Chapter 3:

Here They Come

Disclaimer: I don't own both The Hunger Games and the logo (which I'm using it for the cover image of this story :P), it's copyrighted by Suzanne Collins :D


Clove's POV

I look at Cato's direction only to find him armored by Marvel's spear and his sword. Great. Can he be stupid somewhere else? Does he honestly dumb enough to believe that he can fight against numerous mutts with only a spear and a sword? Great, just great... Useless like always. I roll my eyes at that statement and carry on.

I look at my surrounding and realize straight away the zero chance we have in escaping. We're surrounded; it's impossible to make a single move now without being torn apart by them. I guess I don't have a choice, do I? I'm just about to take a knife from my vest when a thought runs through my mind. They're starving… and we have food.

"Cato, give them the meat! NOW!" Cato stares at me questioningly but stops his action of killing the mutts anyways. "What?! Are you deaf or something? I said GIVE. THEM. THE. FOOD!" He grins and then shakes his head harshly. "Say it politely and maybe I'll think about it."

"Meaning, you want me to say it with please?"

"Well, not exactly, but that'll do."

His last answer makes me feel like cutting and tearing him into billions of pieces with my knife. I never say please to anyone in my entire life, not even to my 'parents', so what gives him the right to make me? "Fine, I'll do it by myself then."

I can see he's a little bit shock but still manages to play along for the sake of his pride; the same reason as mine. His glare sharpens as he opens his mouth. "You wouldn't dare. You're way too far; it's impossible."

"Watch me."


They said life flashes before you when you know you're about to die.

Of course, being a stubborn and realistic person I am, I never bothered to listen nor consider about the statement itself. But now as I'm nearing death, I'm starting to doubt myself. As I stand there, surrounded by the mutts and am too startled to even move my own legs, all I can think is one thing….

My mother and the day of her funeral.

It was a very sickening sight, really. With everyone kept on telling me how sorry they were and all. Well guess what? I'M NOT. My mother died because she killed herself, not because of a monster ripping and tearing her flesh in pieces. No, she died because she couldn't take the pressure of being a Victor, because she couldn't bear at the thought of raising her daughter alone, because… because she was a weakling.

And that's why my mother and I would never be the same, because I was born to be a Victor, and she was not.

I mean, what kind of person would kill themselves after surviving death? I bet even the idiot Cato won't do it. I know he's dumb and completely useless, but even him will know that's the stupidest thing to do. Oh, what am I kidding? We're talking about Cato here; the selfish bastard that doesn't care about anyone besides himself and his way to victory. There's no way he'd ever feel guilty or even a tiniest sorry.

But again, who am I to judge? All the satisfaction I get from killing, you probably think I'm a complete psycho by now. Guilt? Well, for starters, let me tell you a story. Back in District 2, there's no such a word as guilt or regret. No, but we were taught of a phrase instead, 'to kill or to be killed'. That's the motto we grew up and familiar with. That's the slogan we keep in our minds. And that's the quote that still keeps me alive 'till this very moment.

Yet, I still find myself doubting. Who knows? Maybe that 'guilty' feeling was there all along, but it felt so alien to me so I just shrugged it off. Or maybe it's the Games, slowly changing us into some kind of a maniac.

Who knows?


Cato's POV

This can't be true. No, this has to a nightmare. All my life I've never seen Clove so… passive. It's like she knows she's going to die and completely okay with it. How she remains calm and does completely nothing at this very moment, somehow just frightens me.

As I desperately make my way towards her, I can't help but to think of something to snap her out of it. And unfortunately, I came up with the most suicidal solution ever. "Hey Clover!" Still no response, huh? That's okay, 'cause we haven't even reached the best part, yet. "Are you just gonna die like that? Without giving the Capitol some kind of good show?"

I can see just the tiniest bit of light coming back to her eyes. But still, that won't do any good. The mutts are racing towards her like crazy, and at this rate, she'll be torn to pieces as a matter of seconds!

I sigh in frustration while struggling to kill all the mutts standing on my way. It's impossible, I know. There's no way for me to safe her now. In fact, I think it's too late for her to safe herself now…

Out of the sudden, I feel my heart beating so fast as if it's going to explode.

Why? I can't think of a reason for this kind of behavior. I'm so used to seeing people dying. So why does this one be any different? And why does it seem like I'm trying to get her out alive so bad? Well, you know what? Screw it, I don't care. If I care for her, so be it. The urge for saving her is by far much more higher than all of these stupid questions ringing in my head. Besides, that's Clove's job. Who'll do it for me if she's dead?

"Are you just gonna end up like your freakin' mom? Died in tragedy? Well guess what, Clove?! At least people still remember her after she died, but you? You're nothing but just another worthless tribute in the Games!"

And just like out of nowhere, she's back to her very own self. I smirk as she shoots me the worst glare ever. But the real question is, now what? I guess I should've never brought her back to reality; maybe she'd somehow die more peaceful that way. Even with her professionalism with throwing knives and stuff, surviving this definitely needs all the odds in her favor.

At least that's what I thought. Right now, I'm just stunned with her sudden transformation. One by one, she killed them all without catching a single breath. Blood splattering everywhere and the sound of mutts howling can be heard from a radius of 5 km She has turned into some kind of a monster now. But that's okay, because I'm a monster too.

And together, we might just make it…


A/N: Look who's back from the dead? Yup, my fellow readers, it's me! :3 So sorry to make you wait this long, ya see, I just been to this camp... and let's just say it was pretty much a stressful, near-death experience. Like honestly, the way to the bathroom was so slippery 'till I would've sworn people with heart attacks would have an instant death on their way.

Anyways, since my mind seems to have function under stressful conditions, instead of freaking out, I did this fic instead! Pretty wise, huh? 8) Updates might be just a LITTLE faster since it's winter holiday (yay!), but still I can't promise you anything...

And finally, for those who reviewed, thank you very much! Reviews are always welcomed and well-appreciated, in fact, they're sorta my motivation for writing (true fact) :D