Burning Heart ~ Cato 2 (Completed)

Chapter Two

The wind blows red strands into my hair, and I watch kids play in the snow from my perch. The cold bites at my nose, and pull my coat tighter. 

I feel someone walks up behind me, and Carpenter sits next to me. 

"It's peaceful up here," He says. 

 "It is."

We sit in silence.

"It reminds me of home," He says with a small smile. I take a deep breath.

"What is it like?" I ask, turning my head to him. He looks back at me, his face contemplating.

"It's different. Alma has pretty much taken over. I do the best I can, but I'm only a major general."

"What is she going to do when I return?" I question, turning back to the square.

"I don't think you want me to answer that."

Our conversation is interrupted by the sound of a large, scared crowd. People begin gathering around a central point. At last I see why. 

A peacekeeper raises a whip, and strikes a man. A sickening feeling pools in my stomach as I realize Gale is the one tied up. I jump up and Carpenter does the same, before blending into the shadows.

I quickly climb down the ladder and sprint to the square. I push through the growing crowd of people. As I jump in front of an already bloodied backed Gale the Peacekeeper slugs me across the face.

"Slum Scum" The Peacekeeper growls  raising his whip. I stand my ground and as it comes down I yank it out of his hands. He punches me across the cheek again.

"What is going on here?" A loud voice yells. The Peacekeeper turns around to face a fuming Haymitch. 

"This criminal-"

"This is the victor of the 74th Hunger Games. Look at her, her face is already welting! You will pay for this, unhook him." Haymitch commands and Katniss appears from the crowd doing as he says. They begin dragging Gale away. The crowd begins to murmur and I force my face to remain calm as my vision begins to spot. 

"Sorry my dear, I couldn't recognize you without all the pretty makeup," The Peacekeeper gives me a sick smile. I return it, against my better judgement. My jaw makes a concerning pop as I do. 

"It's alright," I start to walk away before turning around and landing a punch square in his jaw. He turns back with a venomous glare, and I can't help but slightly panic. After a slight stare off, I force my chin up and turn from him, following Haymitch. 

"Here, this should help." I look up to Haymitch and gratefully accept the icepack. 

"Thank you."

"Why did you put yourself in that position?" He asks quietly, yet not angrily. 

"I don't know," I admit, waiting for him to scold me. He simply nods.

"How long until tour again?" I ask him.

"Two weeks. You should go get some rest kid." He cuts off the conversation. I swallow and nod as he leaves my room. Mina quickly enters the room after his departure.

"Hi darling," She says quietly, handing me a cup. I sip on the dandelion tea gratefully. She watches quietly. 

"You know, when your parents first came to District 12, she was in a similar situation as you," Mina says tilting her head. My eyebrows furrow. 

"What do you mean?" I ask while setting the tea on my side table. A twinkle appears in Mina's eyes as she responds.

"You were just a girl, so I doubt you remember it. They had you tucked away in your house with that brother of yours," She begins. "They had caught your father illegally hunting. So naturally they brought him to be punished. About halfway through, here comes this young woman, hair blazing rushing towards the peacekeeper. He got her pretty good before he realized. She stood her ground until the peacekeeper dismissed them."

I open my mouth to speak, but am unable to form words.

"Your mother was a wonderful woman Ashlynn, dear. She was too good for 12. She should have stayed in 13," Mina says quietly. I reach out for her fragile hand. 

"She really was."

Fire. 

It's everywhere, a wall of fire crashing down on us. I look across the way as my eyes connect with Cato's.

"I'm sorry!" I cry through the fiery storm. He shakes his head in terror.

"Ashlynn!" I ignore him as I rush through the burning city. Screams of agony fill the air as I run through a living hell. 

People reach for me as I sprint past them, not stopping. A pull an ax out of my belt as the snakey dragon enters my view. 

I swing the ax as I stop in front of Snow. The fire stops as the whole world freezes over. His eyes turn red, and his red blood drips onto the snow-covered ground. Two figures appear on either side of me as I look into Snow's eyes.

"The choice is yours. Choose one, and you die. Choose the other, and they die." He says. My hand reaches out on its own accord and rests on one of the figure's shoulders. As I turn to them, their body shifts into a mutt. I am looking at my own self. Dead, gray eyes connect with mine, and my red hair is cut raggedly short. My skin is sunken in, and multiple cuts and bruises accessorize my body. 

"Goodbye, Ashlynn." Other me says as she raises a gun. I see a flash of red as she shoots, and I watch in slow-motion as a bullet rushes to my face. 

I wake up in a cold sweat, panting in terror. I turn to my window and my blood freezes over. Sitting in the window sill is a vase. In it rests a pristine and fresh white rose.