𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙋𝙏𝙀𝙍 𝙏𝙒𝙊
—𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘳—

"𝙒𝙃𝘼𝙏 𝙏𝙊𝙊𝙆 𝙔𝙊𝙐 so long?" Aspen asks with worry, helping me onto the chariot. "We were supposed to meet twenty minutes ago."

"Someone caught me before I got here," I frown. My eyes skim over his outfit- one that matches mine. The colors, the leaves, the detail— all of it's the same.

"Who?"

"Glimmer." I reply, staying quiet.

"What did she say to you?" He questions warrily.

"Nothing," I shake my head, smiling reassuringly. "She just wanted to meet me."

I face forward, disregarding the fact that Aspen still stares at me. Trumpets blare throughout the Capitol, signaling the start of the tribute parade. The District one chariot is wheeled forward, and pushed in front of a crowd of screaming citizens.

"Don't let me fall," I murmer to Aspen. He nods, before grabbing my hand, and giving it a light squeeze.

"I won't."

Just as our chariot pulls outside, I take a sharp breath. I stare straight forward, acting as if no one is on either side of me. Aspen does the same, making me relax for not being the only serious one in the parade.

The tributes in front of us blow kisses to the audience, wave, and prance around. I feel pity when the girl almost falls off of the chariot for getting too fired up. Although, my brain betrays me, and a small snicker is released from my lips.

I compose myself before focusing on President Snow, who stands on a high balcony, a stone-cold look on his face. A podium is placed in front of him, small cards clutched in his hands as he glares down at us. He seems to be pulled out of his thoughts when the crowd begins to chant tribute names.

His eyes snap towards the citizens in the stands, whom jump and scream for attention or even a glance in their direction. I grit my teeth, wishing to wipe the look off of President Snow's face. He did this to me. He made me come here to fight.

Our chariot stops, and circles around as President Snow begins to speak.

His speech is the same every year- mentioning how grateful he is for our 'sacrifice.' And how it's his pleasure to crown the victor every year. His gaze lingered on me as he finished his sentence.

"And may the odds be ever in your favor."

As soon as he's finished, I yank my hand away from Aspen, and storm from the chariot. I search the stables for the nearest restroom, and pull the door open.

The quiet ones always die first.

After shutting the door to the restroom, I lock it. I slam my fist into the door with all of my might, hoping that a hole will appear. But, to my anger, the door doesn't budge. I shake my hand, releasing the tension and pain that overwhelms me.

I huff, and slide down the wall, pulling my knees to my chest.

I'm going to die soon.

Training— it would last three days. Interviews and private sessions— they would last one day. I have four days left, before my whole existence is swept out from under my feet. Because my name just had to be pulled from the glass bowl. I have to be the one to compete- to lose my life in the snap of a finger.

Glimmer said that Cato would enjoy killing me. And I believed it.

The pure evil in her eyes was evident, as she had spoken to me. I couldn't just forget that. She had vowed that I would be one of the first tributes to die.

And maybe she was right.

___♕___

I step from the restroom, sighing as no one is in sight. I close the door behind me, and lug myself to the elevator, trying not to be caught by any tribute who's chatting in a nearby group.

My feet drag under me, falling asleep slowly from the amount of time I spent crippled in the floor. But as footsteps sound from behind me, I pick up my pace. Just as I reach the elevator entrance, someone grabs my arm from behind me.

I gasp at the warmth that floods through my veins at the contact, my heart speeding up. I turn to see Cato, his bright blue eyes staring down at me with a sort of curiosity.

"Where were you?" He asks, his voice deep.

My breathing stops for a short moment, taking in his features again. I shake the thoughts from my mind, and pull my arm away from him. "I-I don't know what you're talking about," I mumble, looking down at the pavement below us.

He lifts my chin up, furrowing his eyebrows slightly. "I was going to apologize earlier- for Glimmer." He says. "She wasn't playing fair."

Like you would know, I think to myself.

I stay silent, his eyes boring into mine. When, finally, I build up enough courage inside of me to speak. "It's okay," I smile sadly, taking a step back. "She was right. I guess I just needed a wake up call to realize it."

"Casey-" He starts, reaching out for my arm again.

I dodge his hold, get into the elevator, and press the 'up' button. Before the doors close in front of me, I can't help but look at Cato again. But this time, his eyes have softened, and he no longer looks dangerous. As the doors fully close, I grip the bars on the wall of the elevator, steadying myself, and let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

I feel of my tingling skin- the part of my arm that Cato had touched. Goosebumps travel along my arms, recalling the way his skin felt against mine. I bite my lip, leaning onto the wall, and pulling off my heels.

I tap my foot on the floor impatiently, waiting as the number on the keypad changed slowly. When getting to the seventh floor, a 'ding' sounds throughout the elevator, and the door opens again. When entering my living quarters, I ignore the stares of Aspen, Johanna, and Reena.

I head straight for my room- not even stopping through Johanna's calls for me. Once inside, I slam the door, and fall onto my bed. The sound of footsteps echo down the halls, quite close to my room. But after arriving at my door, the footsteps stopped.

The person hesitated a moment, before turning back around, and walking down the hallway. I let out a small sigh, and get up from my bed. I grab some silky pajamas from my nightstand, before making my way to the bathroom, and stripping down.

I turn on the water in the huge shower, making sure that the water reached the maximum level of hotness, before stepping in, and closing the glass door. Buttons lined the wall in front of me, each taking on a different scent of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.

And me being me, I tried them all.

After getting out of the shower, I walk back into my room with a towel wrapped around me, and change into my pajamas. I throw my hair up into a wet bun, before flopping onto my bed. Upon doing so, a 'crunch' sounds from beneath me.

I furrow my eyebrows, and stand up again. While looking over my bed, I find a small note. I pick it up and examine the perfectly scrawled letters on the front.

Casey.

I unfold the letter, and read exactly what it says.

I'm sorry for the incident with Glimmer earlier. You didn't allow me to fully apologize, so I would like to later on tonight. Meet me on the roof of the tributes center. I'll be waiting, Casey.

-Cato

I crumble the note in my hands after reading it twice, and toss it to the floor. I cross my arms over my chest, and leave my room, a stern look carved onto my face.

"Johanna, who was in my room when I showered?" I ask, walking into the living room.

"No one, why?" She looks up from her magazine.

"There was a note on my bed . . . " I trail off. "So, no one was in there?"

"No, I didn't see anyone." She shakes her head, sitting the magazine aside. "Who was it from?"

"Uh, I'm not sure," I lie. "It didn't have a signature. It's fine, I'm just overreacting. See ya, Jo."

"Bye . . . ?" She says, but it comes out as more of a question.

I jog to the elevator, and push the 'roof' button. Johanna stands up from the couch, probably intending to follow me. But before she can, the elevator door closes. I let out a breath, and rub my bare arms.

Why would Cato want to meet me to apologize? It wasn't his fault. And even if it was, I wouldn't blame him.

Glimmer shouldn't apologize either, especially when everything she said is true. I will die in the arena, and I know it myself. But why am I even going to the roof, and listening to the letter? Why am I listening to what Cato says?

I don't have any time to answer those questions as the door of the elevator opens again.

And this time, on the other side of me is Cato Hadley.

_______