Cato's sneer seemed to grow with every second Clove glared hopelessly into his beady eyes. Finally her morbid curiosity got the better of her and she reluctantly looked over at Katniss. The brunette's gaze was shifted downwards, seemingly fascinated with the dirt ground below her.

"Katniss. Look at me." Clove's voice was surprisingly steady, strengthened by the rage that was pulsing through her veins. The girl slowly shifted her gaze upward at Clove's command. The brunette's glare was too much for Clove to wrap her head around. Gone was the warm, trusting expression that she was so used to, in its place was a look of absolute loathing. At that moment Clove wanted nothing more than to retreat to the deepest shadows, the darkest recesses of her mind, where she could wallow in self pity and bury her head in shame. The whole world saw me make an absolute fool out of myself. Father would be ashamed. I have disgraced my District…for what? For heartbreak and false love. You stupid child! Stupid, stupid, stupid!

But Clove didn't want to put on the tough act. She didn't want to hide her emotion anymore, because then she would be lying to herself and everybody else. "When did you see Cato? When did you tell him about us?" Katniss opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by the bulky blonde.

"She came to the Cornucopia right after you left me with that gorgeous gash. It was a quick discussion, because she had to catch up to you, and I was perplexed to say the least. But I told Kit-Kat here that I would spare her if she played along with the little game you started, so-" Katniss interrupted his snide explanation. "So because of the circumstances I had to play along until the end, and now we've reached it." Clove nodded slowly, itching to lash out and smack the unexpressive girl. "And I suppose that 'the end' means killing me and frolicking to the Capitol as the classic, 'opposites attract' couple? That's classic, really."

Cato smiled. "Thank you, I thought it was a great idea too. And truth be told, I can understand what you see in her, Clove. I'm sure she's great in the sack; I might just have to find the nearest tree and if she prefers my skills over yours." Clove clenched her fists at his offensive comment.

"She'll never love you!" she hissed. Her restraint was evident as Clove's face muscles twitched slightly and her cheeks reddened. A laugh dripping with cynicism escaped from Cato. "Maybe not at first, but I think with time, she'll grow to love me. You see, we have a connection, Katniss and I." He paused for emphasis, before continuing:

"Although I'm ruthless at times, I can recognize skill and talent. I saw that right away with Katniss. Now, when Peeta was still alive and joined our group, I promised him that I would spare Katniss for as long as I could, partly because I was intrigued by her, and because strategically, it was a good move to keep Peeta at bay. So, after your little stunt in the tree, she raced over to me, because Peeta had told her to trust me when he was still alive, and she really appreciated how I secretly, in my own way, saved her from death for this long.

He paused, a mockingly reflective look on his face, before continuing, despite Clove's hurtful expression. "It must hurt, that the only person whom you didn't choose to toy with, the one you chose to fall in love with, was the one who fucked you and fucked you up, in the end. Quite climactic, really."

Clove didn't know how to respond, because everything he said had been the truth. She acted rashly and fell into their trap, but unlike the old Clove, who would fight until she dropped dead in order to escape the mere threat of failure, the broken warrior of the present was done battling with her inevitable fate. She slowly reached into her pocket and pulled out her dagger. She placed it cautiously on the ground, and watched as Cato's expression changed from one of alarm to confusion.

"What are you doing?" Clove looked calmly up at her foe and gave a weak smile. "I'm done fighting, Cato. Done." At this final annunciation she glanced at the quiet brunette, whose mouth was still set in a straight line, but before Clove could analyze the slight glistening in her eyes, the brute was at her side, his harsh grip on her arm. He leaned in and his hot breath crawled through Clove's ear as he whispered urgently. "Then at least do me one favor so you can at least save the girl, fight back! His voice was steady, yet with a distinct edge of, what was it, panic?

Of course… They were relying on me to react vengefully, so that they could kill me and still be portrayed in a 'good light' in the eyes of the Capitol. Clever.

"What makes you think I would want to save her?"

"Because you still love her, Clove. I've known you for years, I can see it in your eyes… you can't fool me!" Cato whispered back, cocking his head slyly to one side. Clove stayed in stubborn silence for a moment, before turning away from the intimidating blonde and towards Katniss.

"Was it really all an act? All of it? I need the truth…at least respect me enough to tell me the truth!" Her voice cracked as Clove uttered the last few words. The whole situation was too much for her to comprehend. Just days ago, Clove's manner would've mirrored that of the brunette, who showed no emotion, she simply stood with her hands at her side and her gaze directed slightly ahead of the crumbling warrior in front of her. All that Clove could do at that moment was to stare at this clone of her former self in horror and disbelief as she fearfully awaited Katniss's response…..

Anyone have any guesses on what will happen next? Leave a comment, I love hearing from you guys! xoxo