Life Catcher

Chapter Five: The Hunger Games

5.

   Sam. Why is he so nice to me, when I have been so cruel to him? He walks toward me and stops two inches in front of me.

   He wipes tears from my cheeks and I immediately remove his hands, but he does not seem to take this offensively.

   "What is your name?" He repeats very softly.

   "Cleo", I say without thinking.

   "Why are you in the forest alone? Don't you have parents?"

   "Parents?" I repeat. By now, water is gushing out of my eyes but I cannot control it. But for some reason I feel comfortable around him. Like I can spill everything out, even if there is nothing to spill.

   "You're alone", he says.

   "Yes", I whisper.

   "Do you know anything about your par-?"

   "No", I interupt.

   "Then how can you..." His voice trails off.

   "Just leave here".

   "And leave you to those Nome things. Not a chance".

   "I can handle it".

   "You just saved my life".

   "So".

   "So, I want to repay the favor".

   "You don't need to".

   "Yes, I do."

   Why is he so...persistent? Why can't he just leave and find his own way home? I mean, how can I help him, and why does he want to help me? So, I saved his life that is no reason to help me. I do not need help anyway. I am fine on my own, I have made it this far. Who is to say I can't make it for the rest of my life. I glare at him, and I'm tempted to spread out my wings again. But the thought of that makes my eyes fill with water.

   "I just want to..." His voice trails off again and I begin to lose patience.

   "Want to what!? You don't have to help me. I'm fine. I've survived this long. I'm perfect on my own. I don't even know who you are. Why should I trust you?" Even more water comes from my eyes, but I can't help myself. I have no clue who I am, and he wants to help me. I only need help from myself, not him. This is my life not his. I know this sounds cruel, but I only care for myself, none other. Not even Sam.

   "Why do you hate me so much? I just want to-"

   "I don't hate you, your just . . . So . . .," I can't finish, and I don't know why. This is all too much.

   I quickly turn around and sprint for my hut, and Sam comes runing after me. Why can't he leave me alone?

   "Wait, Cleo!" He yells after me, but I will not stop.

   By the time I reach my LQ the day begins to darken. I hear huffing, turn around, and see Sam about five yards away crawling to reach me.

   "Slow. Down. Man, your fast." He says panting.

   "Why did you follow me?"

   "To be honest, I'm really hungry and thirsty. Do you by any chance have any thing to drink?"

   "What?"

   First in retrospect, he insists on helping me, not that I need it. Then he stalks me to my hut, and then has the audacity to ask for a drink. Does he really expect me to give him my water? Because if he does he must be crazy.