Cliffhanger over, do any of you think you hand an idea of who that voice was? If so, now you can find out if you were right and if not than you can find out what the reason really was. So, START THE STORY!
Ermela could not believe her eye when she turned around, "No, that's impossible, you're not supposed to be here." She said trembling.
"Oh really and why is that?" Cato asked smirking.
"You were arrested with the others, I saw you."
"Well here I am," He said.
"How?" She asked in a mixture of fear and disbelief.
"I have family in high places," He said. "I should really thank your district partner though, if he was quieter I might not have known whose fault this is." Cato snarled grabbing a coat rack and swinging it towards her head.
She ducked and slid behind him. Starting to see Haymitch's point, she grabbed a floor lamp and tried to hit him with it but she blocked it with the coat rack.
She grabbed the coat wracked and twisted it so it slipped from one of his hands leaving him open. Before he could fix that, she hit his head hard enough so that it knocked him out and sprinted up the stairs not chancing the elevator.
"Gale," She gasped out at her floor. She pulled him to her room closing and looking the door gasping for breath. "We have a serious problem."
"What?" He asked
Ermela managed to catch her breath enough and explained everything that had just happened.
"No way," Gale said.
"Trust me, I was shocked but it's true."
"Well that is a problem," Gale said.
"Definitely, especially since he knows that I was the one who sold them out. If he's going into the arena then I'll be the first he'll try to kill."
"No, I won't let him get you," Gale said.
"He'll try anything though; he won't stop targeting me until either he or I is dead."
"Then he dies," Gale said.
"Well, I guess, even if we somehow get separated, I already did bet him fair and square in a quarterstaff fight. Maybe you and Haymitch were right."
"See?" Gale asked.
"And you'll really protect me?" Ermela asked.
"Of course," Gale said.
"What about Katniss though?" Ermela reminded.
"One problem at a time," Gale said.
"But, if she really is your girlfriend, you can't just sidestep her for another girl like that." Ermela corrected, "We probably already broke her heart in the parade."
"I know that," Gale said.
"So, what are we going to do about that?" Ermela asked.
"She'll just have to understand," Gale said.
"Well, hopefully she will. Then when you win you can just explain it to her and hope she's not to mad."
"Exactly," Gale said.
"In the meantime, we might want to take a look at the replay of the parade to see the audience's reaction to the first kiss in better detail."
"Sure," Gale said. She unlocked and opened the door and they headed to TV room. "How do we look at it?" Gale asked.
"I'm not sure…" Ermela admitted, "Maybe we should have asked Effie?"
"Yes, she's still awake," Gale said.
"I'll get her." Ermela said heading back out.
"Wait, maybe I should," Gale said.
"Why's that?" Ermela asked confused.
"Well, in case Cato is coming here," Gale said
Ermela paled in fear, "Maybe we should go together then, that way I'm not alone."
"Alright then," Gale said following her.
They found her in the living car luckily not coming across Cato. "Effie could you help us work the TV?" Gale asked.
Effie smiled getting up and said, "Of course, what is it you guys would like to see?" She asked heading to the TV room.
"Our kiss in the parade," Gale said.
"Oh, perfect, I could get that right up for you." Effie said as they got to the room.
"Thank you," Gale said. She pushed a bunch of buttons on the TV and it went right up. "Impressive," Gale said. They watched on as their lips met on the screen. "It's weird watching yourself kiss," Gale said.
"Very," Ermela noted but was paying attention to the audience's reaction. They seemed to love it some of the men looked jealous of Gale and the women jealous of her. "Wow." Ermela said looking at those men having not expected that.
"What?" Gale asked.
"It almost seems like some of the men in the audience were jealous of you." Ermela admitted blushing.
"Oh, well why wouldn't they be?"
"Well, I would make since why they would be jealous of me for getting to kiss you but I'm not that great at all."
"You're kidding right?" Gale asked.
Ermela shook her head, "No, I'm not."
"Have you really seen yourself?" He asked.
"What do you mean?" Ermela asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Well there's no denying that you are... cute" Gale said.
"No, I'm not." Ermela argued shaking her head.
"Yes, you are," He said.
"No, I'm not." Ermela said with her eyes narrowed.
"Yes you are," Gale said.
"Stop arguing with me." Ermela ordered.
"No, and stop trying to boss me around," Gale said.
"I'm not trying to boss you around."
"Yes, you are," He said.
"Whether I am or not, that is not my intention." Ermela said before sighing, "I'm sorry, I'm just really stressed out right now."
Gales surprised her by hugging her.
"Well, find a way though all this, alright?" He said to her.
"How?" She sighed.
"I'm not sure but we will find it I promise you."
"Okay," She said.
"You guys should get to bed though. We have another big big day tomorrow." Effie told them.
"Right," Gale said making to let go of her.
She didn't want him to let him go put she eventually let him and they headed for their rooms. When she went to open hers she hesitated drawing her hand back. "Gale, is it okay if I sleep with you tonight, nothing dirty just in the same room incase Cato tries to sneak in?"
"Well...sure why not?" Gale said.
"Thank you." Ermela said with a weak smile and they headed into his bedroom.
"You're welcome," He said. She headed into the bathroom to get changed in privacy. "Hurry!" Gale called.
Ermela headed in and was partially surprised to find Cato in there. "Gale!" She called for help.
Gale came sprinting in and found nothing, "What wrong?" Gale asked Ermela confused.
"I...I saw...Cato" She gasped.
Gale checked the whole bathroom just in case he somehow hid somewhere. "There's no one here."
"I saw him" She said.
"Well he's not here, must have been your imagination going paranoid." Then Gale realized something, "You never saw him the first time, did you?"
"Yes I did I swear!" She said.
"Yet you're swearing up and down that he was in this bathroom too when he clearly wasn't."
"This time it was stress the first time I know I saw him!" She pleaded.
"Please, Gale, you have to believe me." Gale was not sure what to believe "Gale, please!" Ermela pleaded desperately starting to cry.
"Okay," Gale said.
"You believe me then?" Ermela asked hopefully.
"Yeah I do," Gale said.
Ermela got up and hugged him, "Thank you, Gale. I'm not crazy. I swear."
"Okay, okay" Gale said hugging her.
They separated and she said, "You can go back now so I can get changed."
"Right," He said leaving again.
He closed the door behind him on the way out. She then realized she didn't take anything in here to change into. "Uh Gale..." She called.
Gale just realized the same thing and chuckled, "I'm decent, you can come get something."
"Thanks," She said. She headed into the room to get something where she found Gale shirtless. She turned beat red but she couldn't will herself to look away.
"Ermela?" He asked.
She shook it off and went to the closet, "Sorry."
"It's okay," He said awkwardly.
She got some good sleeping clothes and headed back into the bathroom still red as a tomato. 'Well that happened,' She thought.
She got on the black shorts and plain tee shirt trying to stop thinking about it. "Ready when you are." She called into Gale.
"Okay, I'm good," Gale called. She came out and luckily this time he actually was wearing a shirt and pajama pants, "Ladies first," He offered.
"Thank you," Ermela said climbing into the bed.
"You're welcome," Gale said.
Ermela put her head down on the pillow tried to relax. That was really impossible considering everything. She wanted to try not to have nightmares though. It became clear that it was inevitable though and tried to just close her eyes and just go to sleep. "I can't sleep," She sighed.
"That's to be expected." Gale sighed, "I'm not sure what to do about it though, if only we had some syrup."
"If only," She sighed.
"Is there anything good you could try to think about to get your mind slightly off of everything? Like, how did you get to sleep the night before your first Reaping?" Gale pitched.
"Well..." She trailed off blushing.
"Assuming you got any at all." He added thinking about how little sleep he got that night and of course Rory so few nights but what felt like forever ago.
"I did, a little" She said.
"What helped you get that little bit then?" Gale asked since it varies on the person.
"I thought of you...and not having to deal with my mother anymore," She admitted.
He tried to ignore the 'you' part for a second and asked, "Was she really that bad?"
"Well irritating yes," Ermela sighed.
"You know, even if you win, you can make sure that she's not allowed in your house at the Victors Village." Gale noted.
"You can?" She asked.
Gale nodded, "It would be your place. Families are allowed to stay in them but only if the victor wants them, too and can later kick them out at any time."
"That's good to know," She sighed.
He got an idea of how to get her to relax enough to sleep. He knew it was dangerous given what he was supposed to be doing but he leaned down and pecked her gently on the lips. "Just think about those to things, and let yourself relax."
She blushed but nodded trying to go to sleep again
He was relieved when he started to hear some soft snoring noises but just continued to watch the door. They'll switch halfway in the night. "Funny, we were supposed to have a few days before the games started." Gale mumbled. He chuckled to himself as he continued to watch the door. She didn't sleep for very long though before a nightmare had woken her up. "Are you okay?" Gale asked
"Of course not," She said with an aggravated sigh.
"Sorry dumb question," Gale said.
Ermela managed to chuckle in spite of that, "It's okay, that's kind of the natural response."
"Well still," He said.
"I don't blame you, Gale." Ermela said having left out how Cato found out it was her who sold them out.
"Maybe we could get some syrup?" Gale asked.
"How on earth would we do that?"
"Well they give us what we want here," Gale said.
"I doubt they even know what this kind of syrup is though much less have it."
"Well it's worth asking," Gale said.
"I guess it is." Ermela said getting out of bed.
"We'll call then?" Gale asked.
"That works." Ermela agreed.
Gale went over to the bored on the wall and hit the order button. "Do you guys happen to have any sleep syrup?" Gale asked when it was on.
"Yes we do," The women said.
"Can you send some up then?"
"Yes, we can," They said.
"Thank you." Gale said signing off. "It's on the way up," Gale said.
"Good that will definitely help." Ermela said but was still too worried about everything else to be relieved.
"Want to talk?" Gale asked.
"What is there to talk about?" Ermela asked.
"Just want to talk to me?" He asked.
"Yes please," She requested.
"So talk," Gale said sitting beside her and wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
"I'm just so scared, we literally just got out of the opening parade but it feels like we're already in the weirdest arena in history."
"This would be pretty weird," Gale said.
"It's even more dangerous though because no matter what, we can't kill him till in the real arena."
"He can't get us until then either," Gale said.
"Well, he's already demonstrated that he's more than willing to try." Ermela said fearfully thinking about the quarterstaff fight.
"True, but he did not kill you," Gale said.
"He probably would have if I wasn't able to stop him. He went straight for my head and more than enough to kill me. If I hadn't ducked…"
"You will be okay," Gale promised.
"I'm just so scared." Ermela admitted laying her head on his chest.
"I know we all are," Gale said holding her. An Avox arrived and hand them a small vial of syrup. "Thanks," Gale said. "That is all." He told the Avox who then left.
"Thank you, Gale," Ermela said.
"You're welcome." Gale said and handed her the vial. "Don't take too much, we still have training tomorrow."
She nodded and took a small swig. She laid back in the bed since the effects are progressive instead of instant. Slowly, but surely she fell asleep.
Gale sat the vial on the counter and kept guard knowing that with the effects of the syrup; literally nothing can wake her until the syrup wears off on her own.
After a few hours she woke Gale the bed. When she did she realized something and asked worriedly, "Gale, did you get any sleep last night?"
"No, you slept through the night," He said.
"Sorry," She blushed feeling guilty. "I'll make it up to you tonight."
"It's fine," He yawned.
"No, you seriously need sleep but you obviously can't get it right now." Ermela said dead serious.
"Well there is nothing I can do about it," Gale shrugged.
"I'll make it up to you tonight." Ermela repeated not budging on that.
"Fine," He yawned again.
'This is going to be a terrible day of training.' Ermela thought, "They must have something here towake you up, right?" She asked out loud.
"Maybe," He sighed.
"I'd be very surprised if they don't." Ermela chuckled getting out of bed. He barely realized he was following her. They went to the dining room where Effie was. "Effie is there something Gale can take to stay up?" Ermela asked.
"Quite a few actually, the most common is coffee if you want to try that." Effie offered.
"Coffee?" Gale asked having never heard of it.
"You don't know what coffee is?" Effie asked a little surprised not quite understanding life in the Seam.
"No, never heard of it," Gale said.
"It's a drink that's very high in caffeine and is usually used in the earlier morning to wake people up and give them the energy to get through the day." Effie explained.
"Perfect!" Gale said.
Effie ordered an Avox to get him a mug of it.
The Avox presented a mug of black coffee
Gale thanked him taking the mug. He took a sip it did not taste good. He was surprised by that since all the other food and drinks here are so luxurious and tasty but this was disgusting but he figured that if what Effie says is true then he needs in so he finished the mug.
"Well?" Effie asked.
"It's certainly not what I expected from the Capitol." Gale said honestly refering to the taste.
"Oh maybe you should have tried it with creamer," Effie shrugged.
"What's creamer?" Gale asked but he could feel it starting to take effect already.
"It makes the coffee taste better," Effie said.
"Yeah that would've been nice to know earlier."
"You never asked," She said.
"I didn't know to."
"Well, now you know," She shrugged.
"I'll keep that in mind." Ermela said knowing that tomorrow morning the roles will be reversed.
"Well, hurry up you two training starts soon," Effie said.
"Right, do we have time to eat anything?" Ermela asked unsure of exactly how long the syrup kept her under.
"Yes you have Forty-five minutes to eat, clean, and dress," Effie said.
"Plenty of time," Ermela said take a seat.
"Agreed," Gale said starting to eat.
Effie noticed that Ermela wouldn't take her eyes off the elevator for more than a second. "Is something wrong, Ermela?"
"No, not really," She said evasively.
"Really? It seems like there is, you can tell me anything you know."
She sighed and explained.
Effie gasped slightly having not expected that, "Oh my, are you okay?"
"I guess," She said sadly. "It's just so scary." She admitted again.
"I can only imagine," Effie said.
"Maybe we should talk to Haymitch the next chance we get." Ermela said turning to Gale. "See if he knows what to do."
"Worth a shot," Gale said.
"Not yet though, he probably just went to sleep."
"Yes, sorry," Effie said.
"Well, catch him after training." Ermela shrugged back to visually guarding the elevator.
"He won't come up here," Effie said.
"What makes you so sure?" Ermela asked with a raised eyebrow.
"He can't,"
"Nothing else he's not supposed to do seem to be stopping him." Ermela pointed out.
"That was different you were on his floor," Effie said.
"I'm pretty sure trying to kill another tribute before the games is strictly forbidden and punishable by Avoxation."
"It is, and you are free to report him," Effie said.
"But I fought back. Couldn't I get in trouble, too?"
"No, he made the first attack," Effie said.
"That is true, but he would never make another move here," Effie said.
"Well, I hope you're right." Ermela sighed.
"I know I am," Effie said.
"What if you're not though?"
"Believe me I am," She said.
"I guess. Thank you, Effie." Ermela said finishing her food and going to her room to get ready.
"Good," Effie said as they left her.
They were both ready just in time to head down to the training center. "Nervous?" Gale asked.
"Extremely," Ermela answered pale as a sheet. "They'll be a bunch of peacekeepers there though, right? So he can't hurt me?"
"Right," Gale said.
"That does make me feel a little better." Ermela said as the got in the elevator.
"Good it should," Gale said.
"And you'll be there with me?"
"Of course I will," Gale said. She moved in closer to him as they approach the training floor. "It'll be okay," Gale said.
"I really do want to believe that. I should. It's more than likely true but…"
"It WILL be okay," Gale said again.
"Well, if you say so, for now anyways." Gale just sighed and nodded. The elevator door opened at the training floor and they got off.
They were some of the first to arrive they noticed. "Are we early?" Ermela asked looking around.
"Just a bit," Rue said.
"It seems so empty." Ermela sighed.
"Well there are no careers," Rue said.
"Well, actually…" Ermela trailed nervously.
"What?" Rue asked.
"Cato apparently has family in high places and managed to get back into the Games. He'll be down soon." Ermela explained fearfully. "He also knows it was me who sold them out."
"Impossible!" Rue said fearful.
"I saw him. I was in an emotional state and needed to be alone so I went down to his floor and he was there." Ermela explained trembling in fear but leaving out him trying to kill her.
"Oh no!" Thresh said.
"You two will be fine for a while into the games. I'm going to be the first one he tries to kill."
"Don't say that," Rue said.
"Why not? He knows that I sold out the Careers and caused all that. It's only the truth."
"Well other people won't let him," Rue said.
"I certainly won't." Gale said pulling Ermela in. "Here she has protection but I believe she was talking about in the arena."
"I know," Rue sighed
The rest of the non-career tributes came down leaving only Cato to arrive. Which he did, unannounced, uninvited, and certainly unwanted. Every tribute in the room tensed "You guys really thought you could get rid of me that easily?" Cato smirked malevolently.
"Hoped," Gale said.
"Well, you hoped wrong, Loverboy, and your little girlfriend is going to pay for getting my girlfriend arrested… and you think that ends there? You think that's the only hell that little bitch caused?"
"I think it's not enough, you all had it coming it's your own fault," Gale said.
Cato growled and said, "Fine, then you'll be the second to die after I make you watch me kill your girlfriend."
"You really think you scare me even a little?" Gale said with a raised eyebrow.
"You should be," Cato said.
"Well, I'm not." Gale said his tone and body language exactly matching his words.
"Not knowing when to be afraid could get you killed," Cato said.
"I know when I'm afraid at now is not one of those times." Gale said glaring back at Cato.
Before Cato could respond the trainers arrived. Cato stepped out of Gale's face not sure how far the family card could get him.
"Welcome all!" The trainer said.
"First of all, there will be no fighting with each other here; they'll be plenty of time for that in the arena." She said before explaining some of the stations.
Gale and Cato kept glaring at each other coldly throughout it.
She finished and they were released to train, "Where to?" Gale asked Ermela.
"I'm not sure, it might be best to hide our strengths though. That way Cato won't know them." Ermela whispered.
"So, no knives or archery for me then," Gale said.
Ermela nodded, "or snares. Might want to try something both of us are completely unfamiliar with."
"Spears?" Gale asked.
"Alright," Ermela agreed and they head over there.
What did you think? It will JUST be Cato of the Careers though. As always, tell me your honest thoughts in a review even if it is a flame.