Jessica's POV

"Is she gonna be alright?"

"I really don't know"

"Did you ever see her like this?"

"Yeah, when her mom died"

Life wasn't fair.

This shouldn't be where I am now but like everyone else I was born in an unfortunate life. Some people say it's alright to make mistakes, seeing as we could always correct them but this isn't those situations. My biggest mistake was when I stood there frozen, when Marvel and Oak where fighting. That's when it happened, I snapped. Like everyone else in the Hunger Games I finally gave up and shut down.

This was all my fault.

Cato's POV

"How is she?" Clove asked as she entered the cave we were staying at, it was near the lake and was actually a miracle that we found it.

"She's still the same" I muttered. Jessica.. well she wasn't Jess, she wasn't cheerful or lively as always. She just sat there at the end of the cave staring at nothing.

"You sure this is normal for her?" Clove asked me with worriedness

"This happened before when her mom died. She stayed in her room and just sat still at her room for 3 days, she didn't drink or eat. When she came out, she still had empty eyes." I said in a whisper so Jess couldn't hear, though I know she still can hear what we're saying.

"She needs to snap out of it Cato! This is the Hunger Games we're talking about she can't just shut down" Clove shouted

"Look Clo-" I started but was interrupted by Jessica's voice "Why should I live?"

"Jess" Clove started and then came closer to her and sat down to meet Jess' eye level "You deserve to win for your family, for Oak if not them then for us" Clove finished

"Why whould I? Oak's dead and wouldn't care if I die. My real family's dead and the my family back in 7 would mourn but I know they can get over the pain. For you guys, if I win that means you die and I can't live with that" Jessica said then suddenly she started to cry

"Jessica" I said then stood up and hugged her.

"I can't take this anymore, Cato. Everything I kept inside is just overflowing all the pain, all the sadness" She said in between her sobs.

Cato's POV

After a few hours of Jessica's crying she finally fell asleep.

"I can't stand seeing her like this" Clove said as she wrapped her in a blanket. We were lucky that Jess thought ahead and hid a few supplies.

"I didn't expect that she experienced too much pain throughout the years" Clove continued

"I should ask you how you're feeling" I said then looked at her "You were close to Oak and yet you act like you're fine"

"It's called keeping everything together Cato. Oak would want Jessica to be happy not only her but also me, and I'm happy as long as Jess is." She told me

"So what's the plan?"

"Attention tributes, there has been a rule change and now it is possible that two people may win as long as they originate from the same district. That would be all"

"We can go home" Clove said excitedly

"How about Jess?" I asked

"They would have to take all three of us. We'll make them" Clove said stubbornly

"That rule change wasn't for us guys" Jess said to catch our attention and we finally noticed she was awake "It's for the star-crossed lovers from 12"

"What, why?!" Clove asked

"For show maybe?" Jessica guessed "So what's fo- " she started but was cut off by a beeping noise. We all went outside weapon in our hands except for Jess.

We all looked up and saw a sponsor gift landing slowly in front of us.

"For whom is it?" Clove questioned while Jess went forward and examined the package

"It's big compared to others but it's for us" She told me and Clove

"For us?" I asked her

"Yeah, the numbers 2 and 7 are engraved on it" She said while standing up "Come on Cato pick it up and carry it inside. Let's see what it contains" Then she went back into the cave

"I was thinking that maybe she would carry it" I exclaimed

"At least she's back to being herself and Cato you're the man here, hurry up and carry it!" Clove said and went inside too which earned a groan from me

Once I got it inside the cave we opened it up and it contained food and a few weapons. We split up the food for us to eat now and for later.

"Attention tributes there will be a feast tomorrow commencing at dawn. You all need something, desperately"

"12 is gonna be there" Clove stated

"How do you know?" I asked

"Don't you see Cato? Every single rule change has benefited them, I bet they are just doing this because one if them might be injured or hungry. The tributes from 12 are the ones to beat now." She stated

"So what now?" Jessica asked us

"We strike them" Clove stated "before they strike us" she continued then shot her knife directly landing at the tree near the entrance of the cave. Clove was always the dramatic one between the three of us.

Jessica's POV

"Alright, I'll strike first. Give the Capitol a little show that' all they want right?" Clove explained to us

"Just call us if you need help" Cato said

"Doubt that" Clove answered back though I could see anxiousness in her eyes.

"We'll be right here Clove. Are you sure you wouldn't want any of us to come with you?" I said to her

"It's fine Jess I can take care of this. " she paused and looked at me and Cato "Just like old times huh? Planning together tactics to fight off our opponents" she told me

"It's not just practice anymore, Clove." I said to her "Keep your head clear, concentrate. And don't show weaknesses" I started up our motto. It was an old motto that we tend to say before dire situations.

"Because your enemy will use it against you" She finished

"It's almost time Clove. Gotta get going, right?" Cato reminded her

"I'll see you later, guys" she bid us farewell and ran to the direction of the Cornucopia.

"She'll be alright, right?" I asked Cato wanting a little bit of reassurance

"She'll be fine. Now come on we gotta back her up in case..." He said then drifting of at the end

We ran after Clove a few minutes later maintaining a little distance. I knew Clove could handle herself, but I felt that something was off and it was making me really nervous.

"Jess, are you alright?" Cato asked me once we we're settled in the place we agreed on waiting for Clove. Close enough to hear shouts yet far enough to not be seen.

"Fine" I said

"I'll always be here for you no matter what. Remember that" he said to me

"I know" I murmured

A few moments of silence passed and then I saw the sun rising up signaling that the feast was starting. I couldn't keep still and I had to pace back and forth, I guess it was just me being worried. I mean Clove's got good aim and her small frame would help her sneak pass enemies, but she couldn't handle hand-to-hand combat like Cato and I. That would be her only weakness, but it's no-

"Cato" a blood curdling scream ripped throughout the forest

"Jess" that was enough to send both me and Cato to a sprint. I quickly grabbed my knives and ran. I didn't care about anything but to get to Clove. I even tripped on a tree log, but I didn't care I quickly got back up and started to run again. I knew I would get to Clove faster than Cato so I pushed myself to go to her faster even if it meant that I couldn't feel my legs again.

Once I got to her the scene before my eyes angered me. There stood Thresh holding Clove with a bloody head and Katniss half lying on the ground, obviously scared of the scene before her. It was like Oak all over again, but I wouldn't be the same idiot and stand still. I held my knife firmly and all I could see was red. I would not let anyone else die because of me and knowing that because I shut down is the reason why Clove is here in this situation.

"Hurt her and I hurt you!" I shouted then plunged my knife deep into his leg keeping him paralyzed from moving. He tried to grab me but I was fast enough to avoid him. He grabbed my leg and slammed me against the Cornucopia which earned a groan from me. I quickly grabbed another knife and stabbed him at his arms. Once he loosened his grip, I used what I learned from hand-to-hand combat and kicked him directly at his chest and now he was lying down on the ground.

"She's my best friend and you hurt her! For that you'll pay" I growled and grabbed another knife and plunged it deep into his heart

"An eye for an eye. " I stated then ran to Clove

"Clove" I called her as I cradled her head on my lap

"Took care of 11 for me?" She asked me

"Yeah" I was in tears now

"I'm happy if you're happy Jess. Live your life for me." She said

"Think about yourself for once and make decisions that would benefit you" She told me while touching my face "I always did admire everything about you"

"Clove, please stop this isn't goodbye. Please Clove" I begged her

"Clove!" Cato shouted. He was finally here and once he saw us, he quickly ran up to the both of us.

"Cato!" Clove said happily but started coughing up after she said his name "I thought you weren't gonna make it"

"Do me a favor Cato" She said to him

"Anything" He replied

"When you win this. Man up and marry Jess. I've always wanted to be the aunt of your future children" she said with a smile on her face

"You will. And we'll name our daughter after you" I said to her

"I'll miss you. Both of you. Please don't blame yourselves in anything that happened. Look in the future, don't look back in the past" Clove said then she finally closed her eyes. At that very moment everything stood still, I couldn't process the events that happened it was like my brain refused to accept the facts.

"Clove!" I finally shouted then shook her as if I was trying to wake her up.

"Clove!" I tried again but got no response from her

"Jess stop" Cato tried to yank me away from Clove

"Clove!" I cried out desperately "Jessica STOP!" Cato shouted

"She's really gone isn't she Cato?" I asked him in grief as he hugged me

"She'll be alright. She's with Oak now remember?" He said to me and I saw that he was trying to stop himself from crying

"Jess we need to go" Cato said to me

"Just a little more time" I said to him as I looked at Clove. She was beautiful, I made her a flower crown and tied her hair up in a loose braid, just the way she ties her hair back at home. Cato removed her weapons while I cleaned her forehead, removing any blood that could be seen.

"Her mother would be so proud" I said to Cato. You see Clove's dad died in the Hunger Games not even knowing she existed. Her mom maid sure that she grew up with love and care. She made Clove train so that she wouldn't end up dying like her dad. That was her mom's dying wish and Clove fulfilled it she might've died here but she played the games well. She died because she wanted her friends to be happy.

"It's hard saying goodbye" I said as Cato helped me stand up

"Goodbyes are never easy, but like she said live in the future and not the past" He said to me.

"You grabbed our packs?" I asked

"Yeah and I grabbed the pack from 11 too" He responded

"12 got away" He told me

"I was caught up with 11" I said before we were completely in the forest I looked back and saw Clove's figure

"She'll always be with you" Cato said then continued to walk

Once he was a few steps away, I did the sign of District 7 to Clove

"No more deaths, Jess. Time to stand up for yourself" I whispered to myself

"Jess wake up" Someone said while I groaned

"Jessica, come on it's sunrise" I finally recognized that the voice belonged to Cato and I finally rose up from the makeshift bed of blankets in the cave.

I ate breakfast, which was mostly dried up fruits and little pieces of meat. We got food from the pack of 11, we guessed Thresh was running out of food. Cato's pack contained two armors and because Clove's *cough* gone her armor was given to me. My pack contained knives, guess they couldn't think of anything else to give me.

"Who else is left?" I asked

"You, me , lovers from 12 and 5" He said "I can't believe 5 outlasted Clove" He told me

"She's sneaky, but that might be her downfall" I told him

We were in the cave and then suddenly we heard a cannon fire.

"Wonder who died?" I asked in curiosity

"As long as it's not you or me. I'm not complaining" he said. Wow Cato way to care about the both of us.

Suddenly we noticed it was getting dark.

"What time is it?" I asked him

"Around noon" he said then looked around "They must be rushing to end this"

"Come on. Grab all our stuff, we better be ready for whatever the gamemakers throw at us" I said

Once we grabbed anything and were out of the cave we started to walk.

"Where are we going?" Cato asked me

"Cornucopia" I said

"Why?" He asked me "Cause it's high enough, so we won't be reached" I said

A few minutes after we were walking we heard a growl not too far from us

"What was that?" I asked terrified

"I don't know but just run!" Cato ordered me and he didn't even have to tell me twice

When we reached the Cornucopia we climbed up desperately, scared of what we would have to face. Soon we heard the other two tributes who seem to be going to where we were. They were at the bottom and were struggling to climb up.

"Cato we have to help them" I said

"Jess, let them be. Less people to kill" Cato responded coldly

"When did you get so heartless?" I said then went to the edge to help them. I reached the hand of Katniss then heard a groan from Cato, then walked next to me and grabbed Peeta's hand. Once we pulled them up we saw that we pulled them just in time cause the beasts were right behind them.

I don't know what they were but they were really, really scary. About five of them were surrounding us, but that was when I saw it. One of them had eyes and the same face shape as Clove's.

"Mutations" I murmured

"What?" Cato asked

"They're mutations of the fallen tributes" I said

"Thank you" Katniss said to us

A few minutes later, the mutations got tired and left us. When we saw that none of them were coming back, we finally jumped of the Cornucopia.

"Tributes, the earlier rule change has been... provoked only one shall win. May the odds be ever in your favor."

I couldn't believe this! They took back the rule change and when I thought things were finally going my way.

"Go on Cato, Jess, you both have the weapons go ahead and kill us" Peeta said, which shocked me I didn't thought he would give up easily

"I can't and I won't. There has been too many deaths in this games, I'm not gonna add anymore to it." He exclaimed

"I'm proud of you" I whispered to him

"We'll now what?" Peeta asked

"We die" Katniss exclaimed "What?" We asked confused

"We won't give them a victor" She explained to us "is that fine with all of you"

Peeta nodded and Cato looked at me as if to base his decision on mine

"It makes sense" I told her. She then proceeded to give us berries

"What is this?" Cato asked

"Nightlock berries" she told him. I've read about these and I knew these berries could easily kill a person once they ate them.

"Poison" I murmured

"On three" Katniss looked at all of us

"One" I started of the countdown

"Two" Katniss continued

"Three" Peeta said then we all raised our hands

"Wait!" A voice booms in the forest. I quickly spit out the berries and saw the other three do the same

"Ladies and Gentlemen I present to you the winners of the 74th Hunger Games Katniss Everdeen, Peeta Mellark, Jessica Woods and Cato Hadley"

I looked at Cato and hugged him so tight and before I knew it I was crying

"We won" I managed to say in between sobs

Suddenly I felt wind swirling all around us, but I didn't look up all I could do was hug Cato to make sure he won't disappear

"Isn't it quite a surprise that we don't only have one victor but four" Ceasar Flickerman asked us four

"We are all quite shocked but it's fine with me. I'm just happy to be here with Cato" I said

"Speaking of you two, what do you plan now Jessica's in District 7 and you Cato are in District 2"

"Well Ceasar, I think I'd let Jess go home to her family but once we see each other in the Victor's Parade I'll never let her go again" Cato told Ceasar then looked at me and held my hand

After the interview was over we went back to the trains and traveled together back home. We were just seated together in four separate chairs around a round table.

"So..." Peeta said finally breaking the silence and yet another round of quietness followed

"For crying out loud! I hate awkward silences and I know we tried to kill one another but come on" I complained

"Never expected that to be coming from you" Peeta told me and I leaned backed my chair and crossed my arms

"So what now?" Katniss said finally saying something

"We should probably clean the streak and forget everything bad that happened" Cato told all of us and I was actually surprised he said something like that

"Look I'd be the first one if the train and I appreciate it that if you don't think of ways to get back at me when we see each other again. So is everyone fine with being on good terms with one another?" He asked us and we all nodded.

We arrived in District 2 and bid Cato goodbye. I soon found myself having a good chat with Katniss and Peeta in the short time we traveled from 2 to 7 I became close friends with them.

My family was there already running to me even if I haven't even took one step off the train. I gave them hugs and saw that Willow was crying.

"I'm here now Willow stop crying" I said as I wiped off her tears and she hugged me

"I missed you"

We packed everything in our home and went on to the Victor's Village, when we arrived Blight and Johanna was their already inside my new house.

They both hugged me and congratulated me, Blight actually said that he was proud of me.

Everything was great now and I can't wait to see Cato again during the Victor's Parade. I finished the. Hunger Games and I survived, I will never ever kill again in my entire life. This is the end of the 74th Hunger Games I won and yet I loss but I will fulfill the promise I made to Clove I won't live in the past and look on to the future. The Capitol can't control my life anymore and I will live my life again.