Star Crossed Lovers (Clove And Cato Book 2)

23. Tick Tock It's A Clock

23.

No one even makes a sound as we hear the cannon. I know it can’t be Johanna; she’s just barely left us. Okay it has been near two hours now, and no one can help feel weird. Cashmere has stopped moving, her body lays motionless on the tents ground. Wiress sits beside her, and mutters ‘tick-tock’ repeatedly.

Beetee, I have noticed, seems reluctant to talk anymore. He sits muttering to himself of some strange theories of the arena. I’m afraid to ask him, as he might just drown me with his speech. Finnick is the only person acting as normal; as normal as you can be when your friend is dead and one of your supposedly allies was taunting another behind their backs.

That night we sit hunched up, passing the remaining bread around. I feel so let down, no sponsor has rained their gifts on us. It’s like they don’t think we need it. The fish, which Finnick caught just a while back, is nice on the bread that is hardened and tough on your teeth. Cato is silent through out the meal, and only grunts occasionally as I ask him if he wants some more. I think he’s still upset about the whole ‘Johanna-thing’. I don’t blame him; she was getting on my nerves too.

It’s not until we actually hear the cannon that we all look at each other guilty. Finnick, Cato and I all exchange frightened looks. It looks as if Beetee, Wiress and Cashmere haven’t even noticed.

I instantly move from my crouch and run out to the dark sky. The seal of Panem illuminates the sky and I wait anxiously for the Fallen faces.

I hope it’s not Prim….

I see it, my hopes rising high and rest as I don’t recognize the dead soul. A past victor no less, but now dead.

Cato joins me, his breath muffled by the sound of the shouts in the distance.

“Who was it…?” he stops and glances at the sky, just in time to see the face before it melts away forever. I turn away from the sky, and from Cato.

“I want to go home.” I groan, it’s like last time. And I know Cato’s response.

“I’m sorry Clove, but I can’t make that happen.” He says, my lips moving in time with his.

“I know, but why do we have to do this?” I say, tears surrounding my eyes and blocking my direct view from the angel standing in front of me.  Cato steps towards me and wraps me in a warm embrace. I can smell his faint odour, which is unpleasant as he hasn’t washed in days.

“Clo, I promise you, I will make you win.”

Don’t let him win,

I feel the pressure on the world on me, and shake free of Cato’s grasp.

“I’m okay now, let’s go back inside.” I announce and bound ahead, hoping he doesn’t notice my change of tone.

We re-enter the tent, nothing is different from before. Apart from the fact that Finnick is right beside Beetee, deep in converse.

“…you’re sure…” I hear the end of Finnick’s sentence say, before he stops abruptly.

“We’ve figured it out.” He says excitedly to Cato and I. I look at Cato with a raised brow. His lips twitch into a frown.

“Figured out what?” I snap out, Finnick laughing. He runs a hand through his hair.

“Beetee is a genius, and Wiress….she knew all along.” Finnick expresses out, emphasizing on ‘Beetee’ and ‘Wiress’.

“Finnick tell us what is going on.” I demand. Finnick just shakes his head.

“I’ll let Beetee explain,”