An Enemy's Song

                I’d never quite felt burning hatred until the day of the Tribute Parade, when I first set my eyes upon her. I’d heard the stories. The tale of the heroic girl from district twelve who’d volunteered for the 74th annual hunger games to save her sister from them, but even then I hadn’t felt my blood curdle the same way it did when I looked at her. I was disgusted of course, along with the other careers. It was a stupid move on her part and she was getting so much attention from it. We all laughed at her. 

She should have just let her sister be chosen, because she stood no real chance in winning. I’d decided not to watch the video of her reaping when they’d brought us to the Capitol. Instead, I left Cato, the other tribute from my district, to watch it alone. I didn’t need to see a video to know what to expect from the girl. Or so I’d thought.

                I stared at her, along with everyone else in the damn Capitol. Flames wrapped around her body and the audience went ballistic, cheering her name, whistling and screaming. She smiled at them gracefully and the small action made my blood boil. There was no doubt she’s get all the sponsors now. She had everyone’s undivided attention.

I didn’t know how it could be happening. How a plain girl like her, from district twelve nonetheless, could be causing such an uproar. I also didn’t understand the sheer hate I felt for her. Sure, I was bound to be angry, but the emotions that were pent up in my body were ridiculous. It wasn’t just anger or envy, it was a need to see her in pain. A need to watch her get murdered by my hand.

                Cato turned to me with a worried glance. “Clove, you okay?” he asked me quietly, as to not draw any suspicion. Cato wasn’t a bad guy, but he was as sadistic as a person could get. I never understood how he could be so cold, at least not until I looked at Katniss Everdeen. I knew Cato cared for me, even if it was only a little. I’d known him my whole life and it was to be expected, but neither him nor I would let emotions get in the way of the games. He was there to win and so was I, even if I wasn’t quite as maniacal as he was. I nodded to him and tried to shield my obvious hatred from my face. I didn’t need him asking me questions or anyone else bothering me for that matter.

                He turned back to the girl that was currently the reason for my complete self-torture. He scrunched his nose in disgust and the corners of his mouth curled down. “It’s not even fair.” He growled. “There’s no reason they should be getting this much attention. We’re the Careers. The only ones  who have any chance of winning the games is us.” I nodded again and pretended to listen to him as he complained. His anger was correctly placed and that just made me increasingly annoyed at myself. I should’ve been livid that the district twelve rats were getting more attention than we were, just like Cato was, but my burning hate seemed too strong for such a petty reason. I didn’t have a reason though. There was no reason that my brain could muster which made my rage justified.           

                I continued to stare at “the girl on fire”. Beyond her dark, grey eyes was a deep seated pain that could only be seen of you were looking close enough, and the smile plastered across her face was as fake as it could get. It was so blindingly obvious to me, but not to everyone else. As I examined her face further, I realised how wrong I was before. She was anything but plain. I don’t know if that made me want to hurt her even more. I revelled in the thought of my blade pressing against her neck and drawing blood as she begged me for her life. My lips turned upwards in a cruel smile. I knew Cato was sending me questioning glances but I didn’t bother looking back at him, I kept staring at the girl everyone had grown to love in such a short space of time.

                After the cheering had died down slightly, I heard Cato mutter to himself. “I’m going to enjoy killing her.” My ears picked up at the sound of his words and I snarled in rage turning to him, my eyes blazing.

                “She’s mine. Back off Cato.” I growled at him, trying my best not to shout and let my anger get the better of me.

                He held his hands up in front of his face. “Hey, calm down Clove, I thought she was fair game.” He chuckled and laughed it off, waving his hand slightly. I just gave him a firm look and shook my head, looking him dead in the eye to let him know I was serious.

                “No one touches fire girl in the games but me, you got that?” I asked him, my tone lowering.

                He raised an eyebrow, but nodded, sighing and turned back to look at the two of them in all their “glory.”

                The boy, whose name I couldn’t remember, suddenly grabbed Katniss’ hand and raised it In the air, interlocking their fingers. He turned to her and I didn’t miss the small smile and wink he sent her way. Something in my chest tightened and constricted. My vision went blind with fury and I burned holes into the boy with my eyes, wishing I could decapitate him on the spot. I was scaring myself with my own thoughts. I’d never been so violent in my life. I may have been trained to be a ruthless killer but I was still human. However, the only thoughts I could conjure while staring at the two of them was how much joy it’d bring me to rip the boy’s arm from its socket. He’d pay for touching what was mine. And she was mine. Whether she knew it yet or not.