Return to the Sea (Gale Hawthorne x OC)

Chapter 9

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When the sun was finally up, that's when I decided to start moving again. I grabbed the spile and put it in my knife holster. I put the spear on my back and gripped the tree to help my balance. I stood and limped in a direction I thought was the beach. If I'm looking for Finnick, the beach is my best bet.

I kept stumbling over some bushes and sticks on the ground from how tired I was. Last night wasn't really the best of sleep with the noise and the throbbing pain from my calf. But a scream brought me out of my thoughts. Then a cannon.

The scream didn't seem that far. I grabbed a knife and ran, still limping, away from where I heard it. I could hear heavy footsteps behind me, knowing that it was either Gloss or Brutus that could be following me. I pushed myself farther and faster, the adrenaline waking me up.

Out of the corner of my eye I could see Hero with a smirk on his face. From this distraction, I tripped over a tree root and landed face first. I flipped myself over seeing Brutus right above me. He held his spear above his head, but I kicked it out of his hands. An animalistic growl came from him as he grabbed my knife and threw it to the side.

He grabbed my throat and slammed me into a tree. I clawed at his hands when I saw birds and bunnies running our way then splitting off. At first I thought that it could have been from another tribute, but I felt the ground shake.

"R-run." I croaked.

All Brutus did was tighten his grip on me.

"Ts-tsunami." I pointed to my right.

He looked to where I was pointing to see a stream of water coming down and trees shaking violently. He dropped me to the ground and started sprinting away from it. I gasped for air and brought myself up. I sprinted as fast as I can with my hurt leg but knew I wouldn't out run the wave.

I heard a giant rush of water behind me and water soaking my shoes. I ran to the beach seeing Finnick, Katniss and Peeta looking my way. When they saw me they started yelling but I couldn't hear from he roaring of the water behind me. Then I was swept away and carried into the water. I tried to swim up but it felt like I was being pulled down.

My lungs started to burn and my calf was at an unbearable pain from the salt. I kept pushing myself to get above water but my lungs made me take a breath. I breathed in water making me cough and breath in more. My throat was sore and my sight was becoming darker.

I kept swimming but when my hand reached the top of the surface, I blacked out.

Finnick Pov

I looked up from eating a clam, hearing the sound of trees snapping and rushing water. Someone running out of the foliage of the trees caught my attention though. Then I recognized her light brown hair. Ceto.

I stood up and yelled, "Run!"

The other two noticed and also started encouraging her to run faster. But she was swept away from the wave. I was going to go in after but Peeta held me back.

"Wait until it's settled down." He said.

So I waited until the water was somewhat calm. Then I saw her hand break through the surface but not her head. I ran and dived into the water, swimming after Ceto's body. When I reached her, I grabbed her and swam us to land. I started to give CPR and mouth to mouth on her and the next thing I know, she's coughing up the water.

Ceto Pov

I finally come back to my senses when I feel water coming up my throat causing me to cough it up. My mind realizes that anyone could be around and try to kill me so I jump up and feel for my spear, but it's not there. I mentally curse myself as a reach for a knife. When I don't feel anything, I look down and see that my holster isn't on me.

The I hear footsteps behind me and I turn and swing. The person catches my fist and turns me around, pinning my to their chest.

"It's me! Shh. It's me." I hear Finnick's voice.

He lets go of me and I slowly turn around. When I see his face I see a small scratch sitting on his cheekbone. Ignoring it I pull him into a hug and savor the moment.

Finnick sighed. "Didn't know I was gonna give mouth to mouth two times on different people."

"What do you mean?" I pulled away.

"Peeta ran into a force field but he's good now."

"Yeah, I'm good." I turn around to see Peeta and Katniss.

I smile but hear twigs snap and run into the cover of trees, the others following my lead. When I focus on who is out there, I can recognize Johanna's voice. I run out, still limping, over to Johanna. She turns in a defensive position but once she realizes it's me, she drops her axe and hugs me when I get to her.

"I'm so glad your okay." She whispers.

"Me too."