Authors Note: Right so heres chapter five! I'd just like to thank all my readers for sticking with the story and giving me feedback. Also in answer to Erinlia's review I am planning on using the same ending for Cato and Glimmer as is in the original, mainly because it's what I had planned when I started writing it and I don't think theres anyway I could change it now, although I will be writing more hunger games fanfics in the future, when this ones finished. Please review so I know if you have enjoyed the story because theres probably only going to be one or two chapters after this. As always, thanks for reading and enjoy!
Glimmer awoke to the sound of a scream in the far off distance. Almost immediately the face of the tribute she had killed last night flashed through her mind, adding to the chill of the already cold day. Even the tent didn't seem to provide much protection from the harsh climate of the arena.
Sitting up she looked around to find that there was only herself and Cato still inside the tent, and began to become aware of Marvel and Clove's voices outside. Slipping out of her sleeping bag she began to crawl over to Cato, who was facing away from her. As she drew nearer she realised that he was still asleep. For a few minutes she sat watching him, allowing her mind to daydream about all the things they could do if only they could be together.
Then as if her hand had developed a mind of its own, she reached out tentatively and hovered her slim fingers over his cheek, wondering if she dared to touch him. After a few moments she shied away and dug her hand into her pocket. Once there her hand wrapped around a small object that it then pulled out.
For a few moments Glimmer twisted the thin silver ring around in her fingers, her eyes fixated on the small blue sapphire in the middle. Her mother's engagement ring. Yet another thing she would now never experience. Marriage. Suddenly she felt her eyes move over to Cato and the ring become heavy in her hand.
She opened her mouth to begin to speak, before remembering where she was. What she had to say was for Cato only, not the Capital audience, they wouldn't understand anyway. Silently Glimmer clenched her hand into a fist allowing the ring to dig painfully into her palm. It was then she placed her other hand on top of Cato's and rested it there for a moment.
Knowing it was crazy before she even started; she lent into Cato and rested her head lightly on his shoulder. I promise that we will be together someday, that now is not the end for us, it's the beginning. I will die and you will win The Hunger Games. You will win it and go on to live for both of us. I will never leave you though, not really, I will always be right beside you, waiting until we can finally be together; but this time death won't separate us. Now is not the end for us, just-
"Don't leave me," Glimmer whispered the last part, so quietly it was barely audible. She then silently slid the ring out of her hand and into Cato's pocket. Suddenly she felt an arm slid around her waist.
"Never," Cato murmured, his mouth nestled in the top of Glimmer's hair. Glimmer felt her cheeks begin to turn bright red. She hadn't planned for Cato to wake up, and now he had, she didn't have any idea what to do. Nervously she tried to fix her hair, knowing she probably looked terrible, since she had only just woken up.
"You look beautiful," Cato suddenly said, as if reading her mind.
"You're looking pretty hot yourself," Glimmer said, grinning as she looked up at Cato fighting the urge not to laugh at her use of 'Capital Glimmer.' Cato looked equally amused.
"And there was me thinking that it was too early for that kind of thing, even for you," Cato laughed, whilst raising his eyebrows and trying to look serious.
"Well what can I say? What's a girl supposed to do when being in such close quarters to such a good looking, sexy, handsome-" Cato cut Glimmer off by leaning in and kissing her. He was so glad they were talking again and things were back to normal- well, if you can call it that. It was a somewhat disjointed kiss, for both of them were grinning madly whilst trying to kiss at the same time. In the end they both ended up laying on the floor laughing.
"Erm are you two coming out anytime today?" Suddenly Clove twitched open the tent door, causing both Glimmer and Cato to sit upright and try to put something approaching serious expressions on there faces. Glimmer swallowed back a laugh before beginning to speak.
"Yes, erm… we were just, erm-"
"Coming, we were just coming," Cato cut in to save Glimmer, who was still trying unsuccessfully to suppress a laugh. Clove responded by rolling her eyes and sighing, before going back outside. For a moment both Cato and Glimmer sat staring at each other before bursting out laughing again. After about five minutes Glimmer got up to leave, however as she reached the door she felt Cato's hand wrap around hers and pull her back to him.
Without having to say anything they both leaned in, there lips crashing into each other clumsily. Every second alone counted now, as they were both well aware it could be there last. Glimmer's hands closed around Cato's neck as his arms wrapped around her back. For a few seconds Glimmer gave into the kiss and the cinnamon taste of his lips. Then after a few moments of weakness she forced herself to let go and walk outside, whilst grinning in the way she knew Cato would be, as she strutted out.
After discussing strategies for a while, all four career tributes decided it was best to hunt at night, using the night vision goggles as an advantage. This new plan however meant that they had seven hours of doing nothing to look forward to, before complete darkness fell at around eight.
Needless to say after two hours, the novelty had worn off and everyone was edgy and restless. Things had been too quiet. Just as they were about to assess whether it was a good idea to sit around for so long, a scream erupted from what sounded like a hundred meters away. Immediately Clove jumped up and began to run into the forest, with Cato close behind. Just before she entered it she turned around.
"You two stay here, it might be a diversion," she said tearing off into the forest before anyone could argue. Cato looked around and worriedly fixed his gaze on Glimmer as if asking her if she would be alright.
"She'll be fine, after all she's got me to look after her," Marvel butted in, glaring at Cato. Cato however wouldn't be distracted and continued to look at Glimmer.
"Cato! A little help," Clove's voice called out through the forest. As much as Glimmer didn't want to be left alone with Marvel she nodded her head, knowing that Clove needed help.
"Go," she whispered, feeling her heart sink as Cato sped off into the forest leaving her and Marvel, sat on the fallen tree 'bench,' in the middle of the clearing. For a few minutes the two of them sat in awkward silence, whilst Marvel annoyingly tapped his fingers on the wood. Glimmer chewed on her lip praying that Cato would be back soon.
After a while Glimmer noticed that Marvel was edging annoyingly close to her. She tried to edge further away from him herself but to her dismay she soon ran out of tree.
"Come on Glimmer, you don't have to be like this. I know you like me," Marvel suddenly said, lowering his voice. Glimmer felt herself bite down on her lip even more, as she tried to think of what to say.
"I don't like you. Last night I was too drugged up on painkillers to even think straight, I'm sorry if you got the wrong idea," she gabbled, hoping more than anything that he would just back off and leave her alone.
"Awww well do you know what I think? I think someone's telling fibs," Marvel persisted. Suddenly- before she could reply- Marvel leant forward and planted his lips on hers. Immediately the feel of his lips on hers made Glimmer thrash frantically, trying to break free. Marvel on the other hand simply locked his arms around her waist and continued kissing her.
Glimmer felt anger bubble up inside her as she cursed herself for getting involved with Marvel in the first place. Even though she had no choice she still felt terrible and wasn't going to let it happen again. Channelling all her anger she suddenly found the strength to push forward. Although instead of pushing Marvel off her she lost her balance on and fell backwards off the end of the trunk. She hit the solid ground with a thud as searing pain shot through her wounds from the blood bath. Marvel- who had also apparently lost his balance- fell on top her and instead of finding it painful, acted as if nothing had happened by continuing to kiss her.
"What the hell?" Cato's voice rippled through the clearing and finally caused Marvel to let go of Glimmer and look up. A smug smile crossed his face as he did.
"It's not what it looks like," Glimmer stammered truthfully, before getting up. Cato looked at her for a few moments as a look of pain crossed his face. He then did something he never did. Run away. Turning on his heel he sprinted off into the forest, leaving only the heavy sound of his footsteps in his wake. Glimmer fully aware that it probably wasn't the best idea began to move her legs, rapidly tearing after Cato through the forest.
"Glimmer!" Marvel's voice shouted after her but she didn't even bother turning back. All she could think about was the look on Cato's face and how desperate she was to find him and make things right.
After running relentlessly for two hours Glimmer finally admitted defeat and fell to her knees panting heavily. She stayed like this for what seemed like forever, until her breathing evened out and the pain in her chest reduced. It was only then she felt the hot tears begin to stream down her cheeks as she curled up into a ball and rocked herself gently.
More hours seemed to pass, and soon the fake sun was beginning to set at the edge of the arena. Glimmer had no idea how long she had been on the floor for and wondered about heading back for the camp. Back to what though? There was nothing there for her now.
Suddenly she heard a twig snap and spun around. Her stomach lurched as she saw the face of the female tribute from district nine staring back at her, a smile spread across her lips. Urgently Glimmer stood up and fumbled with her belt. To her horror she found that the knife she had put there earlier had fallen out, leaving her without a weapon.
It could be worse she thought to herself, as she noted that all the girl had herself was a branch, sharpened at one end. No sooner had she thought this did she hear his voice. His rusty, deep voice.
"Good work, I've been wanting to kill this cow ever since I saw her." Glimmer snapped her head around to come face to face with the other tribute from nine. It was then her heart began to pump wildly as she saw the sword in his left hand. Although it wasn't as good as Cato's it was still more than she had. Cato. The one thing keeping her from willingly dieing, well at least until she had made things right with him.
Knowing that she had to act quickly and that she didn't stand a chance in combat against them she turned around and began to run away. To her dismay however the hours she had spent running earlier, had made her slow and an easy target. She only managed about fifty meters until she felt someone right behind her. Realising that running wasn't going to work she quickly turned around and punched the boy in the face, causing his nose to erupt with blood and stalling him for a moment. Woah. She never knew she could do that! The moment of triumph soon passed however as Glimmer felt her hair being pulled back by the female tribute, who had only just caught up.
Glimmer let out a scream as she swung her leg around into the back of the girls knees, causing her to stumble slightly. Unfortunately she hadn't kicked hard enough, and soon the girl had regained her balance.
"I'm going to enjoy this," she said, before tackling Glimmer head on and causing her to smack backwards onto the ground. Glimmer simply let out a groan, as her body made contact with the ground and the boy who had recovered slightly straddled on top of her.
All Glimmer knew now was that she was going to die. I'm sorry Cato, if only you knew.
"I know exactly what you mean. She's not even good at anything; it's obvious the careers just kept her around for a bit of fun. But now I guess even they don't want her, probably because she's so needy, especially around Cato" the boy snarled as he grabbed his sword and raised it above her head. Glimmer felt a familiar feeling wash over her as she accepted that she was going to die.
Looking over the boy's shoulder she focused on a tree, concentrating on the ridges on the trunk. She was fully planning on staying that way, until she heard his voice ripple through the clearing.
"She does need me. But I need her too."