I want to write an apology for how ridiculous the waiting period for this update was. Let me just start off by giving you dumb excuses –
1) School stared – I'm in all Honors classes and the homework eats me alive
2) I have on average about 3 almost 3 hr band practices a week – not including the competitions on Saturdays and football games on Fridays that we have to march half time for. (Jazz Band, Marching Band, Disney Band)
3) I got the role of Mrs. Potts for my high school's production of Beauty and the Beast and I have a two hour Music/Blocking/Choreography rehearsal EVERY NIGHT. Not exaggerating. And later this October, those 2 hour rehearsals will mature into 3 ½ hour rehearsals! Yipee!
4) Speech team just started...I get to do a Prose and a Dramatic Acting Duet YAY!
5) And for all you choir nerds...Madrigals season has started...so...Yeah...
I'm really sorry. This story is way behind. A WHOLE MONTH. I'm REALLY sorry. I'm just trying to cram in a small chapter so you don't think I've forgotten. Trust me, I haven't! It's been eating at the back of brain.
So...this chapter is INCREDIBLY short and probably not great...
So...
Enjoy?
Ha...
I am a monster.
That's all I'm able to figure out anymore.
The next day is nothing but a confusing blur of uncertainties.
Part of me wants to cave – to trust Cato. But there is that other half – the half that remembers where I am and what I must do. And that part of me wants to kill. I never knew I could be so vicious, and maybe it's just a reoccurring side effect of the Tracker Jacker venom finishing itself off in my veins – but I feel like an animal.
And during the night is when that beastly side of me crawls out of its den.
I dream of drinking blood.
I wake up screaming.
Cato talks me back to sleep – warning me brutally that if I continue to scream, he'll slit my throat with his wooden shank so I won't blow our cover.
It shuts me up – even if his eyes say he won't.
In the morning, we hunt for water, and even though we never say so – the girls.
There is no doubt in my mind that as soon as one of us finds our partner, we'll ditch each other – maybe even pull a weapon.
Part of me is happy that Katniss is with Thresh – I know he'll treat her well.
But too well?
Is it crazy to imagine her running off with him? Even though they won't get far in a dark place like this?
Probably.
I can only hope that he had given her medicine like I received. There is now only a slight limp to my walk, getting better with each step. Cato's gotten pretty smug at his healing abilities.
Whatever.
Without the rest of the Careers out numbering me and the constant worry of Katniss – the days drag.
I think it's been three days going on four...I can't tell anymore.
Only one has died since the nest of Trackers fell – Marvel killed her. Glimmer's death has really taken its toll on him.
I can't even imagine his turmoil...
Nor do I ever want to find out.
Cato's nice.
He's aggressive. But nice.
He really likes to talk sports – something I'm not particularly into. I've never played football before, but after his gory, vivid, descriptions, I don't think I ever will.
Clove had been a gymnast back in 2.
A good one – tiny and fast – not surprising to me.
I'd hate to see her fight when she wasn't dehydrated. I can only imagine she's found water considering she's not dead yet.
Cato doesn't stop talking about her – it seems to put him at ease.
So I let him talk, and I listen.
On the fourth morning, when I feel slightly ill – I don't think I've fully recovered from the venom, and sitting against the log of this oak trying to catch my breath in a daze, I don't think I ever will – is when I hear the announcement that changes things.
It's that Gamemaker guy – Pultrach? Plutsy? Plucky? My brain is too fuzzy to remember.
But his words sink through.
"Congratulations to the remaining tributes. There has been a slight rule change. Two tributes may now be crowned victor if from the same district. We wish you luck. May the odds be ever in your favor."
Thanks for reading! I know it sucked! But hey, when you're not getting enough sleep or down time – this stuff just sort of happens! :(
I like reviews...You can be brutal if you want. I just need something to push me for the next chapter.
Katniss should be back very soon...Heehee
161 reviews! Thank you everyone!
-Katie
