Hey guys! How's everyone doing today? Before we begin, if you are a new reader, then thank you for taking the time to choose my story to read. I really appreciate the support you give by reading my fic and hopefully leaving feel-good or constructive comments afterwards. If you're an old reader returning despite the fact that I haven't updated in who knows how many years and been given a stupid amount of promises about updating and not letting the story die, thank you for continuing to support this fic and not giving up on it. Or for at least being happy/surprised when the update email finally arrived and not groaning with disappointment at another author's note. Anywho, I hope the old readers don't mind the changes that I have made to this fic and that the new readers also like what I've written.
I enjoy any comments, except for those that are just full of negativity and not constructive at all. For example, you can say "This is a bad story" as long as you follow it up with why you think so like "the story makes no sense here or the characters suck because of this." Just give me something to work with instead of just "It's bad." I also appreciate positive constructive criticism since I'm always looking to improve my writing and storytelling capabilities.
Thanks for choosing to read this story! Virtual hugs and cuddles to y'all.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything except any OC's that may come up, any worldbuilding that has not yet been officially stated by the books or the movies, and any plot points/structures that have not been used in the books or movies. Basically, I do not own the Hunger Games no matter how much I wish I did. Thank you and please do not sue.
Warning: No beta, we die like Rue.
Prologue: From 2 to 12
"I've already told you before, I'm not allowing my child to be entered into the academy!"
Cayden Evans, a tall, fair skinned and well-toned man with dirty blonde hair and sharp blue-grey eyes stands with his arms crossed and body completely tense as he stares down the trio of District 2 Peacekeepers who look a second away from either hauling his ass off to prison or running away crying for their mamas.
The lead Peacekeeper, Darrien, a wiry man with a rat-like face and sickly complexion, exudes an air of confident smugness despite the fact that he trembles slightly before the intimidation that oozes off the former victor.
"Now now Mr. Evans, the law is the law," Darrien speaks with a very obvious placating tone, "Just because you are a former victor does not mean that your family is somehow automatically exempt from following the laws set in place by President Snow."
Cayden throws his arm out in anger, "Screw Snow! I'm not gonna let him destroy my son like he destroyed me!"
"Mr. Evans, please," Darrien tries again, voice trembling slightly. He's slowly and subtly stepping back from Cayden who grows angrier with each passing second. The other two Peacekeepers train their guns on Cayden but with clear hesitation. They're still trying to decide between fight or flight and whether it's worth risking their lives to back up their rat of a leader.
Darrien waves them off but they only slightly lower their guns, stances still tense and ready to fire.
"Mr. Evans. This is your final warning. You must enter your son into the Academy by his 10th birthday or we will be forced to punish your family accordingly." Darrien commands, attempting to puff himself up and show that he was not scared shitless of Cayden even though it was obvious to anyone watching that he'd prefer to be anywhere but here.
Cayden only grits his teeth in annoyance at Darrien's pathetic attempt to take control of the situation. He takes a step forward now coming face to face with Darrien. He looms over like a deadly shadow as Darrien leans back with fear now clear on his face.
"Go ahead and try," Cayden snarls before stepping back through the doorway of his home.
"Now get off my property!" Cayden slams the door shut with a resounding bang. Darrien and the two Peacekeepers flee in fright at the sound.
Cayden breathes heavily with anger and frustration still coursing through his body. He leans against the door and brings his hands up to rub at his face. The adrenaline turns into exhaustion.
"What am I going to do?" He asks himself as the weight of the situation finally settles in.
"Daddy?"
Cayden looks up to see his 9, soon to be 10, year old son, Cato Evans, standing with uncertainly in his pajamas at the bottom of the staircase nearby. He immediately smooths his expression to replace his exhaustion with the usual happiness of seeing his son.
"Hey buddy. What're you doing up so late?" Cayden says as he moves to pick up Cato who raised his arms for a hug, "Shouldn't you be asleep by now."
"Heard you shouting," Cato says as he buries his head into the crook of his father's shoulder, "Wanted to make sure everything was okay."
Cayden stiffens at Cato's words and he can only look at his son with a hint of regret in his eyes. His son, still so young, so innocent, so…ignorant of the darkness that constantly surrounded them. A darkness that was hidden by the pristine and brilliant structures of District 2 combined with a hanging oppression weighing down on citizen's shoulders masked by smiles that never fully reached anyone's eyes with the exception of those who had already fallen to the thrall of the Capitol.
"You don't have to worry about me, Cato," Cayden said comfortingly despite the tightening embrace he gives his son, "It was just that mean old Darrien coming by again to try and get you to join the Academy."
"But what's so bad about that?" Cato says as he frowns at his dad, "Every kid's supposed to join when they're 10 right? Then we're supposed to try and volunteer for the Games cause it's an honor to win them. And I wanna be a winner like you dad!"
Cayden loosens his hold to lean back and hold Cato by his shoulders.
"Cato, my son, my sunshine, my little warrior," Cayden says as he smiles softly.
"Dad..." Cato whines out as he giggles.
Cayden's smile drops but his expression remains soft yet firm, "The Academy is no place for a child such as yourself and the Games.
Cayden takes a shuddering breath in, "No matter what the Capitol may say, they do NOT give you honor you can be proud of."
Cato tries to protest, "But dad-"
Cayden cuts him off, "No, Cato. No buts."
His expression changes, betraying a tiredness that does not come from a physical exhaustion but a mental one. Cato quiets down as he notes the change in his dad's expression.
"I thought the same when I was your age," Cayden says as he gazes off into a distant past he wished he could forget, "I wanted the glory, the honor, the fame that came from winning. And then one day, I got the chance too."
Cayden turns his gaze back to Cato, "But I didn't realize the sacrifices that had to be made to win."
"What kind of sacrifices?" Cato asked.
Cayden paused for a moment as if to gauge what Cato's reaction would be before responding.
"I had to sacrifice my humanity. I had to surrender what made me, me. In that arena, I didn't fight to win, I clawed my way through to survive."
Cayden's grief and exhaustion begin to shine through as he continues to speak.
"In that arena, I learned that I was not a man seeking glory for himself, but a child forced to kill other children so that I might live to see another day."
Cayden's hands tighten their grip on Cato's shoulders.
"There is no glory in killing other children and there will never be a Victor of the Hunger Games. Do you understand what I'm saying Cato?"
Cato can only nod as the seriousness of his dad's words settle in, seeping into his bones and wiggling their way into his mind. He might not fully understand the meaning yet, but his mind still grasps the heavy weight behind them.
Cayden nods in response and moves to stand. He brings Cato up with him, his left arm under Cato's legs, supporting his weight and allowing him to lean against his dad's shoulder.
"Now, I think we've had enough serious talk for tonight," Cayden says, "It's time for you to sleep. Tomorrow's a school day afterall."
Cato nods sleepily, suddenly exhausted as the weight of his dad's words were heavier than any child should have to carry. He rests his head back on his dad's shoulder and dozes off as Cayden carries him back upstairs with a gentle but sad smile.
~A Week Later~
Cato was excited as he bounced down the sidewalk on the way back to his home after another long day at school. Sure there were more long lectures about the history of the Hunger Games and the glory one would achieve through victory and he got into a fight with that jerk, Kai, who thought he was hot shit just cause his dad was the victor of the bloodiest Hunger Games in history.
He hated Kai cause he always thought he was entitled to everything, including his best friend Clove. Which was ridiculous cause Clove was her own person who didn't belong to anyone and knew all the best knife tricks but that didn't stop Kai from starting another fight after seeing Clove give Cato a leather friendship bracelet for his birthday.
That's right, his birthday. And just like that, all thoughts about school and that jerk were gone. He was finally 10, the age in which all children were mature enough to choose which path they want to take in life whether it be going to the Career Academy or becoming a functioning member of District 2.
After that seriously heavy talk with his dad last week, Cato decided he'd rather be an apprentice to one of the professions in the District rather than become a career who liked killing other kids like him. And hey, he could always cheer on Clove if she ever succeeded in volunteering. Her knife skills were scary enough to make all the other tributes forfeit by default.
Cato's pace picks up as his house comes into sight and he hurriedly runs up the steps to the front door. He quickly opens the door and is greeted with the sight of all his relatives from both sides of the family jumping out of various hiding spots to shout "Happy Birthday Cato!"
Cato grins widely as all his relatives – grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles, and cousins – come up and give him hugs and pats on the back in congratulations for turning 10. Finally, the sea of relatives parts to reveal his dad holding a large birthday cake with a wide smile on his face.
His dad walks up to him and holds the cake in front of his face.
"Make a wish," his dad says and now that he is closer, Cato can see that his eyes hold a sadness that makes his smile seem wistful. A knot grows in his stomach at the sight but he instead grins widely in an attempt to make the sadness go away.
Cato stares at the burning candles before closing his eyes and silently wishing, "I wish my family will always be happy and protected and that dad will be able to smile like he used to."
He blows the candles out and opens his eyes as everyone claps and cheers, immediately moving towards the cake and the food already laid out on tables throughout the house. Cato moves to join his cousins in the living room but his dad reaches out to grab his shoulder.
"Before you run off son," his dad said, "I need to give you something first."
"Ok dad," Cato agrees, following his father out of the house and into the backyard.
The two make their way through the gardens before stopping in front of a large tree. Cato watches as his dad places a hand on the tree with another wistful smile.
"Your mother would be so proud of how you've grown son," his dad said.
"Really?" he asked.
His dad nodded and turned to him, pulling a small object out of his pocket. Upon closer inspection, the object turned out to be a small gold pin in the shape of a mockingjay with an arrow held in its mouth.
"This was your mother's," his father said as he took his hand and placed the pin in it, "And now it is yours. Be sure to treasure it and it will always keep you safe."
Cato closes his hand around the pin and nods, tears gathering in his eyes. The two embrace as if hoping that the world will never be cruel enough to tear them apart like it tore away his mom. His beautiful mother who had a stubborn streak one hundred miles long and a fiery passion that never burned out no matter how hard the Capitol tried.
Unfortunately the moment is ruined when shouts are heard from the inside of the house. Father and son jump apart in shock when the shouts are followed by gunshots that ring throughout for what seems like eternity before an eerie silence follows.
The door to the backyard slams opens and reveals Darrien with a disgustingly smug grin that's all teeth and gum. A troop of Peacekeepers follows him out, some with uniforms splattered with blood. Cato's dad holds him close as Darrien walks forward with a swagger with a sure confidence that's never shown itself before.
"Well, well, well," Darrien says, "Look what we have here. A traitor to the Capitol and his whelp. It's a shame you didn't listen to me, Cayden. Maybe then we wouldn't have had to resort to such drastic measures."
His dad growls, "What did you do Darrien?"
Darrien crosses his hands behind his back. His grin somehow growing even more smug.
"Oh nothing. Just been ordered to do a little pest extermination."
His dad moves to lunge at him but stops when the Peacekeepers raise their guns.
"Uhbupbup," Darrien shakes a finger at his dad, "You wouldn't want us to kill your last living family now would you?"
"Why are you doing this?" Cayden growled out.
Darrien's expression grows stormy, "Why why indeed? Maybe it's because you've been a thorn in my side ever since our academy days."
Darrien starts to pace back and forth as he continues to rant, "You always had to be the best at everything. The best at combat, the best in class, the best couple with the best girl of the academy, and then a victor of the Hunger Games."
"You had everything that I always wanted and what do you do with it?" Darrien points an accusing finger at his dad, "You decide to grow a conscience and try to get in the way of the Capitol."
"What are you talking about?" his dad demands.
Darrien raises an unimpressed eyebrow, "You seriously didn't think that we wouldn't find out about all your illicit activities did you?"
His expression turns sinister, "Why do you think your wife died so suddenly while she was receiving treatment in the hospital?"
His dad's complexion turns ashen, "Wh-what? But we were told-"
Darrien waves him off dismissively, "Yes yes you were told that it was a bad reaction to the treatment and that she died rather suddenly before the doctors could do anything."
He smiles maniacally and even giggles a little, albeit slightly unhinged, "You'll be happy to know that she died rather painfully in the end. Her suffering was drawn out and her last words were to curse you as the light finally left her eyes."
Cato is shaken by his words as his dad moves to lash out at Darrien again, "You lie!"
The peacemakers train their guns onto him, forcing his dad to back down.
"You won't get away with this Darrien," his dad says as he moves to hold Cato closer.
Darrien gives a slimy smirk of triumph, "But I already have Cayden. Now you must decide. Give your son to the Career Academy or watch as we kill him and leave you to pick up the pieces."
He waves dismissively, "Your choice."
Cato shivers in fear as his dad clutches him more tightly. After a moment, his dad lets go of his hold to move his grip to Cato's shoulders. He crouches down so that they're face to face with each other. His dad stares at him, committing each detail of his face to memory as if it'll be the last time they see each other.
His dad pulls him into another embrace as he whispers into his ear, "Cato, son. I know so much is happening right now but you have to run. Make your way to the station, hop on a train, and then don't get off until you've gone as far away from District 2 as you possibly can."
"But dad," Cato tries to whisper back in protest.
His dad tightens his embrace, "No. Don't. You will run and live to fight another day. I wasn't able to protect your mother or our family, but I can protect you."
His dad moves his grip to Cato's face and kisses his forehead.
He smiles sadly, "Remember to live and fight another day. And if you manage to find something worth living and fighting for, all the better. I love you son and never forget that your mother and I will always be proud of you."
"Well?" Darrien says impatiently, "Have you made a decision yet?"
His dad stands and moves in front of him, blocking Cato from the Peacekeepers' line of fire.
"Yeah I've made a decision," his dad says, "And it's for you to go to hell!"
Darrien sneers, "I was hoping you would say that. Peacekeepers! Aim and fire at will! Leave no survivors!"
The Peacekeepers raise their guns as his dad turns to Cato and yells, "Run, Cato, run!"
Cato turns and runs like a bat out of hell, rushing through the yard and scrambling up the fence in the back. As he straddles the fence, he chances a glance back as the Peacekeepers pull their triggers, striking his dad multiple times before he finally falls, bloody and broken.
Cato looks away as his eyes tear up. He hears Darrien shout for the Peacekeepers to kill him prompting Cato to jump down and pick up the pace before the Peacekeepers can pursue him. His vision blurs with more tears as he runs through streets and alleys, trying to blend in with the crowd and reach his destination as quickly as possible.
Finally after what seemed like hours of running, Cato's vision clears up enough to see that he has reached the cargo loading section of the train station. He looks around as he tries to find an appropriate train before he catches sight of a car with a large 12 stamped on the side and the door wide open.
Cato quickly rushes over and climbs in as the sounds of Darrien and the Peacekeepers grow closer. He tries to hide himself in the shadows, curling up as much as possible as Darrien's enraged shouts grow louder and closer to the car he hides in.
Fortunately, Lady Luck smiles upon him and the car moves with a lurch as the train begins chugging off to its destination. As the train picks up speed, the shouts of Darrien grow smaller and smaller until finally, he can no longer hear him.
Only then does Cato finally relax and give into the sweet embrace of sleep as the exhaustion of the day's events sink in.
~A Few Hours Later~
Cato awakes with a jolt when he feels the train lurch to a stop just outside the forests of District 12. He sits up with a panic when he hears the sounds of Peacekeepers shouting and searching for something in the train cars.
Cato slowly crawls out of his hiding place and peeks outside the car to see that the Peacekeepers were still a bit of ways away. He looks towards the forest and decides to just screw it and jumps off the car, rushing for the dense forest before any Peacekeepers notice him.
He doesn't know how long he runs, seeking some form of shelter with his heart pounding at the thought that a Peacekeeper may have spotted his escape and was currently pursuing him through the forest. By the time he spots a cave hidden behind some natural foliage, the sun has already begun to set.
Cato makes his way cautiously into the cave, only relaxing when he sees no wild animals within. He collapses onto the stone floor, exhaustion once again getting the better of him.
Cato stares at the pin his dad gave him, the only memento left of his mother and now father as well. His eyes close as he slowly falls asleep to thoughts of an uncertain future plaguing his mind but the current feeling of safety reassures him that at least he'll survive and live to fight another day.
~In the Capitol~
President Snow sits contently at his desk with a glass of red wine that looks especially bloody in the light cast by an extravagant chandelier made of only the finest crystals found in Panem.
He takes a slow sip as a Peacekeeper finishes giving his daily status report.
"And what of the Evans family?" Snow asks.
"Based on Peacekeeper Darrien's report, the entire family has been eliminated," the Peacekeeper reports.
Snow smiles wickedly as he takes another sip, "Excellent. Finally, the last shred of resistance has been squashed. And now, I may finally rest easy now that the peace shall truly remain undisturbed."
Snow waves the Peacekeeper off, "You are dismissed."
The Peacekeeper salutes, "For the glory of Panem!"
He leaves the room as Snow reaches for a strawberry from the crystal container on his elaborate white marble desk.
He takes a large bite and smiles. His teeth are stained a bloody red.
"For the glory of Panem."
Oof. Finally managed to finish writing this a while ago. I hope the change in story and writing aren't throwing you all for a loop. I've been experimenting with my writing recently and my style might be a bit skewed cause I've been working on writing stories and screenplays at the same time.
Also, apologies for any grammar errors, if anyone wants to be my beta that would be hella awesome. Just PM me and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Please review and comment on what you liked, if there's anything you'd like to see, or if there's anything I can improve. Thanks for reading and continuing to support me despite my past writing track record. I wish you y'all a great day!