The Hiding Games Chapter Twenty-One, a hunger games fanfic

Chapter Twenty-One

Clove's POV

I am playing with a knife meanwhile Cato and Peeta are whispering to each other. I don't know what they are talking about and I'm not sure I'd like to know it. Everything is in a better way if I won't do anything to stop them in whatever they're doing. I don't care if they love each other and I don't care if they would like to announce it to the whole world IF we will win the Games. I just love both of these two, and I'm still romantically involved with Cato, which turned out to be a one sided love but I will get through it. I know I will. And I know Peeta will help me, because he's the kindest guy the world have ever had. It seems like he is actually caring about my feelings, when Cato is doing it when he's in the mood for it. But I still love him. And I know he feels the same way, of course not as much as I do towards him, but he does. As a friend. I need time to get familiar with this, but I could used to get to be his friend again after all of this.

My father once told me I can't fall in love with anyone because boys are just distracting me from my real goal, what of course is winning the Games. Maybe he was partially right about that but I can't agree with him totally, because even if I'm in love, I can learn to control it. I will learn how to move on, and possibly get someone else for myself.

"Is everything alright?" Glimmer hopped down on a crate near me. I didn't notice her coming, so her arrival came as a surprise. I almost forgot that where am I from all of this shit what they put me into. I can't be myself, and this is really fucking up every nerves I have. But I have to do it. I have to act for the safety of my family.

"Yes." I nod slowly, looking into the deep forest. The trees are high, all the leaves are having a very green colour. "I'm alright." I manage to look at her, studying her face. I didn't convince her.

"Hey, look. You can tell me anything you know." The girl nods at me, then looks around. "Even if there's a whole country what's watching us right now."

If it would be that easy, Glimm... I have to come up with something what could distract her.

"I was wondering what's your good at. I mean, you didn't show anything to us but you still have got an eight. How did you manage to do that?" I ask curiously, hoping that this will get her mind off talking about me.

"I wanted to keep it a secret. But showing you that I trust you, I'm going to share it with you." I feel bad that I can't tell that I trust her, but I'm very close to say it out loud. I'm lucky that she continues before I open my mouth. "I chose to train privately because I didn't want the other tributes to know that I'm good with daggers. I can't throw knives, but if it comes to a close-ranged fight, I could possibly win." Glimmer explains.

"You're really that good?" I smirk at her. "I can't wait to see you in action, Glimm."

I like these conversations - in a public arena - about weapons and strategies than talking about my private life. But I think everyone is feeling the same way. If I would mention the 'Capitol' and 'stupid' in one sentence, my loved ones would die. Not just getting beated by my dad, but they'd actually be dead. A quick wave of shivering runs through my body from the thought, but I can overcome it somehow. It is very hard and it's still our first day. It seems we will have a plenty of time for break both mentally and phisically through our 'journey', but who cares about it? The only thing the Capitol wants is just fun. And control.

"I'm going to get some water." I murmur under my nose.

"Okay." Glimmer sighs, when both of us are standing up. She walks near Marvel, who smiles arrogantly.

I walk up to Cato and Peeta, covering the sun from them. "Where are the flasks and how many are there?" I ask impatiently.

"There are four, and at your back." Cato smirks at me. I always hated his big ego and much bigger smirk! I nod, turning back and noticing the brown-coloured flasks on the ground. I am wondering about they colour for a moment, why do they have to be brown? The answer could be that it's easier to hide them away.

"I'm coming with you." The first thing I see is his blonde hair when he stands up. "I want to help." Peeta says, standing in front of me.

My heart says to hug this adorable creature right at the moment, but my mind stops me in time. I really don't want to hurt him because he is my best friend, with Cato. We didn't know each other for too long but we developed some kind of mutual caring for each other.

"Okay." I shrug. "Come."

I am fighting with myself inside of my soul. Every moment is full of struggling after I entered this place, because of not letting my real self on the surface. I have to find a way in the middle what shows me what's enough.

I am walking silently to the lake close to the Cornucopia, with Peeta at my back. I find it awkward to be anywhere near him after kissing his boyfriend, hoping that he will fall in love with me. Damn! I'm so stupid…

"What's wrong, Clove?" I think he spotted out my feelings, what means I'm not as good at acting as I thought I was. I'm thinking about the right answer but there isn't one.

"Nothing, Lover Boy." Oops… me and my big mouth.

It looks like he saves the day because he looks at me confused. "I'm not in love with Katniss." He states.

"I know you're not in love with her, she's just a bitch who thinks she is cool for doing her stuff… But you told in your interview that in your love with someone, and you want to give this person a chance at winning, what means, whoever this person is, is a tribute. Therefore you're Lover Boy, because there's someone here you love, nope?" Fuck logic. Nevermind, the people in the Capitol will believe anything what we're saying. Contrary to our leaders they are stupid sheeps.

"Yes, you're right. Give me two of them." He points his fingers on my hand what is holding the flasks. I almost forgot about why did we come to the lake.

"Okay." I give two of them to his hands. I lean down, submerging the flasks in the water. When I see no bubbles coming out of them, I get them out, drinking a bit from one. Peeta did the same. I repeat the action, then I place the cap on them. "Let's go back, they are probably very thirsty." He nods.

When we get back, I get surprised from how fast they were with setting up the tents. There are two of them. One bigger and one smaller. "Clove you, me, and Marvel are going to take the bigger one." Glimmer says when I am closer to them. It seems like Cato told them how we're going to sleep, because he wants to be with Peeta. I almost smirk on how smart he is.

"Yes. Peeta and I are going to be in the smaller tent because I think we have to give the girls a bigger space." Cato explains. Clever. Really clever. If I wouldn't know what is really going on, I may believe it myself. But of course I don't.

"Then why don't you or Peeta are sleeping with the girls?" Marvel asks, he doesn't like the idea.

"Because nobody likes you, Marv." I smirk at him. Anger is taking over his body, I can see his face turning red what makes me laugh. It makes him more upset.

"Really, little girl? This is the best thing you can come up with? Oh come one! I thought it will be fun to have you near me, at least someone could entertain me until we get to kill someone... But that's all?" He tries to show he's totally calm, but I know he's really farm from that.

"Firstly: don't ever call me little girl because I will rip off your balls and I'm going to make you eat them." I say, hissing at him. "And no, skinny meanie, I'm storing the best for just you." I say, checking on his body.

"I may be skinny." He says with a grin, picking up his spear. "But I have enough strength to throw this into your heart in any moment."

I pull out one of my knives from the vest I'm wearing. "Really, shiny boy?" I remember how ridiculous he was in that shiny pink dress on the opening ceremony. "And what makes you think I won't kill you first?"

"Look how afraid I am from you." I'm getting enough of his talking. I'm imagining throwing this sharp metal through his neck, so he won't be able to talk from the chocking. "You do not want to say anything to me because you're afraid of my long spear, darling?" He asks. "Wanna know what else I've got what long?" He winks at me.

"Okay, that's too much for me." Peeta says. "I'm going to take a rest."

Marvel's words are making me want to puke, disgust dominates my whole body.

"Thanks, nope. I'm okay without seeing your dick. Show it to whoever you want, maybe a wild dog. But don't put in its mouth, it may bite it off, causing me a lot of pleasure buddy." I say, my face is still disorted in disgust.

Marvel lets out a forced laugh. "I was planning other activites with you, little girl."

"Oh, me too. I'm fantasizing about you." I say seductively. His eyes are brightened up.

"That's new, girl! Tell me about it." He says waiting for my answer.

"Mmmm… I will make sure to rip off your clothes." He is basically drooling. I didn't know I will have a big effect on him. "Then I am going to touch your body slowly, mmm.." I'm seriously going to puke, but I will come to an end with this. I can't wait to see his reaction. "When my warm hands are going to touch your soft skin, I will notice how distracted you get, and then I will seriously cut your throat open. Get off me you bastard."

"That was more than enough guys! Finish it or I will kill both of you." He says furiously. His words are shocking me for a moment but I know he wasn't serious.

"Okay, bossie." Marvel says, sitting down near Glimmer.

" 'Kay-to." I say jokingly. Sometimes I make this joke about his name, but it seems like the timing wasn't good now.

"I'm going to take a rest, you two are bugging my nerves!" Cato enters his tent.

Peeta's POV

I secretly hoped for Cato to come into the tent. That 'I'm going to take a rest' was a sign for that I want to talk to him. I just don't know if he payed enough attention for me to understand the content behind the words.

"Hey." He enters the tent, I recognize his voice. When I hear him sitting down near me I open my eyes, finding him staring on my face. "I really miss you." He admits. I feel like my heart got filled with something warm, I really miss his touch, his kiss. His body.

"I know. I do too, but we already have been doing this for some hours. What will happen in days? Maybe weeks?" I look down on the white and thin blanket what I covered myself with. I am playing with my nails to distract myself. "If I won't die until then."

His hands are stopping mine from doing what I was into, then he is searching for my eyes. I don't want to look in his eyes because I'm afraid of what I'm going to see in them. Anger? Mistrust? No. When I finally look into them, I see worrying and something what I can't find out what could be. "I'm not going to let that happen."

"That's what I'm very afraid of, Cato. I don't want you to get in danger because of me. I don't want to.." my hands are shaking, but his squeeze helps them to stop "die for me. I don't want you to die for anybody! I love you, and I always will. How could I love you if you won't be with me?"

Pain. I saw pain in his eyes. That was the thing I couldn't recognize before. "Anything could happen here, Peeta. That's why we're there for each other. We want to save the other one in every kind of trouble, and I know we will. We could survive this together, Peet." He is trying to comfort me but I hear the nervousness in his voice.

"You really think so?" I ask, a flicker of hope in my eyes.

"No, I don't think so. I know it, love. We will get out of here with Clove, and we will live the rest of our lives down together."

"The Capitol won't let that happen. Even if they're going to let us win, they probably will transport us home to our Districts. They don't know we're together, remember?" I remain silent for a bit to think about every little things what are coming through my mind. "And even if they'd do, it won't change anything Cato. You lived in District Two, and I lived in District Twelve. They're going to separate us, and the only time we could meet is when we're going to be mentors on the Quarter Quell. I don't want to make you sad with this, but this is the truth. Even if we live, we can't be together."

His look is concerned. Usually I am good with words, but everything I can do now is to kiss his dry lips. "I saw your lips are dry, I just wanted to help you in lubricating them." I say playfully.

"And that was your only goal, wasn't it?" He's smiling at me. Damn, that smile worth more for me than a million weapons near me.

His kiss is intense, I forgot about all of the things we are facing in this place. "Peeta" He whispers my name.

"Yes?" I ask, he leans back to look in my eyes.

"I just wanted you to know that when you get worried, I'll be your soldier. I will protect you from every harm, and I love you." I see a teardrop on his right cheek, I wipe it off his face slowly.

'I can protect myself' I want to say this, but I don't want to ruin the moment. "Don't worry, Cato. We will be okay. If the Capitol makes us to live far away from each other, I'd still love you, and I will, under any circumstances."

I feel his hands slowly slipping under my shirt, kissing my neck slowly. "Cato.." I sigh. "Do you think this is the best moment for.. this? Don't get me wrong, I would totally want to do anything with you in every moment of my life, but cameras are everywhere. I don't want your father to…" He cuts me off.

"Don't worry Peet. We are in a tent, nobody could see us."

"And you want to ruin our moment?" I ask, facing his wide smirk. I think I know what his answer will be.

"A bit of hotness is just making it better, sweetie." He winks at me seductively. I can feel my heartbeat getting faster and faster in every moment.

His kiss is intense, I forgot about all of the things we are facing in this place. "Peeta" He whispers my name.

"Yes?" I ask, he leans back to look in my eyes.

"I just wanted you to know that when you get worried, I'll be your soldier. I will protect you from every harm, and I love you." I see a teardrop on his right cheek, I wipe it off his face slowly.

"Don't worry Peet. We are in a tent, nobody could see us."

"And you want to ruin our moment?" I ask, facing his wide smirk. I think I know what his answer will be.

"A bit of hotness is just making it better, sweetie." He winks at me seductively. I can feel my heartbeat getting faster in every moment, feeling his hands adventuring, pushing my shirt up slowly. I help him get it off from me, sighing deeply. "Are you sure you're ready to do this here? What will we say to the others?"

He shrugs. "We slept. That's all. And we will try and not make any loud noises." I nod, touching his chest under his shirt. His rock hard abs are being pushed to my body after I managed to undress him from his shirt. We're laying on the ground, his perfect skin is touching my own. I don't know if he is doing it directly or not, but his hips are moving up and down, making me totally crazy.

I heard a loud noise what made me tremble for a second, I didn't expect it coming. I can recognise it in the first moment I hear it. Nobody could ever forget that sound in the arena, this is like the sound of a cannon, just this shows another sign to us. The hymn of Panem, called 'Horn of Plenty'.

"They shouldn't show who died, it's not the right.." Cato's mouth begin to form his next word, what supposedly was 'time', but I speak out before I forget what I was going to say.

"No, Cato. They are not going to show who's dead...they're going to announce something. And I don't think we're gonna like it." His expression is talking instead of him. In this tent he could show his true self: he's just as terrified as me.

"Then we should go out and see it for ourselves." He put up a cocky smirk, getting ready his Games-face. I find it somehow attractive...more attractive than I should.

"Attention tributes! Attention tributes!" Someone speaks out, his voice is echoing in silence. When I step out of the tent, I look up on the sky. It's dark outside, darker than it normally should be.

"I think they have made the arena dark so we could see his face clearer." Cato says.

"You think so, brainy?" Clove steps near us.

Claudius Templesmith's face appears on the edge of the arena up there. "I am pleased to announce that our beloved president would like to say some words what will affect every single one of you." After that the 'screen' goes black for a moment.

"What does Snow have to say to us personally? Usually Templesmith is the only one who announces us the strange stuff they got out of their mind." Silence landed on the forest, the only thing I hear is the beautiful melody of mockingjays near us.

I look down automatically, noticing the golden pin on my chest what reflects the light of the reappearing screen-like surface. Snow is looking down at us.

"As you all might know, there will be a special Hunger Games next year. We would like to make the waiting for the Quarter Quell even more exciting with adding several modifications to this year's Games." It's like he's smiling, but that's impossible. He never smiles during his announcements. "Firstly, I would like to share some good news with you: showing the generosity of the Capitol towards the Districts there could be more than one Victors." He says it without any emotions. I should be very happy for this, but something says we are not going to like it. "Four of you could walk out of the Games, just so we can show every single people in the Districts that we care about you. But.." Well, here it is. I was afraid of this word since he began to talk. "If you look down on your arms, you can see a glowing red hologram under your skin with several numbers on it. These numbers are set at 72:00:00 showing that you have exactly three days before the counter goes off." A question would like to get out of my mouth, but Snow answers it. "You are all wondering what will happen if you run out of time. The answer is simple: A special kind of poison is being stored in your tracker. If the timer gets to zero, this poison is going to spread in your body, taking away your life." I look at Clove who puts her hand to her mouth, holding back a scream, or possibly some vulgar words. I don't feel anything right now, my mind is still processing what the man said. "The new rule about the four Victors has its' disadvantages, too: if there won't be at least four people alive at the end of the Games, no one will leave the Arena alive."

Snow's face disappeared, and everything went back to normal, like the last some minutes didn't even happen.

But we know it was real. Snow has a message to all of us:

'You are all going to die in three days. I will make sure there won't be four of you alive at the finale.'