By Alan Gilfoy in the world of Suzanne Collins. Chapters 1 and 2 of Gale's Hunger Games from Cato's perspective. He was born to win and now had his chance.

A couple centuries ago, the world had been battered by natural disasters and the subsequent wars. The Capitol brought order to the land surrounding it – a northern continent divided into thirteen districts and now called Panem. The districts dared to break out in open rebellion decades ago. All paid the price; District 13 was entirely obliterated as punishment for instigating the defiance. The surviving districts were to be reminded every year – 24 people aged twelve to eighteen, a boy and a girl from each district, would fight to the death. One survived and was well rewarded, emblematic of the Capitol's mercy. They showed restraint in not killing more.

Tomorrow was the big day, when the contestants of the 74th Hunger Games were determined. Here in District Two, it was unnecessary to select someone at random – there were so many volunteers that there was competition to receive the honor. We had many past victors, and they determined who'd get a chance to join them.

It was an open secret that we trained for the Games. District Two was a cluster of similar small settlements, and our training grounds were one of many hollowed-out quarries up a mountain path. However, the seemingly nondescript route was ingrained in my memory by now. On the way there, I found my father's grave just as easily – he was in the tribute cemetery, having died in the Games soon after getting my mother pregnant with me.I became aware of the family history years ago, and I promptly resolved that I'd do what he couldn't. This was my last year of eligibility, and I was confident I could pull it off. I touched his headstone and said, "I won't be joining you any time soon."

A few other candidates filtered into the chamber after I arrived. Mom and I lived in a nondescript townhouse, but this place would feel like my home even after I moved to Victors Village. Lyme, the amazon who won the 42nd Games, stepped forward as leader of our victors. "For the boys, this is obviously Cato Adams' year. For the girls, we've decided on Clove Hawkins." I wouldn't have actual siblings, but Clove was like a sister to me sometimes.

Brutus offered the rest of us an option we were already aware of. "For the rest of you, there is the Peacekeeper corps – this goes for the women too." Lyme winced at this mention of Panem's military police. I'm not sure why - somebody's gotta do it, keep us safe and secure.

Then he got back to talking about the Games. "Looks to me like District Two will have a victor twice in a row again." He won the year after Lyme, the last consecutive pair from Two. We had a fair amount of single victors since then. Brutus was very competitive, much of which had rubbed off on me. He must feel slighted by the last consecutive pair coming from another district, Gloss and Cashmere of One in 63 and 64.

"Hi there, Mr. Adams." Clove smiled at me, like most young women with functional eyesight. Appealing to the ladies was a very nice side effect of bulking up for the Games. "I told you, you're like a sister to me, and we're not like those hicks from the outer districts that could be both." Three years younger than me. Didn't hurt the eyes, but wasn't easy on them either. Besides, she was crazy – working with Enobaria can do that to you.

The night before, Mom offered one last challenge, but she still mostly understood that this was my destiny. "Are you still sure now that the fateful hour has actually come?"

"Yes, and why wouldn't I be confident?"

"I just don't want to lose another man this way."

"Don't worry."

The rules of the Games allowed tributes to bring a piece of home into the arena. Dad had used a gold coin with the District Two seal from his birth year. I don't know where it went; it had probably been buried with him. It would have been callous to spend it, yet it would have been hard on Mom to keep it around. I found a similar coin dated with my birth year.

With the volunteers arranged beforehand, the actual ceremony was usually fairly uneventful. Mayor Patrick Lazare reminded us of the importance of the Games. A Capitol official would lead us through the selection of tributes. It was Bertlynn again, what a short lardass, and it looked like someone had sprayed red dye all over his cheeks.

He went to pick a name at random. I zoned out. We knew it was just a formality – even the person selected didn't care. Clove was reaped anyway. "I decline any volunteers," she said, essentially volunteering for herself. Her brother Alexander hadn't made the cut for the Games a few years ago. He was now in the Peacekeeper corps, serving in District 2's Home Guard. I think he looked forward to escorting his sister to glory, and it showed.

I couldn't wait for my moment, so I stepped forward to volunteer before Bertlynn even picked the person I'd volunteer for. What the heck, saves us some time.

"And the honor of representing District 2 in the 74th Annual Hunger Games goes to Clove Hawkins and Cato Adams! Happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favor!" For thirteen people from our district, the odds were in their favor. Most of them were still alive, and they led the district in applauding its brave youngsters. I noticed Lyme's clapping was somewhat perfunctory.

I've been focused on training for the Games, so I didn't have a girlfriend to say goodbye to. There'd be plenty of opportunity for that afterwards.

Most of my social circle was fellow Career trainees. Some were jealous that I'd been chosen instead. Others came by out of professional respect, but I don't think I had any real friends amongst them.

A/N

Behind Enemy Lines by PeppermintAmortentia is a Cato/OC story I like that partially influences how I present Cato.