The Sword's Other Half

Calm Before the Storm

AN: Hello my lovelies! Here is this weeks chapter a little early since I won't be able to punish tomorrow. I hope y'all are enjoying your holiday.

Staring at the wall I point the remote at it turning it into a beautiful forest much like the one I love back at District 12. ‘Tomorrow is the day.’ I sigh as I silently wish that Cato was here with me. ‘I am not okay right now. I wish I could just wrap myself in his arms and forget what’s going to happen when the sun rises tomorrow.’ I sigh but my thoughts are interrupted by a knock on my door. 
    I heave myself off of my bed and open the door to find Haymitch. “I have a surprise for you, Princess. Hopefully this will help you destress before tomorrow.”
    Haymitch gestures beside the door. I lean out and find none other than the person I’d been longing for since after the interview standing there. Cato smirks at my shocked face, “Hey, Babe. Your side of the connection is still open so I could heard your call and here I am.” 
    Haymitch steps to the side and lets Cato in, “Now, you too get some sleep. In the words of Effie, ‘Tomorrow is a big day’. I’ll be back early tomorrow to sneak Cato out again.”
    Haymitch heads back to his room leaving Cato and I alone. Cato lays down in my bed and opens his arms to me. Without a second thought, I climb into the bed right into Cato’s arms that immediately wrap around me securely. I sigh in contentment. “I’m glad you came,” I tell Cato in a whisper. 
    “I’ll always come running when you call, baby. Now get some sleep. I love you, Fairy,” Cato whispers back and kisses my head. 
    I snuggle further into Cato’s chest. “I love you too, babe.” With that said I let all of my worries of tomorrow slip from my mind as the rhythm of my soulmates heart beneath my ear lulls me to sleep. 
{Time Skip brought to you by Dean’s Love of Pie!}
    I am brought out of the land of dreams by a gentle kiss on my forehead causing me to smile lightly. “Time to get up, love,” Cato says. I nod and comply letting him up as well. Cato and I walk towards the door, “When the horn sounds make a run away from the Cornucopia. I will get us supplies and then I will find you. Don’t under any circumstances come into that bloodbath. Do you understand?”
    I nods and look him deeply in the eyes. I succumb to the pull of his eyes and lose myself in the sea of blue staring back at me. I gently cup Cato’s face and he leans into my touch never breaking eye contact. “Please be careful, Cato. I can’t lose you,” I plead. 
    Cato continues to stare deeply into my eyes and suddenly grabs my waist pulling me closer to him. Gently Cato places a hand on the back of my neck guiding me closer before he leans down to match my height and his soft lips land on mine. Softly my eyes fall closed and I wrap my arms around his neck bringing him almost impossibly closer to me. I can feel Cato’s love for me exploding through our connection and I would bet my life that he’s feeling the same from my side. Much too soon, Cato pulls away and rests his forehead on mine and wraps both of his arms securely around me, “I will make it back to you. I will always fight tooth and nail to remain by your side.” I nod and close my eyes wrapping my arms around him as well savoring the fleeting moment of peace we have. Cato sighs, “I have to go now. I love you, baby.”
    I nod and hug him tighter, “I love you too, Cato.” I reluctantly release him from my hold and let him leave.
{Time Skip brought to you by “I lost my shoe :(”}
    Haymitch and I ride the elevator down to meet Cinna. Seeing the look on my face Haymitch puts his arm around my shoulder and pulls me into his side. I lay my head on his shoulder accepting the comforting gesture. “They’ll put all kinds of stuff right in front, right in the mouth of the Cornucopia. There’ll even be a bow and set of knives there. Don’t go for it. It’s a bloodbath. They’re trying to pull you in. That’s not your game. You turn, run, find high ground, look or water. Water’s your new best friend.”
    I nod against his shoulder, “Cato and I discussed it this morning. He made me promise that I won’t go in and instead to run. He said he’d handle getting us weapons and supplies then meet up with me. I’m worried about him.”
    Haymitch squeezes my shoulder in comfort, “He'll be fine. He’s trained for this for years. It’s what the Careers do. Oh! Don’t step off that pedestal early or they’ll blow you sky high.”
    I nod against his shoulder again as the elevator opens causing us to break apart and step out. After we are out of the elevator Haymitch grabs me by my shoulders, “Melissa, you can do this.”
    I look him firmly in the eyes and nod. ‘He is serious. He’s never called me by my full first name before.’ I smile gently at him. Stepping up on my tiptoes ‘Dang these tall people’ I kiss him on the cheek, “Thanks, Dad.” After saying this I don’t look at Haymitch not wanting him to see the fear in my eyes at what’s to come. ‘If something were to happen to me I am glad I was able to tell him how much he means to me. I want the last time we see each other face to face to be me expressing that to him and him seeing me be strong not scared.’
    Walking onto the aircraft I find an open seat next to Cato and immediately take it. A lady comes up and gives us a shot that has our trackers in them. Cato reaches over and holds my hand gently drawing patterns on it to comfort both of us. No words are needed between us just being in each other’s presence is enough.
    After the aircraft lands, I am immediately escorted by some peacekeepers to Cinna who automatically pulls me into a tight hug. I accept the hug readily needing any ounce of comfort I can get at the moment. When we pull away Cinna helps me put on the jacket he made for me and pins something on my shirt. Looking down, I see the pin that Prim had given me for protection. “Thank you,” I whisper. 
   “Thirty seconds,” I begin to tremble at this announcement.
    Cinna places a hand on my shoulder grabbing my attention, “I’m not allowed to bet, but if I could, I’d bet on you.” Cinna gently kisses me on the cheek then places his forehead on mine in comfort. ‘Cinna has become someone I can rely on in these games. He’s like an older brother to me in a way.’
    “Twenty seconds,” I pull away from Cinna and walk towards the platform that will send me up to my place in the arena. “Ten seconds.” Walking into the tube the doors automatically close behind me causing me to turn and look fearfully at Cinna. All I receive in return is a reassuring nod before I begin to be pushed upwards into the arena.
    Observing my surroundings I see that this year’s games will be held in a wood based arena. Searching for Cato I lock eyes with him.
    Remember what we talked about, Mel. Run into the woods and I'll meet up with you once I have the supplies. I love you so much.
    I understand. I love you too, Cato.
    “10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5.” ‘A storm is brewing and shit’s about to hit the fan.’