The next morning Cato wakes me up telling me to check on my leg. Looking down, I see that the salve worked really well only leaving behind a big scab in the burn's wake. Cato smiles at me which I return just as brightly. "Psst," we hear nearby.
Both of us look around us until my eyes land on the little girl who was always shadowing me in the training sessions. Thinking back to the interviews I whisper to her, "Rue?" Rue nods and points above our heads. Looking up we notice a nest of tracker jackers. Cato looks at her questioningly as she points down to the Careers and makes a sawing motion.
She wants us to cut down the nest so that they land on the Careers. That's actually a smart plan to lead them away from the tree so we can get out.
Yeah but the tracker jackers will sting as the nest is being cut down.
It's either that or stay in this tree and starve to death.
I'll do it. You're already hurt.
Are you sure, Cato?
Absolutely, you're already hurt enough as it is, Fairy.
I nod and we finish our silent debate. Cato shifts me so I'm sitting on the branch and he is standing behind me then he begins to climb towards the nest. Once Cato reaches the branch holding the nest he begins to saw at the branch with one of the daggers. Cato and I grunt as he's stung by one of the mutant wasps in the neck. Sting after sting both of us make slight sounds of pain until finally, the nest falls and chaos ensues. The Careers make a run for it and all of them make it out besides Glimmer. I help Cato safely climb down the tree and steady him as the tracker jacker venom begins to take effect.
"Lean against this tree for a second, Baby. I'll be right back," I tell Cato who nods deliriously. I run over to Glimmer's still body and say a silent prayer hoping she is in a better place than we are right now before taking her bow and quiver and rushing back over to Cato as Rue joins us.
After we make it a ways away Rue and I lay Cato down and Rue places some sort of leaves on his stings. I sit next to Cato and wait for him to wake up. "Thank you, Rue," I tell her sincerely.
Rue smiles at me, "I'm glad I could help you two. I'm even more glad my plan was able to get at the Careers a bit." I laugh as we continue to talk.
{Time Skip brought to you by Ryuk's love of apples.}
It's been two days since we scared the Careers off and I am coming back from checking our traps holding two squirrels in my hand. I left Rue with Cato while I was gone. I'm about to enter the clearing when I pass Rue hiding behind a tree. I look at her curiously, "Rue, what's wrong, sweetie?"
She looks at me unsurely, "He's waking up."
I gently ruffle her hair with my unoccupied hand, "He won't hurt you, Sweetie. If he even tries I'll kick his butt for you, alright?" Rue smiles at me and nods. Looking away from Rue I see Cato awake and looking around frantically before suddenly he stops with his back facing me.
Melissa?!? Where are you?!?
I giggle silently before handing Rue the squirrels and then I silently walk up behind him then hug him around the waist, "I'm right here, Sleeping Beauty."
Cato quickly turns around and gathers me up into his arms, "I woke up and you weren't around."
I snuggle myself further into his chest, "I was checking the traps I set for us to see if we had dinner; which we do by the way. Come on, let's all three cook it then eat." When I pull away Cato looks at me curiously and I call over my shoulder, "Come on out, Rue I already told you I'd kick his butt if he tries anything."
YOU ARE READING
The Sword's Other Half
FanfictionMelissa Fae Knight is best friends with the Everdeens and Gale. When Prim is reaped, Mel doesn't hesitate to take her place. Entering the Hunger Games she never expected to meet the eyes of her soul's missing half. Cato Hadley x OC Soulmate AU