Okay, this is official. I started this story 3 months and 2 weeks ago! I'm shocked at how fast this went by, considering some stories take forever… But that's when they get the best chapters too (: Has anyone read Love Beneath powerful Flames? Or The Missed Shot (that now has a sequel :3)? Well, they're amazing stories. I'll list my favorites that I'm currently reading (: Ps. These are ones I've memorized! There's WAY more that I like but I don't have time to type them all down:
-Love Beneath Powerful Flames
-Luscious Fire
-Sponsorship (Can someone PLEASE PM Esyla? She hasn't Updated in FOREVER!)
-Monsters Are Scared on The Inside
-When the World Comes Down
-Katniss and The Survival Games
-Heart of Steel
-Lacrymosa
-Fire Flower
-The Touch of Your Lips
-Cato's Obsession
-Anything but Love (Sequel to Cato's Obsession.)
Okay, that's all that I have memorized! I have probably over 100 Favorite stories and I can only have so many on this. So I'm sorry if I didn't Get Yours Up There :'(
ANYWAY, excuse me for this long A/N. It's just, well, I love to talk. (A gift and a curse.) Enjoy the last chapter (but not the last of the plot) of Sparks Fly! I'm Now Working on The Sequel IMMEDIATELY after I finish this chapter (: But I'll Need a LOT of reviews. And an idea for a title…
And lead me up the staircase
Won't you whisper soft and slow?
I'm captivated by you baby
Like a firework show.
Katniss POV
I spit the berries out immediately after Claudius just announced… victors? I look over to see Cato, alive and breathing, spitting the remaining juices of the deadly berry from his mouth. A mouth I thought I'd never get to kiss, one that would be forever silent instead of whispering in my ear that I'd be all right.
As this newfound information registers in my head, another noise makes me jump. But everything is all right. It was only the hovercraft.
Cato gurgles his mouth with water and spits it out on the green grass. I remember this grass being stained with blood… I shudder at the memory. Arms wrap around me and I lean in, knowing whom they belong too. I feel safe, something I don't feel and probably won't feel for a long time. I might end up like Haymitch, who carries a knife in his sleep and drinks until he's unconscious.
The thought makes me shift my mind to what's happening. Medics come pouring out of the hovercraft and I start to worry.
What will happen? Will they separate us? Will they kill one of us and edit the Finale?
They can't. The whole Country has seen it. There's no taking it back.
Cato and I are alive. We're alive… We're alive! But as the medics rush to me, I cling to Cato, hoping he'll keep me away from them. His arms tighten around me but there are at least 10 to 12 people. Cato's only one person, no matter how strong he is.
When they pry me away from him, I start screaming. He can't leave me here. He can't leave me with these…mutts.
"Cato!" I cry. "Cato!" He lunges for me but everyone holds him back as they try to lay me down. I use all of my strength to sit up but it doesn't work as a sharp pain squirms in and out of my arm.
My vision gets blurry and I know they'd sedated me. I feel light, airy almost. It's as if I'm weightless. White is all I can see but I can still feel and hear moderately fine. Straps hold my arms down and I can feel wheels roll me onto the hovercraft.
One voice is all I focus on. Cato's voice.
"Katniss! Katniss!" he yells. I can hear him fighting but the doors close and someone must've sedated him too. I can't hear him anymore.
I can't hear anything anymore.
My world has become white and black at the same time. I can't see anything, nor hear anything, nor' feel anything.
I'm not dead. I can feel my heartbeat. I'm not exactly awake though, as my mind quiets down and my world becomes nothingness.
Cato POV
They pulled her away from me. They took her. She was screaming for me, for me only. And they drugged her, stuck a needle into her arm. She was unconscious by the time they boarded the hovercraft.
I tried fighting; I really did. But it was no use. They held me off and I felt a needle pierce my back. My head calmed down and I passed out, unaware if I'll ever wake up again.
The Games can change you.
Katniss POV
I awoke in a hospital bed, straps covering my wrists, elbows, knees, and ankles. It was quite uncomfortable.
Everything was white. White walls, white bed, white sheets, white papery gown, white curtains. I felt dirty in this room and wanted to slink back to the dusty cupboards and old, creaky houses that were back in District 12.
The door opened, revealing a quite sober Haymitch. He seems different, wiser in a way. He is becoming a more and more important person in my life every passing second.
"Good job, Sweetheart. You won," he says, a look of gratitude and relief washing over his features. Yep, he's definitely sober.
"I won," I say, more like a question instead of a statement. The thought of the arena has me looking down at my calf, where the mutt tore off my flesh. Lifting up the sheets, I don't see one flaw on my skin. Every scar, every imperfection, was erased. I didn't like it.
"Sweetheart, there's something you need to know. When they get you signed out, you will be transferred back to the 12th floor. You'll have time to get comfortable before the winning ceremony tonight." Haymitch looks from me to the straps. Almost instantly, he undoes them and let's me move. "When I was in here, those things drove me crazy. You'll be fine without them anyway."
My mentor leaves the room, leaving me wondering. What does he want me to know? I shake the thought from my head as I get up and walk around the room. The window is open, leaving me staring out at the Capitol citizens who are freely roaming around and pointing at the big screen that displays Cato's name and mine.
It shows how we looked in the Games minus the dirty hair and skin, wild look in our eyes, and the bond between us seems more intimate and sexual than loving and caring. They've created this whole different scene, which they'll expect us to display tonight.
Speaking of Cato… where is he? He should be out of the Hospital, considering his only wound healed perfectly in the Arena.
And he's alive. With me. A victor. We're both victors. We're both victors…
Voices interrupt me from my spell of silence and I immediately recognize who they are.
Coming though the door, Flavius, Octavia, and Venia rush in, clapping their hands and cheering at my victory.
"Oh Katniss! You won!" Octavia shrieks. Her skin seems a lighter green and I assume it was during the Games in which she dyed it.
"Yeah," I state, smiling a little. They seem almost like children. It's hard to be and at them just because of where they grew up.
"Now, let's get you up to the suite! There's about six hours until the interviews! We mustn't waste time!"
They checked me out of the hospital and we were up on the 12th floor in about fifteen minutes. Haymitch greeted me and told me to meet him up on the roof once I'm dressed out of my 'paper.' I quickly changed into a lime yellow shirt with black yoga pants and hurried up to the roof. The old District 12 mentor greeted me once I arrived.
"Katniss," he points out. "We need to talk. This is the ONLY place where it isn't rigged with the exception of the rooms."
I'm soon wondering what he wants to talk about. "What do we need to talk about?"
He sighs. "The Capitol isn't happy. You made them look like fools. Two victors? That's never happened in Hunger Games history! Along with your 'Girl on Fire' persona and the training score you got. You were a Seam girl from district Twelve and the very first person to volunteer. You upstaged them. You made them angry."
"Well, you know I'm not very happy with them either." I retort.
"Katniss! This isn't funny. What you two did was dangerous. Very, very dangerous. You need to watch your back over the next couple of months." I take his advice, knowing even if I'm out of the arena, it'll keep me alive.
"I will," I confirm. "Now, is that all you need to talk to me about?"
"No. There's rebellion in the Districts. That what you two did was out of defying the Capitol instead of true love. Prove them wrong."
I understand now why he brought me up here. "How am I supposed to prove it to them? I have feelings for Cato… But in love? I don't know about that. But I'll try."
"Here's a hint: intensify your feelings towards the Brute and you've got love."
Haymitch walks away from the railing and exits quietly, leaving me here on the roof, alone. After about 5 minutes, I walk back down to my room, where my prep team awaits.
This is going to be a long day.
They plucked, bathed, shaved, waxed, brushed, soaked and repeated many times over until I was sore and my skin was red. My hair had a glisten to it when they dried it and my skin was soft and creamy. It's so unusual when you're used to it being dirty and rough. Even my calluses are disappearing.
Once they were done with my body, Flavius curled my hair meanwhile Octavia did my nails and Venia worked on my makeup. I couldn't see the mirror behind Venia and quickly gave up after a couple minutes of accidentally hitting my head on the curler and harsh scolding from Flavius. After I'm done, Flavius wraps my hair in a twist and the three leave for the time being. Cinna comes in, taking their places. He carries a black dress bag.
"Close your eyes," he instructs. I do so and hear him unzip the bag. A light, airy feeling comes over my body. "Okay, you open your eyes. And look in the mirror."
I open my eyes slowly, standing in the mirror. I gasp while looking back at a soft candle's flame. Her hair is down in soft ringlets and a long yellow dress goes down past my ankles and to the floor. It shows off curves yet has an innocent look to it. The beautiful dress the flame wears has one strap, going over the left shoulder.
"No more dark flames and spinning?" I ask. Cinna shakes his head.
"The Games change people. They changed you so your outfit had to change too." His words speak wisdom and we both walk out. Looking down, I can still see myself as the Girl on Fire, with maybe a little less 'burn baby burn' effect. It was as if they dampened my flame into something that their grubby, colored and manicured hands can't touch.
Cinna, you're a genius.
Everyone from my group walks out as we head to the ceremony. I pick up the ends of my dress to find golden sandals instead of heels. I silently thank Cinna again as my feet heal from last time.
Nearing the door to the stage, we come to the left wing of the stage. I can see some Capitol crazies, along with my group. A loveseat is out in the middle, along with the chair Caesar will be sitting in.
I'll get to see Cato.
I try looking around but it's useless; he must be on the other side. I space out for a bit until cheering bring me back into the real world and away from my thoughts.
"… Caesar Flickerman!" the announcer says. Caesar waves to the crowd and bows, chatting and making everyone laugh.
"Would you all like to see your victors?" He asks. Now's the time to see Cato.
And I do. He walks out first while I'm still in the shadows. Haymitch nudges me and I look back before slowly walking out of the shadows. Cato sees me for the first time in… how many days was I asleep? At this point, I don't care.
His face is priceless. His mouth hangs open and his eyes light up immediately. I start walking a little faster and pick up the bottom of my dress. He picks up his pace and soon, we're running across the stage to each other.
Once I reach him, he immediately puts one hand behind my neck and angles my head up to kiss me. And we do kiss.
It's hot and longing, as if it was the last time we will ever see each other. And it might be after tomorrow, as we have to go home.
We stay like that for a few minutes until Caesar coughs and we break apart. I blush while Cato grabs my hand and leads me to the love seat. I sit down and lean my head against his shoulder.
"Wow, that must've been quite a ride for you two, eh?" he asks.
Cato answers. "Yeah, yeah it was," with a little laugh. I nod before sneaking a glance towards his face. Turns out, he was staring at me the whole time.
"Well, let's see all that you've been through!" Caesar cheers, pressing a button on his hair. Immediately, the screen comes to life and it starts from the chariot parade to the interviews, from the interviews to the arena. And from the arena, I start getting frightened. It's like reliving it all over again. Everything is even more clear, describing the tidbits of me running from the fire, Rue finding me, and our alliance. Then it shows Cato and the Careers. Clove knocks them out and the two talk. That was when he was stabbed.
Afterwards, it shows Rue and I finding each other and the boring stuff. The whole time we were together, hoping to cross paths with Cato, he was walking around aimlessly, hoping to find us. His arm was bleeding badly but he covered to wound by ripping his shirt.
Then it shows the scene of Rue and I talking about blowing up the supplies and me finishing the deed. It switches to Rue, who was caught by Marvel and ran a while before she was caught in a net left by a tribute. She called for me, I found her, the spear was thrown, the arrow shot.
Everything then started to slow down as I sang to her and buried her in flowers. Before now, I had not clue I was crying until Cato's thumb sweeps across my cheeks. He kisses them before turning back to the screen.
Everything goes by in a blur and the finale comes to early. Clove was mutilated by the mutts, them tearing every bit of her flesh apart. She died of missing limbs and a fatal bite to the neck, tearing her throat out. Even though it was outnumbering, she didn't go down without a fight as she slashed at the the mutts with her knife.
Thresh's head came down with a big thud and the mutts cleared away.
Then it showed us kissing and winning. They didn't show the berries.
"Well, anything to say about that?" Caesar asks. I shake my head no, expecting Cato to respond. And he does.
"It wasn't what I expected it to be," he states. On his face is a small grin but in his eyes, guilt and sadness mix together, creating the worst feeling inflicted on a human.
"What about you Katniss?" the blue interviewer inquires. I decide to let the Capitol know what District 12 thinks of it, not just me. It's only fair that they get a chance to share their opinion.
"It was… horrible," I shudder, thinking about all that I've seen, all that I've killed, every single thing I've lived through during my stay in the forest of hell. "Everything was…" I try to find the words. Then it comes to me. "Demon-like. It was work on the devil inside. I guess seeing Rue… It reminded me why I was there. And somehow, they managed to torture me by using her. Fate was against me yet the odds weren't." I suck in a breathe of air. I feel clammy, nervous even. My words could be the end of me in a 'tragic accident.' I start again. "Yet it was worth it… I got to meet Cato. But now, a weight is lifted off my shoulders. I've kept my promise."
The crowd oohs and ahhs, with a few blowing their ringed noses in multicolored tissues. It disgusts me that they think it's emotional and yet so romantic. They'll want it again and again again. The games will all have something in common, no matter how creating the head Gamemaker is. It all involves death. Cold, dark death.
"Now Cato," Caesar announces. "How did you feel in the Games when you met this lovely girl? Was it worth it, as much as Katniss describes it?" Cato's face turns sad yet happy at the same time.
"Yeah, I think it was," and then he looks at me, leaning in and closing his eyes. Mine flutter and our lips connect, moving in synch. His are soft and controlling at the same time. It's exciting yet unfamiliar, being the one who is in control of her mind and body. But I can't control on thing at the moment. My lips.
Caesar coughs and we break apart but stay in the same position. I stare into his eyes and his into mine. Grey meets blue to become a soft, hard color that reminds me of the lake my father took me to when I was younger. Dark clouds usually hung over the sky except during the summer, turning the water a light blue.
"Well ladies and gentlemen," the special citizen says. "Give it up for this years tributes, Cato Rosias and Katniss Everdeen! The Lovers of the 74th Hunger Games!" he yells while the audience screams and cheers. I stand up with Cato and we hold hands while walking up to the podium.
Up on top is the person I hoped I'd never meet nor' have any affiliations with. That failed greatly.
President Snow's eyes drilled holes into my skull and when he turned around to get the crows, I exhaled quietly. Bringing one down, he splits it in half, putting one half on Cato's and the other on mine. The leader of our country doesn't seem mad at Cato and gives him a genuine smile. But as he makes his way to me, his face seems overly sweet and his eyes are dark with rage. They're almost like a snake's.
He puts the crown on top of my head and brings his hands down to brush my hair off my shoulder, revealing my pin.
"What a lovely pin you have Ms. Everdeen," he huffs, sending a whiff of blood and roses to my nose. I inwardly shudder.
"Thank you; it's from my district." He smiles a mocking smile.
"You must be so proud… Congratulations."
President Snow walks away to the podium and announces Cato's and my name as the victors of the the 74th Annual Hunger Games. We walk off and find each other afterwards on the roof. I run to him and he wraps his arms around my small figure.
"We did it…" I gasp. He nods into my hair.
"We won… We won!" he shouts, picking me up and spinning me until I got dizzy. I laugh and peck his lips as he sets me down. But the happy moment fades as I remember what Haymitch told me.
"Did Brutus tell you..?" His face grows serious.
"Tell me what?" That's when I let everything our, from our stunt seen as rebellion to the talk of an uprising. We fueled the sparks, letting them fly to cause a blaze. And once I'm done telling him everything I was told, we sit down on the floor in each other's arms, listening to each other's hearts beating. They're still beating, for now. I realized something tonight.
It's only just the beginning.
Hoped you liked it! This chapter was over 3,500 words! This is the last chapter and I will pick up on a sequel too. I'm thinking on a certain title that will build up to the third book I'm planning. It's definitely going to build up and up the further we go! But for now, I will go through EVERY chapter and edit any mistakes my fast fingers have made. I love you all and hope you read my sequel! Stay with me my fellow readers!
~HeymyFellowReaders101
