Bleh crappy chapter.

Disclaimer: Don't own anything.


Katniss POV

I'm chatting with Gale and walking around District 13 when I stop at the training clinic. I spot Leilani and remember she's supposed to be on a date with Pretty Boy (her nickname for him). She's standing ready with a knife in her hand and a frightened expression. I've never seen that before on her. Pretty Boy, on the other hand, is sitting nonchalantly on the floor and staring in the same direction as Leilani.

I can only guess that Cayden is their center of attention.

Should I intervene? I contemplate this for a while, but make my decision too late.

Leilani POV

I relax my arm and let it drop back to my side. I don't put the knife back in my jacket, however, incase I need to use it...

"Do you have any idea how worried I was?" Cayden growled through gritted teeth.

What is he talking about..?

I peek at the clock on the other side of the room. What the hell?! It's 10pm! I went 2 hours overtime without even realizing it.

"Cayden, I'm so sorry. I forgot to check the time." I walked up to him and tried to pull him away. "Please forgive me. It's all my fault."

He barely even budges and I know he never will until he wants to. Cayden Hunting has his attention all on Colton. Eyes narrowed, jaw clenching, muscles bulging; the ultimate signs of his ultimate rage.

"It's your fault." He points his finger at Colton as he stomps toward him. "You should have never bothered her in the first place!"

Colton stays seated and acts all brave, but that won't do him any good. He shrugs like he doesn't care that Cayden will murder him. "Hey it's not my fault you were too slow to the catch. I got her first."

Catch? Do I look like their freaking prey or something?

Cayden stops and looks like he's about to explode with anger. "Shut the hell up. That is my best friend you are talking about."

"Yeah right." Colton retorts and stands up to challenge him. "Best friend? Ha, I don't think so."

Colton just doesn't know when to shut up.

I run over to the boys and grab Cayden's arm again. "Colton, Cayden, don't do this. It's not worth it."

Amazingly enough, Cayden breathes before stepping back and creating a safe distance from Colton. I smile at him for being the bigger man in this, but in return, he looks down at the floor and walks away in utter defeat. Cayden is still hurt because of me;his best friend who just did what I specifically promised him I would not do. I swore I wouldn't let Colton get in between us, but it happened all because I never checked the damn time.

To make matters even worse, Colton decided to taunt him even more. When Cayden is trying to contain his resentful emotions, even one wrong word could set him off. And Colton managed to say the wrong words at the freaking wrong moment. "Fine, leave then. But our dates are not over Dusk, so tell your friend over there to back off."

Why are boys so arrogant and dumb sometimes?

I cringe in anticipation for Cayden's livid explosion. "THAT'S IT. I'VE HAD IT WITH YOU ASSHOLE."

Before I can talk some sense into him, Cayden charges across the room toward Colton. Instinctively, I step right in front of Colton and raise my left arm in front of my face to deflect it at the last second. The same arm that was currently holding my knife...

Our eyes meet, but his are not the same kind and gentle ones I am used to. They were lifeless, cold, and flaming with a strong hatred. I saw my own terrified reflection in his crystal eyes as he reared his fist back and swung. His huge fist slams into my tiny wrist, forcing the blade to sink into my face. Luckily, I had jerked my head to the side so it sliced along my jawline. But since this is Caydenwe're talking about, I yelped in shock and went down hard. The impact knocked me out for a few moments, and then I found myself sprawled on my back with my hands covering my cheek.

Silence. The only sound I can hear is the heavy roaring in my ears from the fiery pain. It felt like a hot iron was smushed against my cheek instead of the knife.

So this is what it's like to get betrayed by your own weapon.

"Leilani! Holy shit! I'm so sorry are you alright?!" I'm seeing stars when Cayden gently lifts me back to my feet.

Am I alright?

Even though I'm supposed to be this unfeeling, unbreakable District 2 girl, I still have to draw a line somewhere. Cayden probably hovers near that limit of pain tolerance. I realize my wrist-the one holding the knife- can not move without me cringing. It's probably just a bad sprain so I can deal with that. My deep wound and banged head, however, is a whole different story.

I'd have to say the emotional pain hurts more than the physical injuries.

It made it even worse by the fact it was Cayden. He's never punched me before. I would always jump in his way whenever he throws a temper tantrum and he would always stop. That's why I stood in his way; to protect Colton and calm down Cayden.

He was aware I was right in front of his intended target and yet, he didn't even hesitate to hammer me to the ground.

The tears begin to well up in my eyes, so I push myself from Cayden and ran as fast as I could out the door. With one hand trying to conceal my cheek, I rushed past Katniss and hoped it wasn't that noticeable. She seemed like she was in a hurry to the training clinic, but froze after doing a double take on me. Her eyes widened in shock at the sight of my maimed face, compelling me to sprint faster. I do not need anyone's petty sympathy. Being pitied upon just says how weak and helpless you are, and I will have none of that crap. What I need now is Cayden, and only Cayden. But he is the reason why I'm in this state, so now there's no one.

Warm blood trickles down my cheek from my banged forehead like tears rolling down my face. In a way, that's basically how I cry; not with tears, but with my blood. And I am practically sobbing right now.

I don't need this. I don't need family, love, and I do not need Cayden.

I will force myself to sever my undeniable dependence on Cayden, even if I do love him...even if it turns me into a complete monster.

Cayden POV

Look what you've done you freaking asshole.

I can't believe what I just did. I hit Dusk. What the hell was I thinking?

Nothing...nothing at all.

I will never forgive myself. No matter how mad I was, I shouldn't have lost control. I didn't even consider she would try to protect that idiot.

Remembering what was going on in the first place, I turn back my attention-and my freshly renewed anger- towards him. He's still standing there, staring wistfully at the place where Dusk left. Maybe he really does care for her...

Colton starts to walk past me, but I catch him roughly by the shoulder.

"If you had half a mind, you wouldn't follow her."

And I really meant that, she likes her personal space. From many past experiences, I'm well cautious to keep a knife throwing or an arrow shooting distance away until I know it's safe to comfort her.

He doesn't turn to face me. "I'm not the one who did it. It should be you who shouldn't chase after her."

He abruptly jerks his shoulder out of my grasp and sprints to the exit, calling her name as he leaves. I quietly simmer with rage because I know he's right. I've done enough crap for today. She probably will never want to speak to me again.

The thought of losing Dusk was too much to bear. I'm not used to such emotions, so I do what a District 2 guy would usually do: kill something.

Five human prototype dummies, one sword in my hand... When I finally controlled myself, I examined my work. Human dummy body parts were scattered everywhere and sliced into random chunks. I twirl my long sword in my hand until I see it. Blood spatters on my callused fingers; Dusk's blood. I throw my sword down and angrily snatched a nearby spear. Across the room, it flies and skewers a dummy. All of my energy saps out as I lower myself into a chair and cover my face with my hands. I don't even bother to move until I spot two feet stopping in front of me.

"You need to try apologizing to her." I look up to see the olive complexion and steely gray eyes of the Girl on Fire. "You owe Leilani at least that."

She's right, but I still find myself scowling at her and breaking eye contact. It may have been a little bit more than a year or so, but she still was the cause of my twin brother's horrible demise. Cato was cruel and even inhumane in some ways, but no one deserves to die the way he did. Since then, I've always been curt with Katniss to some extent and she knows it too.

She sighs softly."Cayden, do you hate me? I understand if you do, but you know I didn't have a choice."

I ponder this for a few moments before answering. "No, I don't. It's just...the way he died..." She nods in discernment.

"I was watching you three a few minutes before Leilani ran out..." I meet her hard gaze for a second and hang my head solemnly. "You should have not let your anger get the best of you."

You can say that again.

I feel even worse than before. Damn Colton. I shouldn't have let Dusk do this. I should have just stopped myself...I hope she is alright.

Leilani POV

My right cheek went numb and now I'm hopelessly lost. I know the whole place, but when you've just been knocked senseless by the one you love and your eyesight is blurry from stupid tears and pain, it's easy to get a little disorientated.

"Leilani!"

Katniss? Cayden? I can't even distinguish the voice because I'm so dazed from blood loss and my banged head. I spin around blindly, trying to find where the voice came from. All of a sudden, the ground rushes up to my face and everything goes black.

I'm partially conscious as I hear footsteps racing toward my half dead body. I feel myself being gently lifted into someone's muscular arms. It's not Cayden, I can tell if it were with my eyes closed.

Colton..? He came after me. Why? I have constantly beat him, I've insulted him, and I've even threatened him a few times, yet he is supporting me all the way to the medical center.

"Thank you." My voice was weak and barely audible, but he heard me.

"No problem sweetheart." I can imagine his face forming a smirk. He's practically dragging me now because I'm slipping away again so he just carries me the whole way.

Maybe Colton really does care for me...maybe I can have people to depend on after all...

I fight to stay alert, but I lose and drift off into a deep sleep.