Sharp Tools

Chapter 5: One Last Time

Clove's POV:

Immediately, when we walk into the room the twins run up to Dallas and start crying.

"Dally, you can't go!"

"Don't leave us!"

I see him whispering to them, probably saying sweet little lies on how he'll return home and it'll all be okay and back to normal. I watch as they consume his lies, wipe their tears, and walk back to Mom content with his promises.

"Stay strong, son." Dad tells my older brother, who just nods in response.

"Oh sweetheart, you'll be okay. I know Aunt E trained you a bit, didn't she? And she'll be your mentor so she can help you." Mom gives him a sad smile and a hug, tears threatening to fall onto her cheeks.

"Love you Mom."

"Love you too Dallas," she whispers.

Then it's just me. All this time, I'd been staring at the ground, hoping it's just a nightmare I could wake up from. But it's not. This is reality. 

"Clove," I hear him whisper. When I look up, I see him staring at me with sad eyes. In that moment, I know he thinks he's not coming back. Dally won't be the one person out of 24 coming out of the area.

I suddenly feel his presence in front of me. Looking at him, I start to sob and immediately give him a tight hug. "You can't go. You're my best friend, Dally."

He remains silent, but when I pull back, I see tears in his blue eyes and a frown that mirrors mine.

"Clove, listen to me, " he brings me to a chair to sit in. "You have to be strong. No matter what happens, you have to be strong. For Mom. For Dad. For Crystal and Carter. Okay? You have to take care of them. I'll try to be back, but you're in charge now."

I nod.

"I have a present for you." Dallas tells me. "Happy birthday Clover."

He reaches out and gives me a silver locket. "I got it for your birthday that's coming in a few weeks. I only brought it today just in case..."

I take the trinket and pass it between my fingers. He gestures for me to open it and I do, seeing a picture of me on his back taken a few weeks ago.

"Look at me," he starts softly, "wherever you go, wherever I go, I will always be with you. No matter what."

I start to give it back to him. "I want you to have it. For your token."

"No, I bought it for you. Plus I already have this ring you and Mom chose for me for my 16th birthday, remember?"

"Okay," I whisper.

"Time up!" I hear a Peacekeeper say.

"We have to go." Dad states.

"Just give us a sec," Dally gives me a big hug and I close my eyes to stop my tears from flowing out onto my cheeks. "This isn't goodbye, Clove. Just a catch you later." 

I nod, unable to speak.

He pulls me in for another hug while whispering, "Stay strong, okay? I love you."

"Love you too, Dally." I smile. "I'm betting on you."

"I'd bet on you too,"

With that, I follow my family out the door, away from Dallas, toward the bright lights and the start of the 66th Hunger Games.

Cato's POV:

"This is so ridiculous! HOW COULD THEY NOT LET US IN!" Dad fumes as we walk away from the Academy. "DO THEY KNOW WHO I AM!" 

Turning my head away, I roll my eyes. Apparently we weren't allowed to train on the Reaping. No one is. Guess Dad thought he was an exception. As my father quickly walks to who knows where, I follow him, listening to his rants on who he'd liked to fire. 

Suddenly he stops. "Cato, isn't this absurd?! They won't let us in!!"

"I guess so." I respond. It's not like I'm complaining.

"I'm going to talk to Ross. You can do whatever you want. Just make sure you're home by 7."

"Yes, sir."

I sigh as he storms toward another man. Bored, I walk around town and toward the Justice Building. I see a small line toward a door and wonder what it's for. Maybe there's a sale going on? Heading to the crowd, I ask a man on the side what it's for.

"It's to visit the Tributes, son. Don't ya know?"

The Tributes? Before I could regret it, I get in line to see the male tribute. I forgot his name, but I know I could at least pay my respects before he leaves.

"NEXT!" a man yells.

With hesitance, I walk inside.

Looking at his face, I can see that he is shocked to see me. "What're you doing here, kid?"

I open my mouth to respond, but nothing comes out. Why did I come? I clear my throat before stuttering, "Um, I-I don't know. I guess I just wanted to thank you." I stare at my feet.

"For what?"

"Helping me." 

Slowly, I meet his gaze. "You seem like a good kid." I don't know how to respond to that.

"I like your sister." I blurt out, unable to stop the words from pouring out of my mouth. "Sorry, I didn't know where that came from."

He only chuckles. "Yeah, she's a good kid too."

But as quickly as his smile appeared, it vanished. "I dunno what my family's gonna do without me. As egotistical as that sounds, I helped pay for stuff with my job in the mine."

"I'm sorry."

"Yeah, but life goes how it goes. Can you do me a favor?"

"Anything."

"Look after my little sister, please." his blue eyes looked sad but hopeful.

"Which one?" I stupidly respond, knowing which girl he was talking about.

A smirk plays on his face. "The one you said you like." he teases. "But seriously, please. If anything happens to me inside that arena, make sure she's okay?"

Meeting his gaze, I know I can't let him down. "Promise."

"Alright, thanks kid." he's the only one I like that calls me by that name.

"What's your name again?" I ask.

"Dallas. You?"

"Cato." I put out my hand.

He immediately shakes it. "Nice to meet you, Cato."

I give him a smile and suddenly feel sad. I've barely met him but he's more of a brother to me than my dad is a father to me. 

"You'll come back."

"Maybe."

"You have to."

Dallas just gives me a sad smile. "Remember your promise."

"I will."

"Good, I trust you."

I turn to leave when a thought crosses my head. "Hey, what's your sister's name?"

The older boy starts to respond when a Peacekeeper barges into the room yelling, "TIMES UP!!"

He grabs my arm and begins to pull me out of the room. "WAIT!" I yell.

"Her name is-" but I don't hear his last words as the door slams in my face.

"I didn't hear it." I murmur.

"Let's go. You have to move." the Peacekeeper tells me.

"But-" 

"Now "

Turning away from the building, I head home, unable to forget my promise.

"I won't forget. I can promise you that."