We Want War

Not Goodbye

Glimmer POV

I woke up wrapped in Cato’s arms. I was only in my bra and panties and my hair was a wild mane. Cato was wearing no shirt but he had on lounger pants. I gently extricated myself from his embrace and padded into the bathroom.

After a long shower, I scrubbed off caked on makeup that was leftover from last night and tied my damp hair into a messy bun. I padded back into the room to change and saw Cato still sleeping soundly. The sun was shining through the window so I slipped on a dark blue sun dress and black flats. I was just leaving the room when Cato stirred.

“Glimmer?”

I closed the door and sat on the end of the bed. “Good morning.”

Cato ran a hand through his hair. “How are you feeling?”

I shook my head. “I’m good now but I don’t want to talk about what I did last night.”

“So you remember?”

I crawled into the bed and curled myself against Cato. “I’m so sorry for what I did. There was no way in the world that I would have done that consciously.”

Cato pet my hair soothingly. “Shh Glimmer. I know. It was Snow and the pill so you don’t have to apologize. I know you would never have done that otherwise.”

“I’m so sorry Cato.”

“It’s okay Glimmer. There’s nothing for you to apologize for.”

I peered up at him, awe in my eyes. “I love you.”

Cato smiled down at me, love evident in his face. “I love you too.”

Cato POV

Raine rushed me to prep right away in the morning. I tried to not think about how I was getting prepped to go to the train station while Glimmer was visiting with Enobaria because she wouldn’t be getting on the train with me.

All the other Victors had left early this morning except for Finnick, Elenna and Blight because they would be staying in the Capitol for their services. The other Victors had left early since District 1 and 2 were the current stars in the Capitol and everyone wanted to see us board the train and depart. Only, Glimmer, Cashmere and Gloss wouldn’t be boarding the train.

When Raine was done, she rushed me to the doors of the Training Center where a car was waiting to take me, Enobaria and Brutus to the train station. Glimmer, Cashmere, Gloss, Finnick, Elenna and Blight were waiting to the side of the door, dressed casually unlike us.

The other’s let Glimmer and I have our moment to say goodbye.

Glimmer had tears in her eyes as she threw her arms around my neck. “I’m so sorry this is happening Cato.”

I held her to me as hard as I could without killing her. “Stop apologizing today. None of this is your fault.”

“I’m going to miss you more than words can express,” she murmured into my shirt. I could feel a wet patch forming from her tears.

“I love you Glimmer, more than you can ever know.”

“No matter what I do or what you might hear, never doubt my love you for,” she sobbed.

I felt myself starting to tear up. “I’m so sorry this is happening to you. If I hadn’t suggested suicide....”

“Stop that right now,” she yelled. It was muffled by my shirt. “As long as you’re alive and safe, I know I made the right choice.”

We stood together for another few minutes just holding each other and murmuring to each other promises and telling each other that we loved each other. We were broken apart by a tap on my shoulder.

“Yes?” I asked rather gruffly. I was mad at having my goodbye interrupted.

“President Snow wants to see Glimmer and the rest of his special Victors,” explained Enobaria. “But he’s requested that we don’t leave until he gets back.”

Glimmer nodded at me and pulled out of our tight embrace. She walked up to Cashmere and together the group moved to the elevators.

“What do you think he wants?” I asked Enobaria once everyone had left and it was just me, her and Brutus.

She shrugged nonchalantly but she looked worried. “I don’t know.”

Glimmer POV

“It’s nice to see my special Victors,” greeted Snow once we reached a staff-like room. There were enough chairs for all of us so we each sank into a chair.

“What do you want Snow?” I asked. Everyone seemed to flinch at my tone and I suddenly understood why. They had worked under Snow longer than me and they never raised their voice to him. He probably punishes us if we do but since I’m new, he’ll tolerate it for a short while.

“I’ve thought through some things.”

“Like?” asked Finnick.

Snow didn’t smile sickly sweet at us like he usually would. He looked to be in a gruesome mood. “I’ve decided to send all six of you back to your Districts until the 75th Hunger Games.”

I brightened. I wouldn’t have to sell myself yet!

“What?!” asked Elenna, dumbfounded.

“Enjoy this time. I’ll call you back two weeks before the Games.”

Without another word, Snow stood and breezed out of the room. We all sat in silence for a pregnant pause and then we erupted. We laughed and cried and hugged each other.

“Let’s go get on the train!” cheered Finnick, throwing open the door and we rushed to the elevator.

Once it reached the main floor, we burst out of the elevator, all smiles and laughter. I ran straight to Cato and jumped to him. He caught me in his arms, spun me once and put me on my feet. “What’s going on?”

“President Snow is letting us six leave!”

Instead of joining in the good mood, Cato’s expression grew dark. “Why? What’s the catch?”

“He said we can go home until the 75th Hunger Games!”

“Aren’t you worried about why? Why can you stay at home until the Hunger Games?”

“Don’t you see Cato!? I don’t have to sell myself yet!”

Cato finally smiled at me. “That’s great news Glim.”

On the train, our good mood instantly evaporated as Cashmere and Enobaria ushered us all into the living room cart. They locked all the doors, shut all the blinds and turned on only the lamps.

“What’s going on?” I asked. I was curled up beside Cato and I noticed everyone else looked just as confused.

“I’ve just gotten word about uprisings in Districts 12, 9 and 5 that happened just this week,” whispered Enobaria.

“No,” moaned Finnick, pressing his face to his hands. Everyone but Cato and I had similar reactions.

“What does that mean?” I asked.

“Snow knows about the rebellion now. It’s out in the open and he isn’t happy at all,” explained Cashmere. “That’s why he let us go home for now. He was a rebellion to quell.”

“Also,” said Enobaria, turning to look at Cato and I curled up together. “He’s blaming it on you two for inciting the rebellion while on the Victory Tour.”