User blog:Hungerisnottwilight/Rue's Death

"don't go." Rue tightens her grip on my hand. "course not. Staying right here," I say. I move in closer to her, pulling her head onto my lap. I gently brush the dark, thick hair back behind her ear. "sing," she says. Sing. My throat is tight with tears, hoarse from smoke and fatigue. But if this is Prim's, I mean, Rue's last request, I have to at least try. I give a small cough, swallow hard, and begin:'' Deep in the meadow, under the willow A bed of grass, a soft green pillow Lay your head, and close your sleepy eyes And when again they open, the sun will rise. Here it's safe, here it's warm Here the daisies gaurd you from every harm Here your dreams are sweet and tommorow brings them true Here is the place where I love you.'' Rue's eyes have fluttered shut. Her chest moves but only slightly. My throat releases the tears and the slide down my cheeks. But I have to finish the song for her. Deep in the meadow, hidden ''far away a cloak of leaves, a moonbeam ray And when again it's morning, they'll wash away. Here it's safe, here it's warm Here the daisies guard you from every harm. ''The final lines are barley audible. Here your dreams are sweet and tommorow brings them true Here is the place where I love you. Everything's still quiet. Then, almost eerily, the mockingjays take up my song. For a moment, i sit there, watching my tears drip down on her face. Rue's cannon fires. I lean forward and press my lips against her temple. Slowly, as if not to wake her, I lay her head back on the ground and release her hand.

By:Suzane Collins