After District 10, we went to District 9. Then 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, and 1. Next was District 2.
The next Games are around the corner. Better get ready to become a Mentor.
I walked off of the train and followed Hyelle into the car that would take us to the Justice Building.
"Now, we won't be staying very long because goodness knows big the celebrations in the Capitol will be!" Hyelle smiled and I looked at Brutus. He shrugged and crossed his arms.
We were lead into the Justice Building and Hyelle smiled at me.
"You're home. Be yourself!" Brutus shook his head behind her and frowned, slicing at his throat with his hands.
I think we should listen to Brutus.
Good idea. I took a deep breath and took long strides out the door to greet the cheering crowds. I waved at my friends and nodded to the Victors on the stages beside me. Enobaria winked.
"Thank you! It's good to be home, and I would like to thank everybody that helped me get this far!" I turned to my district partner's parents.
"I am sorry for your loss. Callisto was a great warrior and lasted till the final four. I am proud to call her my friend." Callisto's father gave me a solemn nod and put an arm around his wife and daughter.
Well, at least you didn't kill her.
"Thank you everybody!" I grinned and the crowds cheered. Hyelle ushered me into a room where Willose was waiting.
"Well, that was tlemendous! I must say, you have a knack for this type of thing!" She smiled and pulled a green suit with gold lining.
That looks much better than the clown suit you wore in 12.
I slipped it on and put on the black shoes offered to me.
At the banquet, I was greeted by friends, family, and many others. I could not melt into the shadows because here, everyone wanted to meet me. I barely spoke to anyone except for Juna, Father, and Enobaria.
"Well, I think Willose is crazy." Enobaria nodded and Juna shook her head, her blonde curls bouncing.
"But her clothes are so pretty! Look at what Cato's wearing!"
"Yes, but she got her teeth reshaped because I did and got a tongue extension of sorts!" Enobaria exclaimed. I smiled and picked Juna up.
"Cato! I'm six! I'm a big girl now! You don't have to pick me up!" She exclaimed, and I looked at Enobaria who began laughing, showing off her sharpened teeth.
"You're eleven years younger than me! You're still a baby to me!" I smiled and she pursed her lips. Enobaria smoothed Juna's fluffy pink dress. I set her down and Juna kicked my shin with her light blue flat.
"I'm not a baby!"
"Ouch." I said and she gave me a smile. Enobaria took her hand and put an arm halfway across my shoulders.
"Let's go find a chocolate fountain, shall we?" She asked, and a man stepped towards me.
"Excu-" He was cut off my Enobaria's malicious gaze as she bared her teeth at him. Juna giggled.
"Aunt Enobaria, why are people afraid of you?" She asked. "You're the nicest Aunt ever!" Enobaria looked at me and raised an eyebrow. I shrugged.
"Well, I think it's because of my teeth. And yes, I am the nicest Aunt ever, but I'm your only aunt." She said and Juna nodded.
"They are very sharp!" She said and I smiled. Enobaria let go of my hand. We walked over to the chocolate fountain and I held Juna up so she could dip various fruits and sweets into the melted chocolate. Enobaria and I both passed.
We sat around doing nothing and watched Juna eat what was on her plate.
Something's amiss. Enobaria is not saying something.
"I'm going to the Capitol with you for the President's Ball, you know." Enobaria stated. I raised and eyebrow.
"Not Brutus or Lyme, Allis, Graff, Hars-"
"They're all staying. We initially wanted three mentors to be with you, but I'm the only one going." She said. Juna looked up,
"Are we going back to the Capitol?" She asked, and Enobaria nodded.
"You and your Daddy are going to be moving to your Capitol house for a while." She said, and Juna smiled, returning to her food. I gave a curious look to Enobaria,
"What's this all about? Why are they going all of a sudden? The Games aren't for a couple months!" I frowned and she nodded.
"President Snow wants your father to focus a tad bit more on his weapons designing in the Capitol. For the first time in a long time, there will only be two Mentors for District 2. You and me. Brutus and Kelsa will be staying with us, but won't be formally mentioned as Mentors this year. Apparently they just don't feel like doing it. Juna'll be sharing a governess with President Snow's granddaughter. A 'huge honor' apparently." She said, rolling her eyes at the last part.
Hyelle clapped her hands and motioned for the three of us to come. Enobaria took Juna's hand and walked to where Hyelle was standing. I slowly made my way there as well. Father was the last to arrive and we boarded the train together.
~'~'~'~
"Domitius! Domitius Arckenson! Where the hell is that man?!" Enobaria growled, entering the lounge car. "Where is your father?" She demanded and I shrugged. "Oh I could strangle that man. If you find him, tell him there's an important message from the Capitol. Speaking of finding people, where is Ju-"
The doors opened and Father stepped in with Juna in his arms.
"Someone looking for me?" He asked, setting Juna down. Enobaria grabbed a knife from the table and threw it at his head. Father cleanly ducked and sat down. "How are you, Cato?"
Your sister-in-law just threw a knife at your head. The better question would be how are you because I'm fine.
"There's a message from the Capitol for you." I said and he looked at Enobaria who nodded. Her arms were crossed and teeth bared.
"Where were you?" She asked, accusingly. Father raised an eyebrow and answered,
"Having a tea party with my princess." He grinned and exited the car. I looked at the knife embedded in the wooden beams of the train car and sighed.
"Enobaria, you need to work on your accuracy." A butter knife hit my arm and I glared at Enobaria. She shrugged and grabbed an apple.
"It's bad manners to throw things during meals." Juna said, picking a biscuit from the bread bowl. Enobaria and I both stared at her until she looked up. "Hyelle says so!"
Enobaria rubbed her temples and rolled her eyes.
"Hyelle is crazy." She muttered and Juna pursed her lips.
Hyelle is crazy, but not as crazy as Willose, whom your sister adores.
"Excuse me." I muttered and walked to a different car for some air.
You know, being a mentor might be fun. Heck, I might go away if it's really fun.
I groaned, why was I so annoying?
Because you've never listened to your thoughts this deeply or you're just plain stupid.
I would snap your neck if you were real. I thought and looked out the window and saw the Capitol's architecture glinting in the sunlight, a waterfall cascading down the mountainside.
After the President's Ball, we'll be back home in no time.
Finally, some peace and quiet. You said you would go away if I found peace and quiet?
No. I said I would go away when you found peace of mind and heart. Geez, listen better. Self control inside and outside. I must say, you are doing a good job of doing it on the outside, but inside, are you truly at ease?
Yes!
No you're not.
I groaned in frustration and knocked a vase of flowers over.
You're only proving me right. Control, Cato. Control. Control. Control yourself.
"Shut up!" I yelled and kicked the table in front of me.
I can't. I'm part of you. What you do is what I do. You should know that.
I let a feral snarl rip through me and clutched my head, falling to my knees. I could feel the cold water and thorns of the roses seeping into my pants.
"SHUT UP! Get out of my head!" I nearly screamed and the door burst open. "Get out of my head!"
"Cato, son!" Father's voice was distant.
"Cato?" A timid voice asked and a small hand touched my arm.
"Junallia Rose Arckenson, out! Now!" Father commanded and the pitter of small footsteps preceded Enobaria's slim hand resting on my shoulder.
"Domitius." Enobaria whispered something and I continued to clutch my head.
Look, you've created scene. Is that what you wanted?
"Gaah!" I yelled and a strong pair of hands lifted me onto the sofa.
"Cato, look at me. Do you know who I am?" He asked and I groaned. "Cato Antony Arckenson, who am I? What's my name?!" He demanded and I slowly looked up with half crazed eyes.
"You are my father. Domitius Flavian Arckenson." Father's shoulders loosened remarkably and Enobaria placed a hand on my back.
"Let's get him to his room." She muttered, and tapped my back once. "Can you walk?" I nodded, and stood. Father held his arm out to me and I balanced myself on him.
"Who are you? What's wrong?" I took a shaky breath.
"I'm Cato Antony Arckenson. I am seventeen years old and I just won the Hunger Games."
That's not everything.
I flinched.
"I have a voice in my head. It's me. He helps me function and not do anything too bad. He says he'll leave, but never does. I lost control." I murmured and Enobaria let out a sharp breath.
"Domitius, you realize who else-"
"Irrelevant at this moment. I will speak to you once my son is situated in bed."
Aw, ith wittle Cato being put to bed? I thought you were a Victor?
"Wait, who else had-had this? I want to know!" I demanded and Father stopped. He took a deep breath and continued to walk.
"You need rest. We'll speak of this in full extent tomorrow morning. Enobaria." He nodded to her and she opened the door to my room. I raised my eyebrows at what was going on inside.
Juna was wiping her eyes on her white lace sleeves. Her little nose was red and her cheeks were stained pink from crying. She jumped off my bed and looked at Father with large pleading eyes. He nodded and Juna ran and hugged me. Father knelt down and addressed her.
"I'm sorry I yelled at you. Can you forgive your daddy?" He asked and she nodded. Pulling back, Juna ran to my desk and pulled a paper off of it.
"I made a picture of us. I thought Cato would like it!" She smiled and gave it to me. I looked down at the drawing.
It was made with crayons and had four people. Father, Juna, Enobaria, and I were all standing in what looked like a field of flowers.
"See? It's our family! Do you like it?" She asked and I nodded.
"Thank you, Juna." I muttered and kicked my shoes off. I slowly made my way into bed and Juna sat down next to me, her feet encased in white stockings were next to my feet.
"Juna, Cato has to rest and it's past your bedtime. Come-" I interrupted Enobaria,
"It's fine. She can sleep with me." I smiled and Juna curled up next to me and sighed. The door closed as Enobaria and Father exited.
I looked down at Juna. She looked up at me with dark brown eyes. Mother and Enobaria's eyes. They mached with her dark blonde hair. Her hair was in two little plaits and she smiled.
"I know you'll get better! Daddy and Aunt Enobaria are with you and you have me! I'm your favorite sister right?" She giggled, her cheeks dimpling. I nodded and smiled.
"I think you're my only sister." She giggled and curled up next to me.
"At the Capitol, I want to go everywhere with you." She smiled and I nodded.
"Absolutely."
"Even the President's Ball?" She asked, her eyelids drooping. I brushed a strand of hair out of her face.
"You can be my formal escort." I said and she nodded, closing her eyes and yawning.
"Best... br..." She drifted to sleep and I smiled and closed my eyes.
No nightmares came that night.