thirteen - absence
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two days pass with little going on. we stay close to the pond at first, but figure we should start exploring more of the arena. now we are lingering not too far from the beach. i'm sitting on a rock next to matthias, nibbling on some tree bark as matthias taps his foot on the grass. asher and carly are standing guard, refusing to talk to each other. they haven't gotten along very well.
"asher is just another annoying, playboy career who thinks he's some sort of rebel hero for ditching districts one and two and bliss," she had ranted to me yesterday.
asher also had some negative things to say about carly. "she's so uptight. i mean, she's clever and quick and all, but she takes everything so seriously."
but don't think i don't catch the little glances asher shoots her way when he thinks nobody's watching, or how carly will subconsciously scoot a little closer to him.
"if this is how the rest of the games will go, they're not all they're cranked up to be," carly says absentmindedly. i don't think she wants any of us to reply, but asher does, anyway.
"well, what do you want? gory deaths every few hours? a huge rock avalanche to come kill us all?" he demands sharply.
carly rolls her eyes, shifts her weight, and says something like, "that would be much more exciting than this," under her breath.
"it's so obvious," matthias whispers to me so quietly that his mouth is almost touching my ear. i don't blame him, though. if they caught us talking about them, we'd be dead, allies or not.
"what is?" i ask softly.
"they so like each other." he says it like he has no doubts.
"i can't believe it," i say.
"really?" matthias's nose crinkles adorably. "i thought it was pretty clear–"
"no, i mean..." i trail off, then start again. "here we are, in the hunger games, and we're gossiping over who likes who."
matthias's cheeks are glowing. "well, i like you."
my eyes go wide and i choke on the tree bark. coughing, my eyes water when i finally regain my composure. i look up at him, not knowing what to feel, unable to tell if he is joking or not. my people skills start deactivating and i don't know how to respond. it's like when we first met, and i didn't know what to say to him.
"wha–"
before i can even finish the word, an explosion booms from the distance. i jump up, half from fright, half on instinct. i've already pulled my knives from my belt and dropped the bark on the ground.
i take a second to make sure matthias is following. he has his sword in hand, his blue eyes wide. "go! go!" he urges, scrambling to get all of our things in the pack. "i'll be right behind you."
"promise?" i ask, not wanting to leave him in fear he'll get left behind.
"promise."
and with one glance back, i'm gone.
asher and carly have almost disappeared by the time i catch up. i follow the end of carly's blonde ponytail, my arms pumping. all my muscles are sore from the constant moving, so i'm a little slower than usual.
we stop at the beach, and i discover matthias really is right behind me. popping out of the thicket of green, we skid to a stop in the sand.
"there!" matthias points to a place across the water from us. deep in the forest, smoke and tongues of fire are rising above the trees. someone's desperate screams can be heard, but only faintly. my stomach twists.
"the gamemakers," carly says, her voice devoid of the usual demeaning tone, and now just above a whisper. "the games really have been too slow."
"too many sharks, not enough blood in the waves," asher mutters half-mindedly, watching the flames and smoke with an unreadable expression. the screams die out. a few seconds later, a cannon goes off. we all flinch.
i turn to see matthias has his eyes closed, his breathing unsteady. it takes me a second to realize why. years ago, there was a mining accident in which there were many casualties. matthias's father and older brother were among them, as well as mr. everdeen. the smoke and screams probably remind him of that day.
i find my hand has clasped onto his. he is squeezing tightly, his knuckles white.
"let's go," asher says, for once being helpful where matthias's concerns are. he turns toward us, his hazel eyes reflecting some sort of emotion i can't place. he is the first to leave, matthias and i right behind him. carly takes the back.
i let go of matthias's hand after giving one last squeeze. the day those miners died is a widely known time in twelve, and we always try to comfort those involved as best as we can. i really do help that the simple holding of my hand provided some sort of healing to him.
we cut quickly through the trees, abandoning our old camp. it wasn't very good, anyways, and i know we can find something better.
and i'm right. after about half an hour, we find an area secluded by a circle of trees and other plants around it, making us invisible unless you know exactly where the camp is. we rest there, taking sips of water and stretching. the tribute's screams are still ringing in my ears like faint echoes.
matthias sits on the ground against a tree, putting his head in his hands and staying silent. carly and i bond by finding different ways to sort our herbs and plants. asher stands guard, though he doesn't seem quite right, either.
"hey, asher," carly says after some time and when we got bored of sorting. "what's goin' on in there?"
asher doesn't respond. carly decides to annoy him further.
"hello? anyone home?"
asher snaps. he turns, a livid look on his face and a knife raised threateningly. "why don't you–" he stops short, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. he exhales and lowers his weapon. "i'm going for a walk."
"a walk?" i ask the same time carly says, "by yourself?"
asher sends a smirk her way, but his eyes are sad. "don't fret, princess. i've got these." he takes out his daggers and spins them skillfully with his fingers. he winks at carly's annoyed glare. "be right back."
he leaves, disappearing into the forest. i can't help but feel worried for him. i know he knows his way around, and that he'll be able to defend himself or even kill if it comes to it, but i doubt he'll be the lucky one should a major onslaught occur.
still, i try to distract myself by humming a tune roy had taught me. roy. how is he doing? how are my parents doing? i suddenly get a twinge of homesickness and wonder if i'll ever see them again. they must be up all night, watching the games with bated breath, waiting for something to happen to me. the thought makes my stomach twist.
we sit in complete silence for what seems like forever.
"guys," matthias says. i look up to see he is standing, face pinched in concern. "when did asher leave?"
even carly looks nervous as she thinks back. "about two hours ago."
the three of us share troubled glances.
"i haven't heard any cannons, have you?" i ask carly, who shakes her head.
"i'll go look for him." matthias grabs his sword from beside where he was sitting and stretches out. he takes a bit of cheese with him for some reason and is about to set on his way.
"by yourself?" i ask worriedly.
he copies asher's infamous smirk almost perfectly. "don't fret, princess. i got this." he swings his sword around.
"no way." i start to stand, but my knees are locked from sitting so long so i move a lot slower than intended. "i'm coming with you."
"me too," carly asserts.
"no," matthias protests firmly. "you two stay here. i'll be okay."
"promise?" i ask.
"promise." and he leaves.
but even i hear the uncertainty in his voice, and wonder if that is the last time i'll ever see matthias rutcher.
gif is carly
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MATTHALIA IS SO CUTE I CANT EVEN
AND CASHER YES YES YES ALL THE OTPS WHOOOOOOO
ok so i have a crazy weird softball schedule (i have it every day this week) so updates will be iregular but i'll try!
dedicated to phillesters bc ashalia is their brotp and she loves sean o'donnell (almost) as much as i do
flip some tables and ship matthalia
xoxo,
kristyn