson had unbelted himself and leaped over to me in record time, engulfing me into one of his warm embraces, hiding me from the world that was watching.

The world was watching, but I wasn't flying, like Caritta had told me to do, I was falling. I was falling for many different reasons. One being my broken wings and two, because I was falling in, what I hated to admit, love. That had to be the explanation for all of this.

Grayson's arms felt warm and gentle as I had to force myself to choke back tears. Grayson rubbed my back slightly, comforting me. I wondered why he was showing such compassion towards me, seeing as it would all go to waste in a matter of hours. If we managed to kill Midas as a team, then we would be the last ones. We would have no choice but to kill the other. And that was hurting me already.

"I don't want to do it," I whispered to him. "I can't do it. I can't and I won't. I can't. I can't, I can't I just-"

"Can." Grayson said. His voice sounded clammy and he sounded just like the time when we first met; he was trying his best to sound brave, even when it was evident that he was scared. "You can. You're going home. I want you to go home." Grayson said. He was announcing his death, in front of the whole of Panem. I gulped and snuggled my head further into his chest, shaking my head furiously. He flinched slightly, but I didn't let go.