ruby. (gemstones) wrote in gamesofpanem, @ 2015-05-20 11:09:00 |
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When Gemma wakes, the mockingjay is gone. In its place is a parachute and syringe of morphling. There’s a halo of light around the parachute. It’s a gift from the heavens. She leaves the bed only long enough to collect the medicine, eager for some relief. The pain that follows as she struggles to find a vein pales in comparison to how the rest of her body feels. There’s a fire raging under her skin, and a volcano is erupting inside her head. She doesn’t know how long she’s slept, only that she’s not yet dead yet but possibly in hell anyway. There are three or four, maybe five –she scrunches up her face because counting hurts--tributes left, and the pain will stop if she kills them. But, right now, she just wants to rest “Five more minutes,” she says to the mockingjay who is no longer there and closes her eyes. When she opens them again, she knows this is hell. "It's time to get up, Stone." The edge of a blade presses against her flesh, but doesn't quite pierce it. The voice is a arrogant, mocking almost, as if it knows this is the end of the road for her. She screams, not just because the knife feels real but because it can't be. The gruesome figure in front of her--his body half-exploded--belongs to someone who is dead. On reflex, she reaches for Rose's knife and throws it. It goes straight through the gaping hole in his body. "You're dead," she says it like the insult it is. Paz tears his gaze from Gemma’s eyes to look down into the gruesome void that was once his torso. Unfazed, he grins brightly. "I am, aren't i? And I'm going to take you with me." And with all the force he can muster, he charges her. She's ready for his attack, and she lunges for him, ready to snap his neck. Instead, she falls to the floor with a thud. Pain radiates through her entire body. “Go. away.” Gemma says through gritted teeth, not bothering to get up, but when she looks up, she sees the familiar face of Girl Three. A spear protrudes from her stomach. "Are you here to kill me too?" "I'm here to help you," Cobalt says, tilting her head to the side. Hatred burns in her eyes. "You can trust me." The spear stays lodged in place as Cobalt points to Gemma's supplies. To the little bag she'd fashioned from the hood of her jacket. The one carrying what little remained of the poisonous food she'd collected back when she was alive and scheming. "You need to eat something. You'll feel better if you eat something." Gemma's eyes follow Cobalt's and realizes she can't remember when she last ate. Those must be hunger pangs in her stomach too, and for the first time the horse chestnuts look tempting. She reaches for the knife a few inches away and hurls it at her. "I'm not hungry. Go haunt someone else." She closes her eyes. “Gemmmmma,” Achilles whines. “Gemma, I’m bored. I can’t find the rope swing anymore. Reef and Flint must have stolen it. Can you make us some more food? I’m hungry. I killed something for us to eat it but I don’t like raw meat.” He’s sitting on the floor and when he has Gemma’s attention, he stands, the front of his shirt soaked with blood. “Come on, before someone steals it too.” He holds out his hand to her. A moment passes, then another, but she takes his hand, grasping at air. Time to get ready for the feast. |