The Hunger Games Fan Fic Chapter Seventeen

                 Will Nerver
      The canons fired and I could only watch as Gregs smile disappeared. He did seem like a nice fellow. I might have liked him if we weren't in the games. But we were and that was another kill for me. I wonder how many people have I killed already. Six? Seven? Give or take, I guess. Most of the kills were from the bloodbath at the cornucopia, but for me it feels like everything else was just another bloodbath. The images of all the deaths I've seen flashed before my eyes as I realized I was staring at another life I had taken. The hovercrafts will be here shortly. So I might as well scram like a stray. I hadn't slept in a day or two and my feet were beginning to tangle up in each other while my eyelids felt like the heaviest bourdon to carry. But somehow I managed to walk away enough for them to pick up Greg's body. Once again, I didn't even bother to glance up from my path. I had to sleep, but it would mess with my plan to hunt during the night and sleep during the day. Maybe I could sleep enough and wake up a day later. Seemed like a plan. But the question was where to sleep. I was far away from the beach, far away from the giant woods we had found in the beginning of the games. And it hit me. If there were tributes close enough to have seen the hovercraft, they must be coming my way. Or running in opposite directions. I was the only career left, so I was guessing they've already figured that I'd be out on the hunt for them. And face me like they have to or just run away, begging for another day to life. Either way, somehow all of the strength was back and I was up on my feet, sprinting in a random direction. I wanted to find someone. That spark of warmth that Greg had given me was now dead and I was back to my numb self. It was kind of relieving to know that the next time you kill you'll feel nothing – no grieve, no guilt. Nothing. But my hopes began to fade away when the first rays of sunshine shone my way and I still hadn't found anyone. Maybe I had gone so far away from the other tributes they didn't even see Greg. I don't know. But I knew I had to sleep. As I took another step, my legs gave in and I collapsed, landing on my shoulder. Before that would concern me whether there was some damage, but right now I was so tired even moving my finger seemed like moving a mountain. 'Get some rest, Will.' I could almost hear Arnold telling me. 'Right now the best thing you can do for her is to rest. She can't help you and neither can I, if you don't do something about yourself. Would she really want to see you like this?' His words echoed in my mind so loudly, I could swear he was actually here, telling me all of this. But he wasn't. He was miles away, sitting safely, staring at the screen with his teeth clenched together and his grin wiped away. Hi Arnold. I dared to smile, but it was more of an ironic smile, if that's possible. It was time to rest. And I was hoping I wouldn't wake up in time to see someone slid my throat open. But right now I didn't care for that. My eyes closed slowly and I fell asleep immediately. I wasn't afraid of anyone finding me, even though I was easy to find – passed out in the middle of no where, not even trying to hide. I might seem dead to some people. Well, good. At least they won't bug me while I sleep!
   
I was woken by the sound of something incredible familiar. My eyes opened lazily, everything blurry and unfocused. At first I though I was just dreaming, since it was so faith, but it the sound was becoming louder and louder, so I figured it can't be a dream. I forced myself to lift up my head and realized how sour my muscles were. I really hadn't slept in a long time and this turn of events had a strange effect on my body. But after a little while I could feel the energy return to my muscles and thanked for that little nap of mine. It was all I needed. It was already sunset and I was incredible glad nothing had happened while I slept. At least I hope. But if anyone had died I would have hear the canons. So nothing happened. That strange melody was now just a few inches away and when I turned my head in its direction, I just was in time to see the little parachute land on the ground in front of me. A gift! Finally! I grinned and looked up at the sky.
   
"Thanks Arnold!" I said to myself, but I knew he would hear me. I don't know what he could have gotten me – I had everything I needed. Well, everything I needed. Not wanted. Right now the thing I wanted was Soroya to be alive. But that would an impossible thing. So I guessed I'd settle for whatever Arnold had given me.
   
But when I finally move the little parachute aside and see what he'd given me, my grin disappeared and switched into a confused look. Then I just get angry. A dagger. Not any dagger, but the one that Soroya had seen during training once and said it would look good on me. I knew that it wasn't the same dagger, but it looked exactly the same. And when I pressed it up against my nose, it even smelled like the training center. With a hint of vanilla. The dagger wasn't so special itself. The long blade was curled with a dark brown leather handle. It was very sharp. But why would he give me that?! Did he want to torture me?! Is this your way of showing me what used to be?!  
    
That's when something shinned in the moonlight. I ran my fingers through the beautiful steel, feeling its power and graze. Even though it was a small dagger, I still loved it. The words lid like the moon and echoed through my head. It felt so real, it's like I could hear her again. 'I'll always be here, Will…' Always. Such a strong word, don't you think? She had  never said that to me, but I could hear her. In my head. My eyes began to sting, more tears ready to fall. But I bit my tongue and made a promise never to cry over her again. Not until I win. I knew what Arnold was trying to tell me with this. It was killing me, just to see that knife again. But it also made me stronger. 'Hang in there, kiddo. I know it's hard, but you can make it. For her.' He was right. She had never been further and closer at the same time. I could feel her next to me, whispering strong words. I'm was going to make it. Win. All for her.
     
"Thank you…" I whispered quietly, my voice trembling with sadness. I had a plan and I was ready to go along with it when the canons fired. I froze. Who could it have been? I had never imaged the other districts would last this far in the games. But they did. I guessed I'd have to wait until nighttime to see who it was. But it was perfect. With the plan, with another one dead, nothing could stop me. I packed everything and continued down my path. The dagger in a death grip in my hand, the bag around my shoulder and the sound of the canons in my head. I could see it. I was going to win. For Soroya.