Fandom Hunger Games (Closed)

[ChibiMonkey]

Shaking his head in response, Finnick himself wasn't quite sure what they would do to convince other tributes to join up with them. "We'll just have to try to convince someone...we need to find someone who needs our help just as much as we need theirs" he said with a sigh, shaking his head a bit "It can't be that hard to find someone who needs our help just as much...we're not the only ones who are struggling to survive. Everyone is in their own ways, and I'm sure other people have discovered more of the game-makers 'fun' tricks they've thrown into the games" he commented, not realizing just how very accurate this was for some other tributes at this very moment, and how that would lead them to finding their new partners.


Looking back to the tree as he seemed to convince River about it, he nodded his head "Let's check it out a bit more, hopefully no other animals have already made home inside it. But it really is pretty protective" he said as he inspected the outside of it "And it's already really dark inside. Especially at night, there's no way other tributes will see us just passing by" he said as he pulled some roots back and slid inside, checking for animals "Seems clear to me" he called through the roots that actually were hiding him quite well from River, who even knew he was in there. Yet he could see through the gaps with the light on the other side to see River.


Reaching back through the vines and roots, he winced as he climbed back back up the small ditch and into the open "Now, the problem with finding tributes we can team up with...is finding ones who one kill us" he sighed heavily, that being their main problem "We need to think of who, so we know who not to bother with. We can't just go up to every tribute asking them. That's a deathwish" he said shaking his head, thinking logically "What about those two from District 12? You talked to them before during training, didn't you?" he asked, trying to see her input if she had any on them, for if she felt if they were trustworthy enough "We might get some sponsors, us, teaming up with underdogs like District 12. Everyone loves an underdog if played the right way" he said, thinking strategically.


The pain seared through her flesh, and easily got into her already open wound, which had surprisingly been healing pretty well for surviving in the forest with no medical supplies. But now all that healing it had done was reversed as the poison infested the gash, causing the pain to shoot through her entire shin. She desperately scrambled away from the fog that her attacked her leg and surrounded it, stumbling to struggle and get up to get away from the fog.


Before she could get herself up with her nearly unusable leg, Gale had already yanked her up onto her feet. As she run through the forest with him helping her, she knew she was just slowing him down, and the pain in her leg was unbearable with even the smallest amount of pressure she put on it. They really couldn't get far though, since every where they turned, there was the fog. It didn't matter how fast they moved, they seemed to be surrounded anywhere they tried to go.


"I"m sorry..." she breathed when they finally came to a stop, unable to find a way out of the fog "You shouldn't have stopped for me" she mumbled, feeling guilty as though she had slowed Gale down and now they were both stuck with no apparent way out. Her leg was ready to give out beneath her, shaking with even the smallest pressure on it to try and step or walk, let alone run. As they stood there, both panicked, her eyes widened as she realized something "The water!" she said, looking to a small river that, while it was through a patch of fog, was a decent size.


Not wasting any time explaining her train of thought, she pulled him forward with her. They'd have to get past the fog, but it was their only choice. She could only hope that it wouldn't be so deep they would drown, since neither of them knew how to swim. The fog caressed their skin and clothes as they pushed past it, Lilly struggling to walk with her leg. As they were nearly there, her leg gave out beneath her. But wanting to make sure Gale didn't risk himself again for her, she pushed him forward, pushing him forward hard enough to go falling into the water, where the fog couldn't penetrate beneath the surface of the water. Coughing, Lilly covered her mouth, unable to stand back up, she rolled on her side to until she finally rolled right into the water.

 

[Soleil]

River stared at Finnick's retreating form. He went to go to check on structure of it all, and when he was finally hidden she had to admit - it was a nice little spot. They didn't have to do any extra climbing and the decent space could hide them safely on the ground. She circled around making sure it was secure from all angles. "Looks good to me!" She called out before he appeared back out.


She winced as he scrapped his burned skin, even watching it happen hurt her. She looked down at her arms, they were still bright red, but they were less swollen since the night before. She inspected the arms further until Finnick stood close by, shooting different answers to her question ealier. "Yeah if we could find them that is." She sighed, rubbing her temples a slight headache approaching.


"I don't think they've died yet, I haven't seen their picture. We at least know who to stay away from for the most part." She remember training, and the interview process they all went through. Even without speaking to them she knew which to advoid. "Districts 1 and 3 are definitely out of the question." Remembering overhearing them already making an allience. 


---


Gale gave Lilly a panicked look, searching a direction they could escape through. It seemed pointless, everywhere they looked purple haze followed. He rearranged his footing, getting a better grip on his hold of Lilly. He jumped at the sound of Lilly yelling, pointing towards a patch of water. It was a long shot, but maybe they could get to it and hide below the surface.


He wasted know time dragging Lilly with him, his grip on her was slipping and she was barely holding on with that leg. All they needed was to get to the water, almost there. "Come on don't stop!" He yelled when he felt her starting to give up. The fog stung his skin and he cried out when he felt Lilly fall through his grasp. He didn't have time to turn around before he went tumbling over the edge.


He landed in the cold water, the feeling pricking at his skin. His body felt chewed up, and he knew the endless amounts of welts on his skin. He was below the surface, and he kicked his way to the surface inhaling a deep breath before being sucked back under. He was thrown against something solid in the water, he figured Lilly had made it over the edge with him - he grabbed onto her so they weren't seperated. The harsh current contiuned to push them down, he was unable to get a good amount of air everytime he resurfaced. His lungs burned in his chest, the lack of air scratched at his throat and he held back the erge to breathe in water.


Not learning to swim was going to kill them.

 

[ChibiMonkey]

As he climbed back up out of the ditch like hide-away, Finnick was glad to hear from River that it seemed to work. He winced as he brushed past his burn wounds on the rough roots and everything, but he ignored the throbbing pain, climbing back up beside River as she commented how she seemed to agree with the suggestion of District 12. He had a feeling that the two were probably struggling. Maybe it was a bit stereotypical, but he was basing that off of the fact that not only have they only ever had one victor in the game, and that was many years ago, but also the obvious fact everyone knew how District 12 was the most poor, and therefore they surely didn't have any survival training or anything of the sorts. He figured they'd be a good chance to need their help.


"That's true...now the problem is finding them before someone else does. Or before we run into someone else" he said as he sighed, running a hand through his singed blond hair from the earlier fire "I haven't seen their faces either at night, so they're alive. Somewhere" he said as he glanced around. It was easy to get lost up in this forest, and he didn't know which way to go to try looking for them. Any step they took could be in the opposite direction of the two tributes they were looking for. Little did he knew they would ironically find them quite soon.


"Well, we can't focus all our time looking for them. We need to gather supplies. I don't know about you, but I'm starving" he said with a small smile "Lets find something to eat? And some water too" he suggested as he started walking with her, making sure to remember where their new camp for the night was and not to get lost away from it while they were looking for supplies.


With her leg giving out beneath her, Lilly knew she couldn't walk, let alone run any further. And it was mentally painful, knowing that the water was just a few feet from them, but her body wasn't as strong as her will and her brain, and her leg crumbled beneath her weight the next step she took, leaving her to fall in the fog that had surrounded them. She at least had managed to shove Gale forward, not only to be sure he didn't stop for her, but also because when she fell she didn't want to drag him down with her in her fall, quite literally. She figured her leg was so useless right now...she was sure to die now, wasn't she? She really wasn't the most optimistic, but she figured if she was going to die she didn't want to drag Gale down with her. Maybe he could at least win.


Coughing violently as she fell surrounded by the fog, tears stung her eyes as they threatened to fall. She covered her mouth with her hand as she crumbled entirely to the ground, her body entirely in pain. But hearing Gale's voice calling at her to not stop was enough to snap through her negative mind. Using the last strength she had, she rolled forward on her sides until she felt the cold impact of water splashing and surrounding her. It was a relief to be out of the fog, but having used that last strength to push herself into the water, she didn't have anything left to try and stay afloat. Let alone one of her legs was currently useless.


While she couldn't see anything, she had noticed something grab hold of her, and instinctively, she grabbed back desperately. Neither of them could keep afloat though as they were thrashed around like lifeless bodies in the tide of the River. It brought them away from the fog quickly, but now that her lungs weren't filled with poison, that inability to breath had only been replaced by the water, and she struggled desperately to keep her head above the water, but the consciousness was slowly fighting to lose, and blackness was starting to surround her vision, and she coud no longer tell if it was from the water or from slowly losing her consciousness.

 

[Soleil]

"Food sounds good." She nodded as she followed closely behind Finnick. They hadn't eaten much since the morning before the games started. She had hardly eaten breakfast, picking at it before being swept away towards the shuttles taking her to the arena. Now she wished she had forced down the entire meal. Her stomach pinched in a familiar way, alerting her she needed food. 


"We'd have to make sure they know we're not there to attack." She worked her footing avoiding the roots sticking up, she stumbles slightly but not enough to affect the path she was headed in. "And what happens if they don't want to listen?" She was more worried about fighting another tribute. Sure they seemed nice during training, but who knows how they are now that the games have started.


The walk was wearing on her body, she thought she had felt better since yesterday but now the sun beating down on her back was taking its toll. She kept her ears open for any signs of water - she hadn't had any in two days now, and she knew it was vital for her to get some I  her system. Especially now that she had been surrpunded by fire at one point. 


She heard the rushing sound of rapids, definitely larger than the small stream they used a couple days ago. 


---


Gale trashed violently in the water, no mater how much he pushed to get to the surface it wasn't enough. He laid slightly under the water, enough that he felt his free arm reaching out into the air. The other was wrapped around Lilly making sure they didn't get separated - also knowing Lilly couldn't walk without him let alone get out of the strong rapids.


He tried lifting Lilly above the surface, gripping her side with both hands now. He wasn't sure if she had surfaced at all since falling in the water - and knew growing up in 12 she probably didn't have sufficient swimming skills especially with her leg. The weight of the water pushed his arms down, as he struggled to help the girl. 


The water burned at his lungs, a deep seating pain surging through his chest. He was desperate to breath in, his body unaware that it was currently under water. He coughed sperratically, as water entered his mouth, choking him slightly. His mind went cloudy, and his grip on Lilly lessened as the water tried forcing it's way between them. As his mind went black, the last thing he held onto was Lilly.

 

[ChibiMonkey]

Glad that they seemed to be on the same page and mindset for gathering some water and food, he headed in search for just that with her. Hopefully they wouldn't have to walk to far and exhaust their injured bodies. Especially for the water, considering the fact that they no longer had the bamboo containers to hold the water, since they'd been lost in the frantic struggle with the earlier forest fire. But it wasn't that big of a deal. Bamboo was everywhere in this forest so it shouldn't be too difficult to find some more if they wanted.


He sighed at River's question asking about if they didn't want to listen "Well, we'll have to try and convince them. That's all we can hope for I guess" he said as he walked further, hearing the sound of moving water, and a lot of it, close by. "The games have a way of changing people...even if they weren't violent and driven to kill other tributes before, they might be now. They could have even turned on each other at this point. The games have a way of doing that" he said with a small frown, some bad memories coming up as he recalled the first games he had participated in.


Shaking them off, he sighed "If they just want to kill us, we'll have to forget about them in the plan. For now lets get some water" he said, knowing that River also heard the rushing water not far from them, so that that goal in mind, he headed in the direction of the rapids, seeing the water just past some trees as he approached the water with River, not knowing they were about to find more than just the water.


Lilly struggled to stay afloat and keep her body from sinking. The only thing helping her right now was probably Gale who she knew was the person holding onto her, as much as it was a struggle, for them to hold onto each other in the rapids of the stream. She didn't think this was even normal either, was it? For there to be full on rapids in a stream going through a rainforest? But then again, what would she knew. She knew nothing about rain forests, and even less about water. The only thing she knew about water was that she needed it to survive. But this wasn't exactly what she had in mind.


The water filled the space in her lungs, causing her to instinctively cough out violently and try to grasp more air, but instead, the coughing only caused to to take in more water, which caused even more coughing, and so on, was a unending cycle. Eventually, her body started to give up on her desperate will to try and survive, and her consciousness started shutting down despite her best efforts, and soon, everything had gone black.


Their unconscious bodies thrashed around in the waves like lifeless dolls, the water taking it to wherever it lead. Eventually, their bodies had washed up caught on some thick and large branches of a fallen tree where the branches had fallen into the stream. It was the only thing that had caught their bodies from being washed along further.

 

[Soleil]

River nodded even though she knew he wasn't facing her. "Yeah I guess-" She trailed off looking in front of her as the water came into view. She was wary of the plan, but Finnick seemed determined enough to get them as allies. She had doubt that if they could even possibly find them in this arena, that they would consider listening to their story. The situation made her on edge, but she didn't know what else to say - she knew she couldn't just disappear on Finnick again.


The thought made her think about the first games he was in. Did he have a partner like her? Or was he on his own most of the time?She couldn't be sure, she made a habit of not watching the games while they were on. Even if she knew the tributes. If her mother was home and watching it, River spent most of the day outside.


As the approached the water, she was almost excited about how much there was. If they kept walking down they could possibly find a calmer spot to actually get in. She contiuned alongside the water, stepping on the stones nearby so not to leave tracks in the wet dirt. The rapids were slowing down the farther they went, and even dropped off over a ledge. She couldn't see over it but knew there was probably a calm piece of water at the bottom. 


Closing in on the ledge, she peeked her face over to see the bottom. "Finnick!" She hissed waving her arms in her direction. She bounded down the side of the cliff towards what looked like two bodies at the bottom That seemed to be caught in a rather large branch. She didn't hear a cannon go off so she knew they must still be alive.


---


Gale didn't feel the branch as it caught him, he didn't feel the water splashing over his face. He laid unconscious in the large body of water for longer then he could precieve. He eyes were shut closed, his breathing was soft but still labored, trying to breath in avalible air. 


He didn't even notice when a pair of arms wrapped around him, dragging him to safety. He enjoyed the rest death would bring. No more fear, no more poverty, and no more running. The thought echoed in his lifeless ears, you can finally relax. And he did, he let the touch of death lick at his mind, calming his burned lungs. 


He didn't need to breath, he didn't need to worry about escaping. He was already free.


He was enjoying the sliver of piece when a voice shattered through his subconscious. "Wake the hell up!" It was a woman, but his eyes were still closed.

 

[ChibiMonkey]

Finnick could tell that River didn't seem to convinced or thrilled about the idea. He had to admit, the plan held a lot of uncertainty and 'what-ifs' in it, and he didn't like it either, since uncertainty and 'what-ifs' could kill someone in these games. But both him and River were injured, and they needed help, as much as Finnick didn't want to admit it. And even though he was injured, if he could heal enough, he'd be fine to fight and such if needed. And if they could get those two from District 12 to team up with them...well, it'd be a huge help. Not only because the more people the better for resources and such, however, also because he was trying to think strategically about it. He thought maybe by him being a previous winner and being charitable to team up and help the poor district 12 tributes, that it would be seen as some sort of charity act or something, since in the history no one had really ever cared about District 12, often considering them easy prey that would likely die on their own with their lack of training even without tributes attacking them.


Lost in thought, Finnick was snapped out of it when he heard River yelling his name. He quickly looked in her direction, worried something bad happened, like someone attacking her, or she fell into the rapids or something, but all he saw when he looked up was River taking off running down the side of the cliff, disappearing where he couldn't see her.


"Shit! River, wait up, dammit!" he yelled, quickly following after her in a slight worried panic since she just took off, and it didn't seem like she was taking off to get away from him this time or anything. Scaling down the side of the hilled cliff quickly, he panted a bit as he ran up beside River "Dammit, don't just take off like that!" he said, but then was quick to notice the figures in the water, and his eyes widened a bit "Wait...isn't that them?" he said, quickly jumping into the shallow water and helping River drag the bodies out onto the muddy grass.


Since she had fallen unconscious Lilly was unaware of everything that was going on around her, from the water that surrounded them and kept pushing them under water, to the countless cuts and scrapes that she and Gale too, were receiving from anything and everything that they were thrown into by the force of the stream, be it rocks beneath the stream, or sticks and twigs, or whatever they could collide in within the water that was thrashing them around violently.


At some point, Lilly was vaguely aware of the fact she was being dragged and pulled out of the water. But everything was so cold to her. Her body was numb in cold and pain, so much so that she really couldn't feel anything, and was hardly aware of her surroundings. She could hear voices, but they were muffled and foggy, like they were far away. Nothing was clear to her other then the odd sense of comfort that the numbness of her body felt.


Unaware of her surroundings and the people trying to help them really, she was suddenly snapped back into consciousness as the water in her lungs was forced up and out of her through a vague warmth on her lips, and painful repeated pressure on her chest. Her eyes shot open as she coughed up, gagging on the water that was forced out of her lungs as she instinctively rolled over onto her side, coughing desperately for air as she threw up the water that had lodged into her lungs, hands grasping at the muddy earth beneath her and fingers digging into the ground as violent coughs raked through her chest in an attempt for air as well as getting the water out.

 

[Soleil]

She heard Finnick's voice yelling out behind her, but she didn't let up. She contiuned to scale the side of the cliff, being careful of the wet rocks as to not slip and kill herself - in the most anticlimactic way if she does say so herself. The mist from the rapids sprayed her, clouding her vision as she contiuned down. She didn't know how far back Finnick was, but she figured he'd be right behind her.


Approaching the two bodies that laid attached to the large branch, it seemed to have caught them from being swept under the current. She couldn't help but notice the irony as she recognized the two faces peeking through the leaves. They had stuck together after all, and by their situation she figured they couldn't swim, hence almost drowning. 


Finnick finally making it next to her she breathed out, "I'm sorry, help me." She said all in one motion, like one long word. She had jumped into the shallow part of the water, as mud clung to the sides of her legs. She felt her feet sink in, but she kept moving until she got hold of the first tribute. It was the boy, what was his name again?


---


His ear were full of water, clogging the sound of the woman yelling at him. His mind drifted in and out slowly of consciousness - until feeling a slight pressure on his chest. It was rapid, repeating movements as though something was bouncing on his chest. His mind slowly breaking through the fog clouding his thoughts - the first feeling of pain returning.


He felt air rush into his lungs, a his body reciprocated by choking out water. He cringed at the feeling of throwing up the water, his lungs greedy for air and he choked on each breath he tried taking. More water came as a series of loud rasping coughs escaped his body. A loud roaring in his ears blocked the majority of the sound around him.


He felt a similar warmth covering his mouth, with more of the repeating pusles - helping him with each new breath. He finally turned over on his side waiting the next round of coughs as he grabbed onto the ground, pulling up pieces of the earth as he braced himself.  A warm hand laid on his back, tapping slightly, as another one gave him leverage to stay up. 

 

[ChibiMonkey]

After running after River and scolding her, he was quickly made aware of the situation and helping River pull the two out of the water before she even needed to ask for his help in doing so. After pulling the two unconscious bodies onto the ground beside the water, he cursed, seeing just how bad of shape they seemed to be in. But before really taking that in, they needed to get the water out of their lungs. Clearly they nearly drowned, and it didn't surprise Finnick. Did they even know how to swim? He wondered what happened, since he didn't see why they would even go into water if they didn't know how to swim to begin with. Deciding questioning could be saved for later, he leaned forward and while breathing into the redheads mouth, he pressed down on her chest repeatedly, preforming CPR for the unconscious girl, as River likewise did the same with the guy.


After a few minutes, it seemed to be working, and the water came spurting out of the redheads mouth, and Finnick pulled back at that time, helping her to roll over so she didn't choke back on the water and it didn't go back down he throat. Holding her up, he just let her have a few moments to catch her breath, gently patting her back to help coax the water out of her lungs.


As the two seemed to slowly regain their bearings, FInnick sighed "Well, looks like you two have been having fun" he joked to lighten the atmosphere of the two having nearly just died - and probably would have too, had River not found them as soon as she had.


Grasping desperately to the muddy earth beneath her, Lilly's chest shook with each ragged cough that came out, each time she coughed, less and less water coming up with the cough before after a few minutes, it was just raspy air scratching her lungs and throat as she panted heavily, eyes having been clutched shut tight in pain, tears of pain threatening to have almost spilled. Catching her breath finally, her senses really started to hit her again. The overall pain throughout her body from being in the rapids and the poison smog, to the now painful bruising on her chest from the CPR. Not to mention her leg. She didn't even want to look at it at the moment, knowing it probably wasn't a pretty sight after the open wound coming into contact with whatever that poison fog was.


Her breaths still haggard and raspy, she lifted her gaze to the presence of the two people beside Gale and her, it slowly registering in her mind just what happened. Aside from them almost drowning. But these two had...saved them? the blond male's comment wasn't really amusing to her at the moment, and she just disregarded it as she glanced between the two skeptically "W-...why?" she managed to rasp out between her breaths, referring to why they had saved them. Even if they saved them, she was still skeptical...there had to be a reason, right?

 

[Soleil]

She wrapped her arms around the dark haired male pulling him onto the embankment. Mud and sand clung to her as she used all her strength getting the guy out. He laid as still as a rock on the ground and she dropped to her knees beside him. She placed her ear the front of his chest, listening closely - searching until finding a soft beat. He wasn't dead yet, so there was still time.


She leaned down placing the edge of her palms to the center of his chest, pushing down fast repetitions. Combining that with placing her lips to his, she breathed air into his lungs hoping to get the water out. He laid their at first, unresponsive - and a panic feeling prickled down her body. "Get the hell up!" She yelled, beating down on his chest again.  


Finally after the longest minute of her life, he finally started rapidly choking, water spilling out of him faster then he was able to breathe in air. She sat back on her heels following Finnick's lead, slowly helping him get on his side. It seemed to be helping the violent coughs that plagued him. "Take you're time. Get it all out." She smirked back at Finnick at his comment. He always did know how to be an ass at the most inappropriate times. At least it helped lighten the mood some as the two tributes began to relax. "We can get questions out later." River smiles warmly at the girl.


---


Gale fell over onto his back. The weight of the water finally out if his chest. He swallowed in air faster then he could exhale them - and finally stop coughing up water. His lungs burned, and his throat scratched like a thousand tiny cuts replacing the space. Each breath was painful, almost gasping as his lungs craved the next. 


He turned his head at Lilly voice, she was okay. He relaxed a little at the thought, he didn't know what happened to her after being swept under the current and losing consiousness. He squinted his eyes, his eyelids laid heavy on his face. The rays of the sun blinded him slightly, and he raised his vision  to the two tributes in front of them. What were they doing? Why did they stop to help them, didn't they know that defeated the point of trying to win?


The welts on his skin from the fogs started to feel pain full again, the ones on his neck making it more difficult to breathe than it already was. 

 

[ChibiMonkey]

Watching as the two seemed to come back to life, Finnick was relieved. It was almost ironic, the whole situation. Here he and River were, planning and discussing how to get these exact two tributes to team up with them, if they hadn't yet died and seperated or anything. And as they made the plan, here they were to find the said two people, nearly half dead, and would have been too, if not for their help. The two they were looking for almost just died, and it was a kind of eerie feeling that they happened to find them just before they did. Talk about timing.


Shaking his head to himself, Finnick watched the color regain back into the redheads face, who had gone pale from the cold of the water and being in it so long, nearly dead, too. Giving his light joke, he thought ti was creative, though didn't seem to get any laughs out of it. Though he did notice in the corner of his eye the smirk he gained from River. It seemed she was slowly warming up to him more, since she would hardly react at all to his jokes and comments of the sorts earlier in the games.


Hearing the redhead's question, he wasn't surprised. It was a logical question in these circumstances. Nodding at River's response, he agreed "We can talk more later. I want to make it back to our shelter before the sun starts setting. Since someone decided to scale a cliff it'll take us a while to get back up to it" he rolled his eyes as he smirked to River, teasing her lightly as he stood up "For starters, lets go with names?" he said as he stood up "In case you don't already know. But, well, you obviously should, I'm Finnick, District 4" he grinned, his slight arrogance showing again as he held a hand out to the girl to help her up.


Now that she was conscious and could breath again, there were only two things at her attention right now, the questions regarding the two tributes who saved them running through her mind at the moment, and then the overwhelming amount of pain. Her lungs still throbbed with the lack of air with each breath she took, as though they were savoring each breath she could take. And she also now had a terrible headache due to the prolonged lack of oxygen she had experienced. She was just trying to figure out what to do or say first, and before she knew it, the most prominent question bothering her escaped her lips first, asking why they had saved them. 


After having regained control over her breathing, and though her muscles still shaky, she'd gained a little strength back, or at least, enough to try moving her body. She glanced to the unfamiliar males outstretched hand that was offered to her, staring at it a few moments before she hesitantly took it as he introduced himself, though she vaguely knew who he was. The two didn't appear like they were going to kill them...and what would be the point? If they wanted to kill them it would have been a lot smarter and easier to do it while they were still half dead already and unconscious. Deciding to respond, she figured there was no reason or point to hiding who they were "Lilly...we're from District 12" she mentioned, not knowing they already knew what District.


Hesitantly, she took the males hand as he helped her up, and with the distraction of so many different sources of pain running through her body, she momentarily forgot about the current situation with her leg. So the second she put pressure on it to stand when Finnick had helped her up, she inhaled sharply in replacement of crying out in pain, and instantly lost balance, falling straight back down into the mud on her butt, wincing in pain as she lightly cursed to herself, glancing to the large gashing wound on her shin. Where it once previously had been healing and stopped bleeding for the past day or two, it had now clearly started bleeding again. Not only that, but it was a lot more swollen, and darker looking with a purple look surrounding edges of the wound, resembling a look similar to that of the poison.

 

[Soleil]

River scoffed at his arrogance, even though he was right. Everyone knew who Finnick was. The capitals sweetheart who wins the games at age 14, and now once again in the same game - everyone betting on him as the obvious winner. Sometimes she just wanted to snack the arrogant smile off his face. Arrogance could get you killed out here, you had to be prepared for anything.


"I only scaled it because there were dying people at the bottom." She rolled her eyes and went to help the dark haired guy to his feet. She went slow, letting him adjust to his surroundings and getting use to the weight on his feet. It wasn't enough pressure to take her down, he only needed her to stable him - and extra support never hurt anyone.


"River." She smiled warmly after hearing the girl speak. She didn't want to be the one to tell Lilly that they had almost been avidly searching for them, and knew exactly who they were. She knew they were probably pretty freaked, and agreed with trying to get them back to the hideout quickly. She put her arm around the guy, letting him put some weight on her. She was glad they seemed to trust them, at least for now.


---


"Gale." He rasped out, finally speaking for the first time. His throat strained at making the sound, and he had to clear his voice after speaking. He let the girl help him to his feet. He was able to get his footing, but the extra support felt nice. His muscles burned with every movement, but he bit through the pain. They needed to get out of the open, and hopefully there was a place for him to rest.


He figured he should be wary of tributes trying to kill them, but felt the same as Lilly. They wouldn't have dragged them from deaths door to simple kill them again. He glanced at Lilly, the gash on her shin was swelled, and definitely looked infected now. The poison  from the fog must have gotten into her bloodstream - he hoped that wasn't the case. 


"Are you- okay." He choked out again, staring down from his spot. His mind was still fuzzy, keeping him one step behind in his thinking process. He looked up at the sky, the blonde tribute was right, they didn't have much time before the sun would start to lower in the sky. He wanted to help Lilly up, even almost taking a step but being caught by the white haired girl, she must have been the one thing keeping him stable.

 

[ChibiMonkey]

When the girl he was helping up suddenly slipped from his grasp and right back down to the ground, Finnick hadn't been expecting that much of a fall from her, maybe a slip or stumble that he could catch. He hadn't been prepared to catch someone fully fall back down. Following the girls gaze to her shin, he sucked in a silent breath, now understanding why she had fallen over the second she tried to use that leg. It didn't look good at all, he could only imagine how it felt. But he didn't exactly want to be the debbie downer and verbally note how bad it was.


"Alright....seems walking isn't going to work for you..." he sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. He was still injured too, but he supposed he didn't really have a choice but to carry the girl if they wanted to make it back to the shelter they'd found for themselves that night. Grabbing the girls hand again, her helped her back up to her feet...or one foot, anyways, advising her not to try using the leg "I'll carry you, get on my back. Just...please, do your best not to hold onto the burn on my shoulder" he sheepishly grinned as he turned back around and helped the girl onto his back. As tiring as it would be, it would be longer, and therefore more tiring in the long run for him to trying propping her up and helping her walk back to the hideout. Especially since they had to go up the cliff.


"Alright...lets get going. We'll explain more later" he said, sure that the two had a lot of questions for them "lets head for the side, it doesn't look as steep" he said, motioning to River to the direction where they could see the cliff slant off more into a hill like climb. It would tire them out, but it'd be faster and likely better in the long run than walking all the way around it. With that, he then headed back in the direction of where they decided to make camp for the night by the uprooted tree.


Lilly winced a bit at the contact as she smacked back down into the ground with a thud, sighing a bit before glancing to Gale as he asked if she was okay "I guess...I'll manage" she said with a shrug, not wanting to worry him, let alone hold them back and be a burden. Taking Finnick's hand again, she was helped back up, but she was sure not to put any weight at all onto her injured leg. She was going to try and suffer through it, maybe she could get a stick or something to use to help her walk in place of her injured foot. But then Finnick suggested carrying her.


She looked to him a bit surprise. Not only still trying to get used to the fact of other tributes other than Gale helping her, but also the fact that Finnick also seemed injured, so carrying her would likely be a struggle for him too. He seemed insistent on it though, especially when mentioning time, and so she gave in, lightly nodding her head "Alright...thank you" she said softly, before she moved and got onto his back, to where he would carry her piggy-back style.


She noticed the burn on his shoulder he mentioned, and wondered when it had happened, and how. She noticed River had similar burns, and was curious what had happened. She figured a lot of these questions would come to light soon though, and by nightfall they would know a lot more about each other and the journeys they've had since the game started. And the biggest question of all; why the two from district 4 were not only helping them, other tributes, but tributes from district 12.

 

[Soleil]

River watched the situation was wide eyes. The cut on the girls leg made her wince, but she tried to not openly cringe in front of her - she knew it would only make the girl feel worse about it. She diverted her eyes back towards the cliff, it was going to be a struggle, but at least the dark haired guy could somewhat walk. She didn't know what she'd do if she had to carry one of them.


But she was glad Finnick was able to carry the girl, she couldn't imagine the pain he was feeling as she laid on his burned skin. Pain seared down her side as the fabric from their clothes rubbed against it. She bit through the pain as the approached the base of the hill. It didn't seem so bad, and if they avoided the sharp rocks towards the river.


She waited for the guy to fix his footing, before starting up the side. She huffed loudly, carrying her weight and half of a full grown mans was wearing on her. Her side contiuned to omit pain as they walked. She could hear the other two behind here, but made no effort to turn around. River had gotten in a pretty good momentum and she didn't want to break stride. 


---


Gale smiled, and was glad for the extra help, especially with Lilly. He knew he wouldn't leave her there, but it would be a lot harder for them to get to safety. He didn't know if he had the strength in him to actually carry her. He wanted to instantly question them, assume maybe this was all an alaberate trap. But then why save them at all? The two of them could of just laid in the river, unconscious until the air ships came and got them.


He let out a sigh as he began trying to walk. Each step was painful, searing up through his legs and he contiuned following the white haired girls lead. His breath was labored as they began scaling the side of the cliff. "They never want this to be easy huh." He said out in a huff, as he winced at the movement. 


He said the girl laugh, or the sound of which was suppose to be a laugh. "Yeah you'd think they were trying to kill us." She shot out, almost as a mumble. He was glad she at least had a sense of humour. He noticed this was affecting her a lot harder than he expected. He didn't think he was putting much weight on her but looking over he saw the red burned skin. 

 

[ChibiMonkey]

Finnick let out a heavy breath, wincing a bit as he now had Lilly’s weight fully on his back. It was better carrying her this way though rather than in his arms. Not only were his arms covered in more serious burns, however carrying her on his back was better because of the more even and easier weight distribution and her weight being on the core of his body where there was the most support and strength to support her weight.


Thankfully, she was actually relatively tiny, so she really wasn’t all that heavy or anything. However, it was the fact that he was already tired and injured that was making it harder than it would have otherwise. Normally, in full health and condition, carrying someone, let alone someone short like her, would be no problem at all.


Climbing up the side of the cliff hill was a lot harder than he imagined, not only with his injuries but the added weight of carrying someone. He knew it was going to be difficult, but damn did it really take a lot out of him. He pushed through it though, a thick layer of sweat forming on his forehead. Once they got to the top of the flat ground, he had to set Lilly down for a minute and catch his breath. Afterwards though, they headed on again towards the direction of the new hideout they had found for the night. Upon arrival, he smiled a bit as he set Lilly down “Good…it’s bigger than it looks. I think it should be able to fit all of us in there, though it might be a little tight, it shouldn’t be too bad” he said


As she had attached herself to Finnick’s back, Lilly was careful not to grab onto or touch any of the bigger, large burn wounds that were clear on his skin, seared through in holes of his clothing. Thankfully his back didn’t really have any serious burns like those ones, the only ones close to her where she was carried on her back was the one on his shoulder, which she was careful to avoid touching, and one that was on one of his hips, which she also avoided hitting with her legs as he carried her.


She did her best to hold on so he didn’t have to hold her up too much with his arms, so that he had his arms free to use and carry himself with as they climbed up the steep hill of the cliff. Thankfully, despite it being steep, it had a lot of raggedy bumps and rocks to grab onto and help with the climb as leverage and support to grab and step up on.


The hill climb seemed to be the worst of it, and it certainly took not only the most amount of time but also the most tiring. Eventually though, they had thankfully made it to the top where the ground was now flat and even, no more steep climbs or anything to maneuver over or around. With about another fifteen minutes of walking, they came to a stop at what appeared to be an incredibly large fallen tree. She didn’t even realize that beneath the uprooted trunk and roots surrounding where the tree once stood, hanging like an enclosed circle of drapes, was actually a hideout.

 

[Soleil]

River wiped the sweat from her forehead as they let Finnick take a small break. The hill definitely taking its toll on the blonde tribute. It made her nervous standing in the open like that, but she knew they couldn't kill themselves by over exhaustion either - so she gave her partner a minute before they were headed on their way again. 


Thankfully Gale was staring to regain some of his balance, making it easier for River to guild him along the thick brush of the jungle. She wondered if it was safe bringing xthe two back with them, but knew Finnick's plan was worth a try. They needed help, and by the looks of these ragged tributes she'd guess the same for them. Finally approaching the hideout she nodded at Finnick's comment. "Yeah it won't be overly roomy but it'll do." She smiled before helping Gale over through the opening.


She helped him to the ground, and she noticed him wince as he leaned against the wall like structure. She didn't know what to say to this guy, who nearly drowned. She wanted to use words of comfort but nothing came to mind. All she could offer was a warm smile, and to help him get adjusted and more relaxed in his spot. 


---


Gale rested against the floor of the hidout. He had to admit it was a good place to relax and try to recover some. He figure that was the reason for the tributes from 4 as well. Seeing the large red marks on them, he figured they had went through something silmair to their fog fiasco. Only a large amount of fire could do that damage, and since Gale and Lilly hadn't seen sign of a large fire he assumed it had to do more with the gamemakers. Even the fog was unnatural in its own way.


He was finally able to rest his muscles, each breath became easier as he remained unmoving. His throat was still cut and dry, but the pain was subsiding for now and he looked over towards Lilly and the other two. "Thank you, for whatever reason you decided to help us." He breathed out forcefully, talking still stung his throat, but it was something that needed to be done.


He watched the white haired girl as he spoke. She only nodded and offered a warm smile. He figured she wasn't one for much talking, but he was grateful for her kindness and Finnick's too. He waited for Lilly to get settled, there was still many unanswered questions but he wanted to check on his partner first. " How's the leg?"

 

[ChibiMonkey]

Finnick was relieved when they had finally made it back to the hideout. He set Lilly down so he could help her and the other into the ditch like hideaway, and he pulled the roots back as he helped Lilly inside after Gale, and then Finnick let River go inside while he went last. As much as he wanted to just sit down and collapse as well, he knew he needed to make sure they had covered their tracks. Especially with him carrying Lilly, he probably made more track than usual. Signaling he would be right back, he wasn't worried about Lilly and Gale attacking River or anything. He knew trust could be a bad thing in this game, but it could also be good, and he knew River would be fine alone with them for a few minutes.


Signaling he would be right back, he headed back the way they had come, being sure to cover any signed of human movement through the forest. It didn't take him more than ten minutes or so, since he moved quickly. After all, the sun was really starting to set now - or at least, in the forest the light was disappearing much faster the lower the sun went in the sky, and he wanted to get back before it was dark.


Arriving back at the hideout, Finnick pulled the roots and vines away for himself as he slipped inside, finally sitting down and letting out a slight sigh of relief as his muscles and injuries ached, finally able to let them relax. He noticed River seemed to revert back to her quiet self much like when he had first met her, and he couldn't help but smile a bit, seeing her quiet with new people again making him realize just how much she's relaxed around himself during their time together. 


 


"Well" he started, looking to the two from District 12 with a small smirk " I bet you have a lot of questions, feel free to ask" he said with a shrug of his shoulders.


 


 


As they seemed to come to the stop of a large tree, Lilly was confused, since she honestly didn't even realize that the hideout was right in front of them, until River and Finnick started pulling back the roots to expose the small den-like space they could hide away in for the night and take shelter in. She was surprised, since she honestly hadn't even realize there was room beneath the roots and space, but then again, she supposed that's what made it a good shelter, since it was unnoticeable to be one.


 


Thanking Finnick for his help as he set her down, she soon followed into the small area and moved to sit down beside Gale, letting out a sigh of relieve as he muscles instantly relaxed, being able to finally sit and relax. Her leg still throbbed in pain though, but she didn't say anything about it, not really wanting to worry anyone. Even though it was obvious enough already that it was in bad shape, since she really couldn't even walk with it at all, and lead to Finnick having to carry here.


 


She watched as Finnick left, saying he would cover their tracks before joining them, and it really wasn't all that much later until he had come back. And the hideout was pretty good, since she could see past the small gaps within to see outside, seeing it was Finnick approaching, but knew that he couldn't really see them from outside. Hearing Gale thanking them she nodded her head in agreement "It's almost certain we would be dead without your help....really, thank you" she said, before turning her attention to Gale who was asking about her leg. Looking down to it herself, she shrugged, and gave a small smile "Well...I guess I still have it, don't I?" she said, trying to joke lightly in attempt to hide how bad it really was.

 

[Soleil]

Slight panic surged through River as she watched Finnick's retreating form. She didn't know how she felt about being left alone with two people who's goal in life was to kill her. At their current state though, it seemed like that was less than an option - but still it gave her an uneasy feeling. She didn't say much, just sat back and watched the two get settled.


She exhaled a loud breath as she saw Finnick come back into view, she didn't realize she had been holding it for so long. She pulled her legs up close to her body, circling her arms around herself. She was glad for his quick thinking, their tracks must have been quite noticeable especially since they were all dragging their feet.


She nodded her head at the girl,  "Of course." 


---


Gale smirked at Lillys comment, "If it gets worse we'll have to figure something out." He gave her a pointed look. He knew she would just force her way through the pain without asking for help. He knew there were plants around that were helpful with pain, but he didn't know if there were any in a jungle. 


He heaved a sigh before speaking as the blonde tribute returned. "I guess the first question would be why - why save us? What's the point?" He was honestly confused by the whole situation. He rubbed a sore spot behind his neck, trying to leave the tension there. 


"Isn't the point of these games you know - to kill each other off?" He half snorted, crossing his arms in front of his chest. It was more of a confused sound then anything. He glanced at the white haired girl, as she shit a glare at Finnick. What were they planning?


---


River shot a glance at Finnick, quietly asking what the hell should we tell them?  She wasn't good at this kind of thing, and decided to let Finnick take the lead on this one.

 

[ChibiMonkey]

Finnick wasn't surprised by the first question that came from Gale. He'd pretty much expected it, since any reasonable person in this situation would be thinking the same thing. He knew if positions were switched, he himself would be wondering the exact question. What was there to gain by saving someone who would have to die anyways in order for you to win? He glanced to River, noticing her gaze, before he opened his mouth and responded to Gale's questions.


"It's true that only one of the four of us will survive in the end...but I guess the answer is more simple than you think. Why have you two stuck together for this long?" he asked a question by answering Gale's questions "It's to have the best chances of survival. No offense....but you two definitely look like you could use the help. Actually, it's certain you do, since without us, you would have died. But I'm not going to lie either, River and I are in a tough spot too, and we also could use the help" he explained with a light shrug of his shoulders "At this point in the games, I doubt anyone still alive is by themselves. The bigger group we have to support each other until the end, the better. And all of us could benefit and use each others help" he explained.


After all, it's not like his answer to Gale's question was a lie. It was actually majority of the truth. The only part he left out, which he didn't find overly important for the two to know, was the added fact that grouping up with them was a plan on his and River's part in attempt to gain sponsors, and hopefully, supplies to help them. So in a way, they were slightly using them. But it wasn't just that, since they all really were injured and all could use each others help.


Gale's comment didn't surprise Lilly much since after what they'd been through together in these games, she wasn't surprised he could see through her like that. She knew he was right though. Even now, she was mostly useless due to her inability to walk. She was just kind of hoping that with some rest and a little time after the whole incident, that it would recover on its own, and at least be fine enough for her to walk on, even if painfully. It kind of scared her that she was unable to walk or run, in this sort of situation, it could easily mean death.


As Gale asked the question that was on both of their minds, she listened to Finnick's response. She wanted to believe him, and it was a basic enough of a response that it did actually seem genuine and believable. Especially when he brought up how it was basically for the same reason that she and Gale had stuck together, like Finnick and River had stuck together. But now it was just that, the same thing, except just more people. It did make sense, but that small part of her would still remain skeptical and wary of the two, just in case.


Nodding her head lightly to Finnick's response, she accepted it for now. Deciding to lessen the tension of the uncertainty of why they had saved them, she asked a more basic question, nodding to motion to the burns they had scattered across their bodies "How'd you two get those burns?" she asked curiously, having a feeling that it was some reason similar to what she and Gale had just experienced with the poison fog that had surrounded them earlier.

 

[Soleil]

River rested her head against her folded hands on top of her knees. She nodded through Finnick's statement, agreeing with what he was saying. She knew he left the part about trying to get sponsers, obviously this wouldn't go over well with the tributes from 12, but it wasn't totally harmful - whatever they got from the sponsers could benefit everyone. 


She looked down at her burns, most of her body was a soft pink, while some parts, i.e. her side, were left a searing red. "We got caught up in forest fire, probably some sick twisted ploy from the game makers." She sighed heavily. The burns still stung at every movement, and the entire time trying to move Gale to their hideout had taken a toll on her. She was exhausted, but not in a tired kind of way. She just wanted to sit, rest her achy limbs.


She noticed the marks on their skin, especially when she was helping Gale through the jungle. They looked unnatural, but painful non the less. She didn't have it in her to ask about them, or what else they had been through during the games. She was sure it was mostly the same as her and Finnick. Uneventful and then moments of shear panic. 


---


Gale grimaced as he shifted his weight over. He noticed Lilly accepting the answer she had received from Finnick. He didn't fully trust the blond headed tribute especially since he was someone from the careers districts. He couldn't risk his and Lilly safety on this guy's word - so he'd have to keep an eye out for anything that seemed suspicious. 


He was thankful for their help, and he'd give them the benefit of the doubt for the time being. He'd probably suggest at some point him and Lilly head off on their own, but for now he knew Finnick was right. They all needed eachother, and had all suffered through the tricks of the arena. He still couldn't get a good breath without weezing slightly.


He looked over River as she spoke about the burns they had recieved. "Yeah they got us pretty bad too." He held out his arms revealing small welts all over his skin. They were still painful, but the adrenaline from almost dying seemed to take his attention off of it. " We were trying to get out of the fog and had to jump into the river." He stated as he glanced at Lilly. He saw the welts on her skin as well, and he winced as the memory of the poison fog itched at his skin. 

 

[ChibiMonkey]

Letting River speak up and explain how they got caught up in the fire, Finnick was also trying to keep an ear out for their surroundings. It wasn't bad to be talking, or having a conversation of course. It was needed, after all, if they wanted to gain each others trust to be able to work together cohesively in surviving for as long as they could. However, at the same time they needed to keep their voices down in case anyone passing by, so that they wouldn't be heard and found simply because they were talking. Especially now that night had fully fallen on them, they could be heard more easily as most animals had retired for the night.


Glancing to the two from District 12, he smiled some "By the looks of it I guess you two ran into a similar sort of problem" he commented as Gale seemed to confirm that guess of his. It really wasn't that hard. Finnick was all too familiar with the game-makers, and their need for constantly stirring things up in the games, especially if things were going too slowly for them and were not 'entertaining' enough for the viewers. After all, this was more of an entertainment for the rich, who lived in the city capitol and didn't have to worry about their lives, or their children's or loved ones being sent of to die for the sake of 'Panem'. But really, for the sake of entertainment.


Still, despite his despise for how the Capitol did things, especially how that distaste only grew since his first encounter with the games, he played nice, and acted as they wanted him to. Not because he was their puppet or tool, but in order to survive. When it comes down to it, that is the goal. Even if he had to act and play along with their show and entertainment. As he became lost in thought, he was snapped out of it by the all too familiar sound of another cannon going off, signaling another death of a tribute.


Hearing River's comment about there being a forest fire, Lilly nodded her head a bit in understanding, and a likely agreement to River's remark of it likely being caused by the gamemakers, and not a natural forest fire that they had gotten caught up in. It looked pretty bad, looking at the two of them, and she had to admit she was glad she wasn't them. However, at the same time, she wasn't glad that she was herself at the moment either, also not favoring the acidic fog that she and Gale had to flee from and endure. Also the fact that, without even being close to a doctor of any sorts, it looked like the injury on her leg had now gotten infected due to whatever that poison was.


When Gale just simply commented how they seemed to have been played by the gamemakers as well, she just nodded her head in agreement "As though other tributes and the normal natural environment isn't enough to worry about" she sighed with a shake of her head as she leaned back against the wall of roots and vines that were enclosed around them. As they were in the middle of talking about what happened to them, the loud sound of a cannon shot out in the distance, causing Lilly to jump a bit, since she hadn't heard one in a while.


Glancing out into the now absolute darkness that had fallen over them through the small gaps in the roots, she sighed softly, wondering how many that had made it now. She'd lost count, especially since she and Gale had been unconscious for some of the day, she didn't know if anyone had died while they were out or anything. And the fact that they were so close to only being nothing more than the sounds of cannons. That the sound of a canon going off in response to their deaths would only mean relief for the still surviving tributes.

 

[Soleil]

River jumped along with Lilly at the sound of the cannon. She usually tried to keep herself focused but listening to the other three made her thoughts drift. They were struggling just the same as Finnick and her, however she was more on the same field as them then Finnick was. She almost died in the forest fire, when she was trapped in the wall of flames -  with no escape, until Finnick came and saved her. It was a similar situation, except with water of course. If Finnick was right about one thing, you didn't survive these games by being alone - and she had to learn that the hard way.


She felt her eye lids heavy in her face, she knew it couldn't even be 8, but waking up everyday when the sun came up made the days longer than intended. She felt a slight pain against her back while her eyes shot open. She hadn't realized she had shut her eyes, but thankfully it seemed like no one else did either. Part of vine poked her in the back, and she readjusted herself scooting to the side some. 


Thinking of the poison fog, she grimaced at the large welts on the two tributes skin. That looked painful, but than again so we're burns. She almost mentioned the burn cream, but quickly shit her mouth. She wasn't sure what they were planning on sharing with the two and figured she'd as Finnick in private later.


---


Gale didn't mention her leg again. It was infected and she wouldn't be doing much walking on that thing. He knew the capital had state of the art surgeries and medicine that could heal her right up, but she'd have to survive the rest of the games before that happened. Which would be challenging. He didn't want to dwell on the negative anymore, especially since it was a moot point.


As much as he wanted to help he knew there was ultimately nothing he could do. If the games went on longer, and the infection spread to the blood stream she probably wouldn't make it to the end - but he didn't want to think about to either.


"Okay, well for now we could use the help." He said shortly, he knew their alliance could only last so long, he also thought about the feast the game makers always liked to do as the games drew to an end. There would usually be 4 or 5 bags on a table, just waiting for everyone to fight over. The smart thing to do was only take your own bag, he remembered Haymichs words explaining that if you take someone else's bag they'll be sure to seek you out since it was something they were in dire need of. He thought about this, if Lillys leg didn't heal up soon hopefully she make it until then.

 

[ChibiMonkey]

As they had been talking, everyone seemed to momentarily go silent at the sound of another canon sounding off in the distance. He sighed a bit softly and shifted, leaning back a bit as he tried to get more comfortable, shaking off the ominous sound of the canon as he turned his attention back to Gale and Lilly, taking in their conditions and how they looked. He hadn't seen much of them during training, so he wasn't entirely sure of what they were or were not capable of. But he had to guess they certainly were smart and useful in some way if they had survived this long in the games just the two of them.


However, looking at them now, they both seemed in bad shape. Lilly didn't appear to be able to use her leg at all, which could be fatal, even if the injury itself wasn't fatal, not being able to move was a near death sentence. Gale also seemed exhausted, and covered in welts from whatever poison it was they had come into contact with. The near drowning experience surely took a lot of energy out of the both of them too. Finnick only hoped that they were both a bit better tomorrow after getting some rest.


Speaking of rest, he noticed River briefly doze off. He smiled a bit at how she jolted awake after a moment, and he looked away, as though to let her believe he hadn't seen or noticed. However, seeing how tired she was, he knew she was exhausted - they all were, technically, but they could all do for some rest, and he was sure it took a lot out of River in her condition to support most of Gale's body weight as they made it back to their hideaway "Why don't start getting some rest. We'll pair up, River you and Lilly can get some rest first, Gale and I can take first shift" he said as he glanced to the other male "If you're okay with that?" Finnick also figured that by pairing up that way, one from each of the original two separate teams, that it would be more comfortable for both parties. That way, Gale and Lilly wouldn't worry about letting their guard down and sleeping at the same time with a new group, and visa versa.


Distracting herself from the thoughts, she decided there was no point dwelling on the what if's and what could have beens of the past and what they went through. All they could do now was focus on surviving and living until the next day, and then so on and so forth. She agreed with Gale when he said how they could use the help, nodding her head as she looked to the two that saved them "yeah, I think you're right, and we can all use each others help right now. So, thank you again" she said in agreement.


Lilly decided that for now they would have to trust Finnick and River. They didn't have all that much choice either, especially since they quite literally would be dead without them, which was a frightening thought in itself. Shaking that from her mind though, she couldn't see how scary the two could be to them. Finnick, certainly was a bit scary though, considering he'd been through the games before. But something about him made him seem more genuine than just a guy that wanted to kill other children because he enjoyed being the capitols star and idol. Talking to him and meeting him in person, he certainly still seemed arrogant and conceited, but something else was different. Just a feeling she got that the two of them really did mean well.


And Lilly remembered River from the very beginning, in the first few days they all had of training and when she had approached her. She was different than the others who were focusing on how to kill, and she also did help them back then too, showing them the small tool she'd learned from her district. That small tool that, with some modification and bigger scales, Lilly had managed to make into a relatively workable weapon. She she felt that they really did mean the best, and they could trust them. And they would have to, for now, not having much else choice. Hearing Finnick's comment of her and River sleeping first, Lilly did like the idea of pairs and in the way they were paired together, and she nodded her head a bit "That's alright with me.." she said, glancing to Gale to see his opinion and if he was okay with that set up as well.

 

[Soleil]

River was grateful for Finnick taking the first shift, she could already feel herself slipping into unconsciousness. However she was wary of these two and didn't want to fully put her guard down. She knew Finnick was on her side, however still against her and now there was three others against her - even though they had called a truce. How much was a truce worth out here anyways?


She gripped her arms around her knees protecting her body like a shield. She tried to keep her eyelids open, they felt like a weight on her face as they were cracked open into almost a slit. She knew it was a losing battle, at least she'd die in her sleep if anything it was a blessing in disguise.


"Only if you're sure." She finally let her eyes close, and she let out a loud sigh. She did dream this night. She was surrounded by a field of wildflowers - they were her favorite. Large trees loomed around the perimeter, so closely together she could see a way through them. Strange. It was calm, and she felt a sense of serenity - something she hadn't felt in weeks. If she was honest it'd be more like years. She couldn't remember a time she wasn't struggling.  It was a nice change, a couple hours of being away from the games.


----


Gale nodded at Lillys comment, "Yeah get some rest." He smiled lightly. He didn't mind staying up first, Lilly definitely needed the sleep more than he did. He liked the idea of staying up with Finnick, it made him feel more at ease and he was sure Lilly thought the same thing. It wasnt like he was goong yo try and kill both of them while he was awak right? 


He sat back as the two girls could finally go to sleep. He let out a loud sigh and look out towards the opening. He couldn't see much, the vines hung in the way but he wondered how close that cannon fire was. How many tributes were out tonight? There was probably a group somewhere who did their scavenging at night, so he knew they'd have to keep quiet since anyone could follow the sound over to their hiding place.


"Has it always been you and River or did you have others in your group?" He asked curiously, making sure not to speak too loud.

 

[ChibiMonkey]

Finnick nodded to River when she asked if he was sure, and he smiled "Of course, get some rest" he said, not minding staying up a bit longer. Plus he'd be able to talk more with Gale and hopefully get him to trust them more through talking and such. He glanced to River occassionally, smirking a bit in amusement since he could tell she seemed to be a bit tense and struggling to stay awake because of so, but eventually her body won out over her mind and after a few minutes she was sound asleep, and he chuckled softly, before turning his attention back to Gale as they passed the time through talking.


Finnick had to admit, not only was it strategically better to have a couple more people with them, however, it also was nice and helped pass the time staying up at night during shift, since he wasn't alone and he could talk with someone to pass the time. Plus, he figured it was a good opportunity to get to know them too, since he really didn't know much of anything about Gale and Lilly, other than what he'd heard from the interviews before the games officially started.


He glanced to Gale when he asked about if it was always just River and himself, and he smiled a bit and nodded "Yeah...although she did kinda ditch me onetime. I guess she just didn't trust me that much. But yeah, other than that it's just been the two of us" he said, also keeping his voice low so that they didn't catch anyone's attention by talking too loudly to be heard or anything. "What about you and Lilly? We're you two planning to stick to yourselves the whole time?" he asked curiously.


~~~


After hearing the two guys agreed they'd stay up for the first shift, she nodded her head a bit once Gale seemed to be fine with the idea as well. She felt more comfortable that one of them would be awake with one of the others, so she wouldn't have to worry too much about sleeping in the same space as new acquaintances. And both Finnick and River were also pretty injured too, so she doubted that Finnick was really going to try something, especially with Gale also awake and keeping watch with him.


Once it was decided that they would stay up, she shifted a bit to get more comfortable, as much as she could, anyways, and tried to get some rest for the night. That day had been one of the hardest since these games had started, and the injury of her leg was taking a lot of energy out of her as well. Eventually, after some struggling to fall asleep, her eyes finally stayed closed and she fell asleep finally. She'd fallen asleep thinking about the games, as usual, and the future of them, as well as what it would be like now working with two others, and for how long they would be a group. She had a feeling they could trust the two, and she didn't get the vibe that they intended to trick them or anything. However she of course didn't think that there was such a thing as being too careful in these games.


As she slept through the earlier half of the night, during her sleep at some point her infection only got worse since it was left untreated - not that they had anything to treat it with in the first place. Due to being left alone, it only got worse, the infection getting into her bloodstream now and causing her to get sick. Although, while asleep, she was of course unaware of how she felt and that she was getting sick. But through the night as the infection really hit her bloodstream and caused her to shake, the beginning effects of a fever started to appear as she, in her curled up ball, would occasionally shake and shiver, and her face had paled slightly.