may it be {Aitu vs Pitfall Lizard + Jack Rattler Day 4}

My eyes narrow, and I don't know what to do. I need Rolf to return. I need his help. But I'm still fighting. I'm doing all I can. The arrow hits it's leg, and it shrieks in pain. The corners of my lips twist into a grin. I still got this. I can do it. I know I can. My hands shake rapidly as I try to notch another arrow, but I don't know if it'll work. The world is fading as my heart tries to pump blood through my body. It's hurting. Over and over, yet I can't give up. Would apologizing to Zaya save me? Probably not because the deed is done. I doubt she'll ever forgive me.

Somehow I manage to block its attack. I don't know how I did it. Maybe it's because I'm a career. Maybe it's because I've trained for my entire life for this moment. Dying by a mutt. What a way to die. I wouldn't put it past Zaya to do this to me. I've hurt her, and what better way to get back at me. Messing with a gamemaker was a wrong decision, yet I made a promise, and I wanted to keep it, but I didn't. I should've killed Maye. I should've ended her life. I should've told Rolf to attack her. I can't undo the past. So all I can do now is live.

I notch another arrow doing my best to put it on the string. My life is fading quickly. I really am sorry Zaya. Tears flow into the corner of my eyes, and I blink them away. I will not cry. I will stand my ground, and do whatever I can. I take a deep breath trying to steady my shaking arms and hands, and I aim at the mutt. If she wanted to kill me, I wish she would just get it over with. I close my eyes trying to relax. Steady now. I open my eyes and fire the arrow hoping Rolf shows soon.

The poison is working its magic quickly. I'm feeling dizzy and light headed. Starting to feel my feet go numb. I'm barely able to stand. I'm not happy about my shots at the mutt. I'm doing the bare minimum to keep myself in this fight. There's enough left in me to put up a fight. I start to laugh at my situation. All these years devoting my very life to the games only to die to poison. What a way to go out. Not many in past games have died to poison. I foolishly thought there might have been a way to get more antidote for myself. Never should have used what I had left on Rolf.

I notch another arrow. The poison is too deep in my system for anything or anyone to save me now. It courses through my veins devouring everything in its path. I wish for him to return, I need him now. He said he'd come back. He promised. Even if Rolf comes back with something to help me, I am too far gone. I attempt to call out to Rolf for help, but I can't make any sounds. "Rolf. Please." I beg, but the words are muffled. Too much blood rushes down my throat. What can I do? I can fight. Try to stay alive. But I'm so tired, and I'm ready to lay down and rest. I just don't want to die forever.

The cat lowers itself closer to the ground, and I wonder if it's about to pounce and deliver the final blow. I take a deep breath as it comes lunging forward. I'm backing away as fast as I can with numb feet. I'm not sure if it's from blood loss or the poison surging through me. It barely slices into my stomach. A steady stream of blood drips silently onto the rocks beneath me as I aim the bow and arrow. My eyes are heavy, and I'm truly in a now or never moment. Hopefully Rolf shows up soon with an antidote, and enough strength to do what I am struggling to do. Together we're strong, but right now I am weak.

A miss. My attacks are getting worse. My eyes are shutting, and I will them to stay open, but I don't know how anymore. My actions aren't my own. My hands are weak and numb, and the bow slips from my grip crashing against the ground. I feel like I'm spinning around in many circles over and over trying to make myself dizzy. I stagger around with my arms extended trying to keep my balance, but the cat is still doing better than me. "I'm sorry." I mutter almost inaudibly. I don't know if she can hear me. I don't know if this mutt has a microphone or not. I doubt anyone will know who the words are directed to. It could be my brothers and sisters at home. It could be myself. Rolf. Maye. But it's not them. It's for Zaya. Sorry won't cut it now.

My legs give, and I topple over landing with a thud next to the bow. Rolf has abandon me. He's not here to save me. He's letting me die. No. I'm letting me die. I used my antidote on him. I made sure he stayed alive sacrificing myself. But he said he'd return with something to help, and I'm hoping it's soon. I try to lift the bow from the ground, but my fingers won't wrap around it. My eyes are drooping, and I can feel myself crashing further into the depths of death. I'm sorry. A minor cut to my left calf. Normally wouldn't be such a big deal, but I'm growing too weak to properly fight.

Crawling on my hands and knees, I do what I can slowly making my way towards the cat. I'm like it now. This is what I get for breaking my promises. I just wish she knew I regretted it. That it wasn't my fault. My vision is blurring, starting to fail me, but when I think I'm next to the cat, I swing my fists. I know it's not enough. I know it won't be enough, but I have to keep fighting. I have to keep myself alive.