*hides in a corner* Um…hi everybody! I'm SO SO sorry it's taken so long to get this up! I won't make excuses about the "terrible things going on in my life that keep me from writing". All that's important is that the next chapter is finally here! I hope you enjoy this one…it's one of my favorites so far :)

Chapter Six: Hi, My Name is Cato and I Like To Kill People


Before the Victory Tour…

It's so warm for May. If it wasn't for Effie's watchful eye, I would have my silk ball gown hiked up past my knees. But the last time I tried that she slapped my hand with a force I didn't know Effie had. Since then, I have been content with fanning myself with the wide peacock feather fan made to match my ridicules dress. As awful as it looks, at least it keeps me cool. The fan that is, not the dress.

"Posture!" Effie hisses to me through the corner of her mouth, without even taking her eyes off the mayor. I realize suddenly how slumped my shoulders are and make an effort to straighten my spine. But it's so hot, and this dress and all of its layers and layers of fabric are so itchy and uncomfortable, all I can really think about is getting out of it. I shoot a desperate look at the mayor. Unfortunately, his back is towards me and doesn't see it. How long will he drone on? I can tell even Effie, despite her attempts to remain prim and proper, is losing it.

So, so hot. I fan my face some more and count to ten, then start over. 1...2...3...I catch Gale's eye in the crowd facing us, but he quickly looks away. 4...5...6...Things haven't been right between us. Not since I came back from the Games almost half a year ago. 7...8...9...And now I'll be leaving again in less than an hour, for the victory tour. 10...Who knows what will happen on the Victory tour?

I am suddenly aware of clapping and a sharp pain in my shin where Effie has managed to kick me. Applause. Right. I must applaud. But my clapping is more to celebrate the end of the mayor's horribly long speech rather the content or the speaker. And I'm sure the rest of the audience is in agreement with me. If they aren't...well, they don't have to wear this horrid dress.

Effie steps up to the platform. "And now, ladies and gentlemen, what you've all been waiting for. The District twelve Victor with her farewell speech before departing on the Victory Tour! I give you Katniss Everdeen!"

I step up to the podium, suddenly unaware of the heat and itchiness. All I can think about is that huge audience, waiting, breathless, for my speech. Effie gives me a hug, but when I try to push away after what I think was an appropriate time for a hug, she holds on. "Listen," She whispers in my ear. "They want more on your relationship with Cato. Tell them what they want to hear, even if it's not the truth. Remember, District 12 isn't the only people watching. Everyone is-The Capitol, Cato, even President Snow."

I step onto the podium with a smile plastered on my face. I waited for the applause to die down before beginning my impromptu speech. "Hello everyone," I say, hoping I don't sound to casual or whatever Effie warned me about. "It's so great to see you all again. Honestly, I still can't believe I'm here to talk to you today!" I was greeted by a round of laughter. "As you all know, I'm getting ready to leave you again. I want to thank all of you for the fun times I've had here at home while I was here."

I was hoping to avoid talking about Cato, but Effie's subtle coughing and glare told me otherwise. "Now I'm sure a lot of you have been wondering about what's going on between me and the other victor, Cato. Allow me to try and explain it the best I can. There came a time in the Games when I realized that I liked more than one of the tributes." I started to feel sick as I spoke, knowing how much of a lie this whole thing was.

"When one of them, Peeta, was killed, I was emotionally distraught for days. This led to doing things I now regret, but they appear to have been for the better. While at the time, I was confused about my previous feelings. It nearly drove me crazy! After a while, though, everything became clear. I was in love with Cato." I glanced at Effie as she nodded her approval. The crowd sighed.

"Each night I would watch the results of the day, praying he was still alive. It seems foolish now; why wouldn't he have been okay? He was one of the best! He was so good, in fact, that soon it was just the two of us in the arena. I was faced with a major problem: how do I kill the person I love more than life itself? The very thought tore me apart. That's why in the last moments of the Games, I pulled my little...uh, trick. I couldn't bear to kill him! So, that's the story. Thank you all again for your time today, and I'll see you when I get back!" I finish with a smile. The crowd roars in applause for what seems like hours, despite it being only a few minutes.


I walk backstage, grabbing a glass of water on my way. "Was that okay?" I asked Effie nervously.

"Wonderful," she smiled. "I believe parts were exaggerated, but I only know that because of how much you complained about it. No one else could have noticed, I'm sure." She swatted my hand as I tried to pull on my dress...again.

Exaggerated? What I just said was more than exaggerated. It was completely made up. Anyone would be a fool to believe a word of it. Although, capitol citizens are known to be fools. They'll eat up anything you throw at them if it sounds romantic enough. And as for the districts...they seem to have fallen for my lies as well, considering the applause they just gave me. I thought it would never end.

Haymitch greets me at the entrance of the train, grinning. "Beautiful, sweetheart, just beautiful. You had them in a trance."

"Did I?" I ask innocently, finding it hard to believe. It's Peeta who has-err, HAD- the ability to charm people with his words. I usually just bore them. But I know it's true. They believed me and maybe President Snow won't take it out on people I love. Like Prim. Gale. My mother. Hey, maybe I even convinced him!

We load in the train and I strip, glad to finally be out of my dress. I then fall into my bed, fast asleep. When I wake up, it's to Effie having a complete nervous breakdown.

"We arrive in ten minutes and here you are laying on your bed in your undergarments, sweaty and disgusting, hair going every which way, and smelling like a FAT PIG!"

"And what would you except me to smell like after having to wear that 75 pound dress for three hours in 102 degree weather?" I snap back.

"I would expect you to have more hygienic respect than plopping down practically naked on your bed without so much as washing your face!"

"Hygienic respect? Did you make that up?"

Effie wrenches me off the bed and shoves me into the shower, which is already running. "You have five minutes, and then I'm coming back in to address your hair and makeup."As she leaves, I hear her mumbling: "And they said it would be an unworthy investment to bring her prep team in! Huh! They'll be sorry, I bet, when they see THAT walking off the train!"

I really don't look all that bad as I walk off the train. Because of the speed dryers and stylers, my hair is already all dry and styled in perfect waves. As for my make-up, it's looked better. But when I step into the sunlight and see Cato there, grinning at me, I know it couldn't have mattered less, my appearance. Because he's gonna play along. After all, he won't be the only one who's in trouble if the Districts start an uprising. At least, that what I think.

But as I approach him I see his smile is less of an "ah I love you so much" kind of thing and more of an "I just can't wait to see you lying in a coffin" kind of thing.

"Cato!" I say as I run up to him to give him a hug, hoping and praying he'll get the hint and work with me. Instead he sidesteps me and says, "Wow, give me some space. I'd rather not hug someone looking like death warmed over."

Everyone in District 2 is watching this cute little scene. And I can only think one thing. Oh great, I'm screwed.

"Right, of course." I say through clenched teeth. "We had a few...complications with the team this morning." I laugh a little. Everyone in District Two laughed along, so either they think I'm horrible or I did something right.

"Anyway," Cato said, casually brushing his hair out of his eyes. "I guess you're madly in love with me now? Or is that some lie to save your pathetic life?"

I stand there, shocked more than anything. "Excuse me?" I choke out. Keeping a smile on my face, I lower my voice so only Cato and I can hear it. "Look, I didn't really have a choice. I don't want to die yet and as much as I dislike you, you probably want to live a few more years too. So here's the deal: we get in a fake relationship, districts stay happy and don't cause an uprising, the Capitol doesn't kill us. Or, we completely hate each other openly, districts cause an uprising, Capitol kills both of us. You're choice, choose wisely."

Cato looks like he's thinking. After a while, he forces himself to put his arm around me. "Okay then, new fake girlfriend. What's the plan?" My jaw dropped open. He was agreeing to this that fast?! "Hey, it's not like I trust you or anything, I just want to stay alive so I can be the one to kill you."

I nod. That made more sense. "I guess you give your little farewell speech and we get ready to go. We have to make this believable, so don't make anything look too forced, kay?"

He nods weakly. "Of all people, why did it have to be you I got stuck with?"

"Believe me, I'm not exactly thrilled about it either." I grumble. I watch as Cato goes up to the podium to begin his speech. I'm just hoping he doesn't mess this up for me.

"Hey everybody!" he says. The crowd goes nuts, and he's only said two words. This is gonna be a looooong speech.

Two hours and ten words later, we're off. Yes, ten words. I just spent about an hour and fifty seven minutes listening to people applaud for the boy who wants to kill me. With every word he said, there was a fresh burst of applause. Who would have guessed there were so many girls in District 2? Or that they could scream so loud?

Our first stop is 1. We take it from the top, as usual. I'm glad we're going here first, so I can get it out of the way. All the people of District 1 hate me, with good reason. I killed both their tributes—Glimmer by dropping a nest of Tracker Jackers on her while she was sleeping, and Marvel with and arrow through the heart when he killed Rue. They aren't too fond of Cato either, for acting all lovey-dovey with Glimmer and then not going back for her as she was eaten alive by Tracker Jackers. As we step up to our podium, we are met by cold, hard stares. Not a single clap, cheer, or whistle. Not even for the attractive and charming Cato. And certainly not for me.

"Hello, people of District 1. I am SOOO sorry I killed both of your tributes. I wouldn't have done it of course, if I could have avoided it. But the Capitol gave me only two choices: kill or be killed. So if you're looking for someone to blame the death of your two beloved teens on, I would suggest turning not to me but to President S—"

"What she MEANS to say." Cato says. "Is that she either had to kill Glimmer or me. And she is love stricken with me, naturally. And you can't blame someone so blinded by love for killing someone else in order to save their lovers lives. Right, Katniss?"

"Uh...yeah! Hehe..." I awkwardly trail off, knowing I look like an idiot. Not that I really cared, but it would probably come back to haunt me later.

"Anyway, but I'm sure you can all agree that it turned out for the better. Well, maybe not..." Cato muttered. He looked uncomfortable without all the screaming girls. "So, thanks again and everything, and we'll see you all soon!" he finished with a wave before grabbing my hand and pulling me with him.


"That was SO awkward," I said. He glared at me in response.

"Okay!" Effie's voice bounced off the walls of our room. "That was...not your best work, either of you, but I'm sure we can have the edges smoothed out and whatnot before we arrive at the next district. In the mean time, I want the two of you to spend some time together, so the interviews I just scheduled for you won't be too terribly fake. Ta-ta!" she called as she left the room. I hear the distinct noise of the door locking and groaned.

"What?" Cato asked.

"She locked us in here. Alone." I said, shoving my head into a pillow.

"Are we supposed to talk, or can I ignore you?"

"We should probably talk."

"Okay."

We sat in silence for five minutes. "So, tell me about yourself, I guess." Cato finally spoke up again.

Tell Cato about myself? No way is that gonna happen. So instead I say: "You first."

He clears his throat and I get the feeling this is gonna take awhile. "My name is Cato Rondue. I'm eighteen years old and I turn nineteen on October 23rd. I have seven siblings, but if you asked me to name them I wouldn't be able to. We never saw each other. Always so busy with school and training, you know. Plus we didn't live together."

"You didn't live together?" I repeat, astonished. Not living with your family is just weird.

"No, as a kid, my parents could tell I was much different from my siblings. As in, I pretty much outshined them all in everything. I was bigger, had a stronger build, and possessed a natural instinct for fencing. At two years old, I was already starting to scare the instructors whenever I picked up a sword." It's all I can do not to roll my eyes.

"So my parents signed me up for this special school specializing in tribute training."

"Learning how to kill people," I say.

He gives me an annoyed glance. "Please, no interruptions. Anyway, I was training to be a Peacekeeper. And, if I had the courage, to possibly volunteer in the games once I turned 18. And of course I had the courage! In fact, I don't think I've ever been afraid of anything. Just one of those natural fearless spirits, you know."

"Are you quite finished?!" I ask impatiently. It's so tiring to hear about how amazing someone is.

"No," he says, "but I'm ready for a break." and then he looks at me intently and I realize he's waiting for my life story. I take a deep breath and try to decide rather to tell the truth or make up complete lies about myself.

I figured mixing in the truth with some lies would be just as good. "Okay, my name is Katniss Everdeen. I'm sixteen years old, and I turn seventeen on May 8th. I have a younger sister, and I actually know her name. Prim. I live with her and my mother. I used to have a father, and because of him we were one of the few wealthy families in District 12." I said, despite it being a total lie. He had special connections, y'know? But one day, when he went to go visit the mine workers like he did every week, there was...there was a bit of a problem. He got in the elevator with the workers as usual, but on the way down something went wrong in the machinery. To say it simply, the mine blew up and almost everyone died. My father was among the dead. My mother checked out, leaving me to take care of my sister. I stopped school, but I was already ahead of kids my age so it didn't matter. I took up hunting as a career, I guess. This year Prim was old enough to be in the Reaping. She was so terrified, and I did all I could to calm her down. It didn't work though, since her name was originally drawn." I saw Cato's eyebrow go up. "No interruptions." I say, mocking him. "I did what any good older sister would do: volunteered in her place. She's doing fine now, so it's okay. And I'm still alive, which is good. And now apparently I'm in love with you. So, that's me."

"Wow...interesting!" Cato said. "It's pretty...dramatic."

"But it's true," I say, annoyed by the way he treats it just like another sappy story from the capitol. Like he doesn't even care.

"Yeah, I know," he replies. "Tell me about your hobbies."

I'm about to say hunting when I realize that could get me in trouble. So I frantically search for some other believable hobby a teenage girl living in District 12 might pick up. "Uh...I, uh...I really love to bake?" it was the first thing that came to my mind, of course inspired by Peeta.

"Oh," he says. "Like Peeta."

"No, no, not like Peeta. A different kind of baking." he gives me a quizzical look and I quickly try to change the subject.

"So... What are your hobbies?"

"Killing people." he replies without missing a beat. I just stare at him, speechless. I knew he liked killing people. But as a hobby? That's just wrong.

It's like he can read my mind. "Don't look so shocked. Isn't it natural to enjoy doing what your best at?"

"Killing people?! Seriously Cato?" Here I sit in a locked train car with someone who kills people as a hobby. I start looking around for an emergency exit, out the window or something.

"Yeah," he shrugs. "It's fun. The rush, the adrenaline, the feeling of ultimate power as someone takes their last breath while begging you for mercy. Try it sometime." he said.

I look at him blankly. Try it sometime? No thanks. "Okay, anything other than killing people?" I ask.

"Not really." He says, stretching his arms over his head. "What kind of baking do you do? I'm pretty sure there's only one kind."

"Oh, yeah. Peeta did cakes and stuff, I like doing more…food kinda stuff, like meat and actual meals. I figured it'd be helpful eventually, so I started early." I said plainly. He nods.


After about ten more minutes of us awkwardly talking to each other, Effie came back and let us go to dinner. So far I have learned that Cato likes killing people, his favorite color is red—it reminds him of blood—and his favorite food is a cream filled donut. I've never had one, because they're practically nonexistent in District 12. Cato says they're pretty hard to come by in District 2 as well, unless you knew the right people. I idly poke my dinner, not really feeling hungry. "Katniss," I hear Effie's voice. "You really should eat. We have a long day ahead of us!"

I nod, weakly stabbing my salad with my fork. My mind wandered to what was ahead of me. The whole Victory tour, being with Cato for what would seem like forever, my birthday being in, like, 2 days, and then there's the problem with being with Cato again. I'm not exactly sure how I'm going to survive this trip.

"So, what did you two do before dinner? You spent quite a lot of time together." Effie said while picking up her glass of water.

"Did we have much of a choice?" Cato grunts.

"We talked." I say.

"About..." Effie prods, obviously wanting all the juicy details.

"About what a pain in the butt it is to have to pretend we love each other," says Cato.

"About our hobbies," I say. "Cato's is killing people."

Effie spews wine all over the table and starts coughing. "Killing people?" she finally manages to choke out.

"Yes, Killing people," I reply, calmly taking a drink. "He thinks it's fun. The rush. The adrenaline. The feeling of ultimate power as someone takes their last breath while begging for mercy."

"You should try it sometime," Cato adds.

Bailys, Cato's escort, smiles. "He's just charming, isn't he?" she says. I can tell by the way she's looking at him she's love stricken. She must be at least five years older than him.

Haymitch takes a swig of wine. "I can see why all the ladies fall head over heels for him. Who can resist a boy who runs around killing people in his spare time?"

I hold back a laugh. I catch Cato glaring at me, so I covered it with a cough.

"Alright then," Effie says. "Did you learn…anything else about each other?"

"Katniss used to be relatively rich, but she's never had a cream filled donut." Cato shrugs.

"Well, they're really hard to get in 12!" I defend my hometown.

"Sure, sure. Y'know, killing people gets you stuff pretty quick."

"Cato, I'm not going to kill anyone!"

"I seriously think you should try it."

"I'd like to kill you."

"I dare you to."

"Fine! How would you like to die?" I say harshly as I stand up.

"Cato! Katniss! Both of you sit back down NOW." Effie snapped. "I thought that by now you would at least know SOME form of manners, but this was just unacceptable. How can you act like you love each other if you go around making death threats at each other?"

"He started it!" I started to protest.

Effie gave me a sharp look, and I took the hint and sat quietly. "Now, I want you both to apologize. And if I hear either of you making death threats to anyone at all, unless absolutely necessary, there WILL be consequences. Do I make myself clear?" I nod and Cato grumbles a response. "Now, apologize." We stare at each other, hate laced in our eyes. "Apologize!" Effie said in a voice I didn't even know she could use.

"Sorry…" we both mumble.

"That's better," Effie says, returning to normal. "I think it's time for deserts, don't you?" she smiles as she calls in the next course of our meal.

I, however, am not smiling. I am fed up with Cato's constant nagging about killing people and have decided to try it. On him. I can't take him anymore, and I'm not afraid to suffer the consequences. It'll be worth it to feel that ultimate power as he takes his last breath while begging for mercy. The question is, when and where. I'll need to stage it to look like an accident. If our love speeches really were believable, no one would ever suspect it was me. Except for Effie and Haymitch, but they're on my side. I decide to do it tonight. After everyone is asleep, I'll creep into his room, slam his face in with a rock. Then I'll make it look like the rock fell off the bookshelf that's hanging above his bed. Would that be enough to kill someone? A rock falling on your head? I'm not sure, but neither do I care. All I want is Cato gone, no matter the cost.
I chuckle to myself as I think about how coincidental it is that Clove, his tribute partner, also died while getting her face smashed in with a rock. It was at a feast at the games several days before Cato and I met up. This brings back bad memories. I try to shake them, but suddenly all I can see is Cato kneeled on the ground next to her, tears streaming down his face, begging her not to go. He didn't think anyone else saw it, but I did. Guilt sinks in. Maybe he does have a heart after all. Maybe killing him is a mistake. Maybe his killing hobby is all just for a good show.

No. Cato must die, and I'll be the one to do it.


I lay in bed for three hours before finally deciding that the coast is clear. Hopefully his room is laid out like mine, with the bookshelf hanging above the bed. If not, I could always say it was a meteor that flew through the window. Of course, then I'd have to break the window...

I slip out of my room and tiptoe down the hall. Suddenly I see a shadow coming towards me. I'm not sure who it is, but it doesn't matter. Whoever it is they are going to be pretty suspicious to see me clamoring over to Cato's room carrying a giant rock. Frantically, I search for a hiding place, but it's too late. They've already spotted me and are heading this way.

"Who's there?" I call out weakly.

"It's just me." I hear Cato's voice. I groan inwardly. "I couldn't sleep. What are you do—is that a rock?"

I glance down at the rock. "Uh…yeah, actually. It's from Twelve." I lie. "His name is Tom." I add sarcastically.

He nods, rolling his eyes, and sits by the window. I figure it would be less awkward for me to sit with him than just standing here with my rock. "It's crazy, y'know, how we ended up here." Cato says. "I seriously wonder what you were thinking when you saved me at the end of the Games. I know if I were in your position, I'd kill me with no second thoughts."

"You're not as bad as you seem," I shrug. "I only wanted to seriously kill you tonight at dinner. That was a mess!"

He laughs. "Yeah, it sure was. I don't know how you survived with Effie. Being in the same room with her for five minutes makes me want to…"

"Murder someone?"

"Yeah."

We sat in silence for a few minutes. I started to rethink my plans for killing Cato. I couldn't do it after tonight, unless this nice little conversation takes a turn for the worse. But even then, could I do it? I know I'd survived the Games, but that was a completely different scenario. I didn't have a choice—kill or be killed. I could choose what to do now. It's in my control. And I couldn't stand it.

"What do you think's gonna happen after all of this?" Cato asked quietly.

I shrugged. "I'm honestly not sure. I don't really know if I want to know." I laugh a little.

He laughs, too. "Yeah, it's gonna get pretty crazy, huh?" He pauses. "Do you think we're gonna have to be with each other all the time? Y'know, since the Capital and everything has to believe we're in love."

'I sure hope not,' I thought. But who could know? That's how we lived, never knowing what the Capital would pull next. They were unpredictable. "I dunno. I kinda hope not, I like having my own space."

He nods, and I hope that was a good enough answer. I suddenly felt sick, my thoughts wandering to places I'd been trying to avoid. What if he likes me? What if his obsession with killing is just a façade to hide his feelings? What if I totally just offended him? I shake my head, hoping it would clear out.

"It's funny, if you think about it." he continues. "We wouldn't have been in this if I had just killed you when I had the chance. But for some reason, I don't really regret keeping you alive."

Did he just…compliment me? Sure, it was in a twisted way, but a compliment nonetheless. "I've had the same thoughts for a while." I say, changing positions to be more comfortable on the ground.

He glances at the clock on the wall. 2:37. Wow, that late already? "Again, I would've just killed me. But honestly, I'd just kill anybody. We won't go into that now, though. I'm gonna go see if I can manage some sleep before putting up with the Prime Minister of Everything Good and Proper and her drunk partner in crime." He stands and, after giving me an awkward half-wave, leaves. I stay by the window for a few minutes, laughing. I'll never look at Effie and Haymitch the same again.


Well, there's that! My co-author Christa and I wanted to eventually throw in a little romance-y drama, so that's gonna be coming up soon. We weren't really expecting it, but I like how it's turning out. Hopefully you did too, because that's all that really matters! Chapter 7 is already in progress, so it shouldn't be too long to wait! Let us know what you thought of this chapter by leaving a review—it really helps when we're writing so we know what everyone enjoys and what to avoid. Thanks for reading! :)