F O U R -c-

[arroz caller ackee]

The sturdy girl with the olive skin trembled as she clutched her hands to her chest. She sniffled a little bit, terrified of what was to come. She had her long black hair tied back in a messy ponytail. Her nails were chewed to bits-to the horror of her stylist-and her eyes were bloodshot. She could not focus. Her eyes jerked around every few seconds. Arroz Caller Ackee was in the arena.

The gong sounded.

She heard chaos erupt all around her. Arroz hugged her body and moved forward in jerking movements as she struggled to get her feet to work. Arroz pushed a plant out of her way and saw the cornucopia gleaming in the sunlight. Tributes raced everywhere, claiming weapons. Arroz hid herself amongst the leaves and then saw something that caught her interest; a small satchel of fruit from district eleven. The kind she was never allowed to have.

Arroz collapsed to her knees and crawled out of the bush, her fingers reaching for the bag. She tried to stretch her arm as much as she could without really leaving the safety of the brush. She looked up briefly as a voice cried out in pain. The boy. The one from District Four. Arroz watched as the boy from One scratched his sword across Four's side. Arroz squeaked in horror and forgot the fruit.

She scrambled to her feet and began to run toward Four. His fine brown hair was sweat soaked, but he kept pushing for the trident that would keep him safe in the arena. Arroz shoved a fighting pair out of her way as she tried to reach Four and save him. She choked on a sob as she saw the blood on his hand. But he kept going. Arroz felt her heart swell with love for this boy and break at the same time. She turned as a girl came barreling toward her. It was Nine. She had a knife.

Arroz raised her hands to block the strike, but she was too late. She felt the sharpness in her chest and knew she was done. She collapsed onto her chest, one hand pressed to the spreading wound. The girl moved one. Arroz saw through her tears the boy from Four pause, shocked at her situation. Arroz motioned for him to come closer. He knelt, his glorious hand on his trident.

"Please..." She choked. "Please kill me." She sobbed. "No one else but y-you!" She cried desperately, trying to make him understand. Something passed between them and Four drew a small knife from his boot. It's gleam in the sun seemed to mock Arroz. She looked at his sea green eyes and smiled as he plunged the knife into her. She realized that she did not know his name, "Four..." She whispered and her smile never faded.

She soared for the sky as the cannon burst. She was free and she was saved.