Disclaimer: I don't own any rights; the hunger games and all its characters are property of Suzanne Collins.
Still twelve hours to go, and a good show to perform. I gulp, standing next to Peeta while we wait silently for our turn. Above the red door is a big screen, which allows us to glance upon the performance of the other tributes. First to go is Glimmer. Then Marvel. Clove. When it is Cato's turn, I wish with all my heart that he trips, making a fool out of himself before whole of Panam. Of course, he doesn't.
'It's an honor to represent my district,' I hear him answer in his own cocky way when Caesar asks him about his feelings being a tribute. I hear the audience clap in appreciation; hear them laugh when Caeser makes a funny remark. But it's when Caeser points out to Cato: 'You're a fighter!' I'm really feeling nauseous. Cato just smiles. 'Well, what can I say? I'm prepared, vicious… I'm ready to go.' Yes, I believe that. Again, I eye at the girl from eleven, standing only a feet away from me.
The tributes from 3 come and go. I see the boy from four. He looks adorable with his curly hair, his round shaped eyes. When Caeser asks him about his favourite hunger games victor, he proudly answers: 'My mentor of course,' and the whole audience is in awe. The girl from six acts very shy, even though Caeser tries everything to make her feel more comfortable. She hardly answers beside a yes or no. Rue is more talkative. She quickly wins the crowd over with her smiles, answering every question with an intelligence you would not expect from someone that young.
When it is finally my turn, Peeta gives me a comfortable squeeze. 'Remember what I've said,' he says softly, and I nod. When I enter the stage, and Caeser takes my hand, I try to relax. 'Katniss, welcome, welcome. Please, take a seat.' I do as told, mechanically. Throughout the interview, I perform my part as the good little puppet they all want me to be. I listen to his questions carefully, answering them with all the charm I possess…. And I smile. I smile like an idiot. When I show them the power of my dress, the crowd becomes ecstatic. 'Well, give me a warm applause for district number twelve, Katniss Everdeen, the girl on fire!'
I flee from the stage, knowing I did my best, but somehow questioning it would be enough. They bring me to the other tributes, waiting for the final act. 'I'm so jealous about your dress,' Glimmer greets me, not at all amused by my performance. 'My crappy prep team could only come up with this…I look like candy floss! '
'You mean you look very attractive, just like candy,' Marvel says, grabbing her from behind. She giggles when he nibbles her earlobe. 'Knock it off Marve.'
I just pretend I'm not there. I want to talk to Haymitch, Effie, someone…as long he or she is not one of the careers. I'm also feeling a headache slowly forming behind my eyebrows.
'Hey, it's Peeta's turn,' Clove says, not at all paying attention to the two careers. Her eyes focus on the screen, as Peeta walks onto the stage. I take a look at the screen as well.
He's just as relaxed as always, joking along with Caeser when they talk about the capitol, the food, the unfamiliar habits they have here… He's really shining out there. 'I have to admit, he knows how to handle people,' Clove mutters, feeling the effects of his charm too.
'Hey Katniss, good performance you gave back there,' Cato says, suddenly standing right next to me. I bite my lip, ordering myself not to flinch. 'Thanks,' I retort. Clove glances at that, probably wondering what's going on. If so, she doesn't say anything about it.
I keep my eyes on Peeta, chattering with Caesar. 'Look at you, a handsome looking boy like yourself… surely there has to be someone special back home.' Peeta hesitates. I tense. I really don't want to hear this, and yet, I'm curious. 'Well…' he begins, not really knowing how to bring this to the audience, 'there is this one girl I had a crush on like forever.' My heart misses a beat. 'But I don't think she ever recognised me before the reaping.' Who the hell was he referring to? I couldn't remember I ever saw him with a girl before…
'Bet he will cry?' Clove sneers to Cato. He doesn't laugh though. On screen, Caeser continues: 'Oh, I'm sure that, if you win the games, she will have no choice but to notice you.' This causes Peeta to smile, but it is a gloomy one. 'I'm afraid that will not do…not in my case at least.' I frown, leaning even closer towards the screen. 'Cause she is here with me.'
My eyes widen when realisation sinks in. O no. At the same time, Clove, Cato, and all the others present in the room, glare at me as if they expect me to instantly declare my love too. In the distance I hear Rue giggle. And all I wish for is a hole to disappear in. 'Well, I think Loverboy has done it this time,' Clove says. 'Why Katniss, you're blushing…are you by any chance moved by his words? That's so sweet. Never noticed he looks at you that way?' she mocks.
'She can be quite oblivious,' Marvel states, looking over at Cato. He is not amused. 'Come,' he tells me, taking hold of my hand. I jerk myself loose. 'No. They haven't played the anthem yet,' I state, pulling my arm back. Just then, Peeta walks into the room. I immediately run up to him, before Cato can stop me.
'You and me, private.' I take him by the arm, dragging him along with me. In his surprise, he has no choice but to follow. 'You better have a good reason for this,' I hiss, keeping my voice down for any eavesdroppers. 'Was it Haymitch? Did he tell you to do this?'
'Katniss, slow down. What are you talking about?' He's becoming angry too. 'Will you just stop for a second?' I obey, only to look over to him with a furious glare. 'Don't tell me you were sincere when you told Caeser you're in love with me. So, what kind of game are you and Haymitch playing, huh? Is it to make me look weak or something? Is that it?'
He grits his teeth. 'That's not fair Katniss. You want me to trust you, but you don't have any trust in me? This afternoon, you said you didn't have a plan. Well, I and Haymitch did however. So excuse me if I offended you in any way.'
'That's your plan? Making up some stupid love story?' I whisper. 'What good will that do to us? Even a fool can see that it's just a lie. No one will buy it.'
'Yes, because you're scorning at me!' he hisses back. It surprises me. I never saw him this angry at me before. He sighs, trying to retain his temper. 'Look, I know I should have told you. But I don't deserve this treatment.'
'Maybe' I say, this time a bit less bitchy. I'm still pissed though.
'I don't understand why you're getting so upset. I mean…I've done nothing wrong really. Why would you care if people saw us as a coup-?' He cuts off his sentence. 'Oh I see. You're anxious about what the people back home will say about this.'
Gale. I hadn't even thought about him yet. Nor Prim. But he is right; I didn't like the idea of them thinking I had something with Peeta. ´You shouldn't have done this. But the damage is already done I guess. So, how did you and Haymitch picture this?'
´He told me that, if we play this card well, he would have a story to sell to the sponsors. After all, this is the capitol… they just love this kind of drama. You saw their reaction just now, when I told Caeser this…lie. And you know what he says about sponsors.'
'Having sponsors will mean the difference between life or death in the arena,' I quote Haymitch sourly. 'Oh, this will better work, or I'll swear, after they've pulled me out of that arena by hovercraft, I will haunt him down till he becomes completely insane! ´
Suddenly, the anthem begins to play, our cue to head back to the stage. Peeta holds out his hand, not saying another word, and I just take it, not speaking either.
'Ladies and gentleman, I give you our tributes for this years hunger games! You've heard their tales, their dreams, their secrets…Now give them a warm applause, for tomorrow these fine lads and ladies will enter the arena to fight for the honor of their districts!'
The reaction of the crowd is overwhelming. The cheers, the clapping, the way they chant our names….knowing only one of us will actually return. It's so easy to cheer, so easy to enjoy it all, when your children are not involved. I hate them. I hate them all. Oh little duck. I'm just so glad you're not here. And I smile. Effie must be proud.
It's over. The final cards have been played, and now, all we can do is hope for the best when we enter the last stage of hell. The arena. I don't want to think about it. So I just turn to Peeta again. 'Come, we better get going. I want to talk to that root of all evil.'
He smirks, now that he has calmed down a bit. 'I think he would love that nickname. Look, I'm sorry if this is making you feel uncomfortable. It was not my intention to hurt you.´
But I'm not angry at him. Not really. I just don't like to be toyed with, and the fact Haymitch hadn't mentioned this plan to me before only makes it worse. He had the time for it. But instead, he was just warning me about Cato. Cato! I totally forgot about him. 'O shit.'
'What? What's wrong?' Peeta asks, not understanding the sudden change in my attitude. I gulp. 'I think we might have a new problem.' I see him, his blue eyes set on me with a dangerous glare. My hold on Peeta's arm tightens right away. 'And I think we better make a run for the exit.'
Following my line of sight, Peeta notice him too. He tenses up. 'Has something else happened between you two?' he asks, immediately realising this has to be the case. I nod. 'He has asked me to accompany him to his floor tonight.'
'And you refused him, right?'
'Of course I did!'
'Good. For a minute there, I thought you would tell me otherwise.' He's tone is so serious, I feel assaulted. 'Come, Haymitch is probably waiting for us, anyway.'
He's leading me towards the elevators. We enter, but before the doors could close themselves behind us, Cato jumps in. 'Way to go Mellark. For a moment there, you fooled us all with you little love story,' he mocks, pushing the two button. I order myself to keep my eyes in front of me. 'Who says it's a story?' I murmur.
Cato isn't impressed though. 'Please. If you two really had a fling for each other, you never would have reacted the way you did. So cut the crap, will you.' He turns to Peeta, leaning over to him in a confidential way. 'She kissed me you know.'
'I did not!' I cry out. Crap, what is it with this guy? Why does he always has to act like such a jerk?
Peeta only shrugs, acting just as relaxed as always and not at all offended. At least, he was trying to. 'Well, what can I say? Congratulations?' The elevator stops, the doors are opening again. 'Oh, I think that's your cue to go now. Till tomorrow than.'
Cato doesn't respond to that, just looks at me. 'Well, are you coming?'
'I think not,' I hiss back, taking a step closer towards Peeta. 'See you tomorrow at the games.'
Cato narrows his eyes, not amused. 'Katniss, Katniss…'A sigh escapes his lips. And just like that, he grabs my arm and throws me forward, out of the elevator.
I cry out, tumbling towards white marble floor, my landing is not exactly flattering but at the moment that was the last thing I was concerned with. I hear Peeta curse as he tries to reach for me, but Cato just pushes him back in again. 'Just go back to twelve Mellark. She will join you later.' Before the doors close again, I see the startled eyes of the tributes of eight, nine and ten. They were all witnessing. And nobody helped.
'You really had to dare me, didn't you?' He offers me his hand. I spit at him. 'Don't speak to me,' I hiss, getting onto my feet without his help. Not an easy job with so much cloth tangled around me. Damn, that stupid dress! 'Okay, suit yourself then.' He just stands and watch. I cannot help but show him a bit of my legs as I pull the skirt from under me.
'What the hell? What is she doing here?' I hear Clove, watching us from the living room. Apparently she had already left the lobby before we did. 'You know other tributes are not allowed here.'
'Don't you worry, I'm already going,' I say, heading straight for the elevator again. He holds me back before I can push the call button. 'Katniss here will be my guest of honor for tonight. Got a problem with that?' In other words; deal with it.
She only smirks. 'Why should I? As long the two of you don't keep me up. Remember, the walls are really not that thick here. So keep it down a bit, will you?'
That's it? That's all the help I get? O, she really must hate me. 'Why don't you keep each other company?' I suggest, making another attempt for freedom. His grin only widens. 'What do you think Clove? Would you like a threesome?'
'With her? Thanks for the offer, but I don't think so,' the other girl mocks, before taking the remote in hand, ignoring us again. He just sighs, not at all disappointed though. 'To bad. I guess it will only be just you and me than. Come.' While she is zapping, Cato's dragging me to what I fear is his bedroom. 'Let go,' I scream, as I begin to struggle.
'Why are you making such a deal of it? It's just sex,' he says laughingly. I totally disagree. 'You better let go of me, or else!' We both know its an empty threat. 'Or else? You send Loverboy after me? What is it between you and him anyway?'
He shoves me into the room. I keep telling myself not to panic, but it's not working. I'm trapped. I tremble as I back up, away from him, but also keeping my distance from the bed. 'Don't be so shy. I'm not going to hurt you,' he smirks, following my every move. I feel nauseous again. I'm prepared, vicious… I'm ready to go. 'Please, don't do this. Just let me go to my floor.'
'And miss all the fun? Don't be ridiculous.' He snatches me ; his arms clamping around met like an iron band. I feel powerless, just like earlier in the storage room. I close my eyes when his lips are on mine, kissing me with more force this time. 'You're the girl on fire right? Show me some of your heat,' he murmurs to my lips. When I feel his tongue, I shiver in disgust. He noticed, because suddenly, he's all nice and tender again. 'Sht. Don't worry, I will not bite. I just want to kiss you.'
'No! If our alliance means I have to sleep with you, then you can forget it. I won't do it.'
He just laughs. 'Oh, get over it. This has nothing to do with our alliance.' He forces another kiss on me. I feel his hands; one is on my breast while the other lingers around my bottom. Where was Peeta? Or Haymitch? They would come for me right? 'Stop!' I whimper, desperately trying to shove him away.
'Cato?'
We both look up when Clove enters the room. In her hands she's holding two cups. Her face is emotionless when she offers them to us. 'With the complements of Brutus,' she adds sourly. I see their mentor, standing at the doorpost. And besides him, Effie. The last person I'd expect to come to my rescue.
'Katniss, what's the meaning of this? First Peeta, and now this boy? Have you no shame?' She storms into the room, poking her finger towards Cato. 'And you, sir, have no manners! Taking advantage of such a weak girl.'
'She was nagging the minute she arrived,' Brutus explains to us. So that's why he looked so pissed. 'Well, take the damn brod and get out of here. Cato, let her go.'
I can't believe my luck. Cato apparently neither. 'But…'
'No buts Cato. Just do as your told,' Brutus orders, already retreating from the room. Effie takes me by the arm. 'Teenagers,' she hisses at Cato, not at all amused. He just squint. 'I'll see you tomorrow at the Cornucopia,' he whispers to me, before she drags me away. 'Maybe then we will have some quality time.'
When we're in the elevator, Effie just hugs me, all her anger gone. 'Peeta told me everything when he came up. I went straight away.'
'Why didn't he come?' I ask while I sob. She hushes me. 'He would have, but Haymitch forbade him. Oh, you should have seen him, he was so furious.'
When I step onto the twelve floor, the first thing I see is Peetas pale face. He runs up to me, taking me into his arms. 'Thank goodness you're alright,' he whispers in my hair. I only hug him back.
It's late already. I know I should probably get some sleep right now, but I just cant. So I go to the living room, only to see Peeta, sitting on the couch. As he hears me approach, he looks up. 'Couldn't sleep either huh? Still thinking about what happened?'
'I'm just glad it didn't happen,' I say, taking the seat next to him. 'Thank you for sending Effie after me. Especially after my previous behaviour. I wasn't very nice to you.'
'Forget it, its fine.' He sighs. 'Well, so we are on our own again.'
'What do you mean?' I ask.
'I don't think Cato wants you in their team anymore. Not now you stood him up twice. I must say I'm not actually heart-broken about it though. I never liked the idea anyway.'
I frown. 'What was not to like? If we are with the careers, at least we would have weapons.' I look at my toes. 'Besides, he said it didn't matter, so I guess…'
The sharp look he's given me tells me I better shut up. 'Honestly Katniss, you're not going through with this are you? He almost raped you! Twice! Who knows what he will try in the arena. Are you some kind of masochist or something? Are you so keen on being a sitting duck?'
After a moment of silence I answer. 'I will have the bow. Al least then I will be able to defend myself. Look, I don't like it either, but…'
He cuts me off. 'Unbelievable.' Without another word, he stands up. I follow his example. 'Peeta…' I begin, but he only shoves me aside. 'Alright, have it your way than. But tomorrow, I will not join you at the Cornucopia.'
I stare at him, knowing what he's going to say. Don't, my eyes beg. He doesn't listen. 'I'll break the alliance. You will be on your own with the careers.'
a/n; Okay, this chapter was a real pain to write, but for now, I'm just glad I'm done.
To Aquarius4; in the end, it was not Peeta who came to the rescue, but yes, Katniss is saved once more. Only question: for how long, as she has to face the arena on her own now (or at least, without Peeta). Thanks for reviewing again; like always, its very much appreciated.
To lovelifegymnastics; my problem with Peeta and Cato is that I like them both. Peeta is a bit of a nerd in comparison with Cato of course, being goody and all, but that also has its charm. That's why Cato is so brilliant to work with; for me, he is just the opposite of Peeta.
To Kalinzar; well, glad you liked it. Next stop; the arena!
