74th Hunger Games, District 2 – Cato Valerius
I slowly make my way through the crowd, pausing only to give a reassuring smile to Albus before I take my place on stage. The Capitol escort gives me a wide smile before turning back towards the crowd to make her closing remarks, "Please give a round of applause to this year's District 2 Tributes, Cato Valerius and Lynn Lucilia!"
We're escorted into the Justice Building as soon as the reaping has finished. I stand in one of the spare rooms and wait for my family to come and say good-bye. I don't really expect any of them to come, well, maybe my brother and sister but not anybody else. The door opens and before I can turn around to see who it is, two warm bodies collide into me. I'm almost knocked off my feet with how hard they've hit me. I spin around to confront my two assailants as a smile develops on my face. It quickly falls as soon as I see the somber expression on their faces.
Camilla regards me with a miserable look while Albus wears a guilty expression. I decide to head off their thoughts right then and there, "I know what you guys are going to say, but don't worry. I'll be fine, I've been training for this my entire life, remember?" I say with the lightest tone I can manage.
Their expressions still haven't changed and if anything, I've only made tears appear in their eyes. I quickly pull them into a hug before plopping myself onto the ground. "Listen you guys, I will come back, no matter what, okay? I'm not leaving you guys here alone with them." I say with as much conviction as I can muster. "Maybe when I get back you guys can come live with me. You wouldn't have to train anymore, you would be free to run around the house and do whatever you want, and I wouldn't care."
I know I've gotten through to them when Camilla starts to smile, "You really mean that?" she asks, a hint of wonder in her voice.
I shrug and mutter, "Of course. Why would I lie to you?" I love seeing my brother and sister happy, and I would do anything to make sure they have a normal, or as close to normal as I can manage, childhood. Albus finally submits and asks if they would be able to have ice cream and other sweets occasionally. I chuckle before nodding enthusiastically, "In fact, I'll do you one better. You can have them anytime you want, okay?" He smiles brightly at me and I try to make it last, try to imprint this moment between my siblings and I deep into my mind; it will be the only thing keeping me alive through the Games.
All too soon, the peacekeepers are at the door, I don't want Albus and Camilla to leave just yet. I want to hold them as long as possible before I'm sent to fight for my life but the peacekeepers are adamant, and my siblings can do nothing but obey their orders. They turn to look at me one last time before they slip outside the room.
I sit on the ground for what seems like hours before I hear the door open again. I move to stand up, thinking it's the peacekeepers come to drag me to the train. I'm surprised when a hand grabs my arm and yanks me to my feet. I'm pulled up to see my uncle Marcus who slaps a hand down onto my shoulder and clasps it tightly. He looks down at me from his 6' 4" stature and smiles sadly at me before pulling me into what I assume is a hug for him. Uncle Marcus is on my mom's side of the family; you can definitely see the family resemblance. He's got brown hair that he always keeps short and the most piercing green eyes I've ever seen in my life, we're not particularly close but if he hadn't been pushed to volunteer in the games, I would image that he would've been the fun uncle.
He sighs before speaking, "I know why you volunteered Cato, and I would have done the same thing if I had been in your position. I just hope you're ready to win this thing," He takes a breath and murmurs to himself, "and I hope for the life of me that you can handle what comes after that." I give him a questioning look but he just continues on as if he hadn't said anything else, "Albus and Camilla can stay with me while you're gone. I know how you worry about them when you aren't home. And truth be told, I wouldn't want to leave them with your parents if something were to happen to you."
I open my mouth to say something, but I can't. My uncle has never really spoken this much to me, and the fact that he would take in my siblings if I were to die in the arena amazes me. I manage to squeak out a sincere, "Thank you." I see my uncle in a new light now, even though he's been withdrawn ever since I've known him, I know there's a good man beneath that exterior. He simply nods before slapping me on the back, "Don't mention it, kid. You'll do fine, I've watched you fight and you're a natural. Just- just don't trust that one Lynn girl, she's trouble." He says as the door opens to reveal two peacekeepers. He nods at them before squeezing my shoulder one last time and walking out the door. He turns around at the last second, "Knock 'em dead, kid." He says as he slips away.
I glance at the two peacekeepers; their faces are impassive and devoid of emotion. They're like robots, they don't care that they've torn apart a family, all they know how to do is follow orders. I want to hate them, really, I do but I know the blame rests mostly with the Capitol and their 'Hunger Games' bullshit they pull every year. They gesture for me to follow them and I comply without question. The sooner I get to the Capitol, the sooner I can enter into the Games and come back home. The only question on my mind is whether or not I'll come back dead or alive.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Sorry I didn't update earlier, I got caught up in some last minute school work after finals. I decided to do this chapter in Cato's POV since I wasn't sure if I should do another one in Katniss' POV. Please leave a review and let me know what you think. Constructive Criticism is very welcome!
