I know, I know, Ice Prince seems a bit much… I really should have thought more about it,,, but since I basically worship Cato's character, I found the moniker apt.

Chapter 4

Huffing painfully due to fatigue, I puff out "Are you sure of where we're going?"

"For the last time, yes, I'm sure… I saw the familiar landmarks, we're on the right path" Cato replied, annoyed at my insistence. We're currently heading back to the Cornucopia, or at least trying to. We've been walking for hours and the fruits I've eaten this afternoon barely sated my hunger.

"We should stop" I suggested, making my voice louder to convey my irritation. "How about we don't" was the quick retort from my captor.

"Were never going to reach it during night and we didn't eat all day, do you really want to die of hunger in the Hunger Games? We'll be the laughing stock of Panem for being the worst pun in the history of the games!" looking at him in the eyes and thumping my bound hands on his stomach to emphasize my point. Scouting our surroundings, I see that we didn't really have much choice in the way of sustenance. Unless you count frozen plants as edible.

"Okay, we'll stop and I'll find us some food. But we need to get to shelter first"

"That's what I've been suggesting for the past two hours, and you decided that trekking in snow is more enjoyable" I remind him blandly. He scowled at me for that but I didn't really care, it's hard being irritated when you're feeling dizzy from starvation. I hate feeling hungry, back in District 12 the lowest point in my young life was when Peeta threw me that bread. Some would say that his actions were just that, ridding the bakery of burned pastry but I knew that he was beaten by his abusive mother for wasting the bread on someone from the Seam. That was also the turning point for me, never again would I rely on someone to care for me, I'll survive with Prim and mother on my own.

Which is why I uttered these next words, "I can help with the food"

Looking at me weirdly, he raised an eyebrow. "You're barely standing up, Fire Girl and I'm not risking you getting away from me" and that was that. End of discussion. At least for him, unfortunately for the Brute, I refuse to budge when he tried to turn me in one direction.

"We already came from that direction; we should just find some shade going forward to shorten the distance between us and the Cornucopia tomorrow." After a staring contest and silent battle of wills, I see him slump his shoulders, conceding to my point. Smirking inwardly, I lead him towards the other direction.

Thirty minutes into the walk, I see a dark spot across a white expanse, eagerly trotting towards that spot, thinking of it as a cave, I never heard Cato shouting a warning about thin ice until it was too late. The floor cracked and gazing down at it wonderingly, I plunged down.

Fast.

It was too cold, the water was freezing and my hands are bound, feet were weakened from walking all day. Looking up, I see the water hardening over me. Panicking, I try to smash the white film and see Cato doing the same. I'm grateful now for the rope, since it's the only one anchoring me to the surface. The cold was getting to me, my hands look blue and my lips feel numb. My mind is drifting off as well.

Losing consciousness.

Shit, shit, I told her to watch her steps but the stubborn girl didn't listen. When I saw her lose consciousness, I knew that I had to get her out of there fast. Using my sword, I smash the ice and was grateful for the first time in being born in this kind of climate because it made me a bit impervious to the cold.

Hitting it again and again, I hear a crack. Grateful, I focused on that cracked spot. When it gave, it also pulled me down. But I was more determined. Grabbing Katniss around her waist, I hug her to me kicking out my feet furiously to safety. Hauling her body over the edge, I lift myself up on my own. Upon wiping her face, I was terrified to see her blue lips and complexion. But first things first.

Opening my mouth over hers, I breath out transferring one then two shallow breaths. Lifting my head, I look to her chest to check if she can breathe on her own. I sigh in relief upon seeing the rhythmic rise and fall of her chest. Leaning back, I breathe rapidly, trying to get my bearings. We're not out of the woods yet, hypothermia is almost as dangerous as drowning if left on its own. But first, I grab her hands cutting off the ropes binding her hands. I doubt that she can walk in this condition much less escape. Bending down and picking her up, I trod carefully towards the cave like structure.

I feel tired… really tired. And the night breeze isn't helping any. Upon stepping on grass, I search frantically for the cave and see it but it wasn't a cave because I can see roots. Nonetheless, I'm too exhausted to care as long as it will provide some modicum of shelter and heat. Crawling towards the deeper end of the enclave, I sigh in relief of finding no stray animals. It smells of leaves, dry leaves. Placing Katniss in an elevated portion, I quickly strip off her garments. Jacket. shirt and then pants. Rubbing her arms and legs, I try to generate as much heat as I can. Also, stripping off to my underwear, I search my pack for sleeping bags and was grateful that it remained dry. Opening it, I dump Katniss beneath the thermal blanket, joining her immediately. My relief was short-lived when she started shaking. Pulling her towards me, I wrap my legs around hers and then arms around her shoulders, adding my warmth to the sleeping bags and anchoring her. After two minutes or so, she stops shaking.

Looking at her closely, I rub my arms and legs along her body repeatedly. Keeping it well insulated. We really need to eat but I can't really leave Fire Girl like this.

The effort of trekking and then saving Katniss took its toll and before long, my lids slowly lower bringing me to sleep.

"My name is Katniss Everdeen, named after the plant" a girl with brown braids announced cheerfully to the class "and I like to sing, I have one sister, Prim and she's only one year old, my father works in the mines and mother works with herbs. We live in the Seam"

Half of the class scoffed upon hearing the last word, automatically, ostracizing the little girl because of her social status.

"Okay Katniss, you can sit beside Madge" and Katniss headed towards that direction. But before she can get there, a kid with ash blond hair and brown eyes raises her hand and says in a haughty tone.

"But Teacher, she might infect Madge with soot." The class laughed at the small girl while Katniss started fidgeting uncomfortably with the hem of her dress that has obviously seen better days. Feeling self conscious, the small girl tried to go in another direction where all the other Seam kids were gathered when the blond girl named Madge stopped her.

"It's okay, you can sit with me" Madge smiles generously at Katniss.

Katniss gives her a small smile. "You're nice, I like you"

When it was time to eat their meals, the teacher ushered the children out of the classroom and directed them towards an open space. Once there, Katniss tried to go to one of the tables to eat but the mean kids sneered at her. Looking subdued, the girl with the braid walked towards the tree resting near the edge and sat down under the shade leaning on the bark. Opening her lunchbox, she smiled pleasantly upon seeing the apple. It was taken from beyond the fence so it has to remain a secret. While eating her food, Katniss noticed a shadow in front of her, looking up, she sees a boy with blond hair and warm blue eyes staring at her. He was small but looked strong.

"Hey Peeta! What are you doing there with the Seam trash?" another boy shouted while throwing a clump of dirt near my feet. The others laughed at my new nickname. Looking down, the girl bit her trembling lip.

The small boy looks at her sympathetically, uttering a soft "sorry" and turning to go back to his friends.

Squaring her shoulders, the girl with the braid rounds up a clump of dirt and flings it back towards the table. "I'm not trash and you all are stupid!" she shouts and sticks out her tongue. The group of kids were surprised, no one with that coloring ever retaliated.

The nice girl with blond hair and blue eyes looked at Katniss warmly and strides over to her side, leaving the group of mean kids surrounding her. "I'm Madge and let's be friends"

"I'd like that" Katniss smiles and answers shaking hands with her new friend.

that's the Thurston boy, his father was branded as a traitor because he refused to give up the weapon blueprints to the capitol…

I heard that it wasn't an accident, he was assassinated by Peacekeepers…

Poor boy, his mother was married off to that Victor as punishment, rumors say that he can be quite violent…

A boy of about seven clenches his fists tightly but still strides confidently towards the academy. If looked at closely, you'll see that there's a slight limp that he tries to hide along with purple bruising that's partially covered by his uniform.

"Hey Traitor! How's your new dad, bet your mother prefers a true Victor than your stupid father" A black haired kid with nasty blue eyes spouts for all to hear.

Shaking his head, he pushes on trying to ignore the snickers, whispers and pointed fingers following his ascent on the school steps. Heading straight towards his seat in the classroom, he hears the teacher say…

"Cato, you're late. Again. We won't be lenient anymore with displays like this. You're not the golden boy anymore" The teacher with the scowl reprimands the boy.

Nodding his head, the tall blond boy strides towards the back of the classroom. Sitting down, he merely looks outside and waits for the day to end. It wasn't like this before, people were always smiling when they see him but since his father's untimely demise, lots of nasty people started coming into the house. They turn over tables and break glasses. Mother married shortly after but he was bad. He likes hitting me and she doesn't do anything to stop it. I don't like this school, my friends were all in that other school but now, I'm stuck at this academy. The day flies by with Cato reminiscing of better times.

During practical class, they all gather around a stage like structure. This was tradition here. A student is paired off with someone of his equal size and are told to fight. Whoever wins gains the favor of the superiors. Cato wasn't interested in it. He was too new to be tested so he's usually on the sidelines.

But today was different.

"I want to fight him" The kid from before said to the instructor pointing towards Cato.

"He's still new, you won't get any challenge from that" the instructor said, trying to discourage.

"I don't care! He's my opponent!" stomping his feet, he goes straight to me and grabs my forearm. Cato winces slightly but the other boy doesn't relent. Pulling Cato forcefully towards the stage.

Standing still and looking around with wide eyes, Cato shifts his gaze towards his opponent.

"Fight!" the instructor shouts. The other boy charges, swipes his feet and then punches Cato on the side of his face. Cato goes down hard, the other kid doesn't stop, he keeps punching and kicking.

"Hey, rich boy, didn't your traitor of a father ever teach you to fight?" the black haired boy sneers at his fallen opponent. Cato looks straight ahead not seeing. "You're pathetic!" the other boy spats at him.

"You want me to stop?" the boy taunts, "then lick my boots, come on, do it" he pushes his dirty boot in Cato's face.

The fallen boy, Cato, snatches the foot near his mouth and twists it painfully until it cracks. The black-haired boy screams in pain. The instructors starts to go to them but Cato shouts "No! he's mine, you let him beat me up so I get to beat him up. Hunger Games rule is that there are no rules!"

Cato starts to pound his fists repeatedly on the other boy until he's reduced him to a whimpering mess on the floor.

Once satisfied with the injuries he inflicted, Cato turned to the crowd of students and instructors surrounding the two of them.

"Anybody else?"

...

I'm so hungry, why isn't mother doing anything. I miss father.

Clutching Prim's old clothes to my face, I start to cry. The rain keeps it hidden so it's okay.

Splash. Looking up, I see a burned bread in a puddle near my head. Seeing past that, I see a stocky boy with kind eyes being reprimanded and screamed at by a hysterical woman. He hangs his head in subordination.

Not waiting for them to notice me, I snatch up the bread and head on home.

Going inside our small house, I leave a wet trail as I go straight to Prims' room. She looks so tiny now yet whenever I look into her face, she always smiles at me brightly. Tearing off a bit of the bread, I soak it in broth that was too bland but would have to do. She doesn't eat much and for that I'm both grateful and saddened.

Looking at the doorway, I saw mother looking at me blankly.

"I won't blame you anymore but I won't rely on you anymore either" I say with conviction shining in my grey eyes. And for the first time, I see a crack in the shell that she's locked herself into since father's death.

"Let's leave him now, Mother." I ask her, trying valiantly to look at her eyes but it was difficult with my eye almost swollen shut after another round of beating. But that's okay, as long as, he doesn't touch mother.

"No, Cato…"

"Let's leave him!"

"No…" and mother starts weeping.

"Why not?"

"I'm pregnant" She whispers and then wails her answer to me."I'm pregnant with his child!"

I rear back in astonishment and back slowly away from her. After several moments, however, I try again "Then, that's okay too. I have some money saved up, we can live off that and I can work for the rest. And when I'm eighteen, I can access the trust fund father left me. I don't need to volunteer for tesserae. We don't need him" I plead, kneeling in front of her.

"I'm sorry Cato but I can't. But you can still go… don't stay here son. Just stay away." Mother asks of me. "This is my last wish for you, don't look back to this house or to me. Your father wouldn't have wanted this for you. Just always remember that we love you so much."

Pushing me back, I try one last time. Imploring her to come with me. She doesn't.

Those were the final words my mother spoke to me. I learned later that Victor Landos, her current husband, came home drunk and pushed my mother "accidentally" towards the stairs. She died along with the baby.

But what the autopsy and Peacekeepers didn't say is that she was getting ready to leave him, which sparked his temper and he lashed out at her. Killing both the baby and my mother in one shove.

When I received the news, I went straight to victors village to kill the bastard that murdered my mother and baby sister/brother but I was banned, they threw me out. Saying, that only Victors from the Hunger Games are allowed in.

And I needed to get inside so I can avenge mother. In that moment, I knew what I had to do.

That same day, I signed up for tesserae with every intention of going into the games.

I was thirteen.

"Prim! Prim! I volunteer I volunteer as Tribute!" I shout frantically at the Peacekeepers taking Prim away.

"I volunteer" I stride confidently towards the stage with my fellow classmates looking on agreeably.

"I promise to come back, Prim"

"I don't want to be a victor, Clove, I need to be a victor."

"We need to send them something" Haymitch says to the District Two mentors. "Those two will die in the next few days unless the damn gamemakers eases up on that weather."

"We know, but why should we? Cato can survive this. It's your tribute that's weighing him down" Brutus rumbles quite arrogantly. "He should have left her to die in the in that ice lake"

"Are you dumb or are you stupid? Look around you, the only thing keeping these idiots from closing on the games is the chemistry between those two. Even though I'm loathe to admit it." Haymitch pokes at Brutus chest. "Cato was spared because he helped my tribute"

"Now, send them the food" The District 12 mentor orders.

"No need for that Victor Haymitch, we have devised, shall we say, another feast to converge all the three tributes towards the Cornucopia."

Whipping around, I see Seneca Crane standing in the doorway, smirking. "You see, this last incident has brought on the highest rating in Panem viewing history. Everyone wants a piece of them and so, it was decided to end the 74th Hunger games on a high note." With his smile widening, He spreads his arms theatrically, "Strike while the iron is hot, as our ancestors say. With the blessing of our honorable president, of course."

"What do you mean? There's still three of them left and the rule is that a pair can survive if they're from the same district." Haymitch responds seriously.

"Well, I guess, you'll just have to wait and see…" Seneca smirks, secretly delighted with the transpiring events.

What happened?

The last thing that I remember before losing consciousness is Cato pounding on the ice. Ice. Opening my eyes fully still dizzy from the dreams and the residue of hypothermia, I check my surroundings, only to see him wrapped around me. The two of us just wearing our underwear.

My face flushes brightly.

I've survived 16 years with minimal contact from the opposite sex but push me inside the Hunger Games and I find myself plastered to two different boys in the same month. However, this seems more intimate. I'm not vain enough to think that he wanted me physically, this contact was driven by the need to survive. Nonetheless, this feeling seems more… much more. I've been cooped with Peeta for how many days, sleeping next to him, on him, beside him yet, this feeling from Cato seems more… and I need to stop thinking about this.

I don't want to think about this because in the end, I'll be going home with Peeta and we'll be living our lives together in District 12, with mother and Prim and yes, even that ugly cat. And Cato will simply be a distant memory locked away along with the painful ones sourced from the Hunger games. The question is whether that memory is something to treasure or discard.

My inner musings were interrupted by the speaker blasting out: "Attention Tributes."

"Cato, Cato wake up" nudging him softly and when he didn't budge, I pushed him. That's when I realized that my hands weren't bound. I was free. I could just leave him here and find Peeta. Or better yet, kill him , then go home with Peeta, thus, ending the 74th Hunger Games.

But I can't.

Cato saved me thrice during the games; my conscience really wouldn't let me. And so, I shake him again trying to wake him up. "Cato, you're really heavy and they're announcing something, you need to get up now." Groping around, I snatch my hand back abruptly when I felt something hard that's definitely not supposed to be hard. Trying to twist away from him was like trying to squirm free from a python. District Two is literally coiled around me with no room to budge.

"Damn it, Cato, get up!" since futile pushing and shoving is doing no good, I bite him on his shoulder. Hard.

"What the hell!" He springs up, shocked at the pain radiating from his shoulders. "Why did you do that for?" Cato stands with both hands on his hips glowering angrily at me.

"You were crushing me and we needed to get up for the announcement, they've been sounding off ages ago." She glared at him, gesturing up towards the outside world.

I stopped suddenly. That is when I remembered that he's naked, well wearing only his underwear and right now, the hard thing is kind of close to my face. Scurrying up immediately, I also stand up, which isn't that intimidating given our size difference but at least it puts me at eye-level with his chin. "Dress up!" I shout at him.

"Why should I? Am I bothering you, Katniss?" Cato stalks towards me and leans suggestively and in that cramped space, there's really not much room to escape. I turn red in embarrassment and some other thing that I will not name. "No, but then again, if you want to shift your career early, I bet there's still room for one stripper in the Capitol" she blasts back quickly.

After hearing the word "Capitol," he starts to collect his scattered clothes speedily.

"Just reminding you that your audience isn't limited to those in this cave…" she smirks back at him.

Pulling his shirt on, my attention drifts unintentionally towards his chest and abdomen. "Well, then I guess it's a good thing were both so entertaining" Cato lifts his eyebrows up suggestively. Looking down, that's when I recall that I'm naked as well.

"Shit!" shifting around, I also pick up the articles of clothing scattered around me.

Meanwhile… in the Capitol.

Laughter is heard from the audience on watching the two tributes' interaction. Most of them stayed up all night waiting for District 12 and Two to wake up. When dawn came along with the announcement, their banter and actions were definitely worth the wait.

Besides, watching the District Two tribute in as few clothes as possible is definitely a good way to start your day. Half the audience sighed audibly when he stood up. That angry expression combined with that physical form only served to fuel the sexual appetites of its residents.

"Mom, why is Katniss red in the face?" Little Prim asked innocently while those surrounding her tried to keep their laughter in.

Her mother looked down and contemplated what to say to her youngest, "Well, it's because that cave is too hot, they've been cooped up in that place for so long"

"But I heard some girls say that the boy is hot, why isn't he red in the face?" Prim contradicts.

"Ummm, he's… he's not that easily affected by it" Mother was also turning red, I wonder why…

"Attention Tributes, please gather at the Cornucopia. A feast will be laid out for all of you and pathways are marked for you to be able to reach your goal with haste."

Looking up at the sky, Peeta sighed in relief. He'll get to see Katniss again. It's a good thing, he wasn't able to travel that far from the Cornucopia or else it might take days before he gets a glimpse of her.

Katniss, just wait for me.

Heading back to the Cornucopa, I try to imagine different scenarios. Cato might attack Katniss when she gets there or maybe Katniss will shoot Cato on sight. Worst case scenario would be Katniss getting captured by Cato.

"Cato… what are you gonna do when we reach the Cornucopia?" Katniss asks directly.

"Why? Worried about Loverboy?" he asks mockingly. "You should be, but then again you should also be worried about yourself, how do you know that I won't slit your throat once we get to the Cornucopia?"

Shaking her head in negation, she frowns inwardly and answers "You've already saved me thrice, two of those times could have cost you your life. Killing me off in the Cornucopia is as unlikely as you professing your undying love for me"

The girl has a point. Why the hell did I have to save her?

"Well then, we'll just have to cross that bridge when we get there. The gamemakers are up to something. Calling us out like this is just strange. I've never heard of the Feast happening twice in the Hunger Games" Trying valiantly to keep the confusion and uncertainty off my voice. "But then again, a lot of things are happening that's not normal. We'll just have to stay alert."

"We?" she asks with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes, we, unless you want to test your theory on me not killing you off at the Cornucopia" I growl. "Don't even think of double-crossing me with your District partner, I'm going home and that's final. And if it means killing you and that Loverboy of yours, then so be it." I spat angrily. This discussion is making me lose my temper once again.

"Ditto" she says with steel in her voice that currently matches the color of eyes.

This will be the most remembered hunger games in Panem history and I will be the one to bring it about. Seneca Crane pauses, savoring the satisfaction and imagining the praises he'll be getting once he announces the winners.

The audience is at the ends of their seats, regardless of those in the Capitol and the rest of the Districts. All of them are holding their breath as they see the boy tribute from District 12 appearing at the Cornucopia. Two more are left.

Right now, they don't really know who they're rooting for. The Capitol people are split between those loyal to the starcrossed lovers and those intrigued with the inter-district combination. The arrival of the Girl on Fire and District Two was met with abated breath. They saw the Boy with the Bread try to come forward but was stopped when Cato pointed his sword towards him.

It's time.

"Stop right there Loverboy, you're not out of the woods yet." Cato warned him, holding his sword steadily forward. Katniss was terrified, Peeta looks so panicked and confused but Katniss' hands are bound yet again so she can't really go to him.

"Please don't do this" Peeta pleads. "Take me instead… she's all I have, I'd rather die than survive these games without her"

"Is your life really that cheap? Don't you have someone else waiting for you back home or does your world actually revolve around Katniss?" Cato sneers.

Peeta was momentarily speechless, surprised with Cato's use of Katniss' name but nonetheless barreled on. "No, I don't. You're right, I'm nothing without her." He stands up straight proudly expressing his feelings for all to hear.

"Really? I bet if Fire Girl was asked to choose she'd pick her sister any day than commit dual suicide with you." Katniss tried to elbow him for that remark but he just tightened his hold on her leash.

"You know, I hate people like you. Trying to look all heroic by ending your life for another person but in truth, it's just because you're weak. Hunger games are for the survivors, not for people like you. Love" Cato says angrily. "is about surviving and coming home. I know this and she knows this." Tilting his head towards Katniss.

"You're one to talk, you don't know the first thing about what I'm feeling for her" Peeta retorts angrily, all the while keeping his fists from shaking.

"Oh, I don't know about that, because I'm pretty tough to handle which is why I don't give mine so freely. You think looking at her from afar makes you an expert? Yeah, I remember your interview, she doesn't know I exist crap, how can you love a person without knowing them inside out, experiencing the worst with them as well as the best?" Looking at Loverboy, I suddenly feel rage. Rage at someone who flings that word so easily. These rats really are pathetic.

"I love her, I know it and she knows it. That's all that actually matters." Peeta says resolutely.

"And damn everyone else right? Your mother, father, siblings, or girlfriend?" I see him flinch at the last word. "Wait, wait, wait… you have a girlfriend?" Cato laughs uproariously. "This is just too good to be true. Fire girl, did you hear that? This person professing his love for you has a girlfriend." I looked at Katniss at that but see her, instead, looking straight at Peeta.

"You're despicable, the worst people are those who pretend to be good and kind when in actuality they're just covering up their true nature"

"She's not my girlfriend! It was just… it was just a…"

"What? She's a what? Your substitute while Katniss wasn't looking in your direction? She might be watching right now, you know?" Cato tilts his head to the side. "You want to say something to her? Sorry for the very public dumping but with Katniss here, I just can't look at anyone anymore, blah, blah, blah"

"Shut up" Peeta says quietly.

"What's her name?"

"She's no one you know" Peeta says.

"Her name's Delly, Delly Cartwright" Katniss answers instead. Peeta was surprised at this, looking at Katniss in astonishment.

"You know her?" Cato asks.

"Yes and they're just friends Cato" she frowns at him, angry for making Peeta feel so low.

"Doesn't seem that way to me, the way he's acting out. Aren't you afraid that one day he'll just leave you when he realizes that you're not as good as what his imagination painted for him?" Turning his body away from Peeta, Cato says to Katniss "Of him loving you for what you're not?"

Katniss doesn't answer him but the area around her eyes tighten in consideration.

Peeta stays silent as well but suddenly flings something from his hand. Dirt. Cato closed his eyes in consternation, tries to see the Boy with the Bread. It was too late, he smashes onto Cato's side and brings him down. All the while shouting at Katniss to kill Cato.

"Do it, Katniss, kill him so we can go home…" Peeta asks pleadingly.

However, Katniss hesitates and that hesitation was enough for Cato to reverse their positions. Him pinning Peeta down and pounding on his face.

"Cato, stop it" Katniss says evenly, "I said stop it Cato!" pushing him forcefully, she was able to dislodge Cato from Peeta. Springing up, he walks over to Peeta and kicks him in the ribs, then grabs Katniss' bound hands.

"Look at me Mellark, I'm a survivor. I don't spout out poems and decree my undying love to the whole Panem, but I survive and it just seems wrong that your kind of love is weaker than my will to live. She might think otherwise but this girl bound in ropes yet still determined to go home deserves better than you…, "

"…deserves better than you…" At last someone who actually knows what I'm feeling. Peeta Mellark is a weak soul. A kind soul but a weak one, nonetheless.

Gale never really believed that anything could happen between them because Peeta just stares from afar. I knew that Katniss felt indebted to him but I also know that he's too much of a coward to approach her. But suddenly, with the games looming, he confessed to everyone of his feelings. And the Capitol lapped it up. They painted him into this self-sacrificing lover who will do anything for the girl.

But he really didn't do anything. Katniss was the one who did everything. From hunting to saving his ass countless times in the arena. That's not love, it's an unhealthy dependence.

That's right. Katniss deserves someone who's known her all her life. Who went through what she's gone through. Someone like me.

"Panem, by special decree of the president, for showing unwavering resilience in the face of adversity, we are proud to announce your 74th Hunger Games victors: Peeta Mellark, Katniss Everdeen of District 12 and Cato Thurston of District Two!"

End of Chapter 4

A/N I know that I said in my first chapter of prolonging the Hunger Games for 7 to 10 days, turns out, I can only extend it to three… Oh well, that's because I'm really excited on what will happen following the Hunger Games. How will they act now that their lives aren't hinged on killing each other?

Thanks for all those following me, especially those who left reviews, I appreciate all of it.