I can't really see Cato being grateful in the book but maybe it could be possible if he's as sick as he is in this chapter. Cato's a badass. :3
Chapter 7: Cato's gratitude
Cato woke up the next morning with his head hurting even worse. And it was so hot... Was this a trick of the Game Keepers or was it his imagination? And where was Glimmer?
Cato felt around for his sword and noticed that it was nowhere to be found. Had he lost it when he fell in the pit? But Glimmer wasn't in the cave and Cato could have sworn he had seen his sword earlier. Obviously, the thief had to be Glimmer. Without another thought, Cato rolled over on his side and went back to sleep.
Sometime later, Glimmer came back, finding him sitting upright against the back wall of the cave. She gave him one short glance in his direction and then sat down, resting his sword in her lap.
"You took my sword." Cato said.
"I borrowed it." Glimmer snapped.
"You stole it!" Cato accused. "You didn't ask me if you could borrow it!"
Glimmer rolled her eyes at Cato's immaturity. She wasn't going to fight with him over a stupid sword that could have belonged to any of the remaining tributes in the arena at any point in time. Cato tried to get up so he could get his sword back from Glimmer but as soon as he placed pressure on his right leg, he stumbled and fell against the back wall. Cato gasped, pain rushing throughout his body. Glimmer rushed over to him. The sword fell with a clang and lay abandoned near the entrance of the cave.
"Easy, Cato," Glimmer said, helping him sit down.
Cato looked at his leg, surprised to find it bleeding. A lot of blood was gushing from his wound. He looked at Glimmer, who reached over and gently touched it. Cato hissed through his teeth. Glimmer pulled her hand back.
"Sorry." She said.
Cato glared at her and lay down on his side, careful not to touch his wounded leg.
"You need medicine." Glimmer said.
Cato rolled his eyes. Glimmer looked concerned. She didn't know about any plants that could stop the bleeding nor were there any medical supplies available in the arena. The Girl on Fire had blown them all up. Glimmer wasn't sure what she should do. She reached over and placed her hand on Cato's forehead. He was sick. Really sick. Glimmer knew if he didn't get medicine for his leg and for his fever, Cato wasn't going to make it through the night. Nice way to die. Place yourself at the mercy of Mother Nature and enjoy the ride.
"Cato," Glimmer hissed, gently slapping his cheek so he stayed awake. "Don't you dare fall asleep on me!"
Cato groaned in protest but he opened his eyes and carefully sat up. He crossed his arms and looked at Glimmer expectantly.
"Now what?" He rasped.
"If we don't find a way to help you, you're not making it through the night, Cato." Glimmer said.
"And that's a definite possibility?" Cato asked.
"It's pretty much guaranteed at this point," Glimmer said.
Cato sighed in defeat. So he was going to die from exposure to the elements like a weak tribute would. Not the way he was hoping to go to his death. He imagined his death would be much more painful, like dying from Tracker Jacker stings or getting killed by another tribute. Not dying of exposure. Glimmer scooter closer to him so they were almost touching. Cato grinned weakly at her.
"We keep getting back at each other." He said softly.
Glimmer smiled.
"Sneaking up on each other, saving each other's asses, taking care of each other." She said.
Glimmer blushed. Cato smiled.
"That's true, you know. No need to hide it." He said.
Glimmer looked down at Cato's leg and saw that it was only getting worse as time passed. She looked at him. The look in Cato's eyes showed desperation.
"Glimmer, kill me." He whispered. "Just get it over with."
"What?" Glimmer said.
Why was she hesitating? She was supposed to grab his sword and eliminate him! The look of desperation in Cato's eyes, however, made Glimmer freeze and she was forced to contemplate the rewards, consequences and complications that would come forth if she killed Cato.
Of course, if she killed him when he was weak, she'd be doing him a favor by putting him out of his misery and she'd be closer to being crowned the victor of the Hunger Games. The problem with that plan was she didn't want to make his death slow and painful and also, what would she do with his body once he passed? It's not like she could bury him. That, and something held her back from turning into a killer right there and then.
Glimmer shook her head, keeping her final decision in mind the whole time.
"No, I'm going to help you, Cato." She said.
Cato looked utterly surprised.
"What?" He said.
"I won't kill you." Glimmer said stubbornly.
"You have to!" Cato said.
"Cato-"
"Just put me out of my damn misery." He murmured.
Glimmer's hand froze in midair, inches from Cato's face. His words had her chilled to the bone. But she wouldn't oblige to his request. She pushed him down on his back as gently as possible and then lay down next to him. Cato turned his head toward her, all sorts of emotions detectable in his eyes but the one that shone the most was gratitude.
"Thank you." He murmured.
Glimmer nodded. Cato sighed and closed his eyes. For the first time in his life, he had actually had his life placed in somebody else's hands. He was grateful to know that he hadn't killed Glimmer, who still believed he was worth saving. Had it been anybody else, Cato knew he'd be dead.
Awwwww… I love this pairing so much! I love all my reviewers too! *waits for reviews*
