Book Travel

8. "Are you, are you, coming to the tree?"

I opened one eye. We were still in my room. I looked over at Symphony who had her eyes still closed. I shook her and her eyes flew open.

"Sammy I dont remember the arena looking like your room," she said slowly, looking around.

I facepalmed and shook her again. She looked me and her lips formed an "O" when she realized that the reason it looked like my room, was because it was in fact, my room.

My eyebrows furrowed as I racked my brain for answers as to why it wouldnt work. Then, I came up with something that may solve it.

"Okay lets try this again. But this time, concentrate on the exact place and time we want to go to. So right before Katniss and Johanna are walking away from Peeta and the others," I suggested. Symph nodded her head in comprehension. I took a breath and crossed my fingers, praying this would work.

I closed my eyes and thought about that timeline. Once again, I felt that weird feeling sweep over me and within seconds, I felt like I was dying from suffocation.

I opened my eyes and beheld the arena around me. I glanced over at Symphony. Her eyes were open and as big as plates. They wondered over every inch of the arena, then met mine with shock. I smirked and nodded my head. I could understand what she felt.

Just then, I heard voices. I looked over to my right and saw Katniss and Peeta kiss. I slowly crept towards them, motioning my best friend to follow. I knew she was right behind me when I heard a stick crack. I winced at the noise and stopped, holding my breath. No one turned around or freaked out. That meant they couldnt hear us. I let my breath out in relief.

I looked back at Symphony to find her staring at something to the left of us. I turned and almost let out a screech. It was the other two tributes who were left. They were watching Katniss and Johanna leave.

My eyes narrowed as I watched them. Beetee had said that half of the tributes were in on the whole getting Katniss out of the arena pitch. But he failed to mention the other tributes. That made me start thinking if half of them were helping the Mocking Jay cause why couldnt some of them be on Snows side of things?

The wheels in head began to spin. Just as I was about to talk to Symphony, the tributes began to move out of the bushes. They slowly crept up to the others and I felt panic bubbling up in my throat. I knew Peeta and the rest couldnt hear me. I was invisible. There was absolutely no way I could warn them.

I watched in horror as the other two tributes attacked Peeta. Finnick ran to help but almost got killed in the process.

"Go! Go find Katniss! Make sure shes okay!" Peeta yelled at his friend.

Finnick took off running as the other two dragged a struggling Peeta away. I watched as Beetee quickly cut the wire and began wrapping it around a spear. I grabbed Symphony's arm and we followed the two tributes and Peeta.

They stopped at a clearing and somehow shoved a still struggling Peeta into a helicopter. A pair of hands reached out and grabbed him. The two tributes then ran off, probably going to look for Katniss and Johanna.

Several minutes passed as we watched the helicopter. My eyes searched the clearing, desperately trying to find a way to help him. "Katniss!" I heard Peeta yell. My heart broke at the sound. "Katniss!" he yelled again.

I had just taken a step forward, determined to help him when I came face to face with a Peacekeeper. I stopped short, making Symphony run into me.

"Why did we--" she trailed off when she saw the Peacekeeper staring us down. Crap.

I couldnt have said it better myself.

"I thought no one could see us??" she exclaimed, confused. She stared warily at the guy who was about to shoot us.

I was just as confused. "Apparently the ones who can are the ones we dont want too," I answered, taking a step back. Or at least, I tried too. My best friend had turned into a statue.

The Peacekeeper had just laid his finger on the trigger when a yell came from behind him. He turned and we took that as our cue to do one thing. Run.

I turned and let my legs do the rest. Its a wonder that people didn't hear us from all the crashing that came from our feet pounding on the ground.

Our feet led us back towards the lightening tree where I could just barely make out Katniss, pointing an arrow at Finnick. "Crap," I muttered. I wasnt sure where to go from here. And again, not much time remained.

"Remember who the real enemy is," I heard Finnick say.

"Um, Sammy we need to get out of here. That arrow is going to go flying in about thirty seconds. I dont know what will happen if something happens to us in here," I heard my best friend say.

I nodded my head, letting her know I heard her. We ran harder, trying to beat time. We had just reached the clearing when the lightning bolt hit the tree. Katniss let out a yell and the arrow went flying.

"Symphony help me look for the book! We left it in our spot!" I screamed. Panic was taking over my body. My breathing was elevated from running and my attack wasnt going to help it.

My breathing heightened even more, and I felt my body tingling. I couldnt breathe. I felt Symphony grab my arm and lead me. We stopped and she shoved something into my hand. It was hard. She had found the book!

I closed my eyes as the ceiling fell. I could feel the fires that were starting to spread. I forced myself to concentrate on home. I wasnt sure where Symphony was thinking, I just hoped it was the same place.

I heard Symphonys voice, but I couldnt control my breathing anymore. I felt my body go limp. Everything faded away as I entered complete darkness.