Chapter 3

Another kind of slow chapter, sorry. Enjoy anyway?

Cato's POV

I woke to the sound of my metal door swing open, the sunlight coming through the only window on the other side of the room was still bright enough to make my eyes burn. "Clove?" I ask groggily still recovering from sleep. 'Uh, no. My name is Cinna, I'm your other caretaker, didn't Cindy tell you?" He was tall and dark, his voice was raspy and deep but at the same time, calming. I sat up, slowly focussing on the world around me. "Yeah, sorry, I was just...er sleeping and..."I began to trail off, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. So much for answering his question, guy probably thinks I'm some illiterate nut job. But I am not a morning person. Never was, never will be. I hear him let out a deep laugh, "Mornings aren't your thing huh?" I look up at him, it seemed like everyone here could read each other like a book. And I don't know if I like being read so easily. "Not really. Back at home people wouldn't even try to talk to me until 11 the earliest. At least by then I could have the mentality to string a proper sentence together." Another smile spread across his face. I guess the staff here isn't so bad. Could have a got some ass hole bossing me around. "Well it's 8:30 and I didn't want you missing out on breakfast." He was now folding up my blankets and re placing them neatly back on my bed. "Thanks." I stand there awkwardly, was I meant to help him make the bed or just go down to get food? I decided to help out, I actually was half a decent human being, not that many people realise. "So you've met Cloverfield?" His deep voice filled the silence in the room. I was taken back, Cloverfield? "Uh, yeah. I ran into her yesterday," Like physically, I ran into her. I shake my head at the thought, "She's nice, we hung out for a while. But how do you know her?" It was a big hospital and their were hundreds of staff working here, the chances seem slim. "I'm one of her caretakers too. Cindy and I, we take care of almost everyone down this end of the hall. Great girl." I guess the chances weren't so slim after all. Makes sense, she IS just across the hall. By this point the bed was done and we were just making small talk. "So you know what's wrong with her then?" I couldn't help myself. He shot me a 'did-you-seriously-just-ask-me-that' look making me look down sheepishly, "Yes, but it's in my job guidelines that I don't reveal nor do I speak about my patients illnesses with anyone besides themselves. Strict patient confidentiality." I sigh, couldn't blame the guy for following his job, "Knew it was a long shot anyway."

I stroll into the cafeteria going straight over to the food line. Catering for crazy people or not, the chefs here still make some decent meals. I grab my monster breakfast of bacon, eggs, sausage, toast and chocolate chip pancakes and head over to the table where everyone was already seated. "Got enough food?" I hear a familiar angelic voice say as I drop down next to her. Instantly I smile, becoming oblivious to the fact that she was mocking me and my food decisions. "What? A big guy like me can't just live on a small bowl of cereal and orange juice." I used the same tone she had mocked me with as my mouth stretched into one of my many smart ass grins as I gesture down to her food. I wasn't lying, I was tall and muscular enough to earn the amount of food on my plate. "Whatever you say, Mr Giant." This time she had rolled her eyes, her voice much lighter. I bump into her gently, chuckling at out friendly banter. In truth, she was the only person I would banter with without wanting to tear their head off of coarse. It took me no longer than 5 minutes to turn into a human disposable bin and down my entire plate of food, earning a laugh and applause from Clove. Her laugh was the best sound I have ever heard. I don't care how mushy that sounds, shits real. She had worn her hair down again today, and if not for the colour change to red on her oversized sweater, she had looked almost identical to when I bumped into her. The temperature wasn't overly hot, nice and breezy infact, making me confused as to why she wore those oversized sweat rags all the time. This girl is just full of mystery's I'm dying to solve.

It took a while and a lot of people chanting my name repeatedly to realise that people other than Clove were actually trying to talk to me. No offence, but if you aren't the tiny brunette sitting next to me, then there is a slim chance that I might actually give a fuck about what you're about to say. Again, I was caught by the others, showing obvious extra attention to Clove who was sitting there fiddling with yet another loose strand, oblivious to the rest of the world. I use to be cool around girls I liked. Now it seems that any subtly, patience or concentration was drained out of me. How can one girl make me loose all those skills within a 24 hour period? "So you coming to group today?" Marvel had asked me, instantly snapping my train of thought. I was getting better with the whole name situation now. "Do we have a choice?" I already knew the answer. The judge had made it very clear, along with my doctor, my parents, the lady at the front desk, Cindy and again this morning with Cinna. I must attend all group and personal sessions, take every assigned class and stay out of any trouble to be able to even qualify leaving this place. But with Clove here, I'm not to sure if I still want to leave.

I sat there staring at her like I seem to do constantly now. She wasn't entirely in the circle, her chair was on the outskirts, slightly hiding behind Thresh and some girl I've never even seen before. She wasn't looking up either, she rarely did in the past 15 minutes we've been here. Instead she was, as usual, fiddling with her fingers quietly while the everyone listened to a random patient after the therapist would bombard them with questions. A soothing voice shot my way, grabbing my attention. "So Cato, would you like to introduce yourself to the group since this is your first session with us. Maybe tell us a little of why you're here. The first step of recovery is admitting." I smirk, guess it's my turn. "I'm Cato, and I'm here because I knocked the shit out of a guy at a party." I grin at my therapist who shakes his head disapprovingly. Still, the rest of the room echoes in laughs from the other patients, I even catch Clove look up at me with a smile. If being a smartass is what it takes... "And then I got sent here for Anger issues, if you hadn't already caught on." I smile once again leaning back into my chair proudly, after earning smiles from around the room and Clove. "Er, thank you for that Cato. Maybe you could have said it in a less violent way, but nonetheless you admitted." He had now turned his attention to someone else, "Clove? How are you today?" Finally! I sat up right suddenly interested, my concentration level seeming as focused as a bomb defuser. "Umm fine, I guess..." For the first time ever, her voice was shaky, she seemed terrified. Why is she so scared? "That's good. What did you have for breakfast this morning?" His voice was calming as he spoke slowly to her. What the fuck type of a question is that? Everyone else had gotten asked things like 'how are your scars' or 'when was the last time you felt the need to throw up?' Even 'do you feel suicidal today?' And she got asked what she ate for breakfast?! "Um coco-pops and orange juice." Again her voice held back no nervousness. He nodded approvingly and just like that the therapist had moved onto the next patient, and I was left dumbfounded.

It wasn't much longer when 'Group' was over, and everyone but Clove had begun clearing out of the room. She had mumbled something about having 'one on one' next and I took her absents as an opportunity to get answers. I pulled Glimmer out of the door way and into the practically empty hall. She looked taken back but had quickly eased when she realised it was just me. "Okay what the hell was that?" I ask still trying to comprehend the therapists easiness on Clove. A confused look crossed her face as she waited for me to elaborate more on the statement rather than question. "Why did the therapist ask Clove those type of questions when everyone else got more deep and personal ones?" I spit out in one breath. She smirked at how worked up I was, "I told you, Clove's different. That was her first Group session in a long time, though it wasn't like he was going to drill her for answers anyway." I was still lost as to what was wrong with her. "Like I said, we have to be careful about what we say and ask her. I know it's hard to understand but over time, you learn and get use to it." She patted me on the arm before turning and joining the rest of the group who were talking at the end of the hall. I let out a pained moan as my hand gripped the top of my head, all this Clove stuff was giving me an intense migraine. I walked back to my room after excusing myself to Katniss and the rest of the group who had invited me to play some video game I've never even heard of. A nap, I need a nap. Clove will still be there when I wake up, I mentally remind myself as I fall into a slumber.

I had dreamt of Clove. Shocker, I know. It seemed as if she was constantly on my mind, and now she visited my dream, if I could even call it that. It was dark and I stood there absent-mindedly before she flung herself into my arms. She was crying. Instantly I had panicked, I asked her repeatedly what had caused it but she wouldn't stop crying. We stood there both helpless. Something was causing her pain and I couldn't stop it. It was the most horrible feeling in the world, I could still feel it, now awake. What was wrong with her?