I know, I took too long. But, school and whatnot.
ANYWAY it sucks and I just found out that my teacher didn't get my projects I emailed to him and he said the only way he'll grade me is if I had proof that I sent the email in on time. Well, that sucks because I clear my email every week and the project was due a month ago. (My school has six day rotations. Academic rotation and Tech rotation. With all the snow days I've gotten it equals about a month gap) SO I'M SCREWED!
SO TO TAKE MY MIND OFF OF MY SHITTY SCHOOL YEAR HERE IS A NEW CHAPTER!
A few minutes later, we begin to hear clicking.
"We have to get out of here" Thresh reminds me when we stop for a breath. It's getting darker by the second and I can barely see five feet in front of me.
"Oh thanks for that, I guess I forgot" I say sarcastically. The clicking is closing in around us and we start running again. We're tripping over roots and vine but, they barely break our strides. Soon enough, I see the metal structure.
"I can see the Cornucopia!" I scream behind me.
Thresh screams a reply but, I can't hear it over the clicking. He runs up closer behind me and screams again.
"Run faster! And don't look behind you." He says
Against my better judgment and reason, I do.
All I can see is a black mass of shiny balls with red eyes.
"Fuck this shit" I growl and run faster. My legs and lungs protest the extra effort.
I nearly stumble on a rock and a bird falls off my belt. I barely think about when Thresh and I feel the shifting sand under our feet. We make it to the water and breathe a sigh of relief. We look at each other and let out a breathless laugh at our near death. I turn and put my hands of my head, letting out a deep breath.
"I'm not dying yet!" I say gleefully. My eyes fall to the bird on the ground. I go to walk to retrieve it when Thresh grabs my arm and shakes his head. His gaze points to the bird that is now being surrounded by, what I can now see clearly, beetles. The insects cover the bird entirely and within seconds, the only thing left are the bones. A shiver goes down my spine.
"That could have been us" Thresh says behind me.
"Could have being the key words" I respond. We gather our bearings and walk to the camp. Its pitch blank now and we walk towards a campfire on a newly formed strip of land.
"Dinner!" I call to the laughing group sitting around the fire, everyone is here except-
"Where's Marvel?" I ask
"Anything happen while we were gone?" Thresh asks at the same time
Rue nods to the Cornucopia and grins.
"Papa's in there with our new pets" she answers
"New pets?" I ask curiously as I wander into the Cornucopia. As soon as I enter, I'm tackled to the ground and a thick sandpaper tongue runs up my cheek.
"Hello Kiera, nice to see you again. Though it's only been about an hour" I chuckle. She moves off my torso and goes to sit beside me. I pet her head and my gaze falls to Marvel.
"That was fast" he says as he pats his new friend; a golden leopard the same size as Kiera.
"Yea it got dark abnormally fast and we almost got feasted on by beetles." I say, giving him a small report on what happened.
"I noticed that I was getting darker. Oh and there's a note for you. What do you mean beetles?" He says handing me said note.
i wave off his question.
"What's its name" I say as I unravel the paper
I hear him mutter 'Kanji' as I begin to read alone with 'What beetles?'
Marvel,
I named this big boy after your obviously strong infatuation~
Sorry boy, that is the last time I let Haymitch handle the letters. Not much has changed on the outside. We seem to be at a standstill. Both sides need regrouping. I also want you to know that I sent two animals. Just so you know, if she's not already there, that there is a large female Ocelot named Yani wandering around. That's for Rue. Be careful, I fear they might be planning something.
Till next time,
Cashmere
I lift my head up and peer around Kanji and see a sleeping form. I breathe a sigh of relief when I realize its Yani. I hand the letter back to Marvel.
"I wonder what Snow's planning" I say to him
"I'm not sure but-"the sound of hissing cuts him off. I turn to scold Kiera for her behavior when I notice that it isn't her; or Kanji, or Yani.
"I think were about to find out" he finishes. Suddenly the air becomes heavy and so do my eyes.
"Gas?" I cough feeling tired. The gas rolls in like a thick fog.
"Anesthesia" I barely hear Marvel reply. I wobble over to him as Rue comes running in.
"Momma Papa?" she asks worriedly as she stumbles towards us.
"Right here Rue!" I call out to her through the blanket of white.
I feel thin arms wrap wound my waist, causing me to stumble into Marvel and onto Kanji.
I hear the other faintly coughing in the distance before I fall into a deep sleep.
I'm scared.
Not of the Capitol, but of the horrifying truths my dreams will surely bring me.
I feel myself awaken as I listen to the sound of the others even breathing. My eyes open slowly as I sit up and I cringe at the sun.
It's morning?
I look around to my sleeping comrades. I rub the sleep out of my eyes and suddenly a flashback of Peeta's grinning face flashes through my mind, I flinch.
I shake my head to dispel the thought. A rustling beside me catches my attention. Kanji has awakened and he stretches; knocking Marvel off his torso. He awakes with a start.
"Why'd you have to do that?" he says grumpily to the beast "I was having such a good dream" he pouts
I don't think he notices I'm awake yet.
I roll my eyes at his behavior and a small chuckle escapes my lips. His head snaps towards me and a goofy grin spreads across his face.
"Good morning" he yawns and stretches, much like his animal counterpart. I blush when I notice his muscles swell beneath his jacket.
"Morning" I cough awkwardly. I look down at the still sleeping Rue and a serene smile fits itself onto my face.
"What do you think happened last night?" he asks me
I think it over a few times before coming to a conclusion.
"I think the Gamemakers still have some control over the arena and are making the days shorter. I would guess that they're turning twenty-four hour days to-"
"Twelve hour days" he finishes "But, why?"
"Probably just to mess with us. Make it more difficult for us to survive and to show us they're still somewhat in charge."
"They're probably going to do this everyday now" he concludes sadly
"Probably" I sigh. I feel a nudge on my hip and see Kanji, Kiera, and Yani trying to get the game that is still clipped onto my belt." I unclip them and give the cats their breakfast. I hear a stomach growl and look toward a now awake Rue.
"Well since dinner was cancelled, how about we make breakfast" Marvel asks with a chuckle.
The little one's stomach rumbles again.
"I take that as a yes" I smile as we walk out of the Cornucopia.
The others are groggily awakening from their forced slumber. Thresh; Glimmer, Damian and the others give us questioning looks.
They want to know what happened.
"We'll explain after breakfast" I say as I go to the makeshift fire pit they've created.
"We need firewood" I think aloud. Almost instantaneously, Cato jumps up beside me.
"I'll get it!" he grins cheekily at me. I scoff.
He's acting like a lost puppy.
Oh god, is that what I acted like?
"I don't trust you going off alone" I say cautiously
"Then come with me" he winks and grins, stepping towards me.
He looks like a lion stalking its prey now.
I feel my body stiffen and my breath catches in my throat. He is uncomfortable close to me.
I feel a protective presence behind and I let out a breath I didn't even realize I was holding.
Marvel.
I haven't been protected by anyone since Dad died.
"How about you take Acionna? Since she's from District Four, I do believe that she'll be more used to the tropical plants; know more about them." He argues, adding a bit of threat behind his words. Cato looks at me to rebuff Marvel's statement but, I nod in agreement instead. Cato lets out a growl and stalks over to Acionna.
"Thank you" I breathe, turning around to face him. I quickly retract my breath when I see how close we are. My nose and his chest only have about a centimeter between them. I can't help but breathe in his scent that has stuck to him throughout the entirety of the games; pine and crisp air. I gasp quietly and step back as he coughs awkwardly.
"Don't mention it; though I do believe that I have to stick by your side twenty-four/ seven now." He flashes me a smile.
It's a real smile.
Over the past few weeks, I've come to the realization that Marvel isn't as happy of a person as people make him out to be. I notice that most of his smiles are brittle and fake; much like the laughing and grins. The only time the real smiles are shown is when he is in the company of me, Thresh, or Rue. Those are his best smiles.
I snap myself back into reality and shoot him an inquisitive look.
"What do you mean by that?" I ask
"Since you are so irresistible, you seem to get into a lot of troubles with guys. What, this is the, second time I've had to save you from hormonal teenage guys?" he jokes
I look away and grumble "Third"
"See saving you would be much easier if I didn't have to commute" he pats my head playfully and I growl, equally as playful.
"But, you are a hormonal teenage guy as well." I point out. I stand on my toes and jut my bottom lip out to try and look a bit more intimidating. I fail miserably because the sand is claiming my feet and even with the added height I only come up to about his chin. "Who's going to save me from you?" I shoot back.
"Depends on whether or not you want to be saved" he says seriously without the grin leaving his face. I feel a blush beginning to rise on my cheeks and I fight to keep it down. I'm spared answering when we hear Selvina let out a happy squeal. My head snaps towards her but, I can still feel Marvel's gaze lingering on my head.
"We should see what she got" I say nervously. He nods in agreement and we follow the noise. It leads to the tail of the Cornucopia where a large red fox is awaiting.
"That fits" Marvel comments. I let out a laugh and then frown.
He notices quickly.
"What's wrong?" he asks
"These animals are coming in more and more quickly" I say
"And?" he prods
"That means that the war outside is starting to enter the arena." I try to explain
"But, it's all the rebellion."
"For now, what will happen when the Capitol starts sending in their own Mutts and whatnot?"
"We fight" he says simply
"Were in a giant bubble" I sum it up
"That doesn't mean we can't fight. We should start training today. As soon as Cato and Acionna get back with the wood, we'll start the fire and I'll cook everyone breakfast" he says calmly
I raise my eyebrow in question "You can cook?" I ask doubtfully. He puffs out his chest and looks at me pride fully.
"Yes, and very well I might add." He smirks cockily
Minutes later, Cato and Acionna arrive with the wood and Marvel starts cooking.
We're all sitting around the fire with our new pets and talking like old friends. Breakfast is soon cooked.
And I can now say with complete honesty.
Marvel can very much cook.
I will make no promises but, I will try to update sooner. I'm thinking about posting a new HG story that I've had in my mind for a while now. Should I wait or post it now? It is most definitely a Catnoniss story.
Leave your thoughts in a review!
Till next time.
Arrivederci!
~*~Momo