Chapter 1
The beginning
I felt my fingers slip over the cold edge of the blade. It kissed my fingertips with an icy breath, and I caressed it with my palm. I was always entranced by knives, but it wasn't until a few years ago that I found my true calling. I glanced up towards my backpack, and unwillingly hid the knife inside the bag. I slipped it over my shoulders and silently left the house. My father and sister would still be asleep during these early hours. I quickly trekked across the barren wasteland that I called my home, towards the one place I truly felt calm.
When I reached Catos house the door burst open and I fell into his arms. He clasped me close and carefully stroked my hair with his hands. We stood in the doorway, unmoving for some time. The nights are lonely without him by my side. Eventually he loosened his grip and we went inside. I curled up with him on the couch and we sat in silence, feeling content with the company of one another. I didn't know how much time we had left.
"It's reaping day tomorrow." I barely choked out the words.
"Are you not happy? Another chance to represent our district in the games."
"Yes! I don't have a problem with me going. It's if... one of us goes, and the other doesn't." I felt him tense at my words. We both knew it, but it was that the words were out in the open, cutting like a knife.
"I wouldn't let that happen. I would never leave you." I felt somewhat comforted by his kind words. I knew he would stay with me, but the girls are called first. If I don't volunteer, and he is chosen then my chance is gone. I could lose him.
I think he knew because we chose not to talk for some time. Eventually Catos mother came downstairs to offer us breakfast. I ate obligingly, not wanting to disturb anything. We made small talk, but she could tell we weren't in the mood for conversation.
When I got up to leave, Cato suddenly grabbed my shoulders.
"Clove, your good with a knife. Your great. Me and you could take anybody. Any odds. Try not to worry." He leaned down to kiss me, and I hoped it wouldn't be the last. I trudged home in the now fully lit sun. When I got home I braced myself for shouting, screaming and tears but there was none. My father must still be asleep. Catrincia was already awake, sitting by the window and watching into the distance. I would assume she was watching for me but I was already back.
"What are you staring at?" I whispered.
"Just all the peacekeepers. They keep strolling past the window on the way to the town square."
It was strange for them to be preparing a day early. We must be having visitors or something. Never the less, I began to watch from the window. We sat in silence until the floorboards upstairs began to creak.
"Brace yourself..." She muttered.
There was clanging and swearing. He must be hungover again. Footsteps stomped downstairs and the room was filled with the stench of stale beer and regret. He caught out petrified gaze and launched towards us, hurtling like a blade about to strike.
When it was over and he had left, I tried to comfort Catrincia. She was okay though, I always got the worst of it. I cleansed her cuts and tried to ice the bruises before they stained. When I had finished with her I went upstairs to look in the mirror, and I saw a squashed patch of berries staring back. I cleaned myself up the best I could, and I hoped that if I was chosen, I would look tough. The Capitol would fix me up though, before the public appearences. I wondered what I was going to tell Cato this time. He would never let me stay here if he knew, and I need to stay for Catrincias sake. She wouldn't last without me.
I stared into the mirror at the face before me, and tried to prepare for the long day ahead.