"Cato!" My head shot up. Was what I heard real or not? I started to walk towards where the scream came from.
"Cato!" I hear again. I break into a sprint. I know that was Cloves voice. I run through the trees. I have never run this fast in my life.
"Clove!" I scream at her so she knows I am coming. When I get to the clearing I can see the big guy from district 11 with something big in his right hand, in his left hand I see clove. His hand around her neck. I run as fast as I can. I see the rock come down on her head. She falls and the guy starts to run, but not fast enough to avoid my sword through his heart. He falls and I hear a canon fire. I am hoping it is his not Cloves. I run over to Clove. She is unconscious but breathing. She must have turned her head at the last second because she has a deep cut on her forehead. I kneel by her and grab her hand. I wipe away some of the blood. Her cut is very deep but isn't life threatening. So I hoped. After awhile her eyes opened a little bit. I smiled at her and she opened her mouth.
"Cato. It hurts so much." She says in a hush whisper.
"I know. I am just glad you are alive. What happened?" I asked giving her a second to remember. I reach down to rub the blood away from her eyes. She flinches severely and I recoil but quickly regain. I wipe the blood away as she starts to talk.
"I had to get the bag from the feast." She stutters out. I nod and let her continue. "I was running to get it when I was knocked down. I didn't know what was going on but I was on the ground. Before I could register what happened I was being lifted up and choked by the guy. I screamed your name and when he was bringing the stone down my entire life flashed before my eyes. I turned my head at the last second so I wouldn't have to leave you alone. I shouldn't have gone out alone. I am sorry." She whispers the last part as the tears start streaming down her face. I can feel the tears in my eyes start to escape.
"Clove." I finally choke out. "It's ok. We didn't know this was going to happen. I am just glad you are alive." She smiles but quickly cringes. I pull out my water bottle. "This might hurt a bit but it will feel good, I swear." I assure her. I pour some water into her gash. She yelps a sad cry of pain. I don't stop pouring until I know all the blood is gone. I take a second to assess the damage on her flesh. It is very deep and wide, but I know it isn't deadly.
"Cato. What do we do now?" she asks in a whimper. I swallow my sadness.
"We need to get back to camp. We need to win. I will protect you no matter what happens to me. Even if I die I will be your guardian angel and I will protect you then." I say as I hold back tears. I love Clove, and I always have. I see her eyes widen as she bites her lip to keep from crying. It doesn't do a good job, because the tears are streaming down her face. She props herself on her arms. She starts using the cornucopia to help her stand. She stands up wobbly. She steadies herself enough to stand without the cornucopia. She takes half a step before she is falling. I get to her before she can hit the ground. "Whoa" is the only word I can get out of my mouth. I scoop her into my arms and I run towards our camp. Little did I know we were going to be the last ones left when they change the rules.