Heart of a Willow (51st Annual Hunger Games)

Part Thirteen - Day Three

NOAH'S POV

I can't help but feel guilty that I left her. I was stupid to listen to her even though she had her point. I look  over to where she is curled up in a ball. She hasn't spoken since the attack or maybe she doesn't want to talk to me anymore. The pain that even breathing shows on her face; the giant hand marks made by Jack slowly starting to fade.

 Only three died yesterday; Tiara, Jack and as I had guessed, the boy from District four. That means that there are three less careers to get around and get Leigha home safely. It was really unusual for Careers to die within the first few days but three in one day is just weird. Eleven tributes left, nine to kill before i decide to commit suicide so that she can win.

Dawn has just started to break when i guess that in order to protect Leigha, i need at least a few hours sleep. I silently stand and creep over to Leigha.

"Leigha" i gently shake her shoulders. Her beautiful sky blue eyes flicker open but full of worry and panic. She still doesn't say a word and stands up, handing me the blanket. Then she walks over to where I was sat a minute ago and slowly slides down the rough wall surface.

"Wake me in few hours?" i ask. She turns and looks at me and I smile a little. However, she just turns back to the wall of descending water. "I am sorry" i choke out and bury my head under the blankets. Sleep doesn't come to me though and soon enough, I hear Leigha sobbing. I pick up the blanket and walk up to her.

"Hey, what's the matter?" I ask. "Don't cry. Please?" I can see her trying to prevent more tears but more slide down her pale cheeks. I dry her eyes with the corner of the blanket.

"Can you not talk because of the pain?" i dry the last tear from her eyes. She nods slowly as if she was unsure. I open my arms and she slowly falls into my embrace. Progress at least. "Oh, ok. We could really use some medicine then!" i direct my words up, knowing that Blight knows we need it desperately.

 Within moments, a thud comes from outside. I jump up and run to the mouth to just make out the shape of a parachute through the water. I dash out and grab it before running back in. I open the container and find a vile of red liquid. Thick and gloppy. It has a label on that has Leigha's name on it.She points to the small card that lies at the bottle. It reads -

Good Luck. Drink all of it and you shall talk instantly! - Blight.

I watch as she drinks the medicine without complaint but then grimaces at the after taste. She throws the bottle to the side and shudders at the taste.

"Leigha? How are you feeling?" i ask her nervously.

"I- I feel fine" she replies as though nothing was wrong. She smiles at me and I grin back at her. "I really missed talking to you"

"Me too." i say. "I'm sorry that I left you with Jack... I know i shouldn't have.i..."

She places her finger over my lips and i stop talking. She looks me straight in the eyes. "It wasn't your fault. Please don't blame yourself"

"I love you" i whisper. 

"I love you more" she replies wrapping her arms around my neck. I lean towards her and i feel her lips on mine. My arms around her body, protecting her. I don't care if we are shown kissing to the entire population of Panem, what does it matter. i have her and she has me. Nothing else matters for the time being.

  After three minutes we break apart but do not fall from each other's grasp. When we do finally let go, it is only to the sound of three canons go off simultaneously. I rush to the gap next to the wall of water. Leigha joins me and we watch as a boy and girl run into view. Running for their lives.

 I recognise the pair. Both from 11. The boy tries to climb a tree but is unsuccessful due to his height and weight as is the girl. The whip around to see that their pursuers have caught up, but these aren't tributes; they are giant spiders.

 Suddenly a spider jumps and attacks the girl. She screams and attempts to pull the monster from her face but cannot succeed. More and more spiders join in and jump onto her body, biting and riping at her flesh.

"Kicks! Kicks! Please, help me" she cries out to her district partner but he was smart enough to hide behind a large boulder type rock. Soon enough, the girl gives up and allows the carnivorous spiders to devour her body. They drag her away and a few seconds later, her canon sounds.

I see Kicks is still stationary and prepared to run if anyone or anything attacks. "Ask him to join us, Noah. He's big and strong" Leigha whispers to me. i consider it for a few seconds before nodding and heading out.

"Hey. District Eleven" i say walking out with an axe in my hand. He looks ready to run. "Want to be our ally?"

"Our?" he asks suspiciously.Leigha slowly shows herself from behind the waterfall. She doesn't look at Kicks but i notice his eyes widen a she steps out. "OK then. It's Kicks by the way"

 "I'm Noah and this is Leigha" i introduce us both. We lead him inside our little hideout. I see he has two medium backpacks with him but it's like Leigha read my thoughts. "What's in the bags?" She asks cautiously.

"Food. Wire, rope, water and a thick sleeping bag" he says unloading his packs.

"No weapons?" i ask him. he pulls out a medium sized sword from the inside of his jacket. Then pulls a spear from his trouser leg.

"I hid then because I didn't trust Athena. She was all shifty around me" he explains. We both nod as if we understood him.

 By early nightfall, the anthem of Panem plays and the fallen are shown.

District 5 male, District 8 male, District 10 female and Athena from 11. Then the sky goes dark.

"I had lost everyone from my alliance today" Kicks say looking down from the sky. "We were just finishing up eating when they came out. Farrel, Marshall and Louisiana were killed straight away but I ran. I saw Athena take off after me and then the spiders followed her. It was her own fault really but I saw them all die" He explains to us.

"Sorry" Leigha say softly. "It must feel horrible"

"I'll get over it. You two get some rest. I'll wake Noah up in around four hours"Kicks changes the subject.

 Neither of us disagree and so we snuggle down into the sleeping bag provided by Kicks. Whoever is on watch will have the blanket. Leigha falls asleep almost instantly in my arms but i cannot find sleep.

"God. She is one mighty fine lass" Kicks breaks the silence. I don't know how he knew I was still awake.

"Huh? Leigha? She's amazing and beautiful" i agree with Kicks.

"So you're a couple?" he asks. i nod in reply."district One helped us get together though"

"District one? The guys who died yesterday?" Kicks seemed confused.

 "Yeah. We were at the horn and they appeared. the boy told the girl to go and get District two. She ran off and leigha told me to go and get her. I ran after her and launched an axe. it buried itself into her head and her canon sounded instantly. But then i heard another canon and started calling for Leigha. i got no reply and when i got to the edge of the forest I saw Leigha curled up in a ball and the boy had a knife in his stomach and an axe in his back" I explain. Kicks keeps silent.

"Try to sleep" he eventually says. I obey and lie back down next to Leigha.