Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck so sorry for not updating! The past 12days have been the most depressing days of my life, that's why this update is so late, so so so sorry. this would have been up later but a certain someones stole my lap top from me for four days :(
Also my modern day AU will be published AFTER I'm completely finished with this story. So vote! If you tell me in a review you want me to do my AU I won't be sure it you voted or not. So please vote! Also I have bits and pieces of it already written out... Plus it'll be way better than this story, I have tons of awesome ideas already :) (Well they're awesome to me)
Thank you to my reviewers, you guys have no idea how much it means to me. Like really, taking a minute out of the 1440 you have in a day just for me, means a lot.
I make my way down to the training center slowly. The Games have ended, therefore training has started up again, and I know without a doubt that we'll be working longer and harder then ever.
Last week Cato informed me that the winner was from District seven. I laughed, thinking it was a joke, only to find out it wasn't.
How could District seven beat us?
Maybe if you had a back bone you could have watched the Games and found out for yourself. My less noble side sneers at me.
I grumble in annoyance. Why the hell was I so scared? I curl my lips up in disgust at the thought. I was not scared. I just felt unsafe. Somehow I can't convince myself to believe my own lie.
I shake my head to clear my jumble thoughts before turning down the road that leads to the Career Academy.
I briefly wonder if Cato will remember it's my birthday but I quickly decide he won't. I told him last week, I doubt he'll be waiting at the doors of the training center to say happy birthday.
It's for the best, really. The last thing I want is for him to spend his money on me. I debate this as I walk up the concrete steps that lead to the titanium doors of the Academy.
...
I swing open the door to find everyone standing in a small circle in the center of the training room while one of the trainers begins gesturing to something out of my view.
I quickly walk over to the group and find my place in the back next to Cato.
We exchange brief smiles before turning our attention back on the trainer.
"Now as I was saying, Glimmer has an announcement." He says while gesturing to her once more.
Oh, this is gonna be good. I think.
She smiles seductively at him and bats her fake eyelashes.
"I just wanted to let everyone know I'm moving to District one." She says in her high pitched voice.
"WHOOO!" I say loudly and I pump my fist in my surprise victory.
Everyone turns around to face me and I quickly slap a hand over my mouth.
"I mean, awwwww." I say sadly.
Glimmer clicks her tongue in annoyance. "Be happy now Clove because when I get reaped in District one, I am going to win." She says, acting as if she's better than me.
I try to hold in the laughter that threatens to over take me but it's impossible. I burst out laughing and grip Cato's arm for support.
"You...will...never...win." I say in between snickers.
"I will too!" She says angrily while stamping her foot in protest.
I press my face against Cato's shirt in an attempt to silence my laughter.
"Calm down." He tells me. I hear the slight crack in his own voice indicating he's trying to hold back laughter of his own.
Once I've managed to gain control over myself and silence my laughter I turn to face Glimmer.
"Thanks, I need that." I tell her. I'm trying to keep a strait face but I can't stop smiling.
"Well see who's laughing when I get to be in the Games next year." She says curtly.
"I'll be laughing my ass off when you volunteer." I tell her. "You won't last too minutes in the Games."
"I will too!" She yells as she pushes past the others and storms off towards the girls locker room.
"That was the funniest thing I ever heard in my life. When I get reaped in District one I am going to win." I say as I mock her high pitched voice.
Cato chuckles and rolls his eyes.
Our trainer pinches the bridge of his nose and mutters something incomprehensible.
"Someone go get Glimmer." He says tiredly.
A girl with long braids begins walking towards the girls locker room to collect her.
"Anyway, the real reason I called you all here was to let you know we're going to rotate the schedule. Anyone who has not had a chance to work with weights and spears will be doing so today." He says.
"We have exactly three hundred and fifty-two days until the next reaping, let's make them count. We'll be observing you all today to see who the best candidate is for the next reaping." He says while clasping his hands together.
"Now for the groups. I need two lines. Girls on one side boys on the other."
Everyone quickly scrambles to get in the proper place.
I take a spot in the back. He walks up the middle, clip board in hand, as he calls out names and directs kids to their station. I perk up when he calls out Cato's name. I watch as he sends him to work with weights and spears.
"Clove Williams, you will be working with spears and weights as well." He says.
"You're kidding right?" I ask him. "Do I look like I can pick up weights too you? I can barely open a jar." I say.
A few people laugh.
"Yeah it's real funny till I 'accidentally' throw I knife at you." I say curtly to one of the boys that laughed.
He raises his eyebrows.
"You would think she would be kidding, but no, she's not." Cato says from his station.
He turns his neck to the side to show the boy the scar I carved into his flawless skin.
"Freeze." I say. Cato automatically stops.
"What are you talking about?" He questions in fake confusion.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about." I reply.
"Do I?"
"Enough, the two of you." Our trainer says. "Clove, you haven't worked with weights or spears since our last rotation. In order to maintain our position as second place in the rank of top Academies through out Panem, all Careers must complete each exercise." He says a matter-of-factly.
"God, did you mesmerize the fucking hand book?" I ask him.
His face falls a little. "Actually, I did. But that's not the point, the point is you have to be skilled in all areas of battle, not just knives. Now get to work."
...
I drag my feet as I head over to the weight lifting station. When I've reach the table that holds an assortment of different sized weights I try to pick one up, but it won't budge.
"What the hell." I mutter. I can't even lift a ten pound weight. Perfect.
This time I try using both hands to lift it, but still, no luck. I muster up all my strength and I feel it give slightly when suddenly I feel as if all the weight has disappeared, and I hold it in my hand as if it weighs nothing.
"Yay." I say quietly. I hear a chuckle and I whip my head around to see Cato holding the other end of the weight.
"Seriously?" I question. "You got me all excited for nothing." I say with a pout.
"You weren't kidding when you said you could barely open a jar, were you?" He says with a smirk.
I shake my head. "I'm only good with knives, Cato." I tell him.
"You probably know fifty different ways to kill me, don't you Clover?" He asks me.
I nod. "Yes, but I only know about three that would be quick." I tell him.
He smiles at me, a truly terrifying smile, one that would make anyone else run with fear. But for me, it makes me smile in return, a sick, blood thirst smile.
"You look crazy right now." He tells me.
"Is that a bad thing?" I ask him softly while cocking my head to the side.
He shakes his head. "Not in the slightest." He answers.
"Good." I say while releasing my grip on the weight. Cato places it back on the rack and turns to face me. He stares at me for a moment as if he's trying to form a proper sentence.
"I'll be right back." He says quickly.
He leaves me standing there in complete confusion as I watch him walk out of the training room and head towards the cafeteria.
"What the...?" I say to myself. I try to think of a reason he would leave in the middle of training, but I can't come up with anything.
He returns a few minutes later holding an apple. "Why the hell do have an apple?" I ask him.
"You'll see." He answers. "Stand in front of the target." He tells me. I give him a confused look, but listen.
He walks over to me and places the apple on my head. My eyes widen in realization.
"No fucking way." I tell him.
"I never miss." he says as he balances the apple on my head.
"You're nuts." I tell him.
His lips twitch slightly as if he's trying to hold back a smile.
"Am I?" He questions.
"Yes. You are certifiably insane." I tell him firmly.
"Hmmm, if you say so."
He walks away and for a second I think he's changed his mind. I'm about to lift my arm to remove the apple from my head when he grabs a spear faster then I can blink and throws it.
My body automatically tenses up as the spear comes whizzing at me. I try to squeeze my eyes shut but I can't. I'm literally frozen with fear. I hear a quite 'thump' and I hesitantly look up to see the spear pierced through the apple, mere centimeters above my head.
I breathe a sigh of relief.
"I told you I never miss." He says.
"Cato, can you please refrain from throwing spears at your girlfriend." Our trainer says dryly.
"But it's fun!" He whines.
"Sorry, but I don't want to get sued." He says.
"If I'm going to sue anyone, it's gonna be him." I say as I point a finger at Cato.
He scowls at me.
"What?" I say defensively.
"You would sue me?" He asks.
"I wouldn't be alive to sue you." I tell him.
He shakes his head. "Maybe, it would depend on where I hit you."
A glint of something takes my attention off him. After a moment I realize it's the sunlight reflecting off one of the knives.
My eyes flicker to the knife station and then to Cato.
A smile slowly spreads itself across my face.
"Your turn." I tell him.
"What?"
"I said it's your turn." I say as I walk past him and head over to the knife table.
"That was the last apple." He calls out.
I scoff. "I don't need an apple." I tell him.
When I reach the knife station I collect about seven knives and walk back over to Cato.
"Stand in front of the wall." I tell him.
"Why?"
"You threw a spear at my face." I say.
"Technically I thew a spear at an apple." He corrects.
"Whatever, it's my turn."
"No way." He says.
He walks over to weights and reaches to pick one up, completly Igroring the fact that I have a handful of knives. I take out my first knife and get ready to throw.
"Don't move." I say in a sing song voice.
He looks up just in time to see me take my aim and throw. I watch as the knife cuts through the air and embeds itself in the wall about two inches from Cato's neck.
His jaw drops in shock as I stare smugly at him.
"CLOVE!"
I turn towards the voice of my trainer and see him clenching his jaw in anger.
"Just because Cato threw a spear at your face doesn't mean you can start throwing knives at him!" He yells. "You're not even supposed to be working with knives today!" He says as he dramatically throws his arms in the air. "Put them back."
I start to turn around like I'm going to walk away but I quickly turn back to face Cato and throw the rest of my knives, one after the other.
His face is one of complete shock as knife after knife lands inches from his face and neck.
"Clove I told you no!" My trainer yells.
"Shit. I did I not see that coming." Cato says breathlessly. He claps his hands genuinely in applause.
I laugh and take a formal bow.
"Clove, we just had that wall painted!" My trainer says irately.
"So?"
"Now it has about eight knives stuck in it."
I shrug.
"At least I didn't kill him." I say.
"I knew you weren't going to kill me, you never miss." Cato interjects as he begins pulling the knives out of the wall.
"Well, there's a first time for everything." I say.
"Uhhg, you know what, training ends soon anyway, why don't you guys take the rest of the day off?" Our trainer suggest.
"You just want us to leave." I say.
"Yes, I do. The quicker the better actually." He says.
Cato shrugs and drops the knives to the floor.
"That's cool, I was getting tired anyway." He says.
He walks over to me and takes my hand.
"Later." He calls out over his shoulder as we head to the door.
We walk in silence, as usual. The road is newly paved and the smell of tar is thick in the air. Cato opens his mouth to say something but the sound of someone screaming silences him.
I know that scream. It haunts me almost every day.
Without a second thought I hop over the metal railing on the side of the road and begin running down the small dirt slope that leads to a thick forest, the one that occupies almost every side road in District two.
"Clove!" I hear Cato shout after me. I don't even bother to turn round as I sprint though the dense underbrush.
I hear it again. An Earth shattering cry for mercy. I force myself to run faster now, ignoring the pain I feel when I snag my arm on a sharp branch.
"Clove!" His voice is closer now but I don't care. I have one sole purpose at the moment. Locate the sound of my mother's screams.
Maybe I've finally gone crazy after all. I think. It could all just be in my head...
No. I don't have time to debate this, I need to find out where the hell it's coming from.
I run a full speed, the greenery whips pass me in a blur as I hear another high pitched shriek that echos through out the small wood.
I reach a clearing and come to a halt. I whip my head back and forth to locate whoever or what ever is behind this.
A small bird flies over me, a Mockingjay.
It mimics her cries once more, and that's when I snap. I bend down and pick up a fairly decent sized rock and chuck it at the bird.
The Mockingjay is mid-cry when the rock makes contact with it's small body. It falls to the ground with a quite 'thump'.
I'm breathing heavily as I walk over to the small bird and kneel beside it. The rock I threw rest next to the body of the lifeless bird. I pick up the stone and and shift it from hand to hand before bringing it down on the small skull of the Mockingjay.
I know it's pointless but it makes me feel better. I repeat the action over and over again till all the remains of the bird is a bloody pulp.
I carefully lay down on my side and curl up into a small ball on the cold Earth. My eyes flutter shut as I process everything that happened.
It wasn't her. How could it be? She's gone, I knew that. But how is it that four years later this Mockingjay remembers her screams?
I hear a twig snap but I don't bother to look up. I know it's Cato.
His foot steps draw closer and they momentarily stop, telling me he sees the small carcass of the bird.
I feel him lean over me and I'm tempted to open my eyes but I know if I do they might over flow with tears.
He sighs and I feel his strong arms scoop me up. I cling to the fabric of his shirt as I sniffle quietly. He shifts me in his arms so I'm facing his chest and begins walking in what I assume, is the direction of the main road.
The leaves crunch beneath his feet as he carries me. I let my body relax as I listen to the steady beat of his heart. Bump bump bump bump bump. It's strong, just like him. I let the rhythmic sound lull me into semi-unconsciousness where I'm aware of what's happening but just too emotionally exhausted to keep my eyes open.
"Clover?" He questions.
I don't respond.
"You scared me when you ran like that." He says.
I highly doubt that. I think.
"Why did you kill that bird?" He asks me softly. "It was a Mockingjay, right?"
By now he must know I'm not going to answer him but he continues talking anyway.
"Who did that scream belong to Clover?" He asks me.
He waits a few seconds for me to respond, which of course I don't.
"I know you're not going to answer, but I wanted to let you know I have a surprise for you when we get home- I mean when we get to my house." He corrects quickly.
He doesn't say anything else, the silence between us is comforting, almost soothing.
I focus on his heart beat once more and let it take me into a brief sleep.
...
My eyes open slightly as I take in the drive way of Cato's home. He walks up the path to the large oak door and fumbles a little when he tries to open it while holding me at the same time.
He manages to do so and closes the door quietly behind him and carries me over to the sofa. He places me down gently and I reluctantly sit up so he can have some room.
He look at me for a moment before wordlessly getting up and heading down the hall to an unknown location.
He returns about thirty seconds later with his hands behind his back as if he's hiding something.
"I got some thing for you." He says while still down next to me.
I pull my legs up so they're tucked under me and I'm facing him.
"What is it?" I ask him hesitantly.
"You can have it if you tell me why you ran like that."
I think for a moment. "Deal."
"Ok then."
He places a plain brown box on my lap about the size of a small loaf of bread.
"Open it." He tells me.
I carefully lift the lid and remove the thin layer of tissue paper.
My jaw drops with an audible 'pop'.
"Happy Birthday."
I stare at what lays before me. My fingers run over its cold smooth center as delicate as possible, almost to confirm that what rest in front of me is real.
I hold it up to my face and stare at my reflection through the crisp blade. A sinister smile pulls at my lips.
I don't know much about the history of swords or spears or even archery, but I know knives. They've always been a fascination of mine, and I know for a fact that this one is not only rare, but ranked among a high quality of daggers.
I'm not really one for words, I was never that great at verbally expressing myself, so I do the only thing I can think of to say thank you.
I lean in and wrap my arms around his neck while pressing my lips against his. He seems surprised at first, probably because I've never initiated any of our kisses, but he responds non the less.
I feel the familiar hunger claw at the edges of my skin as I deepen the kiss. He wraps his arms around me and pulls me on top of him so I'm straddling his waist. His mouth devours mine as we fight for domiance, a battle in which I quickly loose.
His hands grip my waist tightly, almost painfully, but I don't care. I only focus on him. Like the way his lips move against mine or the quite sounds of satisfaction he makes when I happen to shift on his lap. He leans back slight as if to pull away, but I don't give him the chance. I lean forwards with him until the back of his head hits the arm rest of the sofa.
His lips burn hot against mine as his hands dances across the hem of my shirt.
I suddenly feel self-conscious about myself, which is silly because I never really cared about my looks. But the feeling drives me to break the kiss and sit up.
I remain on his lap as I stare down at him. I wait for him to sit up or tell me to get off him but he remains on his back, looking up at me with out a care in the world.
"Well that was fun." He says.
I look down at my hands which rest in my lap and remain silent.
"Well you got your knife and you got to make out with me, now tell me why you ran." He says.
"First of all, you loved that, and second of all, thank you for the present, I'll be sure to use it." I say.
"You totally just avoid my question."
I look over my shoulder at the front door.
"Don't go." He says softly.
I turn back to look at him.
"I wasn't planning on it."
Do you guys want me to do the next chapter in Cato's POV?
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