Wow. This has taken a long time to start back up again. Thanks for sticking with me, through hilarious moments, to powerful statements, to those embarrassing typo's. It has taken incredible epiphanies, long working hours, and stressful breakdowns to keep going. Once again, thank you for the support.

Never give up.

Part 2

Cato's Point of View

I wait.

Loosing all knowing of time, my inner being slowly decomposes in itself until I can only think of her. The last note's parchment still crinkles in my finger tips when upon the rare occasion I choose to flex them. I seems to sing a familiar tune, one I have long since forgotten. Of fear, of strength, of believing.

But I have stopped believing. Little by little, it has slipped from me. She won't come back. I have tried for hours, days, years maybe, rotting away in the room I was left in. Cables, crashed systems, electrical outlets. A smell of hope and loss settles over in an eerie fog.

I have attempted to move too, but that appears to be gone as well.

Everything lost in a haze, as I am but a lost soul in a dark place.

Amidst the forever thoughtlessness, something tugs at me.

Cato.

What?

No. It's not her. She has abandon in me for so long. Too long to even remember.

Wake up.

Now, I shrug out of my mood and sit a bit straighter. It feels odd just propping myself up.

Let her guide you.

Yes, it is that sweet voice, ringing with pleasure. But it sounds off. Like a pleasant blue bird chirping in an ominous field of ravens. Something is different. Wrong.

I feel weight suddenly rest on my shoulder. A hand. In a quick jerk, I snap around and see the girl. Bright blonde waves cascading to her shoulders, green eyes lined in thick black khol. A diamond pendant dangles from her neck.

"Glimmer?"

My voice. It's like a croak, being the first time to use it in an eternity. She shakes a strand of hair behind her ear. "Cato, no time to explain. Get up."

I grunt and flop back down. There's no use. She's just a hallucination, like all the others.

Glimmer sighs. "Caf said you would be stubborn."

Caf. Tight golden brown ringlets. Shining blue eyes that lit at every word. Graceful movements, every flick of the finger sprinkled with charm. "What about Caf?"

She reaches into her pocket. "Well, first, you might want to take a look at this."

How to Wake Up

1.) Whatever you do, don't leave Glimmer. Just don't.

2.) This isn't your realm. You're still with the stupid Monitors. Shake off some of the grief by taking Glimmer by the hands and dancing in circles.

3.) When she insists that's not in the note while awkwardly swaying, take a tighter grip and refuse to let go.

4.) You have to believe. It will be harder, I understand, but Glimmer will help. Teleport back to the Capitol.

5.) Avoid lunatics on the streets. Resist Glimmer from dragging you into a flashy shop for two hours.

6.) Remember the last hotel we stayed at? Go there. Hanging from the top of the tower is a neon sign with a parakeet. Don't ask, I have no clue either.

7.) Ask the desk attendant for a set of keys to room 1337. He will give them to you, don't worry. Decline his offer of a free soap bar, trust me.

8.) Head up to the 13th floor and reach the room.

-Caf

I shudder, gazing up at the tall red door before me. So much tension surges between Glimmer and I, she decides to chop it up. "I still think we should have taken that soap. It smelt pretty."

With the shake of my head and a bit of new found courage, we enter.

Just like before. Pea green accents of color, chrome utilities, sheer white furniture. Glimmer whips around and admires the sofa. "Oh my gosh! Look at this leather! It must be so expensive..." She mindlessly strokes the arm.

"Where is she?"

She's not anywhere. I slump in my posture. Barley, a little tug grabs me, almost dragging me back into my illusions of hopelessness. But then I hear the moan.

It's very discreet, you could have missed it if just one was talking. The two of us walk towards the bedroom.

A girl lies eagle-spread on the mattress. She has drained, pale skin, with dark shadows lining under her murky navy eyes. Messily tangled hair stretches over the sheets. Her stare meets mine, and I hold on to it.

Caf.