Oh my, I do have some very passionate fans! You guys are amazing! It really makes me happy that all of you are getting so involved with Cato and Peeta in my story, it means I'm doing something right! Thank you again to everyone who reviews. You all make my day.
Could this really be happening? I was frozen by the horror in front of me. Peeta sliding down the slope, having nothing to hold onto, falling towards the nothingness bellow. His gloves seemed to come off, not sure when it happened, but I could see his bare skin against his jacket.
"Cato!" His scream pulled me from my thoughts. I have to do something, I can't just stand around and watch him die. Not when we were so close to the end. Wait, I had rope. I remember going through the packs two days ago. I was sure there was rope in my pack. I just hope I had the right one and the one on Peeta's side didn't have it.
He approached the edge of the chasm and I couldn't tear myself away from him. His boots dug into the edge and he pushed off, launching himself to the opposite side. The ice, it's going to be to slippery for him and he was going to die, and it would be all my fault because I couldn't move fast enough. This isn't happening.
I tore my eyes away from him as he connected with the wall. I couldn't watch him die. Part of me thought maybe if I didn't watch it, it never happened. That when I opened my eyes he'd be standing there in front of me, his same grin and blue eyes staring back. All the memories we had together, how we met, the feeling he gave me, the orange that symbolized our growing relationship. Our first fight and my first apology ever to him as he beat relentlessly at the punching bag, wishing it was me. How we made love the first time, only to be torn apart. But fate wouldn't let that happen. We found each other again, and this wouldn't be the last time. Fate would find its way. It had to. It seemed everything was pushing the two of us together, and it wouldn't end like this. It couldn't.
"Cato! I can't hold on much longer! I'm starting to slip!" His shout tore me from my thoughts, and I was aware of the dampened clothing surrounding my eyes. Looking over the edge, I saw his bloody hands grasping to the wall, scratched and beaten by the ice until he found purchase on rock. "Cato, please!"
His eyes were terrified, looking as if I'd let him fall if I had the chance. It hurt that he seemed to be pleading for his life with me, like I wasn't going to give him the option to continue. Dammit, Cato. Get a hold of yourself, he isn't dead and just sitting here isn't helping! Find the bag, find the rope!
"Hold on! I'm going to find something to help." I shouted, sliding back to my discarded pack, ripping it open as the items inside scattered. The bread flew, one falling off the edge. The other items falling at my feet: sleeping bag, bread, flashlight, ROPE!
"Grab on!" I shouted as I threw an end down to him. Dammit, it was to short. It didn't reach him, being on inches out of his grasp. "No! Don't move!"
"I can get it!" Peeta shouted, trying to reach at the extended rope.
"You'll lose your hold!" I answered back. I fell to my stomach and draped partially over the edge, giving him the extra length he needed to grab on. "Keep your feet against the wall, I'm gonna try to stand to help pull you up!"
"There's a little slack, I'm gonna try to tie it around me."
"Wait! Not yet, let me stand first, I can hold you up better." I tried to stand and noticed the sickening sound of ice cracking around me. Looking down, I noticed our combined weight on me was causing the edge to crumble.
"No time! The edge is giving out, I have to pull you up now!" my voice rang out and I heard more crashing as our surroundings collapsed into the void beneath. The trees towering in the distance began to sink into the horizon. "Peeta, hold on!"
I pulled with everything I was worth, stepping away from the cracking ice as Peeta rose from the depth. I lost sight of him, but the cracking of ice was too much of a risk. If it let out, we'd both be falling to our deaths.
"Almost there!" Peeta's voice was coarse and broken from the strain.
My eyes closed as I tugged the rope, starting to feel the fatigue but pushing through. He was almost back in my arms. Cracking ice brought me back to reality, opening my eyes to watch the edge collapse.
"Peeta!" I shouted as I heard his muffled groan. Standing steadfast, I waited for a reply, but none came. "Peeta?"
Silence, but the rope still held weight on the other end. I didn't dare peek over as long as he was on the other end. I pulled on the rope, finding it more difficult than ever. I was pulling alone, Peeta no longer helping anymore and my heart started to sink.
Panicking, I wanted to look over the edge, but that would only mean I'd have to let him fall back down. Grabbing onto it with my hand, I let it slack and pulled myself closer without losing tension. Nearing the edge, all I wanted was to hear him call my name one more time. Did the cannon fire? Was I to busy to notice it? Maybe it was drowned out by the crumbling arena? Maybe he's still alive! Why isn't he answering me? How is he still holding on?
I neared the edge and saw his dangling form on the other end. He must have succeeded in tying himself to it, his limp frame dangling, held up by the loop around his waist. He couldn't be dead. The cannon never fired! I felt my tears start again as I started to pull him up again. Even if he was, I wouldn't let him fall into nothingness.
As he neared me, I noticed his face mask was torn and blood dripping down from his face. Oh God, Peeta. Please be alright. You have to be. The ice was cracking again, but I didn't care. Peeta would be back in my arms, dead or alive.
Reaching the edge, I pulled his lifeless form over it. Dragging him a few feet away from the edge. Ripping my glove off, I felt for a pulse. It was faint, but there was one. He was still alive! My tears started flooding again knowing he wasn't dead. There was a scratch down his face, most likely from the falling ice.
More cracking. Give me a break! This time the trees nearby started to sink. We couldn't stay here. "Peeta! Wake up!" I gently nudged him, trying to coax him back to reality. "We can't stay here! Please Peeta!"
Suddenly, I felt in motion despite sitting over Peeta. It wasn't only the trees sinking, we were too. Fuck! Scooping Peeta up, limp form drapped across my arms I stood and began to run.
I didn't make it far, finding myself in the same situation as before. A deep fissure between us and safety. "Dammit, Peeta. Please wake up!" I shouted. I was being optimistic, and knew I wouldn't get an answer. It was to hard to run with him like this. Readjusting him, I placed him over my shoulder, freeing one of my hands and giving me more room to maneuver.
The gap was widening, it was now or never. Holding Peeta close to me, I jumped the chasm safely landing on the other end. I shot back, watching the world behind me collapse. Trees and snow falling into the giant black hole trying to swallow us all.
I didn't have time for this. Keep your eyes on the target, get Peeta to safety. The whole arena can't collapse, what would be the point in that? Did the Capitol suddenly think that none of us were worthy to be a champion or something?
Questions could wait. Pulling myself back to reality, I pushed forward, Peeta dangling at my side. I dodged the cracks and opening gaps appearing before me, hoping that somehow there was an end to it. My thoughts back to the first day with Clove flooded me as I ran.
We had ran onto the ice and felt the cracking. At the time, we thought it was over a lake or something. If the ice had swallowed us, would we have fallen into the pit? Or would there have been water?
Pain broke my thoughts, the tree branches angrily slapping at my face, tearing my face mask and drawing blood. The whole arena seemed like it was trying to make sure we fell to our deaths.
We tore out of the forest, the frozen land still breaking apart as I ran. The frosty tundra was barren except for the mountain that climbed back to the cornucopia. Then it hit me, the Capitol was trying to draw us all together. Then what? There was still seven of us left? It's to early for the finale!
"Mmm…"
"Peeta?" I shouted, feeling my legs grow numb. It was hard enough running this far on my own, much less with Peeta's added weight. I wasn't going to give up though, not until we were both there. The rocky mountain would be our sanctuary. The rocks wouldn't break apart like the ice does. At least I hope.
"Cato?" Peeta whispered, "My head hurts…"
"Hang in there, we're almost safe!" I shouted back. More so to reassure myself than for him.
Reaching the base of the mountain, I let him slide from my back to the ground. "I think we're safe."
"What happened?" he asked, looking down at his hands, beaten and bloody from clinging to the icy wall.
"Don't think I really need to explain," waving a hand behind us, "Just look."
The whole arena was falling, bits and pieces still extending its cold fingers across the tundra. The forest was no longer in site, having been swallowed by the cold void. His expression was blank, watching the cloudy mist take over our view. Almost the whole arena had collapsed in on us.
Falling on my back, I let fatigue set in. "How's your head?" I asked. My whole body was numb, I wanted to reach up and touch his blood marred face, but couldn't will my limbs to life.
"Been better. Last thing I remember is tying myself to the rope." His gaze met mine, his blue eyes contrasting the drying red covering him. "Then I woke up to you running like a mad man."
"And thank God for that." My eyes strained to stay open. A blanket of mist covering the horizon, masking the horror taking place. From the sounds of it, was still very much happening. Crushing blasts of ice breaking free from one another filled the air with a terrifying volume.
"Take a break Cato, you look like death." Peeta answered, tentatively checking the gash running down his cheek.
"Look who's talking." I answered, willing myself to move but failing. "I can't, you're in no condition to take watch."
"I'll be alright, I've had worse." His eyes dilated as he spoke letting me know he was lying.
"Seriously, take a break." He whispered, catching my concern. He crawled closer to me and pulled my head onto his lap. "If only for an hour to catch your wind."
"Wake me if anything happens." I was in no position to argue, my body refusing to move. Accepting the offer, I rested against his thigh, his hands gently playing with the hair at my nape. We'd lost everything in my haste: my sword, our packs and all their contents. We still had each other, and the heavy blade at my side reminded me Clove was still watching over us. All that mattered was Peeta was here with me and the nightmare was behind us for now, and I'd need my strength for the nightmare to come.
A/N: Howdy doo! Now y'all can rest assured that Peeta is safe again. Leave me some love!