Written for the June challenge "Catch" in the Hunger Games forum Starvation. Check it out! And…enjoy the story! (:

Explosions fill the air, putting a smile to my lips. She had done it. Katniss blew up the career's supplies. The dark thought of her dying in the explosion dances briefly through my mind before I dismiss it quickly.

No. Katniss would never blow herself up! She's too smart for that. I assure myself quickly, she will be back for me soon.

My eyes wander to my right. I still haven't been able to light the last signal fire to reach Katniss. She will realize something is wrong and be back for me soon, I know it. I can trust her.

I wriggle around slowly within the ropes that bond me to the tree I hang from. Hopelessness settles in my bones as my efforts become useless. No matter how much I move around, I can't seem to escape. I've been caught and I have no way out. If Katniss doesn't find me soon…someone else could.

A small choking sound unwillingly comes from my throat as I hold back threatening tears. I'm not ready to die yet…I need to get back home to my mom and dad, to all my siblings who love me. I can't die yet.

Exhaustion floods over my sore, tired body. My eyes begin to get heavy before they close and I am enveloped in a world of sleep.

My eyes snap open with a shrill cry of a near-by mockingjay. The bird is shrill in warning. My heart beats faster in fear as I scan the surrounding forest. The world is still and silent. I breathe in a sigh of relief.

I turn my eyes slowly to the side before they lock with another tributes. Without thinking I let out a blood-curdling scream of fear. The sight of the boy caught me off guard. From the way he jumped it seems like I scared him just as much.

He stares at me in stunned silence, not saying a word, clutching a shiny spear in his right hand. The sight of the weapon makes me sick to my stomach.

Katniss? Where is Katniss? Why isn't she here yet?

The boy, a career I recognize, takes a few steps forwards.

"Katniss!" I scream, voicing my thoughts, "Katniss!"

"Shh!" the boy pleads, "I…I'm not going…"

"Rue!" a scream interrupts in the distance.

Katniss.

"Rue I'm coming!"

The boy tenses up instantly as he starts to back away slowly. Before he gets anywhere Katniss bursts in to the scene.

The boy turns with a jolt, eyes bursting with fear. Before I can register what is going on, his spear leaves his hand and finds my gut.

As the metal enters my flesh, I am filled with a sudden rush of pain. I let out a quick scream before clasping my side only to find it wet with crimson blood.

"Are there more? Are there more?" Katniss screams, running to join me.

I shake my head in silence. Talking is too painful.

Katniss runs her fingers through my hair. With my last breathe, I ask her my one last request: sing to me.

Sing she does. Her voice reminds me of my mother's back home. The way she would sing to me before I would go to sleep when I was younger. The way I would also sing to my younger brothers and sisters when they couldn't sleep.

She continues to sing until I am asleep for good.

Reviews?