The sound of the spears slicing into the dummies was one he was used to. Typically, it was him throwing them. Now, he watched as Marvel hurled spear after spear into the targets in front of him. Marvel was alright, good aim, strong enough throw to pierce it. But in 2's Academy, he would never be picked to volunteer. The boy in front of him seemed to be nervous at Cato's observance. He probably thought that he was proving his worthiness in the Career pack.
Yeah right, like I give a fuck about who we let in the alliance. I'm more concerned with weather or not you'll be an issue when I have to kill you bud. And so far, I'm not too worried about it.
Cato didn't particularly enjoy this line of thinking, but he had to detach himself if he wanted to save Katniss. He had been trying to talk himself into getting through the games and being who they wanted him to be for a decade, but not it was as important as ever that he was ready to do what he needed to do. One slip up, one moment of hesitation, he could end up like Haymitch. Forced to watch Maysilee die, forced to keep living after all was said and done.
"Hey" A voice came from next to him.
Peeta Mellark was about as tall as he was, maybe a few inches shorter. He had a stocky build, fair skin, blue eyes, and curled blonde hair. His hair was not the icy blonde that Cato's was, but much warmer and softer like the rest of Peeta's appearance. The boy just looked kind, something about his face made you trust him.
He just looks like the kind of boy that would burn bread on purpose to give to a starving girl.
"What do you want 12?" Cato tried to forget what he knew about Peeta, act as impassive as he was expected to.
Did Haymitch and Katniss talk to him?
"If you let me join in on your alliance, I can help you track down Katniss."
What the fuck? Was this real, or was it Haymitch's plan? Why would Haymitch plan for Peeta to join the careers, and make the Career's biggest goal to be to find Katniss. Well, Clove and Glimmer would already be looking for her. Everyone would expect me to target her. Maybe me and Peeta are supposed to lead the group on a wild goose chase, completely away from Katniss's direction?
"That's a decent trade. Clove and Glimmer are biting at the bit to take the coal rat down, and he looks like he could be useful." Marvel had stopped throwing, turning towards Peeta now. "What can you do?"
But why would Peeta need to be there? Couldn't he stay and protect Katniss while I lead the Careers away? But, with Clove, Glimmer, and Marvel still alive, ditching them all at once would be difficult, even if I am the leader. I would have to take out at least one or two of them to break the alliance for good. But I would be outnumbered three to one. Even if all three of them are no threat, well, Clove was a decent threat. They would just have too much manpower on their hands. With both me and Peeta, I could take out Clove while he handles those other two dipshits. He's strong, he can take them. This has to be what Haymitch has planning.
"Do you have any useful skills?" Cato asked him.
"I'm strong, good to hand-to-hand, I'm decent with a knife, and I know how to set snares and camouflage."
"What do you have against your district partner? Pissed she is stealing the spotlight?" Cato asked, giving Peeta a knowing look.
The boy nodding slightly, silently understanding Cato and agreeing to go along with this ruse.
"Well, I was on fire too." He answered, morphing his face to look angry. It wasn't that convincing.
"How do we know you're not trying to double-team us?" Marvel asked, both him and Peeta snapped their heads towards the boy.
Huh, maybe Marvel isn't such an idiot after all.
"Don't be fucking stupid Marvel, Peeta here knows better than to cross us." Clove appeared out of nowhere, slinking up behind Peeta and twisting her throwing blades around her hand.
"Exactly. He'd never do something to put a target on his back without needing to, after all… why would he team up with the 'girl on fire'? She's nothing special." It seemed that Glimmer had found her way over as well, sliding her hand across Cato's back as she walked past.
Literally nauseating.
"Show him how to throw spears Marvel, I'm going over to the swords." Cato gave his approval and nodded at Peeta before walking away.
Oh look, my shadow is following.
"Glimmer, for the actual love of god, what do you want?" He turned to the girl. She looked shocked, as if he didn't snap at her constant affections and clinginess about 10 times a day.
"I just wanted to watch." She pouted, crossing her arms and sticking out her lip.
"I don't get why you thought that would work now, when it never has before. Go do, literally anything else." He walked away from her.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw big grey eyes watching him. He chanced looking her way for a moment and met her eyes with his. She was angry, looking between him and Glimmer.
Little flame, you being possessive is the best thing I've ever seen.
He smirked at her, earning himself a scowl before she looked away. Just yesterday, he hadn't wanted her to see him with his sword. He had been scared to show her all the disgusting parts of him that hid beneath the surface.
He grabbed a heavy blade, long, straight, and sharp. Stepping onto the platform with the dummies, he let his eyes focus and his shoulders pin back for drive.
But now she knows everything. She knows about all of it, and still she wiped your tears and relaxed in your arms.
The first slice was always the worst, he felt her eyes burning on him. He could always feel it whenever she looked at him.
Its okay Katniss. Remember what I told you.