The 55th Hunger Games

Chapter 25

       Tonight we find concealment in much the same place we did last night. The sun is setting quickly and only a little light remains. We devour the last of our nuts and roots. Tomorrow we will feast on the bread and the last of our cheese. I think this is my last night. Somehow I don't think I will last past tomorrow. Aponi feels the same way I do, and though I do not tell her this, I still have every intention of getting her out alive.

        "I think I might miss being alive," she says. "There are so many things I never got to do." 

        "Like what?" 

        Aponi leans back against a trunk thoughtfully. "Well, I've never climbed a tree before."

        I sit bolt upright. "You've never climbed a tree before?"

        "Well, no. District nine is mostly just full of fields, factories and silos. I've never really had the chance."

        I smile at her very faintly.

        "You do now," I say, getting to my feet and holding out my hand to her.

        "But I can't. Not with my arm..."

        I only smile away her worries.

        "We will see."

        I grip her good hand gently and she gives me a curious look as I help her to her feet.

        "I really cannot, Taslim," she says.

        I reach down and pull the long coil of rope out of my bag.

        "Then I guess I'll just have to prove you wrong."

        She smiles curiously back at me now. I grip her hand again.

        "Come on."

        I lead her off a little way into the forest until I find the perfect tree with nice, thick branches. It is a bur oak, very large and strong. It should suit our requirements well. I gaze up at the tree and spot a branch about half way up, probably no more than about twelve feet above the ground. Just above it is another strong branch, and beside the first one runs another thin branch just below it. Perfect.

        I uncoil a length of the rope and grin at Aponi again. Then I loop the rope around her waist and tie it securely together.

        "Here, hold this part," I say, giving her another length of the rope.

        "What are you doing Taslim?" She asks before grabbing it.

        "You will see," I tease, looping the rest of the rope over my shoulder and walking to the tree. 

        "I cannot follow you up the tree Taslim, and you cannot pull me up."

        I turn back to her and catch her hand.

        "Do you trust me Aponi?" I ask.

        It takes not a moment for her to reply.

        "Of course"

        "Then trust me now."

        She gives me a small smile and I return it. Then I release her hand and walk to the tree's base. Holding only one end of the rope, I begin to climb. The rest trails behind me -the other end tied to Aponi- and I must be careful not to tangle the rope as I ascend the tree. It is an easy climb and I feel at complete ease. Mostly because this tree reminds me of the old oak back home. Breathing in the scent, I can almost imagine I am back in District 7.