𝐇𝐔𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐑 𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐒 𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐒

Tag, You're It

Title from the song "Tag, You're It" by Melanie Martinez :)

TW! Kidnapping, minor violence, possible minor language

Okay, so there's not much Clato in here, but you'll see it eventually.

CLOVE FIRST PERSON POV

—

I take one last drag of my cigarette before throwing it on the sidewalk and stomping it with my combat boot to put it out.

I let out a sigh and shove my hands in the pockets of my leather jacket. I check the time on my phone. Ten pm. Where's Cato? He should be here by now.

I tap my foot on the ground as I wait outside "Tilly's Bar". The neon sign flickers and I can sense the cigar smoke and smell the liquor from through the door. It's a sketchy place, all right. Maybe I should've just taken Cato up on his offer of driving me here.

I shove my phone back in my pocket and lean back against the brick wall. I look around and check out my surroundings. Not much activity tonight.

I notice a lady in a teal dress and white apron wiping down a table across the street. I can see her through the window of "Aunt Fiona's Diner". The only other thing going on is the street lamp flicking on and off every couple of minutes down the street, the bar next to me, and to my left... a man.

I know immediately that it's not Cato. He's too small. Too short and skinny. He has on a black hoodie with the hood up and covering his face. He has on black shoes and black. Pfft. Criminal looking ass. Something's wrong, though. I've just got a weird feeling. And he's looking at me funny. And now he's getting closer. And now he's... he's coming at me.

Is he? Is he trying to kidnap me or something? Holy shit, he is! I immediately start running to my right as fast as I can. I can feel my heart beating rapidly. I continue to sprint as fast as I can. I am not getting kidnapped today. Hell no.

I turn back and see that the man has started chasing after me. I turn the corner and continue to run. I can feel my feet picking up off the ground every split second, and it almost seems like my heart is beating out of my chest.

I run and run for what feels like hours, but really only minutes. Minutes that could save my life. Eventually I can feel myself hyperventilate and I can taste blood in my mouth. There's no way I can slow down now.

What am I even supposed to do? Run until he's gone? Run until I can't anymore? Run until I pass out? Hide? Hide and call the cops? Call Cato? All I know is running is the best thing for the moment.

My phone rings and I pull it out as I run. It's not super smart to answer, but right now anybody I can talk to can help me. I hold the phone up to my ear with my right hand as I run and turn another corner into a parking lot.

"Hello? Clove, you there?" Cato's voice projects off the phone and into my ear.

I breathe heavily, not being able to answer. Why can't I answer? Is it the shock?

"Clove! Are you there?"

I pant again and let out a tired "C-Cato. H-help."

"Clove! Clove, what is it?! What is it, baby?! Where are you?! Are you okay?!"

"There's this... this man. He's- he's chasing me," I let out, still pushing myself to go on.

"WHAT?! CLOVE, WHERE ARE YOU?! WHAT STREET?! CLOVE!!"

And that's when it all goes downhill. Somebody tackles me from behind and shoves a bag over my head.

"Shit!" I hiss. "HELP!!" I scream. "HELP!! SOMEBODY HELP!! CATO!! CATO!!"

The last thing I hear before blacking out is Cato's voice over the phone yelling, "CLOVE!! CLOVE!! CLOVE, WHERE ARE YOU??!! CLOVE!! ARE YOU OKAY??!!" The pain in his voice hurting as much as the hard thing hitting the back of my head.

I wake up with a start. I sit up, gasping and gripping the sheets with my hands. I breathe heavily.

Tears are streaming down my face and I only now realize I'm screaming.

"Clove!" I hear Cato's voice next to me, but I don't stop anything. I continue gasping and breathing and crying.

"CLOVE!! Clove, it's okay! I got you! I got you!" Cato gets up out of the bed and moves over to me. He grabs me and wraps me in his arms, holding me tight. His voice softens. "Clove, it's okay. I got you. I got you. You're alright. You're okay. It was just a dream. I've got you. You're safe. You're safe."

I can feel my breathing ease out and I relax in Cato's arms.

"Did it happen again?" He asks after a moment.

"Y-yes," I let out a strangled whisper.

"Oh, baby. I'm so sorry. I'm here. You're safe. I've got you."

"It-he- he got me. He got me. A-and you were on the phone. I- I heard you yell for me." I sob, swallowing the lump in my throat.

"It's okay, Clove. He didn't get you. You're here with me right now. It was just a dream. You're okay. I've got you."

"Thank you, Cato." I lean my head into the crook of his neck, letting out a sigh of relief and exhaustion.

"Of course." He strokes my hair and pushes a sweaty strand behind my ear. "I've got you. I always will."

—

So this was really intense but I kinda love it 🤭

In the end Clove is fine and she didn't actually get kidnapped. What actually happened, though? Well, maybe I'll write about it. If you guys want.

<3