•𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗔 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲•

18

A/N: Okay, so this chapter will have two more chapters after it, so we are nearing the end! I've actually never gotten this far in a story before, thank you to everyone who has supported me!

Spotify and Cold Pizza are the proud sponsors of Chapter 18 (and practically stapling myself to my desk chair)

Enjoy!

     The rest of the afternoon, everything was quiet. Too quiet in Katara's opinion. It was as though all the birds and animals had suddenly disappeared. And even though it was only early afternoon, the sky was getting darker. It all left an uneasy pit in her stomach.

     She dished out some of Jin's food between both of them. They would likely need their energy in the upcoming days, maybe even hours.

     Katara took a bite of a piece of bread. "Any idea where Jet and Haru might be?"

     Zuko shrugged. "They could be anywhere by now."

     "That's what's so unsettling," Katara said, putting her food down on the log they were sitting on. Her body said she was hungry but her throat couldn't seem to swallow. So she just looked up at the clouds. They were moving quicker than usual in the sky as the wind picked up.

     "Jet may seem strong, but without his allies, he's pretty powerless. Sure he could use a sword or a dagger but benders can fight from afar. Haru's more powerful, definitely."

     Katara nodded and grabbed a moon peach. She made herself bite into it and the sweet juice fell down her chin. She wiped her neck with her sleeve. "If there's one thing I miss about home it's napkins," she muttered.

     Zuko laughed slightly. "For me, it's definitely toothbrushes."

     Katara agreed. She also longed for the fancy high-tech showers the Capitol had. Instead of roses she instead smelled like dirt and sweat. But in a way, her short hair worked. It was easier to maintain. But she still was holding a grudge about it.

     The wind whooshed around the arena, sending a chill down Katara's spine. The plants swished loudly and leaves fell to the forest floor. Again, Katara got the feeling like they weren't safe.

     "I don't like the feeling of this place," Katara said, looking to Zuko. "It feels like something bad is about to happen."

     "I feel it too."

     "I don't really want to stay here much longer."

      Zuko nodded and grabbed Katara's backpack, slinging it over his shoulder. "Let's get out of here then."

     Katara returned the nod, her heart rate elevating as she put on Jin's backpack, throwing the peach pit on the ground. Before she knew it, small raindrops started peppering her skin. But instead of giving her relief, she just felt more nervous. The rain at home was warm and thick, this rain was sharp and icy and left your skin feeling prickly.

     The two tributes began walking, looking for some sort of shelter. The rain started to pick up, the liquid now thundering down on the arena. Soon both Katara and Zuko's hair was soaked and sticking to their face. Katara quickly made an umbrella out of waterbending above them, protecting them from the rest of the weather.

     "I've always liked the rain," Katara murmured. "Now it feels vaguely threatening."

     "The Gamemakers are trying to mess with us," Zuko said, wiping the damp hair from his forehead. He mindlessly jumped over logs and suspicious-looking plants. Katara did the same. They weren't sure exactly where they were going, just away from the thicker parts of the forest.