I'm sure you all want to just kill me.

I want to acknowledge the fact that you all are so patient and put up with my horrible work.

I would also like to acknowledge that this is NOT my best work. I needed to get something out there to keep you reading and this is what I came up with in thirty minutes more or less. The next chapter will be longer and it will be the career hunt!

The games have begun….

My feet won't move, I'm frozen in my place as I stare out over the mass stockpile of weapons stacked near the cornucopia.

I look around me, my eyes locking with a set of familiar blue ones before they are turning away, running to the weapons. His movements seem to unfreeze the others and before I can blink they are rushing towards certain death right behind him.

I'm still frozen in my spot as the first tribute falls, blood covering the beautiful green grass of the clearing.

My instincts take over and before I can even think about it I am running towards the forest surrounding the meadow.

I can hear the screams and cries of anguish of the falling tributes behind me. I can't stop, I don't want to die. Adrenaline marks its path through my frantic body as I push myself farther into the forest.

It isn't until I slow that I hear the crashing of something large following me at a breakneck speed. I try to run faster, but my body is giving way beneath me. All I can do is breathe and put one shaky footfall in front of the other.

The monster behind me won't stop chasing me; he hasn't even slowed the slightest bit. Whatever it is, is gaining on me quickly. I can only pray that the capitol made mutt won't be a slow killer.

I'm so caught up in my thoughts that I don't notice the root sticking out of the dirt covered forest floor.

I'm falling, flailing through the air as I brace myself for impact. To my surprise I don't hit the ground, something swoops me out of the air, placing me gently on the ground next to them with a small grunt.

"Cato" I gasp through shaky breaths, trying to regain oxygen.

"What the hell were you thinking" is all he pants, then to my surprise his face breaks into a soft grin "at least we know you'll be safe if something chases us" his chuckle thunders though his stomach, making its way up him with a low rumble.

"How on earth are you laughing" I groan, starting to pick my way back the path I came, our alliance is probably worried about us, either that or their just glad it's two less tributes to worry about.

His only response is a small shrug before he grabs my waist, turning me around to face him.

He leans towards me and I look away, wishing that all of Panem didn't have to see our intimate moments.

"What can't I kiss my girlfriend" he grins, slipping a quick kiss onto my forehead.

"What girlfriend?" I respond, giving him a small smirk.

"Really funny Kat, really funny" he lets me go, only after stealing a small peck on the lips from me.

We walk in silence, I'm fuming from the kiss, and I'm sure he's just as happy as a lark that he got it. I don't like public love, and I'm definitely not one to show it.

As we approach the clearing, the mood intensifies. We don't know what we're going to find, someone could kill either of us, any second. My breathing hitches in my throat and my hand shakes ever so slightly. His hand reaches down, gripping my own firmly. In any other circumstances, this would have made me uncomfortable, but now it's oddly comforting.

As we step into the grassy field, it's as if the birds have stopped singing, anticipation high for them as well. Cato is the first to call out, yelling at Clove not to kill, that it's him.

Like small children awaiting the return of their father they step out from the shade of the cornucopia one by one.

The first to come is Clove; aside from a small cut on her face she is relatively unharmed. Her knife sits lodged in the back of her sleek ponytail.

Marvel follows carrying a sleeping Glimmer in his arms; she appears to be out cold, her golden hair splayed out across her pale face.

"What happened?" Cato calls out; lazy worry seems to be etched across his chiseled facial features.

"The boy from twelve hit her with a rock; she's been out for over an hour now" Marvel calls back. I can hear the pain in his voice, the simple fear of losing his only ties to home is evident in his body language.

"What about the others" I ask tonelessly, trying my best to appear bored. Judging by Cato's expression I'm failing miserably.

"Thresh is inside taking a nap, and the pair from four were idiots" Clove announces, making her way back to the metal contraption.

"After you left, we killed another nine" Marvel states, looking to Cato for approval.

"Good, rest, tonight we hunt" Cato smirks. I see past the sadistic smirk, I see the boy from the roof that only wanted to get out alive.

"I can take first watch" I murmur, settling down next to Cato.

"No you sleep, I can stay up" Cato whispers, tucking a strand of loose hair behind my ear.

"Thank you" I whisper back, letting a peaceful sleep wash over me in an instant.

For the first time in almost seven years I sleep without a horrid nightmare. I don't thrash or scream, I sleep peacefully, nestled up next to Cato.

I am just very unpleased with this piece of work, but I hope you all enjoyed this snippet of the next chapter!

If we get nineteen reviews I promise I will update with a chapter more than four thousand words! Tempting eh? I also promise it will be twenty times better than this chapter! It's like two for one right? No? Yes?

I think I'm going to go to bed now, it's late and none of what I'm writing makes much sense anymore!

Love to all,

Dedicated