Not Just A Game

Chapter 23

The sound leaves rustling in the soft wind relax me when I wake, reminding me of home. We used to climb the old, live oak tree outside our cottage, and see who could climb the highest. I always won.

Dustin sleeps soundly beside me, strapped into the tree by a rope tied around his waist. I tied my rope loosely, as to be untied easily. I carefully untwist the knotted rope and stuff it back in my backpack.

I take the moment to take a sip of water from my full canteen, and quietly climb down the tree, ignoring the bark digging into my hands as I make my way to the forest floor.

I walk about twenty yards, and relieve myself. I drank about a gallon of water yesterday, so you can imagine.

I walk silently back to the tree, trying not to snap any twigs and wake Dustin. I don't want to interrupt his sleep.

Turns out there was no need because I find him standing, already awake and on the ground, on high alert with a knife poised in his hand.

I cautiously walk into the small clearing and he whips his head to face me with steamy eyes. They look red and angry, yet sad.

They soften when he sees me.

"I thought someone had taken you." he explains, " I woke up and you were gone."

"Sorry I was just... you know...", I respond awkwardly.

He nods in understanding. But I'm still confused on why he thought someone took me.

"Why would someone kidnap me out of a tree instead of just killing me?" I ask him.

He replies, "Maybe they wanted to use you as bait for me?"

"But why wouldn't they just kill us both in or sleep?" I suggest.

He shrugs, "More of a show for the Capitol. The people love violence. They like to see dramatic deaths. The killer might get sponsors."

I suggest, "Some tributes are just eager to see us plead. Like the careers."

He nods, then shakes his head swiftly.

"Let's stop talking about this, okay?" he asks.

"Good plan. How about we go get more water?"

He nods, "First, I'm gonna go... you know..."

I nod and laugh.

He disappears into the woods and comes back a few minutes later.

"Let's go."

We start the short hike to the pond in silence. I'm a morning person, and I'm actually enjoying the quiet. It calms me.

I like how everything is quiet. Even the birds aren't chirping yet, because it's only about six in the morning.

We went to bed at about four in the afternoon, and I stayed up even later, not able to fall asleep at such an early hour.

Dustin fell asleep at about six, lightly snoring all night. But the noise didn't bother me. It was comforting. It reminded me he was still there.

••••

The trees in the forest provide a nice canopy to block the morning sun that barely shines through the foliage.

It's quite beautiful actually.

If only I weren't viewing it from in the arena.

Leaves crunch louder than I would like under our shoes, and we reach the edge of the tree line near the pond.

I check to see if the coast is clear, but see nobody in sight. Beckoning to Dustin, we quickly scurry to the water and fill our ready canteens.

Once capping them, we stuff them into our packs, and drink some water directly from the pond. The coolness of it feels good in the heat of the sun.