Reprogram (Hunger Games Cato/OC)

Chapter 3

Reprogram 3

Hazel POV

I woke slightly before the anthem and went outside to watch it. Three more tributes had died; the girl from 3, and the boys from 9 and 10. I went hunting briefly after the anthem and caught a raccoon venturing from its hidden lair, and returned to the cave. I placed the raccoon in a plastic bag from my bag and put it in the coldest corner of the cave. Then I went to bed. I was in my sleeping bag with my eyes closed when I felt the hands close around my neck.

My eyes flew open and my mouth gasped for air to scream, but I had none. Cato straddled my waist, like that moment yesterday in the bloodbath. His malicious eyes seemed to gleam in the darkness. The only light came from the moonbeams that filtered through the thick roots of the bush.

"Found you," he whispered huskily in my ear. I scratched at his hands around my throat. He let go and I gasped for air. "You know the drill, if you scream, I kill you and your friend." I nodded and whispered,

"How did you find me?" He laughed quietly, and Axel didn't so much as stir.

"You showed me the way. Crashing through the woods this morning, screaming his name." He nodded at Axel. I frowned.

"You were watching me?"

"For a long time, yes," he said in a patronizing tone.

"But why?" He threw his hands up in exasperation.

"You work for me. I am the only person you fight for. I want you on my team." I sighed. We'd had this conversation before. It was impossible to communicate with him.

"So, are you going to just take me, or kill me now?"

"Neither. I'm going to mark you as mine. Clove is expecting me, and I would have to kill your little ally first, anyways. I just don't have that kind of time today, lucky for you." I didn't like that sound of him marking me.It sounded devilish, and painful. He smiled evilly. I got up and ran to the cave entrance. Cato didn't even attempt to follow.

"Hazel," he called out teasingly. I turned to see him holding a knife to Axel's throat. "Come back, or let your ally die." I could almost hear the people in District 4 begging me to go to Cato. I did, walking slowly to his side and sat down warily on my sleeping bag.

Cato smiled and released the knife from Axel. He came to me and said, "Lay down." I did, and he straddled me again. One of his big hands went over my mouth, and the other to my waist. He hoisted the fabric of my shirt up and raised the knife. I prepared myself for immense pain. It came soon after.

He dug the knife into my flesh, curving it and shaping a cut in my hip. I fought the urge to scream. It was over then, and he pulled back to gauge my reaction. He grinned, seeing me in pain. He bent his head again, and licked a drop of blood from my wound. Gross.

When he resurfaced, his mouth was in a smirk, knowing he could make me powerless. He wiped the blood from his mouth and fixed up my cut, which surprised me. He poured water on it, and bandaged it. "That should be gone in 3-4 days," he informed me. I nodded, sitting up. "It'll leave a scar, though," he taunted me. I'd been expecting no less. "You know, the marking ceremony isn't over." I looked at him in surprise.

"What do you mean?" His eyes flicked to my lips, and before I could think, or protest, he kissed me. His lips were forceful and hungry, and I didn't try to resist. I knew it would only result in bad news for me. His hands clenched, and wound around my back and in my long hair. I was curious as to what his hair felt like, and I laced my fingers in it. He moaned and pulled me closer. Cato broke away and held me to his chest.