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Despite the doctor's warning, Cato wouldn't stay in bed. He would be at the training center or in the living room watching TV or he would simply be walking around, trying to find something to keep him occupied. The Reaping was coming up and he was going to mentor the tributes. When the 74th Hunger Games had replayed, Cato went into a foul mood for two days. He barely talked, barely ate and barely paid attention to his surroundings. It was only because of Amethyst's begging that he finally ate a few times. It was dinner time, a month after the wedding when Amethyst asked Cato something.

"How many times is my name in there?" Amethyst asked.

Cato's eyebrows shot up and then he frowned. "I don't know. Why?"

"I think I'm the only name in there."

Cato's frown deepened. "Why do you think that?"

"Because of what President Snow said."

"Wait, you've met Snow? When did this happen?"

"Before we got married."

Cato rolled his eyes. "Wow, and you never felt it important for your husband to know?"

Amethyst looked down.

"What did he say?" Cato asked.

"Um... well nothing important." Amethyst managed a nervous smile.

"Oh really? The President of Panem met you to say nothing important? I find that very hard to believe." Cato sneered.

"Well he said that you were... um... look I don't know how to put this. He just said you were really um good looking and that many Capitol women-" Amethyst coughed, "loved you. And well they kind of wanted you and that marrying you would be a big mistake on my behalf and stuff like that. Nothing important really."

"Again with the nothing important shit! This is bloody important! I can't believe you didn't tell me this earlier." Cato scowled. His face was red in anger.

"What would you have done about it anyway? It's not like you could've done anything." Amethyst whispered while picking at her food.

Cato didn't answer. "You know why I tried to kill myself?" He asked after a while.

"I think so. Because you wanted to be with Clove."

"Partly. I also did it because," Cato paused. "Because I was expected to sleep with Capitol women."

Amethyst's eyes widened. "What?"

"Yeah, and getting married didn't stop that. I'm dreading the games because I'll have to go back to the Capitol. They threaten me with my family so I have to do what they say. I hate it." Cato was looking down now. Amethyst was quiet. Now she understood why Cato was so bitter all of the time. He was only 18 and an adult in so many ways. Cato unbuttoned the first two buttons of his shirt and pulled it over his head. Amethyst frowned and then gasped. Cato had marks all over his chest. There were scars and small red marks. Marks that would probably never heal. Amethyst stood up and walked towards Cato. She wrapped her arms around Cato's waist and pulled him closer. He stiffened at first and then relaxed a bit. Amethyst laid her head on his chest and held him tightly. After a while, Cato pulled away and stood up before walking out of the room. Amethyst watched him leave and sighed. She hoped he would be alright.

That night, Cato had another nightmare. He was crying slightly but the tears were unnoticed. The bed sheets were messed and he was thrashing in bed. Amethyst woke up when she felt someone kick her. She sat up and shook Cato gently.

"Cato. Cato wake up." Amethyst said. Cato bolted up in bed, gasping for air. Amethyst ran out of the room and brought a glass of water. She handed it to Cato who took it without a word. He gulped it down and put it aside. His breathing returned to normal. Cato ran a hand on his face and looked out the dark window while Amethyst watched him.

"Was it about Clove?" Amethyst asked. Cato shook his head. "No. It was about you."

Amethyst's eyes widened in surprise. She tilted her head and placed a hand on Cato's shoulder. "It was just a nightmare."

"Yeah but it seemed so real."

"It's okay. Everything is going to be okay."

"How? How is everything going to be okay? My life is hell! Every year we watch 23 kids die all because the Capitol wants entertainment! The Capitol controls me." Cato's voice dropped to a whisper. "I'm just their puppet."

"No you are not." Amethyst said and Cato was surprised by the sharp edge in her voice. He looked at her. They sat there, not talking. Finally, Amethyst laid her head on the pillow. She took Cato's arm and gently pulled him until he was lying next to her. She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him closer until there was no gap left between them.

"Go to sleep." Amethyst whispered and then kissed Cato's forehead.

"Why did you do that?" He asked while frowning.

"My mom used to tell me that kissing someone's forehead before they sleep keep the nightmares away. That way, the good in the kiss vanishes the bad in the nightmare."

Cato's frown disappeared. He bit his lip before putting his arms around Amethyst. He didn't have anymore nightmares that night.

Amethyst tightly clutched the necklace in her hands. The one her mother had given her before her wedding. She stood silently while tugging on a lock of hair. She watched as the small piece of paper was pulled out of the glass sphere and her eyes wandered to Cato. He had his eyes closed and his arms crossed. A frown plastered his face. The paper was unfolded.

"Amethyst Irone."

Cato's eyes shot open and he looked at Amethyst, his eyes showing the fear he was feeling. Amethyst squeezed her eyes shut and then opened them as a tear slipped down her cheek. Fear, sorrow, terror, and pain washed over her. Cato's eyes were glinting and Amethyst looked away. Amethyst walked to the stage slowly. Another piece of paper was picked.

"Spike Alejandro."

Amethyst gasped as she saw a 12 year old walk to the stage. He had black hair and eyes. He was short with silent tears running down his cheeks and his lips were trembling. They were told to shake hands and then led away. Max and Amethyst's mother ran into the room where she was taken. They both hugged her while her mother cried.

"You'll win." Max said. "You'll definitely win."

Amethyst nodded slowly and the two of them left. Cato entered the room. He was biting his lip and was deathly pale. He looked at Amethyst and tightly closed his eyes before taking a deep breath. He didn't say anything and looked away while opening his eyes. He heard a small whimper and looked back at Amethyst. She was crying. Her brown eyes were wide in terror. Amethyst placed her face in her hands and collapsed on the ground. Cato bent down next to her and pulled her into his arms. Suddenly he pulled away and Amethyst looked up. Cato's eyes were wide and he was looking at Amethyst in horror. "They won't let you live." Cato said slowly. "They'll kill you like they killed Clove."

Cato stood up and his eyes turned hard. "Goddamn it!" He yelled.

"Cato-" Amethyst began.

"This is all my bloody fault! They killed Clove because I loved her! And now," Cato took a deep breath, "they're going to kill you too."

Amethyst watched as Cato's shoulders slumped and he leaned against the wall. Amethyst put a hand on his arm.

"Don't worry. I'll win." Amethyst whispered.

It was a lie. Because she would die.

It was meant for Cato to watch his wife die. Just like he had watched his first love die.

He would hear Amethyst scream. Just like he had heard Clove scream.

He would cry. Just like he had cried when Clove had died.

He would scream. Just like he had when Clove fell cold on the ground.

He would beg for death. Which would never come for him.

And he would break. Again.