CHARADE | Glimmer (THG)

Chapter Twelve

Trigger warnings: Fast fashion and mentions of animal cruelty, bullying (Cato), poisoning

Loud music sounds from the Capitol streets outside. I stumble out of my bed and pull aside the curtain. Throngs of Capitol people in garish costumes are walking down the darkened street outside. I shut my curtain before any of them see me.

It must be the first night of the Countdown before the Hunger Games begin- where Capitol festivities are livestreamed into the Districts for five days straight. I grab some tissue from my bathroom, wedge it in my ears and bury my head with my pillow and duvet. Still the music is too loud.

In my brief snatches of sleep, my visions are filled with Arion staring at me betrayed, Clove and Cato discussing how best to kill me, and Finch cackling madly whilst I scream at her to stop.

When Gwen knocks on my door, telling me it's time to get up, I feel like a zombie, shuffling my feet towards the Dining Room in search of something to eat. Thankfully, the others look tired too, with Cashmere draining a whole mug of coffee before she can even say hello.

Only Marvel looks like he's got any sleep. His blue eyes are almost twinkling as he enters beaming into the room, and even in training gear, he looks handsome. I turn away and grab a breakfast roll and an apple before he can see me flush.

We eat in silence, and it's only as we get up to go and the others head out the room, that Gwen takes my arm.

Pulling me in close, she murmurs, "I'll take you to the party after training. Don't forget, and remember: best behaviour!"

"I will," I smile sweetly, "I'm really looking forward to it!"

At training, Cato and Clove are surlier than normal and I manage to stay clear of them for most the morning until we're sat together for lunch.

"Did anyone hear the music last night?" Marina asks as we dig into a selection of pies and roasted vegetables.

"I did!" Murdoch says excitedly, "It was super loud. I think they had speakers or something. We never had anything like that in District Four."

"No," Marina agrees.

"We normally have violins or flutes, and they play some really cool sea shanties, but other times they-"

"Shut up," Cato growls, "No one asked."

Murdoch looks stunned, "But-"

"Shut up."

Murdoch glances at Marina and shuffles closer to her, whilst she glares at Cato thunderously.

"Got something to say, Marina?" Clove asks softly.

"I think we should get the boy from District Eleven to join our group." We all turn to stare at Marvel, who's cheerfully eating some carrots. He looks up at us, "What?"

"Nothing," Cato smiles, reaching over to pat him on the shoulder, "That's a great idea, Marvel. He'd make a good ally...unlike others." He smirks at Murdoch who flushes, "I'll go ask him now."

We all watch as Cato gets to his feet and swaggers over to where Thresh is sitting with his district partner, Rue. Although we can't hear it, their conversation is brief. Cato says a lot; Thresh responds with one word. Cato returns to our table, murderous. His fist slams by his plate as he sits down, sending his drink flying.

"He refused." He doesn't seem to believe it.

"Then we kill him," I say.

Cato nods, "He'll be the first to die in the arena."