Chapter 11

Previously on The Hunger:

"I've been thinking," Cato drawls, breaking the silence. Startled, Peeta blinks his eyes, glancing upwards to see Cato's face as he speaks.

"That can't be a good thing." Peeta jokes playfully, not something he's familiar with. Cato half grins, the expression sending Peeta's heart in a flutter of nerves.

"That we really need to get out of here." Peeta frowns.

"I'm pretty comfortable where I am."

"I don't mean this cave; I mean the arena. Think about it, Peeta, they're never going to let us out of here together, not matter what happens. We have to get out ourselves."

Peeta's eyebrows furrow slightly as the thinks it over, his lips twisting into a thoughtful pout.

"But there's no way out. Cato, this place was built to be our tomb or to make us 'heroes'." Cato shakes his head.

"As I said, I've been thinking." He grins wickedly. "I do that sometimes, you know.

"Anyway, I have a plan I don't know if it'll actually work or not, but it's the best thing we've got."

Peeta arches an eyebrow, intrigued. Cato glances down at him, grinning wildly. It reminds him of the first Cato he met; the shark of a guy who wouldn't let anything get in his way; the Cato with the sharp lines and an animalistic nature.

"Get cleaned up; we're going into the arena."

-x-x-x-x-

An hour later and the boys have washed themselves off in the stream by their cave, packed as much food, water and weaponry as possible and have left their cave for what they hope will be the last time.

Cato's skin feels cold, nerves whizzing through him like shots of adrenaline. His pulse is quicker than usual but steady. He makes sure to appear as calm as possible, though fierce. He wouldn't want Peeta to be concerned that Cato isn't as competent as he initially appears. Sure, it's true, but he still doesn't want his lover to think that.

He can't shake the feeling that his plan isn't going to work, that it's all going to explode in his face. He can't rid himself of the feeling he isn't good enough and it's going to drive him crazy. Cato's one of those guys who are always in control, who always knows what's about to happen next because they're the one making it happen. The idea that he's about to try something that he has no idea about is terrifying. It really is just a stab in the dark right now. The idea came to him in a startling flash, just crazy enough to work. Maybe.

Really Cato just knew he had to do something. He's not the type of person who lets other people come to his rescue; he's not the type of guy to just sit back and let the chips fall where they may. No he's stronger than that; independent.

Glancing over to Peeta beside him, his face masked with complete trust for the taller boy, Cato isn't so sure that he made the right decision. Peeta's trust comes at the price of immense pressure. He feels his heart thumping louder with each step closer to their destination that they get. He's terrified of disappointing his lover, or even worse, getting them both killed. Cato isn't sure how he'd deal with that guilt. Though he'd be dead, so he wouldn't really be expected to.

He shakes his head and glances away from Peeta. Seeing his utmost confidence just makes him feel that much more nervous in himself. Instead he watches the forest that passes by them at an alarming rate. They're simply walking but since Cato is dreading their destination it feels as if the time is passing much quicker than it should be. This could be the last time he's ever with Peeta, so close to the first time that it hurts. The idea that the world have him his first love just to have it ripped away from him a mere week later breaks his heart.

"Cato," Peeta murmurs, his voice gentle along with the serene atmosphere. "Where exactly are we going?" Cato had refused to verbalise his plan, unsure if there were cameras in their little cave. The idea that there could be disgusts him, considering just what happened there that morning, though he knows that the chance is quite high. Goosebumps prickle along his skin at the idea of Capitol residents seeing their first moment of passion. Actually, the people of the Capitol have witnessed their entire relationship. Possibly all of Panem has as well. Cato feels faintly nauseated at the idea that he hadn't considered yet though he doesn't voice his concerns with his lover; Peeta wouldn't take it well knowing his family, friends and everybody he's ever known has seen him in such a way.

"You'll see, babe. Trust me." Cato flashes a quick grin to the shorter boy beside him, his heart soaring when he catches Peeta's gasp at the expression. Cato's always known he's attractive; he's not an idiot. It's something he always sued to his advantage, tricking girls into loving him just to keep up a bad ass appearance. Cato was known as somewhat a heartbreaker back home, namely because he could never manage to feel anything for the girls who would do anything he'd say without question. Clove was the only girl he had ever cared about, even a little bit, and in the end that hadn't been enough. But he had never considered how he could seem to Peeta.

Peeta is beautiful in the unconventional sense, he's not sure how many people would see him the way he does. Initially he appears to be quite average despite his blonde hair and blue eyes. Average height, average weight, average features. But the longer Cato fixated over him the more beautiful the boy became. Quickly his average hair turned into strings of gold that would shimmer in the sunlight almost like it were a living thing; his eyes turned into endless lakes, the kind that one would long to spend all day swimming in; his average height turned into the perfect height to rest his chin against his head and just pull him into his arms. He began to notice thick bands of muscle along his chest and arms, the product of his work in the bakery. Cato began to see Peeta in a different way than he had ever seen anybody before. In his mind he knew that the boy was nothing more than average but in his heart he knew that appearances meant nothing.

So it might be vain that Cato enjoys knowing Peeta finds him attractive but damn does it make him feel accomplished. He knows that he's attractive only in the physical sense, that his heart is as ugly as they come. He has no idea why someone as caring and beautiful as Peeta could find such an ugly heart beautiful but he'll take whatever he can get. He guesses that around Peeta he is different. Peeta doesn't know who he really is; the trained killer from District 2. Or maybe he does and it is Cato who doesn't know himself.

Cato looks away from the beautiful boy beside him after realising that he's been staring. He looks to the forest instead, realising that they're only a minute or two away from their final destination. His palms grow sweaty and his breath picks up but he makes sure to not show physical nervousness; he can't let Peeta see just how unsure he is.

Suddenly he sees it; the first projector. He inhales deeply, stopping in his steps. Peeta continues walking for a couple of seconds before he realises that Cato has stopped. He slowly turns to glance at the taller blonde, arching a perfect eyebrow. Cato nods shallowly letting him know this is the place.

It's make it or break it time.

Cato reaches down to his ankle, tugging the small, sheathed dagger from his right shoe. He stands straight, rolling his shoulders back as he prepares to attempt their break out. Then he hears a disgustingly familiar voice.

"Oh baby," The voice cackles and Cato can practically see her smirking, though she's behind him. Slowly he turns around, instinctively gravitating closer to Peeta as he does so. Glimmer looks back at him, her sculpted eyebrows rising high as she takes in his appearance. "What on earth do you think you're doing?"

Fear nearly paralyses Cato. Not for himself of course but for Peeta. Cato isn't afraid of Glimmer. Sure he knows that she'll hurt him if she gets the chance but he's no longer concerned about his own wellbeing. He doesn't matter anymore; it's all about Peeta.

"I was under the impression I was getting the hell away from you." He spits back, his upper lip quipping into the image of a snarl. Glimmer simply grins in response, taking a slow step closer to him.

"Oh darling, why ever would you want to do that?" Her eyebrows arch playfully.

"Oh I don't know, maybe because you're a bitch." He retorts, arching his eyebrow as he mocks her. Her eyes narrow on him and he feels his lips twisting into a glad smirk. He sees that he got to her. He knows Glimmer, much as he hates to admit it, and he knows that bitch is a sensitive comment to her, for whatever reason.

Glimmer stares at him for a few moments before dropping her head in what appears to be defeat. Strange racking sounds come from her direction and at first Cato thinks she's crying. He narrows his eyes, his eyebrows mashing together in the middle of his forehead pointedly. Glimmer doesn't cry, as far as Cato knows. It's all explained when she begins shaking her head, her face raising to look him in the eye. He understands now that she's laughing at him. Confusion washes through him but he refuses to show it. He grits his teeth together and keeps his expression teasing and light, almost like they're friends.

"Oh Cato, baby." She sighs, a soft giggle fluttering from her lips. "This could have been prevented, you know? It could have been pretty easy." Cato frowns. He's about to open his mouth and ask her what she means when he notices her hands aren't free. His sword, the first thing he ran into the Cornucopia for, the sword that he left at the tracker jacker nest, is held nimbly in her fingers as if it's light as a pen. She grins wickedly once, her eyes flashing with mania before she rolls her shoulders back. She lifts the sword above her head, positioning as if it is a spear.

Her eyes lock with Cato's but he knows that she isn't aiming for him.

The sword is flying through the air before he gets a chance to consider his next move. He just jumps, leaping for Peeta but he's too slow. Peeta's reaction time is even slower thanks to his lack of professional training. He has only enough time to turn and face Cato, their eyes locking just once, before the sword shoots through his abdomen. His expression widens in shock and that is his only reaction, though Cato knows he must be in a world of pain. Cato is still leaping through the air as Peeta breaks their eye contact, his eyes falling down to look at the sword sticking out of his stomach. His eyes stay wide with surprise, his breathing slowing with every millisecond. Suddenly Cato is beside him and Peeta is falling into his arms, shock overwhelming him. He winces in Cato's arms, the pain finally getting to him. Cato tastes bile in the back of his throat and he looks to Glimmer. He can practically feel his eyes darkening as he glares at her with hate.

"Your shit is with me… ME, GLIMMER! He has nothing to do with this. You didn't have to fucking do this!" Cato screams so loud that he'd be surprised if everyone in the arena didn't hear. Glimmer's expression contorts finally losing the artfully playful façade.

"He has everything to do with this, Cato. Fucking everything! I wouldn't even have shit with you if it weren't for him." She shakes her head, manic laughter erupting from her lips. Cato sees red before his eyes when he hears her laughter. Peeta's practically dying in his arms and the bitch is laughing.

"This all could have been avoided, you know? This is your fault Cato!" She winces, turning to face away from him. Cato's heart thuds in his ears, the loudest noise in the universe. In comparison Glimmer almost seems like she's whispering. The blood in Cato's veins tingles and boils like a living thing inside him.

Glimmer slaps back around, her face smeared with poorly hidden tears that she obviously doesn't care for. "I get it, okay. I get that you love him. Enough to leave us for him, anyway. Enough to betray your best chance at survival. I have someone like that at home. He doesn't know, of course, but that's for a reason." Her shoulders rack faintly as a sob rips from her unwilling throat. "I know what it's like to love somebody so much that you'd do anything for them! So much that your life doesn't even matter anymore!" Her fingers rip back through her hair, tearing full locks from it. The strings entwine with her fingers and she barks out a laugh, letting them fall to the forest floor absently.

"I know how that feels but you don't. Not really. That's why I hate you so much, by the way. You make out like you're doing this for him, that you're giving up your life for him but you're not. His best chance at survival would have been if you sent him away. His best chance would have been if you stayed with us and just pretended. If you hadn't been such a fucking impulsive idiot then maybe you could have saved his life. Maybe we wouldn't in this position and your boyfriend wouldn't have a sword sticking out of his gut.

"This all could have been prevented if you just pretended to love me, the same way I was prepared to pretend for you. If you had stuck with us as our leader we could have been manipulated, you could have saved him. You'd be dead by the end of the Games but Peeta could have been survived." She grins wickedly, her hope clear as the sky in her eyes. "But now I'm going to kill you both. Now I'm going to be going home to my loved one."

True happiness spreads on her face but Cato can't help the disgust he feels. "I'm going to be a champion, Cato. They're going to scream my name. There won't be a child in Panem who won't know who doesn't know who I am." She sobs with happiness. "I'm going to have it all."

By this point Cato's focus is completely on Peeta. The stab is serious; maybe even enough to kill him. Cato's eyes fall on his own fist. The dagger is still gripped between his fingers, so tightly that his knuckles have turned white. Cato pulls on his fingers experimentally, satisfied that they can move. He looks back to Peeta, who gazes back at him with confusion in his eyes. Cato's eyebrows mash together determinedly and he stands, turning his body to face Glimmer. Peeta stands with him, his hands shaky as he clasps his shoulder. Cato feels him wincing beside him.

Glimmer giggles childishly at their appearance. "Cato, do you really think that you can fight against me? Your boyfriend's about to break and you might not see it now but you are seriously underarmed. If you try to kill me right now I will win, and I won't let you die quickly."

Cato chuckles, still as cold as he was the first day he stepped into the arena. He thinks over the past week and considers her previous words. Maybe staying with them would have been the best thing, not only or him but for Peeta as well. Maybe he could have avoided all of the pain and the trauma of the past week if he had just allowed himself to be his same cold-hearted, clean cut, calculating Cato. Maybe if he had really thought about his and Peeta's situation then he would have done things differently.

Then he thinks over the time that he and Peeta have spent together. Every second of it, even while either of them were dying, was worth it. It was worth it knowing that if they ever got out they'd be on the run; that the Capitol would be after them. It didn't matter and it still doesn't. If they die now it will all be worth it; if they get out and are on the run it will be worth it. Cato wouldn't change a single thing because he wouldn't be able to guarantee what would happen if they did.

"There's no need." Cato replies, his voice soft. "Something's about to happen and I'm not sure what it's going to do, but I can promise you there's no reason for us to fight."

Glimmer arches her eyebrow in intrigue and confusion. Cato simply grins in response.

His eyes find his target and with one last moment of waiting her throws in the direction of Glimmer.

A sharp scream screeches from her throat and she swings her arms over her head, falling to her knees in an attempt to duck. Cato almost chuckles, knowing that she isn't his target. But he's too busy pulling Peeta to the side, getting out of the way for the chaos that's sure to follow. Cato and Peeta fall to the ground, Cato shielding Peeta with his arms.

And then the world explodes.

Cato's dagger spears into the projector behind Glimmer, digging deep into the platinum contraption. The force field over the arena flickers twice, turning on and off momentarily before disappearing. Then the projector explodes, the world filling with the heat from the fire. Cato can't help but squint his eyes, shielding them from the flames. An object flies through the air, startling Cato. It's his dagger. He keeps his eyes open for just long enough to see it shoot into Glimmer's chest. She falls straight to the ground, flames eating away at her instantly.

Cato and Peeta stay huddled on the ground for a few minutes, waiting for the explosion to settle. Cato looks up, satisfied when he sees that the fire has remained consistent. Heat still bites into his skin, drawing moisture and making him feel faint. He stands up, helping Peeta as he does.

"Come on." He cries, tugging Peeta. "We have to go. The force field's gone. We can get out, Peeta." Peeta winces, looking Cato in the eye.

"Go, Cato. I can't, not with this thing inside me. I'll slow you down." He exhales jaggedly. "Go. Without me. Please, Cato."

Cato growls subconsciously. "Are you fucking serious right now Peeta? After all we've gone through this week so we can get out together, alive, you really think I'm going to let you just throw it all away." He shakes his head. "No, I'm getting out of here and you're coming with me. I'm not fucking leaving you."

Peeta hesitates, his eyes widening as he listens to the words. Cato sees as the realisation hits him, the knowledge that either they both go or no one goes. Peeta exhales, chuckling hysterically.

"You're crazy, you know that?" Cato simply grins in response, one arm looping around Peeta's waist, the other clasping his hand tightly.

"You love it." He breathes, squeezing his hand tightly. Peeta smiles softly as he nods.

"I know. Now let's get out of here. It won't be long before they realise what's going on. They'll send someone and his will all be for nothing."

They stare in each other's eyes once more, determination settling between them. They're going to do this, they're actually going to escape. Sure they can't guarantee what will happen, they can't even guarantee their own survival. But they can guarantee that whatever happens, they'll do it together. United they turn to leave the arena, despite knowing that if they're ever caught it might as well be a death sentence.

This may be the end of the Games but it's about to be the start of a whole new one.

It's time for the Chase to begin.

-x-x-x-x-

AN: I can't believe that this is the last chapter and that it's so short. I'm so sorry about that, but this really is all I could think of to put in.

I can't believe this is really over. Sure it's more of a prologue to The Chase than a real story but I'm so proud just to have actually finished.

If you have stayed with the boys this long, I applaud you. You guys are my muse, the whole reason I write. I have no idea why you would want to stay this long, considering how crappy I am at writing. If you have stayed around this long I hope that you will choose to continue the story by reading The Chase. I can't promise when it will be up. I want a chance to really get it organised and at least drafted before I start posting. Plus I have another fic that I'm writing. If anyone's a fan of The Mortal Instruments I hope that you'll keep an eye open for it.

So I guess that this is it. I wish I could write something more but honestly this isn't a goodbye, just a… see you later.

So ciao.