Burning Heart ~ Cato 2 (Completed)

Chapter One

My breathing is labored as I stare into the eyes I once thought were lifeless. I shake my head and look back at him, and sure enough he still stands in front of me. 

"How?" I breathe, almost in a whisper.  My legs move backwards, and I run into a tree. My knees buckle and I slide down the bark. 

"That's a bit complicated." He admits sheepishly. His voice is laced with an unfamiliar accent. 

"I thought you were dead," My voice below a whisper now.  Carpenter throws his head back in a laugh.

"Last time I checked I'm alive." I look into his eyes and see the familiar joking. I force myself to smile. My eyes land on his left hand and I tilt my head.

"Is that, is that a wedding band?" I ask in confusion. He looks at it lovingly.

"It is." He seems far off, distant.

"You're married?" Carpenter toys with the ring, and contemplates before answering. 

"I am."

"Oh."

We stand in silence a bit more. An alarm goes off in his pocket and he sighs deeply. 

"I have to go Jay, I'll meet you again soon, okay?"

I don't say a word but nod slowly. He reaches for a hug and I flinch slightly, causing him to draw back.

"Bye Ashlynn."

I grab the bottle from Haymitch's hand and take a large gulp. The alcohol burns my throat and Haymitch sits up, raising his eyebrow. 

"What?" I ask defensively. I take another two bottles of the white wine out of my pack and set it on his table. 

"You good?" He asks. I take another sip before answering.

"I will be." My eyes close and I grimace at the liquid. I hand the bottle back to him, and shake my head.

"I know how you feel." He leans back in his recliner and watches me, waiting for me to talk.

"My brother is alive." 

"I know," Haymitch responds. He turns to me and smiles sadly.

"Haymitch, what if I don't want to do this? What if I don't want to be the hero?"

He stares at me for a moment, before leaning forward and grabbing my hand.

"Ashlynn, sweetheart. I'm afraid you no longer have a choice. If you walk away now, tons of people will die."

"People will die either way." His grip tightens.

"Everyone will die. And they will die for nothing."

I take off in a full sprint through the village, dodging people as I pass. I slid under the fence and continue to the bluff.

Carpenter sits there, his back towards me. His feet dangle off the cliff.

"Staring is rude," He says without turning around. 

I say nothing and sink next to him as night falls around us. As if instinctively I rest my head on his shoulder.

"You're alive." I breathe. I feel him calm next to me. 

"Yes. I am." Silence fills the air and we watch the sunset. 

"They're gone," I whisper shakily. Carpenter deflates.

"Yes. They are." He whispers.

"I think I'm next," My words are almost inaudible. Carpenter pauses before responding.

"Yes. You are."