Sorry for taking a while. Stressed and loads busy!

Chapter 10: Competition

I was breathing hard after my combat fighting with one of the trainers. I look over at the games men as I walk over to the spear throwing. They look extremely pleased, as expected.

I smirk. Yeah, I know. I'm a beast.

I take the spear in my hand and let my eyes be attached to the silver. It feels amazing in my hands, but there was a strange of guilt mixed.

I push it away knowing I need to focus. I proved that I was great with a sword, and now I must prove that I'm great with a spear.

I thrust it hard. It meets with the head. I take another one. I thrust it again. This time it hits the heart.

I go to grab another one when I am interrupted.

"You are dismissed Cato." one of the games keeper says. I give them a nod and wipe the sweat off my forehead.

One of the avox people show me the exit. I walk down a long hallway that leads to an elevator.

I really want to speak to Katniss. I wonder if she's okay.

She looked so nervous and almost sick.

I debate if I should wait for her, but then realized I'd be waiting for hours and people would wonder why I would still be here.

Like I'd pay attention to them anyways. I do what I want.

I decide to go back to my room and take a shower. I could eat too.

I stand there for a half hour until she finally appears.

She looks pissed off. That's weird.

I walk up to her and give her one of my dashing smiles.

She just continues to scowl. "Ah, Cato, why am I not surprised you're here." she says moody.

I continue to smile. I want to cheer her up.

"Well someone is in a bad mood. What's got your panties in a wad Ms. Everdeen?" I ask with a smirk.

She rolls her eyes and crosses her arms over her chest. I can't help my traveling eyes.

"Why would you care?"

The smirk leaves my face and I turn serious. "You'd be surprised how much I care Katniss." I say to her and her eyes grow wide.

"No, what's wrong?" I ask stepping closer.

We're close enough for me to feel the warmth of her breath. I want to close the distance and hold her in my arms.

She signs. Her eyes close and she looks torn if she should tell me or not.

"Hey," I say and tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. "You can tell me." I look deep into her eyes.

She looks almost pained. "I can't Cato." Let me in Katniss. Please.

I grab the side of her face and make her look into my eyes. To understand how much I care about her. What I would do to defend her. Why can't she knock down those walls she has built and let me in.

"Katniss you can trust me." her eyes search mine and I know she's thinking about it. Just a little more.

I rest my forehead against hers and close my eyes. I want to capture her lips in mine.

Hell, I want her to be mine.

"I screwed up Cato" she says and I can hear the tears in her voice that don't spill. "They'll kill them. They will have to pay for what I did and it's all my fault. I was irritated; they weren't paying attention to me. I wasn't thinking. How could I be so stupid?" she looks like she's about to fall apart.

"Katniss, shh, it's going to be okay. Now tell me what happened." I demand with concern.

"I shot an arrow at the gamekeepers." her voice is quiet. Wait, she what? I drop my hand and stand shocked.

"You what?"

She answers fast. "Well not at them actually. At an apple where they were eating a pig. They weren't paying attention to me at all after I shot perfectly. Well the second time. I never miss. They laughed and turned away. I was so angry and irritated. I just left afterwards. Oh no! I left without being dismissed. What if they take it out on my family? What if they have them killed and then kill me? What if-" I cut her off and embrace her.

God she feels so damn good in my arms. I almost melt but remember the situation.

What she did was awesome, but not good in her book. I was now worried for her.

If they killed her sister, she would lose hope and not even try or care to fight in the games.

Wait, did she say shooting? She's good with a bow and arrow?

"It's okay Katniss. They won't kill your sister. They can't. It's going to all work out. We'll just have to wait and see. Okay? Just breath and relax for now. It could be nothing."

I coax her face and tell her soothing words.

She seems to calm down a little. I smirk at her.

"So, you can shoot?" I ask while giving her a smile.

She starts to smile and then her eyes go wide and panic shows across her face. What's with showing all these emotions. She normally isn't like this.

"Oh my god! Haymitch is going to kill me!" she steps away from me.

No. Come back.

Wait she thinks I'm going to tell. "No, no, Katniss I won't tell anyone. I promise. My lips are sealed. Don't worry."

"No, you know now. You'll use that to your advantage." she says and takes steps back.

"No! Katniss I won't. I'm going to-" but she cuts me off as she takes off running towards the elevators.

"Katniss wait!" I call back but she's already in the elevator.

Damn it! Why can't I have her back in my arms.

"I want to protect you Katniss. I won't let anyone hurt you." I say with determination and desperation.

We're sitting in the television area. I watch and see my name and picture flash on the screen.

A ten shows up and I grin. That's right. That's right.

Clove shows up next and she receives the same score. Ugh. Whatever.

I don't care about any of the others scores. I think about Katniss and how angered and scared she was. I wish I could be there with her through this.

Lover boy shows up and he manages to get an eight. Hmph. Not too bad. I expected worse.

Then Katniss shows up and the worry returns. If she gets a lower score people will think she's worse and her sponsors won't help her out.

I sign. I'm nervous but no matter what, I'll be there for her. I will fight and protect her until my last dying breath. I promise her that.

She appears on the screen and I almost smile at her beautiful face. God. I sound so whipped.

I push my thoughts away and focus and what I see is something I could not believe. Well I guess I could believe it but I'm surprised to feel such anger.

An elevan appears on the screen and Clove and I shoot right up.

We both say the same thing. "What the hell!?"

"Cato!" I hear coming from a distance. I can't make out whose voice it is, but it sounds familiar.

Trees surround me and I appear to be in a forest. I hear faint noises from animals that I can't see and I feel nervous. Something isn't right.

I take a step and it sounds like a cannon compared to the silence of the forest.

The sun seems to be setting and there is a faint wind in the hair.

My right arm feels heavy and I look down to see something shiny. I pull it up to my face and I see my reflection in the weapon.

"Catooo!" I hear the voice again and it startles me.

"Hello? Is someone there?" I ask but I only get silence as a reply. Of course someone is there Cato. You keep hearing someone calling your name.

Oh no! I've gone crazy. Just great. In a forest and I'm losing my mind.

Alright just focus. Throats dry. Water. I look around to see if there's a river but I see only green.

"Can I get some water sponsors?" Right? That's what I think is happening. But where is the rest of the career pack? I wait 5 minutes but come up blank.

"No. No water? K then." I say and roll my eyes. Yup gone crazy.

"Catooo! Help!" I hear the screams again and it's closer. My heart stops for a second and I run forward into the forest.

Katniss.

No. No. No.

"Cato! Pleaseee!" I hear her again and tears almost spring to my eyes. I promised her I wouldn't let anything happen to her.

Her voice sounds like she's in intense pain and that increases my sprint.

"Katniss! Where are you?" I yell into the trees.

"Cato! No! No! Help Cato!" I hear it again and then a piercing scream fills the forest. The trees sway and carry the voice with it.

"Katniss, baby! Where are you? Katniss!" I scream for her but I can't see her. I hear the scream again and I sprint faster.

"Katniss!"

I won't let her die. She can't die. I hear cries and another awful scream come from her again.

I stop and look in all directions but there is no exact spot. My eyes burn from the urge of tears. Never have I ever felt like this.

My whole world crashing into insanity. I couldn't find her and it was driving me crazy. Where is she? She's hurt and in pain and I can't be there.

I need to be there. I told her I always will be. Another scream seeps into my head and I try to cover my ears.

"Katniss. Katniss, where are you?" I cry. Her scream continuing to fill my head.

I can't take it. I sink to my knees and sob. "Katniss!"

"Beautiful… I need you. I-I-" and everything comes back.

I spring up in bed with sweat covering me and tears streaking down my face.

What the hell just happened?

Tonight is the interviews with each tribute and is the last night I could be living but I know that I'll survive. I'm Cato.

My stylists come through the doors all excited, but I wasn't paying attention. My head kept going back to the dream I had this morning.

It felt so real. I felt like I was in the games. That Katniss was really there, in pain.

That she was getting attacked, killed. I had no idea how I was going to protect her in the games while still being apart of the career pack.

But whatever may happen, I'll be there for her and protect her no matter what. She deserves to win more than anyone here and she will survive.

I will make sure of it.

I was dressed in a suit and was ready to meet Clove downstairs. Ugh Clove. She was another problem. I knew her hatred for her and I know she'll be out to kill Katniss.

She won't stop until she has her by the throat or shoving a knife somewhere in her body. I grimace at the thought.

You never know what Clove has planned up her sleeve. I would have to watch her carefully.

I sigh as I walked into the elevator with Brutus. Him telling me something but me ignoring him, too busy with my thoughts.

How was I going to do this? I had to be a leader of the career pack. I had to kill other tributes not only because I'm supposed to but to help keep them away from Katniss. Most seem like they couldn't kill a fly. Not because they are too sympathetic but because they physically can't.

It's almost sad.

The elevator stops on the bottom floor and my eyes scan the faces. I was looking for brown hair and beautiful gray eyes.

I walk further within the tributes when I spot her in a red tight dress that flows at the end. Her hair is up in a bun and some hair was curled around her face. Her makeup was dark but bright. Innocent but fierce.

She looks absolutely stunning. I walkup to her and she immediately rolls her eyes.

"You know, it's not nice to roll your eyes, but I've been starting to get used to it." I say to her smirking.

"Good sense your so used to it maybe you'll finally get bored and leave me alone." she replies back.

I fake hurt, "such harsh words my dear." I say

"I'm not your… dear." she says while looking at me like I'm crazy. "Nice vocab too."

"Thanks. It comes with the charm and extremely good looks." I say and she just rolls her eyes.

"You look beautiful Katniss," I tell her changing my voice into seriousness.

Her cheeks turn a little pink and she looks away from me. I could eat her up if I had the chance.

"Good luck tonight. Don't be too nervous" I give her my smiles and walk towards Clove who is shooting daggers at us.

I walk up to the group and her gaze lingers on Katniss. She makes me so angry.

I snap my fingers in her face, "Pay attention Clove"

"I should be telling you the same thing Cato" she says with a smirk.

"Aw. Is someone jealous because she's not the center of attention this time?" I say while putting my bottom lip out.

Anger covers her face and I know I've won. "get over yourself Clove."

"Take your own advice Cato." now the anger shows on my face and I'm about to retort back, but Brutus steps in and tells us the show is about to begin.

Tributes line up and size each other up. We move towards our seats and I have to share with little miss attention.

I shoot her a look and look around.

I stop on lover boy. He looks nervous and pale in the face. Aw. He finally accepted that no one is going to like him and he should give up now.

I see Clove shooting looks at Katniss. Me shooting looks at Peeta. Marvel shooting looks at Thresh. And blondie shooting looks at Clove.

Wow. Seems like everyone has some competition.

Just like a game. This is a game isn't it?

Okay sorry but I wanted to end it there. The interview is next and some drama happens. Tell me what you guys think!

Please review. I'm trying to get to the games quick but someone (cough Clove) has some planning to do.

I'll try to update soon. Sorry L

~happysouls~