We Want War

Reunion

Cato POV

It had been weeks since I had seen Glimmer. Our last trip had been in her District where she showed me where she had gone to school. After that, we just hung around like normal teenagers who had nothing else to do. I wasn’t complaining though because any time spent with Glimmer was time well spent.

Now I finally had her in my arms and she was giggling as I spun her around.

“Cato, stop!” she squealed.

 I finally put her down but I couldn’t keep my hands off of her. I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her to me. I crushed my lips to her, pouring all my happiness into finally seeing her into that kiss. She snaked her hands around my neck and let her fingers tangle in my hair. One of my hands settled on her waist while the other drifted upwards to cup her cheek.

We broke apart with a start when Brutus cleared his throat. Glimmer blushed but I just smirked at Brutus. “You jealous?”

“I would be arrested for kissing a minor like that,” laughed Brutus. Glimmer laughed and stuck her tongue out at him.

“It’s so good to see you again,” I said, grasping her hands.

She smiled her heartbreaking smile. “Likewise,” she said, winking.

“Feels good to be reunited?” asked Enobaria.

Enobaria, Brutus and I have grown closer since we both lived in the Victors village. Other past Victors named Lyme, Ash, Aradia and Videl also live there with us. I’m sure Glimmer, Cashmere and Gloss have also grown closer like us.

“It really does,” I said, beaming down at Glimmer. She smiled back and then turned to Cashmere.

“Can we change out of these outfits?”

Cashmere waved us away with a flick of her wrist and a smirk. She knew that we just wanted private time. “Let the adults talk and you kids go have fun.”

Glimmer took my hand and led me down the train to the back where our rooms were. Someone had put little nametags on the doors so we knew where to sleep. I noticed my name was father from Glimmer’s than I would have liked and I pointed that out.

“Here,” she said, grabbing my nametag and switching it with Patchi’s. “He’ll never know.”

We separated only to go into our different rooms to change. When I came back out, I was in an outfit Raine had designed for me. It was plain black t-shirt made of super soft material and black jeans made with hardy material. Glimmer was wearing yoga pants and lime green loose tank top. She had undone her hair so it waved loosely around her shoulders.

“Do you want to go join the others?” asked Glimmer. “They should tell us about the Victory Tour.”

I really didn’t want to but she had a point. “Sure, let’s go.”

This time I took her hand and led her back through the train until we reached the living room car. Everyone was sitting on couches, sipping drinks and catching up.

I sat down beside Enobaria and I expected Glimmer to sit beside me. Instead, she sat beside Cashmere across from me. She leaned towards Cashmere and whispered something to her. Cashmere glanced at Aryn and then at Gloss. She made a slight motion with her head and Gloss stood up. Cashmere grabbed Glimmer’s hand and pulled her to her feet.

“We’ll be right back,” said Cashmere, smiling at all of us as she followed Gloss out of the living room car, pulling Glimmer after her.

“That was weird,” remarked Brutus, frowning.

“What’s going on Cato?” asked Enobaria.

I shrugged. “I don’t know. Everything seemed fine before.”

Aryn, who was sitting between Raine and Wilhelmina, cleared his throat. “It’s a matter of her new job when this tour is over I think.”

That sobered us all up. I had somehow made myself forget what awaited Glimmer at the end of the tour. We would party in the Capitol and then, when I’m safely on my way home to District 2, she’ll be stuck in the Capitol, having sex with the highest bidder for the unforeseeable future. I may have her to myself now but not for long. I may never see her for years after the end of this tour.

I was about to get up and start throwing things when I felt Enobaria’s hand on my arm, steadying me. “Breathe Cato. We’ll figure out something.”

I knew we could never figure out a way to keep Glimmer from that fate. Enobaria was just saying that to calm me. Glimmer had made a deal with the devil; purposely chaining herself to Snow in order for me, her family and her friends to live safely and peacefully away from Snow.

I had hated her making that deal but after she won the Hunger Games, it was either that or watch everyone she loved die. I understood why she made the deal but I could not let myself accept it has her fate.

Cashmere, Gloss and Glimmer only surfaced an hour later as we were making our way to the dining car for supper. Glimmer looked defiant, like she was ready to throw a punch should someone cross her. Cashmere and Gloss looked defiant too. I guess I was right in assuming that the three of them grew close in the last six months.

Glimmer sat next to me at supper and she smiled and talked like nothing odd had happened. I decided to follow her lead and act like nothing out of the ordinary occurred. I would have time later to question her.

“So this is your schedule,” said Patchi, putting down his fork and knife and pulling out a small day planner.

I took another bite of roast beef and then gave Patchi my undivided attention.

“District 12 is roughly a two to three day trip so we’ll have time to prepare on the train before we get there. We’ll stay a night in each district and celebrate with them.”

I tried not to laugh at that. What kind of district would celebrate with the people who killed their Tributes?

“We’ll keep going up the districts until we reach 2. In 2 we have a special celebration since one of our Victors in from there. We’ll have another special celebration in 1. After the night in 1, we leave in the morning for the Capitol. That night there is the interviews with Caesar and the Victor Ball is being held in President Snow’s mansion the following night.”

I glanced sideways at Glimmer but she looked steadily ahead.

“After that, Cashmere, Gloss and Glimmer will stay in the Capitol with Wilhelmina, Aryn, Raine, me and their prep teams,” finished Patchi. “The train will then carry Cato, Enobaria and Brutus home.”

I nodded, instantly angry again at the thought of Glimmer having sex with another guy who paid for her. Enobaria seemed to sense my anger and quickly changed the topic to all the different outfits that were designed for all of us on the tour.

How was I supposed to live knowing what Glimmer sacrificed for me?