I shift into the Mockingjay as I stare death in its barrel. The Peacekeeper seems to struggle with his choice. Screams of terror surround us, and we both know if he kills me here, in front of these live cameras, Snow would kill him.
"Get the Victors out of here and to the next district. Now!" He commands and Cato rushes to my side.
"Come on Ashlynn," He whispers. I stand up but address the peacekeeper before I leave.
"Remember, it may not have been your command, but you killed an innocent man today with your hands. Good luck living with that," I spit at him. Cato curses loudly and all but drags me off stage.
Anger surges my body as he pulls me onto the train. The reality of what happened sinks into my bones and freezes my bloodstream.
"Oh Ashlynn, darling!" Effie cries reaching for me. I feel myself snap under her caring touch.
"Don't touch me! None of you! How could you worry about me when an innocent man was murdered out there?" I scream and run to my room. Cato rushes after me and uses his hand to stop the door from slamming shut.
"Ashlynn, you're in shock," He says quietly, shutting the door. I continue on my tantrum.
"They killed an innocent man Cato!" I shriek and pick up the nearest object, chucking it at the wall. Glass shatters to the ground, and I go to pick up my next victim. A biography on President Snow launches through the air, denting the wall.
"Ashlynn!" Cato cries, reaching his hand out. Before I can process what happens, Cato clutches his cheek in a curse. Once again, I snap out of my trance and panic.
"Cato!" I exclaim, peeling his hand away from his cheek. A small gash on his jaw bleeds slowly. I look down at my hand to see a ring with a small sapphire on it. Mom's wedding band.
I feel the guilt of her disappointment and drop to the ground, tears beginning to stream down my face.
"I'm sorry," I whisper. I whisper to Cato, to Rue, to the man, to my parents, even to myself. I feel a body lean down beside me and I flinch, gasping. I turn to lock eyes with Cato's angry yet sympathetic eyes.
"It's okay Ashlynn," He whispers slowly, not touching me. While my brain tells me it's okay, my heart can't help but beat in silent thumps of terror.
"That wasn't you, you were angry. It's okay to be angry," He says very softly. He moves his hand to my shoulder.
I don't say a word, my eyes drifting to the ground. Anger bubbles and surges inside of me, constricting at my heart.
"Morning sleepyhead!" An oddly chipper Haymitch says as I slug into the dining cart.
"Whatever," I mumble and make a beeline for the bright bottle of white wine resting on the table.
Right as I reach for it, a shirtless Cato enters the car. He stops where the coffee is and grabs two cups.
"Your closet not working?" Haymitch questions as Cato comes and settles next to me. He sets one of the coffee cups in front of me before shrugging.
"I don't drink coffee," I say, looking wearily at the dark liquid.
"I know. It's hot chocolate," He says. Almost immediately, he turns to the side, talking to his mentor.
"I'm going to take this to my room," I say, standing. "Cinna, Haymitch, may I talk to you?" We all stand and exit the cart.
YOU ARE READING
Burning Heart ~ Cato 2 (Completed)
ФанфикFire burns brighter in the darkness. His goal was to save her. Her goal was to save them all. {Blood Lust Book 2}
