Chapter 4

I sit at the window, my nails sinking into the wood of the frame as I stared outside. I have to get over the fact that I was in the Games with Beckett, of all people. I never thanked him for the food- mostly because I didn't want to remind him about the fact that I owed him.

But that doesn't mean I won't kill him if it comes down to the two of us. I have Cat to look after, and I don't trust my father to take care of her. After all, he was the one who abandoned us when things got rough, and even if I wasn't about to head off to the Games, the only person I trust to look after my cousin is Andre.

At least I know he won't be in the arena with me. One less person I care about in a compromising situation.

The sound of the door opening jerks me out of my thoughts, as well as the force of someone latching themselves onto my waist. I don't even have to look down to know it's my cousin. The sound of her sobs fills my ears as I wordlessly lace my arms around her as well.

I run my fingers through her painfully bright hair mindlessly as she begs me to come try. "Jadey, you're strong and smart," she chokes out, burying her face into my stomach. "Maybe you can win this."

"Shh," I mumble, trying to keep myself from melting down the way that she's doing right now. "Kitty, have you seen my father?"

She shakes her head slowly. "He took off as soon as they called your name," she tells me softly, voice breaking through the tears. "I've been with Andre this entire time."

My nails dig into the rough skin of my hands as I try not to snap at her. This isn't the time to yell about my father when this could be one of the last times I might see my cousin. I can't afford to lose it now.

All too soon a Peacekeeper bursts in, walking over to where Cat is kneeling beside me and burying her face into me. "It's time to go," he says expressionlessly.

"No!" Cat shrieks, digging her nails into my sides and clutching the fabric of the dress in her fingers. "Don't take her away from me!"

"Make sure you stay with Andre," I call out above her screams as the guard pulls her out of the room. "And-"

The door slams shut before I have the chance to finish my sentence. I sink into the plush sofa, wrapping my arms around myself and closing my eyes. Was it really just that morning that Cat had been twirling around in her dress, smiling and laughing? It feels like a lifetime ago.

The door opens and shuts as a pair of arms encircle my waist. I don't need to open my eyes to recognize who it is, just bury my face into the crook of his neck as his dreadlocks brush my cheek.

"That was really something out there," he breathes into my ear as he pulls back slightly, one of his hands moving to cup the side of my face. "Jade, I know you know how to take care of yourself. You're good with the bow and arrows, knives, spears-anything you can get your hands on. Maybe you'll be Region 12's third victor ever."

I wrinkle my nose slightly. "That means I'd have to spend all my time in a neighborhood with only a crazy man that has a thing for coconuts as company," I attempt to joke, swallowing the feeling of dread building up in my throat.

He laughs weakly, brushing a lock of hair behind my ear. "I'll visit you every day," he promises, smiling faintly. "We'll still hunt whenever we can. Everything will get back to normal."

I nod and attempt to smile back, but I know as well as he does that even if I do come back, things will never be quite the same as it was before. There will always be some part of the Games that I'll never be able to shake.

"Take care of Cat," I remind him, exhaling slowly and looking up into his eyes. "She's all I've got left and my father isn't reliable enough to take care of her while I'm away at the Games."

"Course," he agrees, nodding slightly. "Don't worry about her. You just concentrate at winning this."

A knock at the door signals that our time is up, and before I recognize what's going on Andre drops a quick kiss on my cheek before slipping out of the room. I'm left there to contemplate the meaning of that little gesture.

The door opens some time after, and Beck walks in with his hands stuffed into his pockets. His face is a mottled shade of red, like he hasn't stopped crying for the past hour or so. I would feel sorry for him, but right now any show of compassion is out of the question.

"What do you want?" I snap in an irritated tone, sitting up and smoothing out the folds in my dress. "And have you ever heard of knocking before entering, or is that something middle classed people don't learn?"

He ignores my jab and gestures to the door. "Trina wants us to get into the cab," he explains, his voice raspy to reinforce the suspicion I had about his crying. "We're getting on the train, and we'll see our mentor at the station."

"She couldn't come here to tell me that herself?"I ask impatiently, shaking my head and pushing past him before he can respond. "Don't answer that."

"Jade," he says, grabbing my arm before I can leave the room. "Calm dow-"

"Don't tell me what to do, and never touch me," I respond, shoving his hand off me and walking off towards the back door of the building. I can't be on good terms with him, even if he did save my life once. Cause now, he'll be the one trying to end it.

Alright, so I haven't updated in forever and I'm honestly really sorry about that. Everything's been insane for the past little while and this is the first chance that I've had to update. Sorry if this chapter's kinda crappy. Tell me what you thought in a review? Anyway, I'll try to update sooner.

-Dark Angel Night