𝔖𝔱𝔞𝔯 ℭ𝔯𝔬𝔰𝔰𝔢𝔡 - Clove and Cato/Clato

XXVI

Cato and I sat on the beach away from the tributes as they were figuring out how the arena worked. "Look," Cato nudged my shoulder. I looked down to see he had a pearl in between his fingers. "It's so interesting how much detail they put into this." He then held it out to me, offering for me to take it.

"Thank you," I said with a slight smile. I then glanced over at our allies, who appeared to be chatting and finicking with a giant spool of wire. Lightning struck the largest tree in the arena several times and all of our attention was drawn toward it. "What do you think it means?" I asked Cato.

He shrugged. "That's for them to find out," he replied, nodding toward the group. It felt nice having the real Cato back. There were obviously parts of trauma left with him, I could see it in his eyes, but he never once tried to open up.

"Cato..." I started softly. He looked at me intently, awaiting what I was going to say next. I wanted to ask him what really happened when he was taken, but I knew with all the eyes on us, it wouldn't be the right place. "Never mind."

He seemed a little disappointed that I didn't continue but replied with an understanding nod.

"Hey lovebirds!" Johanna called to us, "Let's get a move on!"

We got up and followed the group toward the cornucopia to further identify the map. Not another tribute was in sight, and we figured the threats from them would be minimal. We thought wrong, though.

As Finnick was drawing out the map and connecting it to a clock that meant different events in the arena, out of nowhere we heard a shaky gasp. It came from Wiress who was sitting on the rock platforms by the water. I hadn't even noticed she was there. My attention stayed between Cato and Enobaria, so having new allies would be a struggle.

A district 9 tribute flew up from the water to stab Wiress where she sat. Thinking fast, I grabbed a knife and threw it at him; it hit dead center between his eyes. He fell lifelessly backward, and I had felt my body tense up again at the fact that I had finally murdered another person since last year. The feeling of my first kill rushed back to me, and I almost got lost in it until more threats emerging from the water pulled me back to reality.

The female tribute from district 9 came flying at me, but Johanna pulled me out of the way and flung her axe right into the tribute's chest. Haymitch grabbed a sledgehammer and escorted Beetee further into the cornucopia to lay low as the younger of us fought.

Both tributes from district 10 climbed up next, trying to be stealthy at first. The man was larger than Brutus, and immediately plowed into Cato like a bull, sending him backward. Enobaria jumped on the tribute from behind, biting his neck causing him to release his grip on Cato as Finnick stabbed the man with his trident.

We saw the other tribute running, so Johanna and I chased after her, ready for a fight. Out of nowhere, the ground rumbled and shook, causing us to lose our balance. The cornucopia was now spinning, and we were fighting to hold on so we wouldn't get flung into the water. The rocks were wet and I could feel my grip slipping. In one swift moment, I began to slide down, heading towards the water.

Johanna quickly slid down after me and grabbed my hand with all her strength. She used her axe to cling onto the rock with her other arm, as we grunted and screamed from the motion. Both of our hands were wet, and there was no way I would be able to hold on much longer.

In an instant, I felt the water consume my body as I flew in. I swam up to the surface as quickly as I could, coughing for air as I clung onto the rocks and pulled myself up. Everyone rushed over. "You okay?" Cato asked, offering his hand for me to pull up.

"Yeah," I replied between breaths. When I regained my composure, I noticed a slit on his cheekbone. "What happened to you?"

"A fucking scythe came flying at me when the island was spinning!" He exclaimed.