Yay chapter eleven i'm so happy i'm even happier that i've got more than sixth reviews it makes me so happy to see my number of reviews getting higher and higher with each update i make. Thank you to everyone who is reading and reviewing this fic because it is you who are making me continue writing with the continuous flow that i am. Once again i have included writing of graphic
A.N- Shout Outs!
Collie4Life- Oh yay thank you for coming back to my work i've missed you. Thank you for your comment i can only hope that they are tears of joy?
Shinigami- Yeah my new Peeta is more human because i got a lot of comments on Career of 12 about how unreal my deadly Peeta was because he was too far away from Canon Peeta so i tried to give this Peeta more heart.
The Few And Proud Marines- Like said in Shinigami's shoutout, i had a lt of people say my other peeta was a bit strange so i decided to try my hand at a more human feeling Peeta: i'm not sure how i did with him but i hope you all like him.
Through Darkness and Light- Yeah the reason I made him kill so many is because the guilt will be played on later on in the story both during the games and after them.
Lady Luna Riddle- I'm so glad that you liked my new bloodbath, i always get a little uneasy when i start writing one because i have to be very graphic. But i hold your comments very highly because your are so loyal and honest with me so i'm glad you thought it was awesome. I personally love Effie i think that she is one of the best characters to write she has so many layers that i can write her in any way but when i saw the Hunger Games i could see that Elizabeth Banks played her to be sad about district twelve's deaths and that she put on a mask so i like to integrate that into my writing. On the Avenger Note you can have Mark Ruffalo because i want Jeremy Rener.
fadi25402702- Thank's i'll try to keep my eyes out for those mistakes. Hope you like this chapter as much as my others.
Peeta's P.O.V
Night fell on the games like a flick of the switch and suddenly the snowy forest showed it's true nature as slowly and surely the chill began to seep into our bones, Clove built a fire as soon as possible and soon she and Marvel were huddled in front of a fire talking to one another and flirting shamelessly as if they weren't actually trying to kill each other. Glimmer sat with Ronan on my left talking to him comfortingly because it was startling obvious how different he was to the other members of our pack. While all of us have at least one kill under our belts-I have three-little Ronan from district three did not, he was still innocent and I knew deep down that he was going to die that way: and maybe just maybe that was the better option to what a victor has to live with.
Cato sat on my right and doing what he normally did to try and unnerve me: he was just staring at me like I had the answers to life's questions. I of course just ignore it like I always do except for that fluttering feeling that I always feel, Oclan sat in front of me as I stare into the fire I knew that we were all cold but I couldn't help but be thankful for Portia because sitting here I couldn't really feel the chill that seemed to be making everyone else so cold. Ronan was shivering despite having a jacket and being near a fire, Glimmer was curled up with Daithi to keep warm and Cato was leaning into Adira while Marvel and Clove were curled into each other so I looked a little different what with my flippant attitude to the cold. I was cold but it was ignorable so I was able to just huddle into my jacket and that was enough to keep me warm.
The anthem of Panem played through the night air making me grimace, ever since I was a child I had hated the haunting melody that was made to represent the capitol but this I knew was going to be representing the loss of the tributes that had been killed. The faces of the tributes flashed across the sky and when the face of the first tribute I killed appeared I felt my stomach knot and my face curl up in pain, I had done that I had killed him without thinking twice I had sliced through him with the Agas. Next the face of the girl I killed appeared followed by my last kill and suddenly I couldn't keep my eyes up at the sky to watch the other tributes anymore and looked down at the ground where Oclan was whimpering softly making me smile sadly.
Next to me I could feel Glimmer stiffen up and I could only assume that her kills had appeared up in the sky: when I had found out that Marvel had two kills as did Glimmer I had been a little shocked, that would mean that Clove only had one kill because I knew for a fact that Cato had the blood of two tributes on his hands. Why the capitol wanted us to look into the faces of the people we had already killed was beyond my thought process but I did know it was like some strange form of torture that I had to sit through, it was hard enough killing them and now I had to put up with their faces again. I wasn't like the other careers I didn't take pleasure in watching them all die or having their blood on my hands I wasn't a monster.
Without thinking I slide my hand over and tangle it with Glimmer's and gave her hand a quick squeeze before releasing it so that none of the other tributes could see what I had done. Small things in the arena could be used against you and if the careers found out that Glimmer and I were friends then they could use that against me. Cato slouched down so that one of his arms were angled behind me and he was leaning into me as if he was trying to keep warm, I don't say anything but instead slide my face mask over the lower half of my face to hide my grin. I should feel guilty about grinning so soon after killing but there was something about being with Cato and Glimmer that made the guilt easier to deal with. So without thinking about it I lean a tiny bit into Cato and out of the corner of my eye I can see Adira perking up a little at my slightly affectionate move.
"Why the hell do you have a face-mask" Clove muttered moodily as she spotted my wardrobe addition before snuggling into Marvel a little more.
I didn't mention how I saw Glimmer's face drop momentarily and instead file her expression away so that I could talk to her in private and instead shot Clove a smug grin "Because my stylist is awesome" I tease and see Cato grin and nod.
"That she is: you were amazing in the parade and interview" he drawl sitting up so our sides were firmly pressed together firmly filling me with his little body heat and I'm sure he was absorbing the heat I had managed to keep a hold of. "Who knew district twelve could look so good"
I roll my eyes at his characteristic comment and then spare a quick moment to Katniss who had looked so stunning in both interview and parade, there was no doubt she was probably freezing out there in the forest with only Fillip for a companion. My heart went out to her but deep down I couldn't figure out who had it more dangerous me or her? I was surrounded my enemies who wouldn't flinch at slitting my throat or stabbing me in my sleep while all she had to worry about was keeping herself alert and hidden. Clove let out a tired yawn gaining the pack's attention and I could see Marvel's eye lids drooping looking heavier and heavier.
"Time for bed" Cato announces making Clove and Marvel stand up immediately, "Marvel Clove you get a tent, Glimmer…."
The beautiful blonde smiled sadly at our 'leader' and then looked at Ronan who was once again trying to make himself as small as possible and laid a hand on his shoulder "Don't worry Ronan and I'll bunk together" she said and I smile at the relieved boy kindly.
It was obvious that Ronan was only comfortable around Glimmer or I, it could be because both of us had been so nice to him when he first joined the group, I had saved him practically and Glimmer had helped him acquired a pair of leather gloves from the supplies not only to keep his hands warm but to help him in his work with the mines. Considering he had to dig through the snow and dirt below to get to the mines it was a good idea. Deciding I still have some things to think about I look up at Cato who was staring at me expectantly and give him a warm smile-not that he could really tell what with my lower half being covered and all that.
"I'll take first watch, not tired anyway and let's face it I am the warmest" I say shrugging and I can hear Ronan sigh gratefully, I can only guess that he believed that he was going to be forced to take first watch because he's the new kid.
Glimmer nodded and then nudged Ronan along "Yeah I'll sit with him for a while" she says and Cato gives the two of us looks for a moment before he nodded seemingly agreeing with out arrangement and was moving off to a the last tent only stopping to look back at us.
"Goodnight Glimmer" he said roughly making it sound more like a threat before his gaze fell on me and I don't know how I could tell but suddenly his gaze was warmer and more open "And you as well Peeta" he said so softly it was practically a whisper but I heard it all the same what with me and Oclan being so connected.
Suddenly the cold seemed that much more oppressing with the other career's sleeping peacefully and suddenly I notice that Glimmer is shaking slightly and moving over I press my side into hers receiving a grateful smile for my efforts. Smiling I look down at out daemons that were curled up with one another sharing heat with each other like real animals would, once Glimmer and I had fallen into a heated lull my mind wanders over what Haymitch had told me before I had boarded the hovercraft and can't help but feel that out of all the advice he had given me it was my favorite: even when I'm sleeping keep my eyes open. When Glimmer asks me what I'm thinking about I turn my gaze to her and tell her making her smile and nod happily before stating it was grate advice and that I should stick to it.
The two of us are silent for a little while longer and I couldn't help but wonder if I was going to have to sit here with Glimmer as my companion and yet not talk at all, because that would be a sure fire way to fall asleep but not from drowsiness but boredom. But just when I'm about to give up Glimmer final speaks "How does it work" she asks making me look at her in confusion: how does what work? "Your bonding thing with Oclan…your eyes" she asked motioning to my eyes which were still in their lupine form and probably would be for a long while to come.
Reaching up I touch the skin under my eyes and trace it fondly before looking up at Glimmer my eyes sparkling happily "Oh it's not that hard, it's harder to keep them in this state then it is to get them" I say kindly and I wasn't lying, bonding with your daemon was easy, the harder part was keeping your bond that strong for so long. "But to get like this, you have to clear your mind and open yourself to that strange feeling you get when you go to sleep, you know that tingling feeling on the edge of your mind that you ignore right before you fall asleep"
Glimmer nodded and I grin happily "Tomorrow when it's just a tad warmer I'll teach you I swear" I say nodding and the thankful look that my friend gives me was more than worth the fact that I would be losing my edge over her.
Not that I saw Glimmer as a threat to me any way, she was just the girl from district one who had been reaped into the games despite being from a career district and then forced to participate in the games. Looking at her hair which was looking a little frost despite the two piggy tails they were in and I chuckle and take apart the hair shocking my partner "Come on we can't have Glimmer looking a little dull now can we?" I ask arching an eyebrow and making her giggle and shaking her head.
I move so that I'm sitting in front of her and begin the braid her hair into two piggy tails much like I had seen Prim wear around the district when she would go out with her father looking so much like the princess of the district it wasn't funny. But this was Glimmer and as I twist her hair together elegantly I begin hum, nothing as beautiful as like what Glimmer had been humming while we were cleaning the weapons but just a simple folk song that my father had taught me during my first year of pure work. The song seemed to be enough to make Glimmer brighten up because her emerald eyes glowed happily as my voice floated through the air and soon when she got the melody she hesitantly joined in as my hair formed the second braid.
It was strange to think that the two of us were having such a serene moment in the middle of the hunger games but then again I had never had the best luck in the world, so I took the moment and kept it to my chest. By the time the sun had rose across the horizon revealing the new day I had taught Glimmer all the words to the folk song at her prompting, I of course hadn't wanted to but she had insisted stating that she loved all kinds of music and really wanted to learn, so our night which would have been filled with an stagnate conversation as we sat alert and guarded was filled with giggling and singing.
The first one to wake was Marvel surprisingly enough who took one look at the two of us and shook his head in amusement "You two must be exhausted" he drawled crossing his arms as he stood in the faint sunlight.
Another thing that had helped about taking the night shift was that Glimmer and I had become used to the icy temperature and were more than comfortable in the snowy landscape now. The two of us shrug and keep our eyes peeled, we know that we aren't relieved until Cato tells us so we just allow Marvel to join us and start a conversation. I can tell that just having her district partner made Glimmer a little more chipper and I couldn't help but wonder how these two knew each other because the ease in which they communicated made it clear that the two of them knew each other from a long time ago. Half an hour later Cato strode out of the tent and sat next to me stretching happily.
Reaching up I pull down my face mask and give him a cheeky grin "Nice sleep?" I ask teasingly and suddenly I can feel the effect of staying up all night flooding through me.
Cato nodded and rubbed a hand over his hair before looking over at the tents where Ronan was striding away from "Yeah…how was watch?" he asked softly frowning when Clove didn't come out of her own tenet.
"Long" I say simply, how else was I supposed to describe it?
This draws a snort from Oclan who was lying by my feet with Daithi curled up next to him on one side and Adira pressed against his other side nuzzling him kindly. Cato grins at me and shakes his head in amusement before turning his attention to Marvel "Where's Clove?" he asks arching an eyebrow "Shouldn't she be up?"
Glimmer and I looked at one another wearily: there is only one reason why Cato would want all of us awake and together: he was going to be giving us our assignments for the day, and if the excited light in his eyes was anything to go by he was going to by: we were going hunting. "I'll go wake her up" Marvel drawled pushing himself to his feet.
He returns a few moments later with Clove who quickly sat as close to Marvel as possible pressing into him for warmth that was still needed due to the frigid temperature that the snow surrounded us in. "Ronan you'll be sticking behind to work on your little project" Cato said without missing a beat and Glimmer gave the younger boy a quick squeeze on the shoulder before paying attention to Cato "The rest of us…we're going hunting"
Clove cheered happily and kissed Marvel passionately right in front of us and I could feel Glimmer stiffening up and quickly laid a hand on her arm, she looked over at me and gave me a sad defeated smile and I knew that there was something she wasn't telling me. Cato watched the two of them with a large grin and I just sigh and rubbed my eyes, I don't think I could go through all of this again, when I was fully awake I had managed to keep my emotions together but I wasn't sure I was going to be able to do it right now, not after I had stayed up all day.
"Go pack some supplies" he ordered the two careers displaying their affections, then he turned to Glimmer and I and gave us excited grins "This should wake the two of you up" he said rubbing his hands together.
We nod in agreement but our smiles turn grim when he stood up to gather his weapons: we didn't want to go hunting we wanted to sleep and rest our tired bodies. "Are you two going to be okay?" Ronan asked quietly as he passed us both a bit of bread and cheese to eat for breakfast.
Glimmer-ever the kind one-managed to grin for the boy and nodded taking a bite of the meal we have been given "Yeah, we'll be fine…just a bit tired" she said before looking at the mines he had still to dig out "I'd get to work when we leave okay…I wouldn't want you to get hurt for not getting enough done okay?" she coached making the boy nod in agreement before scampering off to get his tool kit which he had been using the previous afternoon to rewire the mines.
The other careers came back with three backpacks about ten minutes later and then we were off, Cato kept us at a fast walk, and I had to grin when I saw how much Clove was struggling walking in, Marvel had a little more grace but was struggling more than his Daemon which was perched gracefully on the heavy white snow. Cato didn't seem to be affected by the fact he had snow around his ankles due to his heavy steps that caused him to sink a little, Glimmer and I were perfectly fine on top of the snow, my training allowing me to stay light on the ground and leave hardly a trace while Glimmer's natural grace allowed her to balance herself well enough to keep herself on to top of the snow.
"Why are you doing it so easy" Clove demanded when Marvel helped pull her out of the snow once again.
Snorting I cross my arms and point to Oclan who was surveying the area with keen eyes, in full hunter mode: I could only guess that was what the trainers taught Oclan in his sessions when I was off learning how to kill he was learning how to get in touch with his wolf instincts. "Have you seen my partner?" I ask dryly making Cato snort and cross his arms in amusement.
Clove begins to mumble about being unfair when something caught my ears and I hate it because I know it's the sound of a tribute, normally I could brush it off only problem: they were running right towards us which meant they were running towards their deaths. The crashing of the tribute reached my eyes and Glimmer gave me a scared look, I nod and step towards her allowing Clove and Marvel race forward their weapons ready. Cato was just as excited and wrapped and arm around my neck "We got a live one!" he crowd and I smile weakly nodding.
The tribute that burst from the forest was the young girl from nine who had a ring tailed lemur for a daemon, before she knew what hit her Clove's dagger was in her eye socket and her canon was echoing through the sky. My eyes snap to the blood staining the white ground as Marvel and Cato congratulated Clove on her skill, I can't move the ruby liquid was like a marker of this girl's life and it had been spilled so easily. Back at the bloodbath killing hadn't seemed that bad: it was a part of surviving the bloodbath: kill so you don't get killed in the frenzy but what we had just done to that girl…we had hunted her down and killed her without any need to, suddenly I felt so sick I could lose what little was in my stomach.
"Hey Twelve, Glim you coming" I look up in shock and see Glimmer standing beside me looking just as white and pale as I'm sure did. Clearing my throat I look over at Marvel who had spoken and nod not trusting my voice at that moment and nudge Glimmer with my arm to get her moving and then follow her over to the group and give Clove a smile: it wasn't much but it was the best I could do at the moment, she should be happy I was able to give her that much.
We set of again and by the time the sun set another canon had cut through the air signalling the death of the boy from ten's demise, only this time it was Cato's hands that had been covered in blood. The boy hadn't been threatening in any way at all he and his raccoon daemon had been eating a few berries he had found when we stumbled upon him. Adira had reacted first leaping on the daemon fiercely ripping into the creature and drawing screams from it that I wasn't even aware that a raccoon could make, Cato had only been a few seconds behind his partner and before I could tell him not to Cato had impaled the boy on his sword, it had taken five seconds in reality but in my mind it had seemed like hours. The only thing I had been pleased about was the fact that the boy hadn't suffered: he had died almost instantly his canon blasting through the air like a welcome friend, Glimmer and I hadn't been able to eat anything all day because I was such that if anything hit my stomach it would just come straight back up so when night finally fell and Cato declared that hunting was over I was more than ready to crawl into my tent and go to sleep.
I was tired, hungry and more than ready just to go home or run into one of Effie's hugs that never failed to make me feel that little bit warmer or special or sit down with Haymitch and listen to him tell me stories no one else would listen to. Hell I would even sit down with the twins at this point and let them fuss over me until I was 'perfect'. Glimmer looked drained and almost broken, I had a feeling it had something to do with the fact Marvel and Clove had been all over each other since we had stopped for lunch and I could only hope that if their activities got a little more rowdy and explicit tonight that they managed to keep it down.
We were almost back to camp when my nose caught onto the scent that would mean another tribute's death, my eyes scanned the sky line and just like I had feared: a pillar of smoke: the fire had drove a tribute to stupidly light a fire. I was of course the first to notice the fire but it wasn't long before Marvel noticed it as well and began pointing to it excitedly like an eager puppy "Cato look!"
My fellow wolf daemon partnered tribute stopped and looked at the fire a grin splitting on his face before turning to me his eyes glowing happily "Come on Peeta this one you and Glim can share" I felt the disgust rise in my throat and I was about to deny the kill when Cato grabbed my hand and began pulling me to the fire, Glimmer was only a few steps behind me being dragged by Clove who was beaming talking to Glimmer like they were sisters.
When we got close I saw that the tribute that had fallen to the chill of the arena was the young fourteen year old from district seven and her Leadbeater possum daemon partner and suddenly I froze, the girl was so innocent huddled with her daemon trying to keep warm and awake but Cato nudged my shoulder and nodded happily motioning to the girl with a huge grin on his face. I noticed Marvel clapping Glimmer on the shoulder as she turned pale as well and looked into her eyes and raised my claw gauntlet, as she unraveled her Daggertail.
Taking a deep breath I nod and together we let out weapons fly through the air: the Daggertail wrapped around the girls throat simultaneously choking and cutting her while my claw buried it in her stomach coming out the front. The career's yelled happily as the blood dribbled down both out weapon chains and holding back a sob I rip the claw free just as Glimmer twisted her Daggertail ripping it from her flesh tearing open her throat. I don't know if it was because it was my fourth kill or if was my imagination but the canon that fired the same moment the girls daemon slipped down dead next to his life partner seemed louder than all the others.
"Nice one!" Clove said happily giving me a kiss on the cheek before bouncing over to Marvel who as congratulating Glimmer on her work.
Cato smiled at me happily and threw his arm over my shoulder "Come on let's head back to camp, I'm exhausted" I want to roll my eye, he's tried: I haven't slept since I entered the arena.
We walked through the arena and I knew the capitol would be pleased with us, normally the careers didn't kill that many in the first day after the bloodbath, normally there was a two day lull before the killing started up again, so they were probably so very happy with this year's careers. Reaching the camp I see Ronan had managed to dig up two thirds of the mines and was trying hard to stay awake while he worked on the rewiring. When he saw us he froze and waited for judgement and Cato just nodded at him not removing his arm from my shoulders as he led me to the fire out wolf daemon only a step behind us. Clove and marvel ran off to get some food for dinner while Glimmer pulled Ronan down to sit next to her: which was probably the safest place for him at that moment. I ate the food numbly trying to forget the screams Glimmer and I had drawn from that girl and despite the warm welcoming feeling Cato filled me with I knew I couldn't do this anymore, I couldn't be a career.
It might have only been one day but one day was enough to show me that I couldn't actively hunt down other tributes and kill them easily, I couldn't keep up the act I wasn't that strong: I had to leave. Leaning into Cato's grip just a little more I take comfort in his aura and nuzzle his shoulder sadly, I was going to miss him when I left as strange as it sounded, but I really would. I didn't hold his excitement for death against him, he just thought that it was a way for the two of us to keep close but the fact was…I wasn't a killer, or at least I didn't want to be. Cato seemed pleased with my affectionate movements because he pressed a kiss into my hair and Oclan who was laying his head on Adira's neck making her yip playfully look me in the eyes and I saw the same sadness mirrored in his gaze which I'm sure my own blue eyes held.
Maybe if I had met Cato in a different situation then he and I could have made something of this, but the fact of the matter was…I had to think of myself and being with the careers was not the best thing for me. Clove and Marvel crawled off to bed and I followed Cato when he said he was going to sleep, Ronan would be taking the watch tonight but Glimmer and I just wanted a minute together. "Cato you have a moment?" I ask softly.
Cato nodded and turned to face me his face questioning, I smile at him reassuringly and I step up and put a hand on his neck, without thinking twice I press my lips to his threading a hand through his hair at the back of his head. If I was going to leave I wanted something to remember him, by the way he was grabbing me and kissing me back with just as much force spoke at volumes for the bond the two of us had. We could have been kissing for only moments or hours but eventually we did pull back and when I did I let out a shaky breath and stroked his cheek fondly "Just wanted to do that" the rest of my statement went unsaid.
"You can do that whenever you want" Cato whispered as he nuzzled my nose and grinned kindly, this was the Cato that I wanted to know, the boy who was so sweet he wasn't worrying about the best way to kill me. "Good night Peeta?" he asked and I nodded keeping my secret to myself.
I step back and walk back to the fire where Glimmer was huddling to keep herself warm and suddenly I realize: I couldn't leave her with the careers alone, Ronan was poking at the fire across from her but he didn't count he would be dead within the week anyway once his job was done as sad as it sounded it was true. Sitting down next to Glimmer I put my hand on her shoulder and motion for her to lean in closer so I could whisper to her. "I can't stay here" I whisper softly
Glimmer pulled back and looked at me with a guarded expression before she nodded in agreement "I'm not a career" she whispered sadly and then down to the Daggertail that was still stained with the girls blood "But I'm scared"
Nodding I took her hand in my own and looked into her eyes begging her to believe in me "I'm leaving…are you coming with me?" I ask because I wouldn't force her to come with me if she didn't want to leave the group. But when she nodded I squeezed her hand, I was happy I wasn't going to be alone in the arena I could track down Katniss but that wasn't something I really wanted to do "Go get some supplies" I whisper and Glimmer stands up to gather any food and supplies she thinks we'll need.
I stand up straight and move over to tap Ronan on the shoulder getting a happy smile in return "Hey Ronan I just want to say I'm sorry" I whisper softly getting a confused expression in return.
The boy turned to me a little fully cocking his head to the side "What so you mean, you've done nothing but be my savior since the games have started" he admitted with a big grin and suddenly the guilt I had been pushing down came crawling back only for me to push it back.
"Yeah…but it's time for you to save yourself" I whisper and then my fist flew at his face hitting him hard enough to knock the boy out. As he slumped into my arms I laid him close enough to the fire so that he wouldn't freeze in the night and pulled my face-mask on just as Glimmer walked back over to me wearing a backpack over her shoulder.
Glimmer looked at Ronan for a moment and then slipped a knife into his jacket pocket her fingers trailing over his brow "Good luck" she whispered softly before standing up straight and looking at me her eyes determined. "Ready?"
I nod and hold out my hand for her which she took gratefully, Oclan nudged Glimmer's leg and we looked down to see Daithi and him standing beside them ready to go and taking a deep breath we set off at a jog into the frozen forest leaping over the frozen logs and crushing the crystallized grass. Normally I would be afraid of leaving traces of our journey but I could feel the wind picking up and the chill in the air was rising both signs of a snow storm which was about to hit so instead of worrying about my tracks I quickly guide Glimmer and our daemons' through the forest-for once completely reliant on the night vision my enhanced vision gave me-and just as the first wave of the storm began to whip up I was able to find us a small grove that had great protection from the elements and bundled us inside, and curled up with Glimmer, Oclan and Daithi in one large group.
We might not be as safe from the other tributes as we were when we had been with the careers but in this small grove with Glimmer pressed snuggled against my chest and our daemons circling us for warmth I can't help but notice that this is the safest I've felt since entering the arena. "I'll keep you safe" I whisper against Glimmer's hair as the snow storm roared outside the grove.
Glimmer nodded and squeezed our hand that was still entangled "And I'll protect you" she whispered drowsily. Smiling warmly I pressed my cloth covered lips to her forehead letting her sleep before closing my eyes and allowing my own mind to slip into a blissful sleep for the first time in two days.
So how'd you all like my twist and Cato/Peeta moment.
Thoughts would be nice.
Next Chapter: Glimmer and Peeta on their own.