Cato: Who He Really Is

by HaleyAlexandria - I Do Not Own The Hunger Games, I Only Own My Own Character

Everyone expects Cato to be this vicious person that wants to kill and win only. What if that's not true, and he's really a caring, compassionate person that has to win for the sake of his family just like Katniss and Peeta?

Chapter One - The 74th Hunger Games

Cato's POV

Standing in the dust and dirt, waiting for the names to be called. I force a smile on my face, making all of my friends believe that I'm ready to be chosen, I'm ready to kill... I'm not. My hearts pounding, my head's aching. I keep thinking my name's going to be called. But most of all, I'm worried for her... Willow. If she gets called, I can't volunteer for her. Most likely another girl would volunteer, but if they didn't...

"Willow Ashberry!" She's called!

"No..." I say under my breath. I look over towards the moving crowd and see her brown hair as she walks to the pathway that leads to the Justice Building.

No! Somebody volunteer! Somebody volunteer! My head screams, making it ache even more.

"For goodness sake! I volunteer! Bunch of wusses! Move out of my way Willow!." Another brown-haired girl yells and then moves Willow back in with the crowd. I know her. Her name's Clove... If she wins these games, I'll owe her my life... She saved her. I sigh, but my heart still races. That was too close.

"Cato Hadley!" It's me... A few moments pass and I expect that someone might volunteer like they did for Willow. But no one does... They just push me towards the building and make me shake hands with Clove. I still force the smile on my face, and once I shake hands I throw my arms up as if I couldn't be happier... when really, I could throw up...

Clove and I are lead to separate rooms where we'll be able to say our goodbyes. I don't want to say goodbye. My face becomes hot but I force down the threatening tears. People from District 2 aren't supposed to cry. They are supposed to be fearless fighters, they are supposed to be part of the careers... I don't want to fight. I can, and I'm good at it, but I don't want to. I don't want to kill anyone unlike most people in my district.

First comes my mother. She seems a little scared, but congratulates me and leaves when her 5 minutes is up. I smile the whole time. Next comes my father who gives me a pat on the back and smiles at me so much you would think he slept with a hook in his mouth. He's proud of me and has hope that I can win this thing.

When he leaves I take a seat and stare at the floor, that is until Willow bursts throw the door and latches on my neck. She's crying. She has fear that something bad might happen... She knows I'm strong and can handle a fight, but she thinks like me, something could go wrong...

"I don't want you to go!" She sobs into my neck. I swallow hard and run my fingers through her long, wavy hair.

"Shh. I know..." I whisper into her ear. I feel her tears fall on my shirt and push her back so I can that I can look at her. My heart drops when I see how broken up she is about this. "Hey... Hey. Stop crying. It's going to be fine. I'm going to be fine." She looks me in the eye but doesn't respond. "Do you understand?" I ask her. She nods her head and places her hands on either side of my face, running her fingers through my short hair, and touching my ears and nose and mouth. Acting as if by touch she'll be able to keep me around. "I love you, and I'm coming back for you..." I promise her. My voice cracks and I curse in my head for letting her know that I'm scared too. I bring her head forward and I kiss her. Hoping maybe that it'll comfort her, even though I know it probably won't.

"Time's up!" One of the guards says as he opens the door. Willow latches on my neck again and whispers in my ear.

"I'll never leave your side..." By the time she gets out the last word the guard grabs her around the waist and begins to pull her away from me. I stand and reach for her extended hands, using my strength to keep her there for a moment longer. "I love you Cato! Keep me safe! Come home..." and with that her fingers slip away, and she's gone... I realize that she left something in my hand... A silver locket, with her picture inside and mine inside. I gave this to her 3 years ago...

This is what she meant by saying she'll never leave my side.

(A/N: Obviously this changes The Hunger Games story a little. Instead of Cato volunteering he is just chosen and no one volunteers for him. I'm not making the character of Cato a weak character now. I'm just saying that it's all an act he uses while playing the games. He's still tough, and has all the same skills. He's not afraid to kill, just like he's not afraid to in the book. But instead of it being because he want's to win, it's because he promised his girlfriend Willow to come home to protect her. The protecting thing will be explained in later chapters. Thanks For Reading!