𝔖𝔱𝔞𝔯 ℭ𝔯𝔬𝔰𝔰𝔢𝔡 - Clove and Cato/Clato

XXXI

Suited up in my gladiator getup, I swiftly made my way toward the aircraft with Wine shuffling awkwardly behind me in a district 13 combat suit, courtesy of River.

"Absolutely not," My dad greeted stepping in front of me not to let us pass.

"He's coming with me," I said sternly. I glanced back to see Wine cross his arms, narrow his eyes, and tilt his chin up matter-of-factly.

"He's going to get himself killed," My dad replied.

I shrugged in response. "One could only hope," I mumbled, brushing my arm against his shoulder as I passed him. Reluctantly, he let Wine follow.

When I stepped into the aircraft, I was met by a squadron of people with guns and cameras, as well as Plutarch Heavensbee. He introduced them as my film crew for the propos. They were originally from the capitol, which I found to be almost unbelievable.

As I sat down to get strapped into the aircraft, footsteps shuffled upward to sit next to me. It was River. "Hey," he smirked at me.

I felt my face flush a little as his scent filled my nose. "You smell nice," I stated awkwardly.

He smiled back at me and replied with, "Thanks."

I felt Wine nudge my arm. I looked over at him to see his eyes practically bulging out of his face with a shocked expression. "What?" I whispered with a shrug.

Wine cleared his throat awkwardly, "Yes, River, thank you so much for lending me this suit!" He looked back at me and silently mouthed "you're welcome" for changing the subject.

"Yeah, no problem, man," River replied with a nod.

"Anyway," Wine turned to a man named Pollux, "You all are from the capitol like me, huh?"

Pollux nodded, but didn't say anything. "Don't expect to get much from him," the girl, Cressida informed, "he's an Avox. The capitol cut out his tongue years ago."

"Oh..." Wine trailed off, trying not to make a face.

The rest of the ride was in silence, as Wine figured it would be better not to try and bring up conversation again. It didn't take long before we reached district 8. River and my father hopped off first, and River held his hand out for me to take for help off the craft.

"Thanks, but I think I can manage," I chuckled.

Before River could move his hand, Wine stepped in and took it. "Oh my gosh thank you so much!" He said, batting his eyes. Once he stepped onto the ground, he fidgeted behind him, "I think this thing is riding up my--" I slapped him to shut him up before he continued to speak and embarrass us.

We followed the crew over to a group of rebels from the district. "So you're alive," a woman greeted, "We weren't sure."

My father stepped forward, "Clove has been in recovery. It was her idea to come out here." He then turned to me, "Clove, this is Commander Paylor."

"Hi," I nodded at her subtlety, to which she nodded back.

She then ushered for us to follow her to their hospital area. We all followed closely behind as she lead us through. There were bodies of immobile sickly citizens lined up, only inches away from each other. "Right through here," she instructed, moving a clear curtain out of the way, revealing a small enclosed area of wounded people.

I stepped back, my heart sinking at the view. "I can't go in there. I can't help them," I said, turning away and shaking my head.

"Hey," River said, stopping me from leaving. He clutched my face and looked at me intensely, careful not to break eye contact. "Just let them see you. You have no idea what you mean to these people.