The dark haired threat

part 15_ fetching water

Mason laughed a little as he turned toward me "So your that asshole Rick's little brother huh?" he questioned.I narrowed my eyes at him defensive of my brother, "Yes that would be me and Rick may be a lot of things but an asshole doesn't qualify as one of them" I reply letting my jaw relax a little.Mason rolls his dark eyes a little before spinning on his heels to respond to Dwayne."Personally it's a no brainer.That Clover girl is brilliant,you said yourself a few days ago." Dwayne wrinkled his nose and began to scratch his head."" I did?" he asked, clearly phased by Mason's claim.Mason folded his arms, "Not in so many words but I did hear you call her a ' future Victor' which in my book means you think she's pretty darn brilliant" he informed us.If Mason remembers this then he must know Dwayne also said the same thing about me,surely? before I can swim off in a sea of my own thoughts, Mason looks over his shoulder, His eye line slowly trailing in my direction.He does remember.

"Oh I suppose I did" Dwayne admits bringing his hands to his hips, "So Cato,what about you?" he asks.As I step out of the pathway leading Masons eyes to me, I make my own up into Dwayne's."what about me, Dwayne?" I respond to him.He looks over at Mason raising his eyebrows up to his hairline."who do you think will win?" he questions in an un amused fashion.What sort of a question is that? we have Bailey- a competitive, self obsessed, brain washed and the perfect stereotypical little district two boy.Who really has no clue who he is and then there's Clove- the dark haired intelligent and mysterious girl.She's unlike anyone I've ever met before.A great knife thrower and clearly very athletic.Clove would sooner die than lose to Bailey.Mason is right.It's a no brainer.

I look away from Dwayne and avert my eyes back to the track.Looking at the fast approaching racers, "My precious water is on Clove" I inform them."Okay lads, let's see if your both right." Dwayne speaks whilst improving his posture, engaging into the race.

~ Clove's p.o.v~

Bailey takes a quick glance over in my lane to see how I'm  doing.I can smell the defeat in his heavy breath.I've got this,He knows I've got this.

I keep my eyes on the prize, focusing on the the line that marks the end of the race for me.I use every muscle in my arms to pump them as fast as I can, breaking through the metaphorical wall as I begin to accelerate.

The figures at the end are clear now.Dwayne, Cato and that fair haired boy.Cato? I wonder when he got there and I wonder who won.

Through the corner of my right eye I see Bailey stumble a little on the uneven grass.It's not much but it's all I need to take the clear lead.I don't bother slowing down a little, knowing the race is likely mine.Although I've only recently met Bailey I know this will only make him come back more determined to beat me than ever.I speed up as much as I can, I will win.You have to be positive in these kind of situations,it's what keeps you going.

Nearing the finish line I see something on Cato's face.Is it? no it can't be, a smile.Cato is actually smiling, glad that I beat his friend.He's completely different to every other person I've ever met and that is what's so great about him.I smile back at him the second my feet cross over the line.Bailey stumbling a few seconds behind.He looks really annoyed and begins to approach Dwayne, His nostrils flaring.

Cato turns around, walking up to the table.Unsure of what to do, I follow him.He grabs a bottle of water and passes me the much needed liquid.I pull off the lid, eager to consume the fluid."Well done, Clove" he congratulates me, I squint at him as the smile expands on his face."I'm serious.Well done, it's no joke" I guess I still don't look convinced because he places his hands in the air in a surrounded motion adding "honest"  to convince me.I suppose he is genuinely happy for me So I return his smile, "okay, in that case thank you.Where did you come?" I reply.His smile grows yet again before he answers," second.Just one place before you.Mason over there won" he extends his arm out towards to fair haired boy sat on the grass.

He stares at the track like a small child waiting up for Santa Claus on Christmas eve.Really, He won.I had no idea his name was Mason, I've only ever encountered him once before.It was around 4 years ago.I was with my mother, we were walking back home from a picnic in the forest.It was my favourite thing to do in the world.Mason was standing in one of the abandoned alley ways with another boy, His elder brother.His brother had just come back from winning the hunger games and Mason was sat hugging his knees into his chest, frozen solid in the alley.His brother was comforting him as Mason cried staring straight forward.He was distracted by nothing.As if he was the only human left in Oblivion.Completely unaware of his surroundings.A few hours later, my dad came home from work and informed us that they found a body In the house Mason lived in.His grandmother.Mason had to move into the victors village with his big brother, His father had apparently disappeared out of the picture before he was born and his mother was taken away soon after his grandmother's death.My father never told us where she went.

I looked at Mason with such sorrow.The capitol can be cruel.I slowly approached him with Cato on my heels."Hey Mason,I heard you came first.Well done" I smile weakly at him.He looks me up and down "yeah thanks" he responds mirroring my smile, His a little more forced.

I look up and see a whole lot of other people fast approaching the finish line.Turning to face Cato, He watched carefully as they all cross the line and wince at the uncomfortable sound of Dwayne's whistle.

~Cato's p.o.v~

I perch down onto the grass in between  Bailey and Clove as we watch the last of us finish the course.Practically everyone  behind us sprawled on their backs, surrounded by water. "Alright well done Cassidy, take a seat.Lunch will take place once everyone has finished then it's sword time" Dwayne declared.I look up smiling at Cassie and arise to fetch her some of that clearly essential water.i don't know why, it wasn't as if she hasn't had her fair share of it already.

~authors note~

I promise the endless fitness session will soon be over.Sword time is fast approaching and the Clove will be in for a big surprise!

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