My best friend was just killed. The girl I love called for me but I didn't make it to her. What do I have to live for? Cato thought bitterly. Marvel, the boy from District One, had been his best friend. They bonded; they had met before the Games. Marvel often loitered around the District boundary and, on occasion, snuck through the un-electrified fence.

Six Years Ago, Age: 11

"Who are you?" a boy with short blonde hair that was spiked up and was a lot bigger than the skinny, tall boy who had just climbed through the fence.

"I-um-I'm Marvel… I was just…" Marvel stuttered glancing at his feet.

"Why are you here?" the bigger boy demanded jabbing the smaller boy with the stick he was holding.

Marvel arched his back, "Ow!-What the heck? I just needed out. "

"I can relate… How old are you?" the boy questioned twisting the stick around in his hands.

"I'm eleven… What's your name?" Marvel inquired making eye contact with the bigger boy.

"Cato. You're from District One?" Cato demanded obviously holding himself back from jabbing Marvel again.

"Yeah. My parents got angry with me because I missed," Marvel scoffed digging his foot into the ground.

"Missed what?" Cato was playing with the stick again.

"Spear… I throw spears… I'm supposed to volunteer for the 74th Hunger Games," Marvel explained biting his lip.

"Oh. I'm handy with knives and swords. I'm supposed to volunteer too. You seem okay. Better than anyone in my District. Wanna hang out? The woods are pretty safe. No one will find us," Cato suggested making Marvel bit his lip harder.

"Well…. Well, sure," Marvel replied releasing his lip from his teeth.

After the Tribute Parade of the 74th Hunger Games, 6 Days until the Games, Age: 17

Cato and Marvel slammed into each other, in some "manly" embrace, "Cato! I knew I'd see you here!"

"I knew I'd see you too, Marv! Wanna go talk in my room?" Cato asked smiling and letting go of Marvel.

"Yeah! One second… I need to talk to Glim…" Glimmer and Marvel had been dating for a quite a while, as had Cato and Clove. The two couples had had a "double date" in the woods a few

times before. The couples knew they wanted to go in the arena together. With their connections, they'd have a better chance of winning. Marvel strode over to Glimmer and positioned his head by her ear, "Glim, I'm going to go spend some time with Cato… We'll talk later, okay?" Glimmer nodded before catching his lips with hers. Marvel walked away and followed Cato up the stairs and to District Two's suite. Clove kissed Cato's cheek before exiting the room to go take a walk. The two boys sat on the couch and Marvel brought his knees to his chest.

"We could have been free, Cato," Marvel whispered resting his chin on his knees.

"I know. I almost… Regret volunteering. None of us got reaped. We could have closed this chapter of our life and opened a new one. We could have moved to the same District. We could have married Clove and Glimmer… Marv, do you regret it?" Cato asked softly.

"Yes. I should have proposed to her. I should have done it. Now… We're both dead. I, mean, let's face it, Cato; you're bigger and stronger than me. I'm not here to get myself out. I'm here to get Glimmer out. This is turning us against each other. But, lets not think about that until it come down to the four of us," Marvel replied thoughtfully.

"I'm getting Clove out." Cato's face was twisted into a look of regret and remorse almost. He never should have let Clove volunteer. He could have come back. Now he had to get her out. No matter what his best friend's wishes were.

"I guess… We're just going to have to forget about killing each other until we are in the arena," Marvel replied running a hand through his hair.

"I suppose. I just hope… It doesn't come down to us, Marv. I couldn't kill you," Cato muttered making Marvel blush slightly.

"Aw! Cato!" Marvel teased his friend.

"Shut up, Marvel! Don't make me take joy in it!" Cato and Marvel could make jokes about it because, well, they were best friends.

They sat in silence for a few minutes before Clove and Glimmer entered, "We hope you don't mind. We wanted to all be together tonight."

Marvel opened his arms and Glimmer entered them, "Hey. How are you doing with this?"

"I'm feeling like this entire thing is sick. I feel sick…" Glimmer murmured hiding her face in Marvel's shoulder.

"So, our approach is cruel and vicious. We are the Careers after all," Cato explained to them.

Clove was holding Cato's hand looking a lot more okay with this than Glimmer. Marvel sighed, "Hey, Cato? I think Glimmer and I are going to leave for a bit. I wanna talk with her for a little while. We'll be back soon."

Cato nodded as Glimmer and Marvel exited the room. They walked down the stairs and into their quarters before looking at each other. Marvel pulled her close, "Do you regret volunteering?"

"I regret us being here together. We can't both come out. Marvel…" Glimmer was whispering and her hands were shaking ever so slightly.

"I know, I know. Let's… Forget about that. Let's spend time with Cato and Clove…" Marvel whispered back holding her hands to stop her shaking.

Glimmer nodded and they quickly exited their room letting go of each other's hands. They jogged up the stairs and into District Two's room. They found Cato and Clove having a conversation very similar to the one they had just had. Marvel took the spot next to Cato and Glimmer sat next to Marvel.

"So… We start training tomorrow," Cato murmured ringing his hands together.

"Yeah…" Marvel replied trying to let his mind drift.

Glimmer and Clove were whispering back and forth while Cato and Marvel sat in silence. A rather comfortable silence.

"May the odds be ever in our favor…" Marvel murmured bitterly.