Okay, I would just like to start off this chapter by saying how thankful I am to have amazing people reading my story. I am so thankful that you guys review, favorite and follow my story. Also, if you guys have any questions at all about the story, or any comments or concerns, just review, and I promise that I will post my answer to you all in the following chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Hunger Games or any of the characters.
Cato POV:
I stare at the blank screen, feeling the huge lump in my throat, and sensing the tears that will soon follow. The courage she has to announce to us that there will be a bombing. She obviously cares for my safety more than her own to take that risk. That is one of the reasons why I love her. But I still cannot stop the feeling that I am helpless. I really am. My Clove is calling for me, and I can't do anything but watch her get shot in the shoulder. The lights turn on, temporarily blinding me.
"We have all witnessed Clove and Annie," President Alma Coin starts, "she was very brave to announce the bombing to us, and with that we owe her."
"We have to rescue them," I stand and speak out over the silence. Everyone turns my way, I look at Finnick, silently asking him to back me up.
"I agree with Cato," Finnick says, standing up with me, looking at the President. She looks thoughtful for a moment, but then begins speaking.
"I agree, we should rescue the rebel who were captured by the Capital, however it is too dangerous. Now, the Capital will be on full watch for any suspicious activity caused by the rebels. Going in there now is a suicide mission," the President says, looking at me, almost forcing me to back down, but I won't.
"No, we need to rescue the Clove, Annie, and whoever else the Capital captured. Just now they showed their loyalty to the rebellion, so we have to save them," I say, looking fiercely at Coin. She almost looks shocked, as if no one has ever disagreed with her.
"It is too dangerous Cato," she says.
"It can't be, I'll do anything you want me to, as long as we can rescue them," I say, staring into her piercing eyes to show that I am serious.
"And what can you offer me, Cato?" she scoffs.
"I will personally volunteer to join the rescue team," I say.
"Cato, they may be dead right now, after those bullets in her shoulder, it'll be a miracle if she doesn't die of blood loss," she says, a hint of sorrow in her eyes.
"No, they are not dead!" I raise my voice, my anger getting out of hand. I close my eyes and images flood through my of Clove dead on the floor, with the bloody baby laying next to her, dead as well. I clench the edge of the table to calm down and to prevent any actions that I may regret.
"Cato it is far too risky, but if you can find a team that will volunteer for the mission, we can talk about it more. But now Clove has sent us valuable information, so we must act immediately," Coin says, telling her guards to start an evacuation to the emergency tunnels. Just a few seconds later, flashing red lights and a siren fills the falls of District 13. I follow the group outside of the Communication Room and follow the flashing arrows, farther down into District 13. As I walk farther, I feel colder. Surprisingly enough, all the citizens are walking in an orderly fashion towards the underground shelter, not pushing or shoving. I follow their example and open up the door, letting everyone enter. Once everyone is inside, I close the door and look around. Surrounding me are many bunk beds lined across the big room. I look around, above the beds, there are names. It seems as though most of the citizens walk towards their assigned spot as if this was a normal procedure. I look around for my name until I find a bunk bed on the far end. I look up at the person I'm sharing it with, Finnick Odair. I look around and watch as people walk towards the back end of the huge room towards a table. I follow them and on the table I see bags, each bag labeled with a different bunk bed. I look over and grab my number, 15. I walk over towards the bed and look through the things. Food, blankets, pillows, toothbrushes, water, ect. I evenly distribute all the supplies and leave half on my bed and half on Finnick's. Suddenly, a huge explosion wracks the room. I grab onto the metal of the bed so I won't fall. I lay down on the bed and try to relax as I hear explosions ring outside these concrete walls.
Clove POV:
After being shot blackness comes into my vision as I am dragged towards my cell. I fade in and out of consciousness, and finally pass out when I am dropped on the concrete floor of the cell I share with Johanna and Annie. I wake up again to hear some sobs and quiet talking. I groan when the pain comes flooding back. I weakly open my eyes to see Johanna and Annie looking down at me, looks of sorrow on their faces.
"What happened Clove?" Johanna asks, looking at my body.
"I went off the notecards the Capital gave me and I told the rebels to keep fighting and that they were going to be bombed," I say weakly, my throat dry. Annie immediately hears the dryness of my voice and runs to get my water. I thank her and take big gulps to sooth my throat.
"Clove do you remember what else happened?" Annie asks in a quiet voice.
"The peacekeepers starting beating me up," I say, starting to remember, then it dawned on me, "they shot me!"
"Yes they did, but Annie could identify it," Johanna says, I look at her confused.
"Identify?"
"Back in District 4, me and Finnick were together in his house, when suddenly a burglar came in through the window and threatened to kill us unless we gave his what he wanted, money. Finnick refused and tried to talk sense into him, but there was no use. When the burglar tried to hurt me, Finnick grabbed a gun that he was hiding and shot him. He was shocked, but learned that the bullets cause a lot of blood loss and agony, but they do not kill. However, luckily for you if you were shot with one or two more you could have died," Annie says.
"Yeah, good for me," I say sarcastically. Johanna gives me a look and I quickly shut up.
"We've been trying to fix you all night," Johanna says.
"And? Did you?" I ask.
"Yes and no. The shoulder will have to heal on its own, but we've cleaned out most of it," she says.
"And the baby?" I ask fearfully.
"The baby's fine. But you had us so scared Clove. They dragged you in here and when Annie took your pulse, there was nothing. She worked on CPR for a full whole minutes until you finally surfaced," she says.
"Well thank you," I say genuinely. They just nod, changing my bandages. All of a sudden I feel a sharp pain in my abdomen. I let out a gasp, and put my hand where the pain is. Johanna and Annie shared a look and immediately tried to locate the source of the pain.
"Where does it hurt?" Johanna asked.
"I'm fine, it doesn't hurt anymore," I say. All of a sudden, a painful cramp radiated from my stomach to my back. I sucked in a deep breath and tried not to scream.
"Clove where does it hurt?" Johanna asks again, more frantically.
"Johanna, I think she's in labor," Annie says, looking nervous. Johanna looks at me, all of a sudden I feel a wetness leak into my underwear. I paled.
"My water broke," I informed them. Then another wave of pain erupted, making me double over, clenching my teeth. Johanna and Annie got into full serious mode.
"Clove lay down and try to relax," Annie says soothingly, getting me to lie down on the ground, making me spread my legs. Annie pulled off my underwear to see how far dilated I was.
"You're 3 centimeters dilated," Annie says in-between my legs, then gets up to go get some water. Suddenly, agonizing pain fills me and I let out a scream. I feel sweat on my forehead.
"How do you know how to do this?" I hear Johanna ask Annie.
"Back in District 4, I helped my mother deliver babies, she was trained as a doctor," Annie quickly explains, ripping some of her shirt, dipping it in water, and putting it on my forehead. "Clove how far along are you?" Annie asks.
"I don't know, me and Cato didn't count," I say through gritted teeth. I wish Cato were here for the birth of his first child, I need his support. But I hope he's in a better place than I am right now. Annie checks me again, "6 centimeters dilated, you're more than half way there, you're child will be born in no time," she gives me a reassuring smile. But I can't return it, I'm in too much pain. I close my eyes and tears fall, but not just for the pain, but for the knowledge that Cato isn't here. He may even think that I'm dead.
"Clove, you need to relax," Annie notices that I'm crying, "being tense and stressed will not help you or the baby."
"Clove, I know you want Cato here," Johanna says, pushing some sweaty hair out of my face, "but do this for him." I concentrate on those words, do this for him. He'll be overjoyed that he'll have a son or daughter.
"Clove, you need to start pushing," Annie says, readying herself in between my legs. I'm exhausted and trembling. "On three you push, okay?" I nod, "One, two, three!" I scream in agony as I push. I grab Johanna's hand and squeeze it really hard. "Again, one two three!" I push again, and again and again. I'm starting to feel light headed.
"Annie?" I ask, after pushing for what seems like eternity, I look over to her. She looks up at me.
"Yeah?" she asks, readying herself for another push.
"I can't do this," I say, wet tears on my face.
"Yes you can, you're strong," Annie encourages, "Now push!" I scream again and again and again.
"Johanna!" Annie yells. Johanna is by her side at an instant.
"Yeah?"
"She's bleeding," Annie says. I lift my head up a little to see, but Johanna pushes me down. The pain is overwhelming me, I feel like I'm on fire.
"Push!" Annie yells. I scream and push.
"She's crowning!" Annie yells with enthusiasm, "Push!" I scream again, "I can see the head! One more push and the head is out." I push again.
"Good, now relax, the head is out. Okay, on three. One, two, three!" I scream and push as hard as I can despite all the energy I lost already. A sound of crying fills the air, and my eyes fill with tears. I lift up my head weakly to see Annie cutting the umbilical cord. She wraps my baby in a clean shirt and cleans the baby as best as she can.
"It's a boy!" Annie cheers, looking down at the baby.
"Can I hold him?" I ask. Annie nods and hands her Cato's and my child. I look down at the child's blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. He's an exact replica of Cato. Except he has my nose and some freckles and my lips. He's a perfect combination of us two. I look down lovingly at my baby.
"Hi Stephan Ludwig," I coo, playing with his tiny toes, he giggles looking up at me with total admiration, "I love you so much, and your daddy loves you so much," I smile as one of my tears splashes on his clothes. My beautiful baby boy, now all I need is Cato to come.
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