The 25th Hunger Games (fanfic)

Chapter 46: The Games

Author's Note: :'( Yeah, I'm sad too.... But she had to die for a reason. You will find out in Book 2 AND BOOK 3!!! Yep, that's right! I'm already planning a second AND third!!! Please leave a comment and fan me! Dedicated to IGoInOneDirecction. Thanks for fanning me, commenting, adding to your reading list, AND voting almost every chapter! You rock!!!!!!!!

It feels like the cannon blows in slow motion. I hear it fire slowly, shaking the house. Rattling my bones. I slowly look down at this girl right next to me. Her body is limp, and her eyes are shut closed. The blood has long since stopped flowing from her neck. The night air is completely silent. Even the familiar patter of the rain has deceased. 

With the hand that's not clutching Crystal's hand, I gently reach out and begin stroking her hair back. I don't choke back the tears. I let them fall and land square on Crystal's innocence. I begin putting her hair back in a bun, using a loose string from my shirt to tie it up. More tears fall into the ugly wound on her neck, where Cody slashed her.

When I've finished, I stroke her cheek with the back of my hand. Neither of us have a smile on our faces. Tears fall from my eyes faster. I bend down my head over her small body. I let my head rest on her stomach. I try to take a deep breath, but it turns out weak and shaky. I wipe away a few tears, still clutching onto Crystal's hand, as if she is still alive.

I gently put my ear to where I know her heart is, checking for the usual beat I will hear, like a gentle drum. But I don't hear anything. The familiar, comforting sound that used to lull me asleep is no longer where it should be. Her heart feels stone cold, dead inside of her cold, limp body. Every part of Crystal is dead. Even me.

I begin to whimper. This is really happening. Crystal is really dead. I did all that I could, but it still wasn't enough. I had gone out and fought to protect us, but I didn't even think of Cody coming in. Of course. He spied on us for days. He knew without a doubt what we were doing. But I didn't think it through.

Even Atlas had warned me. He had told me the complete truth, nothing less. But I hadn't listened. I shot him in the heart and then walked away, not thinking twice about it. Now it's my time to pay for my mistake.

I lay like this for probably an hour, but I don't know because there's no point to count time. I think over everything that has led up to this moment. Everything starting from the reaping. I still see my District beneath my hair, looking at all those hating faces, strapped in that chair. I remember going psychotic when they announced Crystal's name. Crystal Brennon. I remember my father, telling me to save Crystal. But it's too late for that. She is really dead. I'll go home alone.

I picture us boarding the train, and instantly falling for Carly. I had flexed, trying to impress her. She just scolded me. I remember the Peacekeeper shoving the knife into Maggie's back. I still shiver as the image reappears in my head. She had tried to protect us, tried to blackmail the other tributes by sending them poisoned pastries. Well, I failed her too. Her death was for nothing.

I still smell the Capitol. An aroma of heavy perfume and makeup, fresh bread, meat, and roses. Roses again. I remember the heavy smell on Mom and Dad, of blood and roses. There has to be a connection somewhere. The flashing cameras in my face, the elegant furniture, I have a few different impressions about the Capitol. Some parts are wonderful, others are horrible.

I remember the opening ceremonies like it was yesterday. Rhett and Grace were amazing. Grace. Of course, this reminds me of Crystal. Crystal's buddy and her stylist. I whimper at the thought of her, and press my face into her soft shirt. A few tears escape.

I still see the amazing chariot that Rhett and Grace redesigned for us. The black and blue vines, always moving. The glowing birds and butterflies, flying around with their gold tint. All of the fruits and vegetables remind me of home. Of course it does. It's the District 11 chariot. You're supposed to be like home.