Cato's POV:
I actually didn't watch this year's Hunger Games. Because Dad had little hope in this year's tributes, he forced me to train every single day for hours. Every morning, he would wake me up at random times to go running. He says it's to help prepare me for anything once I get in the arena.
"You don't want to be unprepared. Proper preparation prevents poor performance."
Today I got up at 6, yesterday at 8, and the day before that at 5. I'm absolutely exhausted, and there's nothing more I want to do than have a proper night of sleep or hang out with my friends. Better yet, I want to see that green-eyed girl. I heard my father talking about her brother's death, and considering how close they seemed, it must've crushed her.
"What a fucking idiot. Did he really think that district one girl was really in love with him?"
I remained silent.
"That guy's a damn embarrassment to our district." He turned to me. "When you enter the Games, you better not act as foolishly as he did."
"C'mon, we're going to the training center."
"Again?" As soon as the words left my mouth, I knew I was in trouble.
Within seconds, my father whipped around, grabbed my neck, and forced me to look him in the eyes. "Cato, you have to train. You are going to be the future of this district. You will be the man everyone looks up to. You will be the best victor this country has ever seen. And most importantly, you will bring pride to our family and this district."
"But what if I don't want to." I whispered.
His eyes flash angry. "You are MY son. You will do this. You will not bring shame to our family like Dallas Kentwell did to his."
My eyes became scattered at mention of his name.
"Have you seen his father?" Dad asked me.
I shook my head no.
"He's pathetic. He used to be a respectable man, but now he's utterly worthless. He drinks every goddamn day at the bar, gets shit-loaded drunk, and is the biggest joke of district 2."
"You don't know that." I defended.
"ExCuse me!?" I cringed as spit flies onto my face. I should've just kept my mouth shut. I don't even know why I defended people I barely know.
"Look at me, Cato." My father spat. "If you know what's best for you, you will shut up, focus on your training, and ignore everything that gets in your way. You will volunteer when you are 18. You will become the biggest and best killing machine the Capitol will ever see. And I promise, by that time, everything will be worth it and you will realize that... I am always right."
I was unable to say or do anything, as the crazed look on my father's face scared the crap out of me. If I thought he was already intimidating, this made it ten times worse. Since that moment, I realized one thing: my father will do anything to get his way.
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A few days after the Hunger Games ended, I was walking around town when I spot a large group forming near the cemetary.
"What's going on?" I ask a random person.
"Funeral for the dead tributes." He reponds.
That's when I spot her. The green-eyed girl from before. She's in the front with, I think her family. but I can't exactly see them due to the large crowd. She's facing away from me, staring at the tombstone with the engravement:
YOU ARE READING
Sharp Tools
FanfictionThe story of Cato and Clove before and throughout the Hunger Games. Cato: I've known who she was since I was ten. Since I was ten, I watched over her. I looked after her. I protected her even if she didn't know it was me. I love her. And I will do...
