𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬; 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐎𝐝𝐚𝐢𝐫.

chapter 11 - Meadow

Tomorrow would blow the Capital's minds

The space where all twenty four tributes had stood less than five days ago has completely transformed. What was previously the cornucopia is now a tall pile , at least ten feet, of crates , packs and food. Under a small shelter near the lakes edge sit the Careers, sharpening knives , sorting through crates and laughing together. If you took a quick glance , they could be a group of teens on a camping trip.

Sitting on a crate , spear in hand , slightly ajar from the tent , is the District Three boy. So they've got a guard dog.

"Looks like they've got a pet." I say to Katniss , who shifts beside me.

"There's no other reason he's alive , though. He's too easy." 

Our plan was simple, hypothetically. Rue , Katniss and I would build four fires across the arena, filled with greenery for extra smoke , and light them in a pattern to draw the Careers away from the supplies, so that we could destroy it all.

I sit on my knees, flicking a knife around my fingers, eyeing the pile carefully. We would need the Careers gone for a solid twenty minutes to trash it all. Then the complication of the boy , sitting straight, looking out for danger. We need to split up.

"If I asked for the bow ,  would you snare my foot?" I joke, side eyeing the girl on fire. She shoves my shoulder , and I stifle a laugh.

Katniss would have to be the one to destroy the pile, her bow giving her the advantage of distance, in order for Rue and I to light all four bonfires in time without the Careers working out our plan. 

"No chance." She pauses , scrunching her brows together in thought. "I'll do it. You guys light the fires by the river and the pond."

I raise my brows in surprise at her firmness, but don't argue.

I flip my knife back into my belt , sling my pack over my shoulder , and hesitate for a moment before placing a hand on Katniss' shoulder. She turns her head toward me, and we lock eyes. I like Katniss , and I trust her. The thought of perhaps not seeing her again should something go wrong puts an uneasy twist in my stomach.

 I don't want to say goodbye to her. I don't want my fondness of her to be replayed on the screens of every television in the Capital. 

We exchange a glance , unspoken bids of good luck and possible goodbyes being said within seconds. I take my hand off her shoulder.

"I'll see you at dinner." I say, and nod to her , then I'm on my way to the bonfire, refusing to look back as I make my way to the rendezvous point , where Rue would be waiting for me.

Being alone in the woods again makes the unease in my stomach fester into borderline nausea. Without Katniss' sharp ears , I feel as though anyone could sneak up behind me and take me out with ease. I tread lightly on the moss that litters the forest floor, a soft cushion to avoid leaving a trail, a tip from my flaming ally. 

Under the ledge of a small alcove , Rue waits for me, her flint and steel already in her hands. Our meeting point was easy to find , but inconspicuous enough that any other tribute would dismiss it as a rock formation. 

I walk to the small girl, smiling as I do. We're both nervous, being away from our allies is enough to put us both on edge. She near shivers in front of me.

"Hey," I say , pulling her toward me, "once we destroy their stuff, we'll have another rabbit to celebrate. This time you can have a whole rabbit to yourself." I stroke her hair gently, hoping to comfort her. I care for Rue deeply, the need to protect her kicking in whenever I look into her eyes. I've never had a brother or sister, but I can imagine it's the same feeling as  Katniss had at her own reaping, wanting to help her sister Primrose. I have to do it.