CHAPTER 3.17

'My friends forgive me.

That I live and you are gone.

There's a grief that can't be spoken,

And there's a pain goes on and on.'


Gazing at the comatose figure covered in pristine white sheets, he reached out with a scarred hand and brushed away a strand of fair hair, tucking it securely behind her ear. Colour had returned to her face, along with fat so her cheekbones were no longer hollowed out and her skin no longer translucent. Once again, her lips were soft and pink, instead of chapped and cracked. Tubes were attached to various places of her body and whilst horrifying to look at, Cato knew that the fluids within those tubes were doing their best to provide the unconscious girl with the vitamins and medicine she needed for her to be healthy once more.

Bulky plaster adorned both her arms and had been placed carefully by her sides. Medics had informed the blonde brute that they were to prevent Indiana from ripping the stitches from her flesh again. After hearing the pain Indiana had inflicted upon herself, Cato had been sick to his stomach, unable to do little more than grimace. One medic admitted that she had thrown up after seeing the damage for the first time and discovering that Indiana had caused that with nothing but her hands.

Alongside the news of physical harm, the blond man had been informed that a mental illness was highly likely after the torture she had suffered. Reassuring him that her mind hadn't been altered in the same manner as Peeta's, the medics had discussed that whilst her memories hadn't been warped, it was highly likely she had forgotten some. As if hearing that Indiana may have no recollection of her romance with him wasn't heartbreaking enough, the final blow was when the word insanity had been mentioned.

Psychiatric therapy would have to be put in place in the unfortunate event that that had occurred and Indiana would have to be isolated from the other members of District Thirteen. In fact, it was highly likely that she had even conjured up the images of the deceased to comfort her through the difficult times. In an event to detach herself from the hell she had been forced through, Indiana might've gotten herself stuck between the land of the living and the land of the dead.

Rescuing her hadn't been the quick fix to the ailment of her mind that Cato had dreamed it would be.

Pressing a kiss to the pale hand he held, Cato begged his fiancée to open her eyes.

"You're safe now, Sweetheart. You can open your eyes. Indiana, you're safe. I promise I'll keep you safe this time. Just come back to me."

A tear rolled down his cheek, splashing on the blinding white tile of the sterilised room.

"I know I failed you before but that will never happen again. I'm not letting you out of my sight this time. I need you to wake up now."

Despite knowing the probability of her waking soon was slim – her condition had only become stable six hours ago – Cato continued to beg, praying she could hear him.

Staring at the beautiful face that had once been so full of life, he knew he would give anything just to see the colour of her eyes once more. Thankfully, she no longer looked as though she was on the brink of death but he knew the road to recovery would be arduous. She might never return to the woman she had previously been.

But, as he sat there clinging onto her hand, Cato vowed he would love her regardless.


Warm sand wriggled its way between her toes as she stood before the ocean. Staring out the calming waters, she felt the corner of her lips upturn in a contented smile.

Out of the entirety of Panem, District Four had always been the place to bring Indiana the most peace. Visiting the fishing District always brought her a calming sort of joy. She wasn't surprised to find herself on its beach when the darkness dissipated. If the nightmares she had endured wasn't death, was District Four her final sanctuary instead?

Sea breeze her fair hair causing strands to float around her face. Taking no notice of it, she took a step forward and sighed happily when the cool water lapped at her feet.

"Are you real?" Indiana asked when she felt the presence of another person near her.

"Just because I'm not visible to others doesn't mean I'm a figment of your imagination," replied Marvel.

"You always were skilled at avoiding questions you didn't wish to answer."

A deep chuckle echoed throughout the world Indiana had built for herself.

Seating himself on the sand, Marvel patted the golden grains on the empty space next to him. Smiling when she sat down next to him, he slung a tan arm around her pale shoulders. The white dress did little to mask the lack of sunlight her skin had received.

Resting her head on the shoulder of her best friend, Indiana smiled at the serenity of the moment. Even though she had been denied the opportunity to say farewell to her fiancé, she knew she would happily spend her day on the beautiful beach waiting for him to join her in the safe haven.

As if reading the thoughts running through her head, Marvel shattered the perfect picture of forever. "You can't stay here."

"Pardon?"

"You're not meant to be here right now. I could get into trouble. Your time isn't up yet."

Resisting the urge to scream, Indiana wondered when her suffering would finally end and she could rest from the emptiness of her life. She had been imprisoned and tortured and when she closed her eyes, the nightmares of the day seeped into the night. She had attempted to put an end to her own agony and had been unsuccessful.

Perhaps I'm doomed to suffer eternally, she thought.

"You won't be suffering much longer but you have to wake up now because people are expecting you. You're supposed to keep fighting to put an end to this war."

"I know I'm supposed to be strong but we both know I'm too weak to wake up all alone in that prison cell."

"You're not alone anymore, Baby Girl." Gloss comforted, appearing beside her.

The golden glow of the setting sun lighting up the blond streaks in his dark hair.

Once more, those who had left her before she had been ready to say goodbye joined Indiana. Looking into their faces, she was reminded for a final time of the toll their deaths had taken on her.

Each one had been further pain she was forced to shoulder as she continued through life. Each death had dragged her further into despair until there was no escape from the suffocating grief. They had gathered for a final time to convince their girl that her fight had not yet finished.

All the pain and the never-ending grief would be the weapon she would use to put an end to years of tyranny. Her survival would ensure that the warriors of the Summers family would be celebrated for generations to come. The bloody blots on the family tree refused to die out in a tragic blaze of glorious bloodshed.

They had to be remembered for more than murderous teenagers – the dark taint of death had to be replaced with numerous lights of life.

"You're safe now, Sweetheart. You can open your eyes." Cashmere reassured. "We'll be here waiting for you when the time comes but for now, you have to return to those who need you."

"I'm so sorry." Indiana blubbered, knowing she may not see her family for a long time. She was desperate to make amends before she was forced to leave. "I'm sorry that I have to leave. I wish I hadn't lived whilst you died."

"Shush." Gloss whispered, braiding her hair as he had done when she was a little girl. "Don't speak like that. You live so that our sacrifices mean something. Now, you need to open your eyes. It's safe for you out there. You don't have to hide anymore. Just wake up."

Pressing a kiss to the crown of her head, he held her close as the sun began setting on the picturesque scene. Indiana allowed her family to swallow her in their embrace - grateful to have one last joyful moment with them after the horror that had taken place the last time they had reunited. Squeezing her eyes shut, Indiana felt herself let go of those she loved.


Resigning himself to another night spent alone in his room, Cato checked the vitals on the monitor and imprinted the image of Indiana's steady heartbeat into his brain. It would be a comforting companion as he spent the night without her room.

She's stable, he reminded himself, that's the most important thing. As long as she remains stable, I can survive a few more weeks without her by my side.

Pressing a final kiss to her forehead as he bid her a goodnight, Cato turned on his heel to leave when he stopped and remembered the important thing he had vowed to do when he was allowed to see her.

Pulling the chain out from his shirt, he unhooked the clasp and slid the thin, gold ring off. Bending down so that he knelt beside her, Cato lifted her left hand and tried not to flinch at the icy chill to her skin – a sharp contrast to her normal heated touch. Promising to love her for as long as she would let him, Cato slid the ring into its rightful place on her left hand. The moment he returned her hand to its previous position by her side, the heart monitor began picking up slightly.

An obnoxious beeping sound echoed throughout the room, faster than it had previously been. Terrified that their day of peace and stability was soon to be shattered, Cato held Indiana close and begged the universe to grant them some mercy.

"Please, Baby. I know I'm being selfish but you can't leave me. I need you. I need to love you and protect you, and rectify the damage caused by me leaving you. Please, don't do this. Come back to me."

The door flung open as a medic entered the room. Panic was clear on his face when he realised the prospect of finally losing the woman they had worked so hard to save was becoming evident. The heart monitor spiked rapidly. Horror replaced the expression on the young man's face when he realised all their efforts may have been futile. No matter how hard they tried, it would appear the poor tribute had no desire to continue living.

Losing a patient was always difficult but even more so when you had done everything in your power on numerous occasions to save them. Without having ever spoken to the girl, the medic had become attached to her and the tragic tale of her life.

"Oh, god, no." Cato whimpered, tugging at his hair.

Just as the dark haired medic was about to call for backup, a soft but broken voice froze him as his hand reached for the handle of the door.

"Cato?"

Glancing down into the bloodshot, blue eyes of the woman he loved, Cato knew he would never forget this moment. And without shame, he burst into tears.


'Phantom faces at the window,

Phantom shadows on the floor.

My friends don't ask me.

What your sacrifice was for.

Empty chairs at empty tables.'