Finals done and school is out! Yay! Make sure to read to the end

After packing up a backpack full of everything I can savor out of the pile, I head off toward the river bank, back towards the rocks Marvel told me about. I wasn't sure what happened to Marvel or what he would do when he found both of us were gone, unless Cato decided to stay in the area, which I doubt. I wondered if he would choose to come along with one of us or stay alone. I jog the rest of the way until I reach the water, stooping to fill up any empty canteen with some that I have filtered out. Then, I start walking along the path, trying to find exactly where we found it.

It's getting dark and no doubt the broadcast will soon come up with who has died. I can't wait to see Fire girl's face up there. After that, I should have no problem winning. Lover boy is practically dead anyway, 5 should be no problem, and I can no doubt take down Marvel. My only problems are Cato and Thresh, who are both at least double my size. It would be easier to catch them by surprise, maybe even while they are asleep. Cato will be smart enough to do that though, but Thresh won't. The only thing that will let me get to Cato will be his weak spot. Me.

I almost missed the spot because I was busy thinking about if I had what it took to fully manipulate Cato like that and that yes, yes I really did. After backtracking in my steps, I kneel down and wipe away some more of the paint. It comes off on my fingers and I have to stop and wipe some of it off on a rock. Finally, I have the entire face uncovered. It's Peeta. Peeta was the one to outsmart us all. He's not even close to dead.

I'm lucky he's asleep so he won't see me practically fawning over his work. I run my fingers everywhere, trying to figure out exactly where he ends and real rock becomes, just lightly enough that none of it wipes off. For a moment, the games slip away as I admire his work, but I pull myself back together when he wakes up. I don't know what to say or what to do. I'm stuck in slow motion. At least it's just Peeta who I doubt can even walk.

What am I doing?

I reach into my jacket and cut deeper into where the gash used to be, knowing that it will be worse now. I don't look at him, I just run deep into the woods. I don't know where I'm going. It's chance I don't run into anyone on my way. Finally, I stumble into a cave, breathing heavily even though the running didn't take any effort from me.

I pull myself backwards, deeper into the cave so darkness covers me away from the cameras. It's only then I let the tears fall. I lean my head back against the cave, knowing quite well that the amount of dirt falling on my hair will make me look like a wreck. Why did I even say that I would still come here? Everyone was right. I wasn't ready. I wasn't mature enough to handle myself out here. What even happened back there with Peeta? Why didn't I kill him? He was so close, right there, and then whatever happened happened and I ran away before either of us could utter another word.

I don't even know where to go, where to even start pulling myself up from. I do know that the names are about to flash up onto the sky so I pull myself together and move closer to the edge of the cave. The anthem plays and then the names begin, the first one almost makes me fall off the rock I'm sitting on.

It's Marvel. There he is, up in the sky, looking to both sides with his stupid smirk. The District 1 symbol by his name. Fire Girl, she did this. She killed him. She killed Glimmer too. She will most likely kill me, if she gets the chance, but I won't let her. Seeing him up there fills me with a new energy that I know must be spent. After him, there are no more names but the girl from 11. The arena is getting smaller and smaller. Top six, Clove. Pretty good but not best.

I collect my stuff I left at the back of the cave and start walking. When I can begin to see the wheat fields where Thresh most certainly lies, I turn back, not wanting to confront him right now. I keep walking for a little bit when I hear a crack of a branch behind me, a little to the left. I turn around slowly, pulling open my jacket to get another knife out. Whoever it is doesn't know I'm here. I could kill again. Maybe it's fire girl. Maybe's it's 5. Maybe Thresh came out of his hiding spot. But, it's none of them. It's Cato. When he sees me, his face lights up for a moment before going back to his evil glare. I run to him, pulling him into the tightest hug ever. He does nothing for a moment, before pulling me closer and running a hand over my hair.

"I'm so sorry. I need you, Cato. I should never have left you, but I just didn't know what to do, it was the only thing I know how to do, and you are the only one left now…" I ramble on, tears burning at my eyes, but I don't let them show. He gently presses his lips to my temple to comfort me.

"We will take care of this, let's just find somewhere to camp out tonight," he tells me. I nod.

"I found a cave. We can stay there," I offer. He nods in agreement and follows me off to the cave, which I had named the breakdown cave. We both sit on the same side of the dark cave because we didn't dare to light a fire.

"In case I never get the chance to tell you this," Cato begins, bringing my hand up to his mouth and kissing each finger, "I love you so much, Clove." I never expected to hear this, especially not now. But I know what I'm doing somehow.

"I love you too, Cato," I tell him and I mean it. I pull myself to him, brushing my lips against his. He only lets me pull back for a minute before we are back to kissing, my hands running through his hair, his hands sliding from around my waist up my back. He moves down my neck and I run my hands down his arms. We both pull away at the same time, hand in hand, tingling all over.

I think I might have a new name for this cave.

We only have TWO more chapters left of Clove's life! I don't have an official end date yet, but it will be over by the end of June :( I've loved writing Clove's point of view so much and I hope that I did her justice. I have a poll on my profile that you all should vote on if you are interested in seeing AU chapters if Clove and Cato won. Also, make sure to go follow my blog .com and my Twitter mrockstar53! Thanks for reading and make sure to review!