𝗜𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝗱-𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗮 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻

six

It had happened quickly then he had anticipated, he was being dragged like a rag dog. He couldn't focus on anything except the fear he felt, he was being dragged to his death and he couldn't escape.

His ears ringed like crazy as he tried to grasp where he was. He let out a heavy breath as he felt his body stop, he felt the softness of sand beneath his back. He could taste the blood that coated his throat, it made him cringe as he let his fingers grip it desperately.

"I got 'em out, we were all the way deep into the jungle where I thought it was gonna be safe. I tried to find Raven, but he must've ran the opposite direction, it happened so quickly, it was raining and I thought it was water, it turned out to be blood".

Raven shook his head slightly as he felt panic slip back into his consciousness. What if this was all fake, these could easily be the beasts, they were tricking him and they clearly wanted to make him suffer.

"Hot, thick blood. It was coming down so fast we couldn't see where we were going. It was choking us and I must've tripped because I found Raven. He was freaking out just as much as us. I was lucky enough to even get him out of there alive, he almost hit the force field. It's best you just keep your distance from him... he gets paranoid around blood".

Raven let out a heavy breath as he watched Katniss look at him. He saw the way her hand twitched, almost as if she was ready to shoot him. Was she the one who was secretly the beast? Could every single person beside him want him dead? His hand twitched as he let his fingers wrap around the knife hidden beneath the thick sand. He needed to just let his mind rest for once, or he'd lose it all over again.

He threw the knife without hesitation and it flew into Katniss's side making her cry out. He stood up so fast his body burned as he looked around in panic.

He let out heavy pants as he moved back slowly "this isn't real, stay away from me! You can't trick me! I know you're not them, just stay away from me!".

He screamed when Finnick gripped his arms and tugged him back "no no! get off of me!". Finnick groaned when Raven head butted him harshly.

Raven didn't flinch when Katniss raised her bow at him, the arrow was so close to his flesh. He felt his body shut down into rage, his hands clenched into fists as his eyes turned dark.

He was in that arena, he was doing whatever it took to go home. He didn't see Katniss in front of him anymore or the entire plan of keeping her alive.

All he saw was pure darkness and fear, his body shock  as he tried to stop his mind from playing tricks on him. "It's not real, none of this is real... it's just a trick, it has to be a trick...".

He pinched his eyes shut as he pressed his fingers against his head. Johanna looked at Katniss "it's okay, I can take care of him... just lower it or else I'll have no choice but to kill you myself".

Katniss was hesitant but she saw that look in Johanna's eyes, she was desperate. No words were exchanged but Katniss knew that look so well, Johanna was begging her for this. It was clear she loved Raven, he was just trying his best.

The games had ruined him and yet she had somehow helped him not go completely mad. Katniss lowered her bow "maybe keep him away from sharp objects".

She held onto her side as Peeta tossed the knife towards the sand. "Come on, I'll see if I clean that" Katniss nodded weakly at Peeta as he led her towards the water with a quick pace.

Raven tensed up when he felt someone touch his face "hey, it's okay Raven. I promise we're all real and this isn't inside of your mind". He opened his eyes slowly as he let out a deep breath "I can't trust anyone.... You don't know what I saw in that jungle".