Melting Ice

Chapter 2

A few months later

Clove

"Do you want to know the gender?", the doctor asks. I look towards Cato who gives me a shrug.

"Let's keep it a surprise", I say. This gel stuff feels weird on my stomach and is very cold! Colder than the nights in the games but, not unbearable. We have the nursery set up at home with an oak floor, white walls and lots of furniture and toys. Our aim: to prove that careers aren't just vicious and vile. Although, we didn't have the baby to prove this, we had the baby because Cato and I love one another dearly and thought it was time to kick our relationship up a notch. Still, we are only 15(nearly 16). This child will be a lot of responsibility and work. Lots to devotions and commitment. You can't just give it away when you get board with it. Both Cato and I have been watching and reading either documentaries or books about parenting and raising a child so we prepared. I'm 6 months in now and our baby is due late September, early October. I am hoping that the birth won't clash with the games. You see, the Capitol still aren't happy with the berry stunt, so they are preparing to have an even bigger and better game in the winter. As it's a Quarter quell, these games will be different, no one knows how though;that's why Kayla has been training and it's going really well!

Once we return to the house, I decide to walk Poppy down to meet Kayla after her training session. The summer season is coming to an end but, it's still warm and the plants are still luscious green. Poppy is her usual playful self as we walk down the gravel path and out of the sliver gates.

Kayla walks out in her training uniform and a bag slung over her shoulder containing her choice of weapon: knives. I guess it's in our genes.

"Clove!", she squeals as she sees me and runs to hug me.

"Hey. How was your day?", I ask.

"Really good. Maia is getting a lot better at knives". Maia is Kayla's best friend. Her weapon is camouflage and hiding. Useful, but not the best defence device. Kayla is trying to get her to try new things and apparently she isn't bad.

Maia appears behind Kayla a few seconds later with her bag.

"Hey Clove. What time do you want my mother to collect me?", she greets then asks Kayla.

Kayla pauses before saying, "8 ish?".

"You two are very welcome to come to mine for dinner. Cato and I would like the practice with children".

So that's how we ended up with 2 nearly teenagers at our house. I watched Maia's eyes widen as we enter the Victors Village.

"It's..amazing! You live here?", Maia exclaims.

I laugh, "Thank you. Now, I must sort out some details for the victory tour next month. Cato will get staring on dinner in a minute. Kayla, be sure to show Maia around and then feel free to do what you want".

Kayla

Clove makes us remove our shoes before we enter her house. Ever since the games, she seems so mature! I'm not saying it's a bad thing but she is less fun, we can't have silly arguments anymore as I'm almost scared. She is only 15 but she acts like an adult. The games change people.

I take Maia upstairs to my room when ever I stay over. My room is smaller than the one where I live but it's still nice! I have a soft bed with blue sheets and white pillows, a wooden chest of draws where I keep a few outfits such as a few tops, including my favourite pink and white striped top, denim dungarees, denim shorts, a cream dress and a few pairs of shoes. I also have a beautiful view of Cato and Clove's garden.

"Your room is amazing! And your sister is so nice! Mine isn't!", says Maia.

I giggle and reply, "Thank you Maia. Shall we go outside? Poppy is around aswell!". Maia loves Poppy, she has a big dog at home but that's a hunting dog so she can't treat it as we treat Poppy.

Outside, we run around the cherry tree with Poppy chasing us before we fall to the ground in laughter and Poppy jumps onto of us and licks us.

"Ew!", we squeal. Poppy calms down after a while and we manage to sit and chat about the usual: boys, the Capitol...boys. It's so nice that everything is almost back to normal.

When it turns a bit chilly,we head inside for dinner. Cato has made us amazing pizza with garlic bread and homemade ice cream for dessert! He is an outstanding cook! So is Clove but she doesn't really have that much time to cook with the baby only a few months away and the victory tour, also a few months away.

"Your life is perfect! Everyone is so nice and you have amazing food and houses!".

"Thank you", I thank, "It's not always though. It was hard during the Hunger Games and I'm scared about the Quarter Quell".

"Well, we have both been training and our names have only been in there once. Plus, the older children would volunteer anyways. So, what are you doing for your birthday?". Oh yeah! My birthday is in a few weeks!

"I think...maybe a small gathering of like you, Zara, Ash, Brianna and Kaydie and a sleepover either here or at my house", I reply. To be honest, I would love a big party for my 13th but I don't think it would be manageable with everything coming up.

"Presents?", she asks.

"I have not thought about any of it really. Maybe just some new clothes". I know, I know, I already have tons but I do donate to the other districts every year.

Maia's mum picks up Maia that evening and Cato walks me home. Clove is still working in her study. I knock on the door three times, making a lovely sound.

"Cato! How are you?", greets my mother.

"Very well. Yourself?".

"Great. Would you like some tea?".

"I need to get back to Clove, she hasn't stopped working the moment she stepped in the door!".

"Bless her". I leave mother and Cato to chat whilst I change out of my sweaty training uniform and into my batman sweater, leggings and slippers. Then I go into the family room where I see President Snows face projected on the wall.

"The time has come. The third Quarter Quell is near", he begins as I crawl onto Isabelle's lap.

"What are they talking about?", I ask, "The Games aren't for months!". All eyes turn to Isabelle and Cane as if they know what is happening.

"Must be the reading of the card", Cane finally says. The anthem plays quietly as a young boy in a white suit appears holding a simple wooden box. Snow reminds us all of the Dark Days, like we needed reminding, and how the Hunger Games was born.

He continues to say,"And so, every 25 years, we hold the Quarter Quell. A reminder of how far we have come with freedom but, freedom comes at a price". He then speaks about the

last Quarter Quell and how each District had an election on who was to be tributes.

"This year", he starts, "Tributes shall we reaped on the Victors families under the age of 18. Reapings will be in 2months today. Happy Hunger Games! And may the doss be ever in your favour". The screen goes blank.

Then the shouting starts.