Never Coming Home

Chapter 2

"It's not that bad really." he said "it's actually quite fun once you get used to it." It was a sunny evening and me and Cato were lying on our backs under a tree on the outskirts of the district looking up at the night sky. I was pretty nervous about starting training, I mean being ruthless at school was one thing but learning how to and actually killing someone? That was a whole different prospect. Cato had already started training the year before me as he was thirteen and I was only twelve. At least training meant we could spend more time together. We had become almost inseparable over the past few years. We were the best of friends.

It was a pretty hot day as it usually is in District 2, so the sky was a beautiful azure with just slight wisps of clouds. We always came to this little place on the outskirts. It was a small hill, almost cliff covered with trees and brightly coloured wild flowers scattered everywhere. No one ever came here because it was so secluded and hidden. It was quite hard to get to as well, as a you had to cross a large stream to get to it. Once you got there though, it was amazingly beautiful. It was our special place were we always came nearly every evening and just talked or lay on the soft grass gazing at the stars. It was us that had built a little bridge to cross the stream and discovered it. "It's getting pretty late." Cato announced "We should really be getting back". I agreed and stood up brushing some grass off my front. We headed down towards the stream. When we got there the current seemed stronger than usual and was splashing water up onto the bridge. Cato looked quite worried, "Maybe we should wait, it could be slippy" he said. "Don't be stupid!" I replied "it'll be fine". As if to prove a point I hopped nimbly onto the bridge and started to cross when there was a huge CRACK as the bridge was swept from beneath my feet.

I can't remember clearly what happened after but I do remember as I was plunged into the cold water, having a sudden realisation that I couldn't swim. It had never seemed important for me to learn so I never had. Even still, I would have had to be a really strong swimmer to get out of the current that was pulling me under. My lungs were burning and everything was going black when I felt a strong arm grab me round the waist. I vaguely remember lying on the grass beside the stream coughing up a mixture of water and sick as Cato's face swam into focus above me. "I don't think the bridge is safe." He commented half laughing half crying.

He carried me home after that. I told him he didn't need to but he just said "You stopped breathing, I think you need a bit of help." When we got to my house my mum didn't ask too many questions, just ran to get towels and hot drinks. We sat wrapped up drinking hot tea in silence until Cato spoke; "I thought you had died, you went underwater and when you didn't surface I knew you were in trouble." "Thanks for saving my life..." I mumbled "It was really brave". "I will always have your back Clove, no matter what." He replied. "Cato?" I said. "Yeah?" "Let's make a pact to always have each others backs no matter what, like you said." I suggested. "I will always be there for you." Cato replied. "Always?" I asked. "Always." He said.