Chapter four: King Cato!
Hello to all my readers. Apologies again for this chapter taking a while, with exam season things have been hectic and it took a lot of time to get this chapter just right. Firstly I'd like to dedicate this chapter to several people. Firstly my friend Rosie for being such a great beta reader and helping me make sure I got the voice of the chapter right. Secondly to another close friend,Catherine (Pen name: Annabelle Carlie) for always being supportive and encouraging me to keep on going, and for setting such a great example as to what a good fanfic should be like. I would also like to dedicate this chapter to Tybee10 who always takes to time to review and who made me realize that I neglected Cato. This is for you :) thanks also to my regular readers who I don't know of. You're the unsung heroes in getting me to finish this. Thanks aside, I hope that this chapter is worth reading as it builds up to the next *giggles* and please carry on reading and reviewing the story.
You're going to do well, aren't you? Dad looked at me with a faint look of disappointment, as he was getting ready to go to work. I still remember that day. The chauffeur arrived in the limousine to drive me to the academy, which was only a short distance away. I still remember what little of the building I could see from the dark windows of the limo… it was like a bright sunlight that pierced the darkness, a beacon of all the gifted and talented in the district. A bright marble foyer, with huge pillars and glass windows greeted me as I walked into the lobby alone.
The lobby had several tiered balconies built with different types of stone that sparkled like jewels. I looked at them trying to work out what stone they had used for some of them; I recognized a few of them from my short time at school. The bottom one was of a red brick that was shiny as rubies, the second one of polished marble that blinded my eyes as I looked like it and so on and so on till the top tier made of granite.
"They represent your classes, you're red brick. The lowest." said a wolfish voice behind me, fierce of my dad. I growled back. How dare someone of a lower class speak like this to me? I was Cato Fornax, Son of Julius Fornax, richest arms merchant in the country. My family had been making swords for generations, my life would always be tinted by the forge. I was Cato, the richest, bred to be the best and if I had to fight to prove it then so be it.
I felt a bad feeling when I saw the kid in the lobby, with his almighty smirk. Most of these rich "career" kids were all bark and no bite but I could tell this one could handle himself already even before the training. He was tall for his age with reddish brown hair, eyes coloured by the forge, and I took an instant dislike to him.
"The lift's there." I pointed it out to him, wondering if he could think for himself before taking the stairs to grab a quick coffee before training my class for the first time. I'd obviously need it. I ran up the multicoloured stairs to the third level with no idea why the capitol architect set it out like this. The staff room was two floors away from the first years' floor and ages away from the underground floors. All flash and no fury, these capitol fuckers. At least I was keeping in shape along with the usual two hundred press ups a night and machete practice after work. I opened the door to the staff room.
Nothing luxury or impractical here, just plain practical chairs, wooden desks and a coffee machine. The one luxury we allowed ourselves, I pulled a water from the trusty green rucksack I took to work, sipping at it. "Water, so the rumours must be true. "I don't like coffee," I said bluntly, too anxious about that kid… no, that's not the right word. Concerned maybe? Well too something to talk to him.
I glanced at him from my chair. I saw a young man lingering before me, straight as a birch tree. He was muscular and had woody blond hair and blue eyes, which was uncommon in our district. I assumed he must have been one of the rare peacekeepers recruited from outside. Therefore I must assume also that he was strong too. A smile appeared on his face, straight as a branch as he saw my expression. "I saw you in the hallway. Did you know that was the son of Julius Fornax, the wealthiest arms merchant in Panem and our main supplier? I'd be careful around him." My eyebrows rose unconsciously as they did before a hunt. This boy would definitely be trouble.
6 months later
The boy looked at the crown in his hands. The thing he had worked months for. The gold plated metal in his hands felt warm as like a bubbling feeling inside him...barely any blood on it. He looked at the girl beside him,her smile serene as long nights sat under the stars. The devil he made a deal with to team up and win whatever the cost. Especially if it meant throwing the other girl under the train so to speak. A wave of pride flooded his system, making him feel even cockier about his position. After all King Cato had a nice ring to it. Especially for an eight year old. However there was something inside..something he had never felt before. Something that made him want to throw the crown away. Guilt...
Song for King Cato: Tainted love (Marilyn manson)
Stories to read: The mockingjay killed my father by Annabelle Carlie