Through a Fox's Eyes

Chapter 20

I frantically scanned each face I could. Cato. Clove. Marvel. District Three. Then no one else. My heart thumped faster. Where could she be? The girl who saved my life, no where to be seen.

Random thoughts cloud my brain, and all I could make out is maybe Glimmer didn’t make it. Maybe her fire was put out. Maybe she’s dead.

Then I turn to Peeta. Where is he? Is he dead too? He’s too strong and knowledgeable to die of the stings, maybe he’s off on his own now. Or dead.

They all unconscious now, I recall that leaves from an Avoxerite bush, may heal them, but it’s a long-term remedy. I think the Careers have a lot of sponsors. Maybe some sponsors will haul money to buy some medicine for them.

All I could do is wait. Wait for some parachute to fall in their camp. Or I could sneak some leaves too, but I’m sure the kid from District three won’t even know what they are for, just a bunch of chewed leaves, nothing special.

Then suddenly, something silver glistened in the sun, and I was right. Then District three catches it and opens it. It’s some cream, and it’s blue. He rubs it to Cato, not afraid to over use, then rub to Peeta, then to Marvel. He’s kinda hesitating with Clove, her being a girl and all, and I could see him blush. He does it anyway, slowly and quietly, and when he’s done, then container is half empty. He gives then a second coat, just to be sure.

He slumps back into his chair, with the other Careers in his side, and clutches his spear. I think it’s seven in the morning,  I walk around more and occasionally pass by their supplies. I got some foldable chair that sits just on top, something they probably won’t need. I have to sit properly, my back is killing me.

After three hours, they woke up. They kept observing their bites, now a little smaller and lighter, but I bet still hurts. Marvel walks around, maybe checking if he’s still unconscious or something. Clove pushes the District three kid out of the chair and she sits there, observing her stings. Cato goes inside the Cornucopia, getting some water and gives one to Clove.

“You did this?” Cato asks, referring to District three.

“Yeah, the sponsors sent them. If it wasn’t for them, you’ll pass out for another week or something.” He replies.

“Thanks. So about the mines, we good with it?” Clove says, motioning towards the mines,       “Neo, you could start later, then teach us some pattern so we won’t blow up.”

So his name is Neo, and the mines, I think it’s for the supplies, that’s why they have such big pile outside the Cornucopia. They rest, Clove fiddling with her knives and Cato sleeping again.

“Guys, gonna check on my traps,” Marvel says. I know he’s headed for me. He starts towards me, and when he reaches me he hugs me instantly.

“Been a while,” he says

“Yeah, we missed you.” He patted my stomach and sat beside me. He’s glum, and I am worried.

“Sorry if I steal your things.” I start, “I need it a lot.”

“Nah, no big deal. It’s okay, your need it more than we do”

“Then why the long face?” I ask, stroking his face.

“Glimmer. She didn’t make it. She batted the Tracker-jackers while I was trying to give her my hand. Then I can’t take it anymore and Cato started to drag me and Clove out. We left her and Corral, who died before she could even wake up.”

“I’m so sorry,” I leaned over and wrapped my arms around him, and I turned around and he hugged me from the back. We stay in that position for a long time.

“Not that me and Glimmer are best friends, but it’s a loss for me, she saved your life. She acted like a big sister to me in the arena, she’s a year older. She doesn’t deserve anything happening to her.” I nod. “But that’s okay right? One step closer to home.”

“I can’t do this anymore, Marvel. I can’t just wait and watch kids die.”

“You need to come home. And in order to come home, you need to suffer a little.”

Tears streamed down my face and he kissed my forehead, assuring me.

“I’ll keep you safe.” He says.

It’s getting brighter, the sun filtering through the trees, and mockingjays singing their melodies.  He gets up and runs back, and I run towards the woods. I need to gather berries. I love them and I crave for them recently. Maybe that’s the effect of this baby, me craving for berries. Good, because berries are pretty abundant here. By the time my stomach screams for lunch, I have a bag full of them. I do not dare eat them yet, I should ration my food, and give some to Marvel.

Thoughts echo my head when I walk alone. I hate being alone, but it’s the Hunger Games, I have no ally. Marvel’s not an ally, he’s a friend. And he’s just there sometimes. And we don’t plan or something.

I wonder why children volunteer to be at the Games. Nothing’s wrong, really, if you have the wits and ability to win, but I keep remembering what Mother always say, “They’re just opening the packages of their own deaths.”

The phrase haunts me, thinking that Clove and Cato volunteered, noticing they have something special for each other, but they will end up losing one another, for glory? For pride? For fortune? Who knows?

I trot down, and I trip on some vine. The vine grips strongly on my leg, and that’s when I notice it’s no vine. It’s everywhere. It moved. It has eyes. It’s a mutt.