Rebuilding Myself (third book of the Lost Love series) (HG fanfic)

Chapter Nine

Delilah, Debbie, and I kept on our path towards the border of District 12 to find a red-handed Ellie.

"Delilah, could you climb up the tree and get a better look?"

"I can't climb that tree."

"What do you mean 'you can't climb that tree'? You climbed the tree perfectly during training."

"Because my stomach hurts."

I sighed. "Delilah, you should've told me before we left."

"I'm sorry. It was just a little ache at first but now my stomach is hurting a lot."

I reached into my backpack and pulled out some medicine, water, and toilet paper.

"Take the medicine, get hydrated, and I strongly urge you try to use the bathroom. Behind the bush, of course."

Moments later, the three of us decided to rest under a tree. And about a minute passed before we were asleep under the hot afternoon sun.

***

I woke up to the sound of a whistle. Still lying on the ground with eyes closed, I felt around for Debbie and Delilah. Delilah was still a sleep next to me, but Debbie was gone.

"Debbie! Where are you? Did anyone blow the whistle while I was asleep?"

Suddenly, I heard a sword being drawn. My eyes were now wide open. I looked up and found Debbie dangling a sword over my head. She started laughing cynically.

"Did you really think I was here to kill my own favorite aunt?"

"Your aunt?" I questioned, but before I could get an answer, I heard a voice similar to Effie's.

"Debbie dear, do you have them trapped?"

"Yes, Aunt Ellie. I have one sword dangling over each of them and I still have that handgun in my boot."

"Good girl. You've learned well. Someday, you'll as good as I am."

The purple-haired woman turned towards and glared at me, with an expression on her face clearly expressing hatred. I returned the look to her.

"So you were the one who saw me in action inside the house that belonged to the girl who ruined our nation. The girl on fire! Ha! She left our nation in ashes. And you! You think you're so clever just because you won one itty-bitty little game. You think you can capture me? Who's the one captured now?"

"Let me GO!"

"Nope. One peep from either of you, and Debbie shoots."

"I couldn't care less about my life."

"Oh, but wouldn't you care about her life? What was that little girl's name again? Your child? Wasn't it...Ella?"

"What did you do to her?!"

"Oh sweetie, I have her locked up in a cell. She's been calling for her mommy, you know? You wouldn't want her death wish to go unaccomplished, would you?"

"You liar! She's in a safe place!"

"Oh, you are so mistaken. My torture chamber is far from safe, especially for such a frail child like her. She's so pale. She probably got it from her father. Isn't he deceased?"

"SHUT UP!"

She abruptively placed a finger in front of my mouth, as to silence me.

"One peep, and it's off with her head," she said, with a small smirk appearing on her face.

"And what if I speak?" asked Delilah, who was also held at gunpoint.

"Ah, look, it's the accomplice. Why don't you tell your 'group leader' about your history? Your criminal records?"

"You know I had to! I had no choice!"

"Delilah, what is she talking about?"

The devil herself turned to me.

"Oh, so she didn't tell you. She didn't happen to mention anything about the time she killed my mother?"

"Delilah? Is this true?"

She bent her head down in shame.

"You should be proud, Allie. You're surrounded by people just like you. We're all killers!" said the devil.

"I will NEVER be anything like you," I said, with my teeth clenched.

"Keep telling yourself that, but even you know it's true. And you do it on purpose, too. In fact, maybe you can tell us about the time YOU got HIM into the death match. Tell us about Hal."

"I did nothing wrong! He forced - "

"He told us what actually happened."

"Well, he obviously lied about - Wait, how is that possible? How can he tell you anything? He was cut into pieces. He was tortured and killed in the Games."

"Oh, you foolish girl. Did you think that was actually him? President Snow liked him too much. He didn't want Hal dead. So we were ordered to send in a worthless Avox in his place. He works for us now. And he is so happy right now."

"So, you mean - "

"He's with us? Oh yes, sweetie. And he's here for revenge."

One of the soldiers accompanying Ellie took off his ski mask. The familiar hazel-colored cat eyes met mine once again. He still looked the same, only he had a little stubble growing on his chin. The same jet-black hair and the same look that just screamed "EVIL" was standing in front of me right now.

"Hello, Allie-cat. Miss me?"

I was wrong to call Ellie the devil. She's just a demon. The real devil was smiling at me right now. I only felt disgust towards him.

"Knock the tan one out," he ordered, to a couple of bulky men nearby.

I felt something hit me across the head, and then everything went black.

_________________________________________________________________________________

I bet your guess was that Delilah was Ellie in disguise. And that's actually what I was originally planning, to be completely honest. But I think this way is a whole lot better. I mean, not for Allie. For Allie, it's way worse. I meant in turn of the story itself. And if you don't remember anything about Hal, the first book in the series will refresh your memory. Also, if I got his look wrong, please tell me.

I am procrastinating on homework right now...

—————M :)