I watch as Jace dies on the ground. His cannon sounds.
Me and Hensa. Hensa and Me.
It's time. I do a flip onto the ground, and she finally notices me. It's still dead night, and this was a stupid idea because I can barely see anything. But I can hear her coming at me. I dive to the left and her sword, still slick with blood, comes flying by me.
Adrenaline overcomes my body, and I force myself to my feet.
"Johanna? You're the one still alive?" She asks.
"That's right," I say.
"Well, get prepared to die."
I'm not prepared. I'll never be prepared.
Because-
My name is Johanna Mason. And dying is not allowed.
I swerve to the right and begin to put some distance between us. Unlatch one of my deadliest axes from the belt.
Full-force. That's how hard I throw the axe at her. But she dives out of the way just in time. One more axe to throw. She still barely misses a collision.
Oh, no. Now what.
There's no time to brainstorm. I run full speed at the dead bear-mutt. Tear four of it's deadly venomous teeth out.
Hensa is shocked. She's out of weapons except for one dull knife. I've still got my backpack, but it's up in some kind of tree, somewhere. I stranded it.
I run up, dive towards her and throw the chompers at her. My jaw hits the ground first and I bite my tongue so hard, part of the tip might've fell off. Who cares right now? I wipe the dirt out of my eyes and look up, hoping to see a dying Hensa.
No such luck. One hit the side of her neck. She's in excruciating pain, but it won't kill her.
The smart choice would be to pull the tooth out right away, but she's obviously not the brightest person alive. Perspiration flows down her face.
On the ground. That's where she is.
Standing next to my axe. That's where I am.
I pick it up, throw it at her, screaming my head off as I trip on my ankle. So much pain. Hensa scrambles to get up.
The axe whams her in the chest.
I gasp, and burst into tears. It's official, now. My tears make clear lines down my face caked with dirt.
My legs suddenly feel wobbly. I fall to my knees. Hensa is screaming and crying and bloody, and I turn my head away.
Save me.
I can't stand this, but won't show it. I stand all the way up, look into the sky, and wipe my eyes.
It feels like forever. Hensa fighting with herself to stay alive. But her body is slowing down, her breathes getting shorter.
I force myself not to squeeze my eyes shut.
And finally, it happens. It tells me I'm a survivor.
Because I am Johanna Mason.
And I just heard the last cannon fire.
