❤️💜22kkkkkkkk💜❤️

It was two in the morning.

Nightmare shouldered his rucksack and frowned, glancing back at Cross' sleeping form huddled up weakly in the corner of the cave. The smol had fallen asleep a while ago with his head in Nightmare's lap, but the taller had moved their positions as soon as he was sure he was sleeping.

Yes, he'd promised to Cross that he wouldn't go risk his life for their 'desperately needed thing'. And yes he had told the smaller that he'd stay with him in case the fever took a turn for the worse and he died. And yes, he was casting all that aside, determined to get this medicine for Cross.

Sighing, he crouched down next to the smaller and rubbed his burning forehead, muttering a soft apology. "Sorry Cross, but I'll be back before you even wake up..."

If he ever wakes up...

He pressed a quick kiss against the oreo's skull before standing up once more and walking to the cave entrance with his crossbow loaded on one arm, and his fingers curled round the hilt of a sword with the other.

Climbing out quickly he made sure that the vines and moss covered up the entrance from sight before he started trekking out towards the centre of the arena. He was fairly sure that it would take a maximum of three hours to get to the centre if he took it slowly, and he could definitely make it in two if he kept up a good pace. That would be necessary if he wanted to leave Cross unaided for as little time as possible.

But then again he didn't know what the gamekeepers classed as 'morning'. It could range from three am in the morning to nine am for all he knew. So he could either be late and have all of them snatched, or be waiting hours for the supplies to actually appear. He could only hope that he'd left round about the right time.

He constantly pushed branches and leaves out of the way, growling every time they'd snap back and slap him in the face. It was if they were warning him. Stay back.

Hopping over a pathetic excuse for a stream, Nightmare huffed and stared at the scenery around him mental images of Cross waking up all alone and dying plaguing his mind.

God, this better be worth it.

——————

It took two and a half hours to get there, having reached the unplanned problem of the remains of a savage forest fire he'd had to pick his way through with uttermost caution, a burn related injury really being the last thing he wanted today. There were only a few patches of flames still alive, but the majority had been burnt to coal, ashes and dust.

Once he made it to the centre, he crouched down in the bushes, surveying the scene. The cornucopia was lying in wait for all of them, blown up clumps of dirt and wood scattered all across the floor as a reminder of Cross and Blue's incredible plan to equal the odds. Of course it succeeded, but with Blue's life put down as forfeit.

Stood at the mouth, six podiums were stood. On top of each lay a brown rucksack, a white number imprinted on each of them. A one, a two, a five, a ten, an eleven and a twelve.

Staying motionless, he stared intently at the six bags, his eyes fixated on the one for District Twelve. That would hold Cross' medicine. He just knew it.

A blur shot out from the right side of the arena and Nightmare perked to attention, staring as the unmistakable figure of Killer sprinted towards the podium. To Nightmare's surprise he snatched the bag resting on top of the District One podium. He was taking Dream's loot as well?

The skeleton sprinted over to the District Five podium only to yelp and fall to the floor as a scythe was swung at his head and Reaper emerged suddenly from behind the cornucopia. He rolled to the side as the hooked blade slammed into the floor by his head, kicking his boot into his attacker's shin.

Reaper hissed and went to slice the smaller's head off, only to roar in pain as an arrow sailed through the air and sunk deeply into his shoulder. His grip on the scythe loosened and he missed Killer once more, giving the boy the chance to stumble back to his feet as Dream emerged from the woods and yelled at him.

Nightmare blinked in confusion, not understanding why Dream wasn't shooting Killer right there on the spot. He did have his bag after all.

His thought process was broken as suddenly a figure appeared on the opposite side of the arena, sprinting past the enraged Reaper and snagging the bag on the District Ten podium. It was Finn. He'd practically forgotten the boy existed, having not heard anything from him or stumbling into him at any point. He must have stayed in the shadows for God knows how long, waiting out everyone else's deaths.

But then he got cut off just as he tried to disappear back into the forest, a sword swinging towards his side. The blade snapped the spear Finn' was holding cleanly in two before skimming his hips.

The boy rolled to the floor and lashed out, finding himself face to face with Dust. Yet another Tribute Nightmare had forgotten the existence of. The two circled each other warily, not minding any attention to the other Tributes.

He forced himself to look away, blinking rapidly. If he didn't move his ass now, someone would snatch the District Twelve bag. It was now or never. Nightmare grunted and pushed himself to his feet before sprinting, his eye fixated on his bag.

He'd only made it about seven steps when a knife came hurtling in his direction. The octopus slid down onto his knees, the blade of the knife only just skimming his forehead. Before he could even attempt to get back to his feet, a weight barrelled into his chest and a knife was coming straight for his face.

His hands flashed up to grab onto his attacker's wrists, stopping the knife inches away from his face. Above him the person hissed, forcing the knife closer and closer.

It was Geno. The skeleton wasn't really looking his best, blood streaked all over his white clothes and his one visible pupil crazed and dilated. A thick red slash ran diagonally down his chest, blood seeping from it like a waterfall. He didn't have time to question where it came from because the knife was then pushed right down to brush over his neck.

"Come here to help little Cross, have you?" Geno spat, a wide grin forming on his face. "Is he injured and poorly?"

Nightmare growled, trying to free his tentacles which were stuck under his back. "Why the fuck does it matter to you?"

He giggled and forced the knife down until Nightmare could physically feel the blade, panting. "Is he still dealing with the death of his friend? What was his name, Blue? We killed him, didn't we?"

The teen was about to spit back a response when suddenly the smaller was torn off of him roughly and slammed into the metal walls of the cornucopia.

"You killed Blue?!"

Nightmare looked up in surprise to see Dust stood over Geno, both his hands gripping onto the front of his hoodie.

Geno shrieked in surprise, his expression turning from one of sick enjoyment to absolute fear in less than a second. "I--"

"You killed him?!" Dust yelled, slamming his skull back into the wall with a crack. "You killed that little boy?!"

"N-No I-- REAPER!" Geno screamed, struggling and kicking. "HELP!"

The taller growled and slammed the teen's skull back into the metal harshly, Geno's terrified screams for his partner cutting of with a snap.

Nightmare watched in shock as Dust let go of his limp body, which crumpled to the floor instantly. His neck was twisted, severely out of shape and his eye went dull.

A cannon shot sounded.

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Been looking forwards to this chapter, ngl

Wanted to kill Geno of for a while now ahaha sorry Afterdeath shippers. But they lived longer than you expected don't lie to me.

I mean, Reaper is still alive of course, but who knows what will happen next chapter???

Possibly m e ?

I d u n n o

-Jess-