𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙋𝙏𝙀𝙍 𝙉𝙄𝙉𝙀
—𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘺—

     𝙁𝙊𝙍 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙍𝙀𝙎𝙏 of the night, I wallow in my own choices. I'm constantly reminded of Johanna's words— and even Cato's. And for some reason, I couldn't bring myself to make a decision, or sleep.

So, for what it was worth, I stayed up, staring at the ceiling. That was- until I fell asleep.

I rise early the next morning, expecting for Johanna to barge in, and demand for me to get dressed for my last day of training. But, to my confusion and utter relief, she didn't.

I get dressed quickly, and slide into the dining room without so much as a peep. Aspen sits at the table with a distant look in his eye, not acknowledging my presence. I roll my eyes in spite, grab an apple, and perch myself on the couch.

"Where's Johanna?" I ask, awaiting a response as I stare at the wall.

"She's with Finnick," Aspen replies, finally looking to me.

But I don't meet his gaze.

"Can we please talk about this?" He sighs, running his fingers through his hair. "I hate that you won't talk to me."

"There's nothing to say," I shrug, still keeping my eyes on the wall. "You made your decisions, and I made mine. End of discussion."

"No, there's tons of things I need to say," He frowns, moving in front of me. He bends down in front of the couch, and meets my eyes. "And I'm going to start out by saying I'm sorry, Case."

"You don't get to call me that, and you don't get to say sorry," I glare, crossing my arms over my chest. "I've dealt with too much over the past few days, and I refuse to let you put me through it again."

"I would take it back if I could," He takes my hand in his. "Please, Casey, please. It kills me to know that I've caused this much damage to you. Just listen, okay?"

"No!" I snap, shoving him away from me as I stand. "I don't want to hear your pathetic excuse of an explanation! You don't deserve to even talk to me after how much pain you've caused."

"I know, and I want to make it better-"

"Make it better?" I chuckle darkly. "You think you can swoop right in and make it better? You left me! I had no one! But now that I have River, you want to team up again? As if I'd let you!"

"Casey, I'm trying to protect you! Why won't you just listen to me?" He clenches his jaw, his body going rigid.

"You think this is about protection?" I ask incredulously. "Wow, thanks for the vote of confidence. But if you haven't already noticed, I can defend myself. And if I ever need help, River will be the one beside me."

"He'll stab you in the back, Casey!" Aspen growls, his eyes growing darker.

"What, like you did?" I ask, my voice finally cracking. "Like you did when I cried myself to sleep because I knew I wouldn't make it without you? When I actually doubted my survival of the first thirty seconds in the arena? Aspen, River is nothing like you. He's proven to me that he'll be there for me."

"And I'm sorry for that," He looks to the floor. "I know what I did was wrong, and that I don't deserve your forgiveness. But will you please give me a second chance? I've already broken off from the career pack... I did it yesterday."

I meet his eyes for one short moment, and get captivated in his sincerity.

And then I think of the Aspen I first met. The one who protected me, and stood by me. The one who held my hand, and promised that he wouldn't leave me.

But I can't forget the moment he left me behind.

"I'm sorry, Aspen," I move towards the elevator doors, and step inside. Pressing the 'training center' button, I look back up to meet his eyes. "But I don't give second chances."

___♔___

"Oh, thank god," River sighs in relief as he moves over to me. "Where were you, Case? I was looking everywhere for you."

"I had to deal with something," I smile weakly. "So, what are we doing today?"

"I was thinking we could meet some of the other tributes," He says, glancing at the stations around us. "But only if you want to."

"Sure," I shrug. "What else is there to do?"

River laces his fingers through mine as he walks alongside me, his eyes dead set on a boy I recognize from District twelve. He stands alone at the painting station, his focus purely on his hand that now looks similar to a tree.

"Peeta?" I ask River, raising an eyebrow. He shoots me a half smile, before nodding.

"District twelve," River says firmly, clearing his throat as we stand a few feet away from Peeta.

Peeta drops his paintbrush, before he turns to look at us. His eyes graze over our entertwined fingers, before his gaze meets mine, then River's.

"River and Casey," Peeta gives us a weak smile. "Districts four and seven."

"I didn't know we were so popular," River chuckles, glancing down at me. "But yeah, that's us."

"Is it a death threat you're here for?" Peeta questions, sighing as he sits down in one of the black chairs behind him.

"Actually, we're here for an alliance," River replies carelessly. "I wouldn't want to go into the arena, protecting Casey on my own, now would I?"

Peeta looks to me again, his blue eyes sparkling with confusion. "An alliance?"

"Only if you want to," I say lowly. "No death threats."

"You look to be the only qualified person to ally with," River says. "And I heard you're pretty tough."

"So if I were to accept, you'd actually stick with me?" Peeta raises an eyebrow, his gaze passing between the two of us. "No leaving, or stabbing me in the back?"

"I'm not the type of person to stab someone in the back, nor leave them behind." I reply softly. "Even at the cost of my own life."

"And I'm doing this for Casey," River gives me another smile.

Something flashes in Peeta's eyes as he examines us- something like envy. But why would he envy us?

"I'll do it," He agrees, his attention going back to his painted hand. "But I'll have to talk to my mentor about it. I'm sure he'll be supportive."

"Thank you," I smile. "I'll see you later, Peeta."

"Bye, Casey."

River leads me over to the center of the training room, looking quite impressed. "Wow, you actually convinced him."

"Me?" I chuckle. "I didn't do anything."

"You spiked something in him," River shakes his head. "Darn, Casey. You had him the moment we stepped over to the station."

I giggle lightly. "River, I-"

"Casey," A sharp voice cuts me off. I look at River expectantly, waiting for him to go on. But he doesn't meet my gaze, as he's staring angrily at the person standing beside us.

Then, I realize that River wasn't the one talking to me at all.

It was Cato.

"Can I talk to you for a second?" Cato asks, his voice not faltering as his deep blue eyes Pierce mine. "Alone?"

"Like hell," River growls, his jaw clenched, and his hand tightening around mine. "She isn't going anywhere with you, or your band of serial killers."

"River-" I start, but I am cut off again.

"I don't think I asked you," Cato shoots back, looking to River. I can tell his anger has also spiked, as his blue eyes burn deep with fury.

"I don't care who you asked," River hisses. "You're going to stay away from her."

"Please don't fight-"

"You can't stop her," Cato seethes. "I have as much as a right to be near her as you do, four. She doesn't belong to you."

"I'm only looking out for someone I care about," River grinds his teeth. "I refuse to let her go near you, or even look in your direction. You're a killer, Hadley. You don't deserve to talk to Casey."

"You got that right," Cato smirks, taking a step closer to River, until they are eye to eye. "I am a killer. And you're first on my list."

I gasp, pure fear evident in my expression.

By this time, almost every one of the tributes are watching, and few look as though they're thinking of breaking Cato and River apart.

"Okay, I think you two need to take a breather, and stop fighting." Aspen steps in, surprising the three of us. "River, get Casey out of here. And Cato, you need to stop before you hurt someone. Marvel."

Marvel nods, taking a step forward to grab Cato's arm.

"Don't touch me," Cato clenches his fists, his eyes not leaving River.

"River, I said go," Aspen says sternly.

River turns, shoving me slightly behind him as his hand is still latched with mine. "I expect for you to keep your distance, Cato," He chuckles harshly. "Next time, I'm not leaving so easily."

Ad then, just as quick as he finishes his sentence, River is making his way out of the training center, pulling me along with him.

_______