This is the end… Hold your breath and count to ten. I'm listening to Skyfall (: Anyone LOVE ADELE? I SURE DO!

Let the sky fall when they crumble… we will stand tall… and face it all… together…

Here's chapter 10. Remember, I said how we could get to 60 reviews in Chapter 8? Well, let's say that I also counted a couple reviews for chapter 8. AND, officially, (like reviews from authors and people without acc'ts) for this story, we have… 100 reviews! (counting the anons & acct's) THIS IS CRAY! Haha, yep ;D I'm talking like my friend Anna…. She cray.

Today sucked ass at school. I'll give you the details in the bottom A/N.

Hope you like it! It's an intense chapter. Like even more intense than the CF District Eleven encounter with the… * gulp * shooting.

There will be trauma.

Have fun reading!

So overdue,

I owed them

Swept away,

I'm stolen.

Adele, "Skyfall."

Katniss POV

I awoke with a start, the light pouring through the curtains of the train. It's slightly opened, giving me a fraction of District 11. The high, 20 foot fence is towering above the Capitol train car, seeming like an omen in a church. It's buzzing with electricity, something I haven't seen much in District 12.

This makes me thankful for all that I had back home.

Looking around through my sleepy eyes and carefully examine the light reflecting on small particles that escape the human eye. It's like a flash light in the darkness, lighting the way. Lighting the way to the long path ahead.

Rubbing my eyes, I look down to see Cato. He's still sleeping soundly, the soft even breaths signaling his slumber is real. The light from the window reflects onto his childlike face. His hair is slightly ruffled, something that I haven't seen much, with the exception of the arena. But once I run my fingers through his hair very lightly, he's immediately awake, his fingers clutched around my wrist. I flinch slightly, not expecting his to be up so suddenly.

"Hey sleepyhead," I whisper, smiling as he calms down and releases my wrist.

"I say the same for you... sleepyhead," he catcalls, smirking. I roll my eyes and get out just as Effie knocks on the door.

"Katniss! Wake up!" she squeals in her high-pitched accent. "You have a very big, BIG, day so I suggest you get up!" Her heels click down the hall and into the next car.

Cato looks out the window, opening it slowly. But after receiving too much attention from the sun, he closes it, covering his eyes.

"Why, I didn't know you were a vampire!" I laugh, looking at his unamused face.

"Kat, now's not the time." I shut up and nod. "What time do we need to be out for the speech?" I try and clear my mind but nothing comes to it. I feel under-educated, something that I don't want to feel. I didn't have any clue so I decided to be truthful.

"I don't know but I'll go ask Haymitch." He nods and gets up to take a shower. I go out into the hall, stomping down to my drunk mentor's room. I open the door to see his messed up blonde head engulfed by the Capitol pillow, his body sprawled out recklessly. I nudge my foot against his and immediately, he shoots awake, knife slashing everywhere.

"Haymitch, get up." He grunts and looks up at me, setting the knife down.

"Sweetheart, what do you want now?" Haymitch sits up, a look of annoyance plastered on his face. I roll my eyes and huff.

"What time is the speech? Like when are we going to speak in front of Eleven?" I ask.

"Three-thirty." He coughs and rubs his eyes. "Cinna is going to be here in about half an hour to get you ready. Cato's prep team are probably working on him at the moment as we speak."

I look around to ease the tension. "Thanks." Walking out of the room, I shut the door and proceed back to my room. In Cato's place stands Flavius, Venia, and Octavia, looking around oddly as if trying to make time fly by and actually work in their... mannequin. I smile and they begin the usual process. Instead of ripping every single hair, they soak me in the usual foamy tub, skipping at least three steps. I enjoy the moment of not being red and soak until Octavia comes and complains about my fingers getting pruney.

The time it takes on my hair is longer and I'm faced away from the mirror, unable to see what they're doing. Curiosity sets in as I anticipate the time I will finally be able to see. But as they finish, Venia speaks up.

"Katniss," she says in her slightly thick Capitol voice. "Close your eyes." Growling inwardly, I close my eyes, letting the dark welcome me. It's different than the dark that envelopes me until I fall asleep. This seems temporary and harmless, a thing that won't hurt me. There are no thoughts behind the wall other than anxiety for what I'll be wearing. It's Rue's district and I don't want to look like I'm crazy for the Capitol. I just want to be me, and I think Cinna notices that too.

The door opens and closes, and three pairs of feet shuffle out of the room. Cinna's quiet footfalls take their place and I keep my eyes closed. My stylist speaks up.

"Hold up your arms and keep your eyes closed. I'll tell you when to open them," he instructs. I lift my arms above my head, allowing whatever he's going to put on me access. A light, soft feeling envelopes my cold, pale skin. The feeling hugs my body and I feel as if I'm floating on air. I love the way it feels. The calm facade is seeping from whatever I'm wearing into my pores, giving me a sense of security. I just love it.

"Katniss," Cinna whispers, sounding like he's shouting in the quiet room. "Open your eyes." And I do. But I'm not near the mirror. I'm facing Cinna, who smiles lightly before motioning behind me. There lays a girl I've never known. She's beautiful, an angel in a world of darkness. She wears a simple, long white dress, with a cream tinge to it. Her hair is up in a half bun, the rest flowing down one side of her head. The brown locks are in ringlets, swirling in small curls everywhere. She isn't wearing heels; only basic white flats.

Then I realize that the girl... is me. I glance down to find the fabric is soft and velvety, not the least cold. I relish in the feeling, hoping the feeling it gives me will rub off on District Eleven. They need hope, and hope is what they'll get. I'll give them hope.

Before walking out of the door, Cinna adjusts my regular, innocent-like makeup so it's not as intense and puts on my pin. Walking out of the door, I keep my gaze on the ground, hoping no one will notice the spark that has just gathered in my eyes. I'm ready to face whatever is to come.

I'm ready.

Gasps and hushed voices comes from the second car over. Haymitch can be heard slightly slurring his words, but he isn't reckless. Effie is having a conversation with Cato's escort, who is just as bubbly as she is. Cinna walks over to Cato's stylist, who doesn't seem fazed by the District Twelve stylist, whom upstaged his tributes. In fact, he welcomes him with grace.

But one person who is supposed to be here... isn't. In fact, I don't think he's even in this car.

Haymitch nods to his left to the other car, noticing the way my eyes flit around. I thank him internally and walk out, hoping no one will make much of my absence.

Cato is there, standing against his dresser, fiddling with something in his hands. I can't quite see it but I know it's keeping him occupied.

"Cato," I announce. He turns around quickly, shock registering on his face as he takes in what I'm wearing. Then he smiles and opens up a box, setting the item he was messing with inside. I still didn't see it.

"Katniss," he replies, walking over to me and putting both hands on the side of my face. the gleam in his eyes tells me he wants... something and unconsciously, I lean in. Our lips are centimeters apart when Effie's voice echoes into this car.

"Katniss! Cato! It's time for your welcoming!" Cato sighs and moves his hands from my cheeks to hold my hand. The other rests on the small of my back. We walk to the other train car, hand in hand, while listening to the mentors and prep teams giggle and chuckle about random things. The door opens and immediately, peacekeepers escort us to the stage. People start filing in, knowing that the people they see one stage had to do with the death of both their tributes. I look to Cato for reassurance to see him ding the same. We find comfort and fear in both our eyes and I lean my head against his shoulder. He sighs and holds me, looking out onto the stage where the District Eleven escort motions for us to make an appearance. I nudge Cato and we walk out together, hand in hand.

The crowd shows mixed emotions as they cheer. Their mouths signal happiness and hope when their eyes are dark and menacing, plotting revenge. I could feel all eyes not one me... but on Cato. Quickly, I step up to the podium to start talking and quiet their silent pleas of hatred.

"Hello," I say to the now quiet crowd. Watching me, I see some eyes soften, while others stay hard and unforgiving. "I... I am really thankful for your District." The cards that I'm supposed to read are untouched by my cold hands. "And... I'm thankful for having Rue and Thresh there. To help me through... so many things." I pause to take a breath. Peeta was always the one good with words. "

"Rue... she was the best out of all the tributes, including myself. Peeta even nicknamed her 'shadow.'" A few people smile and I find a man's stare in the crowd. Immediately, I identify him as her father.

"But the thing I saw most in her... was her innocence. During the whole Games, I hoped she wouldn't be dead. And when I found her, I knew that if it was me or her that had to come out... it would be her." My eyes start to tear up but I hide it quickly. "I see her in everything beautiful. The flowers that grow around my district, in the cakes at the local bakery... but most of all, I see her in my sister Prim." An old woman stands off to the side, holding a crying young girl, whom I immediately know is Thresh's relative.

"Thresh and I never had a bond. But I respected him. He refused to play anyone's game. I heard he even turn down the Careers." I look over to see Cato's face flushed. "And he had a love for Rue that was unbreakable. He was willing to protect her in any way. For that I am grateful." Taking a deep breath yet again I say the last words. "Thank you for your tributes."

Cato then stands up shakily to the platform, confusing many. He isn't the Career they expected him to be.

"I... I never was close to Thresh. In fact, he was always silent. But Rue... she was like a bird. During training, she was either climbing or trying out the slingshots station; which she had a knack for." In the backround, a ghost of a smile plays on Rue's father.

"When I found Rue and Katniss in the Games, she was definitely wary of me. I had no thoughts about killing her. In fact, I wanted her to live. She deserved it more than I did.

"I'm so sorry for what happened. They were both amazing in every way. Thank you for everything... and I wish you all he best."

In the end, an old man stands up, as with many other two fingers to their lips, Rue's four-note-tune escapes, filling the area. The rest of the crowd uses District 12's sign for good luck, goodbye, and I love you. Without thinking, I raise my hand and place the three fingers of my left hand to my lips and raise it out to them.

The next three seconds happen in a blur.

Cato grabs me as the Peacekeepers try to move us off the stage and into the Justice Building. But before we can enter, gunshots rain through the air and people start screaming. The peacekeepers duck down and Cato pins me against the wall, blocking me with his back as protection. I try glimpsing over his shoulder but he keeps my eyes locked with his.

The commotion rambles by and soon, we're escorted into the building immediately.

Yet before I go inside, I look back to see ten people, lying motionless on the floor.

Dead.

Okay. I told you it would be intense! Now, 10 reviews for the next chapter. It'll be a long one, but if not and we only get to 5, I know of a way to make it a small one. *Eyebrow wiggle*

And yesterday was a mess because you know my friend? Yeah, one of my besties?

The bitch is now dating my ex. They hold hands right in front of me and kiss right in front of me. But I'm not the only one pissed. Every one of my friends is too! What friend goes and dates her best friend's ex, whom she was just starting to get over?! Obviously not a good one. If it was any other girl that I wasn't friends with, I'd be fine. But no, it had to be her.

Well, I love you all. You have no idea! and thank you for the support from the reviewer. But I'm over it now. Just gotta forgive, yet I don't need to forget.

Bye!

~HeyoMyFellowReaders101