I do NOT own the Hunger Games!
Chapter 1
"Cato, come on!" Valeriana laughed, her black hair flowing freely down her shoulders. "I promise, I won't let you fall!" She teased.
Cato's blue eyes widened as the wind picked up. "Leia, we shouldn't be up here," He looked around quickly, lowering his voice. "We shouldn't even be out of bed!" The wind was whipping Valeriana's long, black hair off her lithe shoulders, and across her tanned face. 'She's so beautiful." Cato thought. He watched as Valeriana laughed, running to the side of the roof, her silhouette outlined by the light of the full moon. 'But so much trouble." Cato shook his head, taking a deep breath, and then bounding quickly across the roof to his best friend. "Leia, we need to go. We have to get up early tomorrow morning."
Valeriana sighed. "We have to get up early every morning, Cato. Learn to live a little." She paused. "While we still can." She turned to him, her brown eyes almost looked black.
"Leia, let's not get into this again," Cato started.
"It's so beautiful, isn't it," Valeriana interrupted. "The darkness. The night. It's mysterious and dangerous, but at the same time, compelling. It pulls you in."
Cato sighed. She was always changing the subject when she knew you were about to argue with her. A light suddenly swooped over the two kids' heads. They ducked quickly. "Leia, come on. We need to go."
Sighing reluctantly, Valeriana turned away from the moon, crouched down and began crawling toward the glowing exit sign on the roof.
Cato followed after her silently, watching as she turned and laughed at the terrified look on his face. It was so clear. Carefree. That was the last time he heard it.
Cato woke up with a start and turned to look at his alarm clock. 3:54 a.m. He sighed. There was no use in trying to go back to sleep. It was reaping day. His father would be up any minute now, coming to wake him up. Shutting his eyes for a minute, Cato tried to remember every detail of his dream. Dreams and memories. That was all he had left of her now.
"Cato, it's time to get up! It's your big day!" Cato's father entered his room, his broad shoulders and tall frame completely blocking the doorway. With his build and hair, Cato and his father could easily be mistaken for brothers, save for the gray tingeing the roots of Rufus' blonde hair, and his grey eyes. Cato got his eyes from his mother, along with her smile. Cato often heard his father tell his mother that if there was ever a power outage-which there never had been in District 2-her smile could light up the whole town.
"I'm up, Dad. Is Mom awake yet?" He asked, stretching out of bed, his blankets falling to the floor.
"She's downstairs, making breakfast. Pancakes, your favorite. Nothing less for our boy on his big day," Rufus winked. "Your victory feast will be even bigger when you return home, as a victor. Now hurry up! Don't want to be late to the reaping!"
Cato quickly splashed water on his face and ran his fingers through his hair. He didn't bother shaving, knowing that he'd be taken care of at the Capitol. Throwing on a simple, black button down shirt, khakis and his best, black dress shoes, Cato made his way downstairs. He took his time, knowing that it would be the last time he walked through this house. Pausing by his parents' bedroom, he saw that they had boxes piled up on the floor. They had packed to move into the victor's village. Everyone in District 2 was expecting him to win. They had been since he was 8 and began attending the Academy. Cato knew he would do what he had to in order to return a victor to his District. He was more afraid of disappointing his parents than he was of dying.
"It smells so good in here Mom. You make the best pancakes in all of Panem." He exclaimed as he made his way into the kitchen. Cato gave his Mom a quick kiss on the cheek, stealing a bit of pancake batter from the bowl beside the stove.
"Hey, no pancake batter for you today, Mr. Victors don't eat raw eggs." She teased, poking him with the end of the spatula.
Cato laughed as he sat down at the table, where Rufus was intently watching the television, that was replaying clips from the years that District 2 had won the Games.
"Juliana, this was the year your cousin was in the Games, wasn't it? What was her name?"
Cato's mother sighed, turning to glance at the television. "Caelia. Yes, she was so sweet. She didn't deserve an ending like that."
Cato watched as the young brunette was viciously mutilated on the screen.
Juliana grabbed the remote from the counter, causing the screen to fade to black. "No television right now. Let's just all enjoy one last breakfast in this house, all together, shall we?"
Rufus put his large hand over his wife's delicate fingers. "Cato," He said, turning to his only son. "You must know, your mother and I are so proud of you. You've worked extremely hard from a very young age, and have never let us down. Just know, that whatever happens in the arena, we'll love you no matter what."
Cato felt his blue eyes begin to water. "Thanks Dad, I love you two." He said as he got up and wrapped his arms around his parents.
His mother sniffed. "Oh, you're so strong I can hardly breathe, Cato." She said, wiping her eyes with a napkin. "You've become such a handsome young man, my darling." Julian cried, as she patted her son's face.
A loud buzz suddenly startled the Adalbern family. "Would all District 2 citizens, ages 12-18 please report to the town square immediately. All citizens ages 12-18. Thank you."
All the Adalberns quickly wiped their eyes and looked at one another.
"Go ahead, son. We'll see you after the reaping." Rufus pat Cato's broad shoulders.
Cato nodded, and with one last look at his parents, walked out the front door of his house.
Cato stood still as a small, pink haired man made his way across the stage, tottering on 5 inch high heels. Honorius Allardyce had been the District 2 escort for years now. He was so cheerful and upbeat, that it was hard to dislike him, like most Capitol people.
"What a turnout!" Honorius cried, well aware the attendance to the reaping was mandatory. "Look at all these smiling, young faces! I, am Honorius Allardyce and I am honored to be here today to choose District 2's 74th Hunger Games tributes!" He smiled, nearly blinding the crowd with his artificially whitened teeth. "Now, I have a very special video to show you today, straight from the Capitol! So, feel free to relax, and enjoy the show!" He giggled at his own joke.
Cato sighed, his eyes glazing over as he watched the video he had seen over a million times. The video soon ended, however, and the crowd clapped politely. Cato shook himself back awake, sharing an eye roll with Clove Lascius, the girl who was supposed to volunteer with him this year.
"Oh, it's so powerful, isn't it?" Honorius grinned. "Okay, enough pleasantries. I know what you are all here for! Now. We have a very special circumstance this year!" Honorius clapped excitedly.
Cato exchanged a confused glance with both Clove, and his parents, who he had located during the video. They all shrugged, just as confused as him.
"The female tribute for District 2 this year has already been chosen, and is currently waiting at the Capitol."
A murmur went through the crowd, and Cato watched as Clove furiously stomped up to stage, ignoring the Peacekeepers, trying to hold her back.
"I volunteer!" She yelled, glaring defiantly up at the Capitol man, who suddenly looked quite frightened.
"I-I'm sorry dear," He stuttered. "Volunteering will not be allowed for the District 2 female tribute this year." Honorius took a step back, as Clove's defiant expression changed to a look of outrage.
Peacekeepers stepped up to the stage, taking a hold of both of Clove's arms. She kicked, trying to break free. "I was supposed to win this year! I was supposed to be victor! This is against the rules!" Clove screamed in a menacing voice.
Cato chuckled as Clove childishly had a fit. Of course he was disappointed that Clove wouldn't be going into the Games with him, but he couldn't help but wonder who the female tribute was. 'She must be pretty important to have already been chosen.' He thought to himself.
"Okay," Honorius chuckled nervously. The crowd was silent. "We'll move onto the male tribute!" He trotted over the large glass bowl, fishing around in it for a moment before pulling out a small piece of paper. Squinting, he called out the name scribed upon it. "Domitus Pyrmont!"
A cry pierced the air. "No! Please, no! I can't! I don't wanna go!"
Cato turned to see a small, boy on crutches sobbing. Stepping forward confidently, he spoke up clearly. "I volunteer as tribute." He stated. Glaring at everyone to dare oppose him.
"Alrighty then! Make your way to the stage then!" Honorius clapped, and grinned as the crowd began to clap as well, sensing that they meant it this time. "Ladies and gentlemen, your male tribute," He turned to Cato.
"Cato Adalbern." He stated.
"Cato Adalbern!" Honoruis cried, holding Cato's arm above his head, which was rather difficult, considering the man's head only came up to the middle of Cato's chest, even with his heels on.
Cato stood, stoic as he looked out over his District. 'I promise,' he thought. 'I promise, I will return to you as a victor.' He met his father's eyes, and then his mother's teary ones. 'I promise. I will make you proud.'
Cato sat on the train by the window, watching the Panem go past him in a blur. The goodbye with his parents had been short, and sweet. Rufus and Juliana Adalbern didn't waste time on it, truly believing it would only be temporary.
"Cato, Cato, Cato."
Cato looked, up, seeing his uncle grinning down at him. "Uncle Brutus." He greeted the old man, shaking his hand firmly.
"Looks like your finally on your way to make your family proud." Brutus grinned, sitting down at the table, across from his nephew.
Cato shook his head, smiling. "I've already made them proud. Now I just need to earn it."
Brutus took a sip of water. "That's the spirit."
"Uncle Brutus," He paused, not sure if he was allowed to ask. "Do you know who the female tribute is?"
His Uncle looked out the window. "No idea. I was just as surprised as you at the reaping this morning."
Cato could tell he was lying, but knowing Brutus, he wasn't going to push it. "Okay, he said nonchalantly. Where's Enobaria?"
"Barry? She's probably at the Capitol with the female tribute already. We have the train to ourselves." Brutus smiled, standing up and stretching. "I'd get some rest Cato, your going to need it."
"Leia, what's wrong? Why won't you talk to me?" Cato pleaded, grabbing the small girl's arm.
She pulled away quickly. "Cato, please. Just leave me alone."
Cato grabbed Valeriana and pulled her to his chest. "Not until you tell me what's going on with you. You haven't talked to me for weeks and you've been skipping out on training." He softened his voice. "I'm worried about you."
Valeriana sighed and pushed herself out of Cato's embrace. "Cato, I'm sorry. I want to tell you, but I can't. Please just-just don't try to talk to me again." She ran off in the direction of the girls' dorms.
Cato stared after her with worry and confusion in his blue eyes.
"We regret to inform all of you that your classmate, Valeriana Boudicca, committed suicide last night." The headmaster stood in front of his students at the Academy. A shockwave rippled through the crowd.
Cato stared blankly at the Headmaster, slowly registering what had just been spoken. 'No. No. No. She can't be dead. Why? Why didn't she come to me? Why would she do this? Why would she do this to me?" His face remained a mask. Emotionless. Unfeeling.
The Headmaster continued. "Her body was found this morning by our night guards at the foot of the training building. While an unfortunate event, this serves as a reminder that only the strong minded and strong willed can make it in the Hunger Games. We are here to prepare you. You are here to make your District proud."
Cato woke in a sweat. Glancing around, he realized that he wasn't in his bedroom back in District 2. With a look out the window, he realized that he wasn't even in a District anymore. The Capitol. It looked strong. Tall. Intimidating and powerful. Everything that the government stood for. Cato stood up shakily, trying to erase the dream-no-memory, from his mind. Walking in to the breakfast compartment after he had changed into the clothes that had been laid out for him, he saw that Brutus was already awake, eating the pancakes piled on the table.
"Hey kiddo," Brutus said. "How did you sleep?"
Cato shook his head. "Okay, I guess." He nodded his head at the table. "Those pancakes?" He asked.
"Of course. I had them made, especially for you." Brutus smiled.
Cato scratched the back of his neck. "Thanks, Uncle Brutus." He said, honestly. However, he didn't really have an appetite. Not after that dream. Cato sat down, and pulled some pancakes onto his plate, cutting it up and then moving them around a little.
Brutus eyed him. "You okay? The Cato I know would've usually devoured that entire stack by now."
Cato sighed. "I just had a bad dream. Not really in the mood to eat."
"Valeriana?" Brutus asked.
"Yeah." Cato said shortly. Brutus was the only person he told about his dreams from the Academy. What he hadn't told him was that they'd been occuring more frequently.
The train came to a smooth stop. Cato could here the screams from outside. Brutus stood up and put his hand on Cato's shoulder. "They're waiting for you. Let's put on a show."
Cato squinted as he walked into the bright light that always seemed to be associated with the Capitol. He waved and flashed charming smiles this way and that as he made his way into the car that would take him the to Re-Make and Training Centers. Cursing as his head hit the top of the car when he climbed in, he gave his Uncle the finger when Brutus laughed hysterically.
Cato didn't have to spend much time in the Re-Make Center. In fact, he held the suspicion that the only reason he had been lying on the metal table for so long was so his stylists could drool over his body.
Sauntering into District 2's loft, the first thing he noticed was Brutus and Enobaria in a heated discussion by the window. That was when a girl walked out of one of the bedrooms. She was slightly taller and her hair had grown to her waist and had slight caramel highlights, but he knew on first glance. It was her. But how?
"Cato." She stated softly, not moving from her spot in the center of the living room. The loft was dead silent. Brutus and Enobaria had looked up and halted their argument the moment the girl entered the room.
"Valeriana." Cato paused. "You're dead."
Valeriana shook her head, taking a step towards the blond. "No, I'm not. I'm right here."
Cato shook his head, taking a step away from the girl. "Yes. You are. You're dead to me. You've never been here. You shouldn't be here." With that, Cato turned and fled the loft, slamming one of the dining chairs into the wall on his way out.
