CHAPTER ELEVEN

Finnick and Cato take turns to carry Beetee up the steep slope to the tree as he's still to weak after his injury. Katniss and I bring up the rear of the group as we can do more damage with sheaths of arrows than the others can with an axe or a sword.

As we get closer to the tree, Katniss leaves me to listen out for force fields but Cato joins me.

Grasping my hand, his eyes search the trees for any sign of a threat. "I think we should leave tonight. After the electrocution thing is done."

"Good idea. There's only a couple of us left now and with the way the Gamemakers are throwing things at us, this thing is coming to an end in a day or two."

Our conversation is cut short when we reach the tree. Everyone divides up duties.

Finnick and I stand guard whilst Beetee examines the tree, Johanna taps for water, Peeta gathers nuts, and Cato and Katniss go hunting. I'm a little worried about Cato being alone with Katniss. I know he won't kill her because of the plan to keep her alive but I'm not so sure she won't try to harm him.

After what feels like centuries, my handsome fiancé strolls back over to me with rats slung over his shoulder. As he wraps me in his arms, I feel myself relax. No matter what happens or where we are, being in his embrace is my safe haven.


Sat on the beach watching Beetee work, a silver parachute drops in my lap causing everyone's eyes to look at me. Opening the lid, the note informs that the contents are solely for me. Pulling out a silver locket, the photos inside make me want to cry. However, aware of the eyes on my form, I force myself to stay dry eyed.

On the right side is a photo of Marvel and I when were six years, my lips are pressed against his cheeks and his arm is wrapped around my shoulders. I remember that memory as if it was yesterday. We were so young and carefree.

On the left side is a photo of my aunt and uncle holding me as a baby. Both my parents were gone when this photo was taken but staring down at me, my aunt and uncle had the biggest smile's ever.

Engraved on the back of the necklace was; 'Keep going, Sweetie. Love Mr&Mrs K.'

I let out a shaky breath once I realised the necklace was sent from Mr and Mrs Kentwell, Marvel's parents.

Noticing my shoulders shaking, Cato takes the locket out of my shaking hands and clasps it around my neck, placing a kiss at the base of it.

The Kentwell's are right, I must keep going. I can not give up. Cato and I must make it to the final two, and then I will give myself up for him. So that he can live.


At predicted nine o'clock, we leave our camp and make the hike up to the tree. The rest of us stand guard whilst Finnick assists Beetee in securing the wire in the right positions.

Us three girls are to take the coil through the jungle, unwinding it as we go before dropping it in the water and running. If we go now, we should make it to safety. It's a risk worth taking.

"I want to go with them as guard." Both Peeta and Cato say at the same time.

They both look at each other suspiciously but Beetee informs them that they're needed here. They both seem hesitant but have no choice but to agree as they realise the three of us need to go now or the risk will increase.

"Please come back to me." Cato pleads, his eyes filled with concern. "Please."
"Of course I'll come back to you. I'll see you at midnight." I take his face in my hands and kiss him softly before turning to Johanna and Katniss.

"You two guard, I'll unwind." Johanna turns to walk down the slope and we have no choice but to follow her, our bows at the ready.

After a while of walking, Katniss takes over but that's when everything goes to shit.


Johanna has pinned Katniss to the floor and is carving out the tracker in her arm before wiping her own blood on her face.

"Stay down." She hisses to Katniss before strolling back over to me. Johanna had already informed me of the plan and so I sprinted away from the scene before Brutus and Enobaria find us.

Dashing through the jungle, I try to find Cato as quickly as possible. I must get to him before Katniss makes it back to Peeta. I must find Cato so we can get away from the alliance before it goes to hell.

A cannon goes off and despite how strong he is, there is a very strong possibility it's Cato. Everyone in this arena has killed before.

"Cato!" I scream, not caring who could hear me at this point. I just had to know that my Cato was alive.

My foot catches on a branch and my body slams into the ground. My head bounces off the ground and despite the protests my body gives, I get up and continue running. My vision blurs and the ringing in my ears won't go away but I'm determined to find the blond boy from District 2.

"Cato!"

Another cannon goes off and my heart leaps into my throat. The odds aren't looking too good anymore. Anyone could kill anyone in this mad panic to survive the night.

"Indie!" A masculine voice rings in my ears but it doesn't belong to the right blond. Instead, my body collides with Peeta's and he has to wrap his arms around me to keep me upright.

As three Peeta's stare at me, his mouth moving but no sound coming out, the world explodes around me.