Rue's Death Oneshot

Rue's Death From Her Perspective
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I stare down at the Careers through the leaves. My heart is racing, and I feel like they can hear every single breath I take.
“I kill her, my way,” says the big, tall District Two boy.
For a split second, I think they mean me. But then I remember who dropped a tracker jacker nest on them.
Katniss... I hope she's safe. My biggest fear is not getting killed in this arena, but of Katniss getting killed, leaving me alone in this awful, terrifying place. But no, I must be strong. I must be hopeful, and look towards a better future.
Suddenly, I hear an incredibly loud sound coming from the direction of the camp.
Katniss! I think of her in alarm. Is she okay. Surely she didn't set off the booby trap by stepping on it. I listen closely for a cannon shot, but there is nothing but more explosions.
The Careers run off, towards their camp.
I hold my breath until all the explosions are gone. Silently, terrified, I pull out the sleeping bag, find a well concealed bush, and snuggle in. I count the leaves on the bush until night falls, leaving me feeling completely numb. Am I alone in this arena now? Suddenly, the anthem plays, and I look up to the sky. Some faces appear, but I ignore them, waiting for Katniss's face.
But it never shows up. I sigh in relief, then realize how tired I am. Something has kept Katniss, some reason she can't get away. Maybe she's hurt, or disabled. But she's alive.
And suddenly, my eyes close and I fall asleep.

* * *

The next morning, the Careers are back, they're so close, I hear them breathing. I pull back into the bush, terrified.
“She's gotta be close,” growls the District 2 female.
I wince, wondering if she is near. Maybe she's worried about me.
The Careers hunt close by for a long time, leaving me terrified in the sleeping bag for hours.
Finally, they leave.
I softly sing the notes that mean I'm okay, then cautiously pack up my things and begin moving.
The Careers are gone, as far as I can see. It's late afternoon, so I must have slept a long time.
I walk on ground, so I can get to Katniss quicker.
The mockingjays here aren't singing my notes, so I quietly repeat them, then walk on.
I've just turned my head to the side to look for a sign of my ally when I feel the net drop on me.
I scream as the net drags me to the ground.
And there, in front of me, is the District One male is in front of me.
Suddenly, I realize I don't want to die. I have six younger siblings who shouldn't have to watch this. Who I need to get home to. Who I have to see one more time.
I don't want to die.
“Katniss! Katniss!” I scream, hoping she's near.
The boy is grinning, watching me squirm in the net. I feel so trapped, and I am. I desperately try to get out.
“Rue!” I hear her voice, but she's just too far away. Too far away...
Suddenly, the boy realizes he has limited time. He's about to lunge when Katniss bursts through the trees. My one last hope...
“Katniss,” I reach my hand through the net, trying to grab onto her, so she can protect me from the death that is coming.
Then I feel the spear pierce through my stomach.
It hurts. Like nothing I've ever felt before. But I don't cry. I must not cry, for my little siblings. I must be strong.
When Katniss kills the boy, it offers me no comfort.
I wince and curl around the spear on the ground, trying to get rid of it, trying to get the pain out, to ward off the death that is coming.
Katniss cuts the net, and I am free. But it doesn't matter. It's too late. I will never be free again.
The looks at my wound, and the desperateness in her eyes is too much.
I hold out my hand, and she grasps it, trying to keep me in life, even though I am slowly slipping away.
A cannon fires, and Katniss looks up.
“Don't go,” I say.
She tightens her grip.
“Course not,” she says.
“You blew up their food?” I whisper.
“Every last bit,” she says.
This comforts me, but not in a revenge way. It will help Katniss survive longer, it will help her win. And I want that. I want that more than anything else now. I guess I've always wanted that.
“You have to win,” I say.
“I will,” she promises. “I'll win for both of us now.”
I think of my family that I'll never see again, of the orchards I'll never climb through again, of the sweet song of the mockingjays.
“Sing,” I whisper. I want that more than anything now.
She sings a lullaby my mom used to sing to me a long time ago, and my heart aches for her. For my warm, safe bed where I'd lie and stare up at the boarded ceiling until her melody allowed me to pass into sleep. I'll never be able to hear her clear, sweet, loving voice again.
And never is such a long time.
There are so many things I'll miss. Is it possible to loose so much love? Because right now, I feel like every ounce of any love I felt for anyone is being wretched away.
My eyes flutter shut, and my breathing slows. I feel like I'm back in my bed, safe and warm, always protected.
And my pain vanishes. The Capitol vanishes. The Games vanish. Everything is cool and sweet here.
My very last thought is not that I want to live longer, or that I'll miss anyone.
No, my last thought is that that boy did not kill me. He saved me.
Rue's cannon fires.

Everyone thinks that Rue spent her death in the meadow in the song. I know for a fact that that is untrue. Rue spent her death singing, leaping in a tree, surrounded by mockingjays.
And that dream Katniss had was Rue's message to her. It was very simple.
I am happier here.