She heard the canons. Each one making her stop and smile for a moment. Most would see it as twisted. But she could only see it as the end to a part of her life that she was all to ready and willing to put behind her. Victory was close, practically guaranteed and she was already thinking of the journey home. What she would say, how it would be to finally see a look of pride in her parents faces. A look of respect that was for her. She could and would have the affection of a District, and the respect of her tormentors. Years of pain, of endurance. All of it would be worth while when she won. It had to be worth it. That was why she had done this. Why she never let herself care. Having a conscience is what got people killed. Guilt is what left room for hesitation and heartache. It seemed only fitting that the phrase "Tis better to have loved and loss" came to mind at that moment. It was apt. But it made her stumble, not taking in the multitude of criss-crossing vines as much as she should.
Walking amongst the tree's, the cyclical nature of her surroundings began to irk her. Row after row of tree's that did nothing but make her feel like she was walking in circles. Her frustration building, the lack of sleep making her head ache from the repetitive sights she screamed, lashing out at the nearest trunk with her whip. Breathing hard, she looked at the chipped and slashed bark, seeing nothing but her own lack of control. Her brother wouldn't have done that. He would have stayed calm, carried on. Now she looked at the tree's, her eyes darting from each one, the resemblance doing nothing but making her anxious. She had to get out of there. Away from the forest, the vines. That same floor where she had so mercilessly spilled Pate's blood. In the place where she had seen Elliot die. It was all too much. It all reminded her of things she wanted to forget.
Turning away from the sound of the trembling, she walked with purpose. The water. There had been boats. She could get away from the Island. Away from the tree's that did nothing but bring her painful memories. Victory was so close, she couldn't stop now. Not when it all mattered most. Dying second was worse than dying 7th or 8th. It meant everyone would see. Everyone would remember. That no one would forget how she failed. No one remembered the early deaths, or the ones that nearly made it to the end. No. She had to win. There was no other way, dying wasn't an option, not for her. Her sister, her brothers, all of them had told her she would choke. That dying would be their victory. "At least you won't be around to drag the family name through the mud anymore."
The memory of her siblings words was enough to make her pace quicken. Now, running through the tree's she used what little light she had to navigate the uneven floor. In her haste, Flora took little care to keep her balance and upon seeing the tree's thinning up ahead tripped, falling to her knees on the floor.Stunned and momentarily confused, it took her a fee seconds to recognise the pain in her knees. Angry at her own clumsiness, she pushed herself up, not brother to brush the mud from her grazed shins. It was her thoughts of Elliot, of her own weakness and her emotions that had caused her to get distracted. That was why she had fallen. She couldn't let herself think of that. Elliot was dead, and her ability to love and hopes of being better had died with him.
Moving to the clearing up ahead, she realised where she was. The water that separated the two islands reflecting the low light of the moon. It was late. The heat from the sun having vanished along with the brilliant sunlight. It was cold and she found herself wishing she had found her way to shelter sooner. Looking along the shore and spotting the boats, Flora walked over, dumping her pack in the nearest and pushing it into the water. After seeing Tia, savaged and devoured, she would take no chances with the water. Turning, to look back at the tree's she watched as the tree's got further from her. It was then that she saw the billowing smoke and glowing red top of the volcano. Smiling despite her situation,she thought of the canons she had heard. Three more dead. That left her and two others? three? It didn't matter. Not really. She would kill them all if she had too. Killing seemed to be all she was good at after all.
When the boat came to a stop, hitting the sand, she grabbed her pack and jumped out. Crouching on the sand. It made sense to be cautious. She had seen more boats and there was no telling who else might be with her. When no immediate attack came, she stood, walking up from the shoreline to the thin cover up off of the sands. Now sat, out of view from approaching boats she let herself rest. It was a risk but it her exhaustion was too strong to deny. It wasn't until the nightmares came that she woke trembling. Taking deep breaths, pushing her hair away from her eyes she forced herself to sit up, whip at the ready. It had been a dream. Like always. But this time she had seen Elliot and it had terrified her more than any of her past nightmares. Sighing, she let herself relax. Sleep was no longer an option. All she had to do was wait. Soon enough they'd all be dead and she could go home. One night, one more time she would go through the tree's, hunting, tracking down whoever was left.
