✿ 013

Sep 29, 2010 16:48

[things are quiet, at first; the wind blows gently through the trees, and birds are singing-- and then suddenly, Rue appears, racing through the woods towards a small clearing

[she's fast, light on her feet, and surefooted, and when she runs, she almost looks like she's flying-- unfortunately, none of that can stop her from running right into a carefully disguised net that was lying on the ground, and getting completely caught up in it]

[she screams, a high-pitched, terrified sound; then she lets out a few frantic whistles that Winry might recognize as their pre-arranged distress call (ironically, to Katniss, those same whistles signify an "all clear") before remembering that no one on the community can hear her]

[a teenage boy runs out of the woods behind her, holding a spear-- she screams again and yells Katniss's name, to which she gets an answer from further in the woods]

Rue! Rue, I'm coming!

[the older girl rushes into the meadow, and seeing her, Rue reaches a hand out to her, a pleading look on her face-- she calls Katniss's name one more time right before the boy drives his spear through her stomach]

[Katniss kills him with an arrow, quickly, and rushes to Rue's side, pulling her gently out of the net and onto her lap, examining the weapon and entry wound]

Are there more? Are there more?

No. No, no... you blew up the food?

Every last bit.

You have to win.

I'm going to. Going to win for both of us now.

[somewhere in the distance, a cannon sounds]

... Don't go.

'Course not. Staying right here.

[the girls grip each others' hands, Katniss gently stroking Rue's hair]

[there's a quiet pause before Rue speaks again, weakly]

Sing.

[Katniss swallows, blinks back tears, and grants Rue's request; her voice is rough-sounding, but pretty]

"Deep in the meadow, under the willow
A bed of grass, a soft green pillow
Lay down your head, and close your sleepy eyes
And when again they open, the sun will rise

Here it's safe, here it's warm
Here the daisies guard you from every harm
Here your dreams are sweet and tomorrow brings them true
Here is the place where I love you..."

[Rue's eyes are closed now; her breathing has slowed]

"Deep in the meadow, hidden far away
A cloak of leaves, a moonbeam ray
Forget your woes and let your troubles lay
And when again it's morning, they'll wash away

Here it's safe, here it's warm
Here the daisies guard you from every harm
Here your dreams are sweet and tomorrow brings them true
Here is the place where I love you."

[after a few moments of silence, all the birds around them-- the mockingjays-- pick up the tune, singing it with uncanny clarity and accuracy]

[another canon fires]
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