𝔖𝔱𝔞𝔯 ℭ𝔯𝔬𝔰𝔰𝔢𝔡 - Clove and Cato/Clato

XXIV

I ran when I saw Apple, Effie, and Jewel sitting together in the eating area. I ran to Apple first, hugging her tightly. "What are you doing here?" I questioned, shocked to see capitol citizens in District 13.

"We are political refugees," Apple said with a wink.

"Plutarch rescued you?" I asked.

Effie rolled her eyes and scoffed, "'Rescued', yes that's what he calls it."

I noticed a slim boy with blue hair, round silver earrings, and a giant silver nose ring that basically covered half of his face sitting next to Apple. He was wearing a jumpsuit, just like the others, but had a bright orange scarf wrapped around his neck. He looked to be about my age. "Who's this?" I questioned, furrowing my brows at this obvious capitol citizen who I hadn't seen before.

Before the others could answer, he pushed Apple aside to get to me, holding his hand out as he introduced himself. "My name is Wine J. Courtier, and I have heard so much about you! Congratulations on last year's games! Personally, I rooted for Katniss, but I guess you'll do." He spoke in a thick capitol accent, smiling widely as he spoke. Each word was more dramatic than the last. I glanced over at Apple and the others, hoping for further explanation, but received none. He continued, "Since I was a little boy, I was obsessed with the Hunger Games! I was training to be an escort before I was dragged to this ghastly prison." He shivered while looking around in disgust.

"He's my protégé!" Apple smiled proudly.

"Okay, but why is he here?" I asked, still clueless to this new character's reason for existence.

Finally, Jewel cleared her throat. She was the only one to the group who appeared to have any brains to her. "Clove, this is Cinna's younger cousin. He is here per Cinna's dying request."

The boy spoke up again, "While I do miss and love my cousin dearly, I wish he would have left me be. I miss coffee!"

"I was there when they killed him," I stated. "He was a good man. He was cunning and kind, and he obviously sees some sort of potential in you if he brought you here. You should be grateful!" The boy's eyes widened. He almost looked terrified at my outburst, but he said nothing.

Jewel cleared her throat again as she pulled out a black folder, offering it to me. I took it and opened it, seeing sketches of an outfit that would be fit for battle. "Cinna," I said softly.

"He knew the risks, as we all do," Jewel stated. "He believed in this revolution. He believed in you."

"They're beautiful," I smiled subtly.

My smile broke when I heard the capitol's anthem playing on the screens. My attention moved to there as Cesar Flickerman's face appeared. "Hello," his voice started, "Good evening. And a big welcome to all in Panem! I'm Cesar Flickerman, and whoever you are, whatever you are doing, you are going to want to witness this tonight. There has been rampant speculation about what really happened in the Quarter Quell. And here, to shed the light on the subject for us, is a very special guest. Please welcome, Mr. Cato Hadley."

I let out a sharp gasp and immediately stood up at the sight of him. He was sitting in a blue suit with his legs crossed. His face was pale and the bags under his eyes were heavy. He looked so different already, and I knew that they were torturing him the same way they did after last year's games.

"Can you talk us through what really happened on that final and controversial night." Cesar requested.

"Absolutely Cesar. My only goal during these games was to save Clove. There wasn't anything else in my mind other than that. But I caught up in making allies and when they separated us, I knew something was wrong. When they started taking too long to get back, I took my chances on my own and tried to find her. Enobaria followed behind me trying to get me to come back, but it didn't matter. Then the lightning struck and the forcefield just started to crumble all around us."