~Witch cackling off in the distance~

Cato POV

I am startled slightly by Katniss practically falling down the stairs. She has a frightened look on her face and I can't help but wonder why. It's probably because of how weird this place is. There are cobwebs all over the place and it's beginning to creep me out.

"What's wrong with you?" I ask Katniss, while continuing to walk down the eerie hall. On one side of the corridor is a wall that has a few doors leading to god knows where. And on the other side is a wall dividing the walkway from an overgrown courtyard. There are a few windows like things along the wall. (A/N JUST PICTURE HARRY POTTER IN THE GOBLET OF FIRE WHEN HE'S WALKING TO TALK TO CEDRIC)

"The fire it uh, started all by itself. Like it uh, exploded," She stutters while making weird motions with her hands trying to imitate the fire exploding. I roll my eyes and watch as she walks up to the doorway leading to the courtyard.

"Want to go look for him in there?" She asks while peering in

"Um, no. It looks disgusting and just think about all the creatures that could be hiding in there" I wrinkle up my nose

"Well don't get your panties into a bunch princess" She teases, "But it's too bad for you since we're going in" I groan loudly displaying my displeasure. I hear her giggle and a frown appears on my face.

"Don't call me princess" I growl.

"Whatever suites you your highness" She snickers as she steps onto the cracked path winding through the courtyard. I follow her lead, keeping a keen eye out for any sign of movement.

Katniss slows and eventually and we fall into a steady walk beside one another. I can see her look up at me through the corner of my eyes, but when I turn to face her she looks back at where she's headed. I frown and roll my eyes. Why do girls have to act so strange?

"Gaah" I look over and Katniss is falling face forward. I grab her torso and bring her up to my chest. We stand there for a few seconds, with me just holding her precious little frame against my broad chest.

"I must have tripped, thanks for catching me Cato" She says quietly and I can almost see a smile blush forming on her cheeks.

"Anytime" I say gruffly "Come on, lets get out of here, it's creeping me out"

"Me too" Katniss says. Surrounding us are huge hedges that seem to never end. The pale path beneath our feet is falling apart and has coats of dirt and dust, so obviously no one has walked in here for a while, can't blame them though. Something doesn't feel right about this place, why would the school send us here?

"I agree, I don't have a clue where the exit is though, this place is like a maze" She says. Then she walks towards one of the hedges, looks side to side and walks behind one. After a few moments I hear a piercing scream coming from behind the hedge and I rush to where she disappeared.

On the ground in front of me is the carcass of a decaying animal. I'm not sure what it is, but it doesn't look like anything I've ever seen. But where is Katniss?

"Katniss! Where did you go?" I cup my hands around my mouth and shout out into the distance. After a few moments I hear no reply and I look on the ground for some clue to where as Katniss had gone.

A few feet behind the dead creature are a pair of footprints. The footprints lead to the end of this stretch of hedges. I follow her trail throughout the twisting maze of greenery. Every now and then a bat will fly screeching out of nowhere and the pitter-patter of a rat running across the narrow pathway. Other than that it's silent.

I continue to call for Katniss, but still no reply. My feet are getting sore and it's getting darker by the minute. I assume that it's around 9 o'clock now and the foliage above me is preventing much light from seeping in.

I turn one last corner and I feel a huge weight fall off my shoulders as I see Katniss crouched down in a clearing petting a dog. I take a few cautious steps towards her, as not to scare her since she has not noticed my presence yet.

She looks up and a smile is plastered on her face.

"I have been calling for you Katniss, where have you been?" I ask harshly, but apparently it doesn't bother her and she continues to pet the scruffy pup whose tail is wagging furiously.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I mustn't have heard you. I saw this cute little guy and I followed him. Isn't he just adorable" I have to admit, that dog is a bundle of cuteness. He looks like a Golden Retriever with his scruffy, un-kept tope colored fur and his large feet. I would say he's about 8 months since he's still rather small but growing into his body quickly.

As I bend down to pet him he bares his teeth and nips at my hands. I notice a trail of blood running down the one side of his mouth. I frown and pull my hand away quickly and Katniss snickers.

"I guess he likes me better" She teases

"Yeah that's a first" I say absentmindedly as I stare at the vicious pup.

"Lets go, I want to get out of here, something doesn't feel right" I say look around. Is it just me or did it get really dark in here all of the sudden.

"Fine with me" Katniss says as she scoops up the stray puppy. He licks her hand and I glare at her.

"Why are you bringing him?"

"Because, he's lost and so are we" She argues. Suddenly the sound of wolves howling rings through the air.

The vicious little puppy wags his tail and raises his snout to the air. Then he lets out a low but loud, howl. I have to cover my ears since it's so loud and overpowering. Katniss drops the puppy and covers her ears with her hands as well.

I smile slightly as the dog runs out of sight and behind a wall of hedges. I grab onto Katniss' arm and pull her away before she can realize that her dear little doggy is gone-A little too late.

"Wait! Where'd he go? We can't leave without him," She cries

"He'll find his way out, come on we need to go" I say annoyed. Suddenly from behind the hedge I hear the sound of growling, and it doesn't sound at all like the little doggy Katniss had in her arms moments ago.

Then it howls, and good lord, this howl makes my ears bleed. I fall to my knees with my hands trying to prevent the wicked noise from seeping through my ears. No such luck. The other wolves that are located somewhere near here all fall into a chorus along with that thing behind the shrubbery. I look over at Katniss and she looks to be in the exact same state as I.

She's screaming for the noise to stop and luckily it does, immediately. I let go of my ears and look to where that horrible, ear-piercing howl came from. All I hear now is the sound of someone breathing heavily. I take a few steps closer and look at Katniss, she's still lying on the ground, recovering from the event that took place not 20 seconds ago.

I let out a yell of terror, as a huge dog like beast jumps out the top of the hedge. I stagger back in shock of what stands before me, an oversized dog that has a strange resemblance to one of the servants of this malicious place.

Haha, so there's the end of this chapter. I am so so sorry for the late chapter; I have just been really busy with life but now that school is done (I'm homeschooled that's why) updates should be more frequent. Expect chapters to come out once a month or if it's addicting to write then I'll write more! Please review; it motivates me to write more chapters! =D