Revival
Chapter 1: In Pursuit
Bianca sat on top of an icy gray table, motionless and quiet. The cup of tea she had between her palms had gone cold, and her hair was a mess over her face. She appeared as she always did. Sullen and empty. Her flare had left long ago. As she stared out the window into the darkness of the night, she sighed heavily. It'd been six months. Six months of this. Six months of sneaking in and sitting on that same table every Saturday and Sunday night and staring out the window. Six months of waiting. Hurting. Draining. She was more tired than anyone could ever imagine. Cato was standing at the far end of the room with the broken portal resting on a wider table. Tools were sprawled out over the chairs and floor. For six months Bianca listened to him grunt and wheeze, while metal beneath him twisted or fell apart. When he dismantled the portal all those months ago, it destroyed itself. Thousands of small knobs, nuts and bolts remained to be tucked back into place and mended. Thousands. Nobody on Earth could understand the mechanics of Panem. And Cato wasn't from District 3. He was working like a madman and he wasn't even sure why he bothered. Cato wiped a bead of sweat from his rippling forehead and stared at it again. For a moment, he expected something to happen. Anything. But nothing did. Silence filled the room again as Bianca tilted her head to look at the time on her phone. It was almost midnight. She turned back to Cato who caught her glance and knew just what she was about to say. He shook his head, not wanting to hear it.
"Almost had it." He grumbled.
"Come on. Give it a rest." Bianca said when she slid off the table and placed her cold tea on the edge. Cato ran his fingers through his hair before tugging it in frustration. "Cato." Bianca began, not having a very good vibe about what was to come. Cato slammed his hand on the table, tools and all.
"I thought I had it!" He shouted suddenly, making Bianca jump.
"Well, maybe you just – "
"No! No more of that 'maybe' stuff, Bianca!" He bellowed past her. Cato kicked the table, grunting as he did so. "It's been six months and I'm tired!"
"We're both tired!" Bianca shot back. "Do you think I enjoy this? Do you think this is fun for me?" She asked, stepping closer to him. Cato swallowed hard, shaking his head. "Yeah! It's not! Now are you going to calm down so that we can go home?" She grumbled, so close to slapping him senseless. Cato's jaw tightened but nothing came out. Instead, he turned away and nods, setting his working tools down cautiously. "Good." Bianca sighed, relieved that the short-lived yelling was over. The two of them swerved into the bathroom nearby. Bianca leaned against the wall and watched as Cato turns on the tap. He quickly put his hands in the sink, letting the cold-water splash over his open sores and cuts. He winced and cursed under his breath. "Slowly." Bianca reminded him.
"I know." He snapped back. Bianca sighed and retrieved the first aid kit placed specifically by the sink for Cato's use. The first aid kit was stolen from the nurse's office at school. Though Bianca was never too keen on sneaking into school every Saturday and Sunday night to fix the portal, it did have its advantages.
"We can't get mad at each other anymore, Cato. You know that. We've gone through two months without a single argument. It doesn't feel right when we're angry at each other. Okay?" Bianca said soothingly.
"I know." Cato repeated in a softer voice. There was a knot in his throat that he was trying to get rid of. Bianca sighed again, watching him run the water over his wounds.
"We did a lot to get to where we are and we're not falling apart now. Not when we're so close. I can feel it." She said, trying to sound as hopeful as she could. Cato clogged the sink and rested his hands in the water, biting his lower lip. He grinned to himself as memories began to flood his mind.
"Remember how we explored the entire school within the first two months when we started sneaking in to fix the portal?" He murmured softly. Bianca grinned as well.
"Well, we had to. It was the only way we could get used to each other." She admitted. Cato chuckled slightly, nodding.
"Yeah, true." They both knew that the hugs they shared on the day the portal broke were of sympathy and loneliness, not of friendship. But ever since that day Bianca became distant. She rarely spoke to anyone now unless it was Cato. Nobody could understand the nightmares that kept them up every night. The images that were horrific enough to shock them awake in their beds screaming in terror. The hysteria from the games that followed them wherever they went. The slaughter, torture and suffering. Bianca covered Cato's hands in a towel, dabbing his wounds dry. This was a routine they mastered. After the fourth month they realized that all they had is each other, nothing more and nothing less. Bianca cleaned and wrapped up his wounds and then they were out. Lights off, doors shut, out into the cold. Six months of nothing but failure and hopelessness. As they left they went across the school's lawn. It wasn't their regular route home but it was that night. Bianca hated passing that place. More than any other place in the world. She was never entirely sure why she hated it so much until her eyes fell upon the grass every time. There was a memorial for them there. For all of them. Even JT's had been moved over. Bianca couldn't help herself, and stopped in front of it. She sighed heavily as her eyes began to sting again. Cato came up behind her and tried to remain emotionless, scanning over the memorial and the headstones before them.
Maya Matlin. 1997-2012. A daughter, sister, friend, musician and evident healer. The sunshine and sense of Degrassi halls. Taken too young. We are forever aimless without your passion. R.I.P.
Owen Milligan. 1994-2012. The two-sided savior, leaving us with nothing but fresh, fond memories. The one who was kindest to the core. Much loved. R.I.P.
Clove Poynter. 1995-2012. The misunderstood, unknown star-crossed lover who was raised to kill and born to die. You shall never be remembered as a monster by choice. Never. R.I.P.
Adam Torres. 1995-2012. The boy on fire with a heavy heart of gold. Your actions will never be forgotten. You will never be forgotten. You are the bravest warrior any world has seen. R.I.P.
Bianca shook her head in anguish and turned to leave fast. She hated that there was one for Adam. She was disgusted to know that enough people had given up on finding him to set up a memorial for him. Cato caught up with her on the sidewalk and rubbed his watery eyes. They wordlessly decided to take a cab back home, seeing as the DeSousas now lived closer to where Cato does. Cato stayed with the Torres family. They had taken him in like a brother after seeing what he did to save Adam in the arena. He was having trouble getting used to the new world and the way things worked, even after six months. They still had access to Panem television, but no one dared to check. They weren't allowed. Once the cab had skidded to a halt, Cato marched out into the snow and pulled the door open for Bianca. They stepped onto the pavement and stared up at the Torres house, breath visible in the cold air.
"I'll see you when I see you." Cato said. Bianca looked up at his face, and saw how red his eyes still were from passing the memorial. He still hadn't let go of her, Clove.
"See you when I see you." Bianca repeated softly. She pulled Cato into a hug and rested against him for a moment. They were all they had. The only friends left. Bianca pulled away, knowing how Cato got about physical contact. She wasn't even sure why she trusted him, after the way he treated her in the arena. But she did anyway. He was the only friend she could afford to have. "Bye." Is all she muttered before turning down the road to her house. Cato stormed down the Torres driveway and took out his set of house keys. He was upstairs and in the guest bedroom, now his, in no time. Another Saturday had gone by with the same routine. Same reaction. Same outcome. Nothing was different. Nothing was achieved. Cato awoke near four o'clock, unable to take the nightmare anymore. All he dreamt of that night was the death of Clove, repeated and repeated over and over until he screamed himself awake. He sat up as the blue morning light crept through the curtains and into his room. He stared at the floor, thinking hard about the portal. Something washed over him. A thought. Something from earlier. His eyes widened when he thought this could be it. That he'd figured out how to fix it. But he'd had this feeling before. All too many times. So he sank back into his bed, curling up into the sheets, falling asleep to the echo of Clove screaming for help.
On Panem.
Peeta tossed his boots to the side of his bed and groaned. His feet were sore and his so was his body. He sighed heavily and plopped down onto his bed, staring up at the wall where the portal was perfectly assembled. There wasn't a single flaw in it. On the train back to District 12 from the Capitol, a worker from District 3 snuck into one of the compartments. Instead of calling him out, Haymitch ordered him to fix the portal for them, seeing as the portal was made by Seneca and workers from District 3 anyway. He fixed it within three months, no problem, and was off. The Peacekeepers killed him on his trip back to District 3. He was tortured for a week and starved, before taking a bullet to his temple. He never mentioned the presence of Haymitch, Cinna, Effie, Katniss or Peeta in District 12. Not even once. But President Snow knew just where they were. In fact, he already announced to Panem that they were safe, and would not be charged. Both Katniss and Peeta knew this is one of his filthy tricks. Consumed with thought, Peeta folded his arms and ran his tongue against the inside of his lip. He stood suddenly and moved toward the portal. He reached down and pulled the lever. He did this once or twice a day, just in case. Per usual, nothing happened but a sizzle. He pushed the lever down with defeat in his eyes, and backed away to his bed. He stared at the floor before running his hand over his face and groaning.
"Hey." Came a voice from his doorway. He looked up to see Katniss, with a metal container in her hands. Peeta smiled briefly. She hadn't showed up at his house in weeks, maybe even a month or more. He saw her around, though, with Gale, Madge and Prim.
"You're looking beautiful." He said. Katniss barely returned a grin before taking a seat next to him.
"You say that every time I walk in, you know."
"I know." Katniss handed Peeta the container carefully. It was quite large and heavy. He took a peek inside and grinned up at her.
"Are you sure you don't want to eat this?" He asked.
"I'm sure. Gale and I have been hunting a lot better now that we don't have Madge hanging around so often." Katniss shrugged. Peeta looked up at her with confusion on his face.
"Madge went hunting with you?"
"Last month she started tagging along for Gale. She can't hunt even if she tries so I told her to save the flirting for some other time." Katniss explained.
"Oh." Peeta nodded, taking a look at Katniss's kills. "This is really generous of you, Katniss." He said. He had a look of thankfulness and hunger in his eyes when he shut the container. "But… why're you giving this to me? You could easily just share it between you, your mother and Prim. I haven't spoken to you in awhile. Is everything all right? Do you need anything?" Peeta asked, setting the container on his bedside table before peering at Katniss.
"Just a place to sleep." She said. Peeta raised an eyebrow.
"A place to sleep?"
"The nightmares, Peeta. They're getting worse. I keep seeing all of them." Katniss said softly, fumbling with the sleeves of her jacket.
"I know. I still have them, too. I haven't mentioned them in awhile because I thought it'd set you off." Peeta muttered. Katniss nodded to herself as a chill washed over her, filled with memories from the games.
"Sometimes I feel like I never left the arena. Like my mind's going to be there for the rest of my life. With Rue and Clove and that Foxface girl. With everyone, actually." Katniss mumbled. She felt the warmth of Peeta's arm close around her waist. "You know what I mean?" She asked as he pulled himself closer to her.
"I know." He said in return, nodding. He pressed a kiss to her shoulder. They hadn't kissed in months. It hadn't been easy for them. Both didn't know whether or not Katniss's love during the games was real or fake. Katniss leaned forward when she noticed the portal.
"Have you been trying it again?" She asked. Peeta's eyes widened, as if he was caught in the act. He shook his head but Katniss knew he was lying. Katniss sighed and stared into the portal. "They'll do it." She said suddenly. Peeta glanced at her. "They'll fix it. It's been six months. Cato can do it. I know he can. Any second now." She said with confidence. Peeta saw the eagerness on her face and how firm her voice was. She had faith in the rumors going around about what was happening in the Capitol. News arrived a few months earlier that Adam was still under captivity. He was forced to do a Victory Tour through all the Districts. He looked happy then. By force, perhaps. Though Panem was been informed of his return to District 13, Effie claimed that Adam was still being held hostage along with a few other past victors from the games. Apparently they were being prepped for the 75th Hunger Games. Also known this year as the Quarter Quell. Snow had apparently kept a selected few and was trying to turn them Careers. But it wasn't like normal training. No, it was torture endurance. After all, becoming a Career takes years. And they were trying to transform them within months. Katniss dreaded the idea of Adam suffering. Screaming until he lost his voice. Vomiting until there was nothing left in his stomach. Training until he had no more energy to breathe. Being whipped and burned until his flesh was beyond repair. Being pumped so full of Capitol drugs until he couldn't recognize who he was. It pained her to think about it. But it was better than believing that Adam was executed on President Snow's orders. Katniss knew she was heading back to the arena, and so did Peeta. They hadn't even made an appearance but they were already reaped. Along with Cato, Bianca and Adam. Haymitch was right about the theme. They were picking old winners and tossing them in. Some said that the results were rigged.
"Katniss." Peeta said, pulling her out of her thoughts. It was only now when Katniss realized there were tears silently streaming down her face. She wiped them away shakily.
"Sorry. Sorry, I was just…" She trailed off when Peeta pulled her into his chest. She thudded against him and they sunk into his bed.
"No more nightmares tonight, I promise." He said. Peeta pulled the thin blanket over them and let Katniss curl against him. For once, they both had a long, nightmare-free sleep.
In Toronto.
Cato cursed loudly as he snapped away from the portal. He swatted his stinging hand around as crimson spurted from a new wound at his fingertip.
"Damn it!" He uttered, dabbing his finger on a nearby dirty cloth. Bianca was late. But then again, Cato was earlier than usual. He had ideas running through his mind about the portal. He had memorized every inch of it and every fault. He pulled parts of it out and tweaked other areas. He was working faster, high off adrenaline. Tools dropped carelessly to the floor as he stormed through his vision from earlier. There was a creak in the doorway that made him jump.
"You're early." Bianca said. Cato licked his lips and returned to the portal. Bianca's eyes widened when she saw how quickly he was working tonight, not even stopping to make a quizzical look or bite the inside of his cheek.
"No. You're late." Cato stated. Bianca shut the door, watching him carefully. His shirt was off and was sprawled out on the floor. He was glazed in a layer of sweat and his brow wa furrowed with concentration. There wa a pencil behind his ear and grease over his arms.
"Cato?" Bianca asked, setting her things down on the table.
"Uh-huh?" He murmured, taking the pencil out from behind his ear. He crossed out something on a pad of paper and put the pencil back again.
"Are you…?"
"Onto something." He breathed, looking up at her. Bianca's eyes widened.
"Are you sure?" She asked.
"Positive." He said, hauling a larger chunk of metal out from the portal. "This isn't like the other times, Bee, I'm sure about it." Bianca pulled her scarf off, tossing it at her other pile of belongings.
"Cato, how many times have we had this conversation?"
"Many." Cato responded huskily. He flicked all kinds of switches and twisted knobs until his fingers stung. He glanced up at Bianca. "But I swear, this is different, and I can't believe I never thought of it." He scrambled through a pile of scrap metal on the edge of the table, knocking whatever he didn't need onto the floor.
"Jesus, Cato…" Bianca frowned, folding her arms as she watched him. He found what he was looking for and placed the small piece near the head of the portal, trying to force it into its place. Bianca sighed as she leaned against the table, shaking her head slightly. "Man, you're really – " The piece slotted in and a low metallic hum buzzed through he cold air. Both Cato and Bianca's eyes widened as they stared at the portal. Bianca stumbled away from the table, rushing towards him. She grabbed one side and he grabbed the other.
"Wall." He said simply. They hauled the portal off the table and shuffled it to the far end of the room. Cato grunted as he pressed it to the wall and scurried to the bottom of it. Bianca fixed the top, making sure it was planted firmly. After a series of strapping the portal upright, Bianca backed away. Cato looked at her as she pulled her jacket off, growing too warm for comfort.
"Cato, the lever." Bianca told him. He dropped in front of it, and searched for the lever on the side. His fingers found it, and he pulled up. It clicked and the humming noise began again, louder than before. He grabbed his shirt off the floor and put it on. He then waited in front of the portal, on his knees, expecting the white light to come bursting out from the doorframe. They waited in silence. Nothing happened, yet neither of them said a word.
Katniss jolted upright at the sound of a loud tick and a crunch. She was sitting on a chair in the corner of Peeta's room, cleaning her bow. Her eyes sharpened as she glanced up at Peeta. He was on his bed, with a book clutched in his hands and a furrowed brow. His room, bright with the afternoon sunshine, filled with tension.
"What was that?" Katniss asked.
"I don't know." Peeta said. The noise repeated itself and was followed with a loud hum from the wall. They both glared in the direction of the noise and their eyes widened.
"The portal." Peeta gulped hard and shut his book. He stood to his feet and tossed the book at his bed. "Katniss, the portal!" He shouted, shocking her into reality. Katniss quickly set the bow down and rushed to Peeta's side. They both stood in front of the portal, staring at it as the humming noise increased.
"Maybe they've activated it." Katniss breathed.
"Maybe." Peeta repeated, feeling the side of the portal for the lever. His hand wrapped around it suddenly and he paused, consumed by the thought of failure.
"What are you waiting for? Pull it!" Katniss snapped. Peeta bit his bottom lip and pulled the lever up. The noise that occurred next sent both Katniss and Peeta off their feet for a moment. It was almost like a gunshot. And suddenly, the doorframe cracked with a bright light.
"Cato!" Bianca screeched when the light shone into the room. Cato's entire face lifted as the hum deepened.
"It's working!" He shouted, glancing at her.
"You did! Cato, you did it! It's working! It's actually working!" She exclaimed. Cato's ran his fingers through his hair as he stared at his creation. They were both laughing in relief. Laughing, crying, breathing heavily. And suddenly, something washed over Cato's face. Realization.
"Bianca." He breathed, looking back at the girl with her hands over her wide grin and teary eyes. "We're going back." He said. It was like the idea never dawned on them when their eyes met again. Bianca stared up at him and gulped hard.
"We're going back." She repeated firmer, turning away from him to her belongings. "Cato, grab all that you need, we're going back!" She ordered. Cato scrambled away from the portal, rushing back to his counter of tools and other items. Bianca reached for her phone and quickly sent a ten-worded text to everyone who would care. 'Portal's fixed. We're going back. Adam. The Quarter Quell. Sorry.' That was all she wrote. Once she was certain the message was sent, she turned back to Cato. He was breathing heavily in front of the portal, staring into it.
"Bianca?" He called.
"What?" She returned, scanning her belongings to see if anything would come in handy to her. Cato licked his lips.
"What if this takes us back to the Capitol?"
"It won't. Peeta promised to dismantle the portal and take it back to twelve." Bianca reminded him. She stepped to his side and noticed how tense his muscles had become. "It's not going to be the Capitol. I'm sure." Bianca reassured him with a hand to his shoulder. Cato gulped and looked down at her. They stared at each other for a moment.
"Are you ready?" He asked, breaking the silence. Bianca turned away from him, looking up at that familiar white light. The light she was so reluctant to step into nearly seven months ago, in this exact same room with Maya, Owen, Haymitch, Seneca, Effie, Adam and the Peacekeepers. The very start of it all. Bianca breathed out shakily, and slid her hand down to meet Cato's. He glared at her, looking infuriated.
"I'm a little unstable right now, okay?" She said through her teeth. Cato practically sneered at her before looking back into the light. Time and time again Bianca wondered just what Clove and Cato saw in each other.
"It's go time." Cato said in a low voice, with darkening eyes. Bianca gulped, hearing her phone buzzing with text messages on the table behind them. "Three." Cato began.
"Two." Bianca said steadily. Cato glanced at her when her grip on his hand increased. He failed to return it until the final second. He took a short breath.
"Three!" He jolted forward, hauling Bianca along with him. The floor didn't exist. Walls didn't exist. There was nothing but falling, and air twisting and whistling all around them. Bianca couldn't feel a single thing, only Cato's grip. She felt sick to her core as her body was thrashed around and so was Cato's. And suddenly, the light disappeared and their feet thudded to the ground. The two of them gasped for air, as if they had been holding their breath the whole trip. Bianca's hand left Cato's as she collapsed on all fours.
"Oh my god." She breathed, touching the floor with her fingertips.
"B-Bianca! Cato!" Came a gasp. The two of them looked up to see Peeta and Katniss at the far end of the room, having previously backed up at the sound of the noises coming from the portal.
"Katniss! Peeta!" Bianca scrambled to her feet and found herself in Katniss's embrace. Peeta was grinning wide, even as he approached Cato with his hand extended. Cato grinned in return, shaking Peeta's hand violently.
"Welcome back. You know, Katniss knew you'd return! Right? Didn't you? You were just telling me last night!" Peeta exclaimed. Katniss pulled away, exasperated.
"Are you all right? What happened?" She asked.
"We're both coping the best we can. Everybody on our planet thinks Adam's dead." Bianca stated. Katniss's eyes met with Peeta's at the mention of him. Bianca's grin faded. "Please tell me he isn't." She pleaded. Katniss looked back at her, grasping her shoulder.
"Rumor has it the Capitol's been keeping him captive until our return. Because when we do, the Quarter Quell can start early."
"They've been training him and a few others like a Career." Peeta told them. Bianca looked between them in confusion.
"Training him? That's it?" She asked. Katniss swallowed hard, looking down at the floor.
"You bastards!" Came a yell from the doorway. Haymitch stood with a bottle of wine in his hands that quickly fell from grasp and cracked on the floor. He ran at Cato and Bianca, almost swooping them into his fatherly embrace.
"Haymitch!" Bianca said against him, holding him tightly. Cato blinked unsurely, feeling awkward to be in between this display of affection. Haymitch pulled away, staring at them through his blond bangs.
"You shouldn't have returned." He said instantly.
"We're here for Adam." Bianca stated. Haymitch shook his head.
"Even so. Don't get me wrong, thirteen, I'm glad to see your face. But coming here just in time for the Quarter Quell is not a good idea. You know, the Hunger Games has never started six months early before. And if you go now it sure will." He breathed. Bianca moved out of his grasp.
"Look, we came for Adam and we're not leaving without him." She said sternly.
"It's dangerous. Both you and Adam have been reaped for the Quarter Quell to represent District twelve. And Cato's the male tribute for District 2. If Adam doesn't make to the Quell then they're going to choose someone else, from whichever District."
"What do you mean if he doesn't make it to the Quell?" Bianca snapped. Silence whipped the room to a stare-down. Bianca glanced at Katniss and Peeta. "You said they're just training him, right? Like a Career? That's it, right?" She asked loudly. Haymitch sighed and shook his head.
"That and they're torturing him." He confessed. Bianca's eyes shut at the very idea. Her mind filled with Adam's screams from the time he was on fire. She could hear him that time, but was too far away to reach him and was being chased by Thresh. Haymitch rested himself in a nearby chair. "He's probably on some heavy drugs, too. Ones that turn him into some kind of monstrosity." He snarled, disgusted by the very word.
"Monstrosity?" Bianca repeated.
"I know which drug that is." Cato said suddenly. They turned to him. "It was optional for Careers back in Two. Makes you stronger and better and paranoid. But I'm guessing they're forcing Adam on it in the Capitol." He said.
"Why would they put him on something that makes him stronger?" Bianca asked.
"To put on a show." Cato replied, folding his arms.
"Did you ever take it?" Peeta asked. Cato glanced at him before looking down at the floor and sighing. He shook his head.
"Hardly anyone does because of the side-effects. I refused it for years until the last reaping. I was on it for a month before I volunteered." Cato looked back up at them. For once there was some sort of fear in his eyes. His lips chattered open. "It was a nightmare sometimes. You can't control yourself. You… you lose yourself." He told them. The room seemed to shiver at the idea. Peeta looked up at Bianca seeing the torture on her face at the mention of what Adam could be going through. He knew that he would've felt the exact same way about Katniss. Peeta sighed, looking up at Haymitch.
"When can we leave for the Capitol?" He asked. The room turned to him like he was mad.
"Why would we do that?" Katniss asked, sounding angry.
"It's not like we have a choice, Katniss! The Peacekeepers know we're here and so does Snow! The Rebellion can't protect us when they come and drag us to the Capitol for the Quarter Quell. Might as well save ourselves the embarrassment." He said with reddening cheeks from previously raising his voice. The room was silent again as the past tributes looked between each other, thinking. Cato ran his tongue along the inside of his lip and looked up at Peeta.
"We should leave tomorrow morning. The Capitol should be informed, too. That way when we arrive, they'll be crowding around us and showing us their typical love. I mean… they liked us all, didn't they? Last time around? And if Snow sees that the Capitol people know we're there, and still like us, he can't harm us before the Quell." Cato said. They all glanced up at him, processing his words.
"You seriously want to go back into an arena?" Katniss asked, with venom in her words. Cato shot a cold glare at her.
"Didn't you hear your Lover-Boy? We don't have a choice, Fire-Girl."
"Oh, we're back to the name calling, are we, Two?" Katniss asked, taking a step towards him.
"Guys!" Peeta bellowed, before the conversation can escalate. He stepped between them, with an unfamiliar bitterness in his eyes. "We have to get along. Understood?"
"Hey, it ain't our fault that Two over there keeps causing a ruckus." Haymitch grumbled, pulling out a flask from his inner coat pocket. Both Cato and Bianca glared at him. "What? I'm just saying." Haymitch shrugged.
"He's been through a lot." Bianca stated. Cato glanced at her before huffing away, with a dark look in his eyes. "These past six months have been heavy on all of us. So we either stick together or go against each other. And we can't have that last part as an option. Peeta's right." She said, stepping to his side. Peeta glanced at her reassuringly then looked up at Haymitch for his response. His face was neutral for some time, before he pulled his flask from his lips. He pointed a finger at them, as if to warn them, and stepped away to the door.
"Tomorrow morning." He grumbled, thrusting the door open. It crushed the remains of his broken bottle in the doorframe. "Sorry for the mess." He uttered obtusely, stumbling out into the hall. Peeta's eyes fell downwards before they met with Katniss's.
"Katniss… We have to. Besides, they love you." Peeta murmured softly. Katniss sighed and rolled her eyes at him.
"They love you, Peeta. Everyone loves you." Katniss grumbled sourly, picking up her bow from the floor. She made her way to the door, but Peeta's subtle voice interjected her departure.
"Yeah, except for you." He said. Katniss paused in her steps, hearing silence turn the room upside down. Her face drained to something sullen and she heaved her belongings over her shoulder.
"Yeah, Peeta. Except for me." She grumbled spitefully. Peeta's face, once strong with confidence, melted to nothing but hurt. "Bianca. You can stay with my family and I for tonight. Help me break the news to them that we're leaving for the Quell tomorrow morning." It was evident that Katniss thought they were being lead to their death by returning to the Capitol. Bianca awkwardly brushed passed Peeta and made her way to Katniss' side. She placed a hand on her shoulder to seem reassuring but it only made Katniss jump. She was still shaken up by her uneasy retort to Peeta, especially after spending the day and the night before together. Katniss nodded and led Bianca out into the hall. An unwelcoming silence followed in the Mellark household. Cato and Peeta's conversations were short. Cato took Peeta's bed while Peeta shared with one of his brothers. Dinner was at half past seven and lights out was at eleven.
The next morning spewed a hurricane of feelings. The departure back to the Capitol sent Madge, Gale, her mother and Prim into fits. Gale was furious with Peeta for suggesting to leave to the Capitol, knowing that would send them into the Quarter Quell. Madge and Prim were bawled in tears yet somehow Katniss's mother remained firm. She was trying to be strong for Prim, just as Katniss instructed. Peeta's family seemed almost indifferent at their departure.
The excitement of their arrival at the Capitol was far more than they expected. The Capitol people were gathered in the greatest amount of numbers anyone had ever seen. They were all eager to find the District 13s and 12s, and the missing District 2 boy. Something happened as they made their way through the crowd of screaming, fainting Capitol residents. Cato's smirk became smug as he cheered them on. Bianca didn't like this. Nobody did. They felt that the attention of the crowd just fed Cato's violence and heartlessness. The traits he was well remembered for at the start of last year's Hunger Games. Once inside, Cato's bitterness was stronger than ever.
"They've been expecting us. I'm going to find my room." He grumbled when he started to walk away, escorted by an avox. Bianca stared as he leaves. Chest huffed out, eyes sharp, muscles tense. Her heart skipped a beat when she knew that the games were changing him again.
"I guess you're going to have to go back to watching your back, Thirteen." Haymitch said. Bianca glanced up at him, then back after Cato.
"We spent six months together. We even spent Christmas together. I thought he'd still be my friend even through the Quell."
"He's Cato, Bianca. People don't trust Cato." Haymitch grumbled, taking a swig of alcohol from his flask. Bianca's eyes fell when she heard the truth in his words. It pained her to think all those months of teamwork amounted to nothing suddenly because of the Quell. She worked every Saturday and Sunday night with him, assisting him whenever she could. And now… now she was watching her only trusted friend leave her without a second glance. She knew the friendship had terminated by this point, and turned to let an avox show her to her room. As she walked through a very Capitol living room, she caught a glance of a room at the farthest end. She knew. She knew Adam must be in there. Locked away and guarded behind that door. Bianca's heart started to race as she was escorted to her own quarters. She longingly stared at the door, wishing for it to burst open and for Adam to come rushing towards her. Bianca's own door was shut by an avox and locked, by Snow's orders no doubt. Six months. Six months of loneliness. And he could've just be a few meters away, thinking of her. He must've been.
Bianca awoke bright and early for her first day of training. It was apparent that President Snow had been expecting them, and wanted them ready for the Quarter Quell. As Bianca changed back into her training outfit, similar to the one she wore during the last Hunger Games, it only made her feel worse. This was real. The horrors that kept her up at night were about to happen all over again. She rushed downstairs to breakfast where two Capitol looking folk sit, engaged in light conversation. Bianca scanned the room quickly.
"Rise and shine." A man greeted, standing from the table. He has medium brown hair that was slicked back over his head. He was of average build, with a slightly larger muscle mass. His clothes were completely Capitol, however. Bianca stared at him in confusion as he approached her.
"Where's Haymitch and Effie?" She asked instantly.
"They officially only work with District 12's tributes. We're here to work with you. I'm Hans and I'm your new mentor. This is Claudia, your escort." Hans said. Bianca awkwardly shook both their hands, confused entirely and lost without the presence of anyone she knew. "Training starts immediately." Hans told her.
"What about breakfast?"
"What about training?" Claudia snapped back just as fast. Bianca blinked up at her as Hans sighed. "Besides, your tribute partner is way ahead of you." Claudia said. At his mention, Bianca's eyes widened and she took a step towards them.
"Adam?" She breathed. Hans grinned and turned away.
"Yes, Adam." He said, taking a seat next to Claudia at the breakfast table.
"He's here? Why isn't he at breakfast? Is he safe? Not hurt or anything?" Bianca asked vividly. She watched as Claudia and Hans exchanged looks of uncertainty. Her stomach dropped, realizing that perhaps Katniss and Peeta's news of Adam's torture was true. Hans et his napkin down on the table and stood again.
"Lets get you to training." He said, putting a comforting hand over her shoulders as he swept her out of the room. They walked through the halls close together, Bianca didn't mind. Hans maneuvered the two of them away from the walls and away from any other person, protecting her. There was something fatherly about him that allowed Bianca to let him mentor her. When they were in the elevator, she quickly identified it as the very same escape route they had from last time. The elevator was pin drop silent as Bianca and Hans stood alone, with his arm still over her like a protective layer. Taking her chances, Bianca tilted her head up towards him, afraid that the elevator had some voice recording system.
"What have they done to Adam and where is he?" She asked in a shaky voice. Hans licked his lips, watching as the elevator buttons lit up with every floor they passed.
"Look there." Hans whispered, nodding at one. Bianca's gaze shifted to the buttons. She searched for whatever Hans was gesturing to until she found it. The floor labeled 'Special Assistance'. There were three whole floors labeled Special Assistance L1, L2 and L3, and they were all just above the training room.
"Special Assistance?" Bianca repeated curiously.
"That's where they're keeping Adam. That's why he wasn't at breakfast." Hans told her. Bianca swallowed hard, feeling the anger and longing bubble inside of her again. "Everyone knows that at least seven of the tributes are being held on the Special Assistance levels. But nothing can be said, even if everyone knows. Understood?" Hans grumbled.
"How does everyone know?" Bianca asked as they near the Special Assistance floors. Hans raised an eyebrow and nodded at the buttons. He nervously licked his thin lips before they shivered open.
"Listen." He said faintly. Bianca froze and waited, opening herself up to noise. The lift button lit up on 'Special Assistance L3' and suddenly the elevator was filled with the sound of muted screams. Bianca gasped softly but Hans quickly hushed her. "Be neutral, they're watching us." He said. Bianca held her stance. The screams were drawn-out, bloody and terrifying. She could just imagine tributes being roped at the neck, burned and tortured. They reached L2. The sound chains turning, metal crunching, and the tributes' screams grew louder. Bianca's heart started to race. It sounded like they were being skinned alive. She heard the pain dripping in each and every scream and plea for mercy. They sounded tired and frail, near death even. Bianca's knees turned weak by the time they reached L1. Her stomach was churning and her head felt light. The muted sounds of torture echo and banged between the four elevator walls. It only multiplied Bianca's worry and fear. She was shivering by then but she tried to hide it. Those screams. Those poor, tortured souls. "There are several tributes in there but Adam's been there longest alongside two others. I can't mention them in here but maybe one of your friends will." Hans explained. Bianca nodded as they finally reached their floor, and the screaming began to fade above them.
"Training level." Came a metallic voice in the lift as it shuddered to a halt.
"His heart's stopped five times." Hans added as the elevator doors opened. Bianca's eyes widened and she turned to him.
"Adam's heart's stopped five times?" She whispered in disbelief. Hans cleared his throat and gestured to the training room.
"It'd be best if we didn't continue this conversation." He said. Bianca watched him before slowly stepping out of the elevator. Viewing her new surroundings, reality hit her. She'd returned to the training room. A place of nothing but foul memories. In a split second she imaged Glimmer by the bow and arrow station, trying her luck and giggling. And then Foxface, matching all kinds of forest things Bianca couldn't understand. Then Clove with her throwing knives, never missing a single target, shooting a smirk at Cato when she could. Marvel and Adam at the spears, befriending one another and laughing stupidly. Bianca shut her eyes as the pain from the games flooded her again.
"Bianca." Came an approaching voice. She peeled her eyes open to find that the faces of the fallen tributes of the 74th Annual Hunger Games were no longer there. A fresh set of faces appeared at the training stations, a set she was unfamiliar with. The tributes of the 75th Annual Hunger Games, the Third Quarter Quell. "Bianca." The voice said again, now at her neck. Katniss embraced Bianca briefly before pulling away and grabbing her shoulders. "Are you alright?" She asked. Bianca pulled herself together and looked at both Katniss and Peeta.
"Do you really need to ask?" She muttered. Peeta and Katniss watched her worryingly before they moved over to the camouflage training station. Just as Peeta came up by Bianca's side, she grabbed his arm, shocking him. "Did you hear them?" She whispered alertly. Peeta was silent for a moment, before scanning around the room then glancing at Katniss. He turned to Bianca and nodded once. "What can we do?"
"Nothing." Peeta muttered. Bianca's eyes fell at the word. "There's nothing we can do. Each floor is guarded by a ton of Peacekeepers. And if we try and beat passed them we're done for."
"The Quell is in a few days, Bianca. We're going to have to wait." Katniss said, picking up a paintbrush and handing it to Peeta. Bianca sighed and placed her palms on the table, staring down at the metallic surface.
"I've been waiting for six months." She mumbled. Peeta began camouflaging his arm, glancing up at Katniss worryingly. "Six. Months." Bianca ran her hand through her hair, shaking her head.
"There's nothing we can do. Everything's separate. Sleeping chambers, meals, chariot rides, even the interviews! It's amazing that the Capitol hasn't noticed how strange it is." Katniss said, watching a tribute pass out on the floor, drunk. Bianca pressed her tongue to the inside of her cheek and shook her head again.
"Better make the most out of this training, 13." Hans interrupted, walking up to the station. Bianca pushed passed him angrily, sending him against the camouflage counter in shock. She found herself making her way to the knives station. The memories were horrible but she knew she has to put them aside. She was going back to the arena. It was inevitable now.
AN: Let me know what you think in the reviews!