Wrong Place, Right Time - Cato Hadley x OC

Chapter 13: The Messages

I woke up the next morning to a rustling in the bushes. I instinctively reach for my spear but soon realise I'll cause too much noise myself. I'll be safer staying still and quiet. 

The rustling is getting quieter, so I sneakily poke my head out of my tree-nest, only to find a bunny scurrying around the area. It makes me smile. Even in the darkest times, such a beautiful creature can have no cares in the world. Oh, to be that bunny.

Now that I'm awake, I remember yesterday's tragic events. My Wade is gone, and it was at the hands of the boy I trusted the most. 

I remember my vow to myself yesterday, how I would win for him, encouraging me to get up to start the day. The first thing I do is check the snares I set yesterday, I know I can't eat that bunny, so I hope I caught a bird.

By the time I checked all my snares, there was nothing. They were all empty. "That's so weird," I think, "There's always something to be caught". Unless I did catch something. Maybe I got some birds, and someone looted them before I could get to them.

Out of the remaining tributes, the only one I wouldn't hate to have taken them is the ginger girl from Five. I must have hurt her enough with my blade, the least I could do was provide her some nourishment. 

In the middle of my thoughts, my stomach starts to growl, and I remember I still need nourishment. I decided to go where I knew I'd catch food the easiest: the River. 

I know I'm not too far away from the main river, the only one I know to have fish in it, but that's also very close to the Cornucopia, and I'm assuming, my ex-allies. I shake my head. They'll be out hunting somewhere, too, the chances I run into them are so small. I continue my path to the water.

To my relief, when I reached it and thoroughly checked the area, I realised I was right. With no one in sight, I crouch down at the side of the stream and wait for the right moment to strike. I see a trout upstream, and by the time it notices I'm being watched, my spear has already impaled it.

I was considering going for another; this fish wasn't small by any means, but I'd like to have something ready for later if worst came to worse, but my decision had already been made for me.

The voices of Cato and Clove can be heard in the distance. Raising my head, I can see their figures coming from the opposite side of the field from where I stood. 

I can't help but wait and watch. They're chatting amongst themselves, but I can't make out anything they're saying until something catches my attention.

"I wonder who's snares those were," Cato mutters, and my heart drops.

"Who cares?" Clove sneers. "Whoever it was should've got up earlier if they wanted them."

Are you kidding me? Of all the people to take my catches, of course, it was them. If they weren't so strong and well-trained in combat, I would think they have no chance of winning. 

I come to my senses as they approach the Cornucopia, I gather my things as fast as I can and gun it towards the nearest bit of trees.

Ensuring no one had followed me, I set my stuff down again and prepared a fire to cook my meal. The loneliness hits me harder than it had before. I know I've always been alone out here, with the Games in mind at least, but being physically alone for the first time hurts.

I shake the thoughts as best as I can, and when I'm done with the fish, I decide to set out for the day, hoping to find some better shelter for the night to come.

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