The 55th Hunger Games

Chapter 20

        My eyes open, but I see almost nothing. Only moonlight lights the cave through a small hole in the rocks. A hole which I had barely squeezed through during the day before collapsing with exhaustion. The thermal blanket covers me. I am grateful for it's warmth because the air is chilly. I sit up and raise a hand to my swollen throat which pulses with pain when I move.

        Aponi sits in front of me cross legged, gazing out the small hole in the rocks. I don't think she has noticed I'm awake yet.

        "Aponi?" My voice makes a horrible rasping noise and I wince at its dull ache.

        She jumps slightly and turns around. I can barely see the relief on her face in the dim lighting. But also I notice the fear.

        "Taslim, are you ok?" She asks. Her hand hovers above my neck as though she is afraid to touch me.

        "I have been better." I say, attempting a grin. Aponi doesn't smile back at me, so I lamely drop it.

        "Oh dear, don't try to speak. It is hurting you."

        It is hurting me, so I stop talking.

        "Do you think you can eat?" Aponi asks.

        I shrug.

        She hurries to pull the food she managed to collect at the feast from the bag. When I see the bread rolls, grapes, apples, cheese and meat, I very much want to congratulate her. How she managed to get all of it is beyond me. I also want to tell her how grateful I am that she saved my life, for I am sure that her distraction of Sapphire for that small moment allowed Samantha to put an end to Seth and free me. But I can't speak, so I try to tell her another way.

        I lean towards her and place my hands on her shoulders. She looks at me and I try with all my power to convey my thanks and appreciation with my eyes. I think she gets it, but I can't be sure.

        "All is well now Taslim," she reassures me.

        There are many words I could use to describe our situation, although I wouldn't use 'well' as one of them. Still, I suppose we aren't dead yet.

        I lean back against a rock and painfully eat a bit of fatty cheese and some grapes. It is torturous, because although my stomach is screaming for more, my throat is pleading for me to stop.

        As I try to swallow my food, Aponi fills me in on everything that happened when I was asleep. She had only remained awake long enough to tuck the blanket around me before falling asleep herself. It had been the anthem which had woken her.

        Two tributes appeared in the sky tonight: Seth and Gloria, meaning that there are only five of us left: me, Aponi, Samantha, Sapphire and Mahamari. I suppose both Samantha and Sapphire escaped one another at the feast, unless of course they are still fighting now. I wonder if they are injured.

        Aponi thinks that it is about one O'clock in the morning right now, and assures me that we will be quite safe. The hole we climbed through to get in is very small, and also happens to be the only way into the cave. Samantha and Sapphire, at least, will not be able to get in.     

        Aponi suggests that I go back to sleep, but I give a tiny shake of the head and motion for her to come over beside me. I am freezing, mostly because of my wet undergarments, so Aponi must be too.

        When she joins me I spread the blanket over her as well. She seems grateful for the warmth and snuggles in tightly. She closes her eyes and remains quiet. I smile to myself. I can't quite say why, but there is a strong comfort in having her beside me.