How Fickle My Heart

'Cause you make me feel like I've been locked out of heaven...

A Dying Breath

"It is entirely seemly for a young man killed in battle to lie mangled by the bronze spear. In his death all things appear fair." -Homer

It all seemed to happen so quickly. Our plan seemed so flawless, we were better prepared, better equipped, the odds seemed to be in our favor. As soon as it started though I knew it was all wrong, every part of it wrong.

Now I'm here, the blood slowly ebbing away from my body with this, this monstrosity protruding from my chest. How ironic, killed by the one I was meant to kill by my own weapon. Just goes to show how I really never had a chance to win this thing. But I think it's better this way, someone gets to go home to their families and have a chance at a normal life again. The thought serves to content me, bring a little peace to my situation.

Everything is starting to go dark and hazy. A little ring around my vision slowly constricting it. With each pump of my heart I die a little more and the ring grows. My face feels wet, am I crying? Using all the remaining strength I have I force my eyes open and make out the shape of a girl above me, Jasmine. "J..Jas?" Even to me my voice sounds weak. "I'm so sorry Jas. I didn't mean to." My words are slurring together. I can barely make out what I'm saying. "Please don't be mad at me." I try to smile but even that seems to be too much. "You need to go home, Lily needs her Mom." My voice dies on the word mom.

That's it, that's all I had. I can see her standing there, my own mom. A teardrop rolls down my face. I get to see her one last time, her arms soft and warm and protective. Holding me close like when I was her baby. I manage the smile this time, everything fades to black, a cannon sounds.

Beyond the waterfall ||Barton, Jasmine and Melody||

I don’t look at my allies but listen to what they’re saying. Simply nodding my head letting them know I was paying attention and agreeing. I knew I’d have to suck it up for them, for us, for mom and Skander. Do it first, deal with the consequences later.

My eyes kept darting around the forest, looking for nothing in particular but always watching. Whether it was game maker or tribute made traps and dangers were all around us and we could never be too careful.

Looking around, I couldn’t see any immediate threats. I turned back to Barton and Melody and set my hands on my hips, waiting for them to stop before I continued talking.

“You guys need to make sure that you’re on constant alert, any moment of weakness could bring about the destruction of us all. We can still talk, just please keep your eyes open.” I turn around on my heels and continue to slowly make my way through the forest, looking for any signs of tributes.

Was she scolding us? No, she wouldn’t do that, it would get her in a large amount of trouble. Though, I did respect the fact that she was looking out for our best interest. Once a mother, always a mother.

“We will Jasmine, don’t worry, we wouldn’t slack off for a minute” I say with a yawn. I look over to Barton and notice that he’s staring at the ground, looking glum.

“Cheer up man, if you stay down you’ll end up down in the ground, if you know what I mean. Just make the best of it and hope for the best.” I do my best at trying to cheer him up, hoping it works.

I was staring to feel a little tired from walking for the majority of the day. I could see both of them were trying to cheer me up, it helped me to remember why I'd chosen them in the first place. "Do you two want to stop and rest for a bit? We could probably use some food and water." I asked, looking back up at them.

Beyond the waterfall ||Barton, Jasmine and Melody||

melody-brunel:

Of the three of us, Barton seemed like the one unsure about all of this. I couldn’t blame him, Jasmine and I were prepared for this, we spent our lives knowing this would happen. Can’t say the same for him though.

Jasmine starts to speak about what we should do next and I silently nod along with her. What she was saying was true, we would need to have to kill tributes soon, to stay alive, that is.

Looking over to Barton I gave him a curious glance, wondering how he would respond to this.

I could feel both of their eyes on me, wondering what I was going to say next. Of course they’d want to kill, it was almost natural for them. Both of them were trained, lethal, ready. I was none of those things and more and more as time went on I was wondering how I’d even ended up here.

“Yeah sure Jas that sounds fine. Do you want to lead the way or should I?” Trying my best to hide the nerves and go along with them. What else could I do with two women who could kill me in seconds?

“I’ll lead.” I said quickly it was almost natural. Being a mother, I was fine with having the lead, anything to prove I could handle being here. Everything I did now was for my beautiful little girl back home. I scanned around the immediate area and lead my allies toward the trees. “I know there are other’s around here, it’s only a matter of time before we find them…” I breathed, “and kill them.”

I looked at Barton, “Try not to think of them as people.” I said softly, “We’re pieces in a game, nothing more. That’s all the other will be little pawns. It’s about how well we play along. Don’t ever let them see you sweat.” I smiled to both of my allies. I pointed forward into the trees and we moved quickly but ensured we were quiet.

“Think of them as targets, nothing more, nothing less. It takes the pain away if you do that” I lean over and say to Barton, still getting the feeling that he’s uncomfortable with all of this. We don’t need that.

“That’s what I do, and it works well for me. Though, I’ve had all my life to picture people as targets, so I suppose I can’t really begin to say that.” I reach over and point at his spear that he had gotten from the bloodbath. “Use it, use it and think nothing more about it.” I return to my walking position and then scan the surrounding area with my eyes, searching for any disturbances.

I don't look at my allies but listen to what they're saying. Simply nodding my head letting them know I was paying attention and agreeing. I knew I'd have to suck it up for them, for us, for mom and Skander. Do it first, deal with the consequences later.

My eyes kept darting around the forest, looking for nothing in particular but always watching. Whether it was game maker or tribute made traps and dangers were all around us and we could never be too careful.

Beyond the waterfall ||Barton, Jasmine and Melody||

I wiped the blood off of my knife, the blood of the girl from district 11, Rosemary. The poor girl wouldn’t be suffering any longer. Looking up at Jasmine, I shrug my shoulders, not sure myself what exactly we’re gonna do.

“What about you, Barton? What do you want to do now?” I inquire, finally finishing wiping the blood off my knife.

Seeing her so casually wiping the blood makes me cringe a little. What had I gotten myself into with these girls?

“Uhh..” my thoughts were interrupted by a great booming sound that made me flinch. One, two, three, four, five, six. Only six this year. An abnormally small number it seemed.

“Well, I really don’t like the looks of that waterfall and I can’t really swim.” I said sheepishly, looking down at my feet. “I guess we should probably keep moving then?”

I nodded at my allies, “So we agree to stay away from the waterfall?” I ask for clarification. I picked up some near by leaves and padded my clothes with them, Anything to protect myself. “We should move then, find someone to kill.” I said quickly.

Of the three of us, Barton seemed like the one unsure about all of this. I couldn’t blame him, Jasmine and I were prepared for this, we spent our lives knowing this would happen. Can’t say the same for him though.

Jasmine starts to speak about what we should do next and I silently nod along with her. What she was saying was true, we would need to have to kill tributes soon, to stay alive, that is.

Looking over to Barton I gave him a curious glance, wondering how he would respond to this.

I could feel both of their eyes on me, wondering what I was going to say next. Of course they'd want to kill, it was almost natural for them. Both of them were trained, lethal, ready. I was none of those things and more and more as time went on I was wondering how I'd even ended up here.

"Yeah sure Jas that sounds fine. Do you want to lead the way or should I?" Trying my best to hide the nerves and go along with them. What else could I do with two women who could kill me in seconds?

Beyond the waterfall ||Barton, Jasmine and Melody||

I turned to my allies, twisting the coil of wire in my hands. My only item I was fortunate enough to receive from the bloodbath. “There’s something beyond that waterfall…” I point out, “Should we check it out, stay put or go hunting for a kill?” I looked to one of my allies to help make the decision. Either way I wasn’t content with inactivity. Every moment mattered now, I wouldn’t waste one second of it.

I wiped the blood off of my knife, the blood of the girl from district 11, Rosemary. The poor girl wouldn’t be suffering any longer. Looking up at Jasmine, I shrug my shoulders, not sure myself what exactly we’re gonna do.

“What about you, Barton? What do you want to do now?” I inquire, finally finishing wiping the blood off my knife.

Seeing her so casually wiping the blood makes me cringe a little. What had I gotten myself into with these girls?

"Uhh.." my thoughts were interrupted by a great booming sound that made me flinch. One, two, three, four, five, six. Only six this year. An abnormally small number it seemed.

"Well, I really don't like the looks of that waterfall and I can't really swim." I said sheepishly, looking down at my feet. "I guess we should probably keep moving then?"

Barton's Interview (District Nine)

Caesar: Please, put your hands together for none other than Barton Templey, coming all the way from district nine! *crowd cheers*

Barton: Mr. Flickerman, let me just say what an honor it is to be here and meet you.

Caesar: Please, call me Caesar, but count on this one. It is my pleasure to finally speak to you! You look dashing tonight, are you proud of your stylist job? You look fenomenale during the parade!

Barton: Only half as dashing as you. I used to wonder how year after year you managed to be the best looking person in the Capitol. But yes I am quite proud of my stylist, she is brilliant and I'm certainly lucky to have her.

#InterviewBarton

I slightly relax a bit more i relief but some sort of uncomfortable feeling rise up in me. Again I push it back down and ignore it. "So, um.. are you maybe busy right now?"

"Uhh.. no. What do you need?" I ask her with a questioning tone.

I sigh sadly, I would break down and cry but I know I'm stronger than this so I inhale and straighten a bit. I almost forgot he was shirtless but I hide my blush. I think. "Um, anyways... um...." I say, a bit unsure what to do now. "Thanks, you know.. for listening.." I mumble. I twirl the ring on my hand.

"Of course. What do we have if we don't have each other right?" I only realize how that sounds after I'd said it. "To remember our district by." I add hastily. I notice she's still standing bashfully at the door and remember I'm still shirtless.

"Excuse me one moment." I disappear behind the door, returning wearing a plain grey tee-shirt.

I was quite shock at the sight of a shirtless guy. I never really seen one before except for my brother. I lick my dry lips, controlling y eyes to look at his face only. "Yeah, my scores are horrible! I'm sure of it..." I sigh sadly, before remembering his scores. "Oh yeah, good job on your scores though. You're bound to have loads of sponsors on your side."

I wonder if I'm allowed to hug her or if that's off limits. She was standing there looking so upset with herself. "Don't worry Jayne it's just a number. Think of all those tributes who have won with less than favorable scores like Johanna Mason. Don't count yourself out yet." I say trying to get her to smile.

"I don't know how many sponsors I'll get though. There were a ton of high scores this year, even an eleven! I barely saw the girl from One in training but I'm sure she's a front runner now."

The Waiting Game || Barton and Jayne ||

Once he was out I came back up from extra training, I'm so nervous and unsure, I needed to talk to someone. Barton. I quietly walk towards his bedroom and knock on his door, waiting for his reply as I awkwardly stand there, twirling my ring.