*Hey guys, part 3 is finally up! Sorry it took so long. I guess this chapter is like flashblack chapter to give the story flow, & I'm sorry if you think my casual conversations are crappy. I think I'm getting better at them. I really like this part, and I hope you guys enjoy it. The Games have begun. c:!*
I'm sitting in a soft-backed chair underneath the arena that'll be my home for the next few weeks. I don't really care what's inside it. Concealment, openness, anything is okay with me. I'd prefer if it wasn't too hot in there, but it doesn't really matter. No matter what the weather or what is provided to me, nothing will stand in my way. So I don't allow myself to worry about the arena, or the weaponry they'll give me, or even the other tributes. But still, I can feel my heartbeat quickening with each moment that passes, my nerves running high. I'm not afraid to die, because I know that's not a possibility. But the only thing my mind will let myself dwell on is my father. All of his harsh words he's thrown my way over the years are running through my head, making me cringe at the memories. All of the times he told me I meant nothing to him, or to anybody, unless I could win. All of the times he told me I was worthless, stupid, and forced me to train until I couldn't lift a sword.
I can't afford to mess up once that gong sounds. I have to prove him wrong. I have more than enough faith in myself, I just don't know whether or not I can make him have faith in me. His screams are echoing through my head, threatening to overwhelm me, when I get up out of my chair and kick it away from me out of frustration, hard. I force myself to slow my breathing and shake my head a few times, clearing my thoughts out and controlling my pulse. I tell myself that I'm being ridiculous, that I've trained hard for this, that I'm going to win no matter what.
I walk over to where the chair fell at Edgar's feet. He looks startled at my sudden and unexpected outburst but motions toward me anyway. "Here, put this on," he says, and hands me my jacket. My clothes will be identical to those of all the other tributes. I circle the room, jumping up and down and jogging. "The clothes feel great," I say. "Good," Edgar replies with a smirk. He studies me, then clears his throat. "You're the top contender, Cato," he says. "I won't be at all surprised when you come out of the arena, based on all you've done."He's trying to reassure me, and it's working. I know that I'll have sponsors, and I know I'll win. I'd just feel more confident if it wasn't for District 12.
The training and the interview both went well. Clove and I separated during training to go work with our separate weapons, and also to ensure packs with our fellow careers. District 1 looks promising, they'll be plenty useful to have around. We all decided not to keep the boy from District 4 around, but the girl will be valuable. I out showed everyone with weaponry skills, not bothering to take notice of the outlying districts. Every time I looked over at them, they were trying to learn how to start fires or tie knots, memorizing which plants are edible and which aren't. Skills people who won't have supplies will need. Skills needed by those who can't even pick up a knife, let alone kill.
When the scores were aired after our three days of training, I was sitting to the left of Brutus, Clove on his right. The District 1 tributes both received nines, a decent score for their amount of skill. I tensed as my name flashed across the screen, followed by my score. 10. I laughed aloud and took in the congratulations of everyone around me, pride filling my body. This is the score victors from districts 1, 2, and 4 usually get. Clove leaned over to me and said "Congratulations, Cato," with a wink. I smiled at her and turned my attention the screen, where Caesar Flickerman was calling out her name and her score was already flashing with bolded white letters on the TV.
10. She gave a squeak and jumped off the couch. I encircled her in my arms. "Nice job, Clover." She broke away from me and rolled her eyes. "Yeah, you still need to work on that. But it's better." We smiled at each other for a few more seconds and then realized where we were. I glanced over at the people sitting on the couch. They were all sitting with their mouths agape and quickly averted their eyes when I met theirs. I cleared my throat. "Let's just check out the rest of the ranks," I said. I sat back down next to Brutus, not wanting to draw any attention to whatever it is Clove and I have going on.
The scores and the names of my competition all flew by, me not really paying any attention to them. I was just about ready to close my eyes and clock out when I heard the number. 11. I sat straight up, shooting an incredulous look to the others sitting on the couch. Everyone's mouths were again hanging open, and I saw a fire light in Clove's eyes. "Her?" she screamed. She's right. District 12, the small brunette? The most she ever did in training was name all the edible plants in existence and giggle pathetically at lunch at everything the boy from her district said. She showed no skill whatsoever, so how the hell did she score an 11?
A feeling of unease had swept over the room, and Clove had started muttering under her breath, her expression cold. Eventually, she got so worked up she shot out of her seat, still smoldering. I expected her to scream, but she was deadly quiet. "I just don't get it. I don't understand. She's from District 12, since when can they do anything except mine for coal? She's pathetic. She's got nothing!" she turned to me. "We sure as hell better get her in the arena, Cato. I swear, I'll kill her." Then she stormed out of the room. That was the first time I saw the other side of Clove. I'd seen it surface in training, both at home and at the training center here. The way she focuses on her target and nothing else until she pierces it through the heart, the confidence she feels afterward.
She comes off pleasant enough to others, and she's warm to me when we're alone. But she's just as ruthless as I am. That's probably why I'm so drawn to her.
I'm pulled out of my world of memories when Edgar offers me water, which I take. I'm moved to anger myself now, thinking of Fire Girl and how she outscored me. Clove's anger was not misdirected, how could she manage that? Katniss Everdeen, I think. The Girl on Fire. Hah, the interviews went exactly the same. I shined. The Capitol loved my cocky, bloodthirsty, and unforgiving personality. Clove won them over with her charm. She wore a red dress and her hair was in a complicated style, most of it left falling over her shoulders. She looked beautiful. The crowd loved the mysterious, sweet, sarcastic girl from District 2.
After Cloves three minutes were up and she took her seat next to me, I felt confident. The sponsors would be competing amongst themselves to get a chance to sponsor me. And they all adored Clove and her malicious personality cleverly interspersed with a sweet one; they'd all come around to her soon enough. I know that they have their doubts about her due to her size, but they'll think twice once they see her throw a knife. I thought no one could top us. All of the tributes had pretty decent angles to play the crowd, I'll give them that. District 5's redhead seemed cunning and sneaky, but we all know she's not winning the Games.. Both of District 11's tributes made a splash.
The little girl won the crowd over with her sweet, innocent small talk, but there's no way she's getting sponsors. Everyone knows there's no way she'll even survive the bloodbath. The male definitely won the people over, though. He had a dark power about himself, and he didn't even say much. During training I asked him to eat lunch with us. He knew that would lead to an alliance with the Careers, and he still refused. I can't think of one reason why. What I fucking stupid thing to do. I know he'll be my biggest competition in the arena, but I'm sure I could bring him down with my sword, easy.
Until District 12 came, I thought Clove and I had stolen the show. We had made an impression on the viewers, left them wanting more from our district. No one else had done that, until Fire Girl brought her flames up to the stage. This time they were in the form of a dress. She spun on the stage and giggled like an idiot, and smiled at everything Caesar said. Her bubbly attitude made me want to knock her teeth out, and it didn't even phase me when she talked about her poor little sister. Sure, the crowd would have sympathy for her. But that's not going to get her many sponsors. Then came loverboy, with his high and mighty confession of love for his district counterpart, the crowds immediate reaction. Oh, the poor tributes, how their love was doomed.
The star-crossed lovers of District 12. What a joke! Fire Girl and loverboy had stolen all the attention once again. The fact that the Capitol had even bought into that crap proves how simpleminded they are. We'll see how their undying love holds up in the arena, when they'll be forced to reveal how real or fake it is. How would the audience react if they knew about Clove and I? I think. Whatever it is Clove and I are. It doesn't matter, though. How stupid you have to be to present yourself as star-crossed lovers is beyond me. It may earn them sponsors, but this angle only makes the District 12 tributes look weak. Instead of batting your eyelashes at the Girl on Fire, loverboy, why don't you stand and fight for real.
My anger brings me back to myself. Focus, Cato, I think. You need to be ready. I'll be stepping onto the launch pad soon, but my head is still swimming with thoughts of training and interviews. I look down at the cup clutched in my hand and realize that my knuckles are pale white. I loosen my grip and force myself to stare at the water in the cup and think of nothing else. Clear water.. My eyes drift to the glass surrounding the water and the color of it registers in my mind. Red.
I smile, a real one that finds its way all the way to my eyes. Right now, she's the only person that could make me smile this way. We've been spending a lot of time together late at night, after training and after everyone's gone to sleep. Last night we met in the dining room as soon as Brutus retreated to his room down the hall. When she tiptoed into the room I was already there waiting for her."Hey, Clover," I said.
"Oh Cato, stop! My name is Clove. I hate nicknames, especially one as frilly as that," she replied.
"I know," I said. "That's why I'm calling you that.
Before I could tease her more, she picked up a knife from the table and threw it toward my face. It flew over my head and stuck into the wall just above me. I looked up and pulled it out by the handle, rattled and shocked. Clove smirked at the startled expression that was undoubtedly plastered on my face. "Say it again and it'll be in your head."
My expression grew and Clove laughed. "You could've killed me!" I yelled.
"Cato, I wouldn't. There's 'no fighting with the tributes before the arena,'" she said, mimicking the nasally tone of Atala, one of the trainers. "Besides, I was aiming above your head. If I had aimed directly for it, you'd be dead right now." Underneath the smirk and soft attitude, I saw a glint of insanity in Cloves eyes. It's always there, I realized. Just not always noticeable. I moved toward her, intrigued like I always am by who she is. I leaned in toward her face, leaving mine centimeters from hers.
"I bet you wouldn't risk it again," I whispered. Clove didn't move away, just rolled her eyes. "Oh please. There's no risk in it, you'd never get killed 'cause I'd never miss."
"Oh, wow, don't be modest or anything!" I said. She giggled.
"I'm just stating the truth. Get against that wall."
I answered with a raise of my eyebrows and a seductive smile. "Oh, so you want me against the wall now?"
"SHUT UP, Cato!" Clove screamed. "I'm serious!" I chuckled and made my way over to the wall. I stood with my back against it, arms spread out.
"If you're doing what I think you will.. There's no way," I said. "You're sixteen; you have to slip up at least once. Throw all the knives you can find in the kitchen. I bet you'll draw blood at least once."
"Oh? And what do I get if I don't?" Clove replies.
"It's up to you," I muttered, and her smile grew.
"I get… the biggest sword in the arena." The smirk dropped from my face.
"NO! No way, I need that, you've got your weapon!"
"Awh. Scared?" she replied, a smug look on her face.
"No,"I said. "Throw them."
The glint returned to Cloves eyes and she picked up a knife from the counter. She threw it and it went soaring toward my head. I scrunched up my face but didn't move, and the knife stuck just to the side of my left ear. Clove continued with the routine, sometimes placing a horrified look on her face after she threw a knife, making it look like her hand had skipped and she was about to kill me. But she never messed up. She never misses.
When all the available knives were gone, Clove had a knife outlining every major part of my body. "Ha-ha!" she giggled. "I get the sword, Cato. Don't worry. I only want to use it once." I moved toward her, bending down to her height.
"There's no way, Clover. It's mine." She stood up on her tiptoes and the corners of her mouth lifted up in a smile.
"A bet's a bet," she said. I didn't move away, just stood her down, challenging her. My eyes met hers and she leaned into me, pressing her lips against mine. I was surprised at first, not expecting her to show any affection. Eventually, I kissed her back, pulling her in closer to me.
Clove's so guarded, every time she lets me in it's so different. We spent the rest of the night laughing and talking of things of no particular interest, like how old we were when we started training, or what our favorite colors were. Hers is red.
Edgar places a hand on my shoulder and I'm reminded of where exactly I am. "Get ready, Cato," he says. "It's time to prepare for launch." I take a deep breath and clear my mind. I'm more than ready for what I'm about to do. I give Edgar's hand one final shake before I leave, and he gives me an encouraging pat on back. "Good luck. I'll see you soon," he says. I give him a quick thank you and step onto the metal plate. The glass encircles around me and lifts me upwards. I'm surrounded by darkness until I reach the arena, and the metal plate pushes me out of the cylinder and into the open air.
I'm blinded by the sunlight at first, but soon my eyes fixate on the golden cornucopia, overflowing with weapons and supplies. I position myself to run toward it just as I hear Claudius Templesmith's voice booming through the arena. "Ladies and gentleman, let the Seventy-fourth Hunger Games begin!"
We have exactly sixty seconds until the gong sounds. Sixty seconds until the Games start. I hear the timer counting down and allow myself to take in my surroundings. There's a lake to my right side, woods to my left. The Cornucopia is situated on an open space, nothing but dirt underneath it. It's a pretty simple arena, but the weapons I see are better than I had dared hope for.
Twenty seconds left. I look at the faces of the tributes to the sides of me and see a mix of fear and determination. Ten seconds. I lean forward, ready to jump off my plate, ready to run. Five seconds. I take in one collective breath and I hear the sound of the gong ring out.
Adrenaline courses through my veins as I leap off the plate and run as fast as I can toward the supplies. My feet hit the hard-packed earth so hard my teeth ring, and I'm one of the first tributes to get there to the Cornucopia. I see Glimmer arrive seconds after me. I give her a nod and start toward a case I'm sure contains a sword as she grabs a silver bow and a sheath of arrows. I open the case quickly, grab the biggest sword in there, and spin around to survey the other tributes. One lies rolling on the ground, Glimmer's arrow lodged in his shoulder. She shoots again and it sticks on the side of his neck. Blood spews out of him as the life drains out of his body.
I see a girl running toward a pack that lies on the ground near me and smile to myself. Big mistake, District 7. As she bends down to retrieve it I stick the sword into her back, pulling it out quickly to find it dripping with blood. As she crumples to the floor I kick her body away from me, ready for other opponents. A few are already dead, and I look to the trees to see a flash of red hair retreat into the woods. Many tributes will be hiding in the welcoming arms of the branches, waiting for me to come and kill them.
As I see more tributes run away from where I am, I catch my first glimpse of Clove since last night. She's directly behind two tributes. One I don't recognize, the other is Fire Girl. She throws her knife and it sticks into the back of the boy. Katniss grabs a backpack from the ground and starts to run toward the trees. Clove steps forward and throws her weapon as hard as she can toward District 12. To her horror, it lodges in the pack Katniss used to protect her head. But she does not pursue her, which I understand. We need to get rid of the tributes here, and Fire Girl will be easy to kill later.
I feel a sharp stab of pain on my left arm and see the boy from District 5 with a triumphant smile plastered on his face standing behind me, knife in hand. I start toward him and he ducks, coming around to punch me in the jaw. Before he can, I grab his arm and twist it around until I feel a snap. He cries out in pain as I kick him to the ground. His eyes are filled with tears and a pleading look as I grab his knife from his hand and slide it across his throat. I straighten up and distance myself from the boy, ready for more blood to shed.
The sight that meets my eyes is different than the one I expected, and I can feel terror starting to creep into my mind. Clove is in a fight with a girl tribute, just about ready to raise a knife to her head and kill her. But there's another one creeping up behind her, and he's ready to attack. "CLOVE!" I yell. I run toward her but realize I won't get there in time to kill the boy. I toss her my sword and yell "behind you!" Her eyes widen as she catches the sword by the hilt. She kicks the girl away from her and spins around just in time to stab the boy through the heart. If she took a second longer, she would've been dead. I'm shaking so hard, but relief floods through me as I reach her side. She raises her knife and finishes the girl, District 6, off. There's a small smile on her face as she does the job, and I see the glint in her eyes, intensified this time. I turn my back to her, prepared to be bombarded with attacks.
I'm confused. That's the most scared I've been in years, and it's all because of her. Because I almost had to endure watching her die, but I went out of my way to save her instead.
Images of her blood pouring over the ground and her picture in the sky tonight flood my head and I feel my heart drop into my stomach, I feel my throat close up.
It's now that I realize what I'll have to do in the weeks to come. There's no way I can afford to let Clove get killed while I'm around, no way I'd be able to let that happen. I need to win, but she cannot die. No matter how much this goes against my instincts, or how much this may affect me in the end, I have to fight for her. I have to protect her. ..I have to keep her alive. It's now that I realize what I've gotten myself into, how the girl with the knives has changed everything. It's in this moment that I realize my love for her.. Love for her, will end up driving me insane.