The Sword's Other Half

The Final Countdown

Cato and I traipse through the woods looking for supplies and food. "Foxface could be anywhere by now," I state while looking around for any potential threats. "We should probably hunt around here since we are out of food. Will you be fine splitting up and watching your back?"

Cato sarcastically rolls his eyes and jokes, "Yes, I will be fine. I'll make use of the bow."

I sarcastically chuckle knowing he has his sword which will work just fine. 'Let's mess with him.' I walk up to him and place my hand on his jawline bringing him down to my height. I bring my face close to his like I'm going to kiss him but kiss just the corner of his lips instead and pull away. "Think again, Loverboy," I say as I graze my hand against his jawline as I walk past him intentionally putting some extra sway to my hips in my walk. I feel him reach for me but miss and grumble causing me to chuckle mischievously and call back, "Get to pickin'!"

I venture further away from Cato, stealthily looking for a squirrel or something. The sound of leaves crunching under my feet fills my ears until I hear the tweeting of a bird. Once the culprit is in my sights I notch an arrow and get ready to shoot. 'Breathe in.' 'Breathe out.' Just as I am about to release the arrow the cannon goes off sending my fight or flight into motion. Turning I dash into the woods shouting over the sound of my heart in my ears. "CATO!?!" Reaching the clearing that I had left him in I find his jacket with nightlock gathered in it. "Cato!?!" 'Don't tell me the big bad Career was offed by some frickin berries!' "Cato!" I shout as I run to look for him. Just as I begin to run I am grabbed and without thinking I punch my "attacker" in the nose.

"Shit, Mel! It's me!" I hear causing me to look straight into the bright blue eyes of the person that I was looking for.

I begin to fuss over him, "Are you okay?" After I deemed that he wasn't going to keel over and die on me I turn and point to the jacket, "That is nightlock, Cato! If you had eaten even a pinch of that damned berry you would be dead in a minute!"

Cato's eyes widen, "Damn, well good thing I didn't eat them then."

I smack him on the chest and begin to tear up in relief, "Not funny, Cato! Damn you! You scared me to death."

Cato pulls me into a tight hug and I dig my face into his chest taking in his scent to reassure myself that he is in fact in front of me and okay. I pull away and he grabs me gently by the chin bringing me into a soft reassuring kiss.

After I calm down we pull apart and get back to looking around the area eventually stumbling on the cause of the cannon. Laying on the ground pale as snow, red hair splayed around her was Fox Face. I could tell by the berry stain on her lips that she had fallen victim to the same berry that Cato almost did. Noticing that the fallen fox still has some berries left in her hand I use the sleeve of my jacket to scoop them up and into my pocket. I notice Cato's raised eyebrow and answer him with a shrug, "Maybe Thresh and Peeta like berries." Cato nodded and we begin to head back to the cave. As we are walking I notice that it is getting dark really sooner than it should be. "Hey, baby? You notice that it is getting dark sooner and quicker than it should be?"

"Yeah, that is what the Gamemakers do when it gets down to the last few in order to put them into a tough position and end the game sooner." We are cut off when we hear growing and a loud male scream followed by the cannon. "We don't wanna know what that is. Run to the cornucopia. Now!" 

Both of us take off running as fast as we can towards the cornucopia when suddenly something jumps out at me knocking me to the ground I slice its throat with the knife as Cato shouts my name and helps me push it off all in the span of seconds. I am pulled back to my feet before returning to running for our lives. My heart beats quickly in my ears are I am jumping over logs and weaving through trees all while trying to keep Cato in my sights so we don't get split up. Seeing the cornucopia coming up, we used the last bit of our endurance to climb onto the top of it. Cato climbs up first so he can help me up and as he is doing so, I am grabbed by some of the creatures on my legs. I scream as their sharp claws and teeth dig into my calves but Cato's hands never leave mine and he is eventually able to rip me from their grasp and pull me the rest of the way up. 

"How bad is-" Cato begins to check on me just for me to suddenly be snatched away from him and help with a sword to my throat. On instinct, my training with Cato and Haymitch kicks in and I place my hand on the back of the hand holding the hilt of the sword. My breath stalls as I realize that Peeta is holding me hostage and Cato is glaring but I can see the panic in his eyes. I give him a reassuring look to which he nods seeing my hand placement. Now time to wait for the right moment.

"Let her go, man" Cato urges calmly as to hopefully not set my captor off.

Peeta scoffs, "Yeah, no. That is definitely not going to happen. I am sick and tired of this selfish bitch getting everything handed to her on a silver platter and the fact that everyone is rooting for her to be the winner of this stupid ass game. Haymitch gives her all the sponsors and advocates for her the most (which he didn't until Peeta went against him and joined the Careers), not even acknowledging that I am fighting for my life as well! The entirety of District 12 is praying that their precious little fairy returns to them. Even my own damn mother is probably rooting for her over me! I am tired of it! I have basically made it to the top three on my own so I am going to show them all who the true victor of district 12 should be by killing the little fairy here then you will die as well because of the stupid soulmate bond, leaving me as the victor. So two birds one stone." He says as he begins to laugh maniacally. 

That is the moment! With a burst of strength, I push forward with my hand on the hilt forcing it away from my throat. Spinning out of his grasp and to the side, I clear the way for Cato to place a firm punch on Peeta's face sending him over the edge to the dogs below. Cato pulls me close as we are surrounded by the sound of Peeta's screams. Cato pulls me close as we are surrounded by the sound of Peeta's screams. I bury my head into Cato's chest and wrap my arms around his waist.

We did it, Cato. We really did it.

That we did, my Fairy. I told you that we'd make it out of this together.

After Peeta's screams cease the creatures run off and the sun rises followed by the chirping of birds returning. The Gamemaker gets onto the comms, "Attention tributes! As stated in the rules of the hunger games if the final two remaining tributes are soulmates they are allowed to both be the winners of the hunger games. If the two remaining tributes will show the viewers their marks please."

Cato and I pull off our jackets followed by our right sleeves to show off the works of art that bound our souls to each other.

"Congratulations to this year's winners!"