Ok, so I'm so sorry I couldn't update sooner! I was planning on updating last Saturday, but I had too much homework. Grr, homework ruins my life. Only like five more weeks of school and then I'll be free! Once its summer, expect updates a lot faster because I get bored very easily.
He was actually doing pretty well, considering he was on his own. He had a small pile of a few berries, roots, and the remainders of a fish he had caught. When he saw us approaching him, his eyes widened in fear. But he was smart enough to know it was too late to run now, unless he wanted a knife in the back. So he stood up and looked Cato in the eye.
"Go ahead. Kill me." His voice sounded weary, but he made an attempt to sound strong in the last few moments of his life. Cato laughed.
"Well, Lover Boy, any other day I would. But you know where the girl is. Lead us to her and we'll let you live a few more days." There it was. The old Cato who was ruthless and had no mercy. Direct and to the point. He wasn't one to lead you on.
"I don't know where she is." Peeta tried to stall.
"We all know that's a lie. Now tomorrow you'll show us where she is or your dead." Clove spoke up. Cato looked back at her and gave her a nod of approval. Her face lit up. And by the way Peeta gathered his supplies, shaky but determined, I could tell it was real. He hadn't lied to get sponsors. He really loved her. For a second, I understood him. How terrible it is to be throw into an arena with the love of your life, knowing that one won't came out. And I felt a flicker of fury, anger directed at the Capitol for doing something like this to us, when they claimed to be our "protectors". Didn't they understand? Didn't they know something like this was bound to happen sometime? Love finds its way into the worst places to grow and sprouts there like a weed. So I plucked the weed as hard as I could, yanking up its roots. My brief tantrum of injustice soon died and turned into nothing but ashes, leaving me feeling weak and helpless. I fluttered back into reality, Peeta's voice tearing me from the recesses of my dark and confusing mind.
"So, what exactly are you going to do to me?" Peeta asked, still looking a bit flustered.
"Well, first we're going to find a place to camp for the night. It's getting dark." Cato said, obviously annoyed.
"And I already told you, you'll show us where Girl on Fire is tomorrow. Now let's move out." Clove said, vying for Cato's attention. He simply shot a glare at her. Cato was already annoyed that Fire Girl wasn't with Peeta and Clove's stupid little teacher's pet act was getting on his last nerve. So I ran from my spot in the back of the group until I was standing next to Cato. He looked at me and gave me a half-hearted smile. In another place, somewhere far away and different from here, I would have slid my hand into his and told him everything was going to be okay, that we would make it. If only it was true.
…..
We settled down in a dead meadow, where it looked like someone had forgotten to tend the pretty flowers, so they wilted, but didn't quite die. What a terrible fate.
"Who wants to stay up as guard first?" Marvel asked. I volunteered, not feeling very tired despite my current circumstances. After we had roasted a rabbit over a fire and ate some leaves Clove gathered, we got ready for bed. I watched the death count that night as if in a trance, not really seeing the faces flashing by. Two boys and I think the girl from 7. It was strange. When I first came into the arena, I could look around and assure myself that this was no obstacle for me, that I could kill all these people and not think twice about it. But so much had happened in my time here that I had turned into something else. Once a pretty little killer, now nothing but a homesick girl wishing to be anywhere but here. I settled down in between Peeta and Cato, quietly stomping out the remains of the campfire. I glanced at Peeta. He was facing towards me and appeared to already be asleep.
"Are you standing guard?" He whispered quietly. Guess I was wrong about him being asleep.
"More like sitting, but yeah. I am." I answered. He chuckled.
"Goodnight, Glimmer." He said, surprising me. I mean, I'm sure he knows my name, but I never thought he would use it. Oh, well. Guess it didn't really matter. Cato would kill him once we found Girl on Fire. Somehow, I wasn't really as enthusiastic as I had once been about killing 12. I would still do it, but I wouldn't really taste the victory much. Maybe I could convince Cato to let me kill Fire Girl and Peeta at the same time that way they could die together. Cato. I looked over at him. He was lying stretched out, as if he hadn't a care in the world. I brushed some dirty blond hair off his forehead, letting my fingers linger on his face. I lightly traced every feature on his face, being careful not to wake him, so I would have him memorized by the time I die. Slowly, I bent over and kissed his cheek gently. Love. What trouble it gets us into.
….
I woke up the next day feeling even more drained than before, it that was even possible. Today, we hunt her down. We didn't waste much time, packing up quickly and efficiently. Peeta acted as if he was leading us to her, so Cato would let him live longer, but it was clear he didn't know what he was doing. But somehow, he got lucky. We found Katniss in a small pool, looking exhausted. She looked like she had been burned and bruised all at the same time, which was actually very likely. Clove broke out in a run and lead the rest of us on a wild chase after her. Cato yelled loudly, something about not much time left. It was a good half mile before we lost sight of her, only to see her face reappear in a tree above us.
"You better get down here so we can kill you!" Marvel shouted. We all paused, momentarily taken aback by his stupidity, and then quickly recovered. Cato tried to throw a knife but missed her by a long shot. I spoke up.
"Cato, you told me I could have her!" I said, making an effort to appear fierce on the outside.
"Fine. Just make sure she dies." He agreed, looking sweaty and red from the sprint. I loaded an arrow and aimed with dead accuracy at her heart, not wanting to miss a target. I shot and cursed under my breath as the arrow missed her by an inch.
"Guys, let's just wait her out. She has to come down sometime. Either that or starve." Peeta suggested, looking like he was going to crumple up and die any second. I glanced at him, giving him what I hoped to be sympathy. We took turns hunting for the rest of the day till nightfall and laid down to try to salvage some sleep. Cato slid into the sleeping bag with me. No soft, sweet words tonight. He hadn't quite taken off the mask yet. Even with his arm around me, I could tell he was still in his killer mindset. I tried to make the best of it and kissed him on the cheek, then lay my head on his chest, drifting off to a restless sleep.
….
I woke to a world full of pain the next morning. Tracker Jackers. Thousands of them. Swarming my body, injecting their venom into my veins. I was a goner. I felt Cato pick me up as I my body twitched with pain. He carried me in his arms, not caring how many stung him. We ran for the river nearby. He didn't hesitate as he plunged into the icy water, taking me down with him. I resurfaced a few seconds later, free of the bugs, but scarred by their stings. Cato still had his arms locked around me and I held on for dear life. But it was too late. My breathing came slower and slower, and so did his. A few seconds later, it completely stopped, and Cato's heart mimicked mine. We sunk to the bottom of the river, lifeless. I was still holding on, the words I love you that Cato had whispered before I died echoing in my empty mind. That's a good way to die, don't you think? In the person you love most's arms. I was planning on killing Peeta and Fire Girl the same way. But I guess karma was a little too quick.
The end! What do you think? Too sad? I had originally written a much more tragic ending but hated it and ending up trashing it. I could never do that to Cato and Glimmer! Lol. Please review and share your thoughts. I am currently working on another Cato and Glimmer fic, so that will be up soon. Any suggestions or comments, I would love to hear them. Thanks guys!