The Secret Star-Crossed Lovers of District 2 (Clato)

Chapter I

To them she was cunning, malicious, and deadly; to him she was beautiful, vulnerable and broken.

To them he was heartless, ruthless and powerful; to her he was brave, protective and loving.

Clove

"Will he hurt us Clover?" My five year old brother Colton whispered in my ear.

He looked his big brown eyes into mine, fear had overtaken his innocent stare.

"I won't let him hurt you." I said firmly, trying to keep myself from crying.

"Clove!" My father yelled from the kitchen. His voice broke the gaze I held with Colton.

I took shaky steps towards the kitchen. Colton stayed directly behind me holding onto the tail of my shirt.

"Yes Father?" I said quietly stepping into the kitchen, with Colton still on my heels. 

He took a few drunken steps forward, clutching heavily to the side of the kitchen table for support.

"I lost a bet." He slurred. His tone made me nervous it was almost, sympathetic.
"If I lost then you would have to volunteer for the hunger games." He finished quickly.

My heart seemed to skip a beat. Sure I have been training for years but I'm only 16, I would still have to more years of training. I was hoping to have both Kolton and I out of this house by then. I can't leave him here with the monster.

"No." I stated firmly, glaring into his eyes.

I watched his face turn from sympathetic to stone cold. He advanced towards me, causing me to take a few steps back; however Colton was still behind me and I toppled over him and onto the floor.

"You don't say no to me!" He yelled, as he filled the space that separated us.

He reached his arm out and grabbed the end of my hair pulling me up. Before I could even collect my thoughts his fist had connected with my face. I stumbled backwards from the impact and blood began to flow from the hit.

"You no good child!" He yelled as he kicked me in the gut, forcing me to fall to the ground in pain.

He kicked me repeatedly on the ground until little black dots clouded my vision. Through the pain I had remembered Colton. I forced my eyes to look around until I spotted him. He was sitting in the corner crying into his hands. His little 5 year old body shook with every sob.

"Colton run." I seemed to croak out with the only remaining air in my lungs. "Get Cato-" I mumbled.

Colton's head popped up at his name, he looked to me and then stood up to begin to run. My father, however had noticed what was going on and grabbed Colton by the waist before he could get anywhere.

"Put me down!" He screamed as he thrashed his fists against my father.

I looked up at my father, searching for some trace of the man he used to be. After my mother had died he had never been the same.

I watched him search through a kitchen drawer, while Colton banged his fists furiously against his chest. He stopped searching and to my horror I watched as he pulled out a large kitchen knife.

"No!" I screamed, startling my father.

"Say you'll volunteer." He said sickeningly, as he held the knife up to Colton's throat.

Colton's eyes met mine, they were filled with tears and pure fear.

"I'll do it." I said weakly pushing myself up.

He smiled to himself and stumbled up the stairs. I watch Colton closely until we heard the door slam. Colton rushed to my side as soon as it slammed and held onto me for dear life.

"We can't stay here." I started. "We will go to Cato's." I tell him, his face lights up at the sound of Cato's name.

He helped me up gently, my whole body aches but I have to push through. Every step is agonizing but as we walk it gets easier. I lean on Kolton's little body for support but it doesn't do much. We walk slowly due to my injuries to Cato's house. He live about 1/2 a mile away in the richer part of town.

Cato and I have been best friends since I was twelve and he was thirteen. We met at training and ever since then we just clicked. We've spent almost every possible second together; whether it was training, school or just playing around with Colton. We have spent a lot of time with Cato, both Colton and I. Once my mom died we had no one to support us so Cato and I took on be role of raising Colton. They're both the closest thing I could ever have to a real family.

  It took us about 20 minutes to walk to Cato and by the time I was there I was exhausted. It was about 2 in the morning when we arrived, at this point I was carrying Colton.  I hobbled up the stairs and knocked ferociously on the door. About 2 minutes later Cato opened the door. He was shirtless and disheveled from sleep His face went from shocked to horrified as he examined Colton and I.

"Clove what happened--" He started but I cut him off.

"Can we come in?" I whispered.

He pulled me into his house and then into his arms. He held both Colton and I in his arms for what seemed like forever. I had never felt more complete than with Cato and Colton. I snuggled into his chest farther and he wrapped his arms tighter around us. He kissed the top of Coltons head and took him from my arms. By now he had fallen asleep, and looked very peaceful in Cato's arms. My head was beginning to feel heavy and the world was getting all fuzzy. I assumed it was because of loss of blood.

"Cato!" I called weakly up the stairs.

He came toppling down the stairs at full speed. Before he could even reach me the world went black and I collapsed onto the ground.