The Hunger Games - Primrose Everdeen

Chapter twenty seven

    RUE'S P.O.V.

"Come on, let's go Clove." Spits Cato demandingly. 

"What about her?" Clove nods her head at me and my heart sinks, thinking of dying like Prim, Prim whom's canon has not yet sounded. Prim, whom's stomach still bobs up and down less and less frequently. Prim, whom is still alive. Still breathing.

He laughs pitifully. "They could never survive without one another. She'll be dead soon." And he's right. I could never survive in here without Prim. In this short time we have shared together she has become my best friend. More than that. She has become like a sister to me and I cannot imagine living here and dying without her by my side.

Once Cato and Clove have cleared out I jump down from my branch in the tree and rush over to Prim. Those bright blue eyes stare up at the tree tops, still flickering slightly. A tear here. A loud rush of air there. I grab her hand that is clutching the knife that ended her life. "Rue?"

"I'm here, Prim. I'm here." I say softly, catching on the last word as tears roll down my face, landing on Prim's. 

"I'm scared." Prim can barely speak and her words are barely audible. Soon she'll be gone. Obviously she must be quite lucky, having not been killed right away. Although then again, it would have been quicker.

I nod my head. "I am too. But I'll be right with you soon. I'm not going to live in this arena without you." My eyes lock on the knife that was in her hand, the one she pulled out of her tiny little heart. 

"No... Don't you dare kill yourself. Please for me... As my dying wish." Each word takes a lot of effort and pain to sputter out. Not even a Capitol doctor would be able to save this poor dying girl. 

For Prim, I tell myself that I will not commit suicide. That I will survive as long as I can. It'll be hard, but I will try. "Okay, I promise." She has just enough strength to lift the corners of her mouth into a smile and gently squeeze my hand before she exhales one last time and her body goes limp. "No!!" I sob. "Come back!" My hand brushes over her eyes, closing them, sheltering her sight from this cruel world. Respectfully, I move her hands onto her chest. For a last time, I wash off her face, ridding her of the dirt and fix her hair so she looks like she is just sleeping. Sleeping for the rest of etirnity. 

Before leaving her, I peel off her backpack, knowing that she would want me to keep it. And then I kiss her forehead, saying goodbye one last time, leaving one last tear on her beautiful face. Honestly I don't think she has ever looked so pretty and young before. 

With one last breath, I work up the courage to walk away from my best friend. From someone who was like a sister to me. That I cared for just as much as my sisters. Someone whom loved me enough to keep me protected from the harsh facts of life. And I thank her for that. I thank her for staying by my side. For making me feel needed no matter where I am. And now I stand here, alone for the first time. Preparing for life alone in this deadly forest.