Burning Heart ~ Cato 2 (Completed)

Chapter Twelve

I lean my head against the tree, taking deep breathes. I've been in 12 for almost a week now, without Cato for 3 days. I didn't want him to leave, but then again, I didn't have a choice. 

A few hours pass and I bring myself up, walking towards the fence. Katniss and Gale warned me to not go out today because of Katniss's "looming feeling". It's beginning to grow dark. I head over to the hole in the fence near Katniss's house when it hits me. No birds or animals are near the fence. At all. As I walk closer I hear it.

A slight buzzing sound, much like the sound that tracker jackers emit is coming from the fence. The fence is on. I turn on my heel and slip into the trees, glancing out at the fence. I notice movement on the other side. As soon as I see the dark braid, I calm down. Katniss looks at me and shakes her head. The new peacekeeper turned it on. 

He's been watching me since the Gale incident, trying to pin something on me. I begin to shiver as the temperature drops. There's no way for me to get through or under the fence without getting killed. I'm going to have to go over.

I've only done this once before, I was much younger then. Smaller. I walk the mile towards the grandpa maple that dad showed me. Since it was so cold, the tree was frozen over. I climbed into the smaller oak next to it and launched myself into the tree. As soon as I climb up, I shake my head. 

It will be fine. I was able to survive a 20-foot drop in the training center during the games. I'm sure 5 more feet won't be too bad. After making sure my gamebag is secure over my shoulders, I swing on the branch, releasing my hold on it. 

Right before I hit the ground, I tuck into myself, causing my body to roll onto the ground, not slam on it. I stand up, brushing myself off. The only pain comes from my arm, but then again, I don't think it will ever heal completely. I begin my trudge to the house, stopping by the hob to pick up some wine, a blanket, some books, and a few other items.  On my way out Greasy Sae hands me a bag of candy she was given. I nod my thanks and head home. 

I walk into the house and freeze as I see, Haymitch, Katniss, Prim, and two peacekeepers. The woman chews her inside cheek, and the man's face flashes with shock. So the fence wasn't a coincidence. 

"Hello," I greet in a mix of cheer and annoyance. Mina hobbles out of the kitchen, Mrs. Everdeen close behind. 

"You're late young lady," Mina scolds, threating me with her wooden spoon. I let out a laugh, tugging off my soaked boots and snow-covered jacket. As I straighten up, I connect eyes with the Peacekeepers.

"May I help you?" I ask, a smile across my face. 

"Head Peacekeeper Thread sent us with a message," The woman says, almost bored. 

"They've been waiting for a few hours," Mina adds, looking at their backs pointedly. I try not to smile, as my suspicions were confirmed. They were waiting for me to not return, for me to get electrocuted or trapped. 

"Well then, it must be an important message," I respond. Making my way around them and sitting next to Prim on the couch. 

"Ms. Quarry, may I ask where you have been?" The woman asks, annoyed. Well then, isn't she a people person. I let out an amused laugh and the peacekeeper's brows furrow. 

"In all honesty, it would be easier to ask where I haven't been," I grin tiredly. Haymitch looks like a dad in his recliner, and he leans back.

"Okay then, where haven't you been?" He asks. The Peacekeeper seems annoyed. 

"Well, I wasn't at the Goat keepers to help Prim with her goat. And I most certainly wasn't at the metalworkers to get the ring situation settled because some people gave me wrong directions to both places," I say, with mock irritation. Prim and Katniss laugh as Haymitch scoffs.

"I gave you perfect directions, but you weren't listening," Prim says with her puppy dog smile. I turn to Haymitch, my arms crossed.

"And you?" I ask. He laughs.

"Oh no, trust me, sweetheart. I gave you the wrong directions," He laughs. I roll my eyes and throw a pillow at him. The female peacekeeper clears her throat. She eyes my hunting bag.

"What's in that?" She asks. I force myself not to smirk, knowing for a fact she is hoping for game. I dump the contents on the table and am surrounded by everyone. 

"Candy!" Prim exclaims, grabbing the bag and unwrapping as many as she can. I grab the wine bottle and hand it to Haymitch, hand Mina a bag of apples, Mrs. Everdeen some bandages, and Katniss a book that has a hidden pocket with fresh bowstrings. 

"Tada. So the message?" I ask, looking back at the peacekeeper. 

"Peacekeeper Thread wanted to let you know that the fence surrounding the area will now be turned on 24/7." She says. 

"Wait, was it not already?" I ask, furrowing my brows. She clenches her teeth.

"He thought you might pass this information to the Hawthorne boy," She says, with obvious annoyance. 

"Will do chief," I say. She scoffs and her and the guy exit my house. I smile and lock the door.

"Good Riddance." 

I sit on the floor next to Katniss, my head leaning against Gale's knee as he sits on the couch above us. Prim sits in my lap, Meina in her rocking chair, Haymitch is stretched out on the loveseat, and Mrs. Everdeen sits perched in the recliner. We all face the television as Ceasar Flickerman narrates pictures from my wedding shoot that slide across the screen. We had spent the last day and a half working on those shots, and I have to admit, they came out great. I smile as Cinna begins to gush about the designs, the pride evident in his voice.

After it seems to be over, I lean forward to shut the TV off when I hear the words, Quarter Quell. I lean back and watch the TV.

"It must be time for the reading of the card," Haymitch says, boredom evident in his voice. Snow appears on the screen, Brutus following behind holding a wooden box. Snow gives the speech reminding us all of the Quarter Quells from the past. Finally, he opens the box and reads the card.

"On the seventy-fifth anniversary, as a reminder to the rebels that even the strongest among them cannot overcome the power of the Capitol, the male and female tributes will be reaped from their existing pool of victors."

I hear screams and gasps from around us. I turn my head to Haymitch, as it finally sinks in.

My heart freezes as a primal fear envelops me. 

We're going back.