"Cato!" I faintly hear Clove scream. "Cato!"
I leap out from the bushes and trees that I was using for camoflauge as I scouted for Thresh, as Clove was retreving our backpack from the feast. She had her knives, newly sharpend and unused. She could easily kill one of our adversaries.
"Clove!" I shout back instanly. I sprint for the cornucopia. As soon as I'm on the field, I see the massive boy from Eleven bring a large rock, about the size of a loaf of bread, hard onto Clove's temple. She drops her tiny body onto the ground. No, this can not be happening. I can't lose her. I run faster than I ever have before. All I can think about is getting to Clove. I need to save her. I'm halfway there, and Eleven is talking to Fire Girl, still holding the rock. His expression softens, and he lowers the rock.
Clove is on the ground, and she doesn't look good. Her skull is dented, but there is no blood. "Clove!" Suddenly, Fire Girl leaps up and runs into the woods. Eleven let her escape! Why? The fiercest adversary to all tributes in the arena could have been killed, but no Eleven chose Clove. Why? As soon as Fire Girl dashes to the woods to save her precious Lover Boy, Eleven moves to the high-grassed field. I finally reach Clove. I slide down on my knees and hold her against my chest. Her breaths are shallow, and she let's out a low moan. I grasp her hand in mine.
" I'm here Clove, I'm right here. Hang on Clove. We can get our sponsors to send you something. We can save you. Please, please Clove." I'm trying to be strong for her, but I know she can hear the pain in my voice. "We can still win this, together."
"Win. Please Cato. You have to win." Her voice is barely audible. The light is fading from her big green eyes. "I love you." her eyes fight to stay open.
"I love you, Clove." As soon as the words leave my lips, she smiles, and her eyes drift closed.
Every television in Panem is tuned into us. Why can't we have this last moment together? No prying eyes to watch our pain?
Clove's cannon fires.
I hold her body even tighter to my chest and rock back and forth.
"I was supposed to protect you Clove. I broke my promise to you. How can I be so stupid? I'm such an idiot!" A few tears roll down my cheeks. "We were supposed to win Clove. We won't go home together, all because of me."
I gently kiss Clove's lips and lie her body down on the grass. I stand up and look at the only person I have ever loved.
"Goodbye, my love." I turn around and walk away from her body. I hear the hovercraft coming to take Clove home.
I draw my sword and run into Eleven's domain.
Don't worry Clove. The next cannon that fires will be his. He will pay for what he did to you. I won't break this promise.