"Well, this is certainly an arena we have never seen before"

Caesar's voice and my curiosity bring me to open my eyes and look at the screen. I wasn't even this nervous when I was in the Games. I gasp. My eyes don't go straight for the tributes. Instead I see what surrounds them. Sand as white as clouds scatters the floor in front of them. An ocean is the same color blue as one of Effie's wigs taunts their backsides. Past the canvas of sand there are hundreds of palm trees with vines intertwined in them. Even from behind a television you can see how hot it is.

"Oh dear,"

Effie says this in a tone that makes me believe she has lost all hope. That's strange to me, because Effie always has an optimistic view on things.

"Can they swim? Haymitch, you know they're going to use the water against them. Can they swim?"

I can't help but ask. Everyone is thinking it. Effie is about to cry, Haymitch looks angry, and I'm just scared for their lives. Cinna is here too, and it seems like all he can do is shake his head.

"I don't know, Katniss! I didn't think to ask."

I can tell something is seriously wrong with Haymitch because he didn't call me sweetheart. We're all on the edge of our seats waiting for the gong to go off. Since there are no weapons the things in and around the cornucopia are different. From what I can tell there are water bottles, sleeping bags, tents, and other things I can't quite make out. We were all assuming that since there aren't any weapons there won't be a bloodbath.

The gong rings.

We were wrong.

Luckily, Louisa and Noah take our advice and both of them avoid the cornucopia aside from each swiping a backpack on their way into the trees.

I guess these tributes don't need weapons to kill. All of the careers were taking kids out one by one. The boys from One and Two guard the inside of the cornucopia, taking out anyone who escapes past the boy from Four, who is guarding the mouth. The girl tributes from One, Two, and Four are out in the open taking just about everything that lays in the sand and slaughtering whoever gets in the way.

By the end of the bloodbath ten tributes are dead. The once white sand is now stained with the blood of innocent children. Louisa and Noah are both on their own in the arena. The only alliance is the Careers. We watch as Noah finds water, and Louisa sits under a tree and cries.

"I can't watch this anymore," and I storm out.

"Katniss!" I hear Effie scream behind me.

"Let her go," Haymitch almost whispers.

I don't look back. I walk straight into the elevator and up to the roof.

I thought watching the Games were bad before, but watching them now is almost like torture. I got to know those kids. I actually came to like them. Now, I have to watch them die. Even worse, I have to watch them die knowing that I can't do anything for them. Powerless, that's what I am. I'm not even strong enough to watch the Games.

"Having a rough time, huh?"

"Why are you here, Cato?"

I wish I had more strength to tell him to go the hell away, but honestly I don't want to be by myself right now. Even if my only company is the boy I'm supposed to hate.

"Hey, you're not the only one who likes it up here. I come up here to think, but I can leave if you want."

I'm not sure, but it kind of sounds like he's being nice. Maybe this is a trick, though. Even if it is, I don't care. I don't want to be alone.

"No. It's fine. You can stay."

I'm sure that surprises him. He probably expects me to push him right out the door, or even off this building. Honestly, I would think about it, if the situation were different. Right now, all I can think about are children that I grew to be fond of getting killed.

"So, what do you come up here to think about?"

I cannot believe I am actually starting a conversation with him. Effie would be so proud. I wouldn't even be able to give an explanation if she asked why, though.

"Right now I'm thinking about how horrible my tributes are this year."

He must have caught me giving him a look of surprise, because he starts again.

"I know you might think they good, because their scores, but honestly they're stupid. They will probably get themselves killed before they reach the final four."

Talking to Cato makes me think that there is more than what meets the eye with him. Sure, we're only talking about what's going on in the Games, but it seems like somewhere inside him he truly cares about their lives. However, maybe I'm only seeing what I want to see.

We sit there a long time in silence. The sun even starts to go down. In the Capitol, the citizens party on the streets at night. Nighttime is when everything takes place, so it gets loud. I walk to the balcony and look down at the streets. Everyone looks like little colorful ants from all the way up here. Standing on top of this building makes all my worries feel so far away. I'm so caught up in looking at the sea of colors below I almost don't notice Cato standing next to me.

"The first day is always the hardest. It will get easier."

He pats me on my back then walks away. I wait a few minutes before going back down to the apartment.

To my surprise, the entire place is empty. I slip off my shoes and sit down to watch a recap of the Games. Not much has happened since I left. They're mostly focusing on the Careers and not showing much of Noah and Louisa. At least they're not dead, and Louisa found water. For about thirty minutes I watch Caesar interview various people about whom they think will end up on top. It sickens me to see people placing bets on who will live and die, so I turn off the television. No one has come back to the apartment yet, so I decide to go into my room and lie down.

While lying there I think of all the things Cato could have said to me tonight, that he didn't. It's not like tonight completely changes the dynamic of our relationship, but it definitely gave me a better understanding of who he is. I thought him to be a selfish, conceited man. Even though that's still true, I can tell he cares about more than just himself. I'm definitely not going to start being nice to him, but I won't be completely rude anymore.

Hey! So I made a tumblr for this story its: .com. It's pretty much just where I will post the story. Idk, I got bored. I showed a new part of Cato today, tell me if you like it or if you want more fighting! (there will be more fighting, though don't worry). Reviews make me so happy sooo review and make me happy and I'll write more! Give me suggestions, bitchachos.