Safe and Sound - Hunger Games AU

The Forest. - 7

John and I awoke to the sounds of shuffling in the dense forest beneath us. One tribute was below us, armed with a spear. Recalling scoring, I remembered her using that as her strength. She scored a nine, above average. I held John tightly and swung my legs up, making sure we were completely hidden. One small sound and it could potentially be over for us. I could see it on her face. She was afraid and paranoid, keeping her spear in her hands at all times. There was no way of calmly revealing myself and asking for mercy. I wouldn't be given it regardless. I was one of the main targets. They all wanted me gone, and if she killed me, she would be one of the desired tributes for an alliance. Likewise if she killed John, because then I would be at a considerable disadvantage, both emotionally and physically. My mind processed the events of the past few days in the games. Had it been a week? Possibly... Probably. I had no idea who was dead and who wasn't. I just knew most were. The girl, who I now recognised as Brianna from district eleven, was making some form of a shelter beneath the tree John and I were in. John's breathing picked up in panic and I held him close to my chest, begging for him to remain silent, not give our game away.

Something moved in the tree, a jabberjay that had just decided to fly up and out of the tree, flying right past me. I hissed in panic and John froze. The girl looked up and saw us, narrowing her eyes in anger, then widening them in panic. “Thirteen...” she whispered, picking up her spear and aiming it at us. I couldn't be sure which one of us she planned to spear. I gripped John's hand and bit down on my lip. I had used the last of my arrows on hunting and my knives were in my bag which was in the other tree. I couldn't get my knives in the fear of leaving John vulnerable and alone. But it was useless anyway, Brianna had already thrown the spear and it was making a beeline towards my heart. I closed my eyes and gripped John's hand, knowing death was imminent. Hopefully I would go quickly and John would win. It would be painless that way and John would get better in time. I waited a few seconds before opening my eyes when I felt no pain. Maybe that was how it was supposed to be. Painless. It only really registered to me when I felt John's grip on my hand fall limp.

I looked down at him, gripping the spear that had punctured his chest. He held it limply as the blood began to stain his t-shirt. I cried out, feeling the tears run down my face. I swatted them away, not allowing them to blur my vision. I needed to look at John. I needed to be able to see him, the last glimpse of his life. “John...” I whispered, meeting his eyes. I could tell that he was beginning to lose focus. He squeezed my hand weakly and I choked out a sob, just running my hand through his hair. “I've got you... I'm here. You're safe, yeah? Safe and sound... I've got you.” I whispered, aware that my voice was shaking. I sounded pathetic, but there were times in a person's life when pathetic was allowed, and this was most definitely one of them. He let out a shuddering sigh and looked at me, watching me as I leaned in and kissed his cheek. His body was rapidly losing heat and blood. “Take it out-...” he breathed, and I did so. I ensured his wound was covered before throwing the spear at Brianna. It killed her instantly, yet I felt no satisfaction when the cannon sounded. She had hurt my John, but she didn't deserve to die. Not like this. Nobody deserved to die like this. I shushed John, just kissing him, his cheeks, his forehead and his lips to keep him focused on something. “Talk to me-... Please, John. Just keep talking. I'll fix this, I swear.” I was begging now, an emotional mess waiting for John to reply. He smiled weakly. “You'll have a good life-... A nice, happy one. You'll live for a long time, Sherlock. Until you're old and tired. You'll still be absolutely gorgeous... I wish I'd be around to see it...” he managed, keeping his strength focused on gripping my hand. I felt my insides clench and churn at this, each word attacking me like a stab to the heart. “You will see it, John... You'll see it all. We'll get old and tired together, I promise you-... We'll get old and go on holidays... You can make jam and I'll keep bees...”

“I love you...” the voice was shaky and strained, the grip getting looser and looser until I was holding it there myself. “No-... No, don't give up now. Please...” I was a mess, an absolute trainwreck clinging to John as if my life depended on it. My life did depend on it, and it always would. “John, I love you... I love you, I-...” I was cut off by the sound of a cannon and curled in on myself, just holding John to my chest. I continued to hold him until Savera Whishart and Mycroft were at the bottom of the tree. Savera held a plaque in her hands. 'Sherlock Holmes - 125th Annual Hunger Games Victor.'

I didn't care. I didn't want to be victor. I didn't want to get out of this tree, leave John behind and collect my plaque. I needed to stay with John, be with him until I died next to him. I needed him. I couldn't live without him.

“Sherlock... I need you to come down. I understand that it may be hard, but the vehicle needs to come and collect Mr Watson.” Mycroft's voice was sympathetic and kind. I despised it. I let out a soft sigh and pressed a final kiss to John's forehead before moving away from him. I slid the gold band off his wrist, a gift from his father when he was young. I'd return it to Jack. He would probably appreciate the sentiment, and if he didn't want it, then I'd keep it. I made my way down from the tree and closed my eyes as the peacekeepers took John away.

“Sherlock, congratulations on your victory.” Savera muttered, but I could tell the sadness in her voice. I replied with a sigh. “Just stop it.” I whispered, following Mycroft out of the forest and into another vehicle where we made our exit and left the arena.

//AN: God, writing this killed me. I hated this part. I am an emotional wreck right now, and I apologise if the standard has dropped terribly. I'm just to emotionally traumatised to care. But still, thank you for reading this <3//