𝔖𝔱𝔞𝔯 ℭ𝔯𝔬𝔰𝔰𝔢𝔡 - Clove and Cato/Clato

XXVIII

I sat alone in a bright, white room. Though the fluorescents above were blinding, I still felt entirely in darkness.

My thoughts were interrupted by a voice I never thought I would hear again, "Clove," a masculine voice addressed from the doorway. A hooded figure stood there, but I could not make out his face until he revealed himself by slowly removing the hood. It was my father.

His eyes pierced mine in a way I'd never seen before. He looked older. Tired. Sad. He said nothing as I swiftly stood up in shock. My face stayed stone cold as a million emotions flooded into me simultaneously. We stood in silence, saying nothing with our voices, but speaking a thousand words with our eyes.

"Clove, I..." He started, but couldn't finish as in an instant, I ran over to him screaming with rage. I pounded my fists into his chest repeatedly, but my efforts had no effect as he stood there like a statue. My screaming turned into sobs as I fell into him. I was expecting for him to throw me off and strike me for showing these emotions, but instead, his arms wrapped around me in an embrace. "I'm so sorry, Clove," he said in a whisper.

I pulled away and looked at him in disbelief. "What..? How...?" My voice quivered in frustration, but I couldn't get anything else out.

"I know you're probably confused..." He stated, coming toward me. I backed away tensely, obviously skeptical of his presence. He was a peace keeper, loyal to the capitol. As far as I knew, he would turn me in in a heartbeat. "Clove, it's alright, just let me explain." I paused for a moment, unsure of how to continue. After the incident with the glass, they didn't leave me with anything potentially harmful, leaving me powerless to him.

But I didn't show him any signs of my hopelessness. "Talk," I said sternly.

"Okay," he said, sitting down onto the floor, keeping his distance from me. I stayed standing. "After your games, the capitol took me as collateral for what you did. My eyes were opened then and there and I realized just how wrong I was. How wrong I was, and how right your mother was... I was wrong to treat you as I did, but I've changed. I'm here now."

"No," I said, my voice shaky but strong. "I don't believe you. How did you get here?"

"I escaped." He replied. "I know how the capitol runs their military, including their prisons." I shook my head, still in denial. I clenched my jaw as he spoke up again. "Clove, I've been fighting for the rebellion since being here in 13. I had a part in the plan to get you out of these year's games. I understand if you don't trust me right now, but the president here does. I'm head of security here; one of the most trusted figures. So, let's just put our past behind us and join together for this cause. It's what your mother would have wanted."

"YOU HATED MOTHER!" I screamed. "You hated her for dying! And you hated me because you couldn't have her! How DARE you assume what she would have wanted!"

He sighed. "You know I'm right, Clove. Take your time if you want, but there are more important matters going on at the moment. I'll call Haymitch over to escort you to the president. I was going to myself, but..." He trailed off as he stood up. He turned around and headed out the door before stopping at the entryway. "I really am sorry," he whispered. With that, he was gone and I was left alone in the room once more.

--

In the elevator, we cascaded down several floors in silence until Haymitch finally spoke up. "How was the talk with dear old daddy-o?" He smiled.

"Did you know about him when we met?" I asked, not looking at him. Haymitch said nothing as he fidgeted uncomfortably. "Well there's my answer..." I said with a scoff. "Why doesn't anyone tell me anything?"

"Because when we tell you things, sweetheart, you try to kill everything," he replied.

"I always want to kill everything," I said with a smirk.