Chapter 9 – Demons
Boom. A cannon echoes through the arena jolting me awake. Glancing around I see the rest of the careers awoken by the same sound. Letting out a sigh I announce, "That leaves one more to go". Taking a moment, we sit in silence before Royce gets up to fill his water bottle one last time. Taking his cue, the rest of us also fill up our water bottles in the watering hole. "Um, guys, we have a problem" whispers Livia. Looking up I see a group of lions stalking towards us. The lions stop across the watering hole and the male steps forward with a low warning growl. Slowly stepping back as a group, we look at each other before Livia and Blaze take off running. FUCK. Seeing the lions pounce forward I follow Livia and Blaze running with Royce and Crest on my heels. Run. Don't stop. RUN. Focusing my energy on maintaining my breath and running forward I frantically look around and see a small patch of bushes in front of me. I can't run forever.
Making a quick decision I come to a complete stop as my alliance continues to run across the grass. Taking a breath, I grab my sword and turn to face the lions chasing us. Two of the lion's rush past me and the male comes to a stop in front of me. Crouching low the lion growls. Show no fear. You are not weak. Holding my sword to my side I begin running at the lion and with a roar the lion pounces in the air towards me. As the lion closes the gap between us, I slide feet first under the lion and drag my sword from neck to tail along the belly of the lion. Laying on the ground I hear a loud thump as the lion lands accompanied by a low growl whine combination. Shit. Glancing at my right arm I see blood, and a lot of it. As I try to stand, I realize the lion clawed my arm to the bone from my shoulder to my bicep. If they are going to see you bleed, do not let them see you as weak. Squaring my shoulders I grab my sword with my left hand and make my way to the lion's form. Sensing my approach, it begins growling as it is unable to move. Standing at its head I use my left arm to stab my sword down and embed it into the skull of the lion, ending its growling immediately. Breath, just breathe. As I am leaning against my sword for support, I hear movement behind me. Grimacing, I turn and look behind me. Crap, not again. Behind me is a female lion running full speed at me. Without thinking I use my right arm and grab one of the throwing knives around my waist. Launching the knife at the lion I dive to the side avoiding contact with it. Looking towards the second lion I see my knife sticking out of its head. Bullseye. Standing yet again I look around trying to see if there are any more surprises in store. Seeing none, I grab my sword with my left arm and make my way to the small patch of bushes hoping to find some water to wash my arm. Walking into the bushes, from the corner of my eye I see a glint of metal hidden in the bushes. One more to go. Swing true and breathe. Raising my sword slightly I see the form attached to the metal start to scramble. Swinging my sword in a large arc to my right I make contact with the form's shoulder. Rider district 12. As the boy cries out "Please! Please don't kill me!" I take a step back before lifting my arm once more and swinging my sword. Don't make him suffer any more. Swinging my sword towards the boy I bring it down and through his neck. Staring down at his body his head rolls and separates from his body. 12 down 22 to go.
Dropping my sword to the ground, a cannon announcing Rider's death goes off. A buzzing appears in my ears as I walk away from Rider's body. Holding my head high I allow a small smile to make its way onto my face before I let a primal scream loose. The last thing I hear before I collapse to the ground and close my eyes is the echoing sound of Caesar Flickerman's voice, "Ladies and Gentlemen may I announce the final twelve tributes of their first arena!"
Breath, just breath. CATO.
Jolting awake I feel hands on my upper arms pulling me out of my bed onto the floor. As I land on the floor in a heap, I risk a glance up and see my father standing over me. Great more training. With a dark look on his face he raises his right arm and punches me in the face, sending me sprawling across the ground. "GET UP AND FIGHT. YOU ARE PATHETIC GIRL" screams my father as he kicks me in the stomach. Breathe, just breathe. After what feels like forever, he stops kicking me and I feel tears running down my face. "If you want to cry, I will give you something to cry about" yells my father as he grabs my arms and drags me into the closet in the room. Throwing me into the small space he slams the door closed and I hear furniture being moved in front of the door. You are okay, breathe… from the other side of the door, I hear my father's muffled voice "you want to cry, you will stay in there until you learn not to cry". Banging my fists against the door I plead "please don't keep me in here, let me out. PLEASE". As I am banging my fists against the door the edges of my vision fade into black and my chest turns tight. Pulling my fists away from the door I collapse to my knees with my arms wrapped around myself. Breathe, just breathe. Sitting on the floor I start rocking my body back and forth, as I am rocking, I start to feel pain in my hands. Sparing a quick glance my knuckles look bloody and bruised, hit the door too hard I guess. At that moment my entire body freezes as a pair of hands settle on my shoulders and I am surrounded by the smell of leather and sandalwood. Cato. As he leans closer towards my back he whispers in my ear "show him true strength golden girl" and places a golden knife into the palm of my right hand. Standing Cato pulls me up with him and turns me to face him before quickly kissing me. "What do you want me to do Cato?" I ask. Gently smiling at him he responds, "I want you to kill your demons and then wake up and come back to me" At the moment the door to the closet swings open and my fathers from appears in the entrance. Without giving him a chance to speak I pull my arm back and throw the knife in my hand towards his form. Bullseye. The knife strikes itself in my father's head. "Time to wake up golden girl" whispers Cato as the space around me fades into black smoke.
Breathe, just breathe.
Blinking slowly a bright light causes me to wince. "Welcome back to the land of the living Zea '' states a voice from beside me. Allowing my eyes to adjust to the light I turn my head and see Lysander sitting beside my bed. Am I in a hospital? I ask myself. Taking a breath, I ask the same. "Yes Zea, that lion destroyed your arm. The game makers had the doctors do everything they could. You have been out for 2 days letting your arm heal. Thankfully it is in perfect condition however you will have scars" shares Lysander. Nodding my head he tells me to get some sleep and he will come back in a couple hours to get me ready for the recap and pairing ceremony. Letting my eyes slowly close on thoughts enters my head, you are okay.
Upon Lysanders return I am rushed out of my hospital room in a frantic storm of panicked and excited voices. Once I am inside my dressing room with Lysander, Priscilla, and Rumina I can finally take a breath. As they help me get ready Lysander explains the process for tonight "Time to get you ready for the recap and pairing ceremony Zea. Unfortunately, you were asleep healing for the past few days which leaves me no time to update you on anything. For the show there will be no interviews but you and the other tributes will be on stage being watched. You need to keep up the act of royalty. Once the recap is over Caesar will proceed onto the pairing ceremony, no matter who you are paired with you need to act happy and grateful to Capitol, understand?" Nodding my head, Lysander gives me a quick smile before turning me towards the mirror. Wow. My hair has been pulled back off my face in a loose braided updo adorned by large dangling flower earrings and matching yellow eyeshadow. The dress has a sweetheart neckline which ends at my ankles and has large flowy yet structured sleeves. A shimmering light gold fabric makes up the dress with an explosion pattern of yellow adorning the top of the dress while the bottom portion of the dress is decorated with large golden flowers. All in all, a vision in gold, I think to myself. Shifting my eyes to Lysanders I boldly ask, "Is Cato alive" smiling softly Lysander responds "I can't tell you anything Zea, there is a strict order out that nothing gets revealed until the recap." Schooling my face into a neutral expression I nod and announce, "I am ready" Gently, Lysander guides me backstage into a private curtained section and informs me that Caesar will be calling tributes on stage one at a time but those backstage will not hear anything until their name is called. Nodding towards Lysander he wishes me luck before leaving my section. Looking down at my hands I notice them shaking, almost vibrating, breathe, just breathe, I remind myself. Clasping my hands tightly together I stare at the blank curtain in front of me waiting my turn to be called.
A light buzz enters my space before I hear Caesar's voice echo "From district 9 we have the lovely and unforgettable Zea Barlowe, or as you know her THE QUEEN OF THE ARENA!" Before me the curtains draw open and I am faced with a clear path on stage towards Caesar. Squaring my shoulders and placing a smirk on my face I walk towards Caesar. Once I reach Caesar, he gently leads me to a set on the stage, all of which are angled towards the back of the stage facing a large screen. Sitting down I glance at the other tributes, Cato. Shyly glancing at him I notice he is already staring directly at me with a soft smile on his face. Observing his outfit a realization comes to me, he matches me perfectly. His suit is the same gold as my dress with a tie that matches my yellow accents. Looking back to his eyes a knowing smirk has appeared on his face. Our eye contact is broken by Caesar announcing it is time for the recap, but before we look away, I see Cato's mouth move 'I was waiting for you golden girl'.
On the screen the past victor arena is pulled up first. Opposite to my arena, this arena is a snowy landscape with large mountains and trees as far as the eyes can see. As the countdown ends the bloodbath begins. During the bloodbath 7 tributes die, most by the hands of the careers. The first night of the careers hunt Celia, district 8, Seeder, district 11, and Chaff, district 11 are killed. Later on, Johanna takes down Emmer after he tries to attack her from behind. The arena ends shortly after with the careers hunting Katniss' alliance and Cato killing Peeta. Caesar gives a brief eulogy to the fallen past victors then switches to show the events of my arena. The only deaths that were unknown to me were that of two tributes killed by Garner with a sword. The first was a young female from district 6, Madrid, and the second was a young boy from district 8, Luis. The coward only killed the young ones with no chance. As the events shift to my fight with the mutant lions I risk a glance at Cato. He is glaring so intensely at the screen I am almost afraid it will crack. As though he can feel my eyes on him, he glances towards me, more specifically at my arm. Not being able to see beneath my sleeves his brow furrows and he mouths 'later' towards me. Giving him a slight nod I shift my attention back onto the screen as I decapitate the boy from district 12, Rider. Once the recap is over the chairs on the stage rotate to face the audience as Caesar explains the choosing ceremony "The pairs moving forward have been selected by the Gamemaker's based on personality, skills, and compatibility. They will be a combination of past victors and new tributes. These partners will enter the arena together and while they do not have to win together. It is highly recommended as if your partner dies and you win, you will only receive half of the expected winnings. Now, shall we begin?" As the crowd begins to cheer, Caesar calls up Cashmere and pairs her with Crest from district 4, Gloss is paired with Livia from district 2, and Enobaria is paired with Clayton from district 11. When Caesar calls Cato's name my chest tightens, and I feel my hands start to shake. What if I have to kill him, can I kill him? Caesar's voice seamlessly cuts through my thoughts "Paired with Cato will be Zea Barlowe from district 9". Schooling my face into a satisfied expression I stand and make my way towards Cato. Caesar directs me to stand beside Cato and as I move Cato reaches out and grabs my hand. "Ladies and Gentlemen! I give you the QUEEN AND KING OF THE ARENA!" As Caesar yells Cato thrusts our joined hands into the air with a giant grin on his face, and the crowd explodes. Once the cheering begins to die down Caesar directs us off stage. Still holding my hand Cato guides me off stage and the second we are off he pulls me close and kisses me. "You came back to me" he whispers as he pulls away. Smiling at him I respond "I told you I would be waiting for you"
From behind them a voice sounds "I hope you are happy with yourself Zea" confused, I look around and spot Bran standing close with his arms crossed and a glare on his face. Giving him a questioning look he answers "I will no longer be mentoring you. Your actions are worse than a career's" Attempting to step toward Bran, Cato holds me back as a voice to the side speaks before I can "We are all aware you fear the girl Bran, but not to worry. I would be honored to mentor such a promising tribute" In my ear Cato whispers "that is Brutus, my mentor". Looking Brutus over as Bran scoffs and storms off, I can't help but think his name matches his appearance perfectly. Stepping towards Cato and I, Brutus holds his hand out "Hello Zea, it is nice to officially meet you. Congratulations on your performance in the arena, you and Cato have an excellent chance of winning this thing" As I shake his hand Brutus tells us to head to the room to watch the rest of the pairing ceremony. Nodding Cato guides me towards the exit as he whispers in my ear "I am glad you are alive but next time, run from the fucking mutant cat trying to kill you"
Okay. You are okay.
Imagine Dragons - Demons
When you feel my heat, look into my eyes
It's where my demons hide
It's where my demons hide
Don't get too close, it's dark inside
It's where my demons hide
It's where my demons hide
At the curtain's call
It's the last of all
When the lights fade out, all the sinners crawl
So they dug your grave
And the masquerade
Will come calling out at the mess you've made
Don't wanna let you down
But I am hell-bound
Though this is all for you
Don't wanna hide the truth
No matter what we breed
We still are made of greed
This is my kingdom come
This is my kingdom come