Chapter 5 – Battle Cry
"YOU DID WHAT" yells Bran. Shifting my neutral gaze towards Garner my face shifts into a glare as I shrug "it's not that big of deal, besides, girl on fire deserved it". Closing his eyes Bran takes a deep breath before running his hands over his face. "Go do something else Garner. Zea and I need to chat". Sending a smirk my way Garner turns and leaves the room heading towards his bedroom. I turn my eyes towards Bran to find him already staring at me. "I hope you know you have just put a target on your back. Placed by someone YOU identified as being one of the biggest threats going into these games" states Bran. Sighing I stand up and begin to pace around the table in the living room. What did I do? WHY. Breathe. Taking a breath, I turn towards Bran and announce "you might not like what I did but it got the careers to ask me to join them". Letting out a low whistle Bran clasps his hands on his lap before responding "after the stunt you pulled, I don't think you have a choice. You have one target on your back you don't need another". Nodding my head, I agree. Great more time with Cato I think to myself. I watch from my spot as Bran stands "let the careers know you will join them at training tomorrow, I need to go check in on Garner". As Bran walks about of the living room following Garners earlier path, I hear him murmur under his breath "looks like we have a real chance this year". Smirking I think to myself, he has no idea what is about to happen.
Leaning my small head against the door I can hear mommy and dad yelling at each other. "She is too young, you WILL NOT TRAIN HER" I hear mommy yell, dad speaks too low for me to hear. Pushing my ear against the door I hear mommy gasp then a thud and everything goes silent. Turning back towards my bed I grab my blankie and make my way out of my room. Standing at the top of stairs holding my worn out yellow blankie to my chest I glance down into the living room. What I see brings tears down my face and my voice gets stuck in my throat and my breath is sucked out of my chest. Dad is standing over mommy's body with blood all over his right hand which is holding a knife. Sinking to my knees I think it looks like she is sleeping. Taking notice of my small form, dad starts to laugh then points the knife towards me "This is a warning that I am in charge and you will do what I say. If you tell anyone what happened, you will be next girl, understand?" I frantically nod my head and the moment my father walks towards the kitchen I stand and run down the stairs towards mommy. I kiss her forehead and tell her I love her before covering her with my blankie. Suddenly, I feel something hit the back of my head as my father laughs and my vision turns to black.
I miss you already mommy.
Jolting my eyes open I gasp for breath as though I had been holding my breath. Sitting up in my bed I swing my legs over the side and rest my elbows on my knees and my face in my hands as I cry. Breathe. You are okay. It's just a memory. I can't hurt you anymore. Breath, just breathe. Finally taking a deep breath I stand and glance at the clock in my room, 2am. Walking towards the door of my room I make sure to grab a sweater and slip on my combat boots. As I exit my room one thought enters my mind, the roof. With my decision made I enter the elevator and press the button for the roof. As the elevator rises, I rest the back of my head against the wall of the elevator and take several deep breaths before it comes to a stop. Exiting the elevator, I look around at the rooftop. A pool off to the right and a garden with a few large trees to the left. And in the middle some tables and a blonde male leaning against the balcony ledge. Wait what, is that Cato? Run Zea, RUN. Spinning on my heel I frantically slam on the elevator buttons as a voice behind me says "where do you think you are running to golden girl?"
Turning back towards him I raise an eyebrow and tilt my head before replying "well I came to be alone but since that clearly won't be happening, I will be leaving". Stepping towards me he raises his right hand towards me palm up "come on" he states. No. Yes. No. what is happening. WAIT. I reach my own hand forward and place it in his as he curls his fingers around mine before gently leading me towards the balcony ledge. Keeping hold of my hand, Cato rests his other arm on the top of the ledge as he looks out towards the bright lights of the capitol. "Why did you come up here at this time, golden girl?" Cato gently asks. Trying to pull my hand from his I retort "why did you". Sighing me holds my hand tighter and pulls me towards his form as he closes his eyes and whispers "since I won my games, I have gotten nightmares, they are getting better, but being here…. Well, being here has made them worse" staring at his face I take note of the creases around his mouth and eyes as though he is in pain. "I get nightmares too" I whisper in response. Opening his eyes Cato nods then pulls me closer wrapping one arm around my waist and the other releases my wrist and comes to rest on the back of my neck tilting my head towards his. It's at this moment I truly realize how tall Cato is, he dwarfs over me and has to strain his neck as his head comes closer to mine. WAIT WHAT. CLOSER. I start to pull my head away from his. Cato's grip on my neck tightens slightly as his lips meet mine. Gasping into the kissing Cato takes full advantage and deepens the kiss pulling me impossibly close to him. Raising my hands, they come to rest on Cato's shoulders. This can't happen, FIGHT, RUN, BREATHE. Pushing my hands against his chest slightly I gain enough space between our lips and state "I agree to join the careers but don't think too much into it". I feel Cato's smirk as he gently kisses me again before releasing me and grabbing my hand. "Time to get you to bed golden girl, you are going to have a busy day tomorrow". Staring up at Cato in confusion he shakes his head and pulls me towards the elevator. After Cato presses the button to call the elevator he stands in silence with my hand in his as he runs his thumb across the back of my hand. Once the elevator arrives Cato gently pushes me inside as he whispers "try and get some rest golden girl" before he steps back onto the roof and the elevator doors close, taking me back to my rooms.
Stepping into the district 9 apartments I tense, shit. "Off making career friends are you" sneers Garner. Pushing off the wall Garner makes his way towards me with a glare stuck on his face. "Do you have a problem Garner?" I ask with a head tilt. "Here I thought we might work together but I see you. You are nothing but a Capitol whore and I will kill you in the arena" responds Garner. This ends now I think to myself. Stepping into Garner's space I cross my arms across my chest and clench my jaw. "I recommend you back off and mind your own business" walking forward I push my shoulder past him as I confidently state "if you come after me in the arena, I will gut you". Continuing forward I make my way back into my bedroom and try to settle in for the rest of the night.
The next morning, I meet up with the careers in the training room. Standing around each other Cato turns to them and announces that I will be joining the careers. Smirking and showing off her sharpened teeth, Enobaria turns towards me "I guess you will be useful in the bloodbath… If you make it that far" she sneers at me. Raising my eyebrow and tilting my head to the side I allow a smirk to settle onto my face. Before I can respond I hear Cato "well she still has to prove herself in combat. A bow can only do so much if she can't protect herself". Stepping towards me he places his hand on my shoulder and states "time to show us what you are made of golden girl". Turning me toward the sword station Cato gives me a slight shove. He has no idea what is about to happen I think to myself. Walking towards the sword station I grab a mid-weight sword and ask the available trainer to fight me. Taking a deep breath I turn towards the trainer, who has grabbed his own sword, and size him up. At least 6'2'' and bulky. Weight on his right leg, and will strike first. Charging towards me the trainer raises his sword and swings down at me. Bringing my sword up to block him I clench my teeth and widen my stance. Using my free hand, I strike him in the throat and push his sword away with mine. As the trainer coughs, I kick his legs out from under him and pin him on his back. Raising my sword above my head I stab it down into the mat a hair width away from his head. Seeing the flash of panic in his eyes I smirk "if this were real you would be dead by now" I tell him. Getting off him I hear footsteps behind me. "Looks like you need more of a challenge, golden girl, how about you fight me now". Well shit, I think to myself. Nodding towards him I watch the trainer scramble off the mat with wide eyes.
Squaring off with Cato is terrifying. I feel my chest tighten as he glances over me. Breathe, just breathe. Relaxing my shoulders, I shift my weight and allow myself to settle into position. Smirking at me Cato asks "ready for a real fight" all at once my chest loosens and I laugh "are you?" I respond. Swinging our swords towards each other they meet with a clash. Clearly stronger than me, Cato pushes down on my sword trying to break my grip. Using my free hand, I grab his sword hand and use it as leverage to roll away from his brute strength. Turning back towards Cato he stares at me with a look of curiosity before charging towards me. Dodging his movement, I swing my arm back barely missing his chest with my sword. Frowning I readjust my stance and take a breath. Come on Cato take me down. Swinging back towards me, Cato manages to get his arm around my waist and throws me to the ground. Raising my sword in front of me I block Cato's downward swing toward my head. Straddling my waist, he pushes his sword further toward me with both hands on his sword. Using my free hand, I punch at Cato's elbow in hopes of breaking his leverage. With a grunt he pushes my arm away and I let my grip on my sword falter. As if sensing my weakening grip Cato lets up and with one hand, he rips my sword from my hand and pins me to the mat with his sword on my neck. Bringing his head closer to mine he whispers "Looks like I win golden girl, does that make me the king if I beat the queen". Glaring at him I manage to push him off me as I stand up. As I start to walk away, I hear Cato boom from behind me "stick with the careers golden girl, after all you are one of us now". Glancing at the rest of the career pack I see them smirking at me as Royce waves me over. Walking towards them I feel Cato at my back before I hear him "Any idea on why you would let me win golden girl" turning my head slightly I whisper back "I have no idea what you are talking about". Making a sound similar to a growl, Cato pushes past me making his way towards the rest of the careers. As he pushes by, I feel my hands start to shake and my vision starts to darken. "You coming golden girl or are you going to stand there and stare". Internally shaking my head, I start towards the group with a mental reminder to breathe, just breathe.
Imagine Dragons – Battle Cry
Just one more time before I go, I'll let you know
That all this time I've been afraid, wouldn't let it show
Nobody can save me now, no
Nobody can save me now
Stars are only visible in darkness
Fear is ever-changing and evolving
And I, I've been poisoned inside
But I, I feel so alive
Nobody can save me now
King is crowned, it's do or die
Nobody can save me now
The only sound is the battle cry
Is the battle cry
Is the battle cry
Nobody can save me now, it's do or die