Burning Heart ~ Cato 2 (Completed)

Chapter Nineteen

My interview is cut short by the timer, and Haymitch's goes by just as fast. When he makes his way up onto the stage where the rest of us stand, I subconsciously reach out for his hand. As soon as I do, my body moves on its own accord. I reach out and grab the stump of a hand that belongs to Chaff. Without wavering, he grabs onto the hands of the next victor, and so forth. Soon, we all stand unified on stage. Caesar looks back at us when he hears the gasps of the crowd. Sheer panic is written all over his face. Almost suddenly, the room goes dark, and all the cameras are shut off. The begin to usher us away in the dark. We stumble through the stage and towards the training Center. Right as I am roughly shoved, I see Jo and Finnick give me the three-finger salute. And, in the moment, I return it. 

When we get back to the rooms, I am sad to see that Effie has been dismissed prior. I give Haymitch a hug and head to my room. As my head hits the pillow, I can't help but let the sinking feeling enter my mind. I could die tomorrow. Haymitch could, Jo could, Finnick could, and worst of all, Cato could. My mind drifts to Cinna, and the eery feeling that tonight might be his last sinks in. I shake it away and close my eyes, images of a bleeding Peeta, mutt Clove, and other images of death play behind my eyes. 

Later that night, I wake with a start. She stands in the corner of the room, watching me.

"I am not afraid of you." I say, sensing the waver in my voice. 

She smiles.

"I'm not," My voice drops to a whisper.

"Do you understand what is happening?" She asks, my voice in her mouth as she tilts her head.

"I'm hallucinating."

"We're hallucinating."

My hands shake as Cinna and I sit on the couch. We wait for the voice letting me know that we won't make it to the Arena. That they would kill us in this room. But it doesn't come. I pull at the blue-gray jumpsuit I'm in, before tugging at my two dutch braids. 

Finally, a voice speaks over an intercom, telling me it's time. I slowly stand and stumble my way to the tube. Cinna kisses my forehead gently. 

"Thank you Cinna," I say softly. "See you soon."

"See you soon kid," He smiles. The glass door closes, separating us. I stand tall, waiting for the plate to lift but it doesn't I glance back at Cinna, who wears a look of confusion similar to mine. Right before the door to the room bursts open, Cinna and I both realize. 

I bang my hand on the glass, screams wrenching from my throat as two Peacekeepers pin Cinna down. The Third takes off his mask, giving me a sick smile. He begins to beat Cinna as I scream out my lungs, beating on the glass. Blood begins to form around Cinna, just as it does on the glass. I try to claw my way out trying to get to him. I'm full of anger and fear. Tears stream down my face in rivers of grief. 

Finally, Cinna looks up at me, the look on his face causing me to let out a sob. As a metal boot hits his temple, he goes limp. The Peacekeepers drag out his body, leaving a trail of blood behind him. I grip the Mockingjay pin on my heart and gasp for air. 

The plate begins to rise, and I am blinded by the light. My fears are deepened as all I can see surrounding me is water. My breathing gets worse as I look down at the blood dripping from my knuckles. My sadness is quickly replaced by boiling hot anger. I look around at the water. This is no place for the girl on fire. No place for the Mockingjay. No place for Ashlynn Quarry-Porcius.

I look straight up at the sky, as the promise floats through my mind. 

Snow, when I get out of here, I'm going to destroy everything you have ever loved.